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JB Freeman · Guest

Tonight Councilman Adam Gardner, the Libertarian Puppy of Edgewater Politics, expressed his heartfelt concern and support for scofflaws who fail to comply with State motor vehicle requirements for proper documentation while driving (i.e. valid driver's license, proof of registration and valid proof of insurance) because "they may have had their spouse take their license or proof of insurance, and proof of insurance is dismissed once you show up with the paperwork, but they would have to pay for the towing, and that's just not fair!!!!"
Adam! You're a like-able enough guy, but what don't you understand about OBEYING THE LAW?!?!?!?!?! Neither I nor the law, nor all the people who will be protected by getting scofflaws off the streets care one IOTA that the occasional twinkie - including you or I - has their vehicle towed because 'they forgot". You might just as well give people a break because they say "Hey, I forgot I was drinking before I drove" as to excuse any other poor judgement. If you break the law, you pay the penalty. And in this case, IT'S NOT EVEN MANDATORY THAT THE POLICEPERSON TOWS THE VEHICLE! You see, Adam, the law gives the police a valid discretion in deciding whether to tow the vehicle,and we don't expect that your self-admitted (for you in the public who can't believe this, yes, he said it) "bad apples in my family (paraphrasing here, but only the exact wording) in the police department (not in Edgewater, apparently, but Adam, please clarify) who would tow peoples vehicles (and, he seemed to imply, do other illegal things to citizens under their police powers) and so he knows by personal experience that police CAN DO BAD THINGS AND ABUSE THEIR POWER.
Adam, let me break it to you as gently as possible, as someone who stopped getting haircuts after he was honorably discharged (for those of you who are curious) from the Marine Corps in 68, I FREAKING KNOW ABOUT POLICE ABUSE OF POWER FIRST HAND, MANY TIMES OVER!! And despite your namby pamby mumbling about how you respect Edgewater's Police and you're not talking about them personally, you listened to the Chief define the issues, and listened to the City Attorney confirm the Chief's assessment of the ordinance and pronounce his confidence in the ordinance, and then you chose to disrespect the Chief, the City Attorney and the City Police Officers by saying they were capable of abuse of power (oh, of course you didn't SAY that, but there is no other implication as to your intent!).
In voting to table this ordinance, or to weaken it by trying to force the City to pay the towing charges of SCOFFLAWS WHO VIOLATE THE REQUIREMENTS OF COLORADO LAW and forcing the Chief to say he would rather not have this valuable tool in his toolbox if it meant having to budget to repay YOUR SCOFFLAW FRIENDS after their illegal behaviour, you uncategorically state that you would rather endanger Edgewater and Colorado Citizens than have you and your SCOFFLAW FRIENDS pay the legitimate cost of failing to comply with the law.
Thanks, Adam. I appreciate you putting my family, your family, all of our citizens at risk for a a fun little Libertarian heart palpitation. You obviously have not experienced any personal cost for the action of one of your scofflaws who harmed others and ran from the deed. Unlike you, Adam, I'm an Anarchist. That means taking FULL PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR ALL YOUR ACTIONS, not crying about society infringing on your 'personal space". Sorry - if you have valid proof of insurance and you drive without it in your car YOU'RE A FREAKIN' IDIOT AND YOU DESERVE A LITTLE REMINDER TO DO BETTER - if, or course, the nice Edgewater Police Officer doesn't use their discretion and let you drive home because -
a) Other than being an obvious idiot, you're harmless b) you're only an idiot, you're not drunk c) that bewildered look on your face says "I'm too dumb to even be Al Qaeda" and hey, the state scan while you're waiting, feeling like the idiot you are says you DO have a valid driver's license and the vehicle ISN'T, indeed, stolen, it's registered to the IDIOT, and maybe, just maybe, you'll remember, and do better next time. Then the nice Edgewater Police Officer let's you get back in your idiotmobile to make your way to your own driveway, safe, sound, chastened because why, Adam? THE ORDINANCE AND THE LAW GIVE THEM FREAKIN' DISCRETION, THAT'S WHY!
Adam, you are young,and you are dedicated, and you are opinionated, but you are FAR from experienced. Listen to your Police Chief, son. He's a VERY GOOD, VERY EXPERIENCED VETERAN OF THIS DEPARTMENT! DARE I SAY - HE'S A PROFESSIONAL. When I look at , talk to, interact with Chief Dan I don't see the beefy goons of yesteryear. I see the professional of NOW, and of the FUTURE, deserving of my respect and consideration. I see a Chief who will both guide and discipline his troops and who will be ruthless in pursuit of anyone in his Department who violates policy. And hey - that's BEFORE HJ comes in and kicks any sorry ass that let's power go to its head.

