Panama City Beach, FL In the ostensible land of the Free, cops claim the legal authority to extort money from you, or even kidnap you for a slew of activities which have no victim. Window Tint, smoking a plant in you own home, not wearing your seatbelt, walking across the street, sagging your pants, and even juggling can and will get you extorted, kidnapped, caged, or even killed. Now, as a recent case in Florida illustrates, we can add building a sand castle to that long list of victimless crimes.
Bryant Rylee and his family were at the beach last week building an awesome sand castle when they were confronted by police. The officer, who was protecting society by patrolling the beach for illegal sand castles, told the Rylees that their sand castle was in violation of the law.
At first, Rylee thought the officer was joking. After all, he and his son were harming no one while building their most epic castle. In a Facebook post, Rylee explains that it is illegal to build a sand castle with a hole deeper than two feet. However, he explained that their hole was only one foot deep, so there was no way it was in violation.
It wasnt the hole from which the cop was protecting society, though it was Rylees sons equipment that was criminal. According to their obscure ordinance, only plastic tools are allowed on the beach, and they had some metal ones.
It is important to note that the officer explained to Rylee that she would let him off with a warning if he simply filled in the hole. But Rylee wasnt buying it. He wanted to know what ordinance he was violating.
It was Rylees questioning of authority which led to police escalating the call. When her authority was put into question, the officer brought in backup.
Before the officer could tell Rylee which ordinance he was violating, the family was surrounded by police. In fact, four patrol units would show up and sit there for 20 minutes before any of them could produce the law which said metal beach toys were illegal.
According to FEE:
While Rylee, a devout Christian, says he supports law enforcement and prays daily for their protection, he also said on his social media account that, I do believe that we the people have a right to ask what ordinance number or to see the ordinance.
Rylee is absolutely correct. In the American legal system, there is a pillar of jurisprudence known as Mens rae, which is latin for guilty mind. The principle itself comes from the latin phrase actus reus non facit reum nisi mens sit rea, which translates to, the act is not culpable unless the mind is guilty.
This is a standard test of criminal liability that asks the state to consider whether or not a person has broken a law knowingly before guilt can even be assessed.
After it was all over, as Rylee explains, the construction of a sand castle cost him $25 and couldve cost him $500 and up to 60 days in jail.
When building a sand castle becomes a criminal act, it is high time we question where this ostensible Land of the Free is headed.
Bryant Rylee added 5 new photos.
This is the sand castle that cost me a $25 fine & could have cost me up to $500 & no more than 60 days in jail. Incase you didn't know, at Panama City Beach you can't dig deeper than 2ft & not exceeding 2ft long on the beach & you can't use any metal tools. I've been going to PCB for spring break for over 13 yrs, we've always built things digging with metal tools. So be sure you study your ordinances before you make a trip. My big mistake was asking the ordinance number & asking to see the ordinance. Apparently the beach patrol lady didn't like that so she called for back up...
That's when three other units arrived on the scene. One officer said, if I'd just cover the castle, I wouldn't get a ticket but if I must inquire or see the ordinance, I will receive a ticket. It took them 20 minutes to find the ordinance & it's not exactly the way they quoted. It said "2ft deep" but it didn't say "not more than 2ft long" & since I had dug only about 1ft deep, I was only ticketed for my metal tools. I do support law enforcement & pray daily for their protection. And I do believe that "we the people" have a right to ask what ordinance number or to see the ordinance. So... How many cops does it take to shut down a sand castle bandit & his son? The answer is 4! Be careful out there!



#28: misterwhite To: A K A Stone (#23)
If I did, it wasn't because I was so stupid as to argue with a cop who was trying to cut me some slack.
misterwhite posted on 2017-04-02 10:33:10 Reply Private Reply
#29: misterwhite To: A K A Stone (#22)
Yeah! That'll teach her to enforce the law! Damn rogue cop.
Now, after you did that, I assume you would then organize an effort to repeal all these stupid beach ordinances and allow metal rakes and shovels, holes 10 feet deep, glass bottles, alcohol and animals on the beach.
No, you probablly wouldn't. Changing the law is just too much work. Besides, I'm guessing the vast majority of the people asked for these laws to begin with. You're in the minority. So sad.
Perhaps you can find a beach more suitable to your anarchistic philosophy. Here ya go. Use your rake to clear a spot:
misterwhite posted on 2017-04-02 10:46:25 Reply Private Reply
#30: A K A Stone To: misterwhite (#29)
If the law is immoral you follow it to a T.
