# Abysmal judgement gene rears it's ugly head again-Kennedy stupidity **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 5, 2006, 8:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abysmal-judgement-gene-rears-its-ugly-head-again-kennedy-stupidity/355510 "2006-05-05T08:02:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Merijeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Merijeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merijeek)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2006, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abysmal-judgement-gene-rears-its-ugly-head-again-kennedy-stupidity/355510/61 "2006-05-05T18:51:01Z")
> [@Do Not Taunt](#): > > Call me dense, but I’m not getting what you’re saying here. Try again? I’m sorry, but right now we’re in the middle of a crisis. I think we should all stand behind Mr. Kenndy until such a time that we’re not in the middle of this crisis. -Joe ---
**Author:** ![betenoir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/258eb7/32.png) [@betenoir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/betenoir)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2006, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abysmal-judgement-gene-rears-its-ugly-head-again-kennedy-stupidity/355510/62 "2006-05-05T18:52:29Z")
> [@El\_Kabong](#): > > I imagine the Bushes will be disappointed to hear that. Hmmm…more the Cromwells. But with just the fanaticisim, not the inspiration. Not that I would call that a compliment anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Weirddave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/919ad9/32.png) [@Weirddave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weirddave)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2006, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abysmal-judgement-gene-rears-its-ugly-head-again-kennedy-stupidity/355510/63 "2006-05-05T18:54:45Z")
> [@El\_Kabong](#): > > Actually, I’ll hazard a guess that the reason you seem to see things that aren’t there may be that thick-lensed pair of ideological spectacles you are wearing. Which ideological glasses are they? I dislike both parties. And I didn’t “See things that aren’t there”, 2 of the first 3 replies to the OP were from posters defending Kennedy’s actions by introducing the straw man of a “But the left does it too” defense from the right. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2006, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abysmal-judgement-gene-rears-its-ugly-head-again-kennedy-stupidity/355510/64 "2006-05-05T18:58:58Z")
[A hostess at an area bar says he was drinking](http://news.bostonherald.com/localRegional/view.bg?articleid=137995&format=text) in the “hours” before. Whether that’s two hours or six hours before I don’t know. My issue is that the police were waved off from doing an investigation the rest of us unwashed would have been subject to, and I’d like to know why. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2006, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abysmal-judgement-gene-rears-its-ugly-head-again-kennedy-stupidity/355510/65 "2006-05-05T19:00:58Z")
Interesting. I suspect that more to the story will come out before we’re done. Even though the police did something unprofessional, that doesn’t end the investigation. Perhaps we’ll find out who decided to give him a pass, and how that decision was reached. Did Kennedy place any calls, for example? Daniel ---
**Author:** ![catsix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e19b73/32.png) [@catsix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/catsix)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2006, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abysmal-judgement-gene-rears-its-ugly-head-again-kennedy-stupidity/355510/66 "2006-05-05T19:03:55Z")
> [@](#): > > [CNN Headline](http://www.cnn.com) > Rep. Patrick Kennedy is checking himself into a rehabilitation unit, CNN learns. I wonder why he’s so quick to go to rehab if it was just a side effect of Ambien? Also on [You can read about the capitol police probe relating to the handling of the crash.](http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/05/05/kennedy.accident/index.html) ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2006, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abysmal-judgement-gene-rears-its-ugly-head-again-kennedy-stupidity/355510/67 "2006-05-05T19:05:11Z")
> [@ivylass](#): > > [A hostess at an area bar says he was drinking](http://news.bostonherald.com/localRegional/view.bg?articleid=137995&format=text) in the “hours” before. > > Whether that’s two hours or six hours before I don’t know. My issue is that the police were waved off from doing an investigation the rest of us unwashed would have been subject to, and I’d like to know why. Oh well, at least he didn’t shoot anyone in the face :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2006, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abysmal-judgement-gene-rears-its-ugly-head-again-kennedy-stupidity/355510/68 "2006-05-05T19:07:11Z")
Huh, interesting. I haven’t read that deeply into the Ambien literature - I wonder if alcohol reacts poorly with the medication. (Not that I’m denying he might’ve been plain old drinking-and-driving, just that it’d be a potential interaction.) ---
