Stale Doughnuts

Perhaps their doughnuts were stale. Perhaps their coffee was cold. Perhaps Wheeling West Virginia has a shortage on real crime.

I am no big fan of cops. I see them as societies clean up crew / harasment unit, and once again, they are proving their worth. This time the offender was one Norman Eugene Gray. His crime - wearing a Grinch Mask in public.

The story goes that Mr. Gray was walking down the street, wearing the mask. He was stopped by "officers" who told him to take it off. He complied, and then asked why he must take it off. They told him it was illegal. He felt he had the right to wear the mask, and put the mask back on - at which point he was arrested.

Now, it turns out, Mr. Gray was wrong... in that location, it is illegal to wear a mask in public... followed by a long list of exceptions (under 16 on halloween, theatrical perfomances, and safety gear are all allowed.)

Here is the problem... the law is stupid. Apparently it is in place so officers can identify criminals easier. Great! In fact - make a law requiring people who wear mask to take them off at the request of the officer - just as this man did! However, once an individuals identity is known, leave the poor bugger alone!

Can these same "officers" arrest Moslem women for wearing their required masks? Hooded sweatshirts appear to be outlawed under certain circumstances - what about oversized ten gallon hats? Heaven forbid wearing a motorcycle helmet in public.

The next thing you know, they'll be harassing all the Santa Clauses that show up around christmas. Lets hope the yuletide doughnuts are fresh.