DWIs are bad. I have one, I know. It's an irresponsible act no matter what kind of shine you try to put on it. Just because they are common, doesn't mean they should be taken lightly. Even if you don't get caught - you're still bad.
With that said...
Life isn't over for Naomi. Are things going to be a little tough for the next few weeks? Sure. End of her career? With the only other choice in that district being Norma - not likely.
People have short memories. I think a few months from now the only people who will remember will be her political foes here in El Paso. That amounts to Norma Chavez. Havning Norma dislike you is a guarantee you'll win reelection. If anything, this will make Norma run again and Naomi will sail to victory this time. Norma has no idea that her toxic persona is ten times worse than a DWI in voter's minds.
If I were Naomi I'd take out an ad in the Austin American Statesman and the El Paso Times apologizing for her behavior. Own it. Make no excuses. Make apologies. People like to be apologized to, it makes them feel powerful. Give them power.
What I don't understand here is why she didn't pull her legislator get out of jail free card like every other state representative and state senator. Believe me - she's by far not the only elected official to get pulled over for DWI this session. All the others know to pull out that special card Austin police are so familiar with.
Also - nothing good every happens ever midnight. Why can't people take it from someone who knows? Nothing good happens after midnight. And driving your car to the bar only means you'll drive drunk. If you don't drive to the bar, you drive drunk when you leave. A state rep should have a driver.
Anyhow... those are my thoughts.
This is the first time she has been caught and unless she seeks rehab the next time she drives drunk and she will she may kill someone. That someone may even be you or a family member. Her only recourse is rehab.
Posted by: Wert | March 15, 2013 at 08:52 AM
nothing good happens at two o'clock in the morning.
Posted by: tbusch | March 15, 2013 at 09:15 AM
HIEROGLYPHIC STAIRWAY
"it's 3:23 in the morning
and I'm awake
because my great great grandchildren
won't let me sleep
my great great grandchildren
ask me in dreams
what did you do while the planet was plundered?
what did you do while the earth was unraveling?...what did you do
once
you
knew?"
- Drew Dellinger, poet
Posted by: Rotten Peppers | March 15, 2013 at 01:57 PM
big diff in your dwi and hers. i dont believe you had a wreck and ran into the back of a fiat which then hit a person on a bicycle. i doubt you screamed to the officer more about your job than she did and she never asked about the ones who were hit according to the police report. i would say she is history, but she is a democrat. even vince hired a deadbeat dad. they have no shame.
Posted by: big diff | March 15, 2013 at 02:05 PM
Bicyclists here in Austin are crazy! They ride on out in front of you thinking they are Lance Armstrong and that the world stops for them. Especially in the SoCo and Barton Springs area! I had a roller blader come out at me once on my way to the Omni for a Cancer symposium (I was stone cold sober) and he ran right in to me and then tried to blame me for his stupidity. In no way does it make anything Naomi did ok and I seriously doubt that she was not concerned for the other people involved. It is just National Enquirer reporting trying to sensationalize things. I agree with David K that she needs to apologize profusely!
Posted by: L Beitman | March 15, 2013 at 05:48 PM
There is nothing worse than, "I'm not going to comment yet". DK is right. Stand in front of everyone and take your hits.
You screwed up, Naomi. There is no good excuse for what you did. Take a cab next time. Tell someone who hasn't had anything to drink to drive you home. It doesn't matter what everyone else was doing, you screwed up. The longer you "don't comment yet", the more people get to say you are covering things up.
Stop running and hiding. Just say you messed up - not made a mistake, a mistake is accidentally buying the wrong brand of toilet paper - you messed up, and it won't happen again.
Do it now, Naomi. Don't give Norma and the Crazies anything to latch onto.
Posted by: been in the CV for 15 years | March 15, 2013 at 05:57 PM
Naomi will be fine as will Vince Perez. This is El Paso, people in this city have the memory of a gnat. I do like both Perez and Naomi, yet maybe Naomi should get a cab and vince should hire a high school graduate.
Posted by: Sergio | March 15, 2013 at 06:45 PM
A "get out of jail free card" may work if you are pulled over but not when you crash into another car and a bicyclist.
Posted by: Wayne | March 16, 2013 at 10:58 PM