tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6621691715090523319.post4407719362124871800..comments2023-10-08T04:12:46.273-05:00Comments on The Political Environment: He Had Eight OWI's, So Why Was He Motoring Around To Get #9?James Rowenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10203270946492159686noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6621691715090523319.post-10695796277518725642009-03-24T10:19:00.000-05:002009-03-24T10:19:00.000-05:00Over the weekend, I was with a group discussing a ...Over the weekend, I was with a group discussing a wide-ranging array of topics derived from the experience of a teacher who just retuned from a two year exchange; he was teaching in a Berlin secondary school.<BR/><BR/>He's a thoughtful observer; the talk turned to a variety of subjects:<BR/>1. Why is it that only 2 percent of Germans claim to have any kind of religious practice? <BR/>Answer: Two World Wars.<BR/><BR/>2. What about the laxness of German attitudes towards use of alcohol, legally, by 16 year olds?<BR/>Answer: Germans assume that everyone needs to establish self control. Adolescents and young people realize that they well pay the consequences for irresponsibility.<BR/><BR/>3. Aren't they afraid of kids so young driving drunk?<BR/>Answer: Not at all. One needs to be 18 to drive in Germany. Moreover, the law is clear. One DUI means revocation--permanent, life-long revocation--of driving privileges. And there is NO APPEAL from such a penalty. <BR/><BR/>What is the legal limit for establishing culpable DUI, with evidence by breathalyzer?<BR/>Answer: 0.000.<BR/><BR/>Doesn't this kind of draconian measure step on fundamental rights, ruin the sociability of German people? <BR/>Answer: Not at all. Germans like beer, wine, schnapps, martinis, whiskey, etc. They just know better than to enjoy alcohol and then get behind the wheel.Jim Boumanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17211745461377043118noreply@blogger.com