jj_
Learned Hand
Reged: 01/11/05
Posts: 1213
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I find it interesting that of the 4 Virginians who posted, 2 don't express a real firm opinion against (but probably are against), and 2 support the measure (except for the stupidity of not applying to everyone).
And these are the only people in this thread the law will affect.
OK, go ahead and bash on us some more for supporting something that doesn't apply to the rest of you.
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FriarJohn
"Lighten up, Francis."
Reged: 01/11/05
Posts: 18825
Loc: East Helena, Montana
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Quote:
OK, go ahead and bash on us some more for supporting something that doesn't apply to the rest of you.
I don't see anyone here bashing Virginians who agree with the law. I see a lot of people disagreeing with the law (or perhaps just the stringent sentencing guidelines) but no one is attacking you personally.
To me the mandatory sentence seems punitive. It looks to me like they're punishing people for something that might happen while they're committing a lesser crime. And only punishing Virginians to me adds insult to injury.
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BA.com Caretaker | Friarsride | jb.com
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ssjones
Check Pants
Reged: 01/11/05
Posts: 5527
Loc: Hagerstown, MD
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Well, I meant the aggresive speed enforcement I've noticed in the past two weeks (Dulles toll road and 495). I assume this stepped up enforcement is related to the new means of revenue. Some VA state troopers mentioned they would give no warnings and would be applying the full fines. I've slowed down to the senseless 55 mph on the Greenway.
My daughter had her lucky break in VA in April. Pulled over for doing 81 on I-81. Only fined $326. The nice officer pointed out her vehicle registration (MD plates) had expired in March....of 2006! I told her most folks would have had their vehicle impounded and a big fine to pay. Guess it pays to be a young girl...
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Al
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vidiot601
Adjunct
Reged: 04/01/07
Posts: 260
Loc: Northern Virginia
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A good observation JJ.
Let me clarify my position as a resident of Virginia:
To penalize one states residents only and not anyone else is a waste of time and taxpayer money. It proves no point, does nothing for the greater good and only alienates that states residents.
This is yet another stupid law to make the pages of a bathroom reader book in the future.
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Remember; no matter where you go, there you are.
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ssjones
Check Pants
Reged: 01/11/05
Posts: 5527
Loc: Hagerstown, MD
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Hey, VA did take cell phones from drivers under the age of 18.
Also, no smoking within 20 feet of a gas pump.
I applaud those measures. I've been bugging our MD legislators for two years to get cell phones out of drivers hands. The Delegates, Congressmen and State Senators are prime offenders to that will never get through. I keep asking why Maryland riders/drivers can't be as safe as those in New Jersey.
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Al
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Wade
Loquacious
Reged: 05/09/07
Posts: 2839
Loc: North Ga . USA
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My 24 year old daughter was just passing thru Va . from Ga . with her not so dark window tint and VSP wrote her a 75.00 ticket , no discussion .  
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2005 Model . Two Fast Eddy stickers , a bell and a clock . She's Lola . She tinkles and keeps time .
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jj_
Learned Hand
Reged: 01/11/05
Posts: 1213
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Quote:
I don't see anyone here bashing Virginians who agree with the law. I see a lot of people disagreeing with the law (or perhaps just the stringent sentencing guidelines) but no one is attacking you personally.
I must have mistook Larry's post for a bash at my position. I'll re-read it just to make sure. Well, still looks like it to me.
It's just hard for me to understand the outrage at this when it has nothing to do with anyone not a VA resident, and when many residents who it will affect support it.
I would have thought a more appropriate subject tag would have been Steering clear of New York, New Jersey, Michigan and Texas, but NOT Virginia. I'm not sure the other states traffic fines apply to out of state, but it sure seems like it with the fuss being made about VA's not.
And your post that if the surrounding states had a similar law, you'd be in jail. If your surrounding states had a law similar to VA, it wouldn't affect you at all, unless you're carrying licenses from all those areas. So you feed the fire.
Of course, if those laws were like NY, NJ, MI, TX it might be different.
Just a curious note, why did you not mention the other states in the article rather than just the one that would have absolutely no effect on you, as your subject line would lead one to believe it would?
It's just a little unnerving that it seems folks will jump on the bash wagon without getting all the facts, or at least reading the link you posted.
I may have misread the intent of the thread, but it seems to certainly have taken, if not an anti-VA, at least a very negative Virginia tone. Not that I have any great love for this state, I'm a transplant as well, I just think sometimes we don't think before we speak (as it were).
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FriarJohn
"Lighten up, Francis."
Reged: 01/11/05
Posts: 18825
Loc: East Helena, Montana
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Obviously this touched a nerve. I thought the story was interesting so I posted it. It's definitely newsworthy. I mentioned Virginia because it is the focus of the article, at least initially. None of the penalties for the other states listed are as hardcore. That's probably why the MSN staff focused on Virginia.
I re-read Larry's posts, too, and aside from the usual bombast (you know what I mean, Larry, don't start with me), I don't see a personal attack.
I'm sorry that you've taken this so personally, but it doesn't change the facts of the article.
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BA.com Caretaker | Friarsride | jb.com
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ladisney
Loquacious
Reged: 01/12/05
Posts: 3166
Loc: Des Moines, Iowa, USA
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Government, by its very nature, is coercive. Politics and, to a somewhat lesser extent, law enforcement, attract people who like to control others. Having been caught up in legislative speed limit debates and heard state troopers talk about controlling drivers I no longer have any illusions that safety or economy have more than a tangential impact on speed limits, enforcement policies or penalties. It’s all about using the coercive power of government to control citizens. Elected officials and police agencies often set absurdly low speed limits and then strictly enforce them. Partly for the revenue, largely for the power and almost never with any real consideration for safety. I remember driving across Texas on I-10 when the speed limit was 55. Stupid, counter productive and actually dangerous but very politically correct at the time. Highways designed for 80+ MPH traffic being limited to 55, same thing.
When a speed limit is universally ignored that should tell the police and politicians that the limit is too low. It NEVER does, their instinct is to intensify enforcement, increase penalties and tighten control over drivers. They use the excuse that they are increasing safety but that is nonsense. If they cared about safety they would be sitting at traffic lights nabbing those who run them not nailing drivers for 65 in a 55 when everyone is doing 65.
It appears that Virginia has decided to get draconian in its enforcement. Judging by the fines and taxes they want to impose I’d bet the 75 in a 55 driver will get slapped harder then a drug dealer or a thief.
And jj, of course it was a bash at your position. I think you’re wrong on that issue. If you are offended when someone disagrees with you don’t ever go into politics. 
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"Democracy is the theory that the common people know what they want, and deserve to get it good and hard." -- H.L. Mencken
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tcv
Learned Hand
Reged: 01/13/05
Posts: 1234
Loc: Cape Canaveral, FL
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I use to live in VA and this story is funny to me, because most surrounding states of VA complain about how fast people from VA drive. I remember that "South of the Boarder" billboard on I-95 "VA it's I-95 not 95 MPH".
Tom
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In spite of the cost of living, it's still popular.
Laurence J. Peter
US educator & writer (1919 - 1988)
Edited by tcv (07/18/07 05:30 AM)
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