Amish Men Jailed After Refusing To Pay Fines For Not Installing Safety Signs On Buggies

[XNavyNuke]

I'm ok with them being fined. I don't think it's ok to create a dangerous situation just because your crazy religion does not like bright colors.

I think it is an injustice. You certainly are free to dismiss them on the basis of their religion. The story however goes much deeper than the headline. I've been tracking this since 2008 and TPTB have been pursuing these folks since they were acquitted on a previous charge.

Amish on the rise across Kentucky

But in Barren County in south-central Kentucky -- home to Amish settlements since the 1980s -- Amish have been "well-received" and admired for their work ethic, said Circuit Judge Phillip Patton. He has known them since he represented a Swartzentruber man acquitted in court in 1985 for refusing to use the safety triangle.

"I've talked to building contractors who really like to employ them because they always show up for work and they don't seem to have the drug and alcohol issues that are sometimes a problem," Patton said.

XNN

 

[TexMac]

Why do they have to do anything.... driving anything assuming a risk...

Well, because you can't see them in their buggies. Have you driven in an area with lots of Amish/Mennonites? They will drive those black buggies and bicycles down the middle of the road in a snowstorm, keeping to the plowed area. Everyone watches out for them, but it would be a nightmare to hit one.

 

[AFPVet]

I would think some mechanical flashing device with mirrors and lenses could be candle lit and do the trick.

That's what they do around here. Some use really cool light setups and others use triangles....

 

[Revolution9]

I think it is an injustice. You certainly are free to dismiss them on the basis of their religion. The story however goes much deeper than the headline. I've been tracking this since 2008 and TPTB have been pursuing these folks since they were acquitted on a previous charge.

Amish on the rise across Kentucky



XNN

I am in North Georgia and get alot of Amish goods around here. Grass fed butter in big rolls, great cheese I can actually digest, a whole swath of pantry items like hot pickled garlic, fresh jams and pie fillings and old fashioned candy. They know how to eat good.

Rev9

 

[oyarde]

Actually , we owe the Amish alot for bringing some things to light . In 1972 , three were fined $5 ea for not sending children to public school . The Wisconsin Supreme Court and the US Supreme Court overturned these convictions .In 1961 the IRS finally agreed that they did not have to pay into Social Security , this became law in 1965 .

 

[oyarde]

Do slow moving vehicle emblems save lives ? I somehow doubt it . Where did the legislation originate ? Who stood to gain ?

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Even the Amish are being treated like "criminals" now days.

 

[fj45lvr]

anyone have any stats as to how many buggy/vehicle collisions there are a year???? LOL

 

[Pericles]

Even the Amish are being treated like "criminals" now days.

When MYOB makes you a criminal, it is a real indicator of the state of things.

 

[Keith and stuff]

Just have them sign a paper that says if they are hit by a car, bus, truck, bike or train between the hours of 6 PM and 8 PM that they will not sue for damages and take personal responsibility from anything to getting a scratch off their bugie to paying for their funeral, if needed. Wouldn't that solve most of the issue?

 

[TexMac]

Just have them sign a paper that says if they are hit by a car, bus, truck, bike or train between the hours of 6 PM and 8 PM that they will not sue for damages and take personal responsibility from anything to getting a scratch off their bugie to paying for their funeral, if needed. Wouldn't that solve most of the issue?

Not if you're the person who hits them. As a libertarian, I really want to be on these guys' side here, but not if they insist on endangering others. If they're going to drive on the road, they need to at least ensure that other people can SEE them.

 

[tremendoustie]

Not if you're the person who hits them. As a libertarian, I really want to be on these guys' side here, but not if they insist on endangering others. If they're going to drive on the road, they need to at least ensure that other people can SEE them.

If we had private roads, they could make whatever rules they wanted. As it is, these people are forced to pay for the roads, so I think they have the right to use them however they like, so long as they are not harming or recklessly endangering others (i.e. threatening serious, imminent harm).

I certainly don't think not having a safety sign rises to that level. It'd be enough to simply hold them liable for all damages if an accident occurs because of their lack of signage.

 

[TexMac]

anyone have any stats as to how many buggy/vehicle collisions there are a year???? LOL

No, but there are a lot.

 

[TexMac]

If we had private roads, they could make whatever rules they wanted. As it is, these people are forced to pay for the roads, so I think they have the right to use them however they like, so long as they are not harming or recklessly endangering others (i.e. threatening serious, imminent harm).

I certainly don't think not having a safety sign rises to that level. It'd be enough to simply hold them liable for all damages if an accident occurs because of their lack of signage.

Do you have buggies on the road where you live? Google buggy accidents and see the types of things that happen. In the small central NY town where I live, the town watering hole is wall to wall buggies and bikes most nights. Yep, they drink.

NOT THAT I CARE. I just don't want to hit one while they weave home at night in a black buggy in the middle of the road that I can't see.

 

[A Son of Liberty]

My neighbor has some battery operated lights on the front and back of his buggy. He takes care of himself, and I watch what I'm doing when I'm driving. Kinda crazy, I know.

You know what else is dangerous? Trees beside roads. I think the government should take a 30' right-of-way, property lines be damned, and cut every tree within it at the stump. How about driveways? They can be dangerous. Maybe we should have a stop sign at every driveway.

You can't legislate every danger away. Well, I suppose theoretically you can... and if you'd like to head down that road, there are some other presidential candidates out there who can probably help you with that.

 

[Revolution9]

We have Amish around here..and black bears and deer. You do not just barrel down the road at nighttime or could do major damage to your vehicle or even kill yourself taking out a big buck by a hillside. I say let them travel as is their right..it is not a privelege.. and people in cars pay goddamned attention to the road and drive with highbeams at night. Many arguments here sound like the car is on autopilot with no headlights.

Rev9

 

[Revolution9]

Do you have buggies on the road where you live? Google buggy accidents and see the types of things that happen. In the small central NY town where I live, the town watering hole is wall to wall buggies and bikes most nights. Yep, they drink.

NOT THAT I CARE. I just don't want to hit one while they weave home at night in a black buggy in the middle of the road that I can't see.

Use your high beams.

HTH
Rev9

 

[TexMac]

This is the kind of BS argument that makes people think libertarians are crazy.

And, you can't see them even with high beams, especially in a snowstorm. They have a responsibility as much as I do.

I suppose you're all against lights on boats, too?

 

[A Son of Liberty]

I'm definitely against throwing people in cages if they refuse to put lights on their boats.

As a LIBERTarian, seems like kind of a 'no-brainer'. But maybe that's just me.

 

[TexMac]

Really? What do you think should happen to them?