Amish men jailed for refusing to pay buggy fines

MAYFIELD, Ky. - A group of Amish men were sent to jail in western Kentucky Thursday for refusing to pay fines for breaking a state highway law that requires their horse-drawn buggies to be marked with orange reflective triangles.

The men have a religious objection to the bright orange signs, which they say are flashy and conflict with their pledge to live low-key and religious lives.

"I totally understand your objection," the judge told Byler. "But you're in violation, and it's not up to me to change the law. It doesn't really matter what I think about any of this."

"I have to say however, the constitution is right there in black and white. I don't care how many activist lawyers and judges try to interpret what it says. You want to force Amish to put triangles or lights on their buggies, amend the constitution."

Less you forget, one of the most important Amendments to the Constitution was the 10th (states' rights). This is a state law issue and not federal nor religious. I have and will always be a States' Rights supporter.

As I mentioned above, their rights stop where it infringes on others' rights, especially when it comes to the right to life.

"Classy. Hey Navy Vet - shut up now, before your personal bigotry damages the reputation of far better vets than you."

My words on a public forum will never damage the "reputation" nor the honor of Veterans better than me, and I so recognize many are. I've spent years and resources honoring those men and women. I still do as recent as Christmas, not to mention being a Patriot Guard Rider for our fallen military and Veteran memorials. You don't know me and what I do. But here's a clue, check out VetsCoR and see how I hurt the "reputation" of our Vets (\sarcasm).

You're wrong. I didn't create a "strawman". This entire issue is about their religious beliefs and refusing to obey State law regarding basic safety for all. Maybe I didn't need to get so crappy about it, but I am sick of people using their own personal beliefs (guess you didn't catch my acknowledgement of the Amish peaceful ways in contrast to Islamists) to break law, hate, fight, kill, and create wars.

Hopefully, you saw my post above about being a States' Rights advocate and this IS a State issue. So don't throw the federal Constitution at me. They are breaking law as set forth by the State, and should adhere to it as all must, unless it's changed.

And before you write back, just know I am also an advocate of lessor government and lessor laws. I'm as conservative as they come almost to the point of libertarian. Again, an individual's rights stop at the point that it infringes on others' rights.

Sheesh, let them put a sign or reflective tape on the back of their buggies so they don't get their innocent children killed or make someone else swerve off the road and get killed or maimed. This is basic safety and preservation of life, which takes priority over their religious beliefs, as it should.

Yes, I'm a bigot when it comes to religion versus the right to live! Maybe we should do away with the laws that prevent yelling fire in a theater, or like some poster above, we should be able to drive on the left side of the road because we so desire. Have the last say. I'm done.

The interesting appellate decision will be how the court handles polygamy in the wake of any ruling permitting gay marriage.

I missed this comment a week ago.

OBVIOUSLY, a Court which follows its own precedents in Casey v. Planned Parenthood, Lawrence v. Texas, and especially Romer v. Evans will have to legalize polygamy, IF they ever agree to hear a case.

I suspect that, given the fact that such a decision will have the potential to reduce their power permanently, that they will not grant cert to any polygamy cases, at least not in the near future.

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