Drinking and Driving pays - that's the problem!

It is sad that a tragic and avoidable event precipitates me to write again on drinking and driving.

A young man, a motorcyclist had his life cut terribly short by a deadly collision this past weekend.

A 67 year old man - the driver of the other vehicle has been charged with impaired driving causing death.

Rightfully this man is presumed innocent - and it is not up to the general public to convict him before due process.

What we can do - however- is talk about drinking and driving and the tragic consequences caused by individuals who have no regard for an other's life.

So what's the problem then?

This happens day after day, week after week, month after month in our country- despite the countless needless deaths of others.

1. There should be a review of and amendment to penalties for drinking and driving.

2. As a society we should consider zero tolerance - meaning if you drink at all - regardless of the amount - it is illegal to drive.

3. Most importantly - don't allow this:

The Premier of British Columbia in 2003 is the person who owns the mugshot above. Gordon Campbell's blood alcohol level  was twice the legal limit at .149 when stopped by police.

Did he resign as Premier? No!

He was caught in Hawaii - not in Canada - in Hawaii it's a misdemeanor in Canada it's a criminal code offence.

He could have killed somebody - fortunately that did not happen.

He was stopped because he was speeding and swerving on the road. He had to prop himself up and had slurred speech. 

Let's make matters worse - Gordon Campbell was appointed by Stephen Harper to the diplomatic post of Canada's High Commissioner in London. That comes with a title of "His Excellency".

If he was caught in Canada - and pleaded no contest - what would have happened?

Do you think he has been punished for his mistake?

Do you think this sends the wrong message to those who would drink and drive?

This is the biggest problem.

Drinking and Driving Pays? Ask Prime Minister Harper

How does one go from this:

Drinking and Driving (Gordon Campbell)

to this?

Canada's High Commissioner to London (Gordon Campbell)

ask Prime Minister Harper and his "tough on crime" stance.

Once again Harper proves he is a liar.

What Happened to Gordon Campbell's Appointment as "high" Commissioner to the United Kingdom?

A few weeks ago the central Canadian media was all abuzz over the pending appointment of former BC Premier - Gordon Campbell - to the post of High Commissioner to the United Kingdom.

Since that flurry of press - there has been silence from everybody, the feds - the Minister of Foreign Affairs - and Campbell himself.

Tough on Crime Harper - seemed poised to appoint this convicted drunk driver to a prestigious post. One that should require good-judgement, diplomacy, and a clean record.

In Canada everyday some family loses somebody they love as a result of a drunk driver. Organizations such as MADD describe impaired driving as a violent offence, irresponsible, dangerous, and intolerable.

Take that information and apply it to Gordon Campbell - convicted of impaired driving in the USA and blew .149 on his breathalyzer - nearly twice the legal limit.

The other charges included failure to drive on the right side of the road, disregarding traffic lane markings and speeding. Maui police allege his vehicle swerved across the centre line and then jerked into the roadside bicycle lane before he was stopped.

The only saving grace to this sordid tale is that Campbell did not kill anybody.

Okay so justice - such as it was in Hawaii - was served. He paid a fine of just over $900.

The question is what happens to the life of Gordon Campbell versus the life of an impaired teenager making a bad choice?

Check it out yourself - see how many convicted drunks go on to be "high" Commissioner to the United Kingdom?

What makes the situation with Campbell more atrocious - the man has an MBA, was the Premier of a Province, a legislator, a children's book author and generally had a very comfortable life. This was not poor judgement - as might be seen by a youth raised in an alcoholic and violent family - this was arrogance. This was a "do you know who I am" moment - where he was above us and above the law.

This was a man who had everything and was elevated to the top post in his Province - and he simply chose to get drunk and drive.

So go ahead Harper  - get tough on crime - and give Mr. Campbell his just reward ("high" commissioner). Do we all think this sets a good example for our youth?

If you can Drink and Drive - Harper wants YOU - How to get Harper's Respect

If one wants to get Stephen Harper's attention, respect, and support do three things:

Drink and Drive, increase taxes for ordinary Canadians and be at your lowest political popularity .

For all the anti-crime, longer prison sentences, and making criminals pay - Stephen Harper apparently will have no problem appointing a convicted drunk driver to the lofty post of High Commissioner to Britain.

Media reports today suggest that Harper is ready to announce the Gordon Campbell position.

Mug Shots Hawaii 

At two times the legal alcohol limit in Hawaii - former BC Premier Gordon Campbell - looks happily under the influence in his mug shots.

So if that qualification for such a title is not enough - add the fact that when the Premier resigned - he did so after he mislead the people on his party's plans relative to the previous election on HST. His popularity plummeted among the voting public.

Well done - so I guess Harper believes in rehabilitation - and if they complete a program - they too can become a foreign official.

For instance perhaps all those rioters in BC could follow the path of Campbell and rise to the top of society in just a few short years. 

And best of all - because Harper is appointing a former Liberal - the convict appointment will be non-partisan.


So for those families who have had their lives changed forever by a drunk driver - what do you think?

For Stephen Harper - breaking the law, misleading the electorate, or just lying are great attributes for high posts.