Law amusements
Intriguing Laws...
United Kingdom
Those wishing to purchase a television must also buy a license.
Explanation - Unlike the commercial TV channels of the United States the two major stations in the UK are government paid for (BBC1 and BBC2) and have no commercials. This is also the case for the 4 government stations of Sweden as well. The license pays for the shows and the costs needed to run the stations. It also covers various taxes not noticed in the US. The taxes exist in the States, but with several hundred million people more in the States the tax is divided up into MUCH smaller bits.
All English males over the age 14 are to carry out 2 or so hours of longbow practice a week supervised by the local clergy.
Explanation - This law dates from the middle ages when there was no standing army, so in times of war each gentry was required to produce a quota (depending on its size) of knights, archers, infantry, etc. As the church was the only centralized instrument of beauracracy (the lords were independent for the most part), they were used for such tasks.
London Hackney Carriages (taxis/cabs) must carry a bale of hay and a sack of oats.
Explanation- The London Hackney Carriage Laws covers hackneys in other towns too and have remained unaltered for over 100 years. Firms have been known to manufacture very small bales of hay to carry in a taxi during disputes during local councils (who license the hackneys everywhere except London). Also the vehicle has to be tethered at a taxi rank, and the council have to supply a water trough at said ranks (that could be fun on a Saturday night!). The one about urinating against the back wheel is a Hackney Carriage Law too, and has also been done, on mass, during taxi/council disputes (allegedly).
Chelsea Pensioners may not be impersonated.
Explanation - Chelsea Pensiors are entitled to enhanced state benefits and subsidized accommodation, so pretending to be one is simply fraud!
It is illegal to leave baggage unattended.
Explanation - Many terrorists in the UK favour the practice of placing a bomb in a bag, then leaving the bag to explode later. Since this became a real threat, this law was passed to deter the crime and prosecute those who commit it.
Picking up abandoned baggage is an act of terrorism.
Explanation - Many terrorists in the UK favour the practice of placing a bomb in a bag, then leaving the bag to explode later. Since this became a real threat, this law was passed to deter the crime and prosecute those who commit it.
Source: www.geocities.com
