Yeah, it's just California and maybe 49 other states.

zaba search

fta: Vehicles with protected license plates can run through dozens of intersections controlled by red light cameras and breeze along the 91 toll lanes with impunity.

So... what happens when they run through and get into a huge accident with other drivers, do they just get a warning and get a free ride to wherever they had to go?

Don't worry about the elete. Just pay your fee's, taxes and fines and don't worry what State OFFICIALS do citizen!

Well, if they were subject to the all the laws, they wouldn't pass any. Duh.

So wait, they have special license plates which clearly identify them as those who consider themselves above the law in a region known for politically motivated vandalism?

This is the kind of problem that should be taking care of itself.

Some drivers are more equal than other drivers.

Ask your local congressperson how many DWIs they have sometime.

Read the article...they are not GRANTED immunity from tickets.
They are taking advantage of a 20 year old protection from listed information.

If it can't be scanned, the sensors on the tolls can't send them a ticket in the mail.

I would blame submitter, but the article makes a piss poor attempt at turning it into something its not.

Ah, The Peoples Republic of California.

ChewbaccaJones: Read the article...they are not GRANTED immunity from tickets.
They are taking advantage of a 20 year old protection from listed information.

If it can't be scanned, the sensors on the tolls can't send them a ticket in the mail.

I would blame submitter, but the article makes a piss poor attempt at turning it into something its not.

Maybe you missed all the parts of the article that basically said law enforcement officials take care of "their own", and as a courtesy, do not issue traffic tickets to people who run red light cams if they have the special plates.

Oh, was California annexed by China? China just made a huge mistake.

Goddamit, this pisses me off.

There is no reason why they can't follow the laws like the rest of us- hell, they should be held to a higher standard- as visible representatives of the citizens, they should get *double* the fines for infractions.


No, that's just mean... Just make them adhere to the laws they manage.

There is a secret sticker that County and State workers in Washington can buy to put on the back of their car for signaling to the police whom they work for. Not a guaranteed way to avoid all tickets but still farked up that it is allowed.

Legislators, while Congress is in session? Maybe. (To ward off harassment by someone from the 'other' party)
Police officers? Yeah, probably.

Museum guards and their spouses/children? Ok, that's just silly.

Creepyoldguy: Yeah, it's just California and maybe 49 other states.

but.....libruls!

DulceEtDecorumEst "approve"
I agree, and would like to add that many forget that it was regular police and beurocrates (before and after WW2, most never lost their jobs) that did most of the arresting of innocents 1935-45.
History frowns on allowing people to permanately work in the public sector.
I recommend limited teniours and no retirement benifits for public jobs.

All men are created equal, but some men are more equal then others.

/america is becomming animal farm.

"It's a courtesy, law enforcement to law enforcement," San Francisco Police Sgt. Tom Lee said. "We let it go.

Fark you buddy. You want one reason people don't trust your lying, hypocritical asses, this is it.

Liberals!!!

Approves

re-elect_jimmy_carter: Creepyoldguy: Yeah, it's just California and maybe 49 other states.

but.....libruls!


So despite there being no evidence that a multi-million dollar fraud is going on in other states... we'll just assume everyone is an unethical as California politicos.

Mrbogey
They are politicians.

In Oklahoma City the cops get a Badge Tag. It's a small badge that is screwed onto the license plate. When my now wife and I starting dating she had one. Her brother is a cop. We were driving in her car on a highway in the city and she was doing at least 85 in a 65 zone. A cop on the other side goes by and we watch as he drives across the median and turns on the overheads and heads for us. My wife never slows down. I'm like WTF, you're gonna get a massive ticket. She just smiles at me. The cop gets right behind us and just like that the overheads go off and he slows down. My wife tells me he got close enough to see the Badge Tag and that was that. We have never once feed a parking meter.

Professional courtesy is what a pig gives to another pig.

Get used to it, or get into a position to change it, without becoming a pig yourself.

What is the accepted manner for Californians to address each other?



"Citizen (fill in Name)"

or



"Comrade (fill in Name)"

/ I'm keeding
// Visit California 4x/year.

alaric89: I recommend limited teniours and no retirement benifits for public jobs.

So when there is a shortage of people in the public sector because the limited benefits are now gone and the private sector pays a whole lot better. Are you going to step up and do your civic duty by working for the limited time in the public sector?

This is chicken feed, compared to the billions these politos are stealing and openly handing out to every illegal alien that strolls across our border. What is extremely galling is their open defiance to enforcing federal, state and county odinances, declaring cities to be "sactuuuaaaries" and the like.

I would absolutely LOVE to see a private advocacy group take target on a few such big mouthed California politburo members and file class actions to halt illegal acts such as these and also seek immediate recovery of stolen state property and funds.

I would treasure the day theat the feds send in legal teams and arrest and arraign half of these crooks under the RICO statutes.

Oh well.

FilmBELOH20 - Yep. Missed that part.

