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Now doesn't that just sound fine and dandy? Comics to teach our kids about some law stuff online! I knew, I just HAD to go and take a look whatkind of laws do they teach.

http://www.lawforkids.org/Cartoons/1.cfm

He gets both class AND license. Now that's a great bargain, especially considering he lives in town with clear blue sky and silhouette buildings at background. Also, check how his fashion is changing in several months, thanks to driving school. Once, he dressed in brown T shirt and blue jeans, but now he wears BLUE T-shirt and BLACK jeans. Score!

http://www.lawforkids.org/Cartoons/2.cfm

Now this one confused me. I never drink and drive and I don't know how driving licenses in USA look like, but I doubt I'd hold my beer bottle all the time with right hand or the fact that the ID clearly states that I am NOT 21. Also, this makes me wonder, does this mean that when you ARE over 21 years old, you can drink and drive, otherwise you end up in zoo with some balding guy with a blond woman coming to mock you?

Before the next strip, heres a point I'd like to make. Such a style of flash usage. I know, I know. How can these people even do thesekind of awesome quality *gasp* ANIMATED strips?? I don't know, I really don't.

http://www.lawforkids.org/Cartoons/3.cfm

So you mean riding a cool car is illegal? And even if you are just a passenger in cool car that already means trouble? What is this, they try to prevent people from driving Ferraris and Dodge Vipers and want them to use Ladas and Toyota trailers?

http://www.lawforkids.org/Cartoons/4.cfm

I am very disturbed by the third panel, where the little girl seemingly hangs on top of the seat for no reason a all and is vomiting. Surely, they are pulled over, but how did Cops know they were NOT using seatbelts? My guess is, in the end this was to say "interacial coupling is a no no" and that made them go and investigate only to discover this horrible thing that *gasp* they are not wearing seat belts! Then, they even force the 8 years old sit in baby seat, just to make sure they are driving safely.

http://www.lawforkids.org/Cartoons/5.cfm

I agree with the kid here. He is deffinettly NOT a car. But did he act like a car? Is it illegal to pretend you are a car and go vrooom? Appearantely yes, unless you use something called "helmet eye protection" and have a permission slip. But where to get permission? I mean, do you just walk into some office and say "I want to impersonate a car"?

http://www.lawforkids.org/Cartoons/6.cfm

Ah, yes. They truly are party monsters. Just look how hard they are partying. Cool. But oh noes, cops! And they wear harlequin shaped hats! But what made the cops come? And why do they kids keep their eyes open nonstop?

http://www.lawforkids.org/Cartoons/7.cfm

Ok, now this is really disturbing. The kids are past their bedtime, so the police comes in and informs that they'll get arrested if they do so. Then, they walk to HIS home. To do what..... I will spare you of details, but rather think of the things a man who can levitate as a black silhouette can do.

http://www.lawforkids.org/Cartoons/8.cfm

Forgive my ignorance, but since when has a prank call has been a threat? And a punishment for such a thing being expelled from school?

http://www.lawforkids.org/Cartoons/9.cfm

Again, I'd like to point out that I have never known that smoking in bathroom will result in detention, a fine and community service.

http://www.lawforkids.org/Cartoons/10.cfm

Ah, yes. Just look at those special effects. And by all means, it seems it's illegal to skip school. I think cops in wichever country these comics tell about have deffinetly WAY too much time at their hands.

http://www.lawforkids.org/Cartoons/11.cfm

Okay, a guy with a marihuana cap giving you green snot in a bag is of course not good for you, but illegal?

http://www.lawforkids.org/Cartoons/12.cfm

Violence is obviously NOT a answer when someone with a blue cap says "FIGHT!", but see that black kid after the fight? He is holding a bloody tissue, trying hard to cover his smile.

http://www.lawforkids.org/Cartoons/13.cfm

Of course we all know that shoplifting is punishable, but check what he is stealing. BARRY WHITE CD. Such a bad taste is punishable with the chair.

http://www.lawforkids.org/Cartoons/14.cfm

I know spray painting words is criminal act, but this is the first time I have heard that it will get my driving license revoked too.

http://www.lawforkids.org/Cartoons/15.cfm

And the final rule is, don't think guns into your backpack. If you do, govertment will lock you up as a mutant with your cell mate named ROY. It's called keeping the ones with power under control.

And there, today we learned valuable lessons of so many laws! I feel enlightned and my head feels especially light! I feel floating and NOOOOO HEAD EXPLODING.............................

Those came from a juvenile hall?? You'd think those guys could make them a little more realistic, add a few swear words and not make the characters sound so robotic or something.

Like when the kid pulls out his gun. Instead of just standing there like an idiot, he could be like:
"SISTAFUCKER GONNA GET HIS ASS AWAY FROM ME FO' I VENTILATE HIS HEAD, YO!!! WHAT?!"

Woo, some feedback...

First of all, Numbers 1 through 3 are supposed to be the same guy, in a sort of semi-connected story.

