Free Bird? Mizzou Man Given Ticket for Flipping Off Another Driver
- Posted on June 30, 2011 at 3:43pm by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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When St. Louis-area resident Steve Pogue got caught at a green light because another driver stopped in the middle of the intersection, he got frustrated. That frustration led to a gesture. That gesture, believe it or not, led to a ticket.
The “gesture” was the middle finger, and Pogue flashed it to the other driver in April. Now, he’s fighting the ticket he got as a result of it.
After flipping his finger, a police officer pulled him over and charged him under an obscure ordinance that says drivers are only allowed to have their arms outside their vehicles if they are signaling. Ironically, though, Pogue says that’s exactly what he was doing:
Pogue is challenging the ticket on free speech grounds, and he cited a similar case in Pittsburgh as precedent.
“They threw it out at the U.S. District court (level) as a violation of freedom of speech,” he told KMOX-RADIO.
(H/T: Gateway Pundit)
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Comments (112)
Slobaphobe
Posted on June 30, 2011 at 4:56pm“But your Honor, this IS the ‘Show Me State’!”
Report Post »melmatmic
Posted on June 30, 2011 at 4:54pmMy wife saw a man throw a bowl of Cheerios (with milk) on a guy’s windshield on the central expressway parkinglot in Dallas one day. She laughed all the way to work.
Report Post »cmabillm12
Posted on June 30, 2011 at 5:12pmA waste of good cherios!!!
Report Post »3monkeysmomma
Posted on June 30, 2011 at 4:40pmI do’t normally make that gesture, but I would tell the judge “I want just pointing up at the traffic light”
Report Post »EveLeRieux
Posted on June 30, 2011 at 4:39pmI remember when Obama was flipping Hillary the finger. Can we impeach him NOW???
Report Post »chips1
Posted on June 30, 2011 at 4:39pmTOMFERRARI:
Report Post »Your comment where you stated that smaller towns buy older trucks and they work fine. I agree with you however; the Libs are promoting Global Warming and their concept is that fires are hotter today than they used to be.
Rstryker27
Posted on June 30, 2011 at 4:34pmSome people really need to be signaled that they are driving like morons and that it’s negatively affecting other drivers.Maybe they will think more about their actions. I’m not saying that he SHOULD have given the one figure salute , but I understand.
Report Post »24 Liberty
Posted on June 30, 2011 at 4:33pmYes, the local fuzz is busy fighting this type of crime in the city streets, In the meantime, you cannot park your car and go to a sporting event without being rewarded by having it busted into; — and you cannot take their crappy train, due to the “youths” running wild and rolling people.
But, yes, by all means, get your panties in a wad over bad manners. Idiots
Report Post »bringiton
Posted on June 30, 2011 at 4:29pmI better be careful. I do it uncontrolably every time I see that commie’s name on a bumpersticker!
Report Post »MarinesNolikeyObama
Posted on June 30, 2011 at 5:15pmYou don’t see too many of those bumper stickers anymore though since all those clunkers got traded in!
Report Post »chips1
Posted on June 30, 2011 at 4:28pmSince moving to Missouri I’ve noticed that the police are only here to generate revenue for their towns or cities. They sit in a spot just to use radar that tells them they can issue a ticket. Never see an officer stopping someone for following too closely because that would require observation and judgement which apparently is not a requirement. This state needs a complete law enforcement overhaul. That’s not going to happen. Worng people are in charge.
Report Post »ICEDRAGONNITE
Posted on June 30, 2011 at 4:25pmSkip the finger. GIVE EM THE WHOLE ARM AND HAND.
Report Post »24 Liberty
Posted on June 30, 2011 at 4:18pmAhhhh….The People’s Republic of St. Louis, no surprise here. Am curious though, what color is the perp and the “victim”?
Report Post »CS_GUY
Posted on June 30, 2011 at 4:17pmSt. Louis cop needs to chill…….or get a life. Almost funny when you think about it……Candid Camera!
