Smile! You're on Candid Camera!! Or Not...

I've got other stuff to do tonight still but I wanted to make a quick post, as part of my continued effort to be more productive in my writing. With what seems like near exclusive coverage of the stimulus plan "reform" in the past few weeks, it's rather easy to forget that the Congress is actually doing other things. I discovered one of these today when I stumbled upon a brief article mentioning H.R. 414, which is sponsored by Rep. Peter King, R-NY, and was introduced in the House on January 9th. The bill's official short title pretty much says it all--the "Camera Phone Predator Alert Act." Yep, with everything important (I suppose "important" is rather subjective, but I can't imagine anyone honestly believing that there aren't legitimately urgent issues facing this country today) Mr. King is introducing legislation that would require cell phones with cameras to be manufactured so that anytime a picture was taken with it, the phone would make a "tone or other audible sound within a reasonable radius." Supposedly, this will curb the "exploitation" of adults and children who have been victimized by having their photo taken while in a dressing room, etc. by some pervert with a camera phone.

Just for fun, here are a few other vital pieces of legislation that have recently been introduced--enjoy!

H.R. 680 introduced by Rep. Ted Poe, R-TX -- "To require that the aircraft used as Air Force One by the President be an aircraft that is made in America by an American-owned company."

H. Res. 89 introduced by Rep. Joe Baca, D-CA -- "Supporting and encouraging greater support for Veterans Day each year."

H.Res. 86 introduced by Rep. Bob Filner, D-CA -- "Expressing support for the designation of Four Immortal Chaplains Day in remembrance of the 4 men who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the name of compassion for those of different races and faiths."

H.R. 698 also introduced by Rep. Bob Filner, D-CA -- "For the relief of Shigeru Yamada."

S. 319 introduced by Sen. Jeff Bingaman, D-NM -- "A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide grants to promote positive health behaviors in women and children."