Florida Lawmakers Argue over Novelty Lighters Ban

via NY Dept of State

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]