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Retarded state legislation: California edition

As Justice Brandeis said, state legislatures are the "laboratories of democracy." Well in some cases, a well-intentioned laboratory can produce a Frankenstein monster. This is the third time the Dicta has bestowed this honor on the great State of California. Congratulations!

BILL NUMBER: SCR 106
INTRODUCED BY Senators Romero (and dozens of other idiots)

This measure would recognize April 23, 2008 as "Denim Day California" and would encourage everyone to wear jeans on that day to help communicate the message that there is no excuse for, and never an invitation to, rape.

Whoa! Wait a second? Who thinks that wearing jeans is an invitation to rape? Was that covered in a fifth grade sex education class that I missed? I suppose my teacher must have said: "OK, class. The cafeteria is serving fish sticks for lunch tomorrow. But before we go, I want you to know that if she's wearing jeans, no actually doesn't mean no."

WHEREAS, In 1999, the Italian Supreme Court overturned the conviction of a man who sexually assaulted an 18 year old woman after the court determined that, "because the victim wore very, very tight jeans, she had to help him remove them, and by removing the jeans it was no longer rape but consensual sex"; and

WHEREAS, Enraged by the court decision, within a matter of hours the women in the Italian Parliament launched into immediate action and protested by wearing jeans to work; and

WHEREAS, the men in the Italian Parliament then had themselves a pretty fun day at work; and

WHEREAS, Both events are intended to draw attention to the fact that rape and sexual assault remain serious issues in our society; and

WHEREAS, nothing conveys seriousness better than this bulls^%* piece of legislation; now therefore be it

Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, hereby recognize April 23, 2008, as "Denim Day California" (great, so the men are going to get raped too. Please don't tell the Italian consulate in Los Angeles or anyone in San Francisco about this day...) and be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for distribution well-deserved mocking on the Interweb.

P.S. I wonder what Gov. Schwarzenegger's take is on this bill. He's such a leader in this policy area...

Full post as published by Supreme Dicta on April 16, 2008 (boomark / email).