GTUser

If I am sharing the road with anyone that has chosen to drink and drive then their actions do affect me. I have too much time and money and sweat invested in my car and I care too mcuh for my health and the welfare of my wife and kids to some idiot that thinks its OK to drive and drink. I care too much for the RRDI group to allow even just one to put in jeopardy anyone else in our group or at Deals Gap.

I'd do it in a heartbeat, but I'd rather confront the problem now rather than confront a drunk who's reason and judgement are already compromised.

Like I said in a previous post if getting drunk and driving a very challenging road is why you're going to Deals Gap then you got bigger problems than someone trying to remind you of what is smart and what is truly dumb. If a person can't socialize and enjoy the driving without getting hammered then that person truly needs to get some help and should stay home. All I am saying is its smarter to avoid a problem rather than have to confront it in a parking lot. The last confrontation with Phil was a case of some of us not willing to join the group but wanting to do our own thing. This event can't happen without everyone's cooperation and putting the needs of DGRR ahead of your own wishes. Once on the road you're not just a single driver but a member of a group of drivers and you have accepted responsibility for your safety and those that share the road with you.

That rationale might hold some water if its one person on their own with no responsibility for the welfare of others, that is not the case when you are at Deals Gap or driving a public highway.

Your are right, you are free to come and go as you please, but you give up some of that freedom when you join an event in which others are involved. I really don't know if anyone in our group would drink and then get behind the wheel of their car and think their abilities and judgement are not impaired, or who have gotten hammered the night before and knowingly get on the road in less than top condition to drive the dragon or drive back to Raleigh safely.

I am not attacking anyone, regardless of what some may think, I am trying to deal with an attitude that we're not responsible for anyone except ourselves. By definition an association, whether its loose or tight, is a voluntary gathering in which all members share a like interest and are banded together to benefit the whole. I don't know what a group is called when no one is responsible for anyone else, maybe a gang or rabble. There has to be something that unites us and gives us reason to associate with one another and part of that commitment is to do what is in the best interest of the whole at the expense of the self.

PerkyStina

I am not aware of anyone in the group who is selfish enough to drink any amount and drive at a car event. Especially on the Dragon! There are a few of us who rarely-- if at all-- drink on ANY occasion. Bert, you don't give your fellow members enough credit.

Cars and booze do not go together. STRONGLY agreed. I appreciate your concern and high expectations of others. However, rotaries may be one of our only shared interests, and we all need to be more respectful in voicing our opinions, including you, Bert.

I do agree with that.one.guy, too, for the fact that over-emphasizing and overly-promoting individual opinions is going to break this group apart even more than it already has this far. The drama needs to stop.

speedjunkie

iTrader: (3)

Awesome, I'll work my magic to get tomorrow off then. My Flight Chief told me yesterday that he doesn't really give one day of leave, he said if I need a day to just take it, after running it by him first of course. But I forgot my boots at home this morning when I went to PT so I had to run all the way home and get them and didn't get back to work until about 9am so I figure I'll just put in for the day of leave, haha. If I can get a free day I'm gonna though. My boss already told me he was gonna let me off early tomorrow anyway, but I think he might just give me the day anyway. Yeah whoever wants to come down, you're all welcome. However, I only have my bed, since Buck is deployed I guess some can stay in there, and I have a futon in the other bedroom and the sectional couch. Other than that, there is nowhere to sleep. I do have the tent and air mattress for DGRR though, haha. I figure most people will be working tomorrow since it's Friday though.

EDIT: You guys post too fast, haha. I thought I was posting right under Josh.

speedjunkie

iTrader: (3)

I gotta go do some work now, I'll catch up with you guys later.

darktritium

This whole drinking thing is getting out of hand. Plain and simple, I saw plenty of footage to support the fact that people had been drinking at DGRR. This was done at a table while people were playing with cards. Drinking AND driving? I seriously doubt that anyone would have ever even considered that.

Got a job offer. We'll leave it at that and details will follow for next meet or whatever.

Turbo II

iTrader: (1)

Somehow I imagine trying to drive the Dragon while intoxicated would be something like trying to ride a rollercoaster in the same condition. A. You'll fall out.... ie: wreck B. You're gonna barf... ie: barf.

I seriously doubt anyone here ever even considered drinking and driving at this event. As with last year the party was at night...

AntiVenom7

Bert, the issue I am addressing is: We are all responsible adults (speaking about the members I know)

I am pretty sure that you have not seen any of us drive drunk (if you have, please correct me). To assume that we would do so is insulting to not just me, but also others I have spoken with . I know how much I can drink and still be sober, and rested, for the next days events, and would be inclined to think that the rest of our members do as well.

