Since my daughter-in-law and granddaughters were killed by a convicted drunk driver, the flurry of action has diminished. Where I used to pass over news about another death from a drunk driver, I now carefully read it and empathize with the innocent person's survivors. My family's life has changed.

A committee meeting in Madison regarding stiffer penalties for drunk driving was canceled. There were not enough members to form a quorum. The excuse was they had things to do because of the flood. Really? Or was it an excuse to procrastinate and hope that the outrage would subside and they wouldn't have to deal with the matter?

It seems to me that we are like animals watching as one of the herd is taken down by a wolf or bullet or car. We don't understand what happened and continue in our life cycle of existence. As we concern ourselves with what's happening on TV and in Hollywood, sports and business, the drunks continue to kill brothers and sisters, sons and daughters, mothers and fathers. They not only take away from unknown victims, they ruin the lives of their own family and loved ones.

Hundreds of people have read my blogs about possible solutions including cheap, disposable breath analyzers. Yet nothing is discussed. Not so much as if it's a dumb idea or a good one. Train horns and the mayor's wardrobe seem to be more important to people. Never the less, my son Mike, his family and in-laws will continue to cry out. Even if it continues to fall on deaf ears.

I do want to praise Fox New Six and Ted Perry for not forgetting and doing a wonderful follow-up recently. Mike has spoken to many reporters, but Ted was concerned about Mike as a person rather than a news item. So much so that he called Mike during a break on the news just to see if he was doing OK after seeing the story. The lead-in to Mike's story was the report of another drunk driver that killed a pedestrian. The drunk was released on bail and ordered not to drive or drink alcohol. Yeah, like that will stop them. Insanity is performing an act over and over but expecting different results. Will judges ever learn that?

Did you know that City of Waukesha gas stations can't sell beer? I didn't. Since people are cutting back on their driving and buying less gasoline, the walk-in business for Slim Jims and Twinkies has dwindled. Now some are asking the city to reconsider the ordinance so they can buck up some of the shrinking profits.

This is a tough one for me as you probably know of my family's recent loss to a convicted drunk driver that should have been sitting in jail rather than behind the wheel of an Escalade. I believe that the intention of this ordinance was to reduce the possibility of popping one open after gassing up. One can argue that beer is available at many places. Grocery stores and the liquor stores for example. Although not quite as quick and easy as getting a 12 pack at the gas station, it is just as easy to pop one open driving home from there.

Personally, I'd rather it be easier to get some air for the tires than it is beer from today's serviceless stations, but that is change. So, it is fine by me with two conditions. First, we also require them to sell the cheap, disposable blood alcohol breath analyzers in a prominent location by the beer. It will at least serve as a "sobering reminder" of the consequences of driving under the influence of the stuff. Second, how about lifting the ban on sales of non-alcohol beer after 9PM? What part of non-alcohol do we not understand?

Which makes me wonder, why stop the sales of alcohol after 9pm when the taverns remain open, where people are getting schnockered and then driving rather than just transporting a six pack home?

I don't know about you, but I'd be willing for a tax raise to fund a "Department of Logical Analysis and Recommendations" for the city! I suspect it'd pay for itself and maybe reduce our taxes too!