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OFFSTAGE: Let's Not Let Randy Travis Drive Drunk

(CMT Offstage keeps a 24/7 watch on everything that's happening with country music artists behind the scenes and out of the spotlight.)

Randy Travis was arrested Tuesday night (Aug. 7) and, according to reports, was, drunk, naked, combative and, ultimately, napping. All of those I can kind of understand. I can even think, "But for the grace of God go I." But the driving? I just can't look the other way on that one.

I don't really care that Travis wasn't wearing any clothes, decided to take a nap after he crashed his Trans Am or that he was disorderly. I'm curious, for sure, but it doesn't really matter.

What does matter is that he was allegedly drunk and decided to get behind the wheel of the car. If he'd gotten drunk at a party or at home and declined to drive, this would be none of my business. I'd pray that he'd get help and be done with it. But the second you decide to share the road with others, it changes everything. It's my business. It's your business. It's everybody's business. Because Travis could've killed someone down in Texas.

And, even worse, this is his second arrest involving alcohol. So since Texas is pretty tough on drunk drivers, I hope the punishment suits his crimes. If he's found guilty, I hope that after he pays his debt to society -- whatever that punishment turns out to be -- the sheriff puts an ignition interlock device (a breathalyzer test installed in a car that must be used before the car will start) on whatever cars Travis owns.

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