Jesus Christ was talking about women and adultery when He said that 鈥淗e that is without sin among you, let him cast the first stone at her.鈥�
It was about 31A.D. at the time, but I have a strange feeling that if the prophet were alive today in 2016 A.D., He would stand beside Don McMorris and repeat these words to us all.
No doubt about it, 55 year old Don McMorris was driving back from his Fort Qu'Appelle area cabin to his home in Regina early in the morning of Friday August 5. He had too much to drink and he was caught by the police who charged him for Driving While Under the Influence of Alcohol. It is also true that he was the deputy premier and responsible for S.G.I. at the time. Also he was the minister responsible for Sask. Liquor and Gaming and on top of all of this, he was driving a government car. All this is true.
Now he faces the humiliation in the pillory of public opinion. He will be tried and if found guilty will have punishment that includes loss of license and fines as well as a criminal record. His employer will shun him and the constituents will decide whether or not he has a job. His name and face are in all the papers and media and chances of future employment have been severely damaged. He feels the full embarrassment of his actions in front of family, friends, and neighbours. He will be labelled as someone with 鈥渁 drinking problem鈥� and therefore not to be trusted. Is all of this enough punishment? I have a feeling that it isn't.
I don't know Don McMorris and I am not particularly religious but I am 62 years old and I have experienced some things in my life. I have made similar mistakes and have probably been impaired a few times in my life. The difference is, however, I have not been caught or I have paid my penalties and have been able to move forward with my remaining days. I have a feeling social media, M.A.D.D. (Mothers Against Drinking and Driving), political hacks, and cynical public interests are not going to give Mr. McMorris the same treatment.
Those of us with some limited insights with alcohol probably have experienced the euphoria and warm glow that leads even the most sane of us to do the unthinkable. I am not forgiving Mr. McMorris I am only saying I know what might have led him to make a serious error of judgement. And by the way, this has nothing to do with stiffer penalties or more signs and educational programs. We all know drinking and then driving is dangerous and kills 40 to 70 of us in this province every year.
With all of this said I now suggest this: we all share some of the responsibilities of errors in judgement like this. Instead of casting a stone afterwards, stop a family member, a friend, a neighbor or even a stranger from driving drunk. Where is all the righteous indignation when we witness someone getting into his or her vehicle and driving home after indulging too much in alcohol? What do we think we are doing when we serve too much alcohol to people in our homes? Stop throwing stones and be proactive. My family has my permission to do whatever it takes to stop me when I insist on driving after celebrating too much on my holidays or when we gather.
Thank You
Gary Gabel, Madge Lake
