Philosophically I'm opposed to over-regulating matters of individual choice that are not inherently criminal - such as where and when you can buy a bottle of wine - in an attempt to end undesirable behavior, in this case, I assume, nuisance intoxication and drunk driving. A friend of mine recently had a family member seriously injured and possibly disabled for life by a drunk driver. His outrage is directed not at alcohol consumption, but at cars... and he is questioning the wisdom of ordinances requiring that bars provide parking space for their patrons - isn't this sending a bit of a mixed message? Our society seems to go overboard to protect peoples' right to move tons of metal around at high speeds, with little assurance that they're not impaired in some way - whether it's by alcohol, medications, disabilities, road rage, cell phones, burritos etc. Good community-based public transportation can be a significant aid in reducing drunk driving. Just think of the healthful sobering effect of walking a few blocks to a bus or train stop after a party, rather than hopping right into your car (especially in the winter). -- Holle Brian (been there and done that in Scotland, Wales and France) Bancroft (612) 822-6593 _______________________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - Minnesota E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
