Washblog

I was very disappointed that Venus made a seemingly dumb mistake that could easily have been avoided, weeks before an election. I was still undecided when I watched Venus' TV interview with Robert Mak.

Venus must've realized she HAD to say two things:

1. "I take responsibility"  and
   
2. Drunk driving does kill".

She did get those statements out of the way. The rest appeared to be denial, excuses, and bravado.

This misfortune happened after an evening of "drinks and dinner with friends," something most of us enjoy at times. But drinks are still drinks, even accompanied by dinner and friends. Even if the drinker doesn't FEEL impaired, as Venus insists she didn't.

Is it smart to wait until you're under the influence before deciding whether you're too far under the influence to drive?

Apparently Venus (and her husband) do it this way habitually. Sometimes they call a cab, other times they decide to drive home, she says. But who wants to leave their car parked downtown? Wouldn't that affect your decision?

I rarely drink more than one glass, because I don't have the desire to. And I feel that one drink. From what I've observed, people who drink socially, often and abundantly, can't tell when they're impaired. To them it's just "feeling good".

My husband is the most responsible, competent driver I know. When he wants a night of social drinking downtown, we take the bus, period. I've grumbled about this at times, but he's very stubborn about it. "Do you want to be the designated driver?" he asks. Well, no - not because I mind abstaining, but because I have poor night vision and get lost easily downtown. I won't do it! So we take the bus.

Back to the interview: Robert Mak  brought up the multiple writeups Venus has received for not carrying an insurance card. "Most people, after the first or second time, would remember..." She had no explanation for this either. She did say that she was trying to teach her young children responsibility. But it wasn't clear how she was doing this.

She made a point of telling us this had occurred "late at night" in Ballard - 11 pm - as if that made it less risky. Can she really believe that? There may be less traffic than midday, but watch out, many drivers have been enjoying "drinks and dinner with friends". Another reason I don't like to drive late at night.

At the end, Mak asked Venus, "What might this say to voters about you?" Time for the meaningful conclusion.

She said, "It says I'm flawed and I'll continue to be flawed." I waited to hear an ending to that statement, such as "...but I pledge this is one mistake I'll never make again." It never came.

"I'm flawed and I'll continue to be flawed." That's all. To me, that implied: "I'll continue to drink and drive."

I could not bring myself to fill in the Venus Velasquez oval. I felt fine about voting for Bruce Harrell, another good candidate.