Another non-problem solved

Hats off to the men and women of Georgia's legislature for their tireless devotion to solving all of the state's non-problems.

The latest offensive in the state's War On NothingTM is Republican state Rep. David Ralston's House Bill 653.

HB653 will impose a minimum one-year sentence on anyone convicted of planting a fake bomb. Apparently, HB653 is a "response" to the Aqua Teen Hunger Force ad campaign that was mistaken for bombs by Boston law enforcement. Nevermind that what happened in Boston was actually a misunderstanding, not a hoax.

Planting fake bombs is a crime and should be punished severely. Unfortunately, the law is written in a way that could leave innocent people vulnerable to prosectution.

It shall be unlawful for any person to manufacture, possess, transport, distribute, or use a hoax device or replica of a destructive device or detonator with the intent to cause or which causes another to believe that such hoax device or replica is or contains a destructive device or detonator. (emphasis mine).

How bizarre -- a law that makes citizens criminally responsible for the beliefs of other citizens.

Here's a not-so-unthinkable hypothetical:

In my haste to make an appointment, I exit a MARTA train quickly, accidentally leaving my laptop bag behind.

A fellow passenger gets worried and calls the cops. "Hey, 911, a handsome-but-suspicious-looking Middle Eastern looking dude left his backpack on the train and ran-off! Help!"

The train is evacuated. The bomb squad is called. A simple, but extremely unfortunate misunderstanding turns into an expensive, traffic-snarling, headache-inducing major incident.

According to HB653, I've committed the crime of causing "another to believe" that I've planted bomb and must go to jail for a minimum of one-year.

Silver-lining: If this law passes, I'm going to start calling 911 every time I see Zell Miller on TV or in the newspaper. "Hello, 911. There's some crazy dude on the TV who looks like he's about to explode."