Randy Cassingham's Blog

Posted by Guy, Big Rock, TN on July 9, 2007:

I'm a (retired) military nurse and EMT who ran two Emergency Rooms, and worked in several others. On top of what the judge gave this "clown" (and any other driving under the influence) should be a mandatory stint riding in the back of a "bus" to accident scenes. After these idiots (the DWI's) have scraped up a family or two (and I wish to God that they would never have to, but I know better) who have been murdered by a DWI driver, they might change their drinking habits. Although never involved in any DWI incidents, I did change my drinking habits so that I never drive under the influence...I drink at home!

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For the uninitiated, "bus" is insider speak (especially in the eastern U.S.) for "ambulance". And while I appreciate the point, I'm not sure many EMTs would want such morons riding along, and I'm not sure the morons would fully grasp things anyway, especially if they're still active drinkers. The ability of an alcoholic to deny what's in front of his face is pretty startling. -rc

Posted by Dave - Albuquerque, NM on July 10, 2007:

As a former alcoholic, I have some sympathy for first time offenders of DWI. As one whose brother-in-law was killed by a drunk driver, I have no sympathy for repeat offenders who have thus proven they are an incredible danger to others.

Posted by Cliff, Oregon on July 10, 2007:

Having spent 11 years showing heavy drinkers how to rehabilitate themselves, I can say that your comment about their being unable to "fully grasp [such] things" is spot-on.

The claims of "powerlessness" and the inability to quit are just excuses to justify continued self-indulg-- er, drinking. No matter what anybody says about a heavy drinker's inability to control himself once drunk, there's always that first drink -- which is ALWAYS taken while fully sober.

Posted by John in Detroit on July 10, 2007:

Good Update Randy, Good judge too.

I would think that as a fireman he has likely responded to more than one incident where someone who had too much to drink turned his car, and him self, into "Modern Sculpture".

I would think he'd have seen the direct effects of alcohol first hand and I'd think he would have sworn it off long ago.

But then I was a police dispatcher for 25+ years and know a lot of cops I could make that statement of as well. And have been invited out drinking with them (I am a coffee-hoilc, don't like the taste of booze).

Far as I'm concerned there is no punishment enough for drunk drivers. They deserve everything the judge throws at them and more.

Posted by Mike from Dallas on July 10, 2007:

Cliff, I totally agree with you. Those who take that FIRST drink (or that first puff on a cigarette, or the first hit of some mind-numbing drug) use it as an excuse for their own inability to cope with life and its stress. When I could legally enjoy my first alcoholic drink, the age was 18. Even back then, the penalty for drunk driving was severe. Today I see even more horrendous examples of drunk driving than I ever did back then and I've asked why.

My wife says that it's accountability. People in small towns were fairly well-known by their neighbors and it was a humiliation just in everyone knowing that you got busted. Even in larger cities, communities were still cohesive as "small towns" within the city. Now communities are in continual flux.

Perhaps, but I see something more insidious. More than ever, people feel justified in whatever they do, because they have a Good Reason (to themselves, anyway, if not anyone else) or they were driven to their actions by forces beyond their control. We now live in the Age of the Excuse and too many people, in a laudable effort to see things from the Other Person's point of view, are too willing to accept those excuses. (The legal principle of Attractive Nuisance is a major sticking point in accountability.)

As my wife has said, nobody is accountable. There are ALWAYS circumstances that they just can't help. We need to make up our minds whether mankind is SO powerful that we can destroy nature, itself, or that mankind is SO helpless that the shifting winds render us useless in any control over our own actions.

Posted by Dee - Birmingham, AL on July 17, 2007:

While taking care of a DHR child that was taken from drug and alcohohlic parents, the father came for a visit...driving without a license because of his previous 2 DUI charges. I called the police, who pulled him over and arrested him as he left my house. DHR immediately called me, said that what I did was "low", then came and took the baby away from me. Whaaaaat???

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Pathetic. Here's another opinion: what you did was right. If dad wanted to visit, and didn't have a drivers license, he should have found other transportation. -rc

Posted by Cheryl, Canada on July 18, 2007:

I can't believe that the child was taken from you for doing the right thing. It's pretty pathetic that the welfare of an alcohol and drug-abusing father would come before the welfare of his child. That just goes to show you where our justice system has headed. Very sad!!!!

Posted by Eileen in Arizona on August 12, 2007:

I can't help but wonder...what if it was a woman dressed as a man? Our society does not consider this "humiliating." Men's clothing is quite a bit more user-friendly and women often wear it for the convenience of pockets, comfortable fabrics, etc. I feel that he should have had the book thrown at him for the drunk driving, but his attire should have been irrelevant.

Posted by Lois, Wisconsin on August 14, 2007:

Reply to Eileen--If a woman was wearing only a men's swim trunks and flip flops, I think she would have gotten plenty of comment.

Posted by Albert, Minnesota on March 14, 2008:

Drunk drivers will be punished properly only after state legislators stop driving drunk. Every one of them has a "There but for the grace of God go I" mentality.

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I don't buy the "every one of them" bit, but it frankly wouldn't surprise me if it was "50 percent plus one". -rc