Mother furious that drunk driver that killed her son...

[Newby]

...gets no jail time, just a sentence of 10 years probation.

That piece of shit deserves to be force fed anthrax and broken glass. The court system is stupid.

[Screenor]

Never begin to enjoy life, it only gets worse.

[Rule]

Now consider the 17 year old kid who got 10 years in prison for having consensual oral sex with his 15 year old girlfriend.   

[dark_drake]

......wow... just wow.  That is angering.   

[CrAz3D]

Now consider the 17 year old kid who got 10 years in prison for having consensual oral sex with his 15 year old girlfriend.   

yup.

an acquaintance of mine (went to school/had band with him) was killed by an uninsured drunk driver..guy got 2 years/




I wouldn't mind setting up a government funded secret 'vigilante' group to go around "making these people become missing"...since our justice system is pretty jacked & it appears that the people in office are, no bright

[rabbit]

Some douchebag uninsured drunk totaled our family's van.  Nobody was hurt, but....well...it was parked out front.  FFS that takes a lot of booze...

[Sidoh]

Now consider the 17 year old kid who got 10 years in prison for having consensual oral sex with his 15 year old girlfriend.   

That's exactly what I was thinking.  What a crock of crap.

[iago]

I find it unbelievable that people still drive drunk.  Also, that people are stupid enough to get in a car (or trunk) when somebody's driving drunk. 

Manitoba has the toughest drunk-driving laws around.  You get something like 2 years in jail if you're caught drinking and driving.  If you kill somebody, you're going to be spending the better part of your life in jail. 

[dark_drake]

Will she be able to file a civil suit?

[Newby]

Haha. I thought (when I read the preview on the main page) "mother furious" was censored version of "mother fucker."

[Screenor]

Haha. I thought (when I read the preview on the main page) "mother furious" was censored version of "mother fucker."

Of course that sentence wouldn't make any sense but hey.

[CrAz3D]

Will she be able to file a civil suit?

yeah.
You can always file a civil suit.

Just has to hope that the driver had insurance...
...or enough crap that she can take some of it away from him (unlikely if he doesnt have insurance)

[iago]

Will she be able to file a civil suit?

yeah.
You can always file a civil suit.

Just has to hope that the driver had insurance...
...or enough crap that she can take some of it away from him (unlikely if he doesnt have insurance)

Why, will the insurance bring back her son?

Then who cares.

If it was my kid, I wouldn't give a shit about getting money.  What's done is done, and nothing will bring him back.

[CrAz3D]

Will she be able to file a civil suit?

yeah.
You can always file a civil suit.

Just has to hope that the driver had insurance...
...or enough crap that she can take some of it away from him (unlikely if he doesnt have insurance)

Why, will the insurance bring back her son?

Then who cares.

If it was my kid, I wouldn't give a shit about getting money.  What's done is done, and nothing will bring him back.

of course.
but that $200k or so might help them out financially. 


after my jeep accident I'm sure my parents were just glad I was alive, but the money we got from the insurance settlement really helped out.

[Rule]

Will she be able to file a civil suit?

yeah.
You can always file a civil suit.

Just has to hope that the driver had insurance...
...or enough crap that she can take some of it away from him (unlikely if he doesnt have insurance)

Why, will the insurance bring back her son?

Then who cares.

If it was my kid, I wouldn't give a shit about getting money.  What's done is done, and nothing will bring him back.

I'm pretty sure you'd take the money if you were put in the situation. 

Also, such a tragedy would likely put one into a severe depression, preventing him/her from being able to work and therefore preventing him/her from earning money that he/she ordinarily would have earned.  Therefore it makes sense that this person should receive financial assistance, and that there is nothing insensible about asking for it.

It's not a question of whether the money will bring back her son.  That argument applied to justice is totally fallacious.  Should the driver not be imprisoned because that wouldn't bring back the victim? There are other things to consider.

[Newby]

Also, that people are stupid enough to get in a car (or trunk) when somebody's driving drunk.

I hate you.

[iago]

but that $200k or so might help them out financially. 

$200k would help me out financially right now, so you should give it to me. 

I'm pretty sure you'd take the money if you were put in the situation. 

