# "Refusing the California Fruit Nazi Checkpoint & Driving Away" - Is this guy breaking the law? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 8, 2013, 8:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refusing-the-california-fruit-nazi-checkpoint-driving-away-is-this-guy-breaking-the-law/673388 "2013-11-08T08:03:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2013, 8:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refusing-the-california-fruit-nazi-checkpoint-driving-away-is-this-guy-breaking-the-law/673388/1 "2013-11-08T08:03:36Z")
[Refusing the California Fruit Nazi Checkpoint & Driving Away.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlxJHMRzsvM) I was under the impression the fruit check traffic stops had some sort of statue based authority. He doesn’t seem to think they do. ---
**Author:** ![PSXer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/48db29/32.png) [@PSXer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PSXer)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2013, 8:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refusing-the-california-fruit-nazi-checkpoint-driving-away-is-this-guy-breaking-the-law/673388/2 "2013-11-08T08:06:20Z")
The Robocop statue is the only statue based authority I obey ---
**Author:** ![user\_hostile](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/user_hostile/32/474_2.png) [@user\_hostile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/user_hostile)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2013, 8:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refusing-the-california-fruit-nazi-checkpoint-driving-away-is-this-guy-breaking-the-law/673388/3 "2013-11-08T08:46:07Z")
> [@](#): > > “I’m am a Christian, a Patriot, and a Dad - and I’m tired of tyranny” Which reminds me of the following (from Paul’s letter to the Romans) > [@](#): > > 13 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience. > > 6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. My favorite: > [@](#): > > “This is about our kid’s freedoms” And Gavin Seims is running for Congress…who want’s to guess that he’s going to be the [Frank Grimes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homer's_Enemy) of DC? ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2013, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refusing-the-california-fruit-nazi-checkpoint-driving-away-is-this-guy-breaking-the-law/673388/4 "2013-11-08T13:21:54Z")
They should tasered his ass, impounded everything he had, sold his kids into bondage, and made him clench his buttocks in Deming, New Mexico. Stupid asshole. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2013, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refusing-the-california-fruit-nazi-checkpoint-driving-away-is-this-guy-breaking-the-law/673388/5 "2013-11-08T13:34:45Z")
> [@user\_hostile](#): > > And Gavin Seims is running for Congress God help us if this asshole ever had any actual power. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Miskatonic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.miskatonic/32/310_2.png) [@Mr.Miskatonic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Miskatonic)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2013, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refusing-the-california-fruit-nazi-checkpoint-driving-away-is-this-guy-breaking-the-law/673388/6 "2013-11-08T13:40:17Z")
A measured response to this wingding: [- YouTube](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUNvQLH2OFw) ---
**Author:** ![shiftless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9c0ed/32.png) [@shiftless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shiftless)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2013, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refusing-the-california-fruit-nazi-checkpoint-driving-away-is-this-guy-breaking-the-law/673388/7 "2013-11-08T14:03:41Z")
That was uncomfortable to watch. Maybe he has some kind of point but he didn’t make it easy for me to understand. Something about the 4th amendment allowing a citizen to transport fire wood and fruit anywhere he wants if he has children in the car? Can someone explain what these checkpoint are for those of us not from California? ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2013, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refusing-the-california-fruit-nazi-checkpoint-driving-away-is-this-guy-breaking-the-law/673388/8 "2013-11-08T14:40:56Z")
> [@shiftless](#): > > Can someone explain what these checkpoint are for those of us not from California? The Department of Agriculture prohibits transport of various agricultural products across state lines unless it’s been inspected (or is in packaging saying it’s been inspected). The idea is to keep parasites, diseases, fungi and the like contained rather than spreading them across America. As a local example, people violating this standard (“for liberty!”) are directly responsible for the [emerald ash borer infestation](http://www.pantagraph.com/news/local/area-trees-keep-falling-to-emerald-ash-borer/article_78fd3e30-2d72-11e3-8df4-0019bb2963f4.html) in northern Illinois which has killed tens of thousands of trees (tens of millions nationwide). People snuck infested firewood in from Wisconsin and this is the result. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Miskatonic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.miskatonic/32/310_2.png) [@Mr.Miskatonic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Miskatonic)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2013, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refusing-the-california-fruit-nazi-checkpoint-driving-away-is-this-guy-breaking-the-law/673388/9 "2013-11-08T14:41:51Z")
The checkpoints are sued to prevent importation of fruits that might have invasive species. > **[CDFA - Plant Health - Pest Exclusion - California Border Protection Stations](https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/plant/pe/ExteriorExclusion/borders.html)** > > CDFA Interior Pest Exclusion personnel are responsible for enforcement of federal, foreign and domestic plant pest quarantines, as well as California state exterior and interior quarantines and county restrictions and ordinances. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2013, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refusing-the-california-fruit-nazi-checkpoint-driving-away-is-this-guy-breaking-the-law/673388/10 "2013-11-08T14:51:01Z")
> [@Mr.Miskatonic](#): > > The checkpoints are sued to prevent importation of fruits that might have invasive species. > > [CDFA - California Border Protection Stations](http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/plant/pe/ExteriorExclusion/borders.html) From your link: > [@](#): > > From these interceptions, inspectors found and submitted 12,152 specimens (i.e., insects, diseases, weeds, mollusks and vertebrate animals) to CDFA’s Plant Pest Diagnostics Lab for identification — over 1,820 of these specimens were exotic invasive species capable of causing serious damage. Among these were: Gypsy moth, **emerald ash borer** , quagga mussel, imported fire ant, cherry fruit fly, Japanese beetle, spotted knapweed, bagworm moth, and weevil - just to name a few. (08/22/11) Good luck with that, California. The next batch of Liberty Wood run through by some idiot playing Smokey & the Bandit might be the one to break the streak. Edit: I see Japanese beetle on the list… wonder if that’s the Japanese long-horned beetle; another destructive guest brought into Illinois via firewood. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2013, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refusing-the-california-fruit-nazi-checkpoint-driving-away-is-this-guy-breaking-the-law/673388/11 "2013-11-08T15:18:51Z")
