Topic awaiting preservation: Laws getting stupid... (Page 1 of 1)

I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm starting to feel that legislators these days have lost grip on reality.

We have a few dubious laws floating around this globe and some outright silly ones. I can understand that in countries run by strict religion, they will most likely have laws that I find stupid, but I'm starting to see the same scary trend in countries commonly labelled as the "Civilized Democratic West" as well.

Just spotted this one from Virgina, where they have voted to outlaw "lowrider pants" for moral reasons. I can't say that it would affect me since:

1. I do not live in Virginia
2. I guess I'm too old for that fashion statement anyway

but to try to pass a law on it??

The Link Just Just Not So Long It Breaks the Page Layou

The bill has already passed the first hurdle and awaiting a vote in the Virginia State Senate.

It really erodes my diminishing hope of human nature when taxmoney goes to waste in such discussions...



(Edited by WarMage on 02-10-2005 18:37)

*sigh*

Pure stupidity, IMHO.

quote:

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In framing a government, which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this:
you must first enable the government to control the governed, and in the next place, oblige it to control itself.

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James Madison

http://www.mcwilliams.com/books/aint/toc.htm

Thanks to Petskull for the link which is posted here http://www.ozoneasylum.com/24357 and probably was missed by lot of people.

Very applicable in both threads... imo

While I do find the idea of making such a law ridiculous, I also find this statement against the law equally absurd -

quote:

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Banning low-riding pants with exposed underwear is likely to have a disproportionate effect on racial minorities."

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Errr.....so.....it would be ok, but since young black kids are strongly identified with wearing pants with your ass hanging out...it's not?

We have represented, in this article both ends of the "ridiculous legislative spectrum"

Outstanding...

To quote the late Johnny Carson:

quote:

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Democracy means no taxation without representation, and god knows, we've just about had the hell represented out of us. It means the freedom to bear arms so you can blow the "o" out of any rural stop sign you want.

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.

Too true.

There is nothing moral about the "Moral Majority" In fact it is if not an oxymoron, certainly a contradiciton of terms.

This is the avenue the religious right take when they know they don't have the majority's support...scare the hell out of the legislators.

There's a fine line between genius and insanity. I have erased this line.
Oscar Levant
(1906 - 1972)

Solution: Stop wearing underwear.

Just thought I would interect, many on the the other side of the political spectrum, myself included, find this equally stupid. I personally think the people of Virginia should be raising hell.

Also, the men pushing for this law are not the religious right, but black democrats. Not to say both parties aren't guity this type of silliness, but hey.

Anyways, my my main reason for posting. That article was a bit out of date, the bill passed, at an amazing 60-34 vote:
http://www.cnn.com/2005/LAW/02/09/low.pants.ap/index.html

Maybe soon we can all start wearing a uniform.

Too bad legislators like this can't just legislate themselves away.

Ethiest, it is a weak and ignorant mind that employs vague generalizations when referring to a group of people rather than thinking of something intelligent to say.

Back to hibernation,

Ramasax

(Edited by Ramasax on 02-11-2005 07:19)

quote:

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The state's House of Delegates passed a bill Tuesday authorizing a $50 fine for anyone who displays his or her underpants in a "lewd or indecent manner."

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I couldn't find it but I hear-tell that buried in the bowels of that bill there's specific exemption for plumbers and politicians but only while working mind you. Insiders are calling it the "Bill Bill."

It sounds like an unenforcable law to me. A good attorney should be able to put up an argument about the "lewd or indecent manner" part. Who's to decide what is lewd or indecent?

Heard on overnite news... that the State's upper house (senate?).... refused to pass the bill because of laughing/ridicule... world-wide.

So I must assume that fat guys who's ass-cracks pop out when they lean over will be fined as well? Oh wait...no that's fine because no underwear would be visible...

quote:

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he said the measure was an unconstitutional attack on young blacks

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Oh for the love of god...c'mon. an attack on young blacks????????

Can't we get through anything without it turning into racial prejudice or religious persecution?

I don't know about anywhere else, but around here I see white boys/girls/men/woman dressing like this all the time.

Granted, in most cases I want to grab them and pull their pants up for them...but a law? And "racism"?

I don't know which side is more ridiculous...really....

quote:

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NoJive: Heard on overnite news... that the State's upper house (senate?).... refused to pass the bill because of laughing/ridicule... world-wide.

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Thanks for mentioning that, you are right.

http://www.fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2005/022005/02112005/1667290

Honestly The BBC (amonst many others) has been having a good old giggle at this and reminded us of this little gem too. Bush filmed in underwear

:::tao::: ::cell::

This really isn't a surprise to me. Laws like this have come down throughout all governments throughout history. The reason why it shocks you that it would come about in 'the civilized democratic west' is that people nowadays have made the word 'democratic' equal to words like panacea and holy. And believe that 'nothing bad could ever come through democracy. For democracy is the only good form of government.' WRONG! Hitler was a product of democracy. He was elected through democratic means. Saddam Hussein got into power because of a democratic government, of a country commonly known as America. The same country which throughout history has placed power hungry dictators all throughout south america just to keep it out of the hands of european powers and under the cover of 'instilling peace'. This is of course after we sent out the Monroe Doctrine stating the U.S would be a neutral power. (So much for that).
And by the way I can bring proof about the south america part.

History is nothing but a fable that has been agreed upon.
-Napolean Bonaparte

ok...

you obviously 1) assume a great deal about the people posting here, and their views, and 2) make a huge leap in progression from this situation to nazi germany...

again, I must ask you - is there a point involved here (preferably one that is relevent to the topic)?

I am merely saying that such a stupid law shouldn't surprise people after a million other stupid laws have been passed. and that not everything that comes from democracy is good even though that is how it has been marketed.

History is nothing but a fable that has been agreed upon.
-Napolean Bonaparte

I never necessarily meant my fellow inmates merely most of the people that I talk to in the outside world.

History is nothing but a fable that has been agreed upon.
-Napolean Bonaparte