Laughable legislators

This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Utah's ultra-conservative legislators continue their tradition of providing first-class comic relief — solving illusory problems while ignoring the real ones. They obviously believe laughter is the best medicine.

Just watch their antics in maintaining excellent health. The "Zion curtain" debate has intelligent people rolling in the aisles. If seeing a bartender mix a drink will corrupt children, what will exposure to 40 hours per week of TV and video game crime, sex and violence do?

Funny that legislative concern doesn't extend to properly educating children, legislator ethics, ending discrimination, reducing billboard blight, protecting the environment, stopping the importation of radioactive material, reducing air pollution, increasing clean energy and a hundred other high-priority issues.

The humor continues with the Legislature encouraging everyone to pack a concealed gun everywhere — no training, no knowledge, no experience, no testing, no license required. Carrying deadly weapons without the ability to properly handle them must be safer than cutting hair, which requires training and licensing.

Our comedic legislators definitely have their act together. We're laughing at you, boys, not with you!

Waid Reynolds

St. George