**Author:** ![Duke\_of\_Rat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Duke\_of\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke_of_Rat)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2006, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abysmal-judgement-gene-rears-its-ugly-head-again-kennedy-stupidity/355510/69 "2006-05-05T19:10:57Z")
Political back-biting aside, and forget his name or occupation, but isn’t it still possible to get a DUI from being under _only_ the influence of legal prescription medication? Does alcohol _have_ to be figured into the mix for it to be a DUI? ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2006, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abysmal-judgement-gene-rears-its-ugly-head-again-kennedy-stupidity/355510/70 "2006-05-05T19:16:29Z")
> [@Duke of Rat](#): > > Political back-biting aside, and forget his name or occupation, but isn’t it still possible to get a DUI from being under _only_ the influence of legal prescription medication? Does alcohol _have_ to be figured into the mix for it to be a DUI? I think DUI means driving under the influence of anything that might impair your ability to safely operate a motor vehicle. IANAL, however. ---
**Author:** ![Merijeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Merijeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merijeek)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2006, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abysmal-judgement-gene-rears-its-ugly-head-again-kennedy-stupidity/355510/71 "2006-05-05T19:17:52Z")
> [@Duke of Rat](#): > > Political back-biting aside, and forget his name or occupation, but isn’t it still possible to get a DUI from being under _only_ the influence of legal prescription medication? Does alcohol _have_ to be figured into the mix for it to be a DUI? Well, it is Driving Under the Influence, not Driving While Liquored up. However, being a prescription med would be a mitigating factor. Then again, I know one starlet who got a $500 fine and 5 days in jail for her **3rd** DUI so you never know. I have a hard time believing a Kennedy (or Bush) would ever do actual time barring a multiple murder on live TV. -Joe ---
**Author:** ![Do\_Not\_Taunt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/do_not_taunt/32/2968_2.png) [@Do\_Not\_Taunt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Do_Not_Taunt)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2006, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abysmal-judgement-gene-rears-its-ugly-head-again-kennedy-stupidity/355510/72 "2006-05-05T19:18:05Z")
> [@Merijeek](#): > > I’m sorry, but right now we’re in the middle of a crisis. I think we should all stand behind Mr. Kenndy until such a time that we’re not in the middle of this crisis. Well, the sarcasm meter’s going off, but it’s not really working for me because I can’t fathom what you’re actually trying to say here. Because he’s a Kennedy we should immediately crucify him, even if it’s merely a case of completely disorientation resulting from the legal use of Ambien? (\*) (\*) Not saying that’s the case. **Catsix** and **Ivylass** have introduced contrary evidence. **Weirddave** , on the other hand, seemed content to bizarrely respond to a well-reasoned post with a lame-ass, knee-jerk, bullshit accusation of partisan hackery on **Shayna’s** part. It was weak. I called him on it. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2006, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abysmal-judgement-gene-rears-its-ugly-head-again-kennedy-stupidity/355510/73 "2006-05-05T19:22:40Z")
> [@catsix](#): > > I wonder why he’s so quick to go to rehab if it was just a side effect of Ambien? At least he’s getting help, instead of just sticking to 'the Ambien and Phenergan made me do it". Seems likely that Ambien in particular will be used as a potential get-out-of-jail-free card in a variety of crimes. “I didn’t realize I was strangling her - I just took an Ambien and next thing you know, I’m in this here prison cell.” :rolleyes: By the way **Shayna** , next time you reproduce a quote make it a complete one. As in, “he _said_ he drove”, not just “he drove”. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2006, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abysmal-judgement-gene-rears-its-ugly-head-again-kennedy-stupidity/355510/74 "2006-05-05T19:25:01Z")
> [@Do Not Taunt](#): > > …content to bizarrely respond to a well-reasoned post with a lame-ass, knee-jerk, bullshit accusation of partisan hackery on **Shayna’s** part. It was weak. I called him on it. After all, it could have been Colin Powell in that fender bender: > [@](#): > > Secretary Colin L. Powell > Washington, DC > November 5, 2003 > > QUESTION: So do you use sleeping tablets to organize yourself? > > SECRETARY POWELL: Yes. Well, I wouldn’t call them that. They’re a wonderful medication – not medication. How would you call it? They’re called ambien, which is very good. You don’t use ambien? **Everybody here uses ambien.** [http://www.state.gov/secretary/former/powell/remarks/2003/26028.htm](http://www.state.gov/secretary/former/powell/remarks/2003/26028.htm) I doubt Kennedy will be that last politician, of _any_ stripe to wind up in trouble with sleeping pills. ---
