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* The Senate sent a bill to the governor today that will mandate the use of hands-free technology for mobile phone calls while driving…

“This is this is just one more step toward us losing essential freedoms in the interest of safety,” said state Sen. Matt Murphy (R-Palatine)

* Earlier this week, Sen. Murphy voted in committee to ban the sale of gun magazines which hold more than ten rounds of ammunition…

“I think this is a chance that this bill could save lives, and I think it’s worth taking that chance,” Murphy said.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, May 23, 13 @ 2:28 pm

Comments

Must be the painkillers.

Comment by G. Willickers Thursday, May 23, 13 @ 2:30 pm
I never knew that using a cell phone while driving was an essential freedom.

Comment by Fred's Mustache Thursday, May 23, 13 @ 2:30 pm
Use of a mobile phone while driving is an essential freedom? I don’t think so.

Comment by Demoralized Thursday, May 23, 13 @ 2:32 pm
My guess is he can’t see the irony in the two votes.

Comment by Mason born Thursday, May 23, 13 @ 2:32 pm
So how is the whiplash? Keep your hands off my cell phone
but here is my 17 round magazine?

Comment by Huh? Thursday, May 23, 13 @ 2:34 pm
Maybe he just got the two bills mixed up? the comments match up better that way…..course his votes would have to change as well….

Comment by archimedes Thursday, May 23, 13 @ 2:42 pm
As stated above, driving is a privilege, not a right. Besides you can still use the phone just have to use the speaker phone function or bluetooth connection.

Comment by Pacman Thursday, May 23, 13 @ 2:43 pm
Maybe Mr. Murphy should borrow some of Oberweises Semi-Libertarianism might make his future votes a little more consistent.

Comment by Mason born Thursday, May 23, 13 @ 2:44 pm
Argh - so frustrating to have to keep repeating:

1) Cell phone driving is as dangerous as drunk driving.

2) Cell phone driving is more “distracted” than eating/listening to radio/etc.

3) Hands-free does nothing to improve safety.

Comment by lake county democrat Thursday, May 23, 13 @ 3:01 pm
Murphy to introduce SB5000: an act concerning state government…and no Senator shall knowingly cast paradoxical votes on separate measures and then pontificate about such votes in a manner causing said Senator to appear of lessened intellect.

Comment by Midstate Indy Thursday, May 23, 13 @ 3:09 pm
The bill was amended in the Senate. So isn’t it going back to the House for concurrance? I don’t think the Senate amendment will derail it in the House, but unless I’m missing something obvious, its not heading to the govenor just yet.

Comment by M Thursday, May 23, 13 @ 3:11 pm
“Argh - so frustrating to have to keep repeating:

1) Cell phone driving is as dangerous as drunk driving.

2) Cell phone driving is more “distracted” than eating/listening to radio/etc.

3) Hands-free does nothing to improve safety.”

Exactly.

So, when can we expect Sen. Murphy to introduce the “Protect Our Freedoms” act, repealing the DUI law, repealing the seatbelt law, repealing the speed limits everywhere in IL, eliminating the need for a CDL to drive a truck, and specifically allowing cars to drive on sidewalks? Because preventing me from driving a Mack truck 100 mph on the sidewalk at the end of a bender is elevating safety over our ‘essential freedoms’.

Comment by Chris Thursday, May 23, 13 @ 3:12 pm
If this is Nanny State what does that make The Tanning Nanny?

Comment by CircularFiringSquad Thursday, May 23, 13 @ 3:41 pm
Well, it’s just like Ben Franklin said:

“Those who would sacrifice yakking on their cell phone about nothing for a measure of safety deserve neither.”

Or FDRs Five Freedoms:

“Freedom of Speech”
“Freedom of Worship”
“Freedom from Want”
“Freedom from Fear”
“Freedom to Yak on the Phone About Nothing While Changing Lanes at 70 mph on the Ike.”

Norman Rockwell passed before he could do a painting on the fifth freedom.

Wow. He really said “essential freedoms?” C’mon man.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, May 23, 13 @ 3:54 pm
I can’t talk on my cellphone while I’m driving, but will I be able to reload my gun while driving?

Comment by Strobby Thursday, May 23, 13 @ 4:10 pm
At least he didn’t go shooting his mouth off w/ a cell phone gun!

Comment by D P Gumby Thursday, May 23, 13 @ 4:20 pm
Murphy pulled the wrong speech out of his pocket. He has a different one for each audience.

Comment by walkinfool Thursday, May 23, 13 @ 4:50 pm
At one time it was legal to drive while quaffing a drink. I’m confident opponents of outlawing that practice also decried the loss of essential freedoms.

Comment by reformer Thursday, May 23, 13 @ 6:07 pm
Hands free is the way. Leaves one hand to hold the fries and the other for the dashboard video remote.

Comment by zatoichi Thursday, May 23, 13 @ 6:08 pm
I am wholeheartedly with Sen. Murphy on the hands-free mobile bill–a ridiculous burden on the freedom of responsible adult drivers. If they felt compelled to increase safety somehow, why not ban it for only 16-20 year-olds since they are the ones out of control with the cell phones–or better yet include it in the Statutory type of ticket that may be given by a police officer for “Distracted” Driving, like when a person is jumbling with the Radio or CD player and nearly swerves into the next Lane?! This “One Size Fits All” approach to legislating is both insulting and simplistic to responsible citizens–I urge the Governor to veto it by amending it to be more specific or be included as a form of Distracted Driving…!

Comment by Just The Way It Is One Thursday, May 23, 13 @ 9:34 pm