Since the start of the 111th Congress, the news and talk of the blogosphere has understandably focused on the misnamed “stimulus” bill.  But members of Congress have been up to no good in more ways than one, and are busily proposing all many of nanny-state legislation .  Here are some proposed bills you should know about:

H.R. 414: Camera Phone Predator Alert Act

Proposed by Representative Peter King (R-NY), H.R. 414 has found a problem: “Congress finds that children and adolescents have been exploited by photographs taken in dressing rooms and public places with the use of a camera phone.”

But don’t worry, Congress has also found a solution!

“Beginning 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, any mobile phone containing a digital camera that is manufactured for sale in the United States shall sound a tone or other sound audible within a reasonable radius of the phone whenever a photograph is taken with the camera in such phone. A mobile phone manufactured after such date shall not be equipped with a means of disabling or silencing such tone or sound.”

It’s a good thing there are no actual cameras that are smaller than cell phones.

H.R. 40: Commission to Study Reparation Proposals for African-Americans Act

H.R. 40 shows that Representative John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI) thinks, “sufficient inquiry has not been made into the effects of the institution of slavery on living African-Americans and society in the United States.”  Perhaps he’s never opened a history book.  Nevertheless, he wants to “examine the institution of slavery” and “de jure and de facto discrimination against freed slaves and their descendants” and then “recommend appropriate remedies.”  Presumably he sees no irony in his desire to have this bill arrive on the desk of the most powerful black man in the world.  Welcome to post-racial America.

H. Con. Res. 28: Expressing the sense of the Congress regarding sexual assaults and rape in the military

Representative Jane Harman (D-CA) wants you to know that rape in the military is not OK.  In fact, “sexual assault and rape are a threat to our national security.”  Remember: when servicewomen are raped, the terrorists win.

H.R. 729: To help keep students safe on school-run, overnight, off-premises field trips

Representative Steven Rothman (D-NJ) thinks Congress needs to step in and monitor school field trips…for the children!  H.R. 729 is concerned that “There exists no Federal law requiring public schools to develop safety plans for off-premises, overnight, school-sponsored trips.”  As we all know, nothing ever happens without federal law.  What possible incentive could parents and local school boards have to ensure their schools protect children?  Clearly, none.  Congress must act!

There are probably many more I could have chosen from.  I may even make this a regular feature.  Keeping track of Congressional mayhem is certainly a full time job.

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