# Naw, Al Gore's son would never do anything like that... **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 21, 2003, 7:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naw-al-gores-son-would-never-do-anything-like-that/220288 "2003-12-21T07:15:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2003, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naw-al-gores-son-would-never-do-anything-like-that/220288/41 "2003-12-21T16:46:21Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Diogenes the Cynic \* > \*\*It doesn’t unless it becomes destructive in some way. Alcohol is a far more dangerous drug than marijuana. Alcoholism can be detrimental and corrosive to families in a way that weed cannot. Just ask GWB. Not all drugs are equal. \*\* So how’s about when the Evil Drug Alcohol causes you to break into a country club to steal beer? Or how about when it causes you to use a fake ID? Is that dreadful enough? Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2003, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naw-al-gores-son-would-never-do-anything-like-that/220288/42 "2003-12-21T16:57:47Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Yumanite \* > \*\*So, you’re protesting what you feel is a cheap shot, by returning it. Can you remind me why that’s a good thing? > > **Airman** , I’m a lurker of many political rants on this board. There are plenty of others like me, and I’m sure I don’t just speak for myself when I say that I weigh the remarks of those I **respect** as posters more than those I don’t. I agree that blasting Bush for the behavior of his daughters is a cheap shot, and believe me, I have no love for the man at all. When I see posters indulging in such tactics, I roll my eyes and move on. I lose respect for the poster. I’m less likely to seriously consider what he or she says in the future. > > I’m taking the time to tell you this because I value your political insight. This board has a number of conservative posters that I respect, even admire. They are important, because the board leans to the left overall. **You** are in an ideal position to make your arguments mean something to me and other people who are reading your threads. If you act immature, you will lose much of that advantage. > > This thread is childish, and not worthy of you. \*\* I appreciate the compliment, and accept the rebuke. Nnetheless, every once in a while it feels good to cut loose by saying “So’s your old man!” Childish? Absolutely. Satisfying? Sure is. I’ll try to do better in the future. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2003, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naw-al-gores-son-would-never-do-anything-like-that/220288/43 "2003-12-21T17:04:09Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Shodan \* > \*\*So how’s about when the Evil Drug Alcohol causes you to break into a country club to steal beer? Or how about when it causes you to use a fake ID? Is that dreadful enough? > > Regards, > Shodan \*\* I have no idea what you’re alluding to, but no. I was thinking more about the effects that alcoholic parents have on their children. I grew up with an alcoholic parent. It sucks. I would have much rather had a pothead parent. ---
**Author:** ![Neurotik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/91b2a8/32.png) [@Neurotik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neurotik)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2003, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naw-al-gores-son-would-never-do-anything-like-that/220288/44 "2003-12-21T17:06:25Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Diogenes the Cynic \* > \*\*Um…nope…the studies don’t show any of that. Weed smoking does not have any appreciable effect on driving ability. As a matter of fact, people who are stoned tend to be a little more cautious. \*\* Bullshit. Which “studies” are these? The study by professors at Diogenes University where you get stoned and see if you can still drive all right? It’s a fact that being stoned impairs reaction time and impairs motor skills. Just google “marijuana slows reaction time” and you’ll get sites from all sorts of studies from universities and other organizations. Unless you are under the impression that slowed reaction time, etc., have nothing to do with a person’s ability to drive safely. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2003, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naw-al-gores-son-would-never-do-anything-like-that/220288/45 "2003-12-21T17:12:24Z")
> [@](#): > > _Airman said:_ > I appreciate the compliment, and accept the rebuke. > > Nnetheless, every once in a while it feels good to cut loose by saying “So’s your old man!” Childish? Absolutely. Satisfying? Sure is. > > I’ll try to do better in the future. So I guess you missed the memo that all Pit rants are now supposed to double as recruitment drives? [😉](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=230356) ---
