Ri-God-Damned-Diculous
A Pennsylvania township has banned smoking in outdoor areas. South Heildelberg Township located outside of Reading Pa., (and 10 minutes from my house) has disallowed any smoking on township property including parks, playgrounds and the parking lots adjoining public buildings.
Perhaps the most hilarious part of this ban is that the one exemption is the parking lot next to the police station. “Police are on duty 24/7, and it was felt they should have a place to smoke if desired,” said Township Manager Ronald R. Seaman.
The story cites Seaman’s reservations about the loophole in the law, but Seaman claims that the loophole will save the Township time and money in the long run. “They could jump in a cruiser, go to a supermarket parking lot and have a smoke. This way, they go outside, have a quick smoke and get it over with.”
Yes, God forbid we inconvenience the cops. I am more concerned about the displaced high school students who will no longer be able to congregate in the parks en masse to smoke once school lets out. In the words of Helen Lovejoy ‘What about the children. Won’t someone please think of the children?”
I’d say it’s not wrong but it is not normal
Is it wrong that I’m more interested in making semen jokes than adding to the discourse?
No cigars needed. I always puke around cops.
Ossie–Great idea! Guy’s vomit in that parking lot will really make a statement. I’ll be sure to bring the cigars.
This is outrageous. I’m personally offended.
OK, so here’s the deal. When the OC wins this blogging competition, use the winnings to fly a group to this god-forsaken-place and have the 2009 OC Great American Smoke-in in that police parking lot … document the whole journey on video … next stop, the Oscar podium!
The thing to do, then, is to congregate and smoke in the police parking lot. That ought to teach them.
A useless law, and completely un-enforceable. The city (er, scratch that … “township”) does not have the manpower, let alone intelligence or authority, to completely police all of its inhabitants.
The one thing that frustrates me to no end is that many of the anti-smoking laws have been pushed forward under the guise of “public health and safety” measures. The recent Oregon anti-smoking law that just took effect was passed under the same intention, although we all know it was just a “public decency” thing, or whatever.