Yep, here's an observance that you aren't likely to hear about on the TV or read about in the newspapers.  That's right, to day is National Religious Freedom Day.  It's a great day to realize that the constitution grants us the right to practice our religion when and where we see right and that there really is no such thing as "Separation of Church and State".

Well, let's follow the Washington State Legislature as they meet for this year.  So far, there's a bunch of really stupid laws being proposed.  The Evergreen Freedom Foundation has a blog site which they've posted up the first set of laws that are just stupid.  You've also probably seen this on Orbusmax (it's where I first saw it).

Ryan Bedford posted the first list:

• HB 2519 and SB 6287 - Prohibiting smoking in vehicles containing children
• HB 2464 – Concerning the excise taxation of bullion
• SB 6299 – Concerning tax exemptions for beekeepers
• SB 6232 – Requiring a specialized forest products permit to sell raw or unprocessed huckleberries

Now, I could see where someone would say that the first one is completely appropriate.  After all, who would say that it's OK to smoke in a closed space with kids?  Well, as Ryan points out, it's the enforcement that is questionable, at least until the Governess Gregoire legalized sobriety checkpoints (papers please...).

Check out the blog post, it's pretty good.

The Second list Ryan posted is just as fun:

• HB 2534 – Restricting light pollution
• SB 6272 – Expanding financial literacy through education and counseling to promote greater homeownership security
• SB 6230 – Regarding Watchable Wildlife (The Department of Fish and Wildlife shall stage "no fewer than three separate watchable wildlife raffles and associated tours.")

Again, go to the original post for richer commentary that you aren't getting from me. 

UPDATE:  Here's Part III: