San Francisco may ban circumcision

[apples and oranges]

http://media.nbcbayarea.com/images/410*324/custom1234976157222scalpel.jpg

If passed in November 2011, the measure would change San Francisco's police code “to make it a misdemeanor to circumcise, excise, cut or mutilate the foreskin, testicle or penis of another person who has not attained the age of 18.”

The punishment for those who choose to cut away anyway would be up to a $1,000 fine and up to one year in prison.

http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/politics/Next-on-San-Franciscos-Hit-List-Circumcision-107316878.html?__source=Facebook

Good idea? I say go for it. Other cities should follow suit.

[stray cat]

1. So if it's your choice they want to have freedom over your own body -piercings should be illegal too

So choice is not a progressive value unless you are killing a fetus?

[Mimosa]

2. Anti-semitic, anti-muslim law?

[hobbit709]

3. Wouldn't that be a law that goes against the First Amendment.

[sufrommich]

4. No, not a good idea. Should we allow cities to ban other

medical procedures? How about a fine or imprisonment for an abortion? Slippery slope and most likely unconstitutional.

[Mimosa]

15. Cosmetic breast implants, for instance? n/t

[Turbineguy]

5. Grist for Glenn Beck's mill.

[blondeatlast]

6. "One city resident" is proposing this, ONE. Yet we keep letting the m$m offer us this pablum

while they ignore real news.

[melm00se]

7. will fall to a federal 1st amendment

and a California state Constitutional challenge.

Specifically the clauses on religious freedom.

To Jews and Muslims, circumcision (a bris) is a tenet of their faith and passing a law forbidding this practice is a clear violation of the US 1st amendment as well as Article 1 Sec. 4 of the California Constitution.

[bluestateguy]

8. Stoo-pid

nt

[leveymg]

9. There's a good medical reason for circumcision. Won't pass.

Reduces penal yeast infections. I'm sure you don't want to see the pictures . . .

[LeftinOH]

10. One lone "anti-circumcision activist" trying to get over 7,000 signatures does not mean

that "San Francisco May Ban Circumcision". I just wonder if journalism has always been this sloppy and irresponsible -or if it's always been like this.

[blondeatlast]

12. Yup; I noticed that upthread and still everyone's all over it. It's a recent

phenom, IMHO--if the last 15 years counts as recent.

[marmar]

11. Look's like one city resident is behind this....and NBC makes the leap that San Francisco.....

..... may ban circumcision? Geez, and people say the media has no credibility.

[blondeatlast]

14. Glad to see a few of us are noticing this--but I bet the popcorn

will still be flying fast and furious in this thread.

[marmar]

17. Yep. Just judging by some of the responses, some people either can't or won't read.

nt

[seabeyond]

21. this is what stewart is talking about media,... that we recognize as the problem

as i say, not just on politics... they gotta find news, anything salacious. it is really fuckin with our minds, i think

[elocs]

13. Long discussion here from last night:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x4611604

The thread is still open so feel free to respond and kick it.

[woo me with science]

16. Someone in San Francisco seems to be drunk with power.

First Happy Meals. Now this.

[Douglas Carpenter]

18. First they came for the Happy Meals and I did not speak up - because I don't eat Happy Meals

No doubt, some will wonder, what next? Are they going to try to pass laws against parents sending their children to Sunday School or Catechism Class or Hebrew School because they consider this subjecting children to forced religious indoctrination?

Actually it is measures like this or attempts at authoritarian nanny state measures like this that completely culturally alienate liberals and progressives from ordinary working-class Americans and make the Teabaggers look more like the mainstream.

Besides, there is a sizable Jewish community AND a sizable Muslim community in San Francisco. Obviously this will not fly with either of these two groups. Perhaps this is one issue where both religious communities might feel that their religious practice is under siege and there is at least one issue where they can unite

But aside from the religious angle and regardless what people may personally think about circumcision, such legislation is going to strike mainstream Americans across the political spectrum as out-of-touch authoritarian-nanny-state PC and once again give the left a bad name.

Those who oppose male circumcision should feel free to try to convince parents not to have it done on their children. But most Americans, will not accept government mandated meddling in what almost everyone considers personal family decisions. I'm confident though, that unlike the Happy Meal ordinance, this will certainly not pass. It simply offends too many people.

[Douglas Carpenter]

19. One city resident is proposing a ballot measure that would ban circumcision in the City, according t

again, as the article says this is being proposed by:

One city resident

http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/politics/Next-on-San-Franciscos-Hit-List-Circumcision-107316878.html?__source=Facebook

This is NOT going to pass.

[BoneDaddy]

20. Both my sons are uncircumcized but it should

be a choice not a mandate.

That is ludicrous.