Report Post »satotbs
Posted on June 30, 2011 at 4:14pmThat made me laugh very hard, thanks man, and the post before yours was funny too. We need more humor here.
Report Post »Jaycen
Posted on June 30, 2011 at 4:12pmSt. Louis drivers are horrible – running red lights, not stopping for stop signs and tailgaiting are common issues here.
I live outside the county, and the closer to the city you go, the worse it gets. I do everything I can to avoid crossing the bridge. It’s funny, I hear St. Louis county residents complain that people outside the county don’t like to come in and they attribute our reluctance to racism. It really isn’t, I just dislike all the rude drivers.
Oh yeah, and the Progressive policies that drove 8 of the largest companies in the area to flee to Kansas City and Atlanta. Good job Freeman Bosley, Jr.
Report Post »Drum Man
Posted on June 30, 2011 at 4:08pmHold up 3 fingers, and tell them to read between the lines. Problem solved.
Report Post »USACommoner
Posted on June 30, 2011 at 4:25pm“Keep hands and arms inside ride at all times…” Flip someone off through your windshield an‘ they gots nuthin’.
Report Post »texasfarmer
Posted on June 30, 2011 at 4:03pmShould have given it to him in stereo.
Report Post »atechgeek
Posted on June 30, 2011 at 4:00pmThis doesn’t deserve a ticket BUT what did telling the other driver he was number one solve ? Nothing !! Take the high road and manipulate the low road in the process.
Report Post »turkey13
Posted on June 30, 2011 at 6:32pmKinda interesting – can’t find it in my dictonary. Of course I try to avoid Missouri since the last time I went thru St. Louis with the start of a New Moon – I think every one in town thought it was full. Missouri has that ediot congresswoman who use to always run in to obama’s butt when he stopped. Now I think of it I haven’t seen her lately. Maybe her nose crusted over and she did her self in.
Report Post »TheDebtWeAllPay
Posted on June 30, 2011 at 3:58pmIm flipping the bird right now
Report Post »SAYNOTOSOCIALISM
Posted on June 30, 2011 at 3:57pmBack in the 80′s a friend of mine got the same exact ticket… officer said it was a class 4 misdemeanor
Report Post »Arizona Don
Posted on June 30, 2011 at 4:21pmAs one who was attached to law enforcement for 8 years (until I got smart) I will tell you there are many great people working in law enforcement and there are hot dogs also. Luckily there are not very many hot dogs.
Report Post »stheide1
Posted on June 30, 2011 at 4:27pmWhat happened? Please do explain.
Report Post »melmatmic
Posted on June 30, 2011 at 4:50pmA friend of mine back in high school got cited for making an obscene gesture at a cop. Apparently there was a law in Tennessee at the time. However, it was only one of eight citations he got for the one incident. One incident that went about 20 miles after curfew, under age and under the influence. I take it back, he wasn’t my friend, he was my classmate. His dad made him sell the roadrunner after that!!!!
Report Post »Talmid of Yeshua
Posted on June 30, 2011 at 3:55pmI hope the guy gets the ticket revoked.
I’m so tired of teh nanny state, PC, liberal U.S.S.A. that we are living in.
Report Post »teddrunk
Posted on June 30, 2011 at 3:51pmIf an accident caused me the loss of both middle fingers, I’d be speechless.
Report Post »USACommoner
Posted on June 30, 2011 at 4:15pm…and maybe eligible for a disability check…
Report Post »Jenny Lind
Posted on June 30, 2011 at 4:22pmo.k. that moved it from giggles to real laughter!
Report Post »okbroomrider
Posted on June 30, 2011 at 5:02pmTed..Good One! .you just caused me to spew Rush’s Two if by Tea through my nose!
Report Post »saneasylum
Posted on July 1, 2011 at 1:42amThats ROTFL….arious!!!!!
