Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, February 7, 1991 TAG: 9102070439
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-10 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Short
Self-appointed defender of booze-guzzling good ol' boys, Fears makes such outrageous arguments against stronger laws that he offends rather than convinces.
That happened Monday when the Senate took up bills to lower the intoxication level at which it is illegal to drive, and to revoke drivers' licenses of arrested drunken drivers before they are convicted.
Fears, with a practiced country-lawyer cadence, complained that his legislative colleagues already have "taken all the sport out of drinking and driving."
He added: "Let's not do any more damage than we've already done in this state to people who enjoy a little snort every once in a while."
To bolster his argument, Fears recalled that during his days as a World War II bomber pilot he found it easier to fly missions after he'd had a few drinks.
There were a few embarrassed snickers and more than a few gasps. Both bills passed overwhelmingly, with some senators saying they had planned to vote "no" but changed their minds after listening to Fears. No wonder.
by CNB