DUI checks planned by HBPD June 1

The Huntington Beach Police Department will hold a DUI Checkpoint on Thursday, June 1, from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. at an undisclosed location within the city limits.

Checkpoint locations are chosen based on the history of DUI crashes and arrests. The primary purpose of checkpoints is not to make arrests but to promote public safety by deterring drivers from driving impaired.

During the checkpoint, officers will look for signs that drivers are under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

Retorts

Jim Tortolano

But I also have some sympathy for the folks who figured that silent reflection might not be the equivalent of a full-strength out-loud entreaty.

As Philip Roth wrote in “The Great American Novel” and Penny Marshall in “A League of their Own,” silent prayer sometimes leads to petitions to The Almighty more selfish than altrustic.

Baseball players in those works prayed for home runs, strikeouts and strength in wobbly aging knees. And any little kid exiled – with good reason, probably –to right field secretly implores Heaven to “Please don’t let them hit the ball to me.”

As one speaker pointed out, a moment of silence often leads to wandering attention, especially when the moment extends to minutes. You can tell when that happens. Feet start to shift. Folks glance at their watches. Throats are cleared. I tend to rotate my neck.

I sometimes find myself with non-pious thoughts like, “Did I forget to lock the front door? What’s for lunch? The Angels really need a better bullpen. That lady’s perfume is really strong!” And finally, another argument in favor of public prayer is that when you take a look at the