Nanny State Alert!

This one comes from America this time. America isn't really known for nanny state-ism, but this particular law deserves a special mention.

Apparently, all law-abiding adults are banned from the Rivington Playground on Manhattan's East Side unless they are accompanied by a child, and there is a small sign at the entrance to the park to this effect.

A 47 year-old dance instructor was ticketed for simply sitting on a bench because she did not have a child with her. She claimed she was waiting for an arts festival to start. I don't know if this is true or not, but what difference does it make? She got a ticket that carries a $1,000 fine and a possible 3-month jail stint simply for sitting on a park bench and not having a child with her.

According to New York City's parks department, the law is intended to keep pedophiles out of city parks. I guess pedophiles never have kids, eh? It'd just be inconceivable for...say...a pervert dad or mom to bring their own nippers to the park with them, or to "borrow" a kid or two. Or to even point to someone else's child and say, "Yep, that one's mine." Or for someone to borrow their niece/nephew/younger sibling/etc. What a stupid law.

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