Comments on: What a Horrible Law

By: Bill

Bill — Wed, 13 May 2009 11:45:48 +0000

The US already has these.

“Personal Protection Orders”

By: Dr. T

Dr. T — Tue, 12 May 2009 22:52:34 +0000

It’s time to bring back stoning. People who propose or support such stupid and intrusive laws should be stoned. They obviously are too sensitive to live in communities without constantly feeling threatened or offended, so the stonings would really be mercy killings.

By: James H

James H — Tue, 12 May 2009 18:39:35 +0000

I have a logical trap for those who would propose a law against saying or writing something that someone else may find offensive, threatening, whatever. Just write to the congressperson or whoever and tell them that you find this sort of law, and any discussion or writing about it, very offensive and threatening. Now, if they continue writing such laws, you could presumably pursue consequences against them if they were passed.

By: David

David — Tue, 12 May 2009 17:33:53 +0000

Have all US parents ceased teaching their children that “stick and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me”? Think about it: That single adage, when adopted by a culture, is a potent, proven antidote to repugnant ‘hate crime’ legislation; the above-mentioned ASBO follies; and the cancerous scourge of political correctness.

What the hell is wrong with everybody?

By: Evil Red Scandi

Evil Red Scandi — Tue, 12 May 2009 16:27:08 +0000

We have these in here in the US; we just call them Home Owner’s Associations.

By: nicole

nicole — Tue, 12 May 2009 15:51:54 +0000

I had heard of ASBOs before, but until I saw that piece yesterday in Reason I hadn’t realized private parties could bring them against other private parties for virtually anything they pleased. I thought they were some sort of first-warning-type citation for actually, you know, committing a minor crime. (I certainly thought they were bad, because I knew the Brits considered a lot of noncriminal things to be “minor crimes”…but not loud sex.)

I’m a dual citizen but when people have no protections against overreaches like this I couldn’t imagine ever moving to the UK. They really are living in 1984 and, somehow, most of them don’t seem to mind so much.

By: Bobby L

Bobby L — Tue, 12 May 2009 15:39:48 +0000

From Wikipedia: Linda Sanchez introduced the “Megan Meier Cyberbullying Prevention Act,” H.R. 1966, a bill which would criminalize the use of electronic communications if “the intent is to coerce, intimidate, harass, or cause substantial emotional distress to a person.”

Buh-bye First Amendment!