Dumb Laws on the Books AND Happy 4th of July everyone! In 1776 a group of men came together and founded this great nation. Let us not forget they laid everything, including their lives, on the line. May we never forget the sacrifices they, and men and women after them gave to keep our land free.
Since it is the 4th, I thought I’d post a few ridiculous laws some states have on the books. Perhaps I’ll even post what states the laws are in…But first the photo and Scripture. I never fail to feel a swell of pride when I see our flag. To me, it represents freedom, especially when I think of the flag at Iwo Jima…I hope and pray Americans will take to heart Psalm 33:12.
Now for last week’s Mystery Question–Just Another Dumb Criminal. As usual, three of these crimes really happened, and I made one up. Can you guess which one?
- Police spent two hours attempting to subdue a gunman who had barricaded himself inside his home. After firing ten tear gas canisters, officers discovered that the man was standing beside them, shouting out to give himself up.
- Brunswick, Georgia, detectives picked up a man who fit the thief’s description and drove him back to the scene. He was told to exit the car and face the victim for an I.D. The suspect dutifully eyed the victim, and blurted, “Yeah, that’s the woman I robbed.”
- A man walked into a Kwik Shop and asked for all the money in the cash drawer. Apparently, the take was too small so he tied up the store clerk. Then he worked the counter himself for three hours until police showed up and grabbed him.
- Police pulled a speeding car over and the driver managed to talk the officer out of the ticket until he said, “That’s terrific, the last guy only gave me a warning, too.”
And the answer is…#4. Congrats to all who guessed correctly! I really struggle to believe the other three are true!
Now for this week’s Mystery Question–Dumb Laws on the Books. Just like with dumb crimes, three of these laws are really on the books, and I made one up. Note someone compiled this list in 2011 and some of the laws can be quite old. Can you guess which one I made up?
- In this state, you cannot chain your alligator to a fire hydrant.
- Police can arrest you for selling candy to a customer in this state unless the customer has a note from his physician.
- It is illegal in one state to marry the same man more than 3 times.
- Even though it is legal to hunt a bear in this state, it is illegal to wake a bear and take a picture for photo opportunities.
Okay Super Sleuths, can you guess which one I made up? And if you like these, there are plenty more for me to use…leave your answer in the comments and I’ll enter you in a July drawing for a book from my library!
Dumb Laws on the Books is this week's Mystery Question. Four really dumb laws, three true, one I made up. Can you guess which one? Leave an answer in the comments on the blog and I'll enter you in a drawing for book from my library! Click To Tweet
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Comments 55
Congrats on the terrific blurb from Elizabeth Goddard! I laughed at all four laws, but I think you made up number 4. Surely tourists aren’t THAT stupid!
Author
I’m glad I gave you a hearty chuckle this morning, Vera. But do remember that some of our legislatures are like the dumb criminal…We’ll see next week if it’s #4.
What a wonderful photo and verse to remind us of what today means, and from where our true freedom comes. One of my 4th of July traditions is watching the movie musical “1776”. I did that last year, so this year I will make a new tradition and watch the movie “Top Gun, Maverick”.
Those arcane state laws can be really crazy, though I’m sure most were passed for what was considered a serious reason. So, I’m saying you made up #2, though if people really needed a note from their doctor to buy candy, I think there would be a lot of law breakers.
Author
Hi Tim! I love that photo and verse! The photo was taken at Shiloh, I think. I like the idea of watching 1776! Or maybe Yankee Doodle Dandy…I will be watching the Capitol Fourth unless it gets political. 🙂
Tim, many years ago when schools had rules against chewing gum and eating candy in the classrooms, I enjoyed a lot of those law breakers. Oh, wait, those were jaw breakers (packaged as fireballs). I have no idea how many jaw breakers I consumed in high school. It’s a wonder I don’t have a bulging jaw to this day. Maybe getting braces on my teeth slowed me down.
I remember chewing on my share of jaw breakers, too, Edward. They were good.
It’s probably asking too much from our Legislatures, but it sure would be nice if each law had an automatic sunset clause that would require the law to be re-passed in order to remain on the books.
Think I’m going with #2 also, but all of these are crazy! Happy 4th
Author
Indeed they are all crazy, Ms. Dottie! We’ll see next week…
Happy Fourth! I am going with number 4.
Author
Hi, Judy! We’ll see next Tuesday if it’s #4.
#2 or they would be a lot of lawbreakers! Beautiful picture and verse
Author
True, Shelia! We’ll see if there are a lot of lawbreakers next week…
I can hardly wait for the answer because they’re all nuts, but for now I’m also going w/ #2 🙂
Author
We’ll see next week if it’s nutty #2, Delores…
1
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We’ll see, BN!
