Feb. 16, 2006 - 19:39 MST

WHAT YOU WISH FOR

In pursuit of "do good stuff," our legislature here in Colorado is in the process of trying to enact legislation that will allow the police unhampered permission to stop any motorist and use the excuse that the officers "thought the driver or passengers were NOT using a seat belt."

In this morning's Rocky Mountain News is an article by Lynn Bartels of that paper. In full:

SENATE GETS SEAT BELT BILL

Measure allows cops to stop drivers for failing to buckle up

It's not often that a Democratic lawmakers gives Republicans goose bumps when talking about the Constitution, but that's what happened Wednesday during the second heated debate in two days on a proposed seat-belt law."

"Rep. Morgan Carroll, D-Aurora, passionately argued against a bill that would allow police to pull over drivers simply for failing to buckle up."

"Currently, police can cite a driver for a seat-belt violation only if that person is stopped for another offense, such as speeding."

"House Bill 1125 passed by a single vote, much to Carroll's disappointment."

"Random searches and seizures violate the very spirit and the very core of what this country was founded on," Carroll said during the debate. "The implications for this are so far beyond seat belts."

"She said that police would have unlimited authority to stop drivers randomly, merely by arguing that they thought the driver wasn't buckled up."

"That's not my country, that's not my state," she said. "Simply putting words in here saying, 'Thou shall not racially profile,' doesn't fix it."

"Carroll called the bill an "affront" and said it would do "irreversible and unrepairable harm."

"She pointed out that she had proposed that lawmakers simply raise fines, as the current fine for not wearing a seat belt is only $15. Lawmakers didn't even consider her amendment."

"When Carroll finished, there was a moment of silence and then guests in the gallery burst into aplause."

"I thought Morgan was going to pull it off," Rep. Cory Gardner, R-Yuma, said later. "That was some speech."

"But the House voted 33-32 to send the bill to the Senate."

"Rep. Ray Rose, R-Montrose, had voted against the bill the day before, during the initial hearing. But he was among those who supported it Wednesday during the official vote. He said he changed his mind after talking with law enforcement officials who said the measure would save lives."

"Opponents disagreed. They said it already is illegal to drive in Colorado without buckling up, or making sure that passengers do."

"The bill's sponsor, Rep. Fran Colman, D-Denver, said that her proposal is a preventive because it's aimed at stopping people before they get into a crash without being buckled up."

"You can't fine them when they're dead," she said."

"Rep. Anne McGihon, D-Denver became emotional when she talked about surviving two car crashes that left her unconsious. One driver went through a red light, another through a stop sign."

"But for my seat belt, I wouldn't be talking to you today," she said. "Vote yes."

"If the bill makes it out of the legislature, it heads to Gov. Bill Owens."

"The governor has traditionally supported restraint legislation, said his spokesman Dan Hopkins, and depending on the final language of the bill, he is likely to sign it."

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So if this bill is made law then police will be able to stop anyone, ostensibly to see if they are wearing a seat belt ? It appears to be so if its present wording is kept. What do cops do then if they discover that the driver and passengers are actually buckled up ? ? ? ? They then have the prerogative to engage in a fishing expedition and making the driver open his trunk, submitting to a frisking and all the other official acts they are permitted to use.

Ridiculous in the extreme it seems to me. Here I am, fat, dumb and happy driving down the street sans seat belt (cause ya know they are uncomfortable) and a cop pulls in behind me. First thing, I buckle up on the off chance I'm gonna get a cop stop. His light goes on, I pull over, I'm buckled up - - - - then what ? ? ? Am I going to get harassed because he "thought" I wasn't buckled up ?

What else will he do while I am stopped ?

Is this some more Bushy "premeptive" stuff ? Are they gonna charge me for improper thoughts ?

All you do-gooders who push for things without really thinking them through, be very careful WHAT YOU WISH FOR . . . . . . . . . . . .

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