1-3 "Driving"

Around here, it's 14 and 9 months to take courses, but good luck getting in before 15 and 9 or a solid 16. Age takes precedence in Michigan Driver's Ed classes, so a 17 year-old who signs up gets to take the course before a 16, 15, or 14 and 9 months. But what exactly is this "Class G" (or is it a 6) license? We have a graduated system for Level 1, Level 2, and Adults.

Well... As for the drinking and driving one... Most states do have ID that clearly states (in RED at that) if the holder is (or was when they got the license/ID) Under 21, and then lists the date. Some states even have different IDs for people Under 21... Here's what the Under 21 license looks like here (based on my own)...

MICHIGAN IDENTIFICATION CARD/DRIVER'S LICENSE X 000 000 000 0 EXPIRES 04-04-2007 UNDER 21 UNTIL 04-04-2004 NATHANIEL DEAN KNIGHT [ADDRESS Line 1] [ADDRESS Line 2]
[PHOTO] [PHOTO] [PHOTO] [PHOTO] [PHOTO] [PHOTO] [PHOTO]	Date of birth[Watermark Photo with overlay of text] 04-04-1983 Sex M Height 507 [This means 5' 07", not 507 cm] Eyes BLU [Care to take a guess?] Weight 200 [Pounds, not kg]
	[SIGNATURE]

This is why I am waiting until 04-04-2004 to get my driver's license, so I have a porper, horizontal ID, not a vertical one. And your license can be revoked for drunkdriving, especially for a minor. It can also be revoked for breaking any other restrictions on your current license (especially the allowed hours for driving here while under 18).

As for "Joyriding", speeding is a reason to be pulled over and ticketed, and so is driving without a license. And some states are moving to put passenger restrictions on teenaged drivers, to reduce teen traffic fatalities. Exceeding that number would be a violation that could get you ticketed or your license revoked (and with teens the latter is always more popular).

Number 4 "Family Trip"

First off, the dad there does nto look like he belongs in that family at all, the girls hangs over the seat sticking her tongue out, and if none of them were wearing seatbelts, they'd just take 'em off again anyway. Also, they made the boy move to the middle of the van, apparently it's wrong to make kids sit in the far back of a vehicle when there are proper seats closer to the front? And how did they de-age the girl enough to make her fit in a child seat like that, she was 8-10 at the beginning, and like 4 at the end.

Number 5 "Scooter-boy!"

Where do you get the kid pretending to be a car? He clearly says "Im not a car", and nowhere does he say "Vroom". A helmet is required to ride a scooter (or bicycle) on the roads, and eye protection, while generally not required is a good idea, since as speeds pick up you never know what could fly into your eye. And who's going ot use a scooter to travel far enough to need a parental permission slip anyhow? If they're gonna do that, I'd think there are bigger problems than not having one, since they're probably runnign from home.

Number 6 "Minor-in-Possesion/Underage Drinking"

The police probably got called in on a noise count, which means they're duty is to get the noise turned down, not to investigate for MIPs. But MIP is a crime in the USA, even if the parents let you have it (stupid american government). Hell, parents allowing an MIP are criminals for... "contributing to delinquincy" of a minor, while the kid(s) in that case can get off almost scot-free.

Number 7 "Curfew"

Many cities have a curfew enforced to keep children from being out at night. Here in Grand Rapids, curfew is 10 PM, and any children out after that have to be accompanied by an adult. I've personally walked some of my brothers' friends home because of the curfew, so I know it's enforced here. A shame our society is becoming more paranoid of itself and others than ever before.

Number 8 "School Threats"

Have you heard of Jonesboro? Columbine? Any other school schootings? Calling in any sort of threat to a school is a criminal offense, whether you are serious or not. And the punishment for such a call or threat is suspension at the least, and expulsion more commonly. On an unrelated note, "Tommy" is just a copy of Hank Hill from King of the Hill.

Number 9 "Smoking at School"

Adult, teacher, principal, or minor, smoking is illegal on school grounds. The punishment for students is up the school, and detention is an easy one to enforce. For violation of the law, there is a fine, and usually involuntary community service as part of the legal punishment.

Number 10 "Skipping School"

Skipping school before the legal age to drop out is illegal (here you can drop out at 16). As you probably heard, this girl went to the mall, and most malls have a group of specially people called "Security guards", (aka: "cop rejects") who and if they see someone who looks like they're skipping school, they have to check it out (I had this happen in February, and the guy was quite understanding that the job hunt was easier to handle with my backpack, and after he saw my ID he said, "All right, I'll remember you if I see you in the future.") and make sure that the proper authorities know about it (be that parents, school officials, or the police department).

Number 11 "Marijuana"

When that "green snot in a bag" is 'chronic', or 'weed', or whatever other slang term might be applied to the marijuana in question, it is most definitely illegal, even if you're both adults. But apparently Mikee did take it, can you see how high he is in the presentation?

Number 12 "Fighting [on school grounds]"

Fighting on school grounds is punished by the school, not that it's illegal, but it's against most school policies. The kid shouldn't have called out that there was a fight, though, and there wouldn't have been any trouble.