Walljasper
Though I may not agree with everything the city councils and mayors and other county staff do. I do like the ability of the cities to self rule to an extent. Especially after witnessing how stupid the laws can be about gay marriage, medical marijuana, open wireless, etc etc etc. I like the possibility of moving to a town/city that I do agree with the major issues they are ignoring attempting to bring to light. I´d feel my freedoms were further limited if some cities were not disagreeing with the state/living life they way they wanted.

maybe that is just me.

Dispector: Oh, was California annexed by China?

Not yet, but we're in negotiations, apparently.

Aar1012
So when there is a shortage of people in the public sector because the limited benefits are now gone and the private sector pays a whole lot better. Are you going to step up and do your civic duty by working for the limited time in the public sector?
I would if I needed to yes. I also think the 10 years or so would have to be well paid. I just think polititions and public sector workers should know that they won't have the powers and protections very long so they should act for the public good instead of just for themselves. What would you suggest to make people who gain unearned power and protections accountable?

Awww... This story makes me feel all stabby inside.

When I lived in New Jersey, I worked with a guy who was also the mayor of a little town in Gloucester County. He told me that all municipal officials in New Jersey are immune from traffic citations because they "might" be traveling on official business. He even had a little gold badge (paid for at taxpayer expense) that he carried in his wallet to show to the cops if he ever got pulled over.

So California isn't exactly unique.

This is nothing compared to the cut of American's assets they take with every drug bust and confiscation. What's professional courtesy, compared to destroying an entire society?

California state legislators also have their cars and their gasoline paid at taxpayer expense. So they really don't have to give a crap about the price of gas, because it doesn't affect them in the slightest.

Mrbogey: re-elect_jimmy_carter: Creepyoldguy: Yeah, it's just California and maybe 49 other states.

but.....libruls!


So despite there being no evidence that a multi-million dollar fraud is going on in other states... we'll just assume everyone is an unethical as California politicos.

you obviously havent been reading fark much.

Ok, my fellow Californifarkers, here is your chance for some direct political action. Go to Your Legislature, and type in your zip code to get the email and snail mail addresses and telephone numbers for your Assembly and Senate members. Send an email and call to complain about this waste and abuse of privilege, and politely demand that they repeal the law and take action to recover the millions in uncollected fines. I'm including a link to the article, as well.

Thank you, Subby for doing your civic duty. +1

Mrbogey: re-elect_jimmy_carter: Creepyoldguy: Yeah, it's just California and maybe 49 other states.

but.....libruls!


So despite there being no evidence that a multi-million dollar fraud is going on in other states... we'll just assume everyone is an unethical as California politicos.

Look around, do you REALLY think that this is unique to California?

/Buy a helmet

Do any of you hyperbole-spouting idiots actually know anything about California, or do you just enjoy parroting the uninformed opinions that you read on Fark or hear from Rush Limbaugh?

If California was an independent nation it would still be in the top ten economies in the world, and in fact it would be much better off because it would no longer have to put up with unfunded mandates from D.C. Furthermore, the taxes that Californians pay would stay in the state, rather than being transferred to poor-ass, hillbilly red states. (That is to say, CA would no longer have to put up with the federally enforced socialism which ironically benefits "conservative" states.)

TFA is about an abuse of a legitimate program; it's not a special privilege for the "politburo." It was intended to shield police officers and judges and the like from having their home addresses being accessible by vengeful criminals.

This has been abused and now applies to almost a million cars and it should be ended, because all DMV records are now protected. It was never a benefit for the "elite," unless you consider museum guards and bus drivers elite.

The fact is, most of California's problems can be traced back to the fact that it has to take orders from Washington D.C, rather than being free to run their own affairs. (For example, CA's recent attempt to clean up their own air is being thwarted by the Bush Administration.)

I think all you haters are just jealous.

/Proud California native, born and raised!

Sock Puppet Army: maybe that is just me.

I think that's actually a very wise way of looking at it. Don't like the policies where you live and can't do anything about it? Stop whining and move. You'll probably be much happier, and you'll be able to get on with the important things (like enjoying life).
This is why governments of places like Cuba and North Korea keep their people from leaving - if they gave them that opportunity, there'd be no left to govern.

StoneColdAtheist: Ok, my fellow Californifarkers, here is your chance for some direct political action. Go to Your Legislature, and type in your zip code to get the email and snail mail addresses and telephone numbers for your Assembly and Senate members. Send an email and call to complain about this waste and abuse of privilege, and politely demand that they repeal the law and take action to recover the millions in uncollected fines. I'm including a link to the article, as well.

Thank you, Subby for doing your civic duty. +1

Awesome, thanks for the link.

alaric89: I would if I needed to yes. I also think the 10 years or so would have to be well paid. I just think polititions and public sector workers should know that they won't have the powers and protections very long so they should act for the public good instead of just for themselves. What would you suggest to make people who gain unearned power and protections accountable?

Unfortunately the public sector isn't that well paid. Most people can make a better life in the private sector. I'm one of the few well paid public employees compared to the private sector and thats because I file paperwork all day.

Also from my experience I don't see much favoritism towards public employees. I had to laugh when my boss was called in for Jury Duty at the same courthouse that she works at. Other people had to actually serve on the jury when you would think they would be automatically dismissed. Jury duty is just one example that comes to mind, mind you.

