Kowabunga

Only in California would you see legislation being pushed to ban spanking, and only a California Liberal would come up with ludicrous rhetoric to defend such a proposal. The California Legislature is considering a proposal to ban the spanking of children under the age of three. From the San Jose Mercury News:

"I think it's pretty hard to argue you need to beat a child 3 years old or younger," Lieber said. "Is it OK to whip a 1-year-old or a 6-month-old or a newborn?"

The bill, which is still being drafted, will be written broadly, she added, prohibiting "any striking of a child, any corporal punishment, smacking, hitting, punching, any of that." Lieber said it would be a misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in jail or a fine up to $1,000, although a legal expert advising her on the proposal said first-time offenders would probably only have to attend parenting classes.

The difference between a spanking and beating a child is huge. Lieber seems to think that a spanking and whipping are one and the same.

Now, I agree that hitting to do injury is abhorrent, but a spanking? Egads! And what sensible parent would consider spanking a 1-year old, or a new born, for that matter? Probably some liberal dingbat.

The idea is encountering skepticism even before it's been formally introduced. Beyond the debate among child psychologists -- many of whom believe limited spanking can be effective -- the bill is sure to face questions over how practical it is to enforce and opposition from some legislators who generally oppose what they consider "nanny government."

"Where do you stop?" asked Assemblyman Chuck DeVore, R-Irvine, who said he personally agrees children under 3 shouldn't be spanked but has no desire to make it the law. "At what point are we going to say we should pass a bill that every parent has to read a minimum of 30 minutes every night to their child? This is right along those same lines."

At least there are still a few sensible voices in California. The question is, will they stick to their guns (ewe, that's a bad word in California), and move towards preventing the continued creep towards "nanny state?" One could only hope. In the meantime, this is just one more reason why I won't move back to the Golden State. On the flip side, I probably know a lot of people who voted for this left-wingnut. I wonder if they realize what a wacko they sent to the State Assembly.

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Sally Lieber California Spanking Ban