The following story made AOL news headlines today. Seriously, folks.
Now, what does it have to do with Buddhism? Not a damn thing. But I just thought everyone should know, as soon as possible, that "the chicken thing has nothing to do with the motorcycle thing."
RIDGECREST, Calif. (May 9) - Linc and Helena Moore may have finally learned the answer to that age-old question: Why did the chicken cross the road? Because the chicken doesn't know jaywalking is illegal.
Kern County Sheriff's Deputy J. Nicholson does know, however. The deputy issued a ticket on March 26 to one of the couple's chickens for impeding traffic on a road in Johannesburg, a rural mining community southeast of Ridgecrest.
The Moores arrived in Superior Court on Friday to plead not guilty to their chicken's alleged transgression. A trial was scheduled for May 16.
Nicholson has declined to discuss the matter, but sheriff's Sgt. Francis Moore said chickens on the roadway have been a problem in the community of 50 residents. Officials didn't believe it could be resolved by simply issuing the couple a warning.
''Sometimes you have to let people talk to the judge,'' Moore said.
The chicken's owners say they believe they were cited because they were among several people who complained that sheriff's deputies haven't done enough to control off-road vehicle riders who damage roads and create dust and noise in their neighborhood.
Sheriff's officials say that isn't so, adding they are doing what they can to keep off-roaders away from the area's homes.
''The chicken thing has nothing to do with the motorcycle thing,'' Moore said.
05-09-05 12:44 EDT
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You've aready heard my take on it. I'm with Moore on this one, the motorcycle thing is entirely another matter.
Posted by: chikushonin 智倶諸人 at May 9, 2005 10:17 PMQueen Lolo -
If the chicken ends up in court, I hope someone's dog gets called for jury duty.
Namaste, Engyo Mike Barrett
Posted by: Engyo Mike Barrett at May 10, 2005 01:06 PMQueen Lolo!
This is a hoot! Having spent the last 11 years living in the Central Valley- first Bakersfield (Kern County) now Modesto (Stanislaus County), this news feature seems pretty par for the course.
Ticketing Jaywalking Chickens- definitely a critical law enforcement issue in the land of Methamphetamine. Besides one cannot get in the way of one's neighbor making dust and noise.
Mimi
Living in the land of REALLY big trucks that are family cars
Posted by: Mimi at May 10, 2005 06:47 PM