As I do from time to time, this is a regurgitation of a rant I posted 13 years ago. I read it again this morning and discovered that it still holds true today. I have no sympathy or compassion for those who climb behind a wheel drunk. Have I done it myself? Yes, I have. I was much, much younger and much, much dumber then. (I wish somebody had sat my stupid ass down and told me these things back in those days.) So rather than retype opinions that are identical to what I thought in 2010, I’ll just repost it here as I’m sure I have before.

Monday, November 1, 2010
Drinking and Driving

I usually write for many reasons.  Sometimes it’s to bring attention to a specific person, event, or cause.  Nearly always it involves members of our law enforcement community in some way.  It is often because I find a story that I feel compelled to make sure others know or to voice my opinion, right or wrong.  My words are usually meant to open eyes, change hearts, or start people thinking.  I don’t think I’ve ever posted publicly what would be considered a ‘rant’.  Well, that’s about to change.  If you’re not interested in listening, then just move along.  It’s my blog.

I am SICK TO DEATH of reading about officer after officer after officer being injured or killed by the thoughtless, irresponsible, careless populace of this country that thinks it is somehow their God-given right to pour liquor down their throats and then climb into a two ton weapon and go barreling down the road.  It is NOT a God-given right.  You have no right to take the lives of others so lightly.  You are not special.  You don’t deserve special treatment or get special perks.  There is not an invisible, cushioned protector around that missile that you’re propelling down our roadways that is somehow going to keep you and everyone else safe. Stop thinking that it won’t ever happen to you. If you keep drinking and driving…YES IT WILL.

I actually read a quote a few days ago that disgusted me in every way. The article was written about an officer who was doing nothing more than going about his job of taking care of the people he swore to serve and protect. At least that’s what he was doing before one of those people chose to kill him by having a great old time combining alcohol and the keys to a car. He was one of so many who put their lives on the line every second of his day because he wanted to make a difference. He wanted to make things right. He sacrificed more than most will ever understand every single day just to protect us all…including the drunk that killed him. What was the driver’s excuse?

“It’s not my fault. I’m an alcoholic.”

Uh-huh.  Mister, I didn’t buy the Brooklyn Bridge.  I didn’t even buy that swamp land in Arizona.  And I am most certainly NOT buying that.  I don’t care if you are so addicted to alcohol that you have to mainline the stuff.  Man up!!!  Take some responsibility.  If you were a responsible, respectable human being, you would have taken precautions BEFORE the first drop of alcohol passed your lips.

He’s not alone.  It happens every day.  It’s not always an officer who is out there trying to keep the rest of us safe that gets killed.  It doesn’t always make the headlines.  But, it does happen.  And there’s always an excuse.

“Oh, I was drunk. I didn’t know any better.” What are you…two???

“It was an accident.”  No, it wasn’t.  It was intentional from the start.  Save that ‘poor me’ stuff for some bleeding heart somewhere that thinks that it’s okay to pat you on the head like a good little dog just because of some misplaced sense of wanting to help those less fortunate.  Well, guess what.  You’re not less fortunate.  You wanna talk about who is?  You wanna talk about the families of all those people that have been killed by the indifference to other lives by people just like you?

“I don’t know why my friends didn’t stop me from driving.  They knew I’d had too much to drink.” Are you their pet?  A friend stopping a friend from drinking and driving is by far one of the most selfless acts that friend can perform for both you and others in this world.  What a shame that they don’t have a friend like that in you.  What gives you the right to put them in that position?  Why should they have to be the one to make your decisions for you?  Why should they have to go through life picking up after you and cleaning up your messes just because you’re so uncaring and indifferent to human life that you would barely qualify as pond scum.  Grow up!  Take responsibility for your own actions.

YOU make the decision whether or not to drink. YOU make the decision whether or not to take steps to ensure that you will not do anything so stupid as to get behind the wheel when you do. It is NOT your friends’ responsibility to watch out for you like some helpless child.

Either PUT IT DOWN or PARK IT!!!  Or if you just insist on driving drunk, at least do us all a favor and make it a long drive off a short pier!!! But before you do, be sure to let your loved ones know your wishes on organ donation!

*NOTE: Yes, I know this says ‘Man-up’, ‘Mister,’, etc., etc., etc. And, yes, I know it’s not only men who drink and drive. Get over it. This applies to everyone, men, women, and teenagers.

Be safe everyone. ~ Raeann Blake (aka Peggy Gunn Milligan)