Annals of insanity

The great state of Florida, continuing its tradition of demonstrating the higher way for the rest of the nation, has decided to put in place a law allowing its citizens to shoot anybody they perceive as a threat.I guess they're basing this idea on the oh-so-successful Bush foreign policy of preemption.

Outraged opponents say the law will encourage Floridians to open fire first and ask questions later, fostering a sort of statewide Wild West shootout mentality. Supporters argue that criminals will think twice if they believe they are likely to be promptly shot when they assault someone.

You'd think that one trick-or-treater shot dead on the lawn would be enough caution against this, but apparently the legislature and the governor think it's a "common-sense anti-crime action." Amazing. (Anybody heard of road-rage and other signs of citizen irrationality? Do we really want to arm that?)

(via XOverboard)