**Author:** ![cheddarsnax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@cheddarsnax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cheddarsnax)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2003, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naw-al-gores-son-would-never-do-anything-like-that/220288/46 "2003-12-21T17:12:42Z")
OMFG, Gore’s son did something naughty! Now I can never vote for a **HYPOCRAT** again, dirty bastards! Of course, I can’t vote for a **REDRUNKLICAN** either, cuz of what Bush’s daughters did. Damn bitches, drinkin’ like there’s no tomorrow! Now I’ll have to vote for a THIRD PARTY. Unless their relatives break the law too, in which case I can never vote again. Or I could realize that none of this matters, something that those who actually give a shit about this tripe ought to think about. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2003, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naw-al-gores-son-would-never-do-anything-like-that/220288/47 "2003-12-21T17:19:02Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Neurotik \* > \*\*Bullshit. Which “studies” are these? The study by professors at Diogenes University where you get stoned and see if you can still drive all right? > > It’s a fact that being stoned impairs reaction time and impairs motor skills. Just google “marijuana slows reaction time” and you’ll get sites from all sorts of studies from universities and other organizations. > > Unless you are under the impression that slowed reaction time, etc., have nothing to do with a person’s ability to drive safely. \*\* Check it out, dipshit. [Recent research into impairment and traffic accident reports from several countries shows that marijuana taken alone in moderate amounts does not significantly increase a driver’s risk of causing an accident – unlike alcohol](http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/1999/03/990325110700.htm) Driving while stoned is perfectly safe. I’ve done it a million times and never had an accident. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2003, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naw-al-gores-son-would-never-do-anything-like-that/220288/48 "2003-12-21T17:20:54Z")
**Dio** , I’ve told you a million times! Don’t exaggerate! ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2003, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naw-al-gores-son-would-never-do-anything-like-that/220288/49 "2003-12-21T17:22:24Z")
I’ve never driven while stoned. But if I _had_ done so, I would have been a danger to every driver or pedestrian on the road. Which is why I didn’t even contemplate such stupidity. I have driven while mildly intoxicated (not lately), and I at least had enough control to stay out of trouble by driving home slowly on lightly traveled streets. (I wouldn’t make that choice now, though - if I didn’t have someone else to drive me home, I’d stay put.) ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2003, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naw-al-gores-son-would-never-do-anything-like-that/220288/50 "2003-12-21T17:28:35Z")
> [@](#): > > _Neurotik said:_ > It’s a fact that being stoned impairs reaction time and impairs motor skills. Just google “marijuana slows reaction time” and you’ll get sites from all sorts of studies from universities and other organizations. I’m curious did you, did you follow your own suggestion? [DoT study](http://cannabis.thawkins.com/dot78.html): > [@](#): > > The city driving study measured the subjects’ ability to operate a vehicle in urban traffic. for reasons mentioned in the respective chapter the THC dose in that study was restricted to 100 ug/kg. For comparative purposes another group of subjects was treated with a modest dose of alcohol, producing a mean BAC of about 0.04g%. Results of the study showed that the modest dose of alcohol, but not THC, produced a significant impairment in driving performance, relative to placebo. Alcohol impaired driving performance but subjects did not perceive it. THC did not impair driving performance yet the subjects thought it had. After alcohol, there was a tendency towards faster driving and after THC, slower. Oh and to stay on topic, those Democrats sure do suck! ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2003, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naw-al-gores-son-would-never-do-anything-like-that/220288/51 "2003-12-21T17:30:04Z")
Being stoned is not like being drunk. I would never drive drunk. Alcohol has a completely different effect. Weed does not impair me in the slightest (or rather _didn’t_. I quit the stuff years ago). Look at the Toronto study I posted. Mary Jane does not impair driving. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2003, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naw-al-gores-son-would-never-do-anything-like-that/220288/52 "2003-12-21T17:39:50Z")
well, there’s always the dosage issue in these sorts of things. The guy in the lab coat may not know the difference between Maui Wowee and Durango Ditch Weed. Plus, there is a wide variance in reaction, it is very common for someone to smoke weed for the first time and have no noticeable response at all. This is true with alcohol as well, so any such study is going to have an element of guesswork. As I had said to my son in his earlier years, if the only way to get home is to get in a car with someone who’s been drinking, take a cab. I can get more money, all done making babies. ---
**Author:** ![Valgard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/7feea3/32.png) [@Valgard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valgard)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2003, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naw-al-gores-son-would-never-do-anything-like-that/220288/53 "2003-12-21T17:48:09Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Diogenes the Cynic \* > \*\* > [Recent research into impairment and traffic accident reports from several countries shows that marijuana taken alone in moderate amounts does not significantly increase a driver’s risk of causing an accident – unlike alcohol](http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/1999/03/990325110700.htm) > Driving while stoned is perfectly safe. I’ve done it a million times and never had an accident. \*\* Diogenes, from that article: " While smoking marijuana does impair driving ability…" “Both substances impair performance,” Smiley says. (Referring to booze