Loophole in License Law Saves Gov. (Schwarzenegger)

[Scurrilous]

Schwarzenegger lacks M1 designation, but he wasn't given a ticket because his motorcycle had a sidecar at the time of Sunday's crash.

<snip>

"Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has been riding his motorcycle without the proper license for years but was operating within the law Sunday, when he was in a crash, his spokeswoman said Monday.

The spokeswoman, Margita Thompson, said the governor does not hold an M1 endorsement on his driver's license, which is required for operating a motorcycle.

"He acknowledges he needs to get one," Thompson said.

But on Sunday, the governor was saved by a sidecar, Thompson said.

Schwarzenegger was riding his Harley-Davidson with his 12-year-old son, Patrick, in the sidecar when they were hit by a car pulling out of a driveway in the 2100 block of Mandeville Canyon Road in Brentwood. The presence of the sidecar made the bike a three-wheeled vehicle, which Schwarzenegger was entitled to drive with his regular Class C driver's license, Thompson said."


more

[barbaraann]

1. " I never stick to the rules." direct quote from article

Of course, rules are for the little people, not Republicans.

[truthisfreedom]

2. what a fine example of his continuing family values!

it's nearly perfect! just like bush, he's above the law, and proud of it. what a fine example to 'thug children everywhere... if you're a 'thug you can get away with murder.

[Patchuli]

35. From what I hear

the Gropenator is not that 'big!' heheeee And wears lifts in his cowboy boots.

[auburngrad82]

3. It seems all Republicans are above the law.

http:/www.cafepress.com/opposingforces

[rodeodance]

4. these 'rules' are confusing but commonsence tells the intent of the

law was meant to include motorcyles==side car or not. Oh well.

.....The governor was not cited in Sunday's accident. Law enforcement officials offered mixed assessments of his position, which was first reported by KFI-AM (640), citing different provisions of the California vehicle code.

One section of the code defines a motorcycle as "any motor vehicle … designed to travel on not more than three wheels."

But a separate section on licenses says that only "two-wheeled motorcycles" are excluded from the class of vehicles for which a Class C license is inadequate. It goes on to say that the Class M1 license is required for operation of "two-wheeled motorcycles or a motor-driven cycle."

The section makes no reference to sidecars.

As for the governor, at an appearance Monday morning, he made light of the accident and his injury. The fat lip he was sporting wasn't a fashion statement, he said.

[Nomen Tuum]

5. ONCE Again, IOKIYAR!

I'M TIRED OF REPUBLICANS ALLOWED SPECIAL RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES!

[Toots]

6. When we accept law breaking by our leaders, no matter how trivial we are a

LAWLESS NATION.......Corruption is rampant and Americans love it.

[Ian David]

7. Sidecars are for girlie-men. I bet Der Gropenfuherer even wears a helmet

[Patchuli]

34. He has to, we have the helmet law too

but I think it'd be the right thing for him to do to obtain a license before operating a bike. He breaks the law and it's not big deal? Does that go for us as well?

[Ian David]

53. I bet he got novacaine for his stitches, though. Girlie-man. n/t

[Patchuli]

63. I hope the doctor was rough! hehee nt

[Justitia]

8. What about his last motorcycle crash? Why are rethugs above the law? -nt

[shanti]

9. aren't sidecars removable?

:shrug:

[melm00se]

11. yes, but

it is a PITA...and the bike looks like crap...

as to helmets: only a fool would ride sans helmet...

[HuffleClaw]

10. well, that and the fact he WASN'T

a non-wealthy person of colour.

[Judi Lynn]

12. Schwarzenegger says he never thought to get motorcycle license

Schwarzenegger says he never thought to get motorcycle license

Tuesday, January 10, 2006
Schwarzenegger says he never thought to get motorcycle license
(01-10) 15:02 PST SACRAMENTO, (AP) --


Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, a Harley Davidson owner who rides regularly with friends along the California coast, said Tuesday that he never bothered to obtain a California motorcycle license because he "never thought about it."


"I just never really applied for it," he told reporters during a state budget briefing. "It was just one of those things that I never really did."


Schwarzenegger needed 15 stitches to repair a cut lip he suffered in a motorcycle accident on Sunday. He collided with a car while riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle near his Los Angeles home. His 12-year-old son, Patrick, was riding in a sidecar.