If you lived in Germany in the 30's you would say it was the law the Jew were gassed. They should have lobbied and changed the law.
If you were alive during the revolutionary war. You would have said revolution is illegal and someone might get hurt.
You're such a wuss.
A K A Stone posted on 2017-04-02 11:04:06 Reply Private Reply
#31: Fred Mertz To: misterwhite (#29)
I don't have a plastic rake, paulsen, you statist.
Fred Mertz posted on 2017-04-02 11:10:29 Reply Private Reply
#32: misterwhite To: A K A Stone (#30)
There is nothing immoral about prohibiting deep holes, metal shovels, glass, alcohol or animals on a public beach. Other people have rights, too. Or do you you think the U.S. Constitution was written only for you?
You are one selfish individual, thinking that the world revolves around you and you can do anything you want. Society's rules are for other people, right?
I would suggest that you pack up your belongings and move above the tree lne where you're on your own and can do anything you want. You obviously don't fit in any organized society.
misterwhite posted on 2017-04-02 11:17:42 Reply Private Reply
#33: misterwhite To: Fred Mertz (#31)
On that beach you can have any kind of rake your little heart desires. You have FREEDOM there, just like you want. Watch your step!
misterwhite posted on 2017-04-02 11:19:56 Reply Private Reply
#34: A K A Stone To: misterwhite (#32)
There is nothing immoral about building a sandcastle with a metal shovel.
Assholes who enforce stupid laws are the problem.
I'll do whatever I want and no one has ever stopped me and no one ever will.
Because my moral code God gave me is far superior to what is required by law.
You champion so called law over common sense and good morals.
A K A Stone posted on 2017-04-02 11:36:17 Reply Private Reply
#35: misterwhite To: A K A Stone (#34)
Isn't violating a valid, constitutional law immoral? Isn't it immoral to teach your children to violate a valid, constitutional law? Isn't it immoral to violate the rights of others?
You don't even live there and you're going to tell the citizens of Panama City Beach what's moral and immoral and how they should live their life? Who are you to do that?
"Assholes who enforce stupid laws are the problem."
Why? Because it's easier to strike back at law enforcement than it is to change the stupid law? Change the law, idiot!
misterwhite posted on 2017-04-02 11:52:11 Reply Private Reply
#36: A K A Stone To: misterwhite (#35)
Fugitive slave laws were constitutional. Slavery was constitutional.
Back in the day you would have been shooting and maybe owning slaves.
You are not a leader you are a follower who just does what he is told. No thinking about if it is right or wrong involved. The exact kind of person God created us not to be.
A K A Stone posted on 2017-04-02 12:03:32 Reply Private Reply
#37: A K A Stone To: misterwhite (#35)
You teach your kids to obey the law.
You also teach them common sense and morals.
If the law says to do something immoral you are free to ignore it. There may be a cost but doing what is right. When you do what is right and disobey an immoral law you are doing the right thing.
You're probably having a typical liberal reaction in your mind. You are thinking but who says what is moral or immoral. That is a distraction. There is a true right and a true wrong and it is in our conscience. People who say things are moral that are not are just liars.
A K A Stone posted on 2017-04-02 12:07:04 Reply Private Reply
#38: A K A Stone To: misterwhite (#35)
Yes it is.
For example some asshole coming down the beach and harassing people for playing in the sand.
A K A Stone posted on 2017-04-02 12:07:52 Reply Private Reply
#39: A K A Stone To: misterwhite (#35)
Yes I am going to comment on this article and say what I believe to be moral.
A K A Stone posted on 2017-04-02 12:09:05 Reply Private Reply
#40: A K A Stone To: misterwhite (#35)
No it is best to let them issue their puny citation. Then you fight them in court. You do it by burdening them with motions and not taking plea deals. Dragging it out and spending their money. So even when they win they still lose because you took up their time and they couldn't harass other people that they would have had the time to harass.
Do this on a mass scale and they will only have time to prosecute the real crimes and not harass someone playing in the sand. Sand that in a few hours time nature would turn the sand castle and the hole into a smooth sand surface.
A K A Stone posted on 2017-04-02 12:13:39 Reply Private Reply
#41: misterwhite To: A K A Stone (#37)
Aren't you also free to ignore moral laws?
How about this? If the law says to do something you consider immoral you are free to change it. Assuming, of course, you can find enough people with your sense of morality.
Isn't that the way we so things around here?
misterwhite posted on 2017-04-02 12:14:51 Reply Private Reply
#42: misterwhite To: A K A Stone (#37)
Right. So collectively we get together and vote on an issue based on our conscience. Those who believe the law is moral and just vote in favor. Those who believe the law is stupid and immoral vote against it.
