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Local Items: Drink Driving On Bonaire
Bonaire Talk: Local Items: Archives: Archives 2010: Archives 07-01-10 to 12-31-10: Drink Driving On Bonaire
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Antony Bond (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #704) on Friday, July 2, 2010 - 5:02 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

According to an article in the Bonaire Reporter (www.bonairereporter.com) it appears that the island is to introduce various sobriety tests for drivers.

While we in the West are used to this and drink drivers are seen to be the lowest of the low, on Bonaire it is different. There is no public transport and away from Kralendijk, the roads are empty.

I believe that this type of legislation will make it difficult for locals who live in outlying areas. The amount of road accidents on the island is minimal and the amount that are as a result of drinking is even less. Rather than impose restriction on drivers, why not put restrictions on vehicles. The amount of people who drive huge 4x4 is ridiculous. Anyone who chooses a Hummer as a daily mode of transport on the island has some real inadequacy problems.

I guess that part of closer ties with The Netherlands will be the introduction of all of the legislation that we try to escape. It is only a matter of time before seat belts & helmets become compulsory, smoking is banned in public places, cars have to have an annual test and taxes are hiked up to pay for it all.

As where most of the above sound like common sense to us in the West, it will only serve to increase the financial burden of the locals.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By bill a.k.a.Mr. Bill...(**********) (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #15692) on Friday, July 2, 2010 - 8:32 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

What is the cost of one child's life? One mother's life? One father's life? Several destroyed families?

While I tend to agree with many of your viewpoints and you bring unique ones to this board, you might want to look again at your statements.

Drinking and public transport have nothing to do with each other.

Empty roads don't mean the driver won't die (father - mother - teenager)

The size of a vehicle has nothing to do with drinking or the common misconception of inadequacy issues.

The increased financial burden is hearsay at this point. Average out the costs of no longer having income from tourists if the island continues to live the way it does. You did not mention that costs flow to more than residents.

Take a moment and see/find the possible solutions to your purported issues. You will then be providing the island and this community with hope and help rather than fear.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Antony Bond (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #705) on Friday, July 2, 2010 - 9:52 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Bill.

I knew this would be a hot potato issue and I am trying to play devils advocate so before the; 'Won't somebody please think of the children' brigade start getting excited, please remember that I am not looking for an international repeal of the drink drive laws.

In the UK in 2009 around 15% of all recorded accidents involved somebody who was over the legal alcohol/drug limit. That leaves 85% of drivers who are stone cold sober. The volume of traffic coupled with speed & driver distraction are the biggest factors concerning road safety.

What makes those 15% any more guilty? A large percentage of the others will have been tuning in their stereo, lighting a cigarette, eating a burger or shouting at the kids in the back. The fact that they have chosen to do something that impairs their driving makes them equally guilty. Just a few months ago, a Mother killed herself & her two kids when she hit a truck coming the other way. Witnesses say that she was looking behind towards the children when she crossed the centre line. It is estimated that there are four times as many accidents caused by distractions inside the vehicle than are caused by alcohol.

So where do we go from there? No smoking, or eating? Ban young children from the car or just ban passengers period. Remove the Sat Nav & Stereo? All of these things are factors that cause many more accidents than alcohol. The reason that they don't make the news? Because these things are not (yet) illegal. Maybe we should wear helmets in cars? How about making three point harnesses & an anti-roll bars mandatory? It may sound as though I am being frivolous but watch this space.

I do not condone drink driving but I believe that islands such as Bonaire can't be legislated against in the same way. In the three years that I lived on the island, I don't remember more than a handful of fatalities, the majority of which were caused by excessive speed.

While there is a case to restrict drinking & driving as well as excessive speed, this is the thin end of the wedge. In the States and increasingly in Europe, we are legislated against to such an extent that we dare not leave the house. Is this for our safety? No, of course not. It is to protect companies and local authorities from being prosecuted.

If there was an endemic problem on Bonaire with RTA's relating to drink then maybe then it needs to be looked at but before that, a public transport infrastructure needs to be addresses.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Eric M. "CamMan" (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1242) on Friday, July 2, 2010 - 11:09 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Amen, Bill.

e.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Antony Bond (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #706) on Friday, July 2, 2010 - 12:00 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I guess that this matter can't be fairly judged by those who don't live on the island.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Lloyd H (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #577) on Friday, July 2, 2010 - 1:13 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Drinking & Driving is an ongoing nightmare anywhere on the planet .

If one person is hurt because of someones stupidity it is one too many .

