Well, I just got a taste of what it's like to "talk with the mayor of Clemson".I went to the Clemson City Council meeting tonight.
One topic of tonight's meeting was to be the ban on (and fine for) texting while driving.
I am genuinely concerned for the lives of Pickens County residents. I am more concerned about our civil liberties. Our civil liberties allow us to pursue our God given rights of life, liberty, and justice.
Because people kill with guns doesn't mean I support a ban on guns.
Because radical Muslims kill innocent Christians doesn't mean I want to ban them from practicing their religion.
Because The Enquirer publishes false gossip about celebrities doesn't mean I want to censor them.
The same is true with texting while driving, Damn those that do. They are putting lives at risk - including their own. This doesn't mean I want to make up some new arbitrary and ambiguous law to prevent it. How do you legislate stupidity?
I say that texting while driving is already covered under a reckless driving charge. If I am seen driving recklessly - that should be my charge. If the city feels it necessary to prove their point with a subpoena of my cellphone records - then so be it. I should be given the right to defend it in court. I do not want a police officer rifling through my iPhone.
So, I started off introducing that I am Philip Smith from Liberty and I was concerned that this texting law would make it to my nearby hometown.
I "broke the ice" sarcastically reading them a text message I sent to my wife on the way down 123 to Clemson,
"Bcause it may B 1 of the last times I get 2 do this - I luv u - I wrote this while driving"
I mentioned that I would like to review each persons cellphones after my talk just to see what's on them.
I mentioned that my iPhone isn't a cellphone - it's a computer. I have private information on it. I haven't broken any laws that I know of ... I'm a good citizen ... I have nothing to hide. The Fourth Amendment states:
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated.
I questioned whether Council had considered the amount of training for all the different types of cellphones.
What about radios, GPS, car DVDs?
I stated that media and councils are always seeking buzz words and catch phrases and if they could take one thing away from my talk it's this:
I briefly described the concept of "Precrime" as it pertains to the movie Minority Report.
I said that the common argument for this law is,
"Other states are doing it?"
Other states are allowing legal marijuana.
Other states are allowing gay marriage.
This is South Carolina - we have always led the charge for freedom - we were the first to secede.
Does this ban include tweeting or checking email? Are police officers going to rummage through my phone to see exactly what I was doing?
I was timing my talk myself on my phone. I was surprised myself that i was under 2 minutes at this point. At 2 minutes 30 seconds I was interrupted by Mayor Larry Abernathy of Clemson saying my time was up.
I mentioned that I had one more thing to say. I was reminded that my time was up. I insisted to be heard. I read this quote:
"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." ~ Ben Franklin
Less than sarcastic and more jackassed remark Mayor Abernathy said,
"Did Benjamin Franklin text?"
He asked how many people in Liberty text? I couldn't tell whether this was a meaningful question or a jab referring to Liberty residents as backwoods rednecks. I mentioned my daughter texted somewhere around 17,000 texts last month.
He said, "We're dealing with human lives here."
I decided to leave after my talk was over.
As I left, he remarked,
"I'm sorry this is an issue I really care about, I couldn't give a damn about the future of touch. If there's no one else to speak let's read the minutes from the last meeting."
Mr. Abernathy, you owe me an apology. You were rude, out of line, and your behavior was unbecoming of an elected official. I patronize Clemson restaurants. I deal with Clemson businesses on a regular basis - as I'm sure many Liberty residents do. I am concerned that you are about to erase liberty in Liberty.
[UPDATE] I watched all of the various newscasts last night. Fox 21 covered the story with a LIVE remote. Earlier in the day they had conducted a number of interviews with students at Clemson University. Two of the three interviewed said they wouldn't mind the law and think it would be a good step towards deterrence.
What I would like for older generations to understand is that this is the "Brady Bill" of the new decade. The Brady Bill had good intentions, but just as my father felt his gun rights were being taken away, I feel my personal rights (along with others) are also being eroded. Texts don't kill people; people kill people = Guns don't kill people; people kill people.
I'm sorry that people, especially teens, text while driving. That said, I'm sorry that people drink and drive. In fact, I'm sorry that people consume alcohol at all. I'm sorry people smoke. I'm sorry that people do a lot of stupid things. What stupid thing did you do today? Be forewarned, local municipalities are gearing up to legislate, tax, and fine your stupidity!
5 COMMENTS / Make your own:
I'd like to add a few things:
None of this was taken out of context.
In fact, Abernathy looked at me the whole time with a sneer on his face and pretended not to be listening - impatiently pretending my time was up as soon as I started.
I'll say for the record again - this was severe bad behavior on the part of the Mayor. This meeting was specifically pitched in the media to discuss the resolution of texting while driving - I felt like I was speaking to the KKK about MLK Day.
To be fair, a few council members WERE paying attention and number of them looked disgusted at Abernathy's remarks and unpleasantness towards me.
This is the beginning of the impossible legislation of civil responsibility.
I have a vision of myself sitting in jail because I didn't let a police officer see my iphone... which contains my very personal financial account numbers, family names, etc. The people in authority should really think about this one before they act on it...it's bigger than it seems.
In regards to the "closed" article about the now DUI "Texting" accident, I guess the exaggeration of the facts is confirmed then. You had no proof that the her rights were denied, being that she was not read her Miranda. So, I guess you just try to push a non existent issue to keep the pot stirring. Other then false allegations you do have a pretty helpful website, you just need to keep the facts straight!
She was charged with DUI on the spot and administered a breathalizer test. She WAS NOT read Miranda. I confirmed this - it is public record.
She WAS denied her rights.
These ARE the facts.
Your points are invalid, they added nothing to the debate.
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