Comments on: Drunk NASCAR Drivers Should Be Suspended

By: Jim

Jim — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:47:58 +0000

@Brian. Thank you. I concur. Perhaps the greater lesson here is not what they do but what we do. I appreciate the intelligent discussion, and welcome your input pro or con any time.

By: Brian

Brian — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:11:00 +0000

I can’t stand it either when athleles get slaps on the wrists too. Total agreement there with you. I really enjoyed this debate with you and I think you and I are on the same page for the most part, just different paragraphs. Have a Happy Holloween, be safe and keep up the great writing.

By: Jim

Jim — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 23:39:19 +0000

@Brian. You make a valid point. It would be disingenuous of me to say I’ve never sped. But let me make this distinction: are you not driving with a heightened sense of alertness, because your reaction time will be less? I bet you do. I know I do, and that still does not make that legally right. Throw in the alcohol factor or ANYTHING that would impair your senses. Do I speed? Yes. Not all the time, but on the freeway, I’m going anywhere from 5-10 over, but never over that. If I get a speeding ticket (my most recent was about 20 years ago), I will pay the fine. That said, I NEVER, NEVER, NEVER drive at an excessive speed for whatever roadway I’m on. I agree with you there.
Brian- here’s what I want to see from A.J. Allmendinger:

1) Genuine contrition. Admittedly, it will take time for him to live that out. 2) I think it not unreasonable, besides whatever legal consequences, for him be punished at least enough to make him think twice, moral failings asides. and most importantly, because so many drunk drivers are repeat offenders, I just want him to not do it again.

What frustrates me is when athletes and celebrities get some slap on the wrist you and I wouldn’t get because of their notoriety. When it come to the DUI conviction, if he loses his license, he shouldn’t race while he’s not able to drive on the street. As time unfolds, I am seeing things that at least make feel a little better about this. At the end of the day, I just want A.J. Allmedinger not do it again. Same for Michael Waltrip. If they want a beer or two, fine. There’s nothing wrong with that. Just call a cab or get a designated driver next time. It’s that easy.

By: Brian

Brian — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 17:24:00 +0000

Let me ask this one last question, then i’m moving on (and I would really like your comments on this.) Do you speed in your car or do you drive the exact speed limit? Can you injure or kill someone with speeding? I speed everyday and I take that chance and I will (along with my family) will pay the consequences from my actions if I injure or kill somebody because of my ignorance and lack of patience getting to work (I drive 65 miles to work one way, every day.) Should I get suspended from work if I got a reckless driving charge? How about NASCAR drivers, should they get suspended for reckless driving charge if caught driving way over the speed limit? I know you are going to come back and say we are not talking about the same thing, however, its ALL about making a conscious choice. Let the state law take care of AJ and his choice, let the owners make the choice as they see fit on what actions to take against their drivers and let NASCAR make a policy about suspending drivers (if they lose their drivers licence due to vehicular irresponsibilities.) You, me, you neighbor all have our vices and we all make mistakes. To say NASCAR drivers need to be roles models or heroes, thats up to them, not you or me. I don’t drink, nor do I drink and drive and I don’t consider it a “Sacred ritual.” My brothers do and they will live with their consequences if anything happens and I’d be the last person to stand up and say, “But they are really good people and they don’t deserve jail time, etc.” if they hit or kill somebody, that was was their choice and they will live with it. I will honestly answer my own question, when I was younger, did I have a few drinks and drive? Yes, I did. Have you EVER had a drink or two, or even more and get behind the wheel (even if it was only to drive a few blocks? Please answer honestly, then, and only then, if you answered no, go ahead and throw your stones.

By: Jim

Jim — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 16:13:13 +0000

@Brian.
@Bonzaibonnie. Interesting comments. While I appreciate A.J.’s apparent contrition, what is distrubing to me as I look at the body of comments here is how we’ve become a society of blame shifters, enablers and excuse makers. Yes, NASCAR drivers have a far better track record than their peers in the stick and ball world. Does this make what Allmendinger did right?
Brian- it is about choices. Why do we treat drinking as some sacred ritual? A good many athletes don’t drink at all because it offers little or no benefit. Do you have to drink a beer or wine to live? We don’t live in Mexico fplks, our water in America rearely makes us sick.
What ever happened to personal responsibility in our world? Whatever happened to someone paying the consequences for their wrongdoings? The punishment fitting the crime?
I’ll tell you this: all of you making excuses for these guys would go away if you lost somebody to an impaired driver. You wouldn’t be defending the abject stupidity of these men if your life were altered because impaired drivers like the moral clarity or judgment to keep themselves out of these situations.

By: Banzaibonnie

Banzaibonnie — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 15:00:33 +0000

I sure wish some of you would take a look at what other sports personalities get arrested for- and usually welcomed back,if they’re a star,with open arms. Check out the NFL-NBA-NHL,etc. and thank God “our ” guys are saints in comparison.

By: Brian

Brian — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 14:03:15 +0000

jimmccoy22, there are very few jobs in which you can be fired or suspended from for DUI (unless it is in a contract.) I work in an industry that employs thousands of employees and we have no such rule. Unfortunately, I know many people with DUI’s and there biggest punishment is getting to work while there licence is suspended especially since we start work at 5:30 am. I guess what I am saying here is that if AJ lost his licence to drive a car from his DUI, then yes, he should not be allowed to compete behind the wheel of a racecar. But if he hasn’t, go about your day and pay the other price, i.e. court, fines, public service, etc. However, I am a big supporter of take a life because of DUI (conscious choice to get behind the wheel and drive drunk) and lose yours. Its about the choices you make.

By: Jim

Jim — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 04:40:41 +0000

@Tom. I run 4 days a week. My worst “near misses” have been with idiots on cell phones. It will be illegal here in Oregon come January. While I am politically conservative, I actually agree with that law. Good points.

By: Tom

Tom — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 03:46:52 +0000

I have always found it interesting how the public condemns the drunk driver so much more than other criminals. I’m not condoning it but would there be this much attention paid to AJ if he was caught texting & driving. Both are dangerous and can have tragic results but the punishment & public scorn for the drunk driver is much greater. Just look at the difference in what Michael Waltrip’s penalty could have been with one more drink. He caused an accident! That is the real crime.

By: ed

ed — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 02:01:04 +0000

I was wondering if you ever make ethnically sensitve remarks? I don’t mean in print. Thanks.