DUI driver caught on tape laughing about dead victim

[Admiral Valdemar]

I trust she isn't banned from driving permanently then. Too bad.

[aerius]

I don't think it's possible to get a permanent driving ban unless you steal a steamroller and use it to run over babies and little girls in a church parking lot.

[Hamel]

My brother had his first DUI a few months back. He ran through someone's yard and destroyed a telephone pole. There were kids inside the house, so just think of what could have happened. Well, he doesn't think about it anyway, it's no big deal to him. His mommy has to drive him to work for the next 6 months at least and he could have killed somebody, but no big deal, right? But I'm a loser because I don't drink and chew/smoke tobacco derpderp duurrr

[Admiral Valdemar]

Get with the programme, Hamel. Don't you know it's good etiquette to flout laws?

I think speeding is generally pissing me off more here though, because that I can see plenty of unlike DUI. All this week I've had people, usually in big SUVs, overtake me when I'm doing around 55 in a 60 zone and they insist on rushing to wherever the fuck they're going at 80 MPH. There's never a cop when you need one. Or a tree.

[Adrian Laguna]

"French guy"? I don't know, it just sounds like someone saying "Chinaman" or something.

What's wrong with Chinaman?

[Veramocor]

Every time I read a story like this, I take a moment to be thankful that the drunk driver who killed my friend some years ago had the decency to plow into a tree later that night and thus remove himself from any further entanglement.

Sad facts about drunk-driving fatalities:

In 2006, an estimated 17,602 people died in alcohol-related traffic crashes—an average of one every 30 minutes. These deaths constitute 41 percent of the 42,642 total traffic fatalities. Of these, an estimated 13,470 involved a driver with an illegal BAC (.08 or greater).

No excuse for it. First-time offenders should have the car taken away permanently. And that's if there aren't fatalities or serious injuries involved. There needs to be serious, hard-hitting penalty for first time DUI.

That number is amazingly large when you think about it. To put it in perspective Osama Bin Ladin would have to pull off five plus 9/11 attacks per year to kill that many Americans.

[Broomstick]

"French guy"? I don't know, it just sounds like someone saying "Chinaman" or something.

What's wrong with Chinaman?

Is American English not your first language?

For very complicated historical reasons, "Chinaman" is taken to be a racial slur in some parts of the US, particularly (if I recall correctly) the western/southwestern states and Texas. It's a cultural thing that probably makes no sense to outsiders and frankly isn't all that clear to some of us, either.

Without getting too bogged down, I would advise visitors from outside the US to avoid the term just to err on the side of caution.

[Adrian Laguna]

Is American English not your first language?

That flag on my avatar isn't there just because it's pretty.

For very complicated historical reasons, "Chinaman" is taken to be a racial slur in some parts of the US, particularly (if I recall correctly) the western/southwestern states and Texas. It's a cultural thing that probably makes no sense to outsiders and frankly isn't all that clear to some of us, either.

Without getting too bogged down, I would advise visitors from outside the US to avoid the term just to err on the side of caution.

If you say so. It seriously looks pretty inoffensive. No much different than "man from China".

[LadyTevar]

I don't think it's possible to get a permanent driving ban unless you steal a steamroller and use it to run over babies and little girls in a church parking lot.

In my state, that's what happens on the 3rd conviction.

[FSTargetDrone]

If you say so. It seriously looks pretty inoffensive. No much different than "man from China".

Some people apparently have no problem with it, but many do. It's all about context. Especially if it's obviously being used as an insult.

However, to make myself completely clear, I wasn't comparing it to "Frenchman" in terms of being racist (though this idiot in the story was doubtless trying to be cleverly contemptuous). It just sounded like an odd choice of words from someone who's relatively young and who doesn't appear to be all that sophisticated. It's not the sort of phrasing I've ever heard in everyday use in my 33 years. No one where I live routinely describes a person as a "Frenchman" or "Englishman," let alone as a "Chinaman." More likely, someone is likely to say, "he's French" or "he's English." It was just odd to me, that's all. I didn't want to make it a tangent, it was just a throw-away comment on my part.

[Darth Wong]

"French guy"? I don't know, it just sounds like someone saying "Chinaman" or something.

What's wrong with Chinaman?

That's what the fucking task masters used to call us when they strapped dynamite onto us and sent us into tunnels for blasting purposes when they were making the national railroad. There's an old saying among the rednecks: "for every 10 feet of track, there's a dead Chinaman." So I don't fucking like it if some asshole addresses me as "chinaman", and I'll let him know it.

[Broomstick]

Is American English not your first language?

That flag on my avatar isn't there just because it's pretty.

Just wanted to double check, as your avatar indicates one thing and your "location" is set to Illinois.

Without getting too bogged down, I would advise visitors from outside the US to avoid the term just to err on the side of caution.

If you say so. It seriously looks pretty inoffensive. No much different than "man from China".

Yeah, it's always the weird idioms that will get you into trouble.

[Hamel]

"French guy"? I don't know, it just sounds like someone saying "Chinaman" or something.

