Thursday, February 09, 2012

Common Sense In Los Angeles County? Are You Frickin Kidding?!

One wonders if the Los Angeles county board of supervisors ever actually get out of their offices in downtown Los Angeles and live with the very people they claim to represent.
Since I have lost count, lets chalk up the latest action of the board as another unbelievable encroachment of the Nanny State at the beach.Keep in mind that there is a lot of beach space in Los Angeles county. But if you want to go and have fun, forget it!
Now the basis of this abuse of power is. . .wait for it. . .public safety.
Are you frickin kidding me?!
Hey, here is something for the Los Angeles county board of supervisors to note.
You know there is another beach activity called surfing. I think I need somewhat explain it to you folks.
Surfing is when a dude or a gal gets up on this board and like ride waves. And like the higher the wave, the cooler the ride.
But you know what happens out there, dude?
Something called a wipe-out.
You know that is when you, you know, can't ride the wave and it is like so awesome full of energy that it knocks you off your board.
And another thing is that there are like some dangerous other things out in the water.
Like, you know, riptides. And jellyfish. And, whoa dude! Sharks.
Maybe our esteemed board of supervisors ought to ban surfing. And maybe boogie-boarding. And paddle-boarding. And body-surfing too. You know, all are dangerous and may affect the public safety.
No, really.
See what happens in the absurdity of the Nanny State?
OK, sometimes Frisbee and football throwers can be inconsiderate. But usually if they do bother people, all that has to be done is a gentle nudge and a "hey dude!" and usually the offenders back away and go someplace else.
In other words, almost all of the time, a little common sense is all that is needed.
But what this is really all about, IMHO, is another revenue stream for a cash-strapped county.
And what is really happening is that law enforcement is being reduced to glorified tax collectors with a sidearm.
As one that loves the beach, I can assure you that really very little goes on that a lifeguard can not handle. If there is a group of idiots that have no manners, usually a lifeguard can get in and rectify the situation.
But no.
There is a hope that this summer will produce a bunch of idiots that will flood Los Angeles county beaches and be no more than a cash cow because they can't play Frisbee and throw a football without incurring a not-so-righteous fine.
One of the problems in Nanny Statism is the fact that it is not in the best interests of most people. It is usually in reaction to an unusual event. And a clamor from special interest groups to "do something" about it.
Bottom line is that not only is it a blatant encroachment of people having responsible freedom. But it is an attempt to find new ways of revenue for a government. Neither is a good thing.
One hopes that the Los Angeles county board of supervisors will rethink this stupid ordinance and have common sense reign once again.

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