Posted on 07/28/2010 11:06:33 AM PDT by Slings and Arrows
The road to Hell is paved with good intentions. And Bourbon.
The point being, history is full of well-meant laws and reforms meant to protect us from ourselves that either don't do a damned thing, or in these cases, actually make things worse.
(Excerpt) Read more at cracked.com ...
The fishing one is amazing. Obviously true once you think about it.
Most politicians think that the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics could be overturned by a voice-vote.
I've heard similar around here. If you see a cattail on your property it is time to chop it down, spray the remains with Roundup and dump some dirt on the land to fill it in so it won't be noticed as a wetland.
So, they're saying that we should be tossing back the big ones, and just keeping the small 
Fry?
Ah, so.
We have some dumb Laws in Massachusetts
It is illegal to give beer to hospital patients.
Candy may not contain more than 1% of alcohol.
Shooting ranges may not set up targets that resemble human beings
At a wake, mourners may eat no more than three sandwiches.
Snoring is prohibited unless all bedroom windows are closed and securely locked.
An old ordinance declares goatees illegal unless you first pay a special license fee for the privilege of wearing one in public.
Taxi drivers are prohibited from making love in the front seat of their taxi during their shifts.
All men must carry a rifle to church on Sunday.
Hunting on Sundays is prohibited.
It is illegal to go to bed without first having a full bath.
A woman can not be on top in sexual activities.
No gorilla is allowed in the back seat of any car.
Tattooing and body piercing is illegal. (Repealed in 2000)
Children may smoke, but they may not purchase cigarettes.
Tomatoes may not be used in the production of clam chowder.
Quakers and witches are banned.
Bullets may not be used as currency.
Massachusetts liquor stores can only open on Sundays if they are in Berkshire, Essex, Franklin, Middlesex or Worcester counties and are within 10 miles of the Vermont or New Hampshire borders.
Alcoholic drink specials are illegal.
Public boxing matches are outlawed.
“Tomatoes may not be used in the production of clam chowder.”
Well, sometimes, you just gotta have a law...
LOL.
In MI, a woman may not get a haircut without her husband’s permission.
There used to be a law in Mass. that a woman couldn’t have a baby on on Sunday. It may still exist and be one of those old laws they ignore.
Also a man couldn’t smoke on the front porch on Sunday.
Either approach creates problems. If you only take the big ones then you have the problem the article points out. But if you only take the small ones you run into the problem we’re running into in forestry, the “old growth” trees are often the ones with the most fragile health and most susceptible to blights and weather. The best path is probably one that ignores size.
“Most politicians think that the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics could be overturned by a voice-vote.”
You mean you *can’t*? Just damn. Guess I’ll have to put that perpetual motion machine I just designed back in the garage, then. I was really, *really* counting on Congress to repeal the 2nd Law so it would work.
I wonder if the idiot Gov of MI (Granholm - D, CA) knows she needs her husband’s permission to get a haircut?
Actually, I wonder if she is married? I have no idea.
/mark
All is forgiven. That's a good law.
She probably tells him when to get his haircut. She probably tells him what kind of haircut to get, too
And yet, Manhattan clam chowder is on supermarket shelves in Massachusetts. Blechh.
Someone should be prosecuted for disobeying this law.
LOL! Funny how everybody agrees with this one law.
Barring legalities interfering, that is mostly what I ever did fishing: catch enough for a meal or two, going by aggregate weight, while ignoring individual size, within reason.
A piece or all together?
An old ordinance declares goatees illegal unless you first pay a special license fee for the privilege of wearing one in public.
A public beauty issue. Guys look good in a beard or clean shaven. Goatees and (shudder!) soul patches look stupid.
All men must carry a rifle to church on Sunday.
Hunting on Sundays is prohibited.
I think I sense a theme here.
Implication: During their shifts, taxi drivers may not make love to gorillas.
I sense a hint of sarcasm.
We have strong rules about that. Here is how we handle that around here.
Turn your sound on.
Damn straight! (.WAV ganked - thanks!)
Whoever, except as provided in sections thirty-two to fifty, inclusive, of chapter one hundred and forty-seven, engages in or gives or promotes a public boxing match or sparring exhibition, or engages in a private boxing match or sparring exhibition, for which the contestants have received or have been promised any pecuniary reward, remuneration or consideration whatsoever, directly or indirectly, shall be punished by a fine of not more than two hundred dollars or by imprisonment for not more than three months, or both.Note the bold. If we go to the first section it references, we find...
Section 32. No boxing or sparring match or exhibition for a prize or a purse, or at which an admission fee is charged, either directly or indirectly, in the form of dues or otherwise, shall take place or be conducted in this commonwealth except in pursuance of a license granted as hereinafter provided by the state boxing commission, in sections thirty-two to forty-seven, inclusive, called the commission. [...]I am not a lawyer, but it seems to me that the fine is for those who charge admission without a license and the other requirements. It seems to me that nothing says you can't do it with a license (if there's a prize or fee), or for free.
That one was insane on paper, too.
That one was insane on paper, too.
bookmark
As I look at the lunatic things Congress is passing, I wonder..."Where's Waldo?"
I guess that means I have to leave the perpetual-motion machine in the garage.
That is . . . mmmmm . . . I think I know an Obama voter that will take it off my hands — and pay me for the privilege of doing that. They are soooo gullible, you know.
I know.
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