For a society that prides itself on self-expression and personal choice, we got lots of rules.
A few weeks ago I took a stroll on a deserted beach at the Jersey Shore, a charming spit of land arching into the Atlantic called Sandy Hook. After I made it past all the signs about mask-wearing and hand-sanitizing and six-feet, a six-foot sign stood between me and the wide-open beach. It said: NO grilling. NO littering. NO kites. NO Pets. NO tents. NO camping. NO fires. NO glass containers. NO metal detectors. NO bicycles.
Hmmmm. Ten “Thou Shalt Nots.” And then, just for good measure, another sign to my right added NO alcohol (because there are NO lifeguards). Eleven commandments for a deserted beach. On Mount Sinai, God Almighty only gave us ten, three of which were positive moral precepts rather than negative prohibitions. I would say that our Brave New World Without God is a bit more negative even than the Old Testament. Do you think that perhaps, despite its guarantees of "personal freedom," we've allowed the Administrative State a little too much control?
Does the government really think a kid flying a kite on beach, or a man walking his dog, or an elderly couple enjoying a bottle of wine, is a threat to public health and safety? I suppose we should just sit still on the beach with our masks and face shields on, safely distant from everyone else. In fact, if you really care about other people, just don’t breathe!
Behind these schoolmarmish signs, a flock of seabirds enjoyed wind, wave, and sunshine. Government regulations had neglected to prohibit “bird-pooping” on Sandy Hook beach. I think I will contact my elected representative to get that regulated.
A few weeks ago I took a stroll on a deserted beach at the Jersey Shore, a charming spit of land arching into the Atlantic called Sandy Hook. After I made it past all the signs about mask-wearing and hand-sanitizing and six-feet, a six-foot sign stood between me and the wide-open beach. It said: NO grilling. NO littering. NO kites. NO Pets. NO tents. NO camping. NO fires. NO glass containers. NO metal detectors. NO bicycles.
Hmmmm. Ten “Thou Shalt Nots.” And then, just for good measure, another sign to my right added NO alcohol (because there are NO lifeguards). Eleven commandments for a deserted beach. On Mount Sinai, God Almighty only gave us ten, three of which were positive moral precepts rather than negative prohibitions. I would say that our Brave New World Without God is a bit more negative even than the Old Testament. Do you think that perhaps, despite its guarantees of "personal freedom," we've allowed the Administrative State a little too much control?
Does the government really think a kid flying a kite on beach, or a man walking his dog, or an elderly couple enjoying a bottle of wine, is a threat to public health and safety? I suppose we should just sit still on the beach with our masks and face shields on, safely distant from everyone else. In fact, if you really care about other people, just don’t breathe!
Behind these schoolmarmish signs, a flock of seabirds enjoyed wind, wave, and sunshine. Government regulations had neglected to prohibit “bird-pooping” on Sandy Hook beach. I think I will contact my elected representative to get that regulated.
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