Last year, some of us did plenty of drinking, but nobody touched the road in a drunken state. Did the partying offend some of the people? Probably, but for every/any action you can find somebody that will naysay. This is part of the reason why staying at the mansion again was a bad idea. Staying seperate will allow the people that don't wish to drink, or stay up until 2-3am, to get a good nights rest, watch TV, or count ceiling tiles.

I do agree 100% that drinking and driving is not a good idea, that it endangers others. This is the reason why I do my best not to drive in any condition that is subpar (drunk, sleepy, on medication, etc), I do this, because I feel that I am part of a much bigger group, that is to say mankind. So, I choose not to endanger a member of that group, a group that I am part of on a daily basis, not just bi-weekly, or yearly.

I also agree that as a member of RRDI we need to watch out for each other. I wouldn't let any of our members get behind the wheel in a state that, I felt, was dangerous. Clearly, you would not either. However, to restrict people prior to their action curtails free will, a cornerstone of our country, and all the Judeo-Christian/Muslim faiths. We are all free to choose our paths (of course the should be chosen wisely, that is a given). Are there consequences to illegal/immoral actions? Yes, of course there are, as well there should be. In this case one of them would be, getting your keys taken from you, until you sober (I have done to friends before, and am not afraid to do it again).

I think the majority of the backlash you are seeing is not towards the sentiment of your statement, but in the fact that it was given as a dictum. You are right in your want/need to protect yourself, and the group, but not in the tone. Is it more reasonable to think that your statement would stop people from drinking, or that it would be seen as disdainful and insulting?

I think this is enough said. Bert, I respect you for everything you have done for the group, and I think you are a good man. I know your sentiment/motivation is in the right place. As members of the group we need to treat each other with mutual respect. People are more responsive to that.

If you want to continue this, I think we should do it via PMs. I am happy to discuss religion, politics, world views, musings, rants with you, or any of our members.

AntiVenom7

Glad to hear it. Do I smell the exhaust from a flat four in the wind?

AntiVenom7

Couldn't agree more, and I am just as guilty as the next guy/gal. I tend to think that because I am arguing in defense of people's right to choose that it is less destructive, but that may not be true.

There has been a growing division in the group since the whole DGRR 'fallout' Which has caused this year's event has definitely lost some of its je ne sais pas.

AntiVenom7

Am I drunk at work or is that one blurry picture? Is that from last year?

AntiVenom7

So you may not be free til the afternoon? LMK

darktritium

Word is that I did pretty good on the phone interview too. Details shall remain unspoken until all is said and done, but things remain on track. That smell is going to be the tires...all four of them burning at the same time.

AntiVenom7

^^^^excellent brother. i won't jinx it with a congrats yet, though.

darktritium

Wait...I hear something too! That's right! It's the post-***** alarm! The post-***** compass is pointing at Josh. Muah ha ha ha ha...

AntiVenom7

I am on a roll today. haha. We gotta break 10K posts.

speedjunkie

iTrader: (3)

That's exactly why I LOVED staying at the mansion with everyone. Cause you could go to different parts and do whatever you wanted while still being able to party with the other people if you wanted also. Plus you have a kitchen there if you want to prepare food, a hot tub, pool table, TV...I just loved it. As much as I hate reality TV, it did feel like Real World, but with a TAD less drama.

AHEM. HAHA

I'm gonna have to disagree with you on that part bro, HAHA.

"Chester you know I don't speak Spanish!"

Probably.

I'm off the whole day brotha! I got permission a couple hours ago. Do I smell Chili's tomorrow night for dinner? Who all is coming down? Any of the rest of you? Oh, I'm cleaning out the garage tonight cause I'm getting some "furniture" tomorrow night.

Good to hear buddy. 'bout time your lazy *** got a job, ****. lol

Ooh damn, I hope I didn't jinx you. Sorry

Turbo II

iTrader: (1)

Yeah that"s from last year. Looked in focus when I took it....

Turbo II

iTrader: (1)

Yeah, they just love it when you talk dirty....




















Have we hit 10k yet?

AntiVenom7

we

AntiVenom7

can

AntiVenom7

if we post

AntiVenom7

like this

darktritium

We will eventually. What's that? You don't know who I am?!?!!

I8U

Damn guys...2 pages of posts since my last login! And I see we have a new post *****! HAHAHAHA!

To all attending the airshow next month, I'll have all the details worked out by the next meet and will disperse the info as needed. From what I got so far from the LT in charge they are thinking of making special events passes to hand out, but not 100% sure yet also, she told me that we should plan on getting to the gate an hour or more prior to the actual start time. So, we can get everything set up properly on the flightline. I just wanted to keep everyone posted.

camocarl

iTrader: (5)

Dang you guys really are post ****** these days

Looks like im going up to Virginia tomorrow morning to pick up an ATV, if I get back early enough Eric ill try to stop by. PM me your address.