but you can fine them for environmental violations. I don't see anything wrong with that, nor do I see it as theft. You fine someone, they either stop doing it or they keep paying fines. I'm OK with that.
You may be ok with it, but it is a violation of people's rights and absolutely theft. Why is the accused paying government (predominantly a gang of corrupt thugs) rather than the victim? Where is the victim? How are damages to person or property quantified?
Levying fines for breaking the law is theft? So people should either have to serve jail time or do nothing at all when they're caught breaking the law? Or do you feel there should be no environmental regulations enforced by law? And that #$%*s should simply be allowed to belch toxic smoke at other people because... they're bicyclists out for a ride? I'm guessing if they targeted people on motorcycles you might think differently.
Yes, any money the government takes by force from an individual, for itself, is theft. The government cannot be a victim.
Imprisoning people is a last resort to protect others, it actually hurts the victim as the person who harmed their person or property is held in a government (or privately run but publicly funded) cage where he cannot earn an income to make the victim whole.
There should be no environmental regulations enforced by law. The United States government does not have this power, at least at the federal level, and as such it is illegal to regulate. Environmental issues can much more effectively and efficiently be addressed by insurance companies and of course individuals general desire for a clean environment to live in.
"Belch toxic smoke", leave the appeal to emotion for others who prefer not to think logically or philosophically. In the case of the video there are victims, not of "belching toxic smoke" but of an "#$%*" intentionally inhibiting their vision and breathing, particularly during an activity where both are particularly critical to safety. That is not an environmental issue. I would not think differently if motorcyclists were targeted, as I at least try to engage my brain so as to be logical and consistent. There are likely already laws on the books that cover these things which could be enforced, but in typical American fashion it would entail money paid to the government and no compensation for the victims, theft.
