All the world's agog over man who beat headlight-flashing rap

Tennesean ^ | 11-13-2003 | MITCHELL KLINE

[jmc813]

Free speech has Harlie ''Bill'' Walker doing a lot of talking.

Ever since the 75-year-old Navy veteran beat a ticket for flashing his headlights to warn other drivers of a police speed trap, he has been bombarded with phone calls from radio stations and First Amendment supporters worldwide.

[HEY4QDEMS]

I can understand the reaction in Boston, my father and brother both recieved "Obstruction" citations here in Massachusetts and the fine was $125.

[You Gotta Be Kidding Me]

A judge ruled in favor of Free Speech? There must be some mistake. The USSC will fix that problem real quick!!!

Paging San-dee O'Connor. Paiging San-dee O'Connor.....

[kinghorse]

I noticed an elderly guy waving his arm out the window coming over the bridge in a subdivision by my house. I knew why when I got to the other side. Speed trap pulling people over right and left.

I watched this guy do a u-turn. Presumable he was running a route to warn as many people as possible. My hero.

[biblewonk]

ping

[Constitution Day]

BTTT!!!

[davisfh]

"Walker spent nearly $1,000 to successfully fight a $10 fine and prove he was exercising his right to free speech when he flashed his lights on Aug. 14, warning other drivers that Franklin Police Officer Chris Marlow was clocking speeders."

Good for him. Probably the best $1000 he ever spent. My wife and I travel a good bit since retiring and we get these warning flashes all the time. We give the warnings as well.

[Agnes Heep]

My hero.

Not mine. People who drive too fast are a menace to society, and anyone who warns them away from a speed trap is an accomplice. I don't need to have myself or my loved ones killed or maimed by some immature asshole who has no respect for the law or society at large. We hire the police to do a job, and enforcing the speed limits is part of that job. This idiot may be within his rights to warn off offending drivers, but in my book he's an idiot for doing it.

[BlazingArizona]

People who drive too fast are a menace to society, and anyone who warns them away from a speed trap is an accomplice. I don't need to have myself or my loved ones killed or maimed by some immature asshole who has no respect for the law or society at large.

And while we're at it, let's nail those scofflaws who rip the "Do Not Remove..." tags off mattresses. Your tax dollars at work!

[Fudd]

I understand your sentiment. There are a those drivers that drive recklessly and endanger those around. At the same time, there are police departments who are more concerned for revenue than safety. i just had the "pleasure" of talking to one such tin-plated god today, who threatened to write my wife a parking ticket for pulling out of traffic into a state-vehicle parking spot to pick up our son. He either didn't know or didn't care that he was blocking traffic on the road to browbeat me. This traffic unit doesn't care to improve traffic flow through its juristiction, nor enforce dangerous traffic laws (multiple people running red lights, speed, etc.).

[cinFLA]

And while we're at it, let's nail those scofflaws who rip the "Do Not Remove..." tags off mattresses.

Please read the tag before you post this nonsense again.

[Revolting cat!]

Legalize flashing now!

[cinFLA]

At the same time, there are police departments who are more concerned for revenue than safety.

Which ones?

[cinFLA]

My hero.

If you like to speed, what have you done to get the speed limit raised? Nothing?

[billbears]

We hire the police to do a job, and enforcing the speed limits is part of that job.

Funny, all I've seen state troopers do in our state is help raise tax dollars by the side of the road

[kinghorse]

Oh my my. This is a stupid 30 mph zone and I don't know a soul who drive 30 mph on a main thoroughfare. Does the concept of making your quota in fines mean anything to you. Definitely MY HERO!!!!

[kinghorse]

And from the looks of the people lined up, I don't think these cops were taking ricer speed racer off the street. It was just a temporary tax precinct station set up. DESPICABLE.

Maybe you have cash to burn paying for government entrapment, I sure as F do not. And using your logic, every single firearm should be confiscated because the potential exists for one to be misused. PLEASE. Spare me.

[kinghorse]

They were picking off people for going 4 or 5 mph over the limit. The fines were skewed enough to make it worthwhile. PURE BUNK.