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bluestateguy

(44,173 posts) Wed Sep 3, 2014, 06:00 PM Sep 2014

We make too much shit illegal in this country. We need fewer laws an fewer cops. [View all]

The more cops you hire, the more they will feel the need to meddle into everything and justify their jobs.

And then we get stuff like this:

http://wqad.com/2014/09/03/iowa-teens-face-felony-charges-for-peeling-bark-from-a-tree/

Iowa teens face felony charges for peeling bark from a tree

A Mason City mother was shocked and furious as her son and his stepbrother faced criminal charges for allegedly stripping the bark from a tree.

The boys, ages 13 and 14, were charged with felony second-degree criminal mischief in connection with removing bark from four to five feet of the trunk of a mature tree, on the grounds of an elementary school, August 5, 2014.

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22 replies

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Highlight:

We make too much shit illegal in this country. We need fewer laws an fewer cops. [View all] bluestateguy Sep 2014 OP

Stripping the bark will likely kill the tree. badtoworse Sep 2014 #1

They are children. They may not have known that. NutmegYankee Sep 2014 #3

I'm not OK with a lot of things bluestateguy Sep 2014 #4

LOL, really, a felony conviction for this? Whats wrong with you? nt Logical Sep 2014 #6

Absolutely, and a minimum of 5 long ones in the state pen. badtoworse Sep 2014 #11

Bad asumption. This often does stand and there are countless cases. NutmegYankee Sep 2014 #15

This tree doesn't look that well. Since when is bark this easy to strip except when diseased? NYC_SKP Sep 2014 #13

Depends on the tree. Birch bark is pretty easy. badtoworse Sep 2014 #14

This is not a birch tree. This is a diseased tree, note the black mold and other areas of peeling. NYC_SKP Sep 2014 #16

I didn't know that was the tree. It looks like an oak tree and I agree - it does look diseased. badtoworse Sep 2014 #19

I thought the same things, possible Oak and, to be sure, the leaves don't look bad. NYC_SKP Sep 2014 #21

We've made far too many mundane things felonies. NutmegYankee Sep 2014 #2

I think this is the real problem, a two tiered justice system. Cleita Sep 2014 #5

agreed. La Lioness Priyanka Sep 2014 #7

Everyone wants a law to outlaw something that someone underthematrix Sep 2014 #8

"Just imagine... Nuclear Unicorn Sep 2014 #20

It's not that we have too many crimes. It's that we have too many felonies. Xithras Sep 2014 #9

Felonies??? Are you serious???!11 bigwillq Sep 2014 #10

Law enforcement is all about revenue. lpbk2713 Sep 2014 #12

Its not the cops it the people you elect that make the laws... Historic NY Sep 2014 #17

It is the armies of bureaucrats whose name you'll never know that attach fines to everything. Throd Sep 2014 #18

I agree damnedifIknow Sep 2014 #22