Amazing Statutes of Yore

The Detroit Free Press the other day reported on a number of old laws still on the books in the state of Michigan (article here).  

One city in the state still has a law banning homosexuals from bars. The city manager says there is no rush to remove laws such as this as long as the laws aren't being enforced. I completely disagree.  It's one thing to keep arcane laws that can't really impact everyday life (see, e.g., the city of Birmingham's (Michigan) law that makes it illegal to "[t]hrow rotten soap or animal horns on a street").  It is quite another to have laws on the books that codify a disdain for a specific group of people. 

It appears the state has quite a bit of work to do to modernize the statute books.  A few of my favorite illegal acts:

• To "indulge in pointless, useless wandering from place to place within a public area without any excuse for such roaming other than impulse."
• Send a postcard that annoys someone.
• Paint a bird and sell as a parakeet.
• Loiter in the morgue.

One city even makes it illegal to "[n]eglect your wife."  Not necessarily a good law, but truly outstanding advice.  

--Joshua Fershee