Don’t ban me, bro!!

I was informed by a reliable source that, according to analysis by the Angel’s legal counsel, Councilwoman Lorri Galloway’s proposed ban on exotic animals, intended to banish Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey’s Circus from Anaheim, would have also outlawed the Angel’s beloved mascot, the Rally Monkey.

The Rally Monkey is a white capuchin named Katie. The ordinance — which was pulled by Galloway in the face of certain defeat at the city council Tuesday night — prohibits the “exhibition” for “the entertainment, amusement or benefit of an audience” of, among other creatures, “non-human primates and prosimians (chimpanzees, monkeys),” which a capuchin clearly is.

Interestingly, the proposed ordinance proposed to “Protect the public against hazards that wild and exotic animals used in entertainment pose to society…”

Who knew Angel fans needed protecting from the cavorting of the Rally Monkey?

Did Ms. Galloway intend to outlaw the Rally Monkey? I don’t think so. It would have been an unintended consequence.

Which is exactly the point: the enactment of trivial laws that are beyond the legitimate purview of government generally lead to such unintended consequences. in this case, the question isn’t whether or not anyone approves of cruelty to animals (and I make no allegation in that regard toward Ringling Bros.). The question is whether this is the proper object of the City of Anaheim’s attention? I think a reasoned and reflective understanding to the legitimate application of government power leads one to answer, “No.”

Here’s a thought: why not put the anti-circus ordinance to a vote of the people? That seems to the trendy thing to do nowadays.