Many years ago, in a Galaxy Far Far Away; I was the Municipal Judge of the City of College Station, Texas. My appointment to that post, was not without its critics and detractors.
One old high school friend opined that I was the best qualified for the post because I had committed virtually every Class C offense imaginable. While that was something of an overstatement, I had happily and consistently violated all statutes regulating the consumption of alcohol.
Accordingly I did not regard under 21 years old possession/consumption of alcohol as a crime calling out to the Lord for vengeance. I gave many of the defendants deferred adjudication (non conviction probation) and ordered them into Alcohol Education.
This leniency brought me into the crosshairs of the Mothers Against Drunk Driving (M.A.D.D.). I believed I was unfairly and inaccurately targeted in the M.A.D.D. newsletter and in retrospect I did not handle it in a tactful and diplomatic manner.
When I talked to the local M.A.D.D. President (a very intelligent and articulate lady) she said “I don’t appreciate being called a liar!!”
I responded “Ma’am, if you will quit lying about me I’ll quit calling you a liar": and things went south from there. I felt and still feel like I was right, but I should not have been so personally truculent. The attached article from June 12, 1990 is a by product of that exchange.
One old high school friend opined that I was the best qualified for the post because I had committed virtually every Class C offense imaginable. While that was something of an overstatement, I had happily and consistently violated all statutes regulating the consumption of alcohol.
Accordingly I did not regard under 21 years old possession/consumption of alcohol as a crime calling out to the Lord for vengeance. I gave many of the defendants deferred adjudication (non conviction probation) and ordered them into Alcohol Education.
This leniency brought me into the crosshairs of the Mothers Against Drunk Driving (M.A.D.D.). I believed I was unfairly and inaccurately targeted in the M.A.D.D. newsletter and in retrospect I did not handle it in a tactful and diplomatic manner.
When I talked to the local M.A.D.D. President (a very intelligent and articulate lady) she said “I don’t appreciate being called a liar!!”
I responded “Ma’am, if you will quit lying about me I’ll quit calling you a liar": and things went south from there. I felt and still feel like I was right, but I should not have been so personally truculent. The attached article from June 12, 1990 is a by product of that exchange.
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