Also, such a tragedy would likely put one into a severe depression, preventing him/her from being able to work and therefore preventing him/her from earning money that he/she ordinarily would have earned.  Therefore it makes sense that this person should receive financial assistance, and that there is nothing insensible about asking for it.

It's not a question of whether the money will bring back her son.  That argument applied to justice is totally fallacious.  Should the driver not be imprisoned because that wouldn't bring back the victim? There are other things to consider.

I might take the money because I'm greedy, not because I think it would be just. 

Losing a kid sucks, and perhaps you're right that they deserve some financial assistance so they can take off work and mourn properly.  But I think that people care too much about the money, as evidenced by responses in this thread.  The kid's life is way more important than money, but people here seem eager to look for the money. 

And no, but the insurance company sending the person money isn't going to change anything.  On the other hand, if the person who killed the kid went to jail, he's not going to do that again; and if people who they might go to jail, they are going to be a lot more wary.  I think that a lot of the stuff about jail-time is about prevention, not punishment. 

[CrAz3D]

but that $200k or so might help them out financially. 

$200k would help me out financially right now, so you should give it to me. 

I'm gonna go ahead and say that I need it moreso than you (especially since I have what amounts to a negative income)...so you give me $200k and I'll giv eyou $20k.

I'm pretty sure you'd take the money if you were put in the situation. 

Also, such a tragedy would likely put one into a severe depression, preventing him/her from being able to work and therefore preventing him/her from earning money that he/she ordinarily would have earned.  Therefore it makes sense that this person should receive financial assistance, and that there is nothing insensible about asking for it.

It's not a question of whether the money will bring back her son.  That argument applied to justice is totally fallacious.  Should the driver not be imprisoned because that wouldn't bring back the victim? There are other things to consider.

On the other hand, if the person who killed the kid went to jail, he's not going to do that again; and if people who they might go to jail, they are going to be a lot more wary.  I think that a lot of the stuff about jail-time is about prevention, not punishment. 

mmm, death penalty is still way better than jail

[Rule]

mmm, death penalty is still way better than jail

?  Are you suggesting that in any circumstance someone is imprisoned, he would be better off dead?  If not, what is the point of this comment?

[iago]

I don't see any reason that people convicted of Murder1 should get the death penalty that doesn't also apply to drunk driving.  Of course, I've given that statement maybe 15 seconds of thought...

Of course, I don't support the death penalty under any circumstance, so that's pretty moot as far as I'm concerned.

[Rule]

Of course, I don't support the death penalty under any circumstance, so that's pretty moot as far as I'm concerned.

Under any circumstance, ever?  When people are so black and white I often wonder whether they hold certain beliefs out of stubbornness.  I think many people do this, and as a result their positions in most arguments are essentially determined before much of the critical information about the individual situation has come to light; it's a dangerous practice.

[CrAz3D]

mmm, death penalty is still way better than jail

?  Are you suggesting that in any circumstance someone is imprisoned, he would be better off dead?  If not, what is the point of this comment?

just poking at iago saying that if the guy went to jail he wouldnt do it again.

[iago]

Of course, I don't support the death penalty under any circumstance, so that's pretty moot as far as I'm concerned.

Under any circumstance, ever?  When people are so black and white I often wonder whether they hold certain beliefs out of stubbornness.  I think many people do this, and as a result their positions in most arguments are essentially determined before much of the critical information about the individual situation has come to light; it's a dangerous practice.

I have seen no situation where the death penalty is a good option. 

But I admit that there are situations where the death penalty is the best option.  But those are few and far between. 

[AntiVirus]

Will she be able to file a civil suit?

yeah.
You can always file a civil suit.

Just has to hope that the driver had insurance...
...or enough crap that she can take some of it away from him (unlikely if he doesnt have insurance)

Why, will the insurance bring back her son?

Then who cares.

If it was my kid, I wouldn't give a shit about getting money.  What's done is done, and nothing will bring him back.

I'm pretty sure you'd take the money if you were put in the situation. 

Also, such a tragedy would likely put one into a severe depression, preventing him/her from being able to work and therefore preventing him/her from earning money that he/she ordinarily would have earned.  Therefore it makes sense that this person should receive financial assistance, and that there is nothing insensible about asking for it.

