Delegate Donald Dwyer's Drunk Day

If you haven't already heard, Anne Arundel County State Delegate Donald Dwyer Jr. was injured this week when he smashed his boat into another boat, injuring several passengers, including several children, on the Magothy River.

Delegate Dwyer took responsibility for his actions, something that we rarely hear from politicians.  It is reported that his blood alcohol level was 0.2, which is 2 1/2 times the legal limit in Maryland of 0.8.

Fortunately for Delegate Dwyer, Delegate Kumar Barve, a Democrat from Montgomery County, has set the precedence that Maryland politicians can be intoxicated while driving, be it a boat or a car, and totally get away with it.  Barve, a New York native, as you'll recall, hired a fellow member of the Maryland General Assembly in 2007 as his defense attorney and was given a wet willie behind the ear, PBJ, and an $800 fine.  Don't tell me having connections and money doesn't get you out of trouble.  Delegate Barve will proudly tell you the benefits of being wealthy and connected.

It will be interesting to see if Delegate Dwyer takes Delegate Barve's path and pretends everything is okay and then sponsors tougher drunk driving legislation to make people think he really learned his lesson, or if he will face the crowd and resign for his irresponsible actions.