Politics Suck

As we sit and try to stay warm, we often grow complacent as to what is going on in other places. We get the full scoop of Haiti and Iraq and Anti-terrorist and economic woes blasted at our brains everyday to keep us aware of the tragedy or bravery that goes on in the world and I say good, as we need reminding on all of this.

What we don't hear about is the Bullshit pumping public officials that we thought were on our side doing their devious little deeds in the name of public service while being a minion of some demon from a world we heard about as children.

The elected minions are at it again and thanks to some research we have a Legislative directive that can in the most perverse use of the letter of the law hurt us as car people. Without further ado I give you LD1642.

An Act To Reduce Road Noise within Posted Areas
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 29-A MRSA §1912, sub-§1-A is enacted to read:

1-A. Excessive noise within posted areas. A person may not operate a motor vehicle in an area designated as a quiet zone by the department or the Maine Turnpike Authority and clearly identified as such by posted signs if the noise emitted by the motor vehicle exhaust system exceeds 62 decibels at a distance of 50 feet or greater. This subsection does not apply to motor carriers governed by 40 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 202 (1986).

SUMMARY
The bill clarifies the law regarding excessive noise as it relates to mufflers and exhaust systems of motor vehicles operated within posted areas designated by the Department of Transportation or the Maine Turnpike Authority.

Now this little gem was thought up by some poor misdirected legislator who has a problem with the engine brakes used on tractor trailers in the wee hours of her frigging nappy time. Yet reading this drivel it clearly states "a motor vehicle" not "commercially registered motor vehicle" as it should.

This proposal is in direct conflict with statutes that clearly set the legal limit on Exhaust noise at 95db as was passed and approved and signed by John "twiggy" Baldacci in 2003. if this law is passed as it is written I can see every little piss ant town cop thinking he can measure decibels better than his waist line trying to make a name for himself in town.

Unfortunately this one slipped through the cracks until today and I apologize for that. After some digging and calling there will be a small, but pretty loud, contingent going to the public hearing on Tuesday afternoon to wreak havoc on the Transportation Committee. After awhile you would figure they would realize that screwing with us, is like teaching a pig to sing. It is a waste of time and tends to piss off the pig.

Oink