Posted on 06/06/2002 1:29:17 PM PDT by NYer
EBENSBURG, Pa. (AP) _ A judge ruled an ultraconservative Amish congregation must use orange-and-red reflective triangles on their buggies, symbols the group says violate their beliefs against gaudy decorations and against placing their faith in man-made symbols before God.
Donna Doblick, the Pittsburgh attorney representing the Swartzentruber Amish for free, said she'll appeal the ruling to Pennsylvania Superior Court. That means the $95 fines assessed to 20 sect members for failing to use the slow-moving vehicle symbols will be held in abeyance until the appeal is heard.
Also, the Swartz'ntruber, who said they'll leave Pennsylvania if they lose the case, will likely remain near Nicktown, about 65 miles east of Pittsburgh, while the appeal is heard, Doblick said. Instead of the triangles, the Swartzentruber prefer to use a gray reflective tape and a lantern on the rear of their buggies. The gray tape is legal in nine states for use on slow moving vehicles, including Ohio, where the sect lived until two years ago.
But Cambria County Judge Timothy Creany ruled that the state can abridge the Swartzentruber's religious beliefs because it has a ``compelling interest'' _ namely, keeping the Amish and other vehicles safe on public roads. Creany relied on testimony given last month by state transportation experts, who said the triangles are more visible than the tape during thE dqy _ when statistics show about 61 percent of all vehicle-buggy accidents occur.
Doblick said those statistics don't prove anything, however, because they don't show how the accidents occurred or who was at fault. ``There's no evidence any of those crashes were from the rear (where the reflective symbols are mounted on buggies), or a lack of visibility,'' Doblick said. ``There's no evidence that any of those crashes could have been prevented by bathing the vehicle in color.''
The Cambria County District Attorney's Office didn't immediately return calls for comment on the decision.
AP-ES-06-06-02 1606EDT
Because when the Amish started out a few hundred years ago in Germany, moustaches were associated with the military. Since the Amish beliefs told them to avoid the military profession they also avoided the moustaches. That is why there are no Amish with moustaches.
As I walk through the valley where I harvest my grain
I take a look at my wife and realize she's very plain
But that's just perfect for an Amish like me
You know, I shun fancy things like electricity
At 4:30 in the morning I'm milkin' cows
Jebediah feeds the chickens and Jacob plows... fool
And I've been milkin' and plowin' so long that
Even Ezekiel thinks that my mind is gone
I'm a man of the land, I'm into discipline
Got a Bible in my hand and a beard on my chin
But if I finish all of my chores and you finish thine
Then tonight we're gonna party like it's 1699
We been spending most our lives
Living in an Amish paradise
I've churned butter once or twice
Living in an Amish paradise
It's hard work and sacrifice
Living in an Amish paradise
We sell quilts at discount price
Living in an Amish paradise
A local boy kicked me in the butt last week
I just smiled at him and turned the other cheek
I really don't care, in fact I wish him well
'Cause I'll be laughing my head off when he's burning in hell
But I ain't never punched a tourist even if he deserved it
An Amish with a 'tude? You know that's unheard of
I never wear buttons but I got a cool hat
And my homies all I agree I look good in black... fool
If you come to visit, you'll be bored to tears
We haven't even paid the phone bill in 300 years
But we ain't really quaint, so please don't point and stare
We're just technologically impaired
There's no phone, no lights, no motorcar
Not a single luxury
Like Robinson Caruso
It's as primitave as can be
We been spending most our lives
Living in an Amish paradise
We're just plain and simple guys
Living in an Amish paradise
There's no time for sin and vice
Living in an Amish paradise
We don't fight, we all play nice
Living in an Amish paradise
Hitchin' up the buggy, churnin' lots of butter
Raised a barn on Monday, soon I'll raise another
Think you're really rightous? Think you're pure in heart?
Well, I know I'm a million times as humble as thou art
I'm the pious guy the little Amlettes wanna be like
On my knees day and night scorin' points for the afterlife
So don't be vain and don't be whiny
Or else, my brother, I might just have to get medieval on your heinie
We been spending most our lives
Living in an Amish paradise
We're all crazy Mennonites
Living in an Amish paradise
There's no cops or traffic lights
Living in an Amish paradise
But you'd probably think it bites
Living in an Amish paradise
Do they do bar mitzvahs?
Extremely funny stuff.
Yep
This thread is incomplete. It needs some Amish recipes.
Unclear on the Concept
In May, Scripps Howard News Service profiled former lawyer James Kelley of Washington, D.C., one of a small group at his local church who are enthusiastic Episcopalians but who do not believe in God. Said Kelley, "We all love the incense, the stained glass windows, the organ music, the vestments, and all of that. It's drama. It's aesthetics. It's the ritual. That's neat stuff. I don't want to give all that up, just because I don't believe in God."
Weird News, 1997
If I am not mistaken, Pennsylvania law states that motor vehicles are to yield right of way to horse drawn buggies and that the operators have to conceal the vehicle off th roads with whatever means necessary so as to not spook the horses.
---max
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