This is a long rant, Adam, because you sorely disappointed me tonight by letting Libertarian theory quash reason. For an old Anarchist like me, there are many things you can do that are negative. It may surprise you to know that disappointment is about the worst it gets. I'll pray, in my way, for your enlightenment. But not your experience, in this way. No one should have to know first hand why the Chief and the City Attorney are right, and you are so tragically and romantically wrong.

With all hope for Edgewater's future.

JB Freeman

STICKLER · Joined: 17 Mar 2009 Posts: 4

Ouch.

JB cut your hair and get a job.

The biggest news of the night was that you and Jaun were relocating. I wish you guys only the best and happinest in your new digs.
Something tells me that several residents will be keeping an eye on your property here.

Did you really have to write a Hail storm? Adam, did what he did and has a reason for it. I'm sure the Ordinance will pass in short order.
I want the Chief to have all the tools (for I am Not a scofflaw). Frankly, it would not bother me one IOTA if the Department returned to the 70's early 80's and busted everyone traveling one mile over the speed limit.

Keep up the good work Adam.

Good Luck Freemans...Edgewater will miss you

Patriot · Guest

Wikipedia defines anarchist as follows:
Anarchism is a political philosophy encompassing theories and attitudes which consider the state, as compulsory government, to be unnecessary, harmful, and/or undesirable, and promote the elimination of the state or anarchy. Aren't the cops part of the state? JB I would define you as Liberal, left wing or maybe even progressive but certainly not an "Old Anarchist". Adam does have some Libertarian leanings but for the most part he is a run of the mill moderate conservative.
Just saying....., gotta go hang my Obama portrait over my fire place now, bye.

Your Kidding Me · Guest

Every Police Agency can tow for no insurance. In Denver it's a manadatory law that if you don't have insurance or a drivers license you lose your car. If it happens in Denver it costs you a couple of thousand to get it back. I don't want some illegal immigrant or anyone else with no insurance to hit my wife and kids. It's my understanding that EPD has been towing cars for this for the past 20 years with no problems and is only re writeing the policy because of the change in the city charter. The law says you cant have your car on a city street without Insurance. Just let them do there jobs and stay out of it Adam.

What the hey? · Guest

Guest · Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2009 1:29 pm Post subject:

It's my understanding that the police can not have a policy more restrictive than what is in the charter or city code and that is why the policy needed to be approved by council. This is nothing new that's why it's so frustrating. Just let the Police Chief do his job I think he would know whats best for the protection of the public.

Common Sense · Guest

There certainly is nothing in the Charter to that effect and even if it was it couldn't be changed by simple ordinance. I think the police posses that power with or without the ordinance. Property seizure is always a complex legal issue but the possession and operation of a motor vehicle is not a right but a privilege granted upon certain criteria being meet.

What is going on · Guest

Why would the police chief have to come before council to vote on a simple change in his operational policy? The chief said he needed it so why are we questioning his job? The chief has been a anchor her in EW for near 30 years and should be able to change a policy as he sees fit. In my company the corporation changes many of it's policies yearly just to keep up with the competition. This is one simple policy and its taken months so why would the chief try and change something else?

Guest · Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2009 5:52 pm Post subject:

It’s not about the Chief or the police department. This is a study in function-vs-form. Adam will reject a public program or department request if one small part of the proposal is inconsistent with his dogma. Last week alone he did this twice.

In spite of Adam’s pontifications, never once did he ask his fellow council peers to ‘work on’ or modify any of the ordinances he opposed. His only action was to dramatically display why he couldn’t support them. What? Can’t council change ordinances anymore? Who do they expect to do it if they don’t?

I’m glad someone out there thinks Adam is doing a good job. He’s a nice enough guy.

Concerned about my child · Guest

If you remember in the recent past an illegal immigrant ran his car into an ice cream shop killing a child. Everyone blamed the City of Denver and Aurora who had conducted traffic stops on this same person and did not seize his car. New rules were written in Denver to protect the City making it mandatory that a persons car be impounded if the driver does not have a drivers license or does not have auto insurance. The policy the Chief brought before council is not nearly as restrictive and is just what every other metro law enforcement agency has. EW cops can't properly do thier jobs without this tool. How long has council looked at this simple issue? The Chief is a professional ! Let him do his job. If this is how we are going to do business how is the new Manager going to accomplish anything?