The ugly face of petro-tyranny (or is the better term autocracy?). From AP, Dec. 6:

Man Who Received Jaywalking Ticket Dies of Injuries

Washington D.C. (AP) A 73-year-old man who received a $5 jaywalking ticket after he was hit by a car has died from his injuries.

Charles Atherton, a former secretary of the U.S. Commission on Fine Arts, was hit last Thursday while crossing Connecticut Avenue Northwest, near the Uptown Theater. He died Saturday night at George Washington University Hospital.

Although witnesses say he was badly injured and unresponsive at the scene, police issued him the ticket. His family found it with his belongings when they went to the hospital.

Police say Atherton was at fault when he was hit by a Toyota driven by a 31-year-old District woman. Captain Willie Smith of the Second District tells The Washington Post that Atherton was conscious at the accident scene. The officer who investigated went to the hospital to check on Atherton, where he was told that Atherton was in surgery but was expected to live.

Smith says police wouldn't have written the ticket if they knew his injuries were fatal.

See other reasons WHY WE FIGHT.