a victory for america

Attn: City of Bloomington Traffic Department – 11/03/08

    It is with cautious optimism that I submit herein my appeal, relying on the grace and generosity of strangers in that they may tread lightly on my hopes. While I can hardly argue that my vehicle in question was parked by a curb for slightly longer than what some may say was the alloted time, I suggest that declaring me in contrast to the law is unnecessary and decidedly unpatriotic, given my work during those two hours in question. Men and women, our brothers and fathers in uniform and many before us have given their lives to protect our right to vote and express our opinion in true democratic value, and I saw no greater use of my time than to traverse the local community and encourage residents to exercise their rights in kind. You see, I view my civic duty as extending far past submitting my own vote, but also as to invite those around me to do the same, so that all are equal and counted. So when I saw the parking lot of the local political volunteer office completely full (and being unfamiliar with the area and other local parking opportunities), I knew I could let nothing stand in my way to complete my patriotic work. After all, as JFK once told our nation, “Ask not what America can do for you, but what you can do for America.”
    And yet now I stand here, having gone out and asked what I could do for America, and seen fit to go and do exactly that, and having completed that I find the true extent of what America can and do for me: punish me, fine me, and criticize me for only trying to help. Am I to think my time spent volunteering is for naught, and that in the future I should just stay at home? That cities would rather see its streets free of parked cars than waves of educated, enthusiastic voters? I know which America I would rather see, and I hope that you think deeply about which America you’d rather be a part of. In conclusion, though my ticket may only be for $15, I see this as an assault on my basic principles and ethics. I appeal this ticket with my forefathers in mind, knowing they too would park alongside that curb, and stay for as long as they needed to ensure America remained such a beautiful place. Thank you for your time.

 

 

CITY OF BLOOMINGTON PARKING CITATION APPEAL

Neil,
Your citation for overtime parking on 11/1/08 has been
(patrioticly!)dismissed as a warning. Sincerely,

***** ********
Office of the City Clerk
Bloomington, Indiana
812-349-****