🚀 go-pugleaf

> jdfrei@concentric.net wrote:
>> obviously we have too many cops if all they have to do is set up
>> traffic stops.  having or not having a current registration or
>> inspection sticker does nothing to stop the real criminals.
>> thanks to the wonders of digital imagery, i haven't purchased an
>> inspection sticker for either of my vehicles since 1993.

Paul Gronke wrote:
> Vices:
>       ..stuff deleted ..
>      Hiking in North American wilderness areas.
>      Conservation - man must live in harmony with his surroundings.
>      Being a Water Resources Engineer
>      Working at Ogden Environmental and Engineering Services
> 
> Jim Frei, the "not a real criminal" who doesn't know/care if his
> automobile meets state emissions and safety standards:

What makes you think he doesn't know/care if his automobile meets state
emissions and safety standards?  Unless you know Jim personally (which
you may, for all I know), how do you know that he is not qualified or
capable of performing his own inspection and is avoiding only paying the
outrageous inspection fee.

Your post shows your determination to do whatever the government say is
"right."  Heck, the government wouldn't lie to us would it?  These
safety inspections ARE FOR OUR OWN GOOD, right?

I have a great deal of respect for our system of government, but when
our government stops treating us like children maybe I'll get more
respect for it.  But then, as a Political Scientist (or one-to-be), you
should already be suspect of governments, historically speaking.

What's the real reason for these license/inspection checkpoints?  I
submit that it has nothing to do with checking for these documents.  It
has all together to do with allowing the officer to get a good look at
you and the inside of your car-- a chance he or she would not get
normally without probable cause.  But these rights are temporarily
suspended while the state "looks after our safety."  If it were really
so important to have such inspections, why do only a few (8? 9?)
counties require them?

Now don't get me wrong about checkpoints; I am in favor of sobriety
checkpoints.  But this charade of license/inspection checks is a little
too transparent.  I'll comply with the regulations because it is easier
to do so than not.  I'll pick my battles.  For the most part, I am happy
with our governments.  But this does not mean that I agree with
everything they do.

Perhaps you shouldn't either.

Cheers,
Matt