Ok, I've read the entire thread so far. Reading whats posted "seems" to indicate a problem. I agree to a great extent with MotorCDR, but then I was involved with law enforcement years ago. This law appears to have been put together with a great deal of intolerance for "minor" infractions (the plate portion only). That being said, this is truly the result of getting the general public upset with the riding habits of an extremely small percentage of riders. I've worked as/with many LEO's and again, those who abuse their authority are in the minority.
Here in Missouri we have had many squid riders in groups on the highway impeding traffic and holding back motorist while their dufus friends do stunts so other riders can shoot videos from their bikes. In one case a minivan was attacked by a group after the driver honked the horn at them. In a seperate incident a squid was "taken out" by a driver who got tired of being tailgated a taunted. The cage operator finally changed lanes in front of the dude while he was in full wheelie on the highway, squid down. The LEO's who responded did reconstruction and judged the act absolutely deliberate. We're waiting for the verdict once it goes thruough court. That verdict won't do the squid or his family any real good since he didn't survive. I think somehow he would have prefered the $1000 fine for his behavior.
The simple facts are these; if we all ask one Question. Did we have less real freedoms on the day of our birth than our parents did? The answer will always be yes. Why then is it so? Simple answer is that government responds to the vote. We as a minority of vehicle operators simply cannot muster enough votes to protect what we see as "our rights". In truth I admit that I do not believe in the right to act like a fool. If I did I would have to defend such behavior as random gunfire in public, tossing concrete blocks from overpasses, and such other dumbarse crap. No one likes to be told how to behave, MYSELF INCLUDED. Simple truth is, if we won't police our own behavior, and we won't, its not human nature to do so. Then its up to local and state LEO's to do it. Freedom of speech allows us to b**ch an complain adnauseum. But the only thing that will protect us from prosecution and persicusion is operating within the law. This means ride responsibly, do what we can to avoid undue suspicious behavior (not always 100% possible) and don't smart mouth law enforcement when we are involved in a traffic stop. If you would like to change this situation, go to the state capital or sit down with your legislator at their office (put away the your attitude) and make an effort to have the penalties section of this ammended. You might be at surprised at your success. Remember to leave your hot headed uncontrolable friends at home that day. If you present a reasonable argument about your concerns and site your good comparison to the automobile penalties you have a real chance. Please remember though, no hotheads, no smart mouths, no cussing. Use the facts you have and don't refer to LEO's as PIGS, and Nazis. When that happens we lose by default. I've spent a lot of time working with these people and these things are not wet in stone they can be changed but it takes effort, time, and knowing what to say and when. I wish you the best because now you have to overcome what could have been a different outcome if some of you could have presented your side calmly during the legislative process.
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Peter
The Highwayman
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