Monday, June 16, 2014

Continued Legal Contemplations

When I was looking over all these laws it did make me wonder about the folks who decided to introduce them into their state legislative bodies, and about those who agreed with the need for these particular items being enacted.

Massachusetts      -  No gorilla is allowed in the back seat of any car.  (Oh, yeah.  This
                                 had to be a consistent threat to the population.)
Michigan             -   It is illegal for a man to scowl at his wife on Sunday.  (Now this
                                 could actually lead to a more civil home life for those who indulge
                                 in the behavior.  But was there so many scowlers in the state that
                                 it was necessary to stop it legally?)
Minnesota            -   A person may not cross state lines with a duck atop his head.  (So
                                 many things one could say about this, but I'll just take a pass and
                                 let it speak for itself.)
Mississippi           -   In Tylertown it is unlawful to shave in the center of Main Street.
                                  (I would think it would also be inconvenient as well.  You'd have
                                  to assemble all the necessities with a little water as well.  It just
                                  couldn't be worth all the trouble.)
Missouri               -   It is illegal to install bathtubs with the four legs resembling animal
                                  paws.  (Was there a fear that in the middle of the night the legs
                                  would become alive with a porcelain body and chase the home's
                                  inhabitants around the premises?  Who knows?)
Montana               -   Wives of the state, beware.  It is a felony for you to open your
                                  husband's mail.  (Does this apply if he is on a business trip and
                                  asks her to do so?)
Nebraska              -   It is illegal to go whale fishing.  (Okay, Nebraska is slap dab in the
                                  middle of the 48 contiguous United States.  Not an ocean anywhere
                                  for many a mile.  Just how many opportunities will you have to
                                  actually break this law?  Hmmm.)
Nevada                 -   It is illegal to drive a camel on the highway.  (There probably aren't
                                  too many camels in the state now.  If my history is correct there were
                                  camels introduced in some few desert states in the hopes of better
                                  transportation.  I doubt many still exist, but then I could be wrong.)
New Hampshire   -   You are not allowed to tap your feet, nod your head, or in any way
                                 keep time to the music in taverns, restaurants or cafes.  (Whoa!  Not
                                 a place prone to elicit good time feelings, wouldn't you say?)
New Jersey          -   A man is breaking the law if he insists on knitting during fishing
                                 season.  (Somehow I just don't get the connection between these
                                 two activities.)

The nice thing about looking at all these laws is the realization that all states have something on the books that we would find just plain odd.  Not one can claim superiority in clear thinking.  Wouldn't you like to sit down and have a chat with the folks who bring these up for consideration?  And there is more to come.

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