Yes there are a lot of other distractions such as cell phones , lighting cigarettes etc , these distractions cannot be compared to drunk driving , get real .

Ever heard of a "taxi" after a few , works very well and actually helps the economy .

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Skywalker (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #105) on Friday, July 2, 2010 - 7:35 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Why is it only possible to drive to outlying areas like Rincon after having drinks. if you know you have to drive you shouldn't be drinking.

An accident doesn't have to cause fatalities to be an accident that disrupts peoples lives.

People have been prosecuted in UK for "Driving without due care and attention" while eating, drinking and of course being on their cell phones.

I regularly on Bonaire see drivers -male and female - driving with a cell phone to their ear and holding a Polar at the same time.

Any legislation that make people think twice about their actions can only be good and if enforced can only make Bonaire safer. It's much easier to think otherwise when you don't live full time somewhere!

How do you legislate against school kids who ride their bicycles on one wheel while overtaking cars?? Or drive a small ATV on two wheels along the main roads?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jerry (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #27426) on Friday, July 2, 2010 - 9:51 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Antony, your remarks surprise me.

Infact, you come across as being a ass. Any tool to save a life is good for all. Grow up Bucko, drinking drives do kill. Take a cab.....it works for me....I hope you do the same?

Think about this, your wife is coming home from work, a drunk runs a red light in a Hummer, you get a call. Drinking and driving has to stop!

Antony, I have seen first hand what a drunk driver can cause...... May you never feel that pain.

Think about it.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jerry (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #27427) on Friday, July 2, 2010 - 10:01 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I'm sorry, one more question, Antony, what the hell are you smoking?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Fid Chinoy (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #192) on Friday, July 2, 2010 - 11:17 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Antony makes a good point. In Quebec they were considering banning hands free devices. It is going too far. The police stepped in and pointed out that it would be unenforceable since some people might be singing along to music.

The point being that any negligent behaviour should be rationally regulated and people should be held accountable, but focusing on drinking and driving may be too narrow and target a fraction of the careless drivers.

Although the comment concerning what Antony might be smoking is made in light humour, it does bring up the fact that some people smoke pot or even take prescription pills and drive when they should not be.

FYI, Antony, please be careful when balancing your Polar while smoking your joint, taking a hit off the crack pipe and shooting up with a speedball. At least pull over to the side of the road!!! This is where cup holders really come in handy. Keep a lawn chair in the trunk just in case.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bill Thorpe, (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #703) on Saturday, July 3, 2010 - 12:49 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Here is the states, it's estimated, that over 40 percent of ALL accidents involve a driving driver.
Not to say that all of the 40 percent are drunk, but at what point is your judgement clouded?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Antony Bond (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #707) on Saturday, July 3, 2010 - 5:12 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Jerry

I see that the new posting policies do not apply to you. Maybe that is what comes of being in the clique!

I had already made it crystal clear that I don't condone drinking & driving nor do I do it myself. I would also answer your accusation, no I don't take drugs either!

Remember what the new postings say Jerry. Don't say things on here that you wouldn't say to a persons face. And believe me when I say you wouldn't.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Antony Bond (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #708) on Saturday, July 3, 2010 - 5:28 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

For those who are suggesting the using of taxis, maybe instead they could just get James to bring the Limo round. Talk about 'Let them eat cake'.

Rather than the holier than thou rantings of people who live in the Western world, I would be interested to hear the views of long standing residents of Bonaire.

On my very first visit, I was driving from Plaza towards town. In front of me was a Police car. As we got to what used to be Casablanca, the Police car slowed down & an object was hurled from the car. On further inspection it turned out to be a Heineken bottle. Over the years, these sort of things turned out to be commonplace.

In all the years that I lived there I didn't meet one person who didn't drink & drive. Despite this aberration, the roads weren't littered with dead bodies & wrecked cars.

My question remains the same. Is this new legislation good for the ISLAND & its residents? Any long standing residents answer?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Barry Gassert (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #640) on Saturday, July 3, 2010 - 5:31 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Antony, I would! And even more. Of course, I'm an too just like everyone of us sometime in our lives is. It's just that most of us don't tell an entire forum. :)

You spout figures all the time. If one person dies or is seriously injured because a drinking law was not passed based on your opinion, that would be one too many. And, if that one is your loved one, it would change your thinking entirely, And, if it wouldn't change your mind, then you truly are what Jerry called you.

