Dumb Laws

Dumb Law in Maryland

Andrew Roth — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 15:11:07 -0500

Maryland's Prince George County Council has banned the sale of single cigars. PG County is the only jurisdiction in the country to enact such a ban.

The Ugly Tax

Andrew Roth — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 17:00:20 -0500

The EU is relaxing its ban on ugly fruits and vegetables. I just read about it, but I still don't know why they created the ban in the first place. Because ugly food has "odd curves" that are offensive to the eyes?

The Pernicious Interior Design Lobby

Andrew Roth — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 10:47:25 -0500

Arkansas State Rep. Dan Greenberg (the next Tom Coburn?) is trying to defund the state's Interior Design Board. In related news, yes, there's an actual government agency devoted to policing the interior design industry in Arkansas.

A Tax on Your Eyeballs?

Andrew Roth — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 15:56:24 -0500

A government agency in Tennessee is considering a tax on bird watchers and other "wildlife watchers."

Nothing Funny About the Amusement Tax

Andrew Roth — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 15:38:10 -0500

Chicago Mayor Richard Daley is proposing an increase in the amusement tax to cover a budget shortfall. Cubs fans are still grieving over their team's loss in the playoffs and now this?

Brown Grass Means Jail Time

Andrew Roth — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 13:53:03 -0500

A man was put in jail because he failed to adequately water his lawn.

I'm Sorry

Andrew Roth — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 09:46:31 -0500

A proposal in Canada called The Apology Act would make it easier for people to apologize for doing something wrong without it later being held against them in court. I love this quote from the article: "However, [Attorney General Mike] Bentley said the bill isn't designed to make it easier for the government to apologize because it should do the right thing regardless." As opposed to private citizens who should do the wrong thing from time to time?

Perhaps the Stupidest Law Ever?

Andrew Roth — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 15:43:52 -0500

Michael Cannon at Cato has the details. And, yes, the law comes from California.

Dumbness During the Bailout

Andrew Roth — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 09:28:05 -0500

While the United States struggles through the credit crisis, what is the House of Representatives doing? Passing a resolution "recognizing the 150th anniversary year of the founding of Macy's, Inc."

Dumb Law Time Machine

Andrew Roth — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 12:37:00 -0500

Here's a dumb law from 1908 in New York City.

Man Tries to Get California to Sue Him

Andrew Roth — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 10:03:37 -0500

I like this guy. Great idea.

Dumb Court Decision About Mad Cow Disease

Andrew Roth — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 09:28:16 -0500

With caution, I put this court decision under the "Dumb Laws" category only because there are several legal details that might not make it entirely dumb. However, on the surface, it seems remarkably dumb. Apparently, the U.S. Court of Appeals is preventing a beef company from testing its own beef for mad cow disease at its own expense.

Dumb Proposal in L.A.

Andrew Roth — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 14:14:47 -0500

A committee for the Los Angeles City Council is going to consider a proposal that would prohibit people from smoking within 5 feet of restaurant tables that are located outside.

Dumbness in Knoxville, TN

Andrew Roth — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 14:04:22 -0500

You need a permit to go out of business in Knoxville, TN.

The Nanny State = The Richard Simmons State

Andrew Roth — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 09:07:54 -0500

From the Daily Mail in Great Britain:

A bizarre Government-funded campaign is being launched to encourage people to exercise while they’re waiting for a bus.

According to the campaign’s organisers, those minutes spent at the bus stop watching the traffic go by could be spent more usefully – by standing on one leg, pointing your toes or clenching your buttocks.