Number 13 "Shoplifting"

That ain't Barry White, that's "Barney: Live!" I can just see him explaining that: "It's for my baby sister, we ain't got no money, but she loves that big purple dino. I had to do this for her, it's her birthday."

Number 14 "Grafitti"

If you have one, you can have your driver's license revoked in many communities around the USA for grafitti. I'm not sure about here, but whatever. I want to see the LFK about the Rat-head Bounty, though: You get a nickel for every rat-head you take to city hall here in Grand Rapids! And yes, it is still on the records.

Number 15 "Guns"

Who needs a gun to handle a bully when you can call "Teacher", or barring that, "Little sister~!" What bully wouldn't stop pounding you if you called for your little sister, huh? Or try this one: When he grabs you say, "I know you love me, but I really don't swing that way."

These are just creepy...plain and simple, I say nothing more lol.

I love my country more than ever after you told me those are real criminal offences. Most of them would be laughed at if those would be brought up in court in here.

That really is scary... o.O It's like brainwashing kids. Well, it IS brainwashing kids, really. And very badly drawn.

Quote:I love my country more than ever after you told me those are real criminal offences. Most of them would be laughed at if those would be brought up in court in here.

Same here. No offense to any of you Americans, but that just goes to show that the people who run the US are simply batshit insane. Makes me feel very, very glad to live in good ol' Europe. o.O

Quote:Where do you get the kid pretending to be a car? He clearly says "Im not a car", and nowhere does he say "Vroom".

I think the point here was that "I'm not a car" sounds as if the guy is stating that he is a human being, as opposed to a car.

Quote:Many cities have a curfew enforced to keep children from being out at night. Here in Grand Rapids, curfew is 10 PM, and any children out after that have to be accompanied by an adult.

That is just plain sick. It really is. That's going a long way towards the system they had in the Sovjet-Union. I would consider any society that has laws like this one totalitarian. It is NOT the state's job to look after when you're out and when not. Of course four-year-olds aren't supposed to be out at two o'clock in the morning, but it's the fucking PARENTS' job to prevent that. And the people in the strip weren't even kids, they were teenagers. They're fucking old enough to be out late. If any policeman would come up to me and forbid me to be out at one in the morning -- which I occasionally am (I'm fifteen) -- I'd be VERY pissed off.

Quote:Adult, teacher, principal, or minor, smoking is illegal on school grounds. The punishment for students is up the school, and detention is an easy one to enforce.

This rule isn't as crazy as the previous one, but still very stupid. Here in Switzerland (or at least in the north west of it), all students over thirteen are allowed to smoke, as long as they don't do it inside buildings, where they'd stink up the air and probably start the smoke detectors doing it. If they happen to violate this rule, there are no set punishments. Usually, there are none; if you get caught you're just asked not to. If that doesn't work -- although it usually does -- then you just get whatever punishment the teacher who caught you believes to be appropriate. School staff may smoke outside the lessons, no matter how old the students are.

Quote:Skipping school before the legal age to drop out is illegal (here you can drop out at 16).

In my town most grammar schools (equivalents of high school, more or less) permit their students to be absent five times a year. You're intended to use these five times as sick leave, but you may also use them to skip class. If you need more time off you can just fill out the appropriate form and get it, as long as you have a good reason. There's a big debate going on at the moment whether that system should be introduced at all schools.
Oh, and here the legal age to drop out is fifteen -- and we start school at the age of seven. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think American kids start at five. This makes basic Swiss school time three years shorter than the American one. And yet, kids seem to learn just about the same stuff in both countries. How come...?

Quote:When that "green snot in a bag" is 'chronic', or 'weed', or whatever other slang term might be applied to the marijuana in question, it is most definitely illegal, even if you're both adults.

It's sorta semi-legal here. It's legal to own and consume, but usually illegal to sell. There are some exceptions, but I don't know the exact law. Furthermore, you may only grow a certain amount of it yourself.
The parlament is currently debating legalizing weed, but the right wing conservative parties are standing in the way of the process. >_<
Fun fact: Two months ago, there were more weed shops in my town than shoe shops. They were all shut down by the police after a small change in the law, but you can still buy the stuff. The shops were replaced with weed delivery services. You just enter the now empty shops, pay up front, tell them your adress and they just drop off the weed in your letterbox later in the day.

Quote:If you have one, you can have your driver's license revoked in many communities around the USA for grafitti.

That doesn't make ANY sense whatsoever. What's a driver's license got to do with spraying?

Quote:You get a nickel for every rat-head you take to city hall here in Grand Rapids! And yes, it is still on the records.

*opens mouth* *pauses* *closes mouth again* ...never mind. I'm not even going to comment on that one. ^^;;;;


EDIT: Oh, and for a real laugh, check out the "toons" on that site. They've got GREAT voice acting, are very ethnically correct (as in: There's a representative for just about every ethnic group there is in each toon) and are even interactive. Plus, you can learn lots of stuff. Like, for example, did you know that "Bubblegum Milkshake" is a shade of nail polish? Check out the "At the mall" toon if you don't believe me.

Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2003 1:35 pm