It also brings to mind of why you would even bring this up after admitting you don't condone drinking and driving. Are you just trying to stir up trouble? For what reason would you even broach this subject?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Antony Bond (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #709) on Saturday, July 3, 2010 - 5:37 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Barry.

I brought it up because it is local news & being reported in the local paper!

This is after all the Local Items section of Bonaire Talk. I suppose my mistake was expecting a response from locals. It is well known that BT is, shall we say, a little unpopular with residents.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Brigitte Kley - Coco Palm Garden (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #895) on Saturday, July 3, 2010 - 7:42 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Oh yes, the law is needed, without law no punishment... but honestly, this law exists in Sarasota as well as in Frankenhausen as in Sudbury and it still happens that people drive after drinking ....

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By bill a.k.a.Mr. Bill...(**********) (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #15696) on Saturday, July 3, 2010 - 7:49 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Antony I understand your rant against the nanny state telling people what they can and cannot do. Seriously - I get it. There is a line that should not be crossed.

Your generalization of the "what about the children brigade" is just a generalization and clearly you much to learn.

I am not part of a brigade. I and my family are examples. I may indeed be prejudicial in my response to your post re: drink driving as I lost my mother at age 5 when she and her mother in law were hit by a drunk pickup truck driver. My grandmother survived. My mother, she paid the price for some other drunk driver and certainly my sister and brother and even my father who had divorced and moved on paid the price. His new bride became our mother - she paid the price. It all "worked out". Except my maternal grandmother who died alone with her only child dead and able to see her grandchildren only in the summers.

None of it needed to happen in a town of less than 4500 people. But it did.

It only takes ONE Antony - ONE.

You've chosen the wrong issue to make your point of over legislation of freedoms. This is not a personal freedom it is a danger to all of society that has consequences far beyond the individual. You might as well argue for personal possession of radioactive isotopes. Your passion is exemplary your wisdom needs some maturity.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Antony Bond (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #710) on Saturday, July 3, 2010 - 8:12 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

I am sorry for your loss Bill.

A friend of mine was hit on his motorbike by a drunk driver. He survived but lost his leg at the age of 22.

The driver was an illegal Portuguese immigrant farm worker who had no licence & no insurance. In fact he had not even past a driving test. There are reasons why he should not have been behind the wheel of a car but it difficult to know which one to blame. Was it the drink, the fact that he didn't hold a licence or the fact that he shouldn't have been in the country? The reason given by the Police for the accident was that he couldn't understand the sign that said 'Give Way'.

On the other hand, my friends brother decapitated himself by hitting a flat back truck on his motorbike. He had been drinking. He was just 21.

The point that I have been trying to make (without success) is that Bonaire has allowed people to drink & drive until this point without many problems. That said, even though the Police turn a blind eye to drink driving, it is taken into consideration in cases where there are accidents.

I am 100% aware of the consequences of drink driving but I am asking what the locals think of the proposed laws.

I didn't have as much as a sip of alcohol when driving before I moved to Bonaire & now I am back in the UK, I still don't. However, despite that, I did drink & drive on the island. Maybe for those of us who are reasonably comfortable, $20 to $30 for a cab is nothing but for the locals, that is a hell of a lot.

My original point was to make sure that there is some public transport in place before bringing in the legislation. If nothing else, it would create some jobs.

(Message edited by Bondy on July 3, 2010)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jerry (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #27429) on Saturday, July 3, 2010 - 10:49 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Antony, I'm sorry. I was out of line. You are correct about the new posting policy. I kind of had something to do with that change:)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By William Anthony (BonaireTalker - Post #36) on Saturday, July 3, 2010 - 10:59 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Drinking & Diving?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jerry (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #27430) on Saturday, July 3, 2010 - 11:18 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Nope, the "being in the clique":) Just kidding.

I was involved with the posting policy change.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Antony Bond (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #711) on Saturday, July 3, 2010 - 11:38 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Jerry

It is an emotive subject & I guess we all know someone who has been affected. Maybe I didn't put my original point over with sufficient clarity.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By bill a.k.a.Mr. Bill...(**********) (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #15697) on Saturday, July 3, 2010 - 2:58 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

You aren't fooling anyone Antony. There was no single subject. There wasn't a single subject before you finished your first post.

You are what are truthfully what is called a troll in online discussion forums - you post anything incendiary and refuse to stick to your original topic if it doesn't work. And if it doesn't work to strengthen your own view, you add different fuel but you keep it lit.

You accomplish nothing "for the people of Bonaire" and if you take the time and read each and every post of yours on this thread - you have added nothing to this community except to be a troll. Perhaps that is a good addition.

