Dumb
There is a sign on the highway near my house that serves several purposes that I have seen so far. One, it broadcasts emergency situations. I have seen it say things like, "Child kidnapped" and then list the make and model of what I presume to be the offender's vehicle along with a phone number to report suspicious behavior. I have seen it report traffic information, weather information, admonitions against drinking and driving, and the somewhat annoying but well-intentioned "Drive friendly."
Fine. I see merit in all of these things. But recently, the sign has been warning the good citizens of Austin that there is a ban on arson, I assume because of the lack of rain in central Texas. For the past week, the sign has read "Arson/Burn Ban" along with some other details that I have never read because I cannot get past that first part.
I can understand a burn ban. Makes sense. But an arson ban? Isn't there always a ban against arson? Is it just me? Isn't arson illegal? In case you're wondering like I was, I looked it up. The definition of arson according to Webster's is as follows:
"arson: the willful or malicious burning of property (as a building) esp. with criminal or fraudulent intent."
Do you think arsonists are really hesitating, thanks to this sign? I can hear it now at the 24th Annual Meeting for the International Association of Arsonists and Vandals:
Arsonist #1: "Hey, Clyde*, you heading out to Austin this weekend? There's some good burnin' to be done out there."
Arsonist #2: "No, man. Arson ban's still on."
Arsonist #1: "Oh. Yeah, right. The Arson ban... Bummer. "
Arsonist #2: "Yeah."
Just two days ago, I saw it again: "Arson/Burn Ban." I read it through the pouring rain. Through the RAIN. No arson allowed.
Dumb.
*My apologies to anyone reading named Clyde. It just sounds like a good arsonist’s name. Actually, I think it could be a good fireman’s name too.
Fine. I see merit in all of these things. But recently, the sign has been warning the good citizens of Austin that there is a ban on arson, I assume because of the lack of rain in central Texas. For the past week, the sign has read "Arson/Burn Ban" along with some other details that I have never read because I cannot get past that first part.
I can understand a burn ban. Makes sense. But an arson ban? Isn't there always a ban against arson? Is it just me? Isn't arson illegal? In case you're wondering like I was, I looked it up. The definition of arson according to Webster's is as follows:
"arson: the willful or malicious burning of property (as a building) esp. with criminal or fraudulent intent."
Do you think arsonists are really hesitating, thanks to this sign? I can hear it now at the 24th Annual Meeting for the International Association of Arsonists and Vandals:
Arsonist #1: "Hey, Clyde*, you heading out to Austin this weekend? There's some good burnin' to be done out there."
Arsonist #2: "No, man. Arson ban's still on."
Arsonist #1: "Oh. Yeah, right. The Arson ban... Bummer. "
Arsonist #2: "Yeah."
Just two days ago, I saw it again: "Arson/Burn Ban." I read it through the pouring rain. Through the RAIN. No arson allowed.
Dumb.
*My apologies to anyone reading named Clyde. It just sounds like a good arsonist’s name. Actually, I think it could be a good fireman’s name too.
Comments