and pot) They do go on to say that drivers who have smoked marijuana act more cautiously, unlike drivers who have been drinking, I’ll grant you that. Anecdotally, having been around my pot-smoking friends when they’ve gotten high, there’s no way in hell I’d let them get behind the wheel. I was unknowingly placed in the position of passenger with a mildly stoned driver once and it was not pleasant. Driving too slowly can also cause accidents. That study specifically refers to people who have small amounts and wait a bit before driving. And with all due respect (seriously), “Driving while stoned is perfectly safe. I’ve done it a million times and never had an accident” is a totally bogus argument and everybody knows it. I know a guy who used to drink to the point of flammability and then somehow navigate home. He never killed anybody. That doesn’t make it safe, it just makes him and everyone who was on the road incredibly lucky that they aren’t dead. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2003, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naw-al-gores-son-would-never-do-anything-like-that/220288/54 "2003-12-21T17:49:37Z")
Ok, ok. Don’t smoke dope and drive if you’re a _lightweight_. ---
**Author:** ![Valgard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/7feea3/32.png) [@Valgard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valgard)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2003, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naw-al-gores-son-would-never-do-anything-like-that/220288/55 "2003-12-21T17:53:42Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Diogenes the Cynic \* > \*\*Ok, ok. Don’t smoke dope and drive if you’re a _lightweight_. \*\* Especially if you’re the son of a former VP. And if you do, do it in Roseville MN (joke). ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2003, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naw-al-gores-son-would-never-do-anything-like-that/220288/56 "2003-12-21T17:56:35Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Valgard \* > \*\*Diogenes, from that article: > > " While smoking marijuana does impair driving ability…" > > “Both substances impair performance,” Smiley says. (Referring to booze and pot) > > They do go on to say that drivers who have smoked marijuana act more cautiously, unlike drivers who have been drinking, I’ll grant you that. Anecdotally, having been around my pot-smoking friends when they’ve gotten high, there’s no way in hell I’d let them get behind the wheel. I was unknowingly placed in the position of passenger with a mildly stoned driver once and it was not pleasant. Driving too slowly can also cause accidents. > > That study specifically refers to people who have small amounts and wait a bit before driving. > > And with all due respect (seriously), “Driving while stoned is perfectly safe. I’ve done it a million times and never had an accident” is a totally bogus argument and everybody knows it. I know a guy who used to drink to the point of flammability and then somehow navigate home. He never killed anybody. That doesn’t make it safe, it just makes him and everyone who was on the road incredibly lucky that they aren’t dead. \*\* You can’t compare weed with alcohol. The effects are nothing alike. The essential finding of the Toronto study is that _marijuana is not a factor_ in driving accidents. Cough syrup impairs driving more than the sweet leaf does. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2003, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naw-al-gores-son-would-never-do-anything-like-that/220288/57 "2003-12-21T18:13:55Z")
> [@](#): > > elucidator said:\* > The guy in the lab coat may not know the difference between Maui Wowee and Durango Ditch Weed. Well I kinda assumed they weren’t pulling the “100 ug/kg” out of their ass. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2003, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naw-al-gores-son-would-never-do-anything-like-that/220288/58 "2003-12-21T18:15:38Z")
Though I suppose you mean when they try to communicate/translate their findings to the public. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2003, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naw-al-gores-son-would-never-do-anything-like-that/220288/59 "2003-12-21T18:17:29Z")
Well, that’s your lab coat mentality, a gibbering adoration of quantification. If you can measure something, you can define it. Ain’t so. Precisely the same amount of THC will whack my baby sister out into the ozone, I’ll pick up something to read. When individual reactions vary so widely, precise measurement of dosage is meaningless. ---
**Author:** ![Avalonian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ee7513/32.png) [@Avalonian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Avalonian)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2003, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naw-al-gores-son-would-never-do-anything-like-that/220288/60 "2003-12-21T19:13:12Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Waverly \* > \*\*Doors, do you really think it is clever to protest pettiness by wading yet further into the muck? Someone… anyone, find the higher road. \*\* Yes, please. The high road is still there, though perhaps overgrown with weeds from lack of use. Someone needs to blaze a new trail down it. I wonder how much lower people are willing to go just to satisfy their childish impulses. I suppose we’ll see, in the next year or so… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naw-al-gores-son-would-never-do-anything-like-that/220288.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naw-al-gores-son-would-never-do-anything-like-that/220288.md?page=4)