Driving drunk is not a right anywhere. It has never been a right anywhere. And there is no private or public accommodation that should be required to make it a right anywhere.

The individual is responsible for his/her own actions unless and until they infringe upon the rights of others. That Bonaire has not sought to pass this into law until now just shows that Bonaire is growing. The locals voted. They will vote again. God willing they will remain a democracy and vote for many, many years to come.

You are simply bemoaning a Bonaire that no longer exists. Grow up and please quit entertaining yourself at the expense of others.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Antony Bond (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #713) on Saturday, July 3, 2010 - 3:15 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Bill.

I try not to get in conflict with anyone online & if that is your aim, I am sorry, you ain't bright enough to draw me in.

My original post was clear enough (I thought) in as much as it addressed the point of public transport for the locals. I merely added that it is likely that following closer links with the Netherlands, there was likely to be an increase in European style legislations. My stance has not changed from my original post.

You have nothing to offer to this discussion as you don't live, nor have (to my knowledge) ever lived on the island. Regardless of how many visits you may have made as a tourist, it is not comparable.

If you want to argue because you are unable to debate, that is fine with me. It all adds to lifes rich tapestry. When I move back to Bonaire within the next few years, you are more than welcome to join me in a beer and put forward your point personally.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By bill a.k.a.Mr. Bill...(**********) (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #15698) on Saturday, July 3, 2010 - 7:10 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

You are quickly backing away from much of your original post.

Perhaps true and probably very little argument to be had from most people:


quote:

According to an article in the Bonaire Reporter (www.bonairereporter.com) it appears that the island is to introduce various sobriety tests for drivers.

While we in the West are used to this and drink drivers are seen to be the lowest of the low, on Bonaire it is different. There is no public transport and away from Kralendijk, the roads are empty.

I believe that this type of legislation will make it difficult for locals who live in outlying areas. The amount of road accidents on the island is minimal and the amount that are as a result of drinking is even less.




As I said above - one death is one too many but I understand your viewpoint and everyone is entitled without question to their own. Everybody wants their "shang-ra-la". But you're not fooling anyone pretending to stand up for the locals - you're standing up for what you want to see and how you want to live. The local mother who loses a child or the child a parent - will never agree with you. You are simply wrong. There is no excuse to drink and drive. None.

The rest of your post has nothing to do with drink driving or public transportation...


quote:

Rather than impose restriction on drivers, why not put restrictions on vehicles. The amount of people who drive huge 4x4 is ridiculous. Anyone who chooses a Hummer as a daily mode of transport on the island has some real inadequacy problems.




So you're our resident psychiatrist after living on the island for three years. Lovely :)


quote:

I guess that part of closer ties with The Netherlands will be the introduction of all of the legislation that we try to escape. It is only a matter of time before seat belts & helmets become compulsory, smoking is banned in public places, cars have to have an annual test and taxes are hiked up to pay for it all.




We? That's rich. Three years doesn't make you "we". If the locals wanted to avoid the legislation they would have voted (twice) that way. They didn't. Again, you speak only for you and clearly by vote - a minority of the locals. Seat belts save lives pure fact. Helmets? I'm not sure but you're clearly off your public transportation chat here. The locals don't generally ride motorcycles if that's what you refer to - not the economically challenged or remote living locals you so valiantly purport to represent and be concerned about.


quote:

As where most of the above sound like common sense to us in the West, it will only serve to increase the financial burden of the locals.




What you rail against is beyond common sense. It is mostly scientific fact. Your attempt to take the massive change of the island's finances and forecast the economic demise of the locals based on over legislation is several jumps too far. One does not begin to equal the other. They are not connected. You are simply spouting political nonsense to support your ideology of what Bonaire should become or guard against your own fears of what it will become.

I post for no fight. I post because I care about this online community. I think BT is a great resource and for it to remain that way all views are available. You post, you are responded to, all views are available to the next person to read - or even respond to in a civil manner. I simply post because I like to.

