Drugs and a Truckers responsibility to be availabl

Broompilot

Veteran Expediter
What timming: I have been wanting to write about this after the long thread by the driver who was charged with DUI.

Please be patient with me reading this as my mind works faster than my fingers.

Early this morning a news break came over that a Kennedy who was a Senator from RI was released and not booked for what appeared to be a DUI accident. Mr. Kennedy than later in the morning made a statement that it was just an accident and that he was co-operating fully with law enforcement agencies.

Later that day he fessed up to using drugs illegally and is checking himself into the Mayo at Rochester MN.

Is it not ironic that not only is it another Kennedy behind a wheel of an automobile with the police involved I am refering to uncle Ted and a little river. But that the ironic thing is how these people are able to avoid prosicution. Yet some of us here want to hang this driver for his first offense. By the way younger Kennedy has already been in the Mayo clinic before.

So ones who make the laws do not have to live by them. But let a CDL holder blow a 4-7 and he is charged as if blowing a 8-20 but let a known confessed law maker, drug addict get cought and is his lively hood at risk? I dont think so, society will forgive him but not our fellow driver. I do not condone driving under the influence. But what is completly unfair is the second, third chances the lawmakers are given and this is all that we hear about, hurry up sweep it under the rig. He did his best to avoid this ever going public.

But why do lawmakers not have to subject themselves to Randoms? I would feel much more comfortable if they would put their ownselves on the same level they demand we under go. I feel that if they are going to make any laws that effect the general public that
#1 they be drug free
#2 not under the influence of any amount of alchol when voting on any law under consideration.
3 that they not accept any $ from any orginization with a law on the ropes.
#4 Any company in hoots with these lawmakers not be allowed to wine/dine, gift or in any manner have any personal favors done for how drunk they get lawmakers or paying for trips, etc....
 

bernieh48

Veteran Expediter
RE: Drugs and a Truckers responsibility to be avai

Very good. You know though it's not just the lawmakers either. It's actor's, and actresses, and famous sport's people too.
 

cheri1122

Veteran Expediter
Driver
RE: Drugs and a Truckers responsibility to be avai

Broom, I was steamed when I read that, too! The article I saw said "the officers on the scene were instructed by an officer above the rank of patrolman to take Mr. Kennedy home" - in spite of the fact that he "appeared intoxicated"!!
The hypocrisy of American political leadership is shameful and sickening. I keep wondering how bad it has to get before people will say ENOUGH - guess it depends on how "good" the current tv programs are, huh?
How can they expect citizens to obey the laws, if they don't?
 

outwardbound 2

Expert Expediter
RE: Drugs and a Truckers responsibility to be avai

Ah yes the good ol boys club, every pond has it's big fish who are at the top of the food chain. The system is so flawed to the point of being broken. Lady Justice may be blind but she knows which side of the scale has the most money.

Here's a story for you as an example of courts and justice some friends of mine one currently setting in jail the other just got out after 45 days. She has 3 kids(hell spawns from the lowest pits) and he is the boyfriend of 2 years. At a birthday party with 15 kids at it one of her boys age 13 was showing off and cussing at her boyfriend, he told him repeatedly to watch his mouth and shut up, then proceded to slap the kid in the mouth.(maybe not the best idea)The 13 year old boy then got a baseball bat and started hitting the boyfriend with it, and she tried to break it up. The neighbor called the police and both adults were arrested for asult and child abuse. Her bail was set at $10,000 and his at $80,000 although there was 15 teenagers there that said she was just trying to break it up the police took the word of the one adult neighbor. It took her family 45 days to come up with $1000(10%) to get her out. and she still has to go to court.

Seeing how they both are poor and can't afford a lawyer how do you think this will play out.


Of cource the game is rigged but it's the only game in town.
 

terryandrene

Veteran Expediter
Safety & Compliance
US Coast Guard
RE: Drugs and a Truckers responsibility to be avai

Rep.Kennedy has been a drug addicted legislator for 11 years and a known drug addict for more than 20 years. Apparently the good people of Rhode Island are content to be represented by a man who conveniently can't remember the decisions he makes while under the influence. He sez he's addicted to prescription "pain killers", ala Rush Limbaugh, so that must be his self-justification to continue accepting tax dollars to represent, not only the folks in Rhode Island, but the rest of us tax paying Americans.

When asked if he would resign, he commented: "I need to stay in the fight". I submit, he needs to stay in the fight, at our expense, so that he may continue on the public dole, and obtain his subsidized medical care at the drug clinic at the Mayo Clinic. A legitimate employer would hardly put up with the drug and alcohol induced shenanigans of the Kennedys.

They say if Ted Kennedy had been driving the hearse, Rose Kennedy would have been buried at sea. May be some truth to that.
 

