A swim too far.

[Fly320s]

Found on Neal Boortz's website.


http://kstp.com/article/stories/S529469.shtml?cat=1

Mpls. man cited for swimming across Lake Nokomis

A Minneapolis man went for a swim in Lake Nokomis Tuesday night, only to find Minneapolis Park Police waiting for him when he got out. Officers cited 41-year-old Tom Kleven for swimming too far.

Kleven, who is training for a triathlon later this year, said he was attempting to swim shore-to-shore around 7:30 p.m.

He said he was half way across the lake when a lifeguard ordered him to turn around. When he got back to shore, Kleven said police were waiting for him.


"I kind of asked them, 'am I the person to be reprimanded?' and they said 'probably...you're the person to be fined,' said Kleven.

Officers cited him for misdemeanor unauthorized beach-swim.

Kleven faces a maximum penalty of 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.

"We should be allowed to swim in the lake wherever we want to," said Kleven.

The Minneapolis Park Board rules state anyone who wants to swim across the lake needs to get a $115 permit so a lifeguard and boat can follow them.

"We're really concerned about everybody's safety," said Minneapolis Park Police Sgt. Fred McCormick.

Since the offense is a misdemeanor, Kleven, who is a physician in St. Paul, will have to report the incident every time he renews his license.

[BridgeRunner]

Duh.  Being a triathlete is clearly only an option for people who have both the cash and the expendable time to give the state their fair share. 

Sure, athletics is fine, but can't he put a treadmill in his basement like the rest of us?  After all, we want him to be safe. 

[HankB]

Is there a "no swimming" sign posted at the beach?

Was the "lifeguard" an LEO?

Just sounds like another story from "The State Where Absolutely Nothing Is Allowed."

[cassandra and sara's daddy]

i'm reminded of the time the us park police arrested a guy who was in the top 5 kayakers in the world for being on the water when they thought it was unsafe. of course to arrest him a cop in full uniform plunged in to drag him from his boat. was kinda funny in a sad way the cop that jumped in was a world class putz. had 2 classic run ins with him 10 years apart

[MicroBalrog]

Remember, you're not being oppressed. Not at all.

[Headless Thompson Gunner]

A stoopid law to be sure.  But when you break a law and get caught, what do you expect is going to happen?

Smarter to find a lake without any asinine nanny laws.  It is Minnesota, after all.

[MechAg94]

I didn't gather that he even knew about the law. 

[Hawkmoon]

"Ignorance of the law is not an excuse."



I've heard that since I was a small child, and that was ... awhile ago. Didn't seem right then, doesn't seem right now.

[taurusowner]

Ah government.  Every single thing or action known to man in their minds = give us some $$.

[MechAg94]

"Ignorance of the law is not an excuse."



I've heard that since I was a small child, and that was ... awhile ago. Didn't seem right then, doesn't seem right now.

It was in response to HTG's comment. 

[The Annoyed Man]

Unbelieveable. Here I was thinking I lived in a country whose government wanted to regulate my unhealthiness, and then we fine a guy for super-human accomplishments.

Excuse me, I have to go finish my quadruple cheeseburger.

[Standing Wolf]

"We're really concerned about everybody's safety," said Minneapolis Park Police Sgt. Fred McCormick.

No, he's really a vicious little busybody.

[Manedwolf]

Is there a "no swimming" sign posted at the beach?

Was the "lifeguard" an LEO?

Just sounds like another story from "The State Where Absolutely Nothing Is Allowed."

Except extremism. That's allowed, because we have to be tolerant of other cultures. (Minneapolis is, of course, the home of the no-alcohol no-service-dogs cab drivers and the can't-touch-bacon Target cashier) But you must be protected from yourself!