**Author:** ![Merijeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Merijeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merijeek)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2006, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abysmal-judgement-gene-rears-its-ugly-head-again-kennedy-stupidity/355510/75 "2006-05-05T19:25:46Z")
> [@Do Not Taunt](#): > > Well, the sarcasm meter’s going off, but it’s not really working for me because I can’t fathom what you’re actually trying to say here. Because he’s a Kennedy we should immediately crucify him, even if it’s merely a case of completely disorientation resulting from the legal use of Ambien? (\*) > > (\*) Not saying that’s the case. **Catsix** and **Ivylass** have introduced contrary evidence. **Weirddave** , on the other hand, seemed content to bizarrely respond to a well-reasoned post with a lame-ass, knee-jerk, bullshit accusation of partisan hackery on **Shayna’s** part. It was weak. I called him on it. Sorry, just borrowing pages from the playbooks of the likes of \*\*Weirddave/b] and those he fanatically supports. The lines I was reciting can be found in a good many of Scott McClellan’s press conferences. Or at least the fun ones. -Joe ---
**Author:** ![Duke\_of\_Rat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Duke\_of\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke_of_Rat)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2006, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abysmal-judgement-gene-rears-its-ugly-head-again-kennedy-stupidity/355510/76 "2006-05-05T19:27:56Z")
> [@Merijeek](#): > > Well, it is Driving Under the Influence, not Driving While Liquored up. > > However, being a prescription med would be a mitigating factor. > > Then again, I know one starlet who got a $500 fine and 5 days in jail for her **3rd** DUI so you never know. > > I have a hard time believing a Kennedy (or Bush) would ever do actual time barring a multiple murder on live TV. > > -Joe Thanks, the anecdote about the starlet was just the thing I was trying to avoid, that’s why I put the bit in there about forgetting his name and occupation. The point was, it appears he was impaired, yet some seem to be fine with that since there was no test for or evidence of “evil alcohol”. You can be too fucked up to drive and not be drunk (we are in agreement here). Alcohol is such an bogeyman these days, I just wanted to point out that it’s not _the only_ bogeyman out there. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2006, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abysmal-judgement-gene-rears-its-ugly-head-again-kennedy-stupidity/355510/77 "2006-05-05T19:33:13Z")
I can tell you that some medications can seriously fuck you up. You may know that taking it will affect you, and try to take precautions, but then you take it and when you wake up you realize you’ve spent $200 on Ebay with no memory of what you bought. [This one is especially frightening](http://www.mentalhealth.com/drug/p30-r04.html) > [@](#): > > Alterations in behaviour, which have been variously reported as aggressiveness, argumentative behaviour, hyperactivity, agitation, depression, euphoria, irritability, forgetfulness and confusion. These behavioural reactions are particularly likely to occur in patients with a prior history of psychiatric disturbances and are known to occur in patients with chronic seizure disorders. > > Other adverse reactions involving the CNS have included nystagmus, unsteady gait, slurred speech, dysarthria, vertigo, insomnia, and diplopia. Isolated reports of akinesia, hemiparesis, tremor, hypotonia, headache and choreiform movements have been received. Minor changes in EEG patterns specifically low-voltage fast activity. ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2006, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abysmal-judgement-gene-rears-its-ugly-head-again-kennedy-stupidity/355510/78 "2006-05-05T19:34:37Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > By the way **Shayna** , next time you reproduce a quote make it a complete one. As in, “he _said_ he drove”, not just “he drove”. :dubious: Ok, “He _said_ he drove to the Capitol from his nearby home around 2:45 a.m…” Happy now? So please explain to me how that translates to “he knew what he was doing _as_ he was doing it” and not just relating the obvious fact that “he drove to the Capitol from his nearby home around 2:45 a.m.,” which we all know to be a simple, basic truth about the incident. Thanks. And if I were taking such addictive drugs as he is, and found that I’d had one of the severe adverse reactions known to occur, and didn’t feel I could simply stop taking it cold turkey, I’d check my ass into rehab, too. It’s the only responsible thing to do. Good on him. That _still_ doesn’t negate the real possibility that the Ambien really did make him do it, as it has so many other people. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2006, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abysmal-judgement-gene-rears-its-ugly-head-again-kennedy-stupidity/355510/79 "2006-05-05T19:35:06Z")
Sleepers like Ambien and anti-nauseants like phenergan are not real good ideas for recovering alcoholics and addicts, frankly. IMNSHO. Zofran is a good choice for many recovering folks who have nausea issues (from chemotherapy or other things), and frankly if one is in recovery, they should really probably avoid sleepers completely. And relapse sucks. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2006, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abysmal-judgement-gene-rears-its-ugly-head-again-kennedy-stupidity/355510/80 "2006-05-05T19:43:10Z")
> [@Do Not Taunt](#): > > Well, the sarcasm meter’s going off, but it’s not really working for me because I can’t fathom what you’re actually trying to say here. It was clearly a commentary on the common Bushite response to all expressions of doubt in his judgment and leadership. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abysmal-judgement-gene-rears-its-ugly-head-again-kennedy-stupidity/355510.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abysmal-judgement-gene-rears-its-ugly-head-again-kennedy-stupidity/355510.md?page=5)