Bad decisions, horrible consequences
(EDITOR’S NOTE: The following statement was released by former Sen. Greg Barkus after his sentencing Thursday in District Court for criminal endangerment regarding a 20909 boat crash.)
It has been said that bad decisions can often lead to devastating consequences.
The evening of Aug. 27, 2009, was meant to be a quiet evening of conversation, dining and enjoying Flathead Lake with Congressman Rehberg, two members of his staff, Dustin Frost and Kristen Smith, my wife Kathy and me. That isn’t how the evening ended and the decisions I made that night could have had even more serious and devastating outcomes.
Let me begin by saying how truly sorry that I am to all of the victims. Although all have recovered quite well, the pain and suffering that they endured was a result of my actions and will always be a burden in my heart and mind. The various expressions of their support for me during the months to follow will never be forgotten.
While words so often seem too inadequate to express one’s feelings, there are so many people that I would like to publicly thank. The campers and campground personnel that were on the scene immediately rendered care and communication that was invaluable which certainly contributed to the recovery of all victims. The EMTs, QRUs, sheriff and ambulance crews that cared for us were professional to the highest level. The care we received from Kalispell Regional Medical staff was without a doubt first-class. Our recoveries were accelerated with the excellent care from the therapy teams at Flathead Valley Orthopedic. These people and their organizations extended the care we needed to get us stabilized and our health back. We will be forever grateful and appreciative. Thank you, over and over again.
They say that when adversity hits, you find out who your real friends are. In the days and weeks following the accident we received nearly 700 cards and letters and many more phone calls from friends, relatives and in some cases, total strangers, offering words of support and comfort. Offers of assistance, driving and errands of all kinds were constantly given. We will never be able to thank them all personally, but know that in our hearts, we will never forget them. Thanks so very much.
To the nameless and faceless “bloggers” that battered me in all of the “blogosphere,” I can only pray that an event like this never happens to them. The collateral damage to families and friends is too great to describe and is probably more painful than the injuries themselves.
Finally, it is my hope that everyone will learn from my mistake. All too often the advertised consequence of drinking and driving is an “arrest.” That is only if you are “lucky.” If you have anything to drink, DO NOT drive any vehicle that could injure someone else. Even if it is not your fault and an accident occurs where someone is hurt, you will face serious consequences, consequences that may be far greater than the embarrassment of an arrest. They can be as devastating as the loss of job, ability to travel, possession of firearms and the possibility of prison.
Think about it before you get behind the wheel after having even a couple of drinks. That is a bad decision which may lead to many sleepless nights and seriously devastating consequences.
Barkus, of Kalispell, is a former Montana state senator.