Thursday, October 16, 2003

Oh Goody. Do we really need more laws to protect people from their own stupidity?


Will someone please tell me where the Gestapo-like desire to stamp out hazing comes from? The Michigan legislature is considering such a law. Hazing is voluntary, on the part of both the hazer and the hazee. Hazing is an exercise of free will, even in its most degrading and stupidest forms. Young men and women who don't want to be a part of fraternities and sororities can simply avoid it. If you don't like drinking until you puke or being deprived of sleep, then don't join an organization that practices hazing. Period. It's not too goddamn hard.

Let me also point out, having been a member of the Greek system at Michigan, that "hazing" encompasses extremely innocuous forms of behavior too, like wearing a pledge pin or eating Jalepeno peppers. Basically any newbie in an organization who has his feelings hurt can claim "hazing" in some way, shape or form. The freshman on the local high schol football team who gets a wedgie in the locker room can claim "hazing". I expect that this law will pass, and when it does, it will be widely abused.

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