Oregon punished an engineer for criticizing red-light cameras. He fought and won
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Re: Oregon punished an engineer for criticizing red-light cameras. He fought and won
#2That's just insulting... the state says they acted unconstitutionally.. so they offered him $500 -- which is just a refund of the fine he already paid -- and asked the court to dismiss the case. After he had to pay 4 years of lawyers fees, take them to court, etc. It's just a big FU, and I have no doubt they won't change a thing if they successfully get the court to dismiss it.
If the court allows this, then the state won. They've sent their message: pay the fine, or we'll fight you in court for years, force you to pay thousands to lawyers, and maybe in the end we'll give you a refund of any fine you paid if it looks like you might win.
Re: Oregon punished an engineer for criticizing red-light cameras. He fought and won
#3I hate hearing tales of how public bodies waste taxpayers money fighting cases like this instead of focussing on the actual issues themselves. Even if the public body had done nothing in this case it would have been better than suing him.
Re: Oregon punished an engineer for criticizing red-light cameras. He fought and won
#4Kudos to the engineer who decided to fight the state on its ridiculous claim. I wonder if there is anything that can be done to help avoid a repeat? It is possible for the bureaucrat(s) responsible for original decision to sue to be fired or at least demoted? If so, what would it take (media coverage, letters to lawmakers, something else)?
I am glad the results were the way they were, but without slapping someone's hand for this it will happen again next time.
Re: Oregon punished an engineer for criticizing red-light cameras. He fought and won
#5I can see how the State of Oregon would be annoyed that an unlicensed environmental engineer would be touting his engineering credentials when arguing with licensed civil engineers, especially since the State of Oregon licenses engineers.
Engineering is a field where if you mess up, people may die, so just as we license doctors, we license engineers.
Re: Oregon punished an engineer for criticizing red-light cameras. He fought and won
#6The two biggest dangers in life: scorned women and inconvenienced bureaucracies.
Re: Oregon punished an engineer for criticizing red-light cameras. He fought and won
#7I can see how the State of Oregon would be annoyed that an unlicensed environmental engineer would be touting his engineering credentials when arguing with licensed civil engineers, especially since the State of Oregon licenses engineers. Engineering is a field where if you mess up, people may die, so just as we license doctors, we license engineers.
Math is universally accepted across country lines.
Re: Oregon punished an engineer for criticizing red-light cameras. He fought and won
#8I can see how the State of Oregon would be annoyed that an unlicensed environmental engineer would be touting his engineering credentials when arguing with licensed civil engineers, especially since the State of Oregon licenses engineers. Engineering is a field where if you mess up, people may die, so just as we license doctors, we license engineers.
Engineering and medical licensing laws prohibit commercial engineering work (resp. medical practice) without a license. They don't prohibit free speech about engineering issues, and they certainly don't trump the First Amendment. Geez, HN would be illegal if you accepted that ridiculous interpretation.
Re: Oregon punished an engineer for criticizing red-light cameras. He fought and won
#9I can see how the State of Oregon would be annoyed that an unlicensed environmental engineer would be touting his engineering credentials when arguing with licensed civil engineers, especially since the State of Oregon licenses engineers. Engineering is a field where if you mess up, people may die, so just as we license doctors, we license engineers.
A traffic light camera timing problem is worst base high school math / phys (best case primary school matter). How do we need somebody "licensed" to determine it is unfair?
Re: Oregon punished an engineer for criticizing red-light cameras. He fought and won
#10The whole business of red light cameras is pretty dubious to begin with. It seems more like a tool local municipalities use to tax through traffic rather than a means of protecting public safety.
https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2013/08/13/211723717...