Schwarzenegger's press secretary, Margita Thompson, said the governor's Class C driver's license allows him to drive a motorcycle with a sidecar. But she conceded he probably took years of illegal motorcycle rides because he lacked the M-1 or M-2 endorsement on his license to legally drive a two-wheel motorcycle on the street.
(snip/...)

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2006/01/10/state/n150229S75.DTL

[SlipperySlope]

13. Hopefully he will pass a law eliminating the need for ALL licenses.

Driving is a right, not a privilege, and the whole "licensing" scheme should be dropped.

[baldguy]

21. Sarcasm, I hope?

We've got enough asshats on the street who *have* licenses who can't operate a vehicle. If the minor supervision the states impose on drivers is eliminated, then I'll pick up a Sherman tank and get rid of my Monte Carlo.

[tularetom]

22. Couldn't agree more

I remember the controversy in CA over issuing drivers licenses to illegal immigrants. My point was goddammit, why should illegal immigrants get all the breaks by not having to have a license. That right should apply to all of us. Pissed a lot of people off when I said it - mostly people who "wanted the government off their back", or so they said.

[superconnected]

41. I've ALWAYS been pissed when I've seen the driving is a privlege

sign at the dmv. You're the only other persons who's acknowleged the problem.

When I was in HS I kept asking people what they thought of it and all took the stance that the sign was no problem. I coudn't get why they never grasped the concept. Thanks, I've literally been waiting 20 years for someone to grasp it.

[LisaM]

59. Please. No one is born learning how to drive.

Poor drivers should not be licensed, period. I'm tired of crappy drivers, who seem to be untrained, tailgating, changing lanes without turning, speeding, you name it. Cars are equivalent to weapons.

If you want to eliminate money from the equation (provide free training and tests) fine, but not everyone is capable of driving.

[superconnected]

61. voting is a priviledge, not a right in the united states.

Do you like the sound of that?

Perhaps you would like it better if voting were a right that should be regulated?

If thats the case then maybe you could apply that to driving.

I was complementing this person for grasping that.

[LisaM]

62. I don't think they are remotely similar.

If I make a mistake voting, it's not going to kill or injure anyone.

I think everyone has the right to the privilege of driving, but by your logic, 87-year old half blind people should be behind the wheel. Did you see the video of that woman slamming into three pedestrians yesterday? 89 years old and no license. Does she have the right to do that?

[superconnected]

64. I suppose I should have said guns are a privlege not a right

but I still don't think you'd get it.

[LisaM]

68. I certainly get what you're saying but I just don't agree

Some people lose the right to own guns (as they should) and I certainly don't believe that people should operate guns without demonstrating the ability to use them and having a license. But them, I'm not a Libertarian and you seem like one. If you want to talk about "rights" vs. "privilege", make the opportunity to become licensed free and available to all. But I don't think just anyone should be able to get in a car and drive if they feel like it. In fact, my partner's father had a driver's license far longer than he should have (bad driver to begin with, and has seizures) and sure enough, one day he had a seizure as he was driving, hit a pole, and remembered nothing of the incident. Yet within weeks he had a new car and was driving again. You think that's all right? Well, I don't. In fact, last year he was living in a facility and his family had ill-advisedly gotten him one of those scooters, which he promptly drove into a table of elderly diners, knocking it all over. He could have seriously hurt someone. He does not have the RIGHT to do that, though he clearly has given himself license to behave in this manner.

I remember working on a political campaign years ago and I was making phone calls, and out of the blue, some crankly man said, "Does he (candidate) believe in personal rights for everyone? For EVERYONE?" I couldn't speak to every single issue, but I said that I was sure he did, and then it turned out this guy was talking about motorcycle helmets! (He didn't think he should have to wear one.) I couldn't speak for the candidate, but I took his number and said the candidate would call back (which he did) but it certainly gave me an insight into what matters to some people and what they believe. And, for the record, I think helmets should be required.

[chelsea0011]

14. Are you shi&ing me? This asswipe has been driving without a license

and thus without insurance for years? Where's the Attorney General in this?

[noamnety]

18. It's not that big a deal

He's one of the elite; laws don't apply to him.

[flordehinojos]

26. my thoughts exactly in this two tiered u.s.a. schwarzenneger is above the

law! (two tiered u.s.a. ... are we fast becoming a caste system in these here u.s.a.?--we are becoming something that's for sure)!

