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A quick web search shows that similarly worded legislation is being considered in Arkansas, Kansas, Utah, South Carolia, and New York.

While I didn't do an item-by-item comparison, a quick glance suggests that most or all these were crafted by a common hand. Anyone want to guess who that might be?

...is currently planning on overthrowing the existing government of the United States. Have they registered?

Hahaha. If you bothered to read the statute, there is a useful clarification (emphasis added):

"(1) 'Subversive organization' means every corporation, society, association, camp, group, bund, political party, assembly, body or organization, composed of two or more persons, which directly or indirectly advocates, advises, teaches or practices the duty, necessity or propriety of controlling, conducting, seizing or overthrowing the government of the United States, of this State or of any political subdivision thereof by force or violence or other unlawful means;"

Well, South Carolina springs to mind: http://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess118_2009-2010/bills/56.htm

I looked a little deeper into the SC laws regarding traffic. According to SECTION 56-5-730

It is unlawful and, unless otherwise declared in this chapter with respect to particular offenses, it is a misdemeanor for any person to do any act forbidden or to fail to perform any act required in this chapter.

Most traffic tickets then would be misdemeanors. I looked at the section for seat belt tickets and it specifically states that they are not to be placed on DMV driver records or on SLED criminal history. So they are not criminal, but most other traffic violations are.

Title 38 of the SC Code deals with insurance and it has a similar provision in that any infraction of it unless otherwise noted is a misdemeanor.

I think it may vary from state to state, but in SC it would appear to be a criminal matter.

Cheers,
the_crowbar

I find it odd that a black democrat would sponsor such rediculous legislation. What could be done is a form letter signed by slashdotters to his email suggesting this is a really dumb bit of legislation. Here's his contact info: http://www.scstatehouse.gov/members/bios/0606818109.html

You can view Senator Ford's bill records at: http://www.scstatehouse.gov/members/bios/0606818109.html

2009-2010: 0 of 68 passed (of course, this one just got started)
2007-2008: 2 of 66 passed
2005-2006: 5 of 54 passed
2003-2004: 14 of 63 passed
2001-2002: 2 of 29 passed

I don't think this bill has much chance of passing.

ARTICLE I.
DECLARATION OF RIGHTS
SECTION 1. Political power in people.
All political power is vested in and derived from the people only, therefore, they have the right at all times to modify their form of government.
SECTION 2. Religious freedom; freedom of speech; right of assembly and petition.
The General Assembly shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or abridging the freedom of speech or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and to petition the government or any department thereof for a redress of grievances.

Senator Robert Ford
District 42 - Charleston Co.
Contact Address:
(H) P.O. Box 21302, Charleston, 29413

        Bus. (843) 813-1777 Home (843) 852-0777
(C) 506 Gressette Bldg., Columbia, 29201

        Bus. (803) 212-6124 Home (803) 798-9220

It's 3 am here. I'm sure senator ford would like to hear from you about his bill. Feel free to call collect.
http://www.scstatehouse.gov/members/bios/0606818109.html looks like a badaas tho, don't ring his doorbell.

Unfortunately, it's real: http://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess118_2009-2010/bills/56.htm

Sponsors: Senator Ford

Senator Ford: http://www.scstatehouse.gov/members/bios/0606818109.html

Democrat!

Sponsors: Senator Ford

Senator Ford: http://www.scstatehouse.gov/members/bios/0606818109.html

Democrat!

You think this senator's proposal is funny, sad, twisted, etc. check out what's already on their books. For people seemingly afraid of losing and wanting to protect their innocence they've certainly got quite a lascivious imagination...

Since he references a law that doesn't exist in his bill, I think there is a strong possibility that many other state Senators would agree with you.

Well, since you've already broken statute 16-15-250, and are now subject to fines and up to three years of imprisonment, I'd suggest you stay home.

Oh, and Jesus loves you.

