I've resisted speaking here, but things have calmed down now. It's all about perspective and stereotype. What do I mean?
The stereotype that everybody who drinks is a drunk. Or is a bad person. Or is going to kill somebody. Or is going to kill themselves driving. And perspective, as twaskom said above, everybody handles it so different, who do you draw a line and say this is the limit?
Another stereotype. I ride sportbikes. The stereotype is that everyone on a sportbike is a reckless, wheelie-popping, speeding, death wish hooligan. Yet, I've never been even pulled over on my sportbike (knock on wood), no tickets, never have done a wheelie before, etc. I ride very responsible, but I get put into the same group as those who ride a similar bike doing wheelies on the interstate with a helmet mohawk, a t-shirt, shorts, and sandals.
I think .08 is fair. I do not think that anybody should be operating anything once their reactions and though processes start to become impaired from alcohol. Doesn't mean they can't hold a conversation well, or walk in a straight line, but it may be the difference as to whether they can make a decision fast enough that could save or take a life.
This is no doubt an emotional topic. I want everybody to have a great time! But I think we can all agree that alcohol related accidents are one of the most tragic accidents.
With that said, I've seen accidents destroy people and families, my own family included. I no longer have a speaking relationship with my father. He and my mother are no longer married. He has an ignition breathalyzer; court mandated in his car to start it. I haven't seen or spoke to him since 2009. Alcohol really changed him leading up to this.
Two DUIs lead up to the the breathalyzer device. When I was 16, I was on my second date with this girl from school. I was dating way out of my league and was just hoping everything went well with her. I remember my mom calling me, in tears, asking me to just drive to this location with this girl. What happened was that they had been pulled over, and my dad arrested because he blew over. She blew under, but they wouldn't let her drive home since she had alcohol in her system too. I had to drive my mom home in the truck, the girl with me had to drive my car back. Somehow, she still stayed with me to this day.
So if you drink, be careful. Don't let it get out of control. Don't let it become tragic. Ride for the day, drink after you get home or back to camp. It's just not worth it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by twaskom
You are right and I do on occasion but it isn't the same. I used to go to dances and parties but when you don't drink and are around a lot of people that are drinking it just isn't what it used to be.
Tom
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I completely understand this. I'm 24 years old and have never drank. Not one beer, shot, etc, not one day in my life. I played collegiate hockey while in college. Parties all the time. It was tough, because I wanted to socialize, but being the only one not drinking was awkward. I use to go to team parties, and leave around midnight when everyone started getting too drunk to talk to.
It's not the same. College and parties while not drinking can be tough. And everyone asked my why I wasn't drinking. It became annoying. I learned walking around a party with a Dixie cup full of water kept the questions about my "not drinking" to a minimum. It's sad, but your statement is very true.
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