Very Interesting...Want Your Input/Feedback ( Archived) (6)

Hello buds--I have been thinking about writing an editorial to one of our local newspapers concerning a human-interest story. The skinny on it: a nice, well meaning young man has been plugging meters in an urban downtown area. He had a verbal confrontation with the peace officer (a woman) and was of course, cited for interfering with city business. He has requested an advisory jury, which is unusual in a case that would normally not warrant this type of hearing. Now, I'm a very liberal once-upon-a-time beatnik sort, so my maverick view of the world makes me want to take his side. However, I also have to agree with the city because this action, similar to many other civil misdemeanors, is really unquestionably belligerent and confrontational. (If we run a stop sign, we get a ticket. If we go faster than the posted speed, we get a ticket...and so on) I fully understand that he was trying to be a good guy, and help others by preventing their cars from being towed or ticketed, but the meters are clearly posted that one is not to park longer than 2 hours. This is a fairness issue for a cosmopolitan area, where parking is at a premium. Your thoughts, please? thank you

I know- and since posting this I talked to a civil employee here I just happen to know a little. She feels that it should not matter who, what, where, when or how, as long as the meter has money in it. She does not think it should matter how long---my problem is that , whether you like it or not, it is clearly POSTED that any one car cannot exceed the two hours. To contrast this, think of a similar legal situation: When driving, even the police will tell you that "slower traffic moves to the right". (You cannot bogart the far left lane-and must leave it open for cars going faster). Of course the argument (which I totally agree with) is that the sign does not say, "Speed Limit 55 ((except for a**hole in the left lane")) now does it?? Know what I mean?

You got it--but of course it doesn't work that way. I'm just ornery enough to want to say to the guy in the left lane, "Hey, I agree that it's technically a passing lane. So why don't YOU get out of it, too? (got it?)