[Richard Steele]

15. Just another law-abiding Republican. Why am I not surprised? nm

[bahrbearian]

16. Well at least he is using a legitimate excuse,,,." I never thought"

[chelsea0011]

20. That reminds me of the old Steve Martin routine about not

paying your taxes and you just need to say two magic words if caught. "I forgot".

[bahrbearian]

24. I'm sure both excuses work well for Arnie

[maxanne]

17. hoo boy

Yet another Republican for whom the laws of our nation do not apply.

[WhereThereIsFire]

19. Just another basic scoff-law, eh?

:dem:

[xchrom]

23. speaks volumes doesn't it -- "never thought about it."?

[Dead_Parrot]

25. He's always had a stunt double to do his thinking for him... nt

[Canuckistanian]

28. You could probably fill a room..

...with things he never thought about.

[xchrom]

33. lol

:rofl:

[medeak]

27. can't wait to forward to rightwing biker buds n/t

[daleo]

29. He scoffs at the law

Meanwhile, regular people have been arrested, imprisoned and/or shot for less (for example, trying to get off a plane in Florida or eating potato chips on a subway in Washington).

[MisterP]

30. whaddya expect from a woman-groping, chimney-toppling, roid-addled,

working-on-a-student-visa, tangelo-hued, Sieg-heiling, boob-squeezing, broke-livered, -hearted, -brained, Nazist-leaning, Liebkind-resembling nipply old geezer?

[still_one]

31. bull you need a class M license in California to dirve a cylce

He is the frickn' govenor, and he never bothered???

[Rex]

32. Never thought of it, eh muscle head?

Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to introduce a man in charge of an economy bigger than Frances. I give you governor 'gee just slipped my mind' Swollenpecker!

[cosmicone]

36. Police: Schwarzenegger Riding Illegally

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060111/ap_on_re_us/schwarzenegger_license_4;_ylt=AnnM_VoF1VAebKULC1XDYxftPRYi;_ylu=X3oDMTBiMW04NW9mBHNlYwMlJVRPUCUl

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger was riding his motorcycle illegally over the weekend when he collided with a car in his Los Angeles neighborhood, police said Tuesday.

Los Angeles Police Lt. Paul Vernon said Schwarzenegger does not have the proper endorsement on his California driver's license to operate a motorcycle.

Vernon said police did not ticket the governor for a violation because they arrived after the accident, which caused Schwarzenegger to suffer a cut on his upper lip that required 15 stitches.

Instead, officers referred their findings to the Los Angeles city attorney's office, which will determine whether the governor should be cited for an infraction. Driving a motorcycle without the proper license can result in fines ranging from $100 to $250 or more.

[Lost-in-FL]

37. Can you impeach a felon?

[Newsjock]

38. Didn't he have his kid in the sidecar?

Doesn't that make it child endangerment? Who will call Child Protective Services?

[qanda]

39. And child endangerment

For putting his kid in harm's way.

[wordpix]

56. maybe Maria is beginning to wonder at Ahnold, now that he almost killed

their son

[rocktivity]

42. Let's see if he has enough class to admit guilt and pay the fine

Earlier Tuesday, Schwarzenegger acknowledged that he never bothered to obtain a motorcycle license because he "never thought about it."

...Vernon said police did not ticket the governor for a violation because they arrived after the accident...Instead, officers referred their findings to the Los Angeles city attorney's office, which will determine whether the governor should be cited for an infraction. Driving a motorcycle without the proper license can result in fines ranging from $100 to $250 or more.
Whoops, there goes another bullshit meter... :nuke:

He didn't have the endorsement, and he ADMITS he didn't have the endorsement--what is there to determine? And are there any California DU-ers who can attest to it being standard police policy to NOT issue tickets if there's been an accident, not to mention if "I never thought about it" is a legal excuse for not being properly licensed?

:eyes:
rocknation

[anotherdrew]

44. too bad

this ass in a motorcycle accident and all he gets is 15 stitches... so sad... I sure hope he keeps riding though.

[bufffbison]

47. actually im glad that was all he had.. his child was in the sidecar

better luck nextime, without the child being with him of course.

[anotherdrew]

52. that's terrible taking his kid in that, he can't even control the bike!

[wordpix]

57. that's it, $100-250 for driving a motorcycle illegally? Geez, you would

think that with the hours it takes to scrape a body off the road in some of these accidents and investigate in general, they'd fine someone more than that.

[Lost-in-FL]

40. Ahhnold: Everyone is breaking the law... why not me?

:eyes: At least he is not money laundering.

