Legislatures at Work

Judge Rules Poker Is Game of Skill, Not Chance

Recently, a South Carolina judge ruled that poker is a game of skill and not a game of chance.  The issue was before him because state police — apparently with little else to do — have been raiding private poker games,…


Legislation Breaks Out During Brawl in South Korean Assembly

I love a good legislative fight.  Not the kind where they debate stuff — the kind where everybody ends up involved in an actual bench-clearing brawl. Unfortunately for C-SPAN's ratings, these things only seem to happen overseas.  Last May, I…


Swedish Parliament Intervenes in Birthday-Party Dispute

While Sweden's parliament was on the right side of this dispute, you would think it might have more important things to do than get involved in a fight over who should be invited to an eight-year-old's birthday party.  I know…


Swiss Government Demands Respect for Plant Dignity

The Wall Street Journal reported in October that an ethics committee in Switzerland has interpreted that country's constitution to require respect for the dignity of plant as well as animal life. Among the committee's conclusions: it is "morally impermissible" to…


Latest Low-Pants Ban: Lynwood, Illinois

The city council of Lynwood, Illinois, a Chicago suburb, is the latest to join the crusade against sagging pants.  Reports said that the new city ordinance would impose a $35 fine on anyone found to be showing more than three…


Congress Forgets Part of Farm Bill

The U.S. Congress, which some of you may remember as a third branch of government, roused itself this week to override President Bush’s veto of a popular farm bill.  That was the plan, at least, until somebody noticed that they…




New York Town Takes Serious Action Against Silly String

On March 3, the town board of Huntington, New York took decisive action to maintain public order by banning the sale of Silly String within 1,500 feet of a parade route.  It joined several other U.S. communities in doing so….


Bill Would Make KFC the “Official Picnic Food of Kentucky”

On January 18, Kentucky State Rep. Charles Siler introduced a bill that would designate Kentucky Fried Chicken (specifically, Original Recipe) as the state’s "official picnic food."  The provision itself is just one sentence, but the preamble offers some interesting details:…