Happy 4th, everyone! Top Gun, Maverick is great. We watched Top Gun one weekend to refresh our memory and Maverick the next. I asked my husband for help, and he said that you made them all up. Ha! I am going with #2 but I am wondering about #3.
Author
I watched Tom Gun, Maverick when Comcast ran it free on TV a while back. A friend said I really should see it in the movie theater for all the sound effects. 🙂 And tell your husband, that unfortunately, I only made up one and we’ll see next week if it’s #2…and I’ll be back with even more crazy books on the law.
Thank goodness one is made up! They were all funny. I’m at a total loss, so going with #4
Our flag is important to me as well, Pat. One time when I went to war-torn Transnistria, a heavily communist-run country, I drew American flags in hidden places in my journal and some on the underneath part of my skirts. I wanted to be reminded of the freedom I’d experienced in case I wasn’t able to get back home.
“God is our refuge and our strength a very present help in time of trouble.”
Author
Oh, wow, Barbara! That had to be scary. And Psalm 46:1 is very near and dear to my heart!
# 4 Happy Fourth of July to you!
Author
We’ll see, DJ. Happy 4th!
#4 on the fourth! I can’t imagine waking a bear up on purpose. We have a wonderful service at church every year the Sunday before the 4th. Each branch of the service is honored with their song and recognition of the veterans. It always brings tears to my eyes.
Author
I wish our church did that–we used to, but alas, no longer. We’ll see next week if it’s #4 on the fourth. 😉
Love this photo and verse Pat! It’s hard to decide between #2 and #4. They’re all comical. I’ll go with #4.
Have a blessed 4th everyone!
Author
I thought they were comical, too, Miss Mary. And to think, I have more waiting in the wings. lol We’ll see next week.
#3
Author
We’ll see, Patricia~
#2 – but all of these sound somewhat unbelievable! Thankfully I don’t live in a state w/ alligators, so I don’t have to worry about them being tied to a fire hydrant!
Author
MS Barb, I think I do live in a state with alligators, but so far I haven’t seen any tied to a fire hydrant. lol
Great picture of the flag. I love the fact that there are beautiful clouds and blue sky above the flag reminding us that God is over all. The verse is quite appropriate.
Now for those laws, I think #2 is made up. I can envision idiots somewhere doing the other three things, causing someone to decide there should be a law against it. But a law requiring a doctor’s permission to buy candy seems like an undue hardship on doctors, and for what purpose?
Author
I’m glad you liked my photo–it was taken at either Shiloh or our National Cemetery. I love your logic in choosing #2…we’ll see next week if you’re correct. 😉
#2. Where I’m from, it’s illegal to dance while wearing a sombrero, trip a horse, ghost hunt in the cemetary, or to vote if you’re an idiot.
Wow, Joy. At first I was thinking every state should have a law that you can’t vote if you’re an idiot. But on reflection, I see this problem with that: Just look at all the idiots that are voting already now. 🙂
Lol Tim!
Author
😉
Tim, rather than restricting idiots from voting, maybe they should pass a law prohibiting idiots from running for office. Then the idiots who vote couldn’t do as much damage. LOL!
Author
Oh, I love the illegal to vote if you’re an idiot one, Joy…too bad we don’t have a test for that on election day. lol We’ll see next week.
Edward, I like your law to prevent idiots from running for office. But, would we then have idiots deciding who was not an idiot for running. Sometimes I feel like I’m voting for the least idiotic candidate. In the end, I think we all just need to be as well informed as we can, and vote accordingly. There’s no perfection in human endeavors this side of heaven.
Top Gun, Maverick was great to see again last night, even on my ancient smallish screen TV. I saw it originally in a newly appointed theater, wide screen and exceptional sound, and the experience was well worth the price.
All so funny. #4
Author
Thank you! I’m glad you found them funny, Mary! We’ll see next week if it’s #4.
I’m going with #2.
Author
Hi Diana! Number 2 is very popular. 🙂
Beautiful photo and verse. I’ll go with #2.
Author
Thanks, Lucy! We’ll see next week if it’s #2.
I am going with 2. Though 4 is a close second.
Author
I’m glad it wasn’t easy, BarbB!
#2
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We’ll see, Caryl!
Too funny, I’ll go with #2!
Author
I’m glad I gave you a laugh, Natalya! We’ll see next week if it’s #2.
I’ll guess #2.
Author
We’ll see, Megan!
I’ll guess #3
Author
We’ll see, Paula.