Nanny Staters were 1 - 1 at the legislature today.

By -
Senate Bill 196 (protecting children from smoking when they hang out in bars) found itself referred to the 41st legislative day on a 7-6 vote. This bill from Republican Senator Tom Hansen bit the dust after discussion in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee.

But the nanny staters struck back in an even more ridiculous measure as the car seat bill for those up to age 8 passed the legislature. So, second graders who normally can walk to school by themselves will now find themselves strapped in. I'm seriously embarrassed that we had Republicans voting for House Bill 1189.

As one legislator pointed out, this summer, they'll slide in the dirt and have balls thrown about their heads at high velocity in Little League baseball. And as their mommy picks them up, they'll be strapped in a car seat.

You know, it's times like this one starts to refresh their memory on the requirements for referring laws.

Comments

Anonymous said…
So does up-to include 8 year olds or not? I dislike up to because depending on who you ask it includes those of that age and some see it as anyone below that age.

This could cause confusion.
7:36 AM
Anonymous said…
If you're going to complain about 196 get it right, it died in the House HHS committee not the Senate. The bill would have removed the stupid malt beverage exemption that allows places like Perkins and Fryin Pan to get a beer license and never actually serve beer just so they can allow smoking. Disgusting.
8:27 AM
Anonymous said…
pp says: "So, second graders who normally can walk to school by themselves will now find themselves strapped in."
Using that analogy, adults who can walk up the street shouldn't need to wear seat belts in motor vehicles.

The intent of the bill, to make certain all children are secure and safe in case of an accident, is good. It just isn't practical because people like pp - and others with smaller families and smaller vehicles - don't have room for more car seats.

Isn't that the real reason for protesting the nanny state?
10:21 AM
Anonymous said…
Since when does a state lack an interest in the health of its citizens? Secondhand smoke is poisonous, period. By your logic, the state would have no interest in stopping Homestake from polluting Spearfish Canyon, or Morrells from polluting the Big Sioux River. What is the difference? nothing.
11:45 AM
Anonymous said…
What use is this law anyway on seatbelting in kids up to 8 years of age? It has no teeth, just a warning. So if I were driving a normal sized car (not a van) that only had room for two car seats and I was comfortable with my 7 year old only in a seatbelt, I wouldn't worry about it. Nothing will happen even if you get a warning. At some point some things should be left to parental responsibility. Most parents really aren't that dumb when it comes to making sure their kids are safe in a car. And those who are probably wouldn't obey the law anyway.
6:31 PM
Anonymous said…
This week in the news a story about an 8 yr old that weighs 216 lbs. I wonder where you could buy his car seat??
8:40 AM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A note from Benedict Ar... Sorry. A note from Stan Adelstein why he thinks you should vote Democrat this year.

By -
Image
(Click on letter to enlarge) And while it may not be printed at taxpayer expense, I don't see a disclaimer, either. When they hold the special session (supposedly at the end of November) , since he's left them already, I think his colleagues should expel him from the caucus. Sure. At that point it's only going to be symbolic. But since he's already said he's running again in the near future, sometimes symbolism is enough.
Read more

Corson County information on Klaudt Rape Charges

By -
Here's some of the information on the Corson County Charges: COUNT I That on or about December of 2005, in the County of Corson, State of South Dakota, Ted Alvin Klaudt did commit the public offense of SECOND DEGREE RAPE (SDCL 22-22-1(2)) in that he did accomplish an act of sexual penetration with his foster daughter, A.M., through the use of force or coercion; and as to COUNT II That on or about July or August of 2006, in the County of Corson, State of South Dakota, Ted Alvin Klaudt did commit the public offense of SECOND DEGREE RAPE (SDCL 22-22-1(2)) in that he did accomplish an act of sexual penetration with his foster daughter, A.M., through the use of force or coercion; and as to COUNT III That on or about July or August of 2006, in the County of Corson, State of South Dakota, Ted Alvin Klaudt did commit the public offense of SECOND DEGREE RAPE (SDCL 22-22-1(2)) in that he did accomplish an act of sexual penetration, separate and distinct from the act alleged in Count II, with...
Read more

It's about health, not potential promiscuity.

By -
As the only South Dakota blogger out with 5 daughters, I feel I need to weigh in on the whole discussion that's occurring with regards to the HPV vaccine, and Governor Rounds' proposal to make it available. My family (including my three oldest girls) watched my mom, their grandmother, succumb slowly and painfully to cancer which spread throughout her body. If a similar fate from a different type of cancer was preventable through a simple shot, why wouldn't anyone advocate for it? At the age most of my kids are going to be getting it, they're still playing with barbies, and negative influences such as most of the programming on MTV, and other assorted trashy television is verboten in my house. All they're going to know about this vaccination is that it's a shot, just like for teatnus or measles. They'll go "Ow, I don't want a shot," and that will be it. Just another mark on their vaccination record. One check box for DPT, one for HPV, and so on...
Read more