By coldsteel on 08-29-09
Wish everyone a speedy and complete recovery. Rehbergs’ BAC was at .05 and the driver was at .23? If you can’t hold your booze, perhaps you shouldn’t drive, eh Sparky? Whenever I drive drunk, I concentrate on keeping the accelerator floored and my hands off the steering wheel as much as possible. Nothing like getting to your destination and not remembering how you got there. I do believe that’s where the term “auto pilot” originated..as we all know pilots are the worst lush on the planet. If the driver doesn’t return to work, I’m putting it out there that I’m available to fill in for him on short notice and will gladly take over all his responsibilities, especially scheduling for the most sultry and politically connected “call girls” to meet with our legislators when time allows. Is that a Sea Ray or a Bayliner beached on the rocks? lol
By kalgal on 08-29-09
Coldsteel - not sure where you heard the “drivers BAC” at .23. Driver was Barkus. I am wondering why we are not hearing any real details of his injuries. Or his wife. If Barkus was driving the boat and he was legally intoxicated, and Rehberg’s aide doesn’t make it, I’m thinking Barkus could be charged with negligent homicide? or Manslaughter? Why is his condition such a secret?
By kalispelling bee on 08-29-09
There is no manslaughter charge in Montana, kalgal.
By kalgal on 08-29-09
Okay - no manslaughter charge - what do they usualy charge people who are DUI and cause a death of another here? Whatever happened with that 16 yr old girl that was texting and killed 2 people (boy and his mother - I think the mother was pregnant too)? Did she ever get charged with anything? I don’t think she was drinking though.
By dsrobins on 08-29-09
One thing you have to admit, Montana Republicans are all two-fisted heavy drinkers and party boys and girls. We haven’t forgotten the last Republican drinking/dining party down at Helena a few years back attended by then governor Judy Martz, her young chief of staff and a number of others including Senator Paul Sliter who many thought was a rising light in a moribund party. On the way home, a crash occurred, Sliter was killed and it turned out Judy’s chief of staff was driving. Judy, in the goodness of her heart, took him to the governor’s mansion, washed his dirty blood soaked clothes and tried to keep him sheltered until the police threatened her with obstruction of justice charges. Well, happily, Judy is history as is her aide. Now we have a new one, Rehberg and Baucus. None dead yet, but one may be gravely brain damaged. Whee… we’re Republicans… let’s party! Teenagers act like that, but do our representatives in Washington and Helena have to as well?
By Kalispell Native on 08-29-09
Is anybody looking into Barkus’s DUI? Happened sometime in the past 4 years, IIRC.
As fas as the Barkus’ condition is concerned. They have a far higher level of a right to privacy than does Rehberg. If the Barkus’ don’t wish to make info public, they don’t have to and the hospital can’t because of HIPPA rules. The LEOs won’t because it is “an on-going investigation”, beside Barkus being a prominent stockbroker….and a Republican.
By coldsteel on 08-29-09
The crickets just keep getting louder and louder about the senators blood alcohol level.
By Karen on 08-29-09
Barkus got away with a light slap on his wrist for his DUI - he better not get off with nothing this time - of course I’m making the unconstitutional assumption he was drunk - and guys we’re not just talking Republicans here - don’t forget Ted Kennedy’s slight problem at Chappaquiddick - i know we shouldn’t speak ill of the dead but let’s get real here. Alcohol kills and injures and some people seem to get away with it.
By Craig moore on 08-30-09
Anybody know if mechanical malfunction was involved here? I was water skiing once and the steering wheel came off. The driver was so shocked she took it to her brother who was in the back watching me ski. He had the presence of mind to jump forward and pull back on the throttle before the boat hit the beach. Too many assumptions here and not enough facts.
By kalispelling bee on 08-30-09
Craig moore, how would anyone know if a mechanical problem caused this accident? From Thursday until Sunday, they have released nothing, except Rehberg’s BAC. No wonder there is so much speculation.
By Craig moore on 08-30-09
That’s my point. There’s more than speculation at play… seems to be a lot of wishing as to how to point the finger.
By Karen on 08-30-09
It’s hard not to jump to conclusions when Barkus has already had one DUI (that we know of) Seems like things are being kept pretty hush-hush if there’s no reason.We can only pray that everyone makes a complete recovery especially Dustin Frost
By Craig moore on 08-30-09
Karen, it’s always hard when people are motivated by agenda rather than tempered by good judgment. Why not just hold fire until the facts are revealed?
By dsrobins on 08-30-09
Some folks suggest “hold fire until the facts are revealed. Nice idea, but naively touching. These are politicians. If the public and the voters they are supposed to be “serving” don’t raise questions the facts will never emerge. That’s what corrupt politicians do for a living… especially Republicans.
By Craig moore on 08-30-09
dsrobins, what a display of despicable, partisan, hack behavior on your part. According to the Missoulian: http://www.missoulian.com/news/local/article_5099aa84-95a8-11de-a38f-001cc4c03286.html
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The accident is under investigation by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office and the Montana Highway Patrol. On Sunday, a sheriff’s dispatcher said no one would be available to release updates on the investigation until Monday.
Reporter Keila Szpaller can be reached at 523-5262, keila.szpaller@missoulian.com or on MissoulaRedTape.com.
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I guess that is tooooooooooo much to ask for the Monday updates. If you are casting aspersions on the quality of the law enforcement investigation or the Beacon staff to get the story, then contact Keila Szpaller at the Missoulian.
By Karen on 08-30-09
Craig - the question is why aren’t there more facts - Rehberg’s people have been forthcoming - what’s the story with Barkus? Again - seems awfully hush-hush - and btw there is NO fire - I just think it’s weird that’s all.
By whymeofficer on 08-31-09
After attending meeting of higher officials, I would have to say that some of them drink way to much. I hate to see accidents like this happen and anyone get injured or killed. The possibility of being killed or killing someone else is huge. My experience has been that the law makers are the biggest law breakers. If they were drinking, doing drugs, and had young girls(not their wives) on board, shame on them. If not, shame on us for making judgements before knowing all the facts. Hey….what ever happen to Dick Martell? Is he in jail and that’s why we haven’t heard from him. Is that story even true? Boy is there a lot of speculation of there!! Drinking and driving anything is illegal….right? If not, endangering lives by doing so is, or should be…..
By Ben on 09-02-09
Kalgal, I just read about Baucus’s 2004 reckless driving in Lakeside. He refused to blow at that time as he was rushing to his mother’s bedside is what the article said. I was hit by a drunk driver this year and the laws here suck for the victims.
By Mike@flatheadanglers.com on 09-02-09
Mixing up BARKUS and BAUCUS here…
By Karen on 09-02-09
horror’s and mixing a republican and democrat - OMG - LOL - I don’t think Baucus has ever had any legal drinking issues
The views expressed in the comments section do not reflect those of the Beacon.