I'm a "Rule-Follower". Am I a champ or a chump?

wilberfan@lemmy.world to Asklemmy@lemmy.ml – 83 points –

I wait for the WALK sign, I keep it to no more than 5 mph over the speed limit, I use my blinkers, I never jump the line, I keep to the watering schedule, pass the SMOG test every other year, file accurate tax returns...

Champ...or Chump?

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You're neither champ nor chump. But I would advise you to be a little less rigid because some laws SHOULD be broken. I even had a judge once tell me this. I was arrested for a misdemeanor for providing food and water to the homeless when I was living in Arizona. I was careful not to resist knowing that this fight belonged in the courtroom. At the time I could not afford a private attorney so one was assigned to me who advised me to plead guilty and accept the fine and 30 days in jail. Thankfully, the judge overseeing my arraignment simply dismissed the case out of hand. His words were

Off the record - Young man, some laws are meant to be broken. I applaud your for choosing the right one. On the record - I am dropping the charges and dismissing this case. Furthermore, I am ordering that the arrest record be sealed by the court. This young man presents absolutely no danger to public health, safety or morals. In fact, he did the very charitable thing to help those in need and this is an American value that has no business being criminalized. I do not see making employment difficult for him based on a charitable act.

They have a law against giving food to homeless people? That seems like a conflict with the ICESCR, which the U.S. has signed.

No, the law is against "distributing food without a permit" ... which does essentially bar people from giving food to homeless people outside of a soup kitchen or something. But yeah, it's still a shitty law.

The US violating international law? I’m shocked, shocked I tell you.