Report Post »IvanK
Posted on June 30, 2011 at 3:50pmIt is our God given American right to “signal” idiots…
Report Post »Mandors
Posted on June 30, 2011 at 3:49pmFirst Amendment, cops lose. Next.
Report Post »frodis
Posted on July 1, 2011 at 8:03amNo the first Amendment doesn’t work anymore. The libs have messed it up. The guy on the other hand could have caused some road rage by his actions so I can’t blame the cops for ticketing him.
Report Post »Eric_The_Red_State
Posted on June 30, 2011 at 3:49pmI have to pee….
Report Post »Hey Government – do I have to fill out a form for that?
I.Gaspar
Posted on June 30, 2011 at 3:56pmYes. And we expect a report on volume, color, and ph, citizen.
Report Post »Shiroi Raion
Posted on June 30, 2011 at 4:27pmRegulation happy police state. College boys cannot look at girls for more than (what was it?) 15 seconds or they’ll be kicked out for sexual harassment. Can’t flip off a reckless driver. Can’t cut hair without a license. Kids can’t sell lemonade without a license. Can’t eat french fries on the subway.
Someone should make a new series:
America’s Stupidest Arrests.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on June 30, 2011 at 3:45pmGood thing there are no cops in my living room when Obama is flapping his jaws on TV.
Report Post »BlazingPatriot
Posted on June 30, 2011 at 3:51pmIt’s a middle finger kind of day …..
The judge in the Casey Anthony trial just threw a man in jail for contempt for flipping off the prosecuter.
Report Post »Deda1
Posted on June 30, 2011 at 3:52pmlol
Report Post »Mandors
Posted on June 30, 2011 at 3:54pmYeah, I change the channel to avoid carpel tunnel syndrome.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on June 30, 2011 at 3:56pmMandors
Report Post »I just keep switching hands to avoid fatigue, Give it a try! LOL
AMERICAN FOREVER FOREVER AMERICAN
Posted on June 30, 2011 at 3:57pmYour said it. Everyday I get my exercise by watching him on TV.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on June 30, 2011 at 3:57pmLOL .. looks like it is flip the bird day … saw that guy in the Anthony trial just now on FOX News …
TEA!
Report Post »I Hear the Wolves
Posted on June 30, 2011 at 4:00pmThe law was pretty vague about the reason his arm could be out the window: “for signaling purposes only.” He was signaling to the other driver how upset he was. I would say it‘s pretty clear that he was not in violation of one of the dumbest traffic laws I’ve ever heard of.
Report Post »SREGN
Posted on June 30, 2011 at 4:14pmMy wife got a ticket for flipping off a cop. he wrote the ticket for another infraction, but it was definitely for the flip.
Report Post »HKS
Posted on June 30, 2011 at 4:16pmIf obumer would keep his face off the tv, my finger could get some needed rest.
Report Post »TexasCommonSense
Posted on June 30, 2011 at 4:16pmHow about all the millions who flip-off Obama every time he tells another lie?
Report Post »sooner12
Posted on June 30, 2011 at 4:20pm@Gonzo……Two thumbs up.
I do the same thing.
Great one.
Report Post »TomFerrari
Posted on June 30, 2011 at 4:23pmSan Jose news is bemoaning this morning’s layoff of several of the SJPD officers.
If they are busy ticketing drivers for flipping the bird, we have too many officers.
Now, I don’t think we actually have too many officers, that was just to make my point that officers are either not having their work prioritized, or they are not prioritizing it themselves.
As for all the layoffs – I call “BS” – Do without new cruisers for a couple years. Prioritize duty assignments – more patrols in high crime areas, fewer in low crime areas. Do without the new ‘toys’ – like the super cruisers in Los Angeles that have at least a half dozen radar detectors and cameras on EACH vehicle, along with infra-red capability, etc.
