http://www.treesandthings.com/story/2007/6/10/182150/048 In a recent column entitled, <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18999818/site/newsweek/">Driving to the Funeral</a>, Anna Quindlen argues that automotive shenanigans have lead to a tradition in American secondary education: horrible car crashes, the early funeral for students dead in their prime, and the acceptance of a posthumous diploma at graduation by crying parents. en-us Mon, 11 Jun 2007 20:54:00 EST Fri, 15 Jun 2007 14:02:28 EST http://www.treesandthings.com/story/2007/6/10/182150/048#9 Deputy in Florida, previously honored by MADD, fired after it turns out he arrested dozens of people for DUI without proper evidence or on false pretenses:<p> <a href="http://www.sptimes.com/2007/06/15/Hillsborough/DUI_deputy_may_have_w.shtml">http://www.s Fri, 15 Jun 2007 14:02:28 EST http://www.treesandthings.com/story/2007/6/10/182150/048#8 As I looked at my car insurance policy today I noticed a mandatory government statement about DUI that REALLY surprised me. Apparently, at least in new york state you can be busted for driving with a BAC as low as 0.05, but below the legal limit of 0.08 in Fri, 15 Jun 2007 08:46:44 EST http://www.treesandthings.com/story/2007/6/10/182150/048#7 I seethe with violent ambivalence towards the Eagles...and less violently, James Bond and James Dean...but more violently towards mixed references which confuse and anger me (what does it  mean!?).<p> Kids can legally join the workforce at ages 15-16 Thu, 14 Jun 2007 10:15:27 EST http://www.treesandthings.com/story/2007/6/10/182150/048#6 Interesting concept, however I would continue to argue that the real key is personal responsibility. I, like many others at 16 did not commit any traffic infractions and remained accident free for the better part of  a decade. The majority of new driv Tue, 12 Jun 2007 14:59:40 EST http://www.treesandthings.com/story/2007/6/10/182150/048#5 Maybe we should lower the drinking age, increase the driving age, and make driver licenses tougher to get.  European countries <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A35079-2004Dec29.html">do this</a> and have safer highways as a resul Tue, 12 Jun 2007 14:46:45 EST http://www.treesandthings.com/story/2007/6/10/182150/048#4 The mere process of aging does not necessarily make people better drivers.  People have to learn how to drive, and the skill of driving, much like the skills of speaking a language or of playing a musical instrument, are actually easier to acquire ear Tue, 12 Jun 2007 11:42:17 EST http://www.treesandthings.com/story/2007/6/10/182150/048#3 It seems to me that if the concern is about all the teenagers who are dying in auto-accidents, then the problem is ultimately self-correcting.  I have to assume that in the past teenagers were dying in horse racing/sailing/pick your poison accidents t Tue, 12 Jun 2007 07:23:33 EST http://www.treesandthings.com/story/2007/6/10/182150/048#2 Yes, Ms. Quindlen, let's raise the driving age to a point where our most novice drivers have even easier access to alcohol than the 15-16 year olds currently do. Oh, and those 15-16 year olds? I'm sure they'll never be tempted to date, hang out with or oth Mon, 11 Jun 2007 23:27:31 EST http://www.treesandthings.com/story/2007/6/10/182150/048#1 As I mentioned in the subQ, I feel like this is the epitomy of a "vanity" op-ed piece. It has zero chance of gaining any traction in effecting real law and doesn't really even consider making the effort to include any new information that might help achiev Mon, 11 Jun 2007 23:10:24 EST string http://www.treesandthings.com/search/