Monday, October 9, 2017

Laws: Break, Wink At, or Change?


If you don't like a law or support it, is it all right to break it? We've always gone on record to support all laws, but also supporting the attempt to change one if it's inherently wrong. We were reminded of this last week when UNA announced new purple street signs near the campus. 

Only a year ago, Phil Stevenson of Florence said such signs were illegal; only white, green, brown, or blue are allowed. We can remember the city having to change out a sign on Mitchell Boulevard which didn't comply to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. One of our regular readers commented that the city could be fined for the new signs.

So who's right? We're pretty sure the law hasn't changed. While we like the new signs, we don't look forward to our tax dollars having to pay a hefty fine to either state or federal government. 

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Now that brings us to attempted theft (poaching) and hunting with baited traps. What kind of person does that? Especially when the person doesn't need the kill for food? How can you even call it sport when you're luring a deer or other animal to you with food? How can you justify taking something from private property that certainly doesn't belong to you...killing just to kill?

So let's say the son of a senate candidate is arrested and indicted for the above crimes; is it the candidate's fault that his child, at the age of 27, has such total disregard for the law? For those who haven't been keeping track, this makes Caleb Moore's ninth arrest in the state of Alabama. 

No matter whose fault Caleb's behavior is, or even if it can be lain at the feet of his parents, this man needs help...and more than the legal variety.


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5 comments:

  1. Is it possible that the sign regulation mentioned is intended for state and federal routes and not so much for city streets? Follow up on that please.

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    1. We have asked several people, and it seems to come down to funding, etc. If you read the TD article on West College Street widening/paving earlier this week, you saw where, even though it's a city street, the state would not allow part of the widening. From Phil Stevenson in November of last year: But the signs might not be feasible because UNA’s colors do not create enough contrast for drivers to spot them easily, said Phil Stevenson, Media Department director and purchasing agent for the City of Florence. Street signs can only be four colors — green, brown, blue and white, Stevenson said.

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  2. Is it possible that the vast majority of the population doesn't give even a slight da** what color the street signs on UNA's campus might be?

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    1. We think the salient point is, as we've now confirmed, ALDOT and two city employees are on record that the signs are illegal. Are they attractive? Yes, we like them; they're still illegal and leave the city open to be sued due to their lack of visibility.

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  3. Considering Roy Moore decided to ignore the law while serving the State of Alabama...twice, I'd say the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

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