I thought briefly of moving to Boston [1], way back in 1998 or thereabouts, for a possible short term contracting job. I didn't get the job (but I did get the title to this journal from it), thankfully, because I came to realize that I [DELETED-hated-DELETED] didn't like Boston. It was old, cold and a twisty maze of one-way streets all alike (it wouldn't surprise me of the maze of ADVENT [2] was based upon Bostonian streets).
And today, I'm especially glad I didn't move there, as the political atmosphere there would have driven me insane. Okay, perhaps mAss Backwards [3] is a one-sided view of all things Massachusetts, but still (all examples taken from mAss Backwards [4]) …
The Massachusetts House voted yesterday to legalize over-the-counter sale of hypodermic needles to curb the spread of HIV and other blood-borne infections, potentially setting up a political showdown with Governor Mitt Romney over whether the bill will save lives or promote drug use.
“House votes to allow sale of syringes [5]” (November 15^th, 2005)
Well, there is the potential of promoting drug use, but …
Yes, the same legislative body that would have you believe there's no legitimate use for a handgun, even in the hands of the most law-abiding citizens, just voted to legalize the sale of hypodermic needles to known lawbreakers—in an effort to “save lives”.
Now, we could debate the legalization of drugs until the proverbial cows come home, but off the top of my head, I can only think of two groups of people that will benefit by passage of this bill: people who use heroin and other illegal intravenous drugs, and people who would be inclined to use a hypodermic needle as a weapon in the commission of a crime.
“mAss Backwards (This Shit Never Ends) [6]” (November 16^th, 2005)
And now?
SALEM, Mass.—Police in Salem are on the hunt for a convenience store robber who used a syringe as his weapon. The robbery has gone down as a first, they said.
In fact, police warn that syringes are fast becoming a weapon of choice for criminals.
Via mAss Backwards (“Common Sense” in the Commonwealth) [7], “Police Hunting For Syringe Robber [8]”
But it's comforting to know that guns are still illegal in Massachusetts. But least you think it's just syringes being used in the commission of crimes:
Cheap and easily bought, machetes in America have commonly been reserved for underbrush and sugar-cane cutting. But now, in a spreading trend that so far has drawn little national attention, criminals are using machetes as weapons, striking fear in cities and towns across the country. …
That was the case as well in the Boston area, where a rise in gang violence involving machetes occurred in the past several years. The surrounding towns of Revere, Everett, Lynn and Chelsea have banned machetes, and there is now a bill before the Massachusetts Senate that would prohibit the carrying, sale and manufacture of the tool-turned- weapon.
Via mAss Backwards (I spoke Too Soon) [9], “Machetes cutting a wider swath of fear in U.S. communities [10]”
Although some sanity crept into the Massachusetts Senate so now you may have to get a permit from the police to carry a machete [11].
Yeah, that'll show them machete wielding criminals.
Granted, there may be silly things like that happening down here in Lower Sheol (and there are plenty of people who live on our street that carry machetes, but then again, we are surrounded on three sides by plant nurseries) but Florida allows concealed guns, and allows their use! Perhaps Massachusetts should consider relaxing some of their gun control laws …
Oh wait, who am I kidding? This is Taxachusetts we're talking about—a state filled with well meaning Government workers who are here to help. No, really! Heaven forbid ordinary citizens take care of themselves.
Oh, sorry about those evil thoughts there. The Nanny State is only looking out for our interests and security.
[1] https://boston.conman.org/about/background.html
[2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xyzzy
[3] http://www.massbackwards.blogspot.com/
[4] http://www.massbackwards.blogspot.com/
[5] http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2005/11/15/house_votes_to_all
[6] http://massbackwards.blogspot.com/2005/11/this-shit-never-
[7] http://massbackwards.blogspot.com/2006/03/common-sense-in
[8] http://www.thebostonchannel.com/news/7956915/detail.html
[9] http://massbackwards.blogspot.com/2006/03/i-spoke-too-soon.html
[10] http://www.knoxstudio.com/shns/story.cfm?pk=MACHETES-03-02-
[11] http://www.mass.gov/legis/bills/senate/st01/st01384.htm