It's not a question of whether the money will bring back her son.  That argument applied to justice is totally fallacious.  Should the driver not be imprisoned because that wouldn't bring back the victim? There are other things to consider.

Agreed.  Also the money would take care of funeral expenses.

"This was my only child and he's gone forever, and everybody loved him...he was a wonderful person and he was taken away from me forever and I will never have grandchildren and I don't know what I'll do now, Parks said.

God, that's really sad.


I can not believe that he wasn't put in prision for this.  What a bunch of moronic judges.

[dark_drake]

I can not believe that he wasn't put in prision for this.  What a bunch of moronic judges.

Wouldn't it be the fault of the jurors?

[CrAz3D]

I can not believe that he wasn't put in prision for this.  What a bunch of moronic judges.

Wouldn't it be the fault of the jurors?

Austin Day's mother, Cindy Park, couldn't hold back her emotions as jurors walked out of the county courthouse.

Pretty sure it was jurors, yeah.

Law system doesnt make sense at all...not at all.

[AntiVirus]

I can not believe that he wasn't put in prision for this.  What a bunch of moronic judges.

Wouldn't it be the fault of the jurors?

Yeah.  Opsy.

[iago]

Agreed.  People are too dumb for democracy.

[Rule]

Agreed.  People are too dumb for democracy.

Still probably the best form of government.  Sure, a dictatorship is wonderful if you have a good dictator, but that's pretty unlikely to happen.

[iago]

Agreed.  People are too dumb for democracy.

Still probably the best form of government.  Sure, a dictatorship is wonderful if you have a good dictator, but that's pretty unlikely to happen.

Yep.  I'm not satisfied with the current form of government or our legal system.  But I can't suggest anything better.

But when I come up with the way to fix the world, I'll let you guys know.

[CrAz3D]

Agreed.  People are too dumb for democracy.

Still probably the best form of government.  Sure, a dictatorship is wonderful if you have a good dictator, but that's pretty unlikely to happen.

Hitler sure did help out the USA a lot!  He was a good dictator, for us.

[Super_X]

Agreed.  People are too dumb for democracy.

Still probably the best form of government.  Sure, a dictatorship is wonderful if you have a good dictator, but that's pretty unlikely to happen.

Hitler sure did help out the USA a lot!  He was a good dictator, for us.

I know that was supposed to be a joke, but I don't even think what you're referancing is even truthful. Maybe, going out on a limb, he created a way for the USA to get out of the depression by creating something that required us to produce things to export?

[CrAz3D]

I think it is very truthful.
We were "slowly but surely" pulling out, but with Hitler killing the Jews and taking over the world it gave us an opportunity to unite and build ourselves up.
We would've come back up and out eventually, but not as quick nor as strong I believe.

[rabbit]

Yeah too bad we didn't know he was killing everyone until about 1944ish.  We joined the war because Britain is such a pussy country.

[Super_X]

Yeah too bad we didn't know he was killing everyone until about 1944ish.  We joined the war because Britain is such a pussy country.

No, we joined the war because Japan attacked us.

[iago]

Yeah too bad we didn't know he was killing everyone until about 1944ish.  We joined the war because Britain is such a pussy country.

No, we joined the war because Japan attacked us.

Exactly.

And it wasn't just Britain fighting against Germany/Russia/Japan, it was the UK, Canada, Italy, France, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, Poland, and others.  After the attack on Pearl Harbour, the crappy countries joined (Panama, Haiti, Costa Rica, Cuba, and.. oh yeah, the US)

Remember how Canada got bitched at for not helping you fight in Iraq?  Well, consider that pay-back for not helping us in what was eventually to be called WW2

[CrAz3D]

The US helped out with finances and our industry, we didn't send men til we officially declared war.  But we were very involved previous to Japan attacking.

[Rule]

Yeah too bad we didn't know he was killing everyone until about 1944ish.  We joined the war because Britain is such a pussy country.

No, we joined the war because Japan attacked us.

Exactly.

And it wasn't just Britain fighting against Germany/Russia/Japan, it was the UK, Canada, Italy, France, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, Poland, and others.  After the attack on Pearl Harbour, the crappy countries joined (Panama, Haiti, Costa Rica, Cuba, and.. oh yeah, the US)

Omg...
Russia was one of the strongest allies, if not the strongest ally in WW2.  If it weren't for Russia, Germany could have won WW2 before the US got involved. Haven't you ever heard about how Hitler made the same mistake as Napoleon?

