State moves to ban fake testicles on vehicles
By Michael Peltier

TALLAHASSEE, Florida (Reuters) - Senate lawmakers in Florida have voted to ban the fake bull testicles that dangle from the trailer hitches of many trucks and cars throughout the state.

Republican Sen. Cary Baker, a gun shop owner from Eustis, Florida, called the adornments offensive and proposed the ban. Motorists would be fined $60 for displaying the novelty items, which are known by brand names like "Truck Nutz" and resemble the south end of a bull moving north.

The Florida Senate voted last week to add the measure to a broader transportation bill, but it is not included in the House version.

In a spirited debate laced with double entendre, Senate lawmakers questioned whether the state should curtail freedom of expression in vehicle accessories.

Critics of the ban included the Senate Rules Chairman, Sen. Jim King, a Jacksonville Republican whose truck sported a pair until his wife protested.

The bill's sponsor doubted it would succeed.

"It's probably not going to make it through the process," Baker said on Thursday. "It won't be much of story in a few days."

reuters

I don't see this making it through...and if it does, it will most likely be shot down by the courts pretty quickly. It doesn't come close to meeting the requirements for obscene speech.

I don't care either way. But I can tell you what I think when I get behind a truck with a set of eggs hanging from the trailer hitch.

"I wonder if that guy tows his house behind that truck."

They serve an important service on the road. Until we can force people to use bumper stickers that say, "Stay clear of this vehicle, it is being driven by a mental deficient," this is the closest thing we have.

why don't they ban the more offensive "Blue Hair" on the highway. A hell of a lot more offensive and dangerous.

This is what's wrong with Republicans, they are worried about lame ass balls on the back of vehicles. This is the reason people like the ACLU vehemently go after religious stuff at public buildings.... lame ass people like this. Are they lame... Yes... This is AMERICA. HOw about some liberty to be a douchebag if you want.... afterall we let people put those ridiculous fish on the back of their vehicles right???


come to Florida... pedophilia is cool. Keeping non functioning people on feeding tubes... cool. Truck Nutz... offensive.

What do 12 people in the state have them? Really.. Is it an epidemic?

We need a law against.... fake Balls???? Perhaps people will now hang fake penises from thier rear view mirrors.

i've actually seen these here

wow...well, at least it wasn't a real one.

i say we outlaw bumper stickers entirely, since there's not a one that doesn't make you an asshat. Even if it came with Yield. On vinyl.

Amen.

Doubt it. Not in God's country.

Really?

I've lost faith in the Justice system. Probably because the Justice system has "faith" if you know what I mean.

You're a legal realist. I am too, but this law wont fly. There's a fairly clear cut test to determine what kind of speech constitutes obscenity. Truck nuts just don't meet the requirements.

Isn't obscenity defined by "community standards"?

The first part of the test is whether the average person, applying contemporary community standards would find the speech appealing to prurient interests. The average person is not going to find that truck nuts are capable of producing lascivious or lustful thoughts and desires.

Part two of the test looks to see if the speech deptics patently offensive sexual conduct. Again, truck nuts do not fit this definition. They don't depict sexual conduct and furthermore, they most likely wont be considered patently offensive under the agerage person standard.

Finally, part three of the test looks to whether the speech lacks literary, artistic, political, or scientific value. The only time this is used is if the speech fails the above two tests. Moreover, this is a pretty low standard.

Miller v. California 413 U.S. 15, 31, 93 S.Ct. 2607, 2619 (U.S.Cal. 1973)

LOL. Exactly. I want to knock on their window and say, "Thank you, kind sir, for advertising your douchieness."

Like pink shirts and sideways baseball caps.