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Man fined for criticizing govt using science, without a license
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boffin:
Now there's also some interesting history in Oregon over names you can apply to yourself. Oregon was one of the 1st states to prevent people from claiming they had a degree when it came from a dodgy "life experience" unaccredited degree granting institutions (like Kennedy Western / Warren National).  Amazing what you come across when you start looking into the credentials of who will become your boss.

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20041221005728/en/Oregon-Settles-Federal-Lawsuit-Filed-Kennedy-Western-University

I suspect if this goes further it will be overturned, because the term "engineer" is way too vague for the P.Eng body to enforce that all engineers are licensed by them (what about people who drive trains?).

Also what happens when Dr J comes to play basketball in Portland, or the "Tube Amp Doctor" fixes your classic blackface Fender, or the "Rug Doctor" cleans your carpets etc etc...
EEVblog:

--- Quote from: T3sl4co1l on April 26, 2017, 09:22:23 am ---They're free to disregard good advice... that's up to them.
But, fining him for calling himself something he never asserted (namely, electrical engineer != civil engineer) is a bit over the top.
Hopefully the gov't is biting off more than they can chew, and things turn out for the best...

--- End quote ---

I hope he fights it, no way I would pay that fine.
Insane.
EEVblog:

--- Quote from: boffin on April 26, 2017, 11:28:11 am ---I suspect if this goes further it will be overturned, because the term "engineer" is way too vague for the P.Eng body to enforce that all engineers are licensed by them (what about people who drive trains?).

--- End quote ---

Yep, no way they can control usage of the name in a general sense, there are countless branches of engineering:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_engineering_branches
tszaboo:

--- Quote from: MarkS on April 26, 2017, 09:59:52 am ---
--- Quote from: donotdespisethesnake on April 26, 2017, 09:53:09 am ---It's clear that he broke the law and continued to do so after it was pointed out to him. It didn't help that he tried to sue the authorities (he lost), all so he could get his wife off of a traffic ticket.

--- End quote ---

Actually, according the the U.S. Constitution, he did not break a law. The Constitution is the document that all U.S. laws are judged on. You cannot enact a law that restricts a person's speech without clear and immediate dangers to public safety (or some legal terminology that escapes my mind at the moment). As such, the law in question, as written, will most likely not stand a constitutional challenge. More over, he only filed the lawsuit last week, so he hasn't lost and will most likely prevail.

--- End quote ---
"In the United States, most states prohibit unlicensed persons from calling themselves an "engineer" or indicating branches or specialities not covered by the licensing acts."
"I am allowed to say whatever it is possible to say" is not freedom of speech. He was writing an official letter to the authorities. If he would have signed as Dr. Steve Tailor or Steve Tailor PhD. he could have been fined also, because he is not a doctor.
I would really like if people without proper degree would stop calling them engineers. I have sworn an oath, just as doctors. They say "do no harm", I said "protect safety and health of people". If you did not do this, you are not entitled to call yourself an engineer, it is unethical.
VEGETA:
Anyone can say his opinion but an official degree is only required for payment jobs. However, on the other side, we can't take any word from anyone to be legit... but having a fine for it is just nonsense unless he really causes chaos and stuff.
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