New York State Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb (R) was arrested after driving while intoxicated on New Years Eve — merely a week after he had written an op-ed warning of the dangers of drunk driving during the holidays.
According to Ontario County Sheriff Kevin Henderson, Kolb had driven his state-issued SUV into a ditch near his home at approximately 10:30 PM EST on Tuesday. The police deputies who responded to the crash arrested the lawmaker and charged him with a DWI after he failed to pass a breathalyzer test.
Kolb said he was “profoundly sorry” for the incident in an emailed statement on Wednesday.
“This was a terrible lapse in judgment, one I have urged others not to make, and I take full responsibility for it,” he said.
The New York GOP leader had indeed declared that there was “no excuse for impaired driving” in an op-ed published in the Daily Messenger on December 24.
“It is my sincerest hope that we can reduce and ultimately eliminate drunk driving tragedies that unfortunately mar the season and, for too many families, turn a season of cheer into a never-ending nightmare,” he wrote. “Together, by making responsible choices, we can combat these unneeded, avoidable situations and ensure everyone has a safe, happy and healthy holiday season.”
I want to urge all TPM readers, regardless of their religious beliefs, not to gorge themselves on rich foods and snacks over the holidays. Do not indulge in Thai food, stay away from the deadly pizza, the alluring meringues, avoid multitudes of cookies, and worst of all candy. These things are indecent and another step on the slippery slope to hell - and weight gain.
The 5 pounds I gained since November are because I’ve added that much smartness to my brain.
I’ll bet he’ll still get personal use of the “company” car. Any takers?
This is why I believe the human race is devolving. Politician makes statement on how bad driving and drinking is, and then goes out and drives after drinking, within days. He wasn’t the first, and he won’t be the last.
He was warning the kind of people who drink 40s and drive their hoopties, not those who have 3 or 4 martinis at the club and drive their state-owned SUVs.
And what kind of politician gets a state-owned car?
Like the rest of the modern GOP, the law only applies to other people in general and Democrats in specific.
If he truly believes there is no excuse for drunk driving, he should resign.