Fisking Everything

Ever have one of those days when you feel like fisking the world? The trouble is it would take a long time and it would be hard to know where to begin. It's probably best to pick one or two examples as representative samples and let it go at that. I like to start with the stupidest item of the day and work from there.

According to a New York Times report State Assemblyman Leland Y. Lee has introduced a measure urging the state Building Standards Commission to adopt a measure that would "aid feng shui, the ancient Chinese practice of promoting health, harmony and prosperity through the environment."

Do you want to take a guess in which state assembly Mr. Yee serves. California. Bonus question: What is Mr. Yee's party affiliation and whom does he represent? If you guessed Democrat, San Francisco, give yourself a pat on the back.

Feng Shui means "wind and water" and is based on belief in the mystical powers that are continually around us and that the proper ordering of the elements surrounding us can harness these forces and bring good fortune. It is a pseudo science based on ancient Chinese religious beliefs and for many modern practitioners it still maintains a heavy spiritual component.

Feng Shui in 21st century America is a blend of New Age Mysticism, ancient Chinese religious traditions and interior decorating. And this moron wants to make part of California's building codes. The 9th Circuit Court, in California, recently ruled the Pledge of Allegiance unconstitutional because the phrase "One nation, under God" represented legislative establishment of religion. Why do I have the feeling that if this measure passes the assembly and becomes law, the 9th Circus would find no establishment conflict. It's idiocy like this that really makes Northeastern winters bearable.

After dealing with overwhelming stupidity I have to move on to maddeningly frustrating. The anti-SUV crowd has apparently been paying attention to the successful tactics of the anti-smoking crowd. Actually, given the obnoxiously intrusive desire of each group to protect individuals from themselves and their zealous belief in their own righteousness, it's probably all just the same "crowd."

Newsday.com is reporting that New York Assemblyman Ivan Lafayette

wants to require heavy SUVs to travel along truck routes, saying their girth makes them subject to the same weight-based safety standards as their commercial cousins.

It's the automotive equivalent of banning smoking in bars.

Lafayette, who according to Newsday drives a Ford Taurus doesn't feel people who choose to buy a SUV shouldn't be allowed the same freedom as drivers of lame economy cars (like my VW Jetta for instance).

If Lafayette's idea becomes law, the SUVs would have to travel interstate highways or other truck routes -- some of them toll roads -- with wider lanes and long stretches between exits. Now, large SUVs routinely travel meandering commuter roads with free access to residential areas.

The approach is the same as the smoking bans. They can't outlaw SUV's outright but they can make them such a hassle to own that people will stop buying them. If you want a clue as where the anti-SUV crusade is heading next, here is the last paragraph of the Newsday story

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported in July that death rates rose significantly for SUV occupants in rollovers as compared to passenger cars. SUVs account for about 25 percent of all the vehicles sold in the United States, according to analysts

Coming to a lawsuit friendly court near you, lawsuits to recover state costs from SUV related accidents.

Posted by: Stephen Macklin at 03:46 PM | No Comments | Add Comment