Oh, iago

Also Italy was a major part of the Axis for a majority of the war.

And the allies weren't fighting against Japan before the US got involved (and I don't think they were really even after).  It was a "surprise" attack.

Edit:  It's also interesting to note that at the time, Canada was a decent military power.  For example, I think they unarguably had the 3rd most powerful navy in the world.

[rabbit]

Russia was on Hitler's side for a while, they didn't get instant win then

[iago]

Omg...
Russia was one of the strongest allies, if not the strongest ally in WW2.  If it weren't for Russia, Germany could have won WW2 before the US got involved. Haven't you ever heard about how Hitler made the same mistake as Napoleon?

Oh, iago

Also Italy was a major part of the Axis for a majority of the war.

And the allies weren't fighting against Japan before the US got involved (and I don't think they were really even after).  It was a "surprise" attack.

Edit:  It's also interesting to note that at the time, Canada was a decent military power.  For example, I think they unarguably had the 3rd most powerful navy in the world.

Well, I simplified some things.  I'm aware that Russia became an ally later, but they started out as an enemy. 

I seemed to remember Italy being part of the Axis, but in the list I saw they were listed as Ally.  So they started out that way, that's the main thing.

I'm pretty sure Japan was fighting before Pearl Harbour.  Wikipedia says their first move was attacking China, and after Pearl Harbour they fought with Russia.  But yeah, they didn't really engage the European countries. 

The POINT is, the US wasn't forced to help because the British are pathetic.  However, the US did sat on its ass and let the rest of the world fight.

[CrAz3D]

The POINT is, the US wasn't forced to help because the British are pathetic.  However, the US did sat on its ass and let the rest of the world fight.

1) America was very involved, just not with military forces
2) Should America be running to everyone else whenever they have a problem?

[Newby]

The POINT is, the US wasn't forced to help because the British are pathetic.  However, the US did sat on its ass and let the rest of the world fight.

Why get involved?

[disco]

iirc Japan had attacked parts of China.

[dark_drake]

The POINT is, the US wasn't forced to help because the British are pathetic.  However, the US did sat on its ass and let the rest of the world fight.

What is it with bashing the British? Seriously, the British Empire was able to hold off the Germans for quite a while by themselves.

Why get involved?

To stay on the good side of them? If we hadn't helped Europe, trade could have gotten much more difficult in the post-war.

[CrAz3D]

Why get involved?

To stay on the good side of them? If we hadn't helped Europe, trade could have gotten much more difficult in the post-war.

So had the war in Iraq been specifically for oil and publicly expressed from the beginning, it'd be fine...

[dark_drake]

So had the war in Iraq been specifically for oil and publicly expressed from the beginning, it'd be fine...

Wait a second, we're not staying on the good side of anybody in this war....

[Screenor]

The POINT is, the US wasn't forced to help because the British are pathetic.  However, the US did sat on its ass and let the rest of the world fight.

I'm pretty sure a lot of countries are still in debt to the US with how much in money/supplies we gave.

[CrAz3D]

So had the war in Iraq been specifically for oil and publicly expressed from the beginning, it'd be fine...

Wait a second, we're not staying on the good side of anybody in this war....

If gas prices go down I'm happy..

[dark_drake]

If gas prices go down I'm happy..

Really, just stop driving so much. What forces you to drive and not use public transportation, walk, or ride a bicycle?

The problem we have with this war is that we're not doing anything to help ourselves or the rest of the  world.  We're not honoring any friendships in this so-called "war."  Europe, on the other hand, was falling, and they needed us to step in and help; they were our friends and allies. All in all, I honestly don't think it's fair to compare WWII or WWI to this conflict in Iraq. 

[CrAz3D]

If gas prices go down I'm happy..

Really, just stop driving so much. What forces you to drive and not use public transportation, walk, or ride a bicycle?

Time constraints and availability.

Once I got into town I suppose I could ride the bus, but I'd still be late everywhere I go.
(I drive for work)

[iago]

Gas prices are dangerously cheap in the US.  They should go up to Canada's prices ($4/gallon) or European prices ($10+/gallon) to encourage people to be less wasteful, if nothing else. 

