To many, the sight of an Amish buggy conjures thoughts of a simpler time, far from the worry of the modern industrialized society. But to some residents in Mayfield, Ky., they’re just annoying. “They’re constantly in your way,” said Richard Knolton as he walked in a vacant lot across the street from Mayfield’s state police headquarters “They go too slow, and you can’t see them. They’re dangerous. ” For years, Knolton has been staging a letter campaign against the Swartzentruber -- a strict Amish sect who live life like it’s the earlier 20th century, stopping time in 1913. Unfortunately to Knolton, they’re also stopping traffic. “They cause accidents. They’re a safety hazard,” he said Recently, the state police responded by trying to enforce a state law which requires all slow moving vehicles to display a brightly-colored orange triangle. It’s a symbol the Swartzentruber say violates their beliefs and lifestyle “This is an infringement on their religion,” says Bill Sharp. “The Swartzentruber Amish take a very expansive and literal interpretation of the Bible's admonition in Romans ‘to be not conformed to this world. To them that admonition requires that they reject displaying the orange triangle," he said. Sharp is an attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky, which is now representing eight Amish men who were jailed for refusing to display the triangle. “It’s a worldly symbol,” said Sharp. “Its fluorescent red and orange color is contrary to their avoidance to their displaying loud or extravagant displays of color. I understand their concerns,” said Fred Nessler, "but it’s a safety issue.” Nessler is a state Representative from Mayfield and he says religion or not, the Amish must use the triangle.
I'm not religious in the least bit but I already know there's a 99.9 percent chance I'm going to hell. But when I do go to hell I dam well know I at least got my moneys worth. Not these poor Amish bros. Going to jail because its against their religion to put a florescent triangle on a buggy? Son of a bitch. If that gets you on gods shit list then I wouldn't last one minute as an Amish dude. Do you want to go to jail or do you want to go to hell in about 40 years? Sorry god, I'm putting that orange triangle on my buggy so fast it will make your head spin. That fuckin butter isn't going to churn itself.
He Fred Nessler, calm the fuck down dude. You ever been to Martha's Vineyard? You want dangerous traffic problems? Try 10 college bros on rented mopeds, driving 30 MPH on the side of the road doing wheelies while a line of about 20 cars filled with pissed off tourists drive along behind them. Come talk to me after you experience that shit.
Its a friggin horse and carriage. Deal with it it.
Its a friggin horse and carriage. Deal with it it.
