Police versus Amish

If you do not live in an area where Amish live, let me explain something to you about them. The Amish or the Mennonites are devout Christians that mind their own business. They do not believe in using technology of the world as they feel it leads to temptations. So they work their land and do nearly all aspects of their life just as most did 500 years ago.

They eschew the trappings of the material world by not using cars, telephones, electricity, or any tech advancement that you can’t make by hand. Then end up being a very hard working people. They mind their own business and are very gentle and kind. They only wish to be left alone to follow their beliefs and go about doing their hard work. You couldn’t find a more peaceful person in America.

So of course, police in Mayfield, KY have decided to take them to task for not accepting the technology they forbid. The entire case that has gone to trial is best summarized in this paragraph:

“During the trial for Jacob Gingerich, Levi Zook and Emanuel Yoder, testimony and arguments boiled down to how to balance Kentucky's law requiring safety symbols on all buggies with religious beliefs that prohibit possessions that are too worldly.”

The DA’s office is taking the stance that it is the law and everyone must follow the law. I find this to be weak on numerous levels. First, as the Amish justly point out, it is a violation of their First Amendment rights. But let us go beyond the standard arguments. Let us use some basic logic.

Let us look at the Amish buggy from the view you would see coming from behind.

A few things pop out really quick and even more so when you are driving and come upon an Amish buggy. The first and foremost thing is it is not a car. It is a horse drawn buggy. It sticks out like a major sore thumb as it is so very different from your surroundings. Next, it has no lights so the color black will not be an issue. If you have no lights, you can’t see where you are going which is why they do not travel at night. Duh.

Now the standard arguments and complaints can be easily dealt with.

• If the other driver says they can’t see the buggy, then they really need to get their vision checked. If they still assert they cannot see the buggy, take their license as they are hazard on the road.
• If the driver says they are irritated because the buggies are slow, do not chastise the Amish. Send that driver for counseling before his / her road rage leads to a heart attack or stroke.
• If someone complains about the Amish buggies clogging up traffic or damaging the roads, send them on a driving tour of Manila or Mexico City. They will have a new found appreciation for the buggies.
• If they do not like an Amish buggy damaging the road, try adding up how much drunk drivers trash with cars, trucks and semi’s.

Lastly, all you would need to do is a very simple thing. Put up a sign. Then leave the peaceful people alone.

So for the police for making an issue out of nothing, I am hereby awarding them with an “Are You Thinking” award for wasting their time, tax payer dollars, and the time of the court for going after peaceful people. Try busting someone who is speeding with a car. They are far deadlier.

Lastly, do not cite that the Amish should follow the law and think a traffic code can trump the supreme law of the land – the US Constitution and the Bill of Rights.