What's wrong with Chinaman?

"And dude, chinamen is not the preferred nomenclature. Asian-american, please."

[Adrian Laguna]

That's what the fucking task masters used to call us when they strapped dynamite onto us and sent us into tunnels for blasting purposes when they were making the national railroad. There's an old saying among the rednecks: "for every 10 feet of track, there's a dead Chinaman." So I don't fucking like it if some asshole addresses me as "chinaman", and I'll let him know it.

I suspected those may have been "complicated historical reasons" Broomstick mentioned. Though for the record, I would only have used to refer to a Chinese national (ie, not you). I didn't know it was offensive.

[Glocksman]

"French guy"? I don't know, it just sounds like someone saying "Chinaman" or something.

What's wrong with Chinaman?

That's what the fucking task masters used to call us when they strapped dynamite onto us and sent us into tunnels for blasting purposes when they were making the national railroad. There's an old saying among the rednecks: "for every 10 feet of track, there's a dead Chinaman." So I don't fucking like it if some asshole addresses me as "chinaman", and I'll let him know it.

That's exactly why I'd never use the word unless I was trying to be insulting or using it in a historical context (i.e.; the history of Chinese immigration to the US or something).
To my knowledge, 'Frenchman' doesn't carry that kind of historical baggage, so I use it regularly when discussing French people.

[Darth Ruinus]

"French guy"? I don't know, it just sounds like someone saying "Chinaman" or something.

What's wrong with Chinaman?

That's what the fucking task masters used to call us when they strapped dynamite onto us and sent us into tunnels for blasting purposes when they were making the national railroad. There's an old saying among the rednecks: "for every 10 feet of track, there's a dead Chinaman." So I don't fucking like it if some asshole addresses me as "chinaman", and I'll let him know it.

Woah shit

Though I knew "Chinaman" is derogatory, I had no idea that that shit occured.

Shit, sometimes humanity acts like a fucking animal.

BTW, from the sounds of things, DUIs arent penalized harshily or something? WHy?

[Havok]

Maybe because politicians, cops and judges routinely drink and drive?

[Darth Wong]

Woah shit

Though I knew "Chinaman" is derogatory, I had no idea that that shit occured.

Of course you don't, because "history class" in our society means "white European history" and "white domestic history", which is why they act as though the history of this continent began when the first white people got here. The only reason the blacks have managed to push their history so much into the public consciousness is the fact that they've turned race whining into a fucking industry. And now they're paying the price; they've emphasized their alienation from white society so much for so long that they're virtually segregating themselves. You can't win either way.

Shit, sometimes humanity acts like a fucking animal.

Indeed. Except that I would say "most of the time". We are animals, barely held in check by a thin strand that we call "civilization".

BTW, from the sounds of things, DUIs arent penalized harshily or something? WHy?

Because as recently as 30 years ago, drunk driving was considered such a hilariously funny thing to do that Burt Reynolds was actually viewed onscreen drinking a beer while sitting behind the wheel and speeding, and he was supposed to be the hero of the film (the film was called Cannonball Run). In fact, drinking and driving was the dominant element in the "humour" of that worthless piece of shit movie, which made a shitload of money when it came out. There was also a Twilight Zone episode when a drunk driver killed somebody, and he was made out to be the victim because the dead person's family was so unreasonably vindictive. Because, you know, when some drunk kills your son, you're supposed to laugh and forgive him because everybody has a drink and gets in the car now and then. If you don't, you're a vindictive prick according to 1960s values.

Modern attitudes toward drinking and driving are a lot different from the values that the older generation grew up with. And guess which generation dominates the judiciary.

[Illuminatus Primus]

I hear you Mike. No one ever talks about the turn-of-the-century cases which suggested a Chinese national was never capable of rising above his despotic race and becoming a true U.S. citizen. Or that Chinese people could not even own property.

[Darth Ruinus]

Woah shit

Though I knew "Chinaman" is derogatory, I had no idea that that shit occured.

Of course you don't, because "history class" in our society means "white European history" and "white domestic history", which is why they act as though the history of this continent began when the first white people got here. The only reason the blacks have managed to push their history so much into the public consciousness is the fact that they've turned race whining into a fucking industry. And now they're paying the price; they've emphasized their alienation from white society so much for so long that they're virtually segregating themselves. You can't win either way.

Good points.

You know, I suddenly feel like reading the Mexican history books my parents brought from Veracruz, if only to read about different countries accounts of their own history.

Damn, I am going to start reading abit more about history from now on, I still can't even grasp the concept of strapping TNT onto a living being and using them as mobile demolition charges. Just to build a fucking railroad.

Indeed. Except that I would say "most of the time". We are animals, barely held in check by a thin strand that we call "civilization".

True, although I would even say "all of the time" since "civilization" seems to increase our violent tendencies.

I doubt a caveman would have laughed at a fellow caveman dying. (Yeah, analogy sucks, but thats all I can come up with at 10:51 PM, on a Thursday)

[FSTargetDrone]

Modern attitudes toward drinking and driving are a lot different from the values that the older generation grew up with. And guess which generation dominates the judiciary.

