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Re: lv-ab: Melbourne Anchoring Ordinance

From: Tom (no email)
Date: Fri Oct 06 2006 - 13:34:08 EDT

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    Sam,

    This is certainly not directed at you as a critisism, but you have been
    treated to a picture-book example of burecratic double-speak.

    Here is how they manipulated you, all the while seeming to be
    sympathetic. (This was first class manipulation, by the way, very well
    done for small town politicians, but I digress.)

    See below:

    At 11:24 PM 10/5/2006, Sam Densler wrote:
    >Looks like we finally have the City's attention over the anchoring
    >ordinance. I have been told that the ordinance is not even enforced
    >unless there is a complaint.

    Which places the boater in the clutches of any moron with a
    telephone. Let's see... "I hate Sam, and I happen to know he is anchored
    out at (fill in the name of city here), so I'll just call the cops there
    and complain."

    >I have also been told that they cannot remember the last time a citation
    >was written for an offense. They are concerned that we are exaggerating
    >claims of abuse. They want to get the truth so they can address the issue
    >and change the ordinance to something that keeps the derelict boats from
    >being left at anchor while also allowing responsible boaters to anchor
    >where they choose.

    Ah, the arbitrary law, randomly enforced. Enough to warm the hearts of
    law-abusers everywhere.

    Let's re-word this:

    "We have a law that says we can shoot undesirables on sight. It is up to
    us to determine who is an undesirable. We won't tell you. Oh, by the way,
    any anonymous phone caller can report you as an undesirable, so we will
    also shoot you then. HOWEVER, this occurs so seldom we are amazed you are
    so ungrateful as to complain about it. The problem is OBVIOUSLY yours, not
    ours. No one here ever complained, just you. YOU ARE EXAGGERATING."

    So now we need someone to stand up and take a bullet before they will be
    convinced they are doing something wrong. Any volunteers?

    The problem is placed back on the shoulders of those who point it out, not
    those idiots responsible for enacting the moronic law in the first place.

    >The Chamber would like specific details regarding actual incidents that
    >have occurred so that they can present them to the City Manager. He is
    >very interested in hearing of any incidents or abuses.

    "Will all those that have been shot, please step forward and complain. We
    will be happy to un-shoot you as soon as your complaint winds its way
    through our bureaucracy. See us in 2 or 3 years for an answer."

    Sam, I wish you luck in your endeavors. Stupid laws CAN be changed. The
    expense of effort and will is tremendous however, and the outcome always
    uncertain. Further, any change now is at the tender mercy of those
    bureaucrats that come later, so it is an on-going battle.

    It is MUCH easier for people that can just buy their politicians
    outright. A bought politician will stick to you and your cause like a
    limpet. You couldn't shake'em off if you tried. Unfortunately, people in
    transit are seldom willing to buy their very own local politician as the
    expense mounts up.

    Tom

    Tom & Jackie O'Meara
    ex-Seaskate, Searunner 40 Tri

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