:: Running from the Thought Police ::

:: Sunday, May 23, 2004 ::

They Shouldn't Be Doing It Anyway

The California state assembly moves to ban teenagers from tanning booths.

Backers of the bill, including the California Society of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, blame tanning salons for part of 1 million new cases of skin cancer diagnosed every year in the United States. The group cited 7,400 deaths annually from melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer.

"There is a big difference between going to the beach and a tanning salon," said the bill's author, Assemblyman Joe Nation, a Democrat. "When kids go to the beach they put on sun screen."

Of course, since this affects something that's actually bad for you, the GOP does one of its many about-faces and plays the personal liberty card.

The bill passed Thursday despite opposition from tanning salons and Republican lawmakers opposed to "meddling" in personal choices.

"If this bill passes it proves there's no part of somebody's life this Legislature won't stick its nose into," said GOP Assemblyman Ray Haynes.

What does this teach us? Yes, children, Republicans are bad for your health.
/toungueincheek

:: The Squire 10:36 PM :: email this post :: ::
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