[bufffbison]

43. Shouldn't this be consider child endangerment?

considering he didn't have licence and his child was in the sidecar?

[anotherdrew]

45. yeah but...

he's not black and is rich so... why the hell did they not give him a ticket? That's nuts.

[bufffbison]

46. can't i just call a california police dept and file a child endangerment?

i believe under california law, it is mandated by all citizens of california to report all cases of suspected child abuse, neglect or endangerment?

[kskiska]

Police: Schwarzenegger Riding Illegally

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger was riding his motorcycle illegally over the weekend when he collided with a car in his Los Angeles neighborhood, police said Tuesday.

Los Angeles Police Lt. Paul Vernon said Schwarzenegger does not have the proper endorsement on his California driver's license to operate a motorcycle.

(snip)

Earlier Tuesday, Schwarzenegger acknowledged that he never bothered to obtain a motorcycle license because he ``never thought about it.''

``I just never really applied for it,'' he told reporters during a state budget briefing. ``It was just one of those things that I never really did.''

more…
http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-5537796,00.html

[rsmith6621]

48. Bush Never thinks about.....

Osama.......I guess its a PUG thing not to think?

[roguevalley]

49. Oh? Kewl. Book him anyway, Danno.

[wake.up.america]

50. Now, what will happen to Arnold? I assume others would be heavily fined.

[tmooses]

51. It must of been the "Austrian Arnold" that was riding the bike-the one

that lost the debate with the US Arnold about the death penalty.

[rinsd]

60. CHP apparently feels differently.....

"Spokesmen for the California Highway Patrol and state Department of Motor Vehicles said their agencies reached the same conclusion as Thompson after checking the state Vehicle Code.

``We're not criticizing the LAPD,'' Tom Marshall, a CHP spokesman, said after learning of the Los Angeles Police Department's finding. ``We haven't seen the report. ... But that's how we read the Vehicle Code as applying.''

This doesn't make sense. Why would the LAPD not issue a ticket because they arrived after the accident? Does the LAPD have some division of "pre-crime" that arrive during accidents or before them?

[nolabels]

66. It's just one of things, I ignore the laws when they suit my purpose

Yea Meat-head, mostly John Q. Public does the same also. Really though as far as safety on the highway goes it does not really matter, a scofflaw is a scofflaw. The thing about attempting to do it legally as opposed to just doing it shines a light onto where the guy's head really is.

[leesa]

54. How nice. Anyone else would have got ticketed.

[Stockholm]

55. He is truly a role model

n/t

[DiverDave]

58. God DAMN, the sense of entitlement

is staggering!
Of course he doesn't need a license, rich assholes of EVERY stripe think they are above the law.
I'm sure, that with a little digging, someone could find a photo of arnie riding his bike sans sidecar.
Wouldn't THAT prove he was riding without a license?

Oh, he got off on a technicality, a sidecar makes it a "3wheeled" vehicle...don't need a M endorsement for that...
Oh, and someone from California SHOULD call and complain that he was endangering a minor.

[Judi Lynn]

65. Update 6: No Charges Against Schwarzenegger in Crash

Update 6: No Charges Against Schwarzenegger in Crash
By MICHAEL R. BLOOD , 01.11.2006, 09:15 PM

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's weekend motorcycle crash left him with a fat lip and a political black eye, but he won't be charged with a driving violation, officials said Wednesday.

Schwarzenegger was on his Harley-Davidson, with his 12-year-old son in a sidecar, when he collided Sunday with a car on a winding canyon road. Police said he was driving without a license, but the city attorney declined to file any charges after reviewing the accident report.

"The city attorney will not file any charges," said Officer Grace Brady, a police spokeswoman. Even though police concluded he was unlicensed, the department "cannot go back and cite the governor because we did not witness the driving."

The low-speed accident turned into a political embarrassment for the governor, who acknowledged he had driven a motorcycle for years without the proper license. He told reporters he "never thought about it.
(snip/...)

http://www.forbes.com/home/feeds/ap/2006/01/11/ap2444255.html

[txindy]

67. That "never thought about it" quote is a great soundbite for competitors

That should be used over and over again in commercials.

Question: "Governor, will you protect the interests of people in this state?"

Answer: "I never thought about it."

Question: "Governor, do you believe you are above the law?"

Answer: "I never thought about it."

Oh, yeah, that'll work.