I have been wrong and I have been wronged on BT. I'm sorry you feel you are in the latter category.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Skywalker (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #106) on Saturday, July 3, 2010 - 7:58 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

It must be very easy for people living in Scotland and other outposts to comment on what they want to see on Bonaire.
I actually do live here full time and I for one welcome any legislation that cuts down on Drunk Driving & all that goes with it, like throwing beer bottles out of cars - it's not only the police that do that - Donuts at 3am - shouting and hooting at everyone they know etc. etc.
Much of it is just a nuisance to people who live here, but the fact remains - people who drink and drive are asking for anything they get.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By bill a.k.a.Mr. Bill...(**********) (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #15699) on Saturday, July 3, 2010 - 8:49 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I agree ... and the dead innocent bystander? What did they deserve?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jerry (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #27436) on Saturday, July 3, 2010 - 9:45 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Drink and drive, get some soap on a rope. Enjoy your stay!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By **Jim Mc **-- But you can all me Link (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3767) on Sunday, July 4, 2010 - 1:14 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Can we please cease this topic? Antony, some things were said to you that are right on topic. How you arbitrarily started a topic, like this, is ludicrous. Telling Bill he is not bright enough, come on. Obviously, you still think of many of us as ignorant colonials, but we are not. Smugness is not your best quality Antony. You have so much more to offer about Bonaire than this.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Antony Bond (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #714) on Sunday, July 4, 2010 - 3:59 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Bill

You are quoting me verbatim which only enforces my point which is; bringing in drink drive laws NOW without having some form of public transport will cause difficulties for many locals. By locals I mean locals, not ex pats living in big houses with plenty of disposable income.

I don't understand where this in any way condones drink driving.

quote:

'I guess that part of closer ties with The Netherlands will be the introduction of all of the legislation that WE try to escape.'

The WE that I was refering to was people like you & I who visit Bonaire as tourists. Not WE as residents. Again, the wrong end of the stick.

I am never going to be able to make my point clear enough for you to understand. You (and others) have obviously got it into your mind that I advocate drink driving.

Well, that'll teach me not to stick to talking about pretty fish, Patrice's French onion soup or what time Cultimara closes.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Freddie...Summertime la la lala laaaaaa (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #14609) on Sunday, July 4, 2010 - 5:09 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

the phrase is "DRUNK DRIVING" or "DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE"

There are plenty of taxi's on Bonaire. Just ask anyone who lives in the road to Lac bay on a day when the ships are in.,,,,,,

can we please stop this.bickering nip picking thread...

Drunk drivers Kill..if you drink don't drive.. doesn't matter what anyone else does , protect yourself and your family that way you will protect others.. Be responsible......................end of story

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Antony Bond (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #715) on Sunday, July 4, 2010 - 5:13 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Jim Mc

There was nothing arbitrary about the topic, it was in the news section of this weeks Reporter. For whatever reason, some of you are under the impression that I posted; 'Hey guys! Let's all drink & drive'.

Another reason why this caught my eye was because a week or so ago, there was a discussion on BBC Radio 2 regarding new legislation to the drink drive laws in the UK. At the moment, it is permissable to have 80mg of alcohol in the blood while driving. The new proposals are to halve that. Personally, I think that it should be zero as people absorb alcohol in different ways. I could have a beer & be over the limit while another could have 5 and still be within the law.

Within these discussions were new proposals to 'relax' the drink drive laws in rural areas where there is not adequate public transport. The UK has set parameters on drink driving as far back as 1872 with actual alcohol to blood levels being introduced in 1967. Even after all this time, the matter is still being discussed. Funnily enough, the topic took a similar turn to this thread.

Before it is suggested, no I did not start the debate nor put forward the proposal. I would like it to be further noted that I don't eat babies or mug old ladies.

One final point. Someone suggested that maybe I am spending too much time on here. I agree. Maybe it's time to sign off........

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By bill a.k.a.Mr. Bill...(**********) (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #15700) on Sunday, July 4, 2010 - 7:13 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Antony, finally, instead of inflammatory rhetoric you have taken the time to put your point across in a way which others can understand. You have finally dropped the crap about how big cars are for inadequate individuals and you have finally given us the reasons for your perspective. You moan about others not understanding. How many posts did it take? Your issue here is your own - you communicate poorly. Your last post, until ingesting babies (you just can't seem to avoid being infantile) was of use, informative, something to learn, and an interesting viewpoint. Perhaps you should start at the other end of your stick in the future. Take some time and contribute as was suggested earlier. Few people here have to use 11 posts to get their first point across.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Antony Bond (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #716) on Sunday, July 4, 2010 - 7:46 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Bill.

I have said it before & I will say it again. I will not be drawn into a slanging match with someone online. It is very easy to spout vitriolic diatribe from behind a keyboard as opposed to looking someone in the eye. You are making yourself look like a cyber bully.

I wouldn't tar everyone with the same brush as yourself Bill. I have had a surprising number of Emails from those who understood my point from the first post. Maybe it is just a few that are slow on the uptake.