Too many people in the US drive big trucks and SUVs that are completely unnecessary, but because gas is so cheap they don't see a problem with being wasteful.  Almost everybody here drives a car (unless there's some compelling reason to get a truck -- ie, being a farmer).

That's a whole different thing, though

The POINT is, the US wasn't forced to help because the British are pathetic.  However, the US did sat on its ass and let the rest of the world fight.

What is it with bashing the British? Seriously, the British Empire was able to hold off the Germans for quite a while by themselves.

I worded that wrong.  I was trying to deny what was said before, "We joined the war because Britain is such a pussy country." which is wrong in every possible way. 

[Sidoh]

Gas prices are dangerously cheap in the US.  They should go up to Canada's prices ($4/gallon) or European prices ($10+/gallon) to encourage people to be less wasteful, if nothing else. 

Too many people in the US drive big trucks and SUVs that are completely unnecessary, but because gas is so cheap they don't see a problem with being wasteful.  Almost everybody here drives a car (unless there's some compelling reason to get a truck -- ie, being a farmer).

That's a whole different thing, though

The POINT is, the US wasn't forced to help because the British are pathetic.  However, the US did sat on its ass and let the rest of the world fight.

What is it with bashing the British? Seriously, the British Empire was able to hold off the Germans for quite a while by themselves.

I worded that wrong.  I was trying to deny what was said before, "We joined the war because Britain is such a pussy country." which is wrong in every possible way. 

Gas is subsidized in the US.

[dark_drake]

Time constraints and availability.

Once I got into town I suppose I could ride the bus, but I'd still be late everywhere I go.
(I drive for work)

How far do you have to drive, and doesn't your job pay the gas that you use?

[iago]

Gas is subsidized in the US.

We go the other way and tax gas. 

But seriously, that doesn't change anything -- it's still dangerously cheap in the US.

[Sidoh]

We go the other way and tax gas. 

But seriously, that doesn't change anything -- it's still dangerously cheap in the US.

We make up for it by taxing handguns.

I don't think it's dangerously cheap.  Considering we're making a major contribution to finding an alternative source of fuel, I don't think we're doing nothing but guzzling gas and burning holes in the ozone.

If you're suggesting that the prices of gas in the US be raised by a degree that will make them comparable to the prices in Canada or Europe, you should probably have a chat with anyone holding an economics degree...

[iago]

I don't think it's dangerously cheap.  Considering we're making a major contribution to finding an alternative source of fuel, I don't think we're doing nothing but guzzling gas and burning holes in the ozone.

if an alternative source of fuel is found, then life'll be good.  Till then, if people can afford to drive hummers to work/soccer practice, I think there's a problem.

If you're suggesting that the prices of gas in the US be raised by a degree that will make them comparable to the prices in Canada or Europe, you should probably have a chat with anyone holding an economics degree...

Nah, they're all idiots (unless they agree with me).

[CrAz3D]

Time constraints and availability.

Once I got into town I suppose I could ride the bus, but I'd still be late everywhere I go.
(I drive for work)

How far do you have to drive, and doesn't your job pay the gas that you use?

Drive 10 miles to class, from class about 6? to work and at work it varies depending upon where I go.
I get paid some, but I don't believe it covers it completely.

[Screenor]

Haven't we found an alternative source? What are all those commercials I see talking about "the new green" or whatever.

[Sidoh]

Haven't we found an alternative source? What are all those commercials I see talking about "the new green" or whatever.

I don't think they're attempting to replace fossil fuels; they're just grouping together all of the known alternatives (wind, water, etc), but I could be wrong.

[Joe]

As far as my understanding of it is, the rest of the world got pissed after The World War (WW1) at the United States for joining the war with a Glorified World Babysitter additude, so they didn't join WW2 until they were rudely invited by Japan.

[dark_drake]

As far as my understanding of it is, the rest of the world got pissed after The World War (WW1) at the United States for joining the war with a Glorified World Babysitter additude, so they didn't join WW2 until they were rudely invited by Japan.

We didn't declare war until Japan decided to awake "the sleeping giant."  However, we were offering plenty of assistance to  our allies before then.