How tough do we get with DUI offenders?

I would speak to two famous sayings, one perhaps remembered by more people than the other. The Clint Eastwood movie, “The Good, The Bad and The Ugly” is the first, the second from the Pogo cartoon strip, “We have met the enemy and he is us.” Both apply to people driving under the influence of alcohol.

The Sept. 4 edition of the Inter Lake again reports the problem: A 50-year-old man with his fifth DUI charge and a 59-year-old woman with her fourth DUI charge. Some idiots just never learn, clearly because the existing level of punishment doesn’t get their attention. We waste money with threatening television ads saying you will be punished if you drive under the influence. What idle threats.  

In other reports the Inter Lake informs us of fellow Montanans with 10th and 12th DUI charges. We play such foolish games at the peril of all other drivers who will be confronted if we are unlucky enough to meet “THE UGLY” on the highway.

THE GOOD, are those who never drive under the influence. THE BAD, are those who sell alcohol in places where the consumer must drive to get home, the judges who slap the hands of the offenders, the legislators who refuse to pass laws with some real teeth, real consequences, and real punishment. THE UGLY are these fools who put us all at risk with their self-indulgent and irresponsible behavior.  

THE ENEMY is US. Because we didn’t get hit by one of THE UGLY, we instead just read the reports of multiple DUI charges and think something ought to be done about this.  

I would suggest legislation that mandates six months in state prison (no early release) for the first offense, the impounding of the vehicle (too bad about family who won’t get to use the car) for the same period of time, and a bullet to the head for the second offense of DUI. Well, maybe a bullet to the stomach and one year on a chain gang (Sheriff Arpaio style) for the second offense and the bullet to the head within 10 days of a third offense. We could require the bartender who sold the last drink to be the executioner, since he was willing to send the driver out to get us.

We are and have been THE ENEMY. Will we continue to be? If you are serious about stopping DUIs, then demand legislative change. If you want to change behavior, you need to get their attention. The burden of improved conduct then falls on the driving killers.

Am I speaking “tongue in cheek?” Maybe not.

James Eddington,

Bigfork