Katzenjammer: Do any of you hyperbole-spouting idiots actually know anything about California, or do you just enjoy parroting the uninformed opinions that you read on Fark or hear from Rush Limbaugh?

If California was an independent nation it would still be in the top ten economies in the world, and in fact it would be much better off because it would no longer have to put up with unfunded mandates from D.C. Furthermore, the taxes that Californians pay would stay in the state, rather than being transferred to poor-ass, hillbilly red states. (That is to say, CA would no longer have to put up with the federally enforced socialism which ironically benefits "conservative" states.)

TFA is about an abuse of a legitimate program; it's not a special privilege for the "politburo." It was intended to shield police officers and judges and the like from having their home addresses being accessible by vengeful criminals.

This has been abused and now applies to almost a million cars and it should be ended, because all DMV records are now protected. It was never a benefit for the "elite," unless you consider museum guards and bus drivers elite.

The fact is, most of California's problems can be traced back to the fact that it has to take orders from Washington D.C, rather than being free to run their own affairs. (For example, CA's recent attempt to clean up their own air is being thwarted by the Bush Administration.)

I think all you haters are just jealous.

/Proud California native, born and raised!

if california were an independent country, it would still surrender to france.

california: the pacific northwest's pants.

Katzenjammer: Do any of you hyperbole-spouting idiots actually know anything about California, or do you just enjoy parroting the uninformed opinions that you read on Fark or hear from Rush Limbaugh?

I've lived here all my life. I read the local news.

TFA is about an abuse of a legitimate program; it's not a special privilege for the "politburo."

It was a joke. Har har.

It was intended to shield police officers and judges and the like from having their home addresses being accessible by vengeful criminals.

Yes, but now it's irrelevant (as you state here) and it's costing us a lot of money.


This has been abused and now applies to almost a million cars and it should be ended, because all DMV records are now protected. It was never a benefit for the "elite," unless you consider museum guards and bus drivers elite.

Sounds like we agree, at the core of it.
As for the bus drivers and museum guards, though, that's why people are pissed. No one said anything about the "elite" in TFA. The question is, why the hell do museum guards need to have their addresses protected? Particularly since these addresses are protected now, anyway? And why on earth would the guard Union ask for these plates in a negotiation? The only logical explanation is that they knew the plates would let them get away with stuff.

Aar1012: Unfortunately the public sector isn't that well paid. Most people can make a better life in the private sector. I'm one of the few well paid public employees compared to the private sector and thats because I file paperwork all day.

Depends on where you work and in what position. In my experience, less specialized public service jobs do pay much better than similar private sector jobs, and they have much better benefits, particularly now, when so many private employers aren't offering health insurance anymore. So if you're a janitor at city hall, for instance, yeah, you will get a much better deal than you would at the same job in the private sector. Once you move higher on the pay scale though, that changes. Public prosecutors and defenders typically don't make nearly as much as private practice lawyers, for instance.
This may depend on the city and state, though. In my town, the bus drivers recently went on strike for more vacation days and better benefits. I guarantee you they wouldn't be getting what they're getting if they were driving for a private bus company.

/Any gov'mint employees, please correct me if I'm wrong.

+1 Subby, for a very apt use of "politburo."

And anyone who thinks this is a loopy California thing, or lib/con Dem/Rep thing is not paying attention. And while I generally agree with the "vote with your feet" idea, we can't all move to New Hampshire, so let's move New Hampshire to us.

Aar1012 :

I Know one would have to compensate people with worthwhile money.
I just think the problems with public employment stem from entrenchment, especially in law enforcement and lawmaking.
Many other public jobs would be vastely improved if they were switched out more often with fresh blood. (private and real life experiance would make better teachers and child service workers)

The apreciation, of what public workers deal with, would also be spread out into the general population making beurocratic and polital work easier and less resented.

re-elect_jimmy_carter: if california were an independent country, it would still surrender to france.

california: the pacific northwest's pants.

Hahaha

That was my thought, too. If CA became its own nation, we'd be in for a rude awakening.

/B-b-b-but they can't nuke us. We're a nuclear-free zone!

Katzenjammer Quote 2008-04-05 12:33:36 PM

If California was an independent nation it would still be in the top ten economies in the world, and in fact it would be much better off because it would no longer have to put up with unfunded mandates from D.C. Furthermore, the taxes that Californians pay would stay in the state, rather than being transferred to poor-ass, hillbilly red states.
******************************************************************

I await this day with enthusiasm. Maybe California could become part of Mexico. In any event, the day California leaves the Union can't happen too fast for me. Oh, no electric power generated in California may be sold in the US, and no electric power generated in the US may be sold to California. Buh bye.

FarkingUpTheWrongTree: re-elect_jimmy_carter: if california were an independent country, it would still surrender to france.

california: the pacific northwest's pants.

Hahaha

That was my thought, too. If CA became its own nation, we'd be in for a rude awakening.

/B-b-b-but they can't nuke us. We're a nuclear-free zone!

I don't know where in the hell in California you think you live, but if it's in any major city this whole "liberals gone wild!" meme is so over, sir or madam. Republicans run the state now, like for rillz. Not just new-money action movie star types either.