MDB1

Expert Expediter
RE: Drugs and a Truckers responsibility to be avai

Here is a quote from Fox News:

"Sen. Ted Kennedy canceled two public events Friday, one at a Manhattan elementary school, and another at a book signing later in the day. He released a statement Friday afternoon.

"I love Patrick very much and am very proud of him. All of us in the family admire his courage in speaking publicly about very personal issues and fully support his decision to seek treatment. He has taken full responsibility for events that occurred Wednesday evening, and he will continue to cooperate fully in any investigation," the elder Kennedy said.

Sen. Kennedy also said he hopes his son's supporters in Rhode Island "join me in feeling pride and respect for a courageous man who has admitted to a problem and taken bold action to correct it.""

I wonder what Mary Jo Kopechne would say about this?
 

cheri1122

Veteran Expediter
Driver
RE: Drugs and a Truckers responsibility to be avai

Of course Ted is proud of his son - after all, the younger Kennedy hasn't killed anyone. Yet. Not that that would cause him to quit "representing" the people....
 

greg334

Veteran Expediter
RE: Drugs and a Truckers responsibility to be avai

> Of course Ted is proud of his son - after all, the younger
>Kennedy hasn't killed anyone. Yet. Not that that would cause
>him to quit "representing" the people....

Whoa, Wait a minute.... He hasn't killed anyone we know about! And.... Never mind, he a kennedy.
 

aquawarrior7

Expert Expediter
RE: Drugs and a Truckers responsibility to be avai

I think that those lawmakers should also be required to read all of the papers the sign so little insignifigant riders that amount to a lot don't constantly get thrown into a bill where they don't belong.
I also agree that everyone in gov offices and anyone who may be considered a role model should be drug tested like me.
And if ya shoot someone while a lil tipsy mabye something should happen to you.
BTW I recently read about symptoms of having been on cocaine for long term use.and having been an alchoholic for so long then going dry.
I also don't really see the point in keeping tired truckers off the road but a person driving a car can drive an hour to work, work 10 hours, drive an hour to the house then start driving to take the family out for a little vacation.
I also think that RV'ers should have to get some training and special liscense. And some training for u-haul rentals.

Just me. I know a little off topic on some of that sorry
 

greg334

Veteran Expediter
RE: Drugs and a Truckers responsibility to be avai

Ok I got to tell you this one, it maybe off topic, so I appoligize.

I am really incensed by something that has happened in my wife’s family.

My brother – in – law, who fortunately lives over 1000 miles from me, has been given Social Security benefits - $1900 a month plus all kinds of medical coverage because he has PTSD.

Well it seems that my brother – in – law does not want to function properly anymore. After years of drug and alcohol abuse, he has for the most part decided that it is time to find a stable income source, not stop taking drugs and drink alcohol and (get this) play Everquest all the time. The last part is the reason he lost his last four jobs.

He has claimed that his childhood is haunting him and he can’t escape his problems being sober. He has been in and out of therapy, he was even sober for a year (or so he says) trying to become a cop (image that) and he has found a psychiatrist who says he has PTSD due to a 'bad' childhood and needs to go on Social Security.

He has gone through the 12 step stuff but fell short on apologizing for his actions, some he denies and others he does not want to face. He came back to Michigan four years ago to get a job so he sold his house, up rooted his kids and lived with his sister and her family. All he did was play Everquest. He wanted to get into a computer job here but didn’t want to look for a job or study to get a certification so one day in a drug induced decision, he packed up everything and left – family and stuff, but left the dogs. He blamed everyone for his lack of finding a job.

Now mind you that here other people grew up under the same roof, three other people (including my wife) don’t seem to recall the horrors he claims that happened and three other people have productive and useful lives.
 

LDB

Veteran Expediter
Retired Expediter
RE: Drugs and a Truckers responsibility to be avai

I'm going to borrow Thawks Dr Laura hat for a bit. Whoever married this guy either married in way too much haste or is somewhat damaged themself to have chosen such a messed up guy. I'm sure this guy has been this way all his life so an adequate "courtship" would have clearly shown him for what he is and signalled the need to move on. That aside, at least based on your description of the situation, he doesn't need disability income.

The government should set up a system similar to prison but with come and go privileges and no forced confinement. People like this should be given a productive job they can do and while there doing it be fed, clothed, housed and given medical treatment when needed. If they leave they choose to accept responsibility. If they stay they have their needs met and are productive. At least then the government wouldn't be throwing away $1900 a month with no return at all.

Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB, OOIDA 677319
Owner, Panther trucks 4958, 5447
Highway Watch Participant, Truckerbuddy
EO Forum Moderator
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