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Martin's avatar

Dear BM

Great stuff as usual, but the anti-alcohol Prohibition era was not motivated by the "by women who saw what damage abuse of alcohol could do to home life and the family."

They were the well-meaning clowns that supported the idea.

The idea was pushed by both the Car manufactures and the government.

At the time of the 1920's petrol cars were in competition with electric cars and trams and also cars run on alcohol- which just about any petrol car can be converted to with a few minor adjustments.

The Fords and other car manufactures, as well as Mobil and Shell raised this stir about alcohol and co-opted the Christian women and men who could see the dangers of alcohol all around them.

Alcohol driven cars were then effectively made illegal, and petrol power took over. Oil companies became rich.

They took over the tramlines all over USA and closed them down, ripping them up and put in smelly busses. Even in Australia the same happened, but Melbourne is the only place left with trams as they are so good to move people.

The governments also liked prohibition as it gave them an excuse to tax alcohol production, which they continue to do to this day.

Big industry and big government hand in hand in ruining any good idea for the sake of power and $$$.

Use ignorant but well-meaning people to do your bidding and put a bit of spin on it and bingo, you cando anything you set your mean little heart to.

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Baldmichael's avatar

All of which makes thoroughly good sense, thank you very much Martin. I am aware in the UK that polluting diesel buses replaced electric trams in London which was followed by the deadly smogs. A great evil it was.

As regards alcohol in cars it puts a new spin on drink-driving!

I will pin your remark so that hopefully people will take note.

P.S. I have also copied your comment verbatim onto the Wordpress page so that anyone going direct will hopefully read it, trust that's ok.

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Martin's avatar

Thanks BM

I saw a US TV documentary on prohibition and it's link to cars and alcohol cars years ago.

Very interesting about the smog in London.

Lead in petrol was another one that should never have happened and it took about 40 years for them to eventually get that out. However when they replaced it the unleaded fuel it seems to be very toxic too. I can't remember what it kills but I think insects- so alcohol cars would have had lots of benefits all round.

So you could say that driving by the influence of alcohol is actually good!! They never seem to get it right ay!

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Poisoned Kiwi's avatar

Nice. My favourite quotes:

‘if you believe all this crap you are a moron’

and

Tier 0 – Boo

Tier 1 – Boo hoo

Tier 2 – Boo hoo hoo

Tier 3 – Boo hoo hoo hoo

Tier 4 – ARRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH

These clowns need to be mocked. Among other things.

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Baldmichael's avatar

Thank you very much and, yes, they do.

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Bill Poindexter's avatar

good stuff

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