Dumbass.......he's a DEMOCRAT. From Charleston. Hardy representative of most South Carolina voters.

http://www.scstatehouse.gov/members/bios/0606818109.html

Contrary to common belief, most blacks are very conservative. And Senator Ford is Black.

http://www.scstatehouse.gov/members/bios/0606818109.html

http://www.scstatehouse.gov/members/bios/0606818109.html Arrested 73 times during the civil rights movement.

He's a Democrat, he's Black and he's from Charleston.

http://www.scstatehouse.gov/members/bios/0606818109.html

I know plenty of people, especially 3rd party supporters and republicans will say Obama and the dems are just as bad...

And the fact that this bill is sponsored by a Democrat does precious little to dissuade us from that notion.

Ok folks - I live in SC - So I can say with some certanty - CALM DOWN.

1) This is just a BILL introduced in the Senate. I don't see anything on the House calendar indicating that it was also filed there, and if there was a SERIOUS push to make this happen, you'd see a similar bill in the house.

2) He submitted this SAME BILL the last THREE sessions. Thats the last 6 years. See session 117, 116 and 115. Quite frankly I didn't go back any further but he may have introduced this same bill before that, too. EVERY TIME this bill has been introduced, it has died in committee.

3) This guy has a terrible clearance rate. ZERO general bills on which he's the primary sponsor have passed in the last few sessions .

4) I bet if you look, you'll find this same type of legislation popping up in other state houses or county councils... and dying just as quickly. Someone's always going to try - doesn't mean they'll get anywhere and DOES NOT mean to freak out.

Ok folks - I live in SC - So I can say with some certanty - CALM DOWN.

1) This is just a BILL introduced in the Senate. I don't see anything on the House calendar indicating that it was also filed there, and if there was a SERIOUS push to make this happen, you'd see a similar bill in the house.

2) He submitted this SAME BILL the last THREE sessions. Thats the last 6 years. See session 117, 116 and 115. Quite frankly I didn't go back any further but he may have introduced this same bill before that, too. EVERY TIME this bill has been introduced, it has died in committee.

3) This guy has a terrible clearance rate. ZERO general bills on which he's the primary sponsor have passed in the last few sessions .

4) I bet if you look, you'll find this same type of legislation popping up in other state houses or county councils... and dying just as quickly. Someone's always going to try - doesn't mean they'll get anywhere and DOES NOT mean to freak out.

Ok folks - I live in SC - So I can say with some certanty - CALM DOWN.

1) This is just a BILL introduced in the Senate. I don't see anything on the House calendar indicating that it was also filed there, and if there was a SERIOUS push to make this happen, you'd see a similar bill in the house.

2) He submitted this SAME BILL the last THREE sessions. Thats the last 6 years. See session 117, 116 and 115. Quite frankly I didn't go back any further but he may have introduced this same bill before that, too. EVERY TIME this bill has been introduced, it has died in committee.

3) This guy has a terrible clearance rate. ZERO general bills on which he's the primary sponsor have passed in the last few sessions .

4) I bet if you look, you'll find this same type of legislation popping up in other state houses or county councils... and dying just as quickly. Someone's always going to try - doesn't mean they'll get anywhere and DOES NOT mean to freak out.

Apparently you need to get a fucking clue and read the god damn constitution, why?

http://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess118_2009-2010/bills/61.htm

In my opinion this guy is on drugs if he thinks that either bill can pass constitutional muster. He would make it illegal for families to drive through South Carolina at night with children in the car -- insane.

> "The law should be what I think it should be, and not what it actually is" is not a valid line of argument.

Actually, one can give a court a "good faith argument for an extension, modification or reversal of existing law." That's how laws get overturned, especially when the Supreme Court is involved.

That language, by the way, is from a legal definition of 'frivolous'. Anything that doesn't fall under that good faith argument or existing law, however, is a bad idea to argue in court. But don't take my word for it. Read for yourself. Yes, I know that's only for the state of South Carolina, but that's the only link I can be bothered to Google up right now. I believe that most other jurisdictions use very similar language to describe what is not considered a frivolous argument.