The OtherThommo wrote:I just asked a question on the basis that the law rates the 2 offences as similar - the licence suspensions are both for 6 months and the fine for Buddy is actually higher ($599 vs $423), so it could reasonably be argued the LAW rates Buddy's offence as more serious, albeit slightly.
In Jack's case the club fined him $5K (the maximum allowed by a club) and suspended him for a game. Some (like Porky Robinson) called for a longer suspension (Robinson said 4). While some of what was called for by others was on the basis of Jack's previous indiscretion, which put nobody at risk other than himself, and was not deemed by the law to be worth their intervention, the maximum fine and 1 game suspension was couched as mainly due to the severity/risk of what he'd done in the particular instance.
And, now Buddy has an instance that the law rates as slightly worse than Jack. It is rated that way because the law deems both to be of a similar risk to life and limb, particularly to the lives and limbs of others.
To me that suggests that is the standard by which everyone should be judged, should they infringe. Jack is an AFL footballer , so we banged him with some extras for infringing the legal standard set for the community in general. Fair enough.
On those grounds, and given the offences are similar in the standard breached (using the penalties as a reference) I can't see how Buddy can escape extra sanction from his club. If he does it would suggest there is one rule (standard) for him and another for lesser mortals.
And, that would be a crock. I'm not suggesting what extras he should cop, but it sure as hell can't be zip.
He will get a fine from the club which is pretty much all he should expect based on Jack getting a fine and a week. i still say in the community any .05 offence is rated worse than a speeding offence.