Do without a new firetruck for 6 or 10 years – MANY cities make do with the hand-me-downs they buy from the spendaholic cities that keep buying new ladder trucks every 10 minutes! I see many cities doing just fine WITH A FORTY YEAR OLD FIRE TRUCK!!!
We also do not need shining monument architecture for municipal buildings – a quonset hut or a cinder block building is all we need.
We don’t need to pay 75% of a man’s salary for the rest of his life – none of us will get that kind of bennies.
We need to pay public SERVANTS less. Yes, less. There, I said it.
When we paid LESS, the ONLY people willing to do the work were the ones who REALLY WANTED to do the work. Now, we get people who want power or union protection or cushy retirements.
Oh, and grow up & d
Report Post »Ronko
Posted on June 30, 2011 at 4:24pmFree speech can’t protect you from prosecution if it breaks the law. If I were to run around outside my house naked in protest of people using Fur I could be sited for public Indency. Fliping someone off is an obscene gesture and this guy deserves to get the fine. Heck he should’ve just used his horn and beeped it loudly instead of giving the bird.
Report Post »chips1
Posted on June 30, 2011 at 4:31pmBut if Weiner flips the real thing…..NOTHING.
Report Post »melmatmic
Posted on June 30, 2011 at 4:44pmIt is such a relief to find that I am not alone in my ranting and gestures at the television. My wife has been trying to get me to calm down for 2 years. Hopefully I can calm down in about a year and a half.
Report Post »Slobaphobe
Posted on June 30, 2011 at 4:52pmSometimes the mute button is just not enough…
Report Post »southerngal
Posted on June 30, 2011 at 5:13pm“got two of um? Stick um up yer a** and walk on yer elbows! ” thats what i yell when someone flips me a bird. Sorry, its funny when you are posting it and all but i really dont like it when I cut someone off at an intersection and they give me the finger. just stop and let me go through. I’m more important than you anyway. Right?
Report Post »JRook
Posted on June 30, 2011 at 5:17pmSo who put such a critically important ordinance in place..Republicans or Democrats?
Report Post »13th Imam
Posted on June 30, 2011 at 5:57pmHorn Broken
Watch for Finger
Report Post »mikem1969
Posted on June 30, 2011 at 5:58pmthought police.
Report Post »rlmeals
Posted on June 30, 2011 at 6:17pmHere in Texas years ago, a man we know got summoned to court and charged with some sexual crime (sexual harassment or something like that) for flipping off a woman driver. She was going to slow for him and he passed her and flipped her the bird as he passed. I know the figurative language is sexual in nature, but the common curse it’s become has nothing to do with that. I don’t see why this should be any type of criminal offense. It’s really bad taste, but not a crime (or shouldn’t be, so I should say).
Report Post »the hawk
Posted on June 30, 2011 at 8:39pmI hAVE THIS BAD HABIT OF BEING VOCALL !
Report Post »CultureWarriors
Posted on June 30, 2011 at 8:54pmBig brother’s watching. If you think we live in a free country you are a moron. It’s appalling the erosion of our liberties and freedoms. We have not been very good stewards for our children’s freedoms.
Report Post »Gill
Posted on June 30, 2011 at 9:43pmGiving the finger, shows that you are telling to someone that he is number ONE…… LOL
Report Post »GoodnCool
Posted on June 30, 2011 at 10:10pmWe would all be in an internment camp if the saw or heard us screaming whenever he is lying on TV
Report Post »101
Posted on June 30, 2011 at 11:44pmThe cop will not even show up in court, which gives the judge no choice but to dismiss the ticket. The
Report Post »cop wasted your time and he knows it!
zman173rd
Posted on July 1, 2011 at 12:01amThe police are NOT your friends.
Report Post »Gump
Posted on July 1, 2011 at 4:54amAmen
Report Post »love the kids
Posted on July 1, 2011 at 7:35amDid the person who was illegally blocking the intersection get a ticket? People do that all the time where I live and it just makes the traffic worse.
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