Law Makers; Pay Attention to the Detail

(FORT WAYNE, IN) In an effort to make the streets and highways safer politicians decided to pass ordinances that would prevent the open container laws. They just didn’t bother to read their own words and fully comprehend the consequences.

Officials have discovered that the ordinance bans all open containers in vehicles — not just containers of alcohol.

That means an open can of soda, or even an open bag of chips in the car, is technically against the law, and could be subject to a $50 fine.

The State Senate had passed the tougher version of the present law in March 2005.

“The Senate has spoken,” Wyss said. “It will be up to the House.”

Current state law prohibits open containers of alcohol only if the driver has a blood-alcohol level of 0.04 percent or more.

The one issue that perplexes me with either of these bills. Exactly what difference does it make if the issue is one of an “open container” if the driver is under the influence of alcohol or not? Shouldn’t the law pertain to the driver whether it be a can of soda or can of beer; both will distract the driver from keeping his or her hands on the steering wheel. If the issue is only alcoholic beverages then state it.

Personally I am against such laws including cell phones, but if the issue is open container than keep it at that. I would hope that there is already a law on the books that says one cannot drink and drive. An open bottle of beer should never be allowed. It is amazing how a simple issue can become so complex because of all the exclusions that would have to be added to a simple concept.

Politicians, read the fine print and state what you mean. I’m sure there are some RV’ers out there that are wondering what your law states as well.

The Bleat is Back

James Lileks has finished his book, and is now posting his daily observations on the world in the Bleat. James is one of the better writers in America, and by sharing his world with the Bleat makes my mornings just a little bit better.
Here is a sample:

I’m starting to suspect that the entire Senate should be abolished. Purge the lot of ‘em. Their drivel may be no less meretricious than their House counterparts, but it’s usually slathered with sanctimony about the Noble Nature of their particular chamber, how they’re the saucer into which passions are poured to cool. (By “cool,” they often mean “frozen to the consistency of a glacier layer laid down when the Bourbons were still a going concern.”) Such airs! They’re the only branch of government that regularly advertises its special nature and higher purpose — it’s like having a special branch of the Kiwanis made up entirely of bankers who announce, before each meeting, that they’re better than the realtors and insurance salesmen. And why? Because there are fewer of them. Well, there are fewer experts in quantum physics than there are Special Forces soldiers, but I know who I’d want to drop at night into a warzone.

Thanks, James. Now go read him with your coffee.

The Law of Unintended Consequences

The Republicans have made an offer to the Democrats.

We will investigate Delay, but we also will start investigating Democrats too.

Surprise, Surprise. The Democrats are balking at this.

In an ethics stalemate that is rivaling the most partisan legislative struggles, House Republicans are proposing an investigation of Majority Leader Tom DeLay while threatening to put several Democrats under scrutiny as well.

Republicans made their second attempt in two weeks Wednesday to get a deadlocked House ethics committee functioning again, adding the new proposal to blunt Democratic demands for an investigation of DeLay. Some House Republicans have acknowledged the steady Democratic attacks have made them nervous.

Democrats gave no ground. They said they wouldn’t allow the evenly divided committee to conduct investigations unless Republicans reversed a rule providing for automatic dismissal of cases.

The Democrats want to hang Delay without convicting him, trying to create the same impression they did with Newt. However, the Republicans have a great counter. Lets investigate everyone. Bring out all of the sordid deals that have been made.

And the Democrats are flinching.

Are you surprised?

Return To “Stingy” American Tsunami Relief

Remember during the tsunami aftermath and the Tsunami Relief efforts Jan Egeland called America (Western Countries) stingy? I had been thinking about where all those efforts stood as the MSM has all but made the story nonexistent. Wizbang comes to my aide and has a great post on the topic. Also, Chuck Simmons does yeoman’s work on calculating the final numbers of as he calls it THE STINGY LIST. You have to take a look at the who’s who list of donations.

The final amounts donated by the “Stingy” Americans for tsunami disaster relief from private donations are over One Billion Dollars. That is truly remarkable, but some how not surprising. Americans always come to the aide of those in need. No matter what other countries or fool hearty individuals at the UN, Americans know the truth and I would surmise that after the outpouring of aide and help we provided in the tsunami disaster areas; there are many people from Indonesia, Thailand and other affected areas who also now know the truth and see America in a new light.

Michelle Malkin’s posts on the opposite side of the spectrum. What ever happened to the Canadian Government donations that were promised to Sir Lanka tsunami victims?

Which begs the question … Who would you rather have responsible for getting your donations to disaster relief, Private enterprise or the Government? I think we all know the answer.

Added to Beltway Traffice Jam

What a Spiteful, Liberal, Baby

In true liberal fashion, its got to be all about them. Or how they were wronged and victimized by the system. Well then it should come as no surprise that Michael Moore is at it again. This time offering scholarship money for those that defy authority. Class just pure class. Upset that they canceled him so somehow he is a man who has been wronged.

Michael Moore has established a scholarship for students who defy the administration at California State University, San Marcos. The same school that canceled his talk last year.

The Michael Moore Freedom of Speech Scholarship will award two $2,500 annual scholarships to Cal State San Marcos students “who have done the most to fight for issues of student rights by standing up to the administration,”

Its great that Michael Moore is actually providing scholarship money to students instead of taking money from college institutions for speeches. Too bad he can’t do it for the right reasons or do it anonymously. Of course that would never happen as Moore could not be the center of attention. Even when he does something positive, its for a negative reason. File this one under pompous, juvenile ass.