10.31.2005

A look at my Libertarian Underbelly

Heard a snippet on the radio about a court case that involved a 19 year old with a fake id that had gone to a bar, drunk himself into oblivion, got into a wreck, and was now sueing the bar for serving him alcohol.

For all my liberal, and perhaps verging on socialist ideas, this is ridiculous. Unless there is some reason to believe that the bar knew he was underage (he had a fake id) then that bastard has only himself to blame.

Add that to my 'don't sue companies for engaging in legal activities' relative to guns, food etc.

Different - Big Tobacco LIED about the contents of cigarettes.

Gun dealers that allow guns to go missing, that wind up killing other people, may deserve some blame for the crime, though probably a revocation or suspension of their license.

If McDonald's tells you their foor is healthy and it is not, then they have a problem. If you eat McDonald's for every meal knowing that it's bad for you, then they don't

You get the point.

4 comments:

Dan said...

In classic magpie fashion, I am in near complete agreement, though I might be just a bit more harsh on the gun manufacturers than you. There's plenty they could do to make it harder for people to kill people, but like most other big industries (pharmaceutical, cigarette, auto) will only incorporate public safety measures kicking and screaming.

C.F. Bear said...

Stupid people need to be held accountable for their own stupid mistakes. You can't blame anyone else for your own bad choices. However, a company that false advertises or knowingly hurts you and tells you that it is good for you should burn in hell. Cigarette companies going after children are ass holes.

Tom said...

Personal responsibility for your own actions - what a concept!! Too bad most people would rather blame others for their own bad judgment. No wonder the blood-suckers (lawyers) are getting rich...

Companies that knowingly false advertise and shift blame should be caught, tried, and put out of business for their stupidity.

Pat said...

Not 'most people'. Most of us wouldn't consider sueing someone else for our own stupidity. Enough are willing to portray themselves as stupid, probably about as many as are willing to be on shows like Jerry Springer.

As far a 'blood sucking' lawyers go. Again, we're talking about a small percentage of all lawyers. And to keep the record straight, something like 2/3 of all cases filed are by corporations. The 'tort reform' advocates are mostly blowing smoke.