What defines sex? The case of Donita Ganzon

[Lan Barnes]

On Sat, Dec 11, 2004 at 08:34:52PM -0800, Lewis Wolfgang wrote:
> Lan Barnes wrote:
> >> What is it
> >>about American society that made it so puritanical?  Our "Puritan"
> >>heritage?
> >>
> >>Regards,
> >>Lew
> >
> >
> >Since I'm not particularly puritanical, you (or someone else) would have
> >to explain it to me.
> >
> >Here's my question. Assuming lots of Americans are puritanical, why
> >should I have to put up with laws that restrict my harmless amusements
> >just to coddle them?
> 
> Exactly!  Why should you have to put up with it?  


>Why also should you
> not be able to enjoy a cigar after dinner in a smoker's only restaurant?

Because passive smoke is toxic -- the cigar smoker is poisoning other
people in public places. Better s/he join a private cigar club. Laws
that protect us from each other are justified.

> Why should you not be able to ride a Harley without a helmet?  

I don't care. Same with seat belts ... if you don't want to play the
odds, go get maimed. Minors have a right to expect protection (car
seats) but grown ups can make their own decisions, even if they're bad
ones. (Note that I reject the "it drives my insurance rates up" argument
for nanny laws.) Laws that protect us from ourselves are almost never
justified.

> Why
> should you not be able to opt out of the Social Security system
> if you so choose?  Und so weiter.
> 

Debatable. I can't get out of taxes for the defense department even if I
object to a war or war in general. Why should I be able to get out of a
general retirement insurance tax? Send your opinion to congress and ask
them to change it ... meanwhile, pay up like the rest of us.

> Regards,
> Lew
> 

-- 
Lan Barnes                    lan at falleagle.net
Linux Guy, SCM Specialist     858-354-0616