Posted on 07/22/2004 7:30:42 PM PDT by John Jorsett
WILMINGTON, Del. - A vanity license tag chosen as a gag has left its owner holding the bag. Jim Cara thought the "NOTAG" plate he got for his Suzuki motorcycle would give people a laugh.
Instead, he found that the laugh - along with more than 200 parking violations - was on him.
The new tag arrived in the mail Saturday, along with an avalanche of Wilmington parking violations.
"All the traffic tickets say, 'Notice of violation. License number: no tag,'" Cara explained.
Officials said city computers linked to state Division of Motor Vehicles computers finally found an address for ticketed vehicles that lacked license tags: Cara's home in Elsmere.
"I messed up the system so bad," Cara said. "I wonder if they can put me in jail or something?"
Cara, 43, who works for the American Motorcycle Association, said he's been a lifelong prankster. This time, though, "the cleanup is going to be worse than the joke," he said.
John Rago, spokesman for Wilmington Mayor James Baker, said an incorrect computer code used by the contractor that processes the city's parking violations helped land the tickets in Cara's mail. City officials plan to have it corrected, he said.
Fortunately for Cara, Wilmington appeared to be the only jurisdiction with the no-tag computer glitch, said Kelly Pitts, spokeswoman for the state Department of Transportation.
Pitts said Cara's best insurance against future problems would be to change the "NOTAG" plate.
No way, said Cara.
"I think it's awesome," he said.
Who can I turn to?
[At the motor vehicle bureau...]
Kramer: Yeah, I'm here to pick up my new plates. My name is Kramer. Cosmo
Kramer.
Clerk: Kramer.... [checks computer] All right...
Kramer: All righty...
Clerk: Sign right here, please. [hands over clipboard]
Kramer: [signs it] Okay. [The clerk hands him a manila envelope]. Thanks.
[opens up the envelope] Assman? Oh, no, these don't belong to me. I'm
not the Assman. I think there's been a mistake.
Clerk: What's your name again?
Kramer: Cosmo Kramer.
Clerk: [checks computer again] Cosmo Kramer. You *are* the Assman.
Kramer: No! I'm not the Assman.
Clerk: Well, as far as the state of New York is concerned, you are.
I remember a Texas plate: HMFIC2. Now HMFIC is an old military term (do I have to translate) but I don't see how being "number 2" could confer any status at all!
Stuck in my head? Not a problem. I love that song. Especially the piano...
Default Name BUMP! :-)
Two actually. Why?
In the number 2 would seem to contradict the claim. How can you be the #2 HMFIC?
A company in Sweeden make a great MP3 USB stick player marketed under the I-Bead name. It's a good thing.
I bought them both used if it makes you feel better. Besides, as much as I support the idea in concept, you can't isolate yourself from the products of governments you don't agree with. How many items in your home are made in communist China or muslim Indonesia and you don't even realize it?
Saabs are great cars, lots of fun, stylish, and have excellent performance. But they're a cult brand, definitely not for everyone.
I saw a Georgia tag that said NIGA. Really!
I think one of the U’s was “unified”, like United Kids For A Unified Young America
Years ago I saw a PA tag which read “WANKER”.
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