This Is No Bull

A February Associated Press story stated that "Fake bull testicles and other anatomically explicit vehicle decorations would be banned from Maryland roads under a bill pending in the state legislature."

When I heard about this story, I didn't think much of it because, well, I did not know why anyone would have bull testicles on their cars. But then this past weekend I understood. I was passed by a Dodge Ram that had a small sack hanging from it's trailer hitch with two large eggs in it. It gave the appearance of testicles on a ram.

I guess there are some men who need to show the world they still have testosterone. But for the Maryland legislature to outlaw such behavior starts getting weird to me. I mean, it's not doing anyone any harm, really. It's simply a matter of bad taste, like someone getting up in church in telling a dirty joke.

It's easy to see why this story has been creating buzz. (Do a Google search: bull testicles legislation.) What's curious to me here is the contrast between this and the CFL (Compact Fluorescent Light) legislation that has flown by under the radar. In case you haven't heard, the new light bulbs will be mandatory by 2011, despite their expense and more alarmingly their health risks. These bulbs contain mercury, and if you break one it could put the health of you and your loved ones at risk. (Google Search: CFL toxic mercury) So we'll save energy but have a smashing good time filling our land fills and watertables with toxic mercury, made mandatory by government legislation.

So we have legislators outlawing one behavior because it's in bad taste, and then making us all conform to another behavior that can potentially shorten our lives. For some reason this seems just a bit too strange.