The we count the votes. Majority wins.
No? Not a good system? Then what do you propose, Mein Fuhrer?
misterwhite posted on 2017-04-02 12:19:41 Reply Private Reply
#43: A K A Stone To: misterwhite (#41)
Of course you are. But you would be acting immorally. So it is your duty to obey moral laws. Not that any of us always do what is our "moral duty" I'm talking theoretically.
If you read what I said there are consequences for breaking immoral laws. There obviously are also consequences for breaking immoral laws.
A K A Stone posted on 2017-04-02 12:21:31 Reply Private Reply
#44: misterwhite To: A K A Stone (#38)
That should read: A law enforcement officer coming down the beach and enforcing city ordinances. You don't think city ordinances should be enforced?
misterwhite posted on 2017-04-02 12:23:02 Reply Private Reply
#45: A K A Stone To: misterwhite (#41)
You use the word consider. That makes me think you don't believe in absolute morals.
I do. I know them. I don't always follow them but I know them.
I know what your problem is with my thinking. There are to many stupid immoral people in the world who wouldn't lie and say they were following what is right. Well i'm not talking about them. I'm talking about me. I know right and wrong.
A K A Stone posted on 2017-04-02 12:24:12 Reply Private Reply
#46: A K A Stone To: misterwhite (#41)
There you go again "sense".
There is moral and immoral. Not a sense of moral and a sense of immoral.
A K A Stone posted on 2017-04-02 12:25:01 Reply Private Reply
#47: misterwhite To: A K A Stone (#43)
Unless I think they're immoral.
I think I should be able to play my music as loud as I want, even if it keeps you awake all night.
misterwhite posted on 2017-04-02 12:26:22 Reply Private Reply
#48: A K A Stone To: misterwhite, tooconservative (#41)
No. That is not the way it works. It is more random and inconsistent. I might be pissed one day because someone said something that made me. Or I might think someone is an asshole. They don't get treated the same as someone that I like. That's just the way it is. Truth.
A K A Stone posted on 2017-04-02 12:27:34 Reply Private Reply
#49: A K A Stone To: misterwhite (#47)
Not think, know.
A K A Stone posted on 2017-04-02 12:28:00 Reply Private Reply
#50: A K A Stone To: misterwhite (#47)
Well you're a liar too then. Because you don't really think that. You really believe the opposite. So do I. So I wouldn't do it. Neither would you.
You had to lie to try to make your point and all you did is help prove mine.
Misterwhite- "I think I should be able to play my music as loud as I want, even if it keeps you awake all night." is a flat out lie. That is not moral it is immoral.
A K A Stone posted on 2017-04-02 12:30:29 Reply Private Reply
#51: Gatlin To: misterwhite (#44)
No .no .no .misterwhite!
Wait, you simply dont understand what went on here.
Please .let me try to help you understand and carefully consider the facts.
First of all, Bryant Rylee is from Moundville, Alabama.
Yep, Moundville really is the name of the town.
And in Moundville, it is Bryant Rylees duty to serve as a
wait for it
wait for it just a bit longer for it
Now, misterwhite, you gotta try hard to understand that ole Bryant obviously works hard at his job .being a youth minister for children.Because in one article, it was explicatively pointed out that Bryant is
God bless ole Bryant, misterwhite, you just gotta love him .that he actually prays daily for the protection of all law enforcement.Maybe you can find it in your heart to somehow cut him a little slack .just a a tiny bit, maybe.
For, you see
Of course .thats all that was happening here.Ole Bryant was just youth ministering on this particular Sunday morning . like a good old youth minister from Moundville, Alabama, should be doing.
There you go
Gatlin posted on 2017-04-02 13:18:49 Reply Private Reply
#52: misterwhite To: Gatlin (#51)
misterwhite posted on 2017-04-02 13:56:35 Reply Private Reply
#53: misterwhite To: A K A Stone (#50)
You're right. I do. But if I lived next to you, I would play my music at maximum just to show you what it's like to live under your own philosophy.
I make my own rules. I play my music loud at 3:00 AM. I think it's "moral" to do so, and I don't care what YOU think.
misterwhite posted on 2017-04-02 14:01:15 Reply Private Reply
#54: Gatlin To: All (#51)
First of all, everyone knows .or should know .after all these years, what goes on at Panama City Beach during spring break.
