In case you haven't noticed, we're in the middle of some serious stuff right now, politically speaking. Oh, you know, greatest economic downturn since the Great Depression, underfunded schools, a failing health-care system -- that kind of stuff. Which is why we're just so glad the Florida House spent a lot of time debating the ever-pressing topic of novelty lighters. Yes, little lighters that resemble toys.
Rep. Scott Plakon (R-Longwood) wants to ban them, but Rep. J.C. Planas (R-Miami) happens to be quite fond of his hot-dog-shaped lighter -- no, seriously -- so he tried to amend the bill to allow for lighters that resemble food, beverages, musical instruments, and guns. Which would still outlaw this [nsfw].
They then spent 45 minutes talking about this stupid, stupid nanny state measure, before a three-year-old innocently playing with a butane lighter resembling a rubber duckie accidentally lit them all on fire.
[via CFPP]