One Emailer pointed out something pertinent. They chose not to post on this subject because they were appalled at the tone of some of the postings. Maybe true colours are starting to emerge.

Luckily, I am no shrinking violet and my shoulders are big enough to bear the weight of criticism from those who don't know me, or anything about me.

That said, I do have to question why I would want to continue to use a forum where a handful (and it is only a handful) of people make it their business to be objectionable. I am sure that I am not the only one who has seen some of the slatings handed out to 'newbies' by those who are self acclaimed Bonaire Talk Deity.

The help & support from people on here that I received before my first trip to the island was invaluable and there are many good people who post regularly.

My offer still stands Bill. When I return to Bonaire for good, I will drop you an Email & I will be happy to meet up with you when you are on island. Hey! We can even go halves on the cab fare.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By bill a.k.a.Mr. Bill...(**********) (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #15701) on Sunday, July 4, 2010 - 8:06 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

There is no better place than BT to learn of the island before going. On this we agree. I was saved by this community several times during training. If it weren't for BT I would not know the joy of diving or Bonaire. I had no idea what I was doing or what the heat was doing to me during training. I assumed it was all from going under water. The shared experiences and depth of knowledge of this community helped me to understand and persevere.

You (and your "others";) should be disabused of the fact that I may somehow be a BT deity. In fact, I too am a newbie. I have less than 60 dives and less than a year on BT. This has nothing to do with the board or this topic. But since you mentioned it I felt your group should understand that It is a joke "bestowed" by the moderators. In no way should I be mistaken as one of an elite group termed "deities" who have earned the level of posts by being dedicated, patient, and long term contributors to this resource and this community.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Antony Bond (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #717) on Sunday, July 4, 2010 - 8:12 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Maybe that is as good a note as any on which to end this thread...............Taxi for Antony..

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By William Anthony (BonaireTalker - Post #37) on Sunday, July 4, 2010 - 8:28 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Ow, it's going about drinking and dRiving. Do they have private drivers on Bonaire?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jerry (Moderator) (Moderator - Post #265) on Sunday, July 4, 2010 - 9:08 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Antony, Mr. Bill,

That's the way it's done. Thank you.






 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By lisa z (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #426) on Tuesday, July 6, 2010 - 3:10 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Antony,
As someone who has spent 27 years of her life working as a trauma nurse in an emergency department, I must tell you that your position on this issue is absolutely ignorant.
When you are put into the position of telling a family that their child or sibling, or parent or spouse has died at the hands of a drunk driver, let me know. I think you'll change your mind just a little.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Vince DePietro-www.bonairebeachcondo.com (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3117) on Tuesday, July 6, 2010 - 5:34 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Just when I thought it was safe to go back in the water...I really think this thread should be locked shut and the key thrown away. It doesn't necessarily bring out the best in anyone.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jerry (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #27455) on Tuesday, July 6, 2010 - 5:49 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Vince, if I do that, someone will cry that we are trying to hide something, cover it up, or just cry censorship.

Best to just move on and let this just fade into the sunset.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Trevor Naylor (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #218) on Tuesday, July 6, 2010 - 6:04 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Very interesting exchanges. One simple question. Who will enforce the new law if/when it is introduced. Surely not the police. They are too busy catching people taking things from trucks. I lived in Jamaica when the breathaliser was introduced, but nothing changed.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Grunt (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1116) on Tuesday, July 6, 2010 - 8:02 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post


quote:

Who will enforce the new law if/when it is introduced. Surely not the police. They are too busy catching people taking things from trucks.




Please stop, my sides are hurting!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bill Thorpe, (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #704) on Tuesday, July 6, 2010 - 9:11 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I think this thread will be a point of growth for Antony.
It's a terrible thing to kill someone because your intoxicated and behind the wheel of a car, but what's really horrific is when people end up in wheel chairs and will have a changed life.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Skywalker (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #108) on Tuesday, July 13, 2010 - 9:55 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Skywalker, I removed your first statement because it was in bad taste to some. Might have been just a joke, but just over the line

there should be an area on this site that is only accessible to people who live here on Bonaire for at least 11 months a year.

(Message edited by modjerry on July 14, 2010)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jerry (Moderator) (Moderator - Post #270) on Wednesday, July 14, 2010 - 9:44 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Seeing that we beat the heck out of this thread and it is going down hill again, I would like to thank you all for taking part.

The thread is closed.

Thank you and please come again:)

 


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