the Sugar Conspiracy

Saturday, December 04, 2004

Blue laws, schmue laws

Damn liberals are tearing down the very foundations of our society. What's going to happen when people can run amok with lacy shirt sleeves, buying beer on a Sunday?
Last month, [Boston]Mayor Thomas M. Menino said he would lift a 329-year-old requirement that Native Americans be escorted in the city by "musketeers." And this week, state Sen. Cynthia Stone Creem (D) introduced legislation to repeal bans on blasphemy and adultery.

Commonly referred to as "blue laws," the collection of restrictive statutes implemented or inspired by New England's devout earliest residents included bans on such things as lacy shirt sleeves, birth control, and hunting or buying alcohol on Sundays. They have come under increased attack in recent times; in the past two years Massachusetts and 10 other states have scaled back restrictions on liquor sales.

"The Puritans wanted almost a theocratic state, with no clear separation between the church and government, but the world began to change a long time ago," said Peter Drummey, a librarian at the Massachusetts Historical Society. "Now you see what's left of the traditional blue laws slowly fading away."

More lacy shirt sleeves here. And here. (It's not really lacy, but I'm sure there's a law against it somewhere).

posted by chris at 2:32 PM
------------------

Blog - Info - Archive - Contact - Links
2005 © Designed by Chris. Take what you want.