Should Dwarf Tossing Be Legal?
SodaHead News
2011/10/07 20:00:00
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Freedom is a big deal in America. When the government wants to start regulating something, it runs the risk of pissing off millions of people. This week, Rep. Ritch Workman is revisiting a bizarre 1989 law in an attempt to cut down on unnecessary government restrictions.
He wants to bring back dwarf tossing.
OK, so he doesn't particularly want to bring it back, but he does want to take it off the books. The Florida representative told The Palm Beach Post, "I'm on a quest to seek and destroy unnecessary burdens on the freedom and liberties of people. This is an example of Big Brother government. All [the law] does is prevent some dwarfs from getting jobs they would be happy to get."
Dwarf tossing (sometimes called dwarf throwing) is a form of casual competition that usually takes place in bars. Little people dress up in protective gear -- helmets, pads, etc. -- to be thrown by competitors onto padding or into Velcro walls. The person who throws them the furthest, wins.
Though it's not a very popular "sport" these days, it became common enough in 1989 for Little People of America to have the practice banned in Florida and New York. It has also been outlawed in a small town in France, and was almost banned in Ontario, Canada in 2003.
Workman explained, "I would never force anybody to take this form of employment or pay to watch it. I think it is repulsive and stupid. But it's none of the state's business if somebody wants to do this."
However, former Little People of America president Robert Van Etten warned, "The people who were thrown were alcoholics with low self-esteem. Many of them were injured. One committed suicide ... It's something that brings out the worst element in some people, and it's focused on people who are the most vulnerable."
He wants to bring back dwarf tossing.
OK, so he doesn't particularly want to bring it back, but he does want to take it off the books. The Florida representative told The Palm Beach Post, "I'm on a quest to seek and destroy unnecessary burdens on the freedom and liberties of people. This is an example of Big Brother government. All [the law] does is prevent some dwarfs from getting jobs they would be happy to get."
Dwarf tossing (sometimes called dwarf throwing) is a form of casual competition that usually takes place in bars. Little people dress up in protective gear -- helmets, pads, etc. -- to be thrown by competitors onto padding or into Velcro walls. The person who throws them the furthest, wins.
Though it's not a very popular "sport" these days, it became common enough in 1989 for Little People of America to have the practice banned in Florida and New York. It has also been outlawed in a small town in France, and was almost banned in Ontario, Canada in 2003.
Workman explained, "I would never force anybody to take this form of employment or pay to watch it. I think it is repulsive and stupid. But it's none of the state's business if somebody wants to do this."
However, former Little People of America president Robert Van Etten warned, "The people who were thrown were alcoholics with low self-esteem. Many of them were injured. One committed suicide ... It's something that brings out the worst element in some people, and it's focused on people who are the most vulnerable."
Top Opinion
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Marvelous Wildfire 2011/10/07 23:27:45
If he/she says yes, then I say "Go ahead", because who knows? I'd like to try getting thrown into a velcro wall once... It might be fun.
If there isn't consent, then THAT could be illegal. Throwing them when they haven't given consent. But that basically crosses individual rights itself, which should make it illegal anyway without having to pass another specific legislation.
With the job market being what it is, the last thing we need is a bunch of unemployed dwarfs.
This is ufcked.
Why would we consider allowing drunks at bars to literally throw dwarfs?
Why are you even commenting on American politics? Arent you busy stealing land away from the Aborigines you f*cking Australian.
I collect a lot of Australian coins, have some lunars and kookaburras, both Au and Ag, and I still dont have the right to say bad things about the crappy Australian economy. (Oops my bad).
HOWEVER, if the height impaired person is fine with it, then not only does no one get hurt, but he/she is proving THEY are the bigger person.