Look at what a politician in the state of Virgina is proposing:

Penalty license plates urged for 3-time DUI drivers’ cars

Posted to: General Assembly News Virginia

By Aaron Applegate

The Virginian-Pilot

© January 11, 2008

RICHMOND

Get caught driving drunk three times and you’d be the not-so proud owner of a bright yellow license plate under a law proposed by Del. Lionell Spruill Sr., D-Chesapeake.

“With this, you see people with that car and you watch out for it,” he said. “We’ve got to do something to let everybody know this guy is a danger to society.”

But civil libertarians say the “Scarlet Letter” approach goes too far and could unfairly mark a car driven by innocent family members. Anti-drunken-driving advocates said it just won’t work.

The bill, HB 1281, would require people with three or more DUI convictions to buy $500 yellow plates with red letters and numbers and keep them on their cars for five years after they get their driver’s licenses back. Spruill made a similar proposal last year, but the bill died in committee.

“This is a sound-good bill based on soundless logic and will likely meet the fate it deserves,” Kent Willis, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia, wrote in an e-mail.

“It’s well-intentioned, but I don’t think it will have a real impact,” added Chris Konschak, executive director of Mothers Against Drunk Driving for Virginia and Washington, D.C. He said an ignition lock that requires an alcohol-free breath test would work better to curb drunken driving.

About 955 Virginians got a third DUI conviction in 2006, according to Spruill’s 2007 bill.

Other states have tried variations on the idea, but most abandoned them because they didn’t reduce drunken driving, MADD’s Konschak said.

Spruill likened the measure to publicizing the addresses of repeat child molesters. “Just because you got that license back,” he said, “doesn’t mean you’re not still an alcoholic.”

A special license plate, after the third DUI offenders? I mean, what the hell are we talking about here? Where is the removal of driving privileges? If not permanently, at least for a good long time. And that's if the driver doesn't injure or kill someone.

It's all well and good to put special markings on a vehicle or ignition locks that are connected to Breathalyzers, but until there are long, serious penalties, it's all just so much nonsense. Not to mention that it doesn't seem to work as a way to dissuade people from drinking and driving.

[Adrian Laguna]

Of course you don't, because "history class" in our society means "white European history" and "white domestic history", which is why they act as though the history of this continent began when the first white people got here.

Well, there are some signs of change. I won't argue that the history classes most people get are hilariously biased, but World History in my High School dedicated around half the book to non-European and North American history. Which I think is a good balance. Hell, since most Americans are familiar with the origins and tenets of Christianity, it mostly glossed over that part. Each of the parts dealing with Hinduism, Buddism, and (especially) Islam were longer and more detailed.

The US history class was also surprisingly candid about how dastardly the nation has been at times. It even included first hand accounts of people who have been at the receiving end of it. I remember a Cherokee describing the trail of tears, a Nisei girl describing the WW2 internment camps, a young black man walking away from a lynching (some brave soul spoke-out for him and they let him go, his two friends weren't so lucky), the son of a suspected Communist talking about how his neighbours looked at him with fear in their eyes. There were more, that's just what I remember.

[Havok]

FSTargetDrone
I think in CA DUIs are charged as felonies. If you get three of those here, you will be making license plates, not worrying about having them on your car.

I have no idea why the rest of the country doesn't adapt that policy.

[Darth Ruinus]

Of course you don't, because "history class" in our society means "white European history" and "white domestic history", which is why they act as though the history of this continent began when the first white people got here.

Well, there are some signs of change. I won't argue that the history classes most people get are hilariously biased, but World History in my High School dedicated around half the book to non-European and North American history. Which I think is a good balance. Hell, since most Americans are familiar with the origins and tenets of Christianity, it mostly glossed over that part. Each of the parts dealing with Hinduism, Buddism, and (especially) Islam were longer and more detailed.

The US history class was also surprisingly candid about how dastardly the nation has been at times. It even included first hand accounts of people who have been at the receiving end of it. I remember a Cherokee describing the trail of tears, a Nisei girl describing the WW2 internment camps, a young black man walking away from a lynching (some brave soul spoke-out for him and they let him go, his two friends weren't so lucky), the son of a suspected Communist talking about how his neighbours looked at him with fear in their eyes. There were more, that's just what I remember.

We need more books like that.

And god dammit, when a class ic called World History, I expect WORLD HISTORY, not LOLZ!! Britain and America time! followed by American History, followed by American Government!

Sorry for going off topic there.

Anyways, has an attempt to take away the cars of DUI offenders ever been attempted? I would hope it wouldnt be opposed but, there is probably some group that woudl argue against it.

Or, why arent those breathalizer things not put into cars as a standard practice? Surely no one could complain right?

[FSTargetDrone]

Or, why arent those breathalizer things not put into cars as a standard practice? Surely no one could complain right?

Probably an issue of cost and practicality.