Therefore, this begs the attention of Bryant
Secondly, the ordinance prohibiting metal tools on the beach had recently been enacted because Geeze .does that sound like a plausible reason for the ordinance?Probably not to libertarians, anarchists and cop-haters
Gatlin posted on 2017-04-02 14:01:24 Reply Private Reply
#55: Gatlin To: misterwhite (#52)
You most certainly do .and a big AMEN at that
Cue, Sir Sidney Poitier
Gatlin posted on 2017-04-02 14:10:26 Reply Private Reply
#56: Gatlin To: misterwhite, All (#55)
However, again
It took officers 20 minutes get a copy of the actual ordinance .they showed it to Bryant.So, WTF, is Bryants beef?
Bryant got what he wanted and he did what he said he would do.
So what we have here folks with Bryant is NOT a
It is quite obvious that Bryant communicated his desires and intentions very clearly to the officer.
Finally, Bryant posted on his social media account that
We the Police did not in any way deny Bryant that right .they graciously complied with his insistent request.
So what we now have here, folks .is a showing that Bryant got his 15 minutes of fame and all the libertarians, anarchists and cop-haters, who wanted to do so, got the opportunity to once again bash law enforcement..
Hallelujah .and everyone should now be happy.
Aije raison?
Id say the asshole, Bryant, is lucky that he dealt with some really benevolent cops.
For, no doubt some officers would have taken action to see Bryant pay a $500 fine and spend up to 60 days in jail .the maximum sentence.
N'est-ce pas vrai?
Gatlin posted on 2017-04-02 15:25:43 Reply Private Reply
#57: Tooconservative To: Gatlin (#56)
The judge should throw the case out on the basis that you can't charge someone just as punishment for asking what statute or ordinance they are trying to enforce.
The cops should know their ordinances before they enforce them. Particularly this officer who was assigned specifically to stop people from building big sand castles.
I also think that the beach rules should be prominently posted or judges should be pretty lenient. The public should see a big sign or receive a handout telling them specifically what they can and can't do on the beach.
Chicken shit tactics by the cops. The judge should not reward their laziness and ignorance of the ordinances they are empowered to enforce with guns and violence (if needed).
Tooconservative posted on 2017-04-02 15:37:50 Reply Private Reply
#58: Pinguinite To: misterwhite (#26)
No, I would agree that prohibition is reasonable. Holes, however, if made in reach of high tide are filled in by the wave action. And of course, high tides are no more than 12 hours away. In the present case, it seems from the photo the sand castle construction was specifically located at the water's edge for the express purpose of challenging the forces of nature to take it down, and because of the police interference, we will never know if the sand castle would have survived.
Pinguinite posted on 2017-04-02 15:43:27 Reply Private Reply
#59: Pinguinite To: misterwhite (#27)
A punishment you would find reasonable, I'm sure.
....until he was shown the ordinance. And whether the hole was actually a violation was even in question.
Yes, I'm sure you would have. Marring the reputation of the city you'd work and harming it's economy by dissuading visitors from coming to the beach city is what you consider smart policing.
Pinguinite posted on 2017-04-02 15:49:18 Reply Private Reply
#60: misterwhite To: Pinguinite (#59)
Nah. Just dissuading this jerk.
misterwhite posted on 2017-04-02 17:11:21 Reply Private Reply
#61: Gatlin To: Tooconservative, misterwhite (#57)
AHEM
But wait, show me exactly where you read that Bryant Rylee
Attention: MISTERWHITE. Have you seen any such ridiculous charge being made against Bryant Rylee?Gatlin posted on 2017-04-02 17:32:59 Reply Private Reply
#62: Tooconservative To: Gatlin (#61)
Based on this from the article:
It was Rylees questioning of authority which led to police escalating the call. When her authority was put into question, the officer brought in backup.
It seems pretty obvious that she escalated and he got the ticket for insisting on knowing the ordinance. And she called backup and stalled for a while until someone figured out which ordinance they were trying to enforce. Then they wrote the ticket.
But first he was offered the chance just to fill in the hole even though he was no less guilty of an ordinance infraction whether he filled the hole in or not.
Tooconservative posted on 2017-04-02 17:43:51 Reply Private Reply
#63: Gatlin To: Tooconservative, misterwhite (#57)
And what evidence do you have to present that will show the Beach Rules were not propminently posted?
Gatlin posted on 2017-04-02 17:48:28 Reply Private Reply
#64: Gatlin To: Tooconservative (#62)
The article in no way shows that that as factual.
You even said It seems pretty obvious
What you are attempting to do, is pass off what seems pretty obvious to you .must be accepted as factual reality to all others.
