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Last week and while on vacation, my wife and I were found in the beautiful rural lands of Pennsylvania. The landscape is absolutely gorgeous, almost paradise like. I even thought of doing a piece for the roadtrip section. The only thing that made me change my mind was the fact that I kept thinking of Weird Al Yankovic's song about living in an Amish Paradise. There was indeed trouble in this Amish land.

The problem seems to come from the reluctance of a certain sect of the Amish people to place a reflective triangle on the back of their buggies. The "Plain People" as their called, have amassed 24 traffic violations in the last 18 months.

This Amish offshoot has essentially stopped time as of the year 1913. It forbids the use of common 20th century utilities such as electricity, running water, refrigeration and rap music.

According to the Pennsylvania State Police, the Amish have been very stubborn about placing the reflective orange triangles, required by law for vehicles that do not exceed 25 m.p.h., into the back of their buggies.

The refusal of the Swartzentruber Amish, is that the "gaudy" triangles represent faith in man-made symbols and not God. In true American fashion, they have now sued the state of Pennsylvania. If they were to loose the case, they have threatened to leave the state all together.

Not all Amish followers are against the triangles. As a matter of fact, most, including the Old Order Amish in Lancaster County, Pa., place the triangles on their buggies without any real complaint. The conservative Swartzentruber Amish sect originally based in eastern Ohio, follow a stricter Ordnung, or code of conduct.

In seven others states including Ohio, the Swartzentruber Amish place a thin outline on the back of their buggies with four strips of reflective gray tape. The tape turns white when light hits them. They also hang red lanterns from the buggy so that they could travel at night.

Katie Caudill, a resident of nearby Lancaster, almost hit a buggy one night. The gray tape provided little illumination, she said. "Everyone has their beliefs, but you have to put safety first," she said.

"We get in trouble with the police for having a headlight out. Maybe I should put a lantern on my windshield and see how far I can make it."

On the other hand, I think its very intriguing to see how quickly 1913 becomes today in an instant, when lawyers are involved. It is truly the the American way, isn't?

On the lighter side of things, can you imagine if there were Puertorican Amish and how their buggies would look like. Neon lights underneath their lowered chassis while, pre-1913 salsa music would be blasting through their makeshift system.

How about a muscle buggy. An Amish vehicle driven by 8 horses for more power. We can't forget the BMW buggy for the yuppie Amish family. A much larger buggy would be driven by the folks over 65. A smaller open buggy will be used to carry the avid Amish golfers through the Intercouse Golf & Country Club.

Yeah my wife and I had a great time in rural Pennsylvania. The fresh air, the landsacpe and the traffic jams due to the slow poke Amish buggies. The Amish sure have their hands full with this issue. Too bad there is not a Circuit City nearby so they can get a TV. I admire them to a point, but before I digress, it's with the future that I am more impressed, I must confess.

God blessed them though!

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