HoodaThunk?

There’s a new poll up and I’ll go into that in a moment. First, let’s talk about the one I just took down: Auto Industry Bailout? The choices were “Yes, we should” and “No, let bankruptcy handle it.” By a margin of 72% to 28% respondents here at HoodaThunk? favor letting bankruptcy laws handle this situation. I’m afraid I have to agree. I know, the money’s already being deposited into the Big 3′s bank accounts and this issue is a done deal, but it’s still a bad one. The problems with Detroit were not a simple matter of a lack of funding. The problems were what was causing the lack of funding and none of those are being addressed with a taxpayer handout. It remains to be seen whether or not the car companies and the Unions have learned from this situation and will make the changes necessary to become profitable again. Personally, I doubt they will until members in the leadership of both entities are removed. I guess we’ll see.

WTOP News has a story up this morning describing a new anti-drunk driving law enacted in 6 states and which became effective yesterday. Under these laws persons convicted of drunk driving will have a choice: be banned from driving during a suspension of 5 to 11 months or have an ignition interlock installed on their car. The interlock will basically require them to pass a breathalyzer test before the car will start. See the story for a full explanation and a picture of one type of interlock.

The interlocks not only require a blow to start the engine, they apparently require periodic testing during the car’s operation. I’d need more information on that feature but I can’t say I like the sound of that. The idiots driving around the beltway have enough distractions without adding a running breathalyzer to their portfolio.

But, hey, I’m interested in what you think. Have a look at the poll over there to the right and tell me where you stand on them.