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Just Another Brick in the Wall

by jabitw from Central Florida

Last Post 10 days, 17 hours Ago


What's the difference between (R) and (D)?
Apr 25, 2008 | 9:19 AM
Category: News
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When asked my opinion of politicians, I like to say: The only difference between a Republican and a Democrat is which of your rights they'd like to take away. Here's just one more example.

Rockford, Illinois now (as of Aug 2007) has an ordinance on their books that makes it illegal for your car to be heard more than 75 feet away. Albeit the intent of the ordinance is to prevent people from playing loud music, but on it's face, this could also include a bad muffler, squeaky brakes or a loose fan belt.

Penalties begin at $150 for the first offense and can climb as high as $750 for a third offense. But wait, there's more. As an added bonus the officer does not have to witness the offense in action. Simply accusing someone of playing their music too loud, if the officer thinks the accusation is legitimate, is sufficient evidence to issue a citation.

But that's not all folks. No, sir. Not in Rockford, IL. As an added bonus, the offending vehicle is, by default, declared a public nuisance and - without evidence or a conviction - seized (i.e. Impounded) . Now they tack on $75 for towing and $15 - $20 per day for storage. Adding insult to injury, if the officer has to wait more than an hour for a tow truck, you can be billed $60/hour for the officer's time. Note: The vehicle is the nuisance, not the driver - as if the car had any say in the matter.

There is an appeals process that looks to take as much as 75 days. No, you may not get your car out of hock during this time and yes, the fees continue to accumulate up to $1100. Best of all, if you don't pay the fees (or appeal) within 30 days, the cops get to keep your car permanently.

Those are the facts...now for my opinion:
This is one more example of self-righteous, upper-income, do-gooders run amok. Yes, I understand we all want peace and quiet in our lives, but how much does a car playing loud music really hurt us? This time of year the weather is beautiful and I love to catch a little news or a movie in the evenings with the doors and windows flung wide. Every once in a while, a car goes by with the music blaring. I shake my head in amazement that their ears aren't bleeding and hit PAUSE on the DVR until they pass and I can hear the television again. But was I really wronged? Not in the slightest.

The idea that the government can seize your property EVER, but especially without proving that you actually committed a crime, is WRONG. Period. End of discussion. Now that they can take your car for loud music, how long until they can seize your house for hosting a loud party? Don't tell me it would never happen to you. I guarantee that if you let this happen to someone else, at some point it will come back and bite you in the a$$!

Sources:
theNewspaper.com
The Rockford Register Star
The actual ordinance (256K PDF file).
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Member Comments Total Comments: 10
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Jumpy983 read my blog view my photos
Apr 25, 2008 | 6:25 PM

I agree with you for the most part but I do happen to have the MOST obnoxious neighbors in the world. wayyyyy after 11 pm they sit on their front porch across the street from my house and blare the most foulest of rap music from their car while they enjoy some company.

I don't mean any rap music, i mean rap music that would make Snoop Dogg blush. You couldn't imagine the lyrics. And all this comes into my bedroom while the windows are closed.

I would like their car to be impounded. But usually a cranky new mom going next door to ask them to turn it down usually does the trick.
jabitw read my blog
Apr 25, 2008 | 6:34 PM

I've had neighbors like that and agree that they need to be reprimanded, but legalizing theft by the government isn't the answer. Call the cops, give them a ticket. A few of those and they will grudgingly give in and behave - or commit a worse crime (I hope not - nobody else responds to my Blogs.) :)

My real point is that the govt shouldn't have the right to take your stuff. :)
aschelan view my photos
Apr 26, 2008 | 7:11 PM

Wow, I think the impounding etc is a bit severe, but I live on a busy residental street that happens to have a County beach at the end of it. If I paused the TV everytime a car went by that rattled the china closet, I mines well turn the tv off. It is sad that common decency has to be enforced by the government.

As for the horrible rap music, try blaring some classical music, my neighbors finally got the hint (Heavy metal band that practiced everynight in their house and weren't curtious to cranky neighbors!)
jabitw read my blog
Apr 26, 2008 | 9:52 PM

Speaking of rude people...

Did anyone catch the White House Correspondents Association Dinner this evening? The emcee had to repeatedly ask the attendees to be quiet and respect what was happening on the stage. Didn't work though, they just kept yacking.

If it were my dinner, I'd have sent security around and escorted out a those that were being discourteous, then read their names and the organizations they represented over the P.A.

Bet it wouldn't happen again...and a few reporters would be looking for new jobs. I mean, if they're going to act like children, then remind them what they learned in kindergarten.

:)
ryanzrk1
Apr 28, 2008 | 8:45 AM

I would have ticked them for the noise ordinance and impounded their cars
jabitw read my blog
Apr 28, 2008 | 8:58 AM

OK, Ryan, and what about when they decide to impound your car for failing to wear a seatbelt? or because you were speeding? Will you still be so inclined?
eriknami read my blog
Apr 28, 2008 | 10:47 AM

They didn't take my Harley and you can hear that a mile away.....Gotta Love America
eriknami read my blog
Apr 28, 2008 | 10:48 AM

They didn't take my Harley and you can hear that a mile away.....Gotta Love America
jabitw read my blog
Apr 28, 2008 | 11:34 AM

See, that's exactly my point - they COULD...and may in the future. It's all about what I refer to as incrimentalism. I could list dozens of examples, but here are two that are quick and easy:

Smoking Laws. It used to be that smoking was encourages. As a matter of fact, I recently saw an cigarette advertisement from the 50's that claimed that four out of five doctors recommended their brand of cigarettes. Then came voluntary smoking bans in restaurants, designated smoking areas in hospitals and the workplace. Then came the laws banning smoking in government buildings - followed closely by banning smoking in any public buildings. Several new smoking ban laws propose that a person not be allowed to smoke in their own yard withing fifty feet of a public sidewalk or if the property is adjoining a public park. Another proposal bans smoking in your own home or car of there are minor children present. On top of all that, the taxes imposed on tobacco products are high enough to inspire another Boston Tea Party event. Not to mention that you can now go to jail for providing tobacco products to minors.

Don't get me wrong, I don't smoke and never have. I think it is a dirty and disgusting habit. Both of my parents smoked for 30+ years. My father now has COPD and my mother had a stroke three years ago, at least in part, due to her smoking habit. BUT - it's their health and I don't believe that I, you or the government has any right to take away their choice in this matter.

The other (much quicker example) deals with the way they are changing laws. Just yesterday I saw another v
jabitw read my blog
Apr 28, 2008 | 11:36 AM

The other (much quicker example) deals with the way they are changing laws. Just yesterday I saw another violation that was a class A misdemeanor will be changed to a class C felony. I'd tell you exactly which law, but I'm drawing a blank. The point is that politicians are constantly nibbling away at our rights and freedoms - all in the name of protecting us or others in the community.

Should I discuss personal freedoms, invasion of privacy? I could write a book on that topic - as a matter of fact, I have. When I get it published I'll let you know. It's called "The Life and Death of John Doe" and it's all about how these great advances in technology can be turned against us.
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jabitw

About me is a computer, printer, shelf, chest of drawers and a bed. About that are more rooms with more stuff, and about that, a cacophony of apartments, businesses, houses, vehicles, plants, and enough sand to make a sandbox for every child in the Midwest - with plenty leftover. Amongst all this aboutness are dozens, hundreds, thousands - even millions of nameless, faceless people, quietly milling about their lilliputian lives. OK, some aren't all that quiet. In the midst of it all we find me. Of no more significance than the others, perhaps, except that by electing to share my consciousness with you, I am bigger than my self.

Member Since: 4/16/2008


 

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