Doofus Of The Day #440

Today's award goes to the Justice Minister of the central African nation of Malawi. The Register reports:

Malawi is determined to "mould responsible and disciplined citizens" with a law banning the breaking of wind.

The Local Courts Bill of 2010 is set to be presented before a forthcoming parliamentary session by Justice Minister George Chaponda.

. . .

One unimpressed Malawian reportedly commented: "How can this government criminalise the release of intestinal gases? Everyone does that, even if it’s in public or it has an accompanying sound which is boring; making it criminal is a joke of democracy."

There's more at the link.

This should prove an almost impossible challenge to enforce. I mean, what are you going to do if someone lets rip in a crowded theater? Arrest half the audience? And what's the charge - 'felony farting'? Would a more silent (or less 'scented') eructation qualify as a misdemeanor?

It reminds me of the story of a very senior, titled English lady who presided over a very formal dinner for her noble friends one evening. During the course of the meal, nature overwhelmed manners, and she let out a very noisy and most noticeable blast.

Wishing to evade responsibility for the trumpet blast, she whipped around, glared at the butler behind her, and snapped, "James! Stop that!"

Unperturbed, the butler replied, "At once, My Lady. Which way did it go?"





Peter