In 1989, a law was passed in Florida that made it illegal for any business establishment that serves alcohol to host events that include people tossing or throwing little people for sport. Today, in news that should shock no one who has ever even heard of Florida, one man is trying to put an end to this injustice.
On Monday, Rep. Ritch Workman, R-Melbourne, filed HB 4063 to repeal the law. He says he doesn’t condone the dwarf tossing but he thinks the prohibition takes away freedoms and is against the American way.
“To me it’s an archaic kind of Big Brother law that says, ‘We don’t like that activity,’ ” Workman said. “Well, there is nothing immoral or illegal about that activity. All we really did by passing that law was take away some employment from some little people.”
(Via The Florida Current)
Well, friends, I am pretty damn proud of the leadership in my home state finally doing something about the lack of jobs in this country. Even if it is discriminatory in nature – what about regular people tossing? – it is good to see some progress. Unfortunately, some opponents of this bill are being rather short-sighted.
“In general, if HB 4063 does threaten to undo the protection afforded people of short stature against dwarf tossing, we are concerned, and we would be against the legislation,” [Gary] Arnold [President of the Little People of America] said. “The ban on dwarf tossing protects the entire dwarf community.”
Let’s be realistic here. This bill isn’t named the “F*ck Little People” bill. It’s clearly trying to help Florida’s bars and restaurants – my guess is in Pensacola and Daytona, or the lower rungs, if you will – by allowing them to add some cheap entertainment to their venues. Workman has a point, too, that it’s not offensive or demeaning to the little persons making money by allowing drunk dudes to throw them at mattresses.
I’m not saying that it’s not offensive to some people, because people take offense to all kinds of stuff, but I dare one person to tell me that after a dozen High Octanes at Fat Tuesday in Key West, they wouldn’t be even the slightest bit interested in watching someone throw a dwarf. You know you just thought about it and nodded. Don’t deny it.