Stop trying to do that .please.
Gatlin posted on 2017-04-02 18:03:28 Reply Private Reply
#65: Tooconservative To: Gatlin (#63)
How dull your life must be to care so much over this minor incident.
The fine officer didn't even shoot bother the guy's kid or his dog. I'm not sure how this even rated a headline at the Free Thought Project.
I'll let you guys obsess over this virtual non-event of a non-national news story.
Tooconservative posted on 2017-04-02 18:28:27 Reply Private Reply
#66: misterwhite To: Tooconservative (#57)
You shouldn't believe every headline you read. He wasn't ticketed for building a big sand castle. He was ticketed for digging a big hole.
"The judge should throw the case out on the basis that you can't charge someone just as punishment for asking what statute or ordinance they are trying to enforce."
He was charged for violating the ordinance. However, the cop was willing to simply let him off with a warning if he filled in the hole. He refused. So she wrote the ticket.
misterwhite posted on 2017-04-02 18:29:25 Reply Private Reply
#67: misterwhite To: Tooconservative (#62)
No. She de-escalated by offering to give him a warning instead of a ticket -- if he filled in the hole. He refused, escalating the situation to a ticket.
"But first he was offered the chance just to fill in the hole even though he was no less guilty of an ordinance infraction whether he filled the hole in or not."
Correct. His guilt was never in question. Whether or not he was to be punished was. Had he filled in the hole, he would not have been. He chose his fate.
misterwhite posted on 2017-04-02 18:35:30 Reply Private Reply
#68: Gatlin To: Tooconservative, misterwhite (#65)
Code for: You guys are correct.
Gatlin posted on 2017-04-02 18:39:03 Reply Private Reply
#69: misterwhite To: Gatlin (#61)
According to the headline, he was threatened with jail for building a sand castle. How's that for a ridiculous charge?
misterwhite posted on 2017-04-02 18:39:35 Reply Private Reply
#70: misterwhite To: Gatlin (#68)
Yep. Like when the MSM made a big deal about the crowd size at Trump's inauguration using photos taken hours before the event. They went on and on and on.
Then when Trump showed the photos during the inauguration proving that he was right, the MSM responded by saying, "Hey. Why are you so obsessed about this?"
misterwhite posted on 2017-04-02 18:45:03 Reply Private Reply
#71: Gatlin To: Tooconservative (#57)
I cannot show you an example from the Panama City Beach, but posted below is a notice from Orange Beach, Alabama .just across the state line from the beaches in Florida.
You will note in the DO NOT section of the Beach Notice, it specifically states
Gatlin posted on 2017-04-02 18:47:50 Reply Private Reply
#72: Gatlin To: Tooconservative (#71)
Gatlin posted on 2017-04-02 18:57:29 Reply Private Reply
#73: Gatlin To: misterwhite (#70)
Yea, always the same. They will fight tooth and nail to their last breath to spin, duck and dodge everything and anything in order to promote their isolated opinion of what is right and wrong .while they absolutely refuse to ever admit the fact that they are/were wrong.
Gatlin posted on 2017-04-02 19:05:16 Reply Private Reply
#74: Gatlin To: All (#73)
During the spring breaks at Panama City Beach, there have been numerous murders, rapes and drug/alcohol abuse arrests. Just a quick Internet search showed:
I simply cannot understand why .WHY . Bryant Rylee, a man who describes himself as a devout Christian, would ever .EVER .take his young children to Panama City Beach during spring break with all the bad stuff happening there and making national news.Gatlin posted on 2017-04-02 19:27:51 Reply Private Reply
#75: Tooconservative To: Gatlin (#68)
Code for: you're idiots to worry over this on a fine spring day.
Tooconservative posted on 2017-04-02 19:45:51 Reply Private Reply
#76: Gatlin To: Tooconservative (#75)
Weather has nothing to do with being correct ...
Besides, it beats the Hell out of discussing those Freedom Caucus assholes....Which I will do, if I must to keep setting you straight.
Gatlin posted on 2017-04-02 19:55:48 Reply Private Reply
#77: randge To: Pinguinite (#25)
Part of the problem is that there is entirely too much fun in this country.
We need to redefine the parameters of what is considered "fun" and thus provide limits to unsociable behavior.
Then perhaps careless parents would be more likely rein in the behavior of their undisciplined offspring and so prevent them from creating hazards to life and limb for beachgoers on our national shores.
Time for some sanity.
randge posted on 2017-04-02 20:52:32 Reply Private Reply