Will Grigg?s Liberty Minute

September 6, 2012

The expression ?fish story? was inspired by the tendency of fishermen to exaggerate their exploits. Lying is always a sin, and when it involves fraud it can be a crime. But is lying about the size of a fish a felony? It is in Texas? a state afflicted with a government that displays a gift for criminalizing practically everything.

Seven participants in a Texasfishing tournament, including a guide, have been accused of lying about the size of their catch. Under a measure enacted a few years ago, each of them faces the prospect of ten years in prison and fines of up to $10,000.

Texas Republican state representative Dan Flynn, who sponsored the measure, admits that "everybody always exaggerate[es] ? the size of their fish.? Some fishing tournaments now offer large cash prizes, which means that people who win through deception could commit felony theft.

Obviously, tournament organizers would have a powerful incentive to prevent fraud of this kind. Why not simply allow them to enforce their own rules, and disqualify people who cheat? That approach would make sense nearly everywhere butTexas, where lawmakers have a punitive streak worthy of the Taliban.

Let us take back the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free.