guilty until proven otherwise

The "man" came into the paddock this Sunday. Seems another rider saw a bike
he thought looked like one that had been stolen from him and called the
cops. An argument ensued over who's bike it really was. The current
"owner" claimed to have a title but did not have it with him. He was there
to race the bike. I do not know if there was a great deal of truth from
either party. The bottom line is you need to have proof of ownership with
you when you take your bike to the track.

I watched in awe as the bike was impounded on the spot. Seems anyone can
just say the word and you are up shit creek. The towing bill was going to
be paid for by the new "owner". The accuser had no proof that it was his
either.

Land of the free my ass. Burden of proof is your responsibility.

Yeti

 

Break out the lawyers. My lawyer can beat up your lawyer. - HPT

 

Cops aren't around to be nice. They're there to do a job. Unfortunately,
they usually take the easiest route possible for themselves. To hell with
anyone they run over figuratively in the process. No matter what any
actual EVIDENCE states to the contrary of what they *think* is the
situation. Once they've made up their minds on the spot, you're screwed.
There may be a *few* good cops out there, but most of the ones I've
encountered are fucking assclowns.

RHSD
--
-------------

Red-Haired She-Devil

Asshole 110

www.casadiablos.com/rhsd_page.htm

reply to: shedevilatpoboxdotcom

 

1998.

Oak Hill Raceway. Henderson Texas.

Dallas police arrive from nearly 150 miles away, block the entrances to
the race track, and proceed - SWAT style - guns drawn, to check every VIN
number against titles on every bike at the track.

The bikes without titles are impounded on police trailers. Owners are
harassed, citizens are scared. In the end, almost 3 months later, 2 of
the bikes were found to be truly stolen, they were spectator's bikes.

So what? right? So what? the police have the right to do this.
Who cares? It's just a little imposition on your freedom. Heck, if you
take your mom to the race track, she should expect to have to stand "in
the position" against your van while police point guns at her, Right?

It was a national WERA race, many GP bike racers were unable to compete
and get points, because their RS 125's were on police impound trailers.

I am sure some rocket scientist will point out that you should register
your bike. Guess what? MANY GP bikes do not have frame or motor
numbers. They come with a Manufacturer's Statement of Origin. That's
it. And it is usually tied to a number stamped on the inside of the
crankcase.

You do not register these bikes, cause in a season, you may go through a
few different frames and motors.

Doesn't matter to the "man" it don't look like no streetbike, but it
could have had the numbers filed off.


Result? for the next 2 years, as part of tech inspection, each racer
had to bring and show title or MSO for the bike. Is this a good idea?
Well, if you have ever been to the races, you know. NO, a racer
having to carry one more bit of paper, that they can lose, easily, in
the hustle to get teched then make practice is bad.

Personal result? I carry the title of my bike and truck, in the
glovebox, every time I go racing. Just in Case.

If you give up your freedoms, with no fight, we WILL lose them, and
slowly become more and more of the Secure police state good folks like
John Ashcroft want us to be.

Checking VINs with a blanket warrant is wrong. The answer of "take it in
the ass now, fight it out in court later" is expensive and sets dangerous
precedent.

Don't be a sheep.


brief description in email here:

http://www.cs.wisc.edu/~lists/archive/vfr/199808/msg00846.html

--
Assuring you of my best intentions at all times,

Charles Statman
Rocket Scientist/Wonderboy/Women's Legs Shaven

DoD the Un-Numbered One

 

We will be sending Homeland Security Stormtroopers to your door very
shortly.

 

Well, I kind of thought they were around to SERVE (and protect)... but
that's how naive I am.

-- peer

 

That is simple logic. Knowing enough of the law to get you out of a tough
situation. That is why I have a wallet sized copy of the constitution and
the bill of rights on me at all times. The phase "this is unconstitutional
and let me show you why you are violating my rights slows down even the
hardest of bulls" Long enough to sidestep the issue usually.

Ok...miss rape victim. You got it robbery target...
If you find yourself in a situation that's

Bull shit. Keep spooning it down. One of the basic tenents of any police
official is to apply force inorder to protect. You, sir, are a half load.

I rest my case...


Yeti

"while I work you gord with over with a baseball bat!"
- Goose