Probably goes on the same rant when his kids aren’t allowed on rides at the county fair because they’re not tall enough. Clearly they need to expand the banned items list to include douchebags. Official: “Good morning, sir. Are you transporting any fruit, vegetables, firewood, or douchebags?” Douchebag: “RABBLE RABBLE MY RIGHTS RABBLE RABBLE FREEDOM RABBLE RABBLE!” Official: “Sir, I’m going to need to ask you to step out of the vehicle.” **The Bear Jew walks out of tunnel with baseball bat, then proceeds to go yard on that one, on to fucking Lansdowne Street.** ---
**Author:** ![GreasyJack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/df705f/32.png) [@GreasyJack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreasyJack)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2013, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refusing-the-california-fruit-nazi-checkpoint-driving-away-is-this-guy-breaking-the-law/673388/12 "2013-11-08T15:43:03Z")
Are those things seasonal or something? I’ve driven in and out of CA many times and I’ve seen a few places where they have the pullout and shack at the border, but I’ve never once in my life seen one that was actually manned. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2013, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refusing-the-california-fruit-nazi-checkpoint-driving-away-is-this-guy-breaking-the-law/673388/13 "2013-11-08T16:07:23Z")
The one on the 15 in Yermo is almost always manned. Mainly because it’s the road from Vegas, and gets all the people coming down through Utah as well. Only time I’ve ever been questioned is when I was driving a van full of kids back from a debate tournament. Cars they just seem to wave through (except right before the 4th of July, when they stop and search just about every car full of college kids trying to smuggle fireworks back from Pahrump.) ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2013, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refusing-the-california-fruit-nazi-checkpoint-driving-away-is-this-guy-breaking-the-law/673388/14 "2013-11-08T16:07:32Z")
> [@user\_hostile](#): > > Which reminds me of the following (from Paul’s letter to the Romans) Apparently that scripture only applies to the ‘real’ governing authorities, which only Real True Christians can distinguish from the phony ones who are instigating tyranny. ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2013, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refusing-the-california-fruit-nazi-checkpoint-driving-away-is-this-guy-breaking-the-law/673388/15 "2013-11-08T16:35:35Z")
Let me mention that the following clause of the US constitution: No State shall, without the Consent of the Congress, lay any Imposts or Duties on Imports or Exports, except what may be absolutely necessary for executing it’s inspection Laws Article I, section 10 implicitly recognizes that states may have inspection laws. ---
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2013, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refusing-the-california-fruit-nazi-checkpoint-driving-away-is-this-guy-breaking-the-law/673388/16 "2013-11-08T16:53:40Z")
I got bored with that YouTube but clicked [“THE TOP U.S. CHECKPOINT REFUSALS OF 2012!”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKiYpsQhZsI). Apparently such refusals are quite a trend. In that YouTube, border agents keep asking drivers if they’re U.S. citizens or not; then finally let them go without an answer. I guess the agents conclude the assholes are American because few other nationalities develop that level of assholery! ---
**Author:** ![Flywheel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Flywheel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flywheel)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2013, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refusing-the-california-fruit-nazi-checkpoint-driving-away-is-this-guy-breaking-the-law/673388/17 "2013-11-08T17:02:20Z")
Mr. Wembley, it happened again… ---
**Author:** ![Mavis\_Topholese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7feea3/32.png) [@Mavis\_Topholese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mavis_Topholese)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2013, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refusing-the-california-fruit-nazi-checkpoint-driving-away-is-this-guy-breaking-the-law/673388/18 "2013-11-08T17:52:06Z")
The only time I’ve driven into California was with a carload of folks, we came up to the border and lo and behold there it was, the famous Agricultural Inspection Station. And yeah, we had some oranges that somebody’s mom had given us to eat along the way, so they had to go in the trash. The officers also noticed that one of our tires wasn’t looking so great, so they saved us from a potential crisis in the middle of the desert later on. I have no complaints about the agricultural checkpoints. ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2013, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refusing-the-california-fruit-nazi-checkpoint-driving-away-is-this-guy-breaking-the-law/673388/19 "2013-11-08T17:58:23Z")
Few people are aware of what an immense agricultural producer California is. It produces from low double-digit percentages to 100% of almost every major crop grown in the US. It’s not just oranges and grapes… there are few crops not grown there - including things like cotton - and many crops exclusive or nearly-so. Whatever else you think of the state, they are jackbooted thugs about people bringing in pests that might decimate a whole industry… and even as an ex-Californian I’ll polish their boots any day. Shitheels who want to bring in unfumigated firewood, fruit and the like that will carry pathogens and pests can just stay in whatever pesthole they bought it. Freedom, patriotism and Xianity my aching ass. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2013, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refusing-the-california-fruit-nazi-checkpoint-driving-away-is-this-guy-breaking-the-law/673388/20 "2013-11-08T18:02:02Z")
Coming into CA from Oregon along I-5 or US-101, there are similar checkpoints. Once, I was not allowed to bring some apples in. But, at my request, I was allowed to pull over into a nearby parking area, and eat the apples on-the-spot. Another time, my passenger had a bag of oranges. We declared them, and the inspector said, “Fine. We’re not on the look-out for any known infestations with oranges at this time” and we drove on, without further molestation. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refusing-the-california-fruit-nazi-checkpoint-driving-away-is-this-guy-breaking-the-law/673388.md?page=2)