http://www.howwedrive.com/2009/08/05/goosegate-resolved/ Just another WordPress weblog Wed, 23 May 2012 00:52:35 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 http://www.howwedrive.com/2009/08/05/goosegate-resolved/#comment-8431 Eileen Fri, 07 Aug 2009 21:55:00 +0000 http://www.howwedrive.com/?p=1093#comment-8431 I don't think this was "justice," at least based on the info I've seen. This man was ticketed for "jaywalking". Left entirely out of the story is the answer to this question: Where was the nearest designated crossing for pedestrians? If, as I suspect, it wasn't anywhere near where he was (or designated crossings do not exist at all), and if there were no alternative routes for pedestrians, then a law that punishes pedestrians for exercising their right to walk is an unconstitutional burden on that right. Where's the Virginia ACLU? I don’t think this was “justice,” at least based on the info I’ve seen. This man was ticketed for “jaywalking”. Left entirely out of the story is the answer to this question: Where was the nearest designated crossing for pedestrians? If, as I suspect, it wasn’t anywhere near where he was (or designated crossings do not exist at all), and if there were no alternative routes for pedestrians, then a law that punishes pedestrians for exercising their right to walk is an unconstitutional burden on that right. Where’s the Virginia ACLU?

]]> http://www.howwedrive.com/2009/08/05/goosegate-resolved/#comment-8410 Bossi Thu, 06 Aug 2009 14:23:02 +0000 http://www.howwedrive.com/?p=1093#comment-8410 I know a number of traffic judges that would have concurred with the officer and made the driver look bad; concurred with the driver and made the officer look bad; or give the driver PBJ and disregard everything entirely. I am quite pleased to see the multiple angles the judge approached the situation with, essentially keeping everyone in a good light. Perhaps the national attention had something to do with it, but if I act on the assumption that this is how the judge normally approaches his work: bravo. I know a number of traffic judges that would have concurred with the officer and made the driver look bad; concurred with the driver and made the officer look bad; or give the driver PBJ and disregard everything entirely. I am quite pleased to see the multiple angles the judge approached the situation with, essentially keeping everyone in a good light. Perhaps the national attention had something to do with it, but if I act on the assumption that this is how the judge normally approaches his work: bravo.

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