How did we get here, part II
Mar. 21st, 2012 12:22 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
milktreeIf there was any doubt in your mind that we've let our government have *way* too much power, that we're turning into a police state (not by design, but in effect), then this should push you over the edge:
A man in Burnsville, MN was arrested for siding on his house, because it wasn't up to code.
http://kstp.com/news/stories/s2542281.shtml
Short form:
He was working on his house, and had every intention of finishing the siding, but the economy went south and he ran out of money. So they issued citiations, which lead to a court date, which lead to an arrest warrant, which led to having to shower in front of a sheriff, walking around in a prison jumpsuit, shackled wrist to waist. Then electronic home monitoring where they could, and did, sound an alarm at all hours (yes, even at 2 AM) that required him to breathe through a drug/alcohol tester. For siding.
He says he *did* finish the siding when faced with a jail ultimatum, but the inspector disagreed, so he was arrested.
Here's a telling quote:
"Burnsville leaders say they had no choice to enforce the law."
??!?!??! What the fuck? They absolutely had a choice! There's *so* many ways this could have been solved, legally, without ignoring any laws. But they didn't.
And then there's this:
http://washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/op-eds/2012/01/homeowners-fight-property-rights-against-epa/157002
The EPA is forcing an Idaho couple building their house to undo all the work they've done, including re-planting trees and plants, or face fines of $37.5k/day. Yes, that's $13M/year. The worst part is that the couple isn't even trying to counter the EPA's wetland ruling, they're just trying to solve it in court, which they can't. At least in this case it sounds (based on that article) SCOTUS will side with them. Maybe.
Yet it still had to become a Federal Case (tm) to avoid the EPA stomping all over them.
Don't get me wrong, I think the EPA does enormous good, and in many cases should be given more authority and power to protect what is arguably the only thing we actually have in this country, our land, but the methods have gotten out of hand.
And then there's this guy:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/02/david-englett_n_1317276.html
who is being fined for not cutting the grass of his Crowley, Texas house. But... he doesn't live there, and doesn't own the house, the bank foreclosed on him and took it.
But the city is going after him anyway because he's an easy target and they need the money.
A man in Burnsville, MN was arrested for siding on his house, because it wasn't up to code.
http://kstp.com/news/stories/s2542281.shtml
Short form:
He was working on his house, and had every intention of finishing the siding, but the economy went south and he ran out of money. So they issued citiations, which lead to a court date, which lead to an arrest warrant, which led to having to shower in front of a sheriff, walking around in a prison jumpsuit, shackled wrist to waist. Then electronic home monitoring where they could, and did, sound an alarm at all hours (yes, even at 2 AM) that required him to breathe through a drug/alcohol tester. For siding.
He says he *did* finish the siding when faced with a jail ultimatum, but the inspector disagreed, so he was arrested.
Here's a telling quote:
"Burnsville leaders say they had no choice to enforce the law."
??!?!??! What the fuck? They absolutely had a choice! There's *so* many ways this could have been solved, legally, without ignoring any laws. But they didn't.
And then there's this:
http://washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/op-eds/2012/01/homeowners-fight-property-rights-against-epa/157002
The EPA is forcing an Idaho couple building their house to undo all the work they've done, including re-planting trees and plants, or face fines of $37.5k/day. Yes, that's $13M/year. The worst part is that the couple isn't even trying to counter the EPA's wetland ruling, they're just trying to solve it in court, which they can't. At least in this case it sounds (based on that article) SCOTUS will side with them. Maybe.
Yet it still had to become a Federal Case (tm) to avoid the EPA stomping all over them.
Don't get me wrong, I think the EPA does enormous good, and in many cases should be given more authority and power to protect what is arguably the only thing we actually have in this country, our land, but the methods have gotten out of hand.
And then there's this guy:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/02/david-englett_n_1317276.html
who is being fined for not cutting the grass of his Crowley, Texas house. But... he doesn't live there, and doesn't own the house, the bank foreclosed on him and took it.
But the city is going after him anyway because he's an easy target and they need the money.
