Hydrogen-powered cars--not much to be excited about

[KettleWhistle]

That might explain the observations I had heard of. If you're allowed to have that alcohol level, you're much too drunk for driving in my opinion.

I would disagree. It is not an arbitrary number, but one based on research, and it is safe. And it's a matter of lifestyle as well. I do have to get home after a dinner, and I don't feel that having a couple glasses of wine makes driving problematic.

[Mediocrates]

That might explain the observations I had heard of. If you're allowed to have that alcohol level, you're much too drunk for driving in my opinion.
There are suggestions that our level of 0.05 % should be lowered. In some European countries the level is 0%.

That's why you're not allowed to own guns - you'd undoubtedly kill yourselves.

[Justcurious]

That's why you're not allowed to own guns - you'd undoubtedly kill yourselves.

With a reduction in your alcohol level you might also cut down the enormous number of deaths resulting from gun ownership!

The following tells you more about the current trends in Europe.

http://www.epha.org/a/388

[KettleWhistle]

With a reduction in your alcohol level you might also cut down the enormous number of deaths resulting from gun ownership!

I am generally for stricter gun control, but to be fair, legal gun ownership is an extremely minor contributor to the number of homicidal or accidential deaths. It is the illegal gun ownership that's a big problem.

[Mediocrates]

The US almost always has ranked below all EU states in percapita alcohol consumption. Luxembourg, France, Germany, Italy always rate at or near the top. Oz around 16-20th (believe it or not) and the US somewhere in the 20-24th ranked slot. Sweden comes in slightly below the US.


The patterns in Europe vary from total acceptance in the south with alcohol being a standard part of the diet, to the Nordic countries which show an ambivalence; either extreme abuse or abstinence.

[KettleWhistle]

It would depend on the drink too. I would imagine that Russians who drink cologne or morons that drink mouthwash would have it far worse than someone who drinks quality Japanese beers or Californian wines.

[Justcurious]

I am generally for stricter gun control, but to be fair, legal gun ownership is an extremely minor contributor to the number of homicidal or accidential deaths. It is the illegal gun ownership that's a big problem.

Legal gun ownership is not a big problem, I agree, but the availability of guns is the thing that leads through theft and robberies to the illegal gun ownership.

[Mediocrates]

With a reduction in your alcohol level you might also cut down the enormous number of deaths resulting from gun ownership!

But who would want to? I friend of mine spent a year in Oslo. It almost killed him and he said that was the best thing about the place.

[KettleWhistle]

Legal gun ownership is not a big problem, I agree, but the availability of guns is the thing that leads through theft and robberies to the illegal gun ownership.

No, actually it's the other way around. Illegal guns, are usually brought into the country illegally, and are sold illegally. In case of robberies legal guns usually save lives. But to me it's really about the function of the government. I like to think that it should try to accomodate people instead of regulating them. So if we have a substantial portion of population that want to legally have guns, be it for protection, hunting, or to shoot beer cans with their P4's, then it's preferable to put reasonable safeguards in place to allow it, rather than to prohibit it.

[Justcurious]

But who would want to? I friend of mine spent a year in Oslo. It almost killed him and he said that was the best thing about the place.

Just to confirm, I was speaking of the level of alcohol in your blood while driving.

Norway is one hell of a place for drinking. The price is so high that in remote areas people make moonshine at home.

KW, are you saying that gun stores are seldom robbed?

[KettleWhistle]

KW, are you saying that gun stores are seldom robbed?

Although I have heard of a doughnut shop being robbed, I don't think anyone is stupid enough to try to rob a gun store. Gun store owners are not the police, they won't warn before shooting.

[Justcurious]

Although I have heard of a doughnut shop being robbed, I don't think anyone is stupid enough to try to rob a gun store. Gun store owners are not the police, they won't warn before shooting.

Or maybe American gun stores are just a rare exception!

[Mediocrates]

You would have to be some kind of nutcase to try to rob a gunstore. If you want a gun just go down to your local bar and/or bad neighborhood and buy one like everyone else. Or, just steal one from one of your acquaintenances.

[Justcurious]

You would have to be some kind of nutcase to try to rob a gunstore. If you want a gun just go down to your local bar and/or bad neighborhood and buy one like everyone else. Or, just steal one from one of your acquaintenances.

Indeed. Thare are so many legally purchased guns that you can even rob your neighbor's house or steal from a bar customer!

I wonder how many of these legal weapons were bought because of a true need.

[Mediocrates]

What is a true need? Apples and oranges I think. I'm no proponent of unlimited gun ownership but even you have to admit that there is little 'true need' for the citizen armies of Europe to allow their people to take home their assault rifles like they do in Switzerland.