Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site ttrdc.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!cbosgd!ihnp4!mgnetp!ltuxa!ttrdc!levy From: levy@ttrdc.UUCP (Daniel R. Levy) Newsgroups: net.flame,net.politics,net.legal,net.auto Subject: Re: DWI Crackdowns Message-ID: <306@ttrdc.UUCP> Date: Sun, 28-Jul-85 23:49:32 EDT Article-I.D.: ttrdc.306 Posted: Sun Jul 28 23:49:32 1985 Date-Received: Wed, 31-Jul-85 02:33:55 EDT References: <202@SCIRTP.UUCP> <378@kontron.UUCP> <586@ttidcc.UUCP> <102@uw-june> <602@ttidcc.UUCP> Organization: AT&T, Computer Systems Division, Skokie, IL Lines: 64 Xref: watmath net.flame:11392 net.politics:10166 net.legal:1923 net.auto:7464 Dear Mr. Hollombe: I have never driven in my life while under the influence of even a speck (drop, what have you) of alcohol; neither have I been arrested on suspicion of such. Neither have any of my friends or relatives to my knowledge. Yet what you have to advocate puts me into a slow burn even imagining it--the innocent are pun- ished along with the guilty. Just because some injustices are already perpet- rated in this country (i.e. the alleged confiscation and keeping of even STOLEN firearms and boats which have been used in crimes) is no reason to add more of the same. I would suspect (is this mistaken?) that many many more people own autos/trucks than firearms and boats put together, making the innocent victim base (and yes I understand the great carnage of intoxicated drivers is huge too) much larger. You say it's a workable solution if the stolen vehicle were returned IF AND ONLY IF the drunk/thief were convicted of auto theft. You so forget the realities of today's implementation of criminal "justice." It could take months, nay, years under many circumstances to get this conviction if at all (i.e. not sidetracked by plea bargaining and the like). In the meanwhile the theft victim is left in the lurch. Not everybody has the luxury of waiting a long time and leisurely filing a lawsuit in this case. Much harm can be done to the theft victim that even a lawsuit is not guaranteed to even begin to repair. The possibility that the thief might be broke is just icing on the cake. You say use funds from the sold cars for thie purpose. I wonder in some cases whether the funds from 1000 sold cars would suffice to recompense some victims. Money cannot recompense some injustices due to delays. And imagine the load on the courts! Not every- one can afford hefty theft insurance either--and why should they? All they are MORALLY obligated to get is liability! I would sooner support a rule similar to that of many European countries, which would jail the convicted intoxicated driver (even the first time) for a year or more. At least the onus of punishment is placed upon the guilty there. Very unfortunately, I fear this would not sell in this country. We love our liberty too much here (decrepit America! for shame! Why did you ever start the Revolu- tionary War? Sarcasm mode off--at times this love for liberty can lead to re- diculous consequences. A pity.). It would be much better if the rules we DO have were better enforced. Making (potential) measures more draconian in a system where laws are already spottily enforced just increases the injustice. The innocent (who have taken no precautions against ruthless law enforcement) get screwed even worse, and the crafty guilty are about as well off (with a few notable exceptions) as before. I wonder, have you or any of your friends or relatives ("loved ones") been injured/killed in an accident due to an intoxicated driver? If so, I can well appreciate your wrath. For some victims of this horrible, nay, heinous, crime it wouldn't be enough justice if the sky fell down on the entire world except them and their loved ones THIS INSTANT! Unfortunately this won't sell well either, especially to the strangers who would have the sky fall upon them. Yet, since we are in such a free country, I will support heartily your right to propose your draconian solutions to whatever legislative bodies you wish. It is your privilege to do so. Just as it is my privilege to oppose them. -Dan- ..!ihnp4!ttrdc!ttbcad!levy -- ------------------------------- Disclaimer: The views contained herein are | dan levy | yvel nad | my own and are not at all those of my em- | an engihacker @ | ployer, my pets, my plants, my boss, or the | at&t computer systems division | s.a. of any computer upon which I may hack. | skokie, illinois | | "go for it" | Path: ..!ihnp4!ttrdc!levy -------------------------------- or: ..!ihnp4!iheds!ttbcad!levy