Posted by Eugene Volokh:
State Nicknames:
My post below labels Delaware "The Polemicist State," because it seems
to be the only state that includes the word "polemicist" in its
statutes.
Similarly, let me suggest that Colorado, Kansas, and Texas are The
Dildo States, since their prohibitions on distributing sex toys
specifically mention "dildoes." Hey, at least they don't engage in
circumlocutions, such as "crime against nature." (What would the
equivalent for sex toys be -- "devices against nature"?)
Massachusetts is The Good Humor State -- not just a statute, but an
actual constitutional provision (Part The second, Chapter V, section
II), says:
Wisdom, and knowledge, as well as virtue, diffused generally among
the body of the people, being necessary for the preservation of
their rights and liberties; and as these depend on spreading the
opportunities and advantages of education in the various parts of
the country, and among the different orders of the people, it shall
be the duty of legislatures and magistrates, in all future periods
of this commonwealth, to cherish the interests of literature and
the sciences, and all seminaries of them; especially the university
at Cambridge, public schools and grammar schools in the towns; to
encourage private societies and public institutions, rewards and
immunities, for the promotion of agriculture, arts, sciences,
commerce, trades, manufactures, and a natural history of the
country; to countenance and inculcate the principles of humanity
and general benevolence, public and private charity, industry and
frugality, honesty and punctuality in their dealings; sincerity,
good humor, and all social affections, and generous sentiments
among the people.
Consider, by way of comparison, the New Hampshire Constitution, which
says:
Knowledge and learning, generally diffused through a community,
being essential to the preservation of a free government; and
spreading the opportunities and advantages of education through the
various parts of the country, being highly conducive to promote
this end; it shall be the duty of the legislators and magistrates,
in all future periods of this government, to cherish the interest
of literature and the sciences, and all seminaries and public
schools, to encourage private and public institutions, rewards, and
immunities for the promotion of agriculture, arts, sciences,
commerce, trades, manufactures, and natural history of the country;
to countenance and inculcate the principles of humanity and general
benevolence, public and private charity, industry and economy,
honesty and punctuality, sincerity, sobriety, and all social
affections, and generous sentiments, among the people . . . .
Very similar -- but no good humor.
It would be tempting to likewise label Indiana The Whoredom State --
it's the only state that mentions a derivative of the word "whore" in
its statutes -- but that would be unfair. See Indiana Code 34-15-5-1,
"Every charge of incest, homosexuality, bestiality, fornication,
adultery, or whoredom falsely made against any person is actionable in
the same manner as in the case of slanderous words charging a felony."
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