Weekly Daily Brickbats Archive 2006 March 15-31

With the announced debut of a local edition of Playboy magazine, Indonesia seems set to pass an anti-pornography law. The only question is how far that law will go. Feminists say the effort has been hijacked by Islamists intent on enforcing Sharia, and a draft version bans the display of the navel hips and thighs. It would also bar erotic dancing and even kissing on the lips.

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg says he'd like to see devices placed on vehicles that would light up if the automobile exceeds the speed limit. Bloomberg said he got the idea from Singapore, where all taxis and trucks have devices that warn when the speed limit is passed.

A Melbourne, Australia, airport official told Stephen McKenzie-McHarg he could park in the bus zone to help his family with their bags if he was quick. But he apparently wasn't quick enough in loading six big suitcases, because another officer gave the one-armed man a ticket for $66. "He's saying, 'Get going, get going'. I said, 'Why don't you give me a hand?' Then he said, 'I'm going to book you," McKenzie-McHarg recalled. Airport officials say strict rules are in place because of terrorism concerns. But McKenzie-McHarg says he will fight the ticket.

Federal prosecutors have asked a judge to approve an order allowing them to find out what cell phone towers an unnamed individual's phone made contact with. And they say they don't need to show there is probable cause to believe that person committed a crime to get the order. The case is being heard is federal court in New York. Other judges have refused to sign such orders.

Journalists and human rights groups say Wu Xianghu has died as a result of a police beating. Wu, a newspaper editor, was beaten in his office by a group of police officers after running an article accusing Taizhou police of collecting illegal fees on electric bicycles. A senior traffic police officer was fired for his role in the beating, but the other officers have apparently not been punished. State news media initially reported the beating, but officials have since banned coverage of the incident as well as Wu's death.