Suffolk health department's proposed a ban of "extreme" body art. It would bring ancient sanitary rules for tattooing and ban practices deemed to be "unhealthy" back into effect. Protesters of this proposal call it "unneeded, unconstitutional and unsafe." They find the health department to only be interesting in enforcing morals instead of the public health.
After the hearing, a health department spokesman Ed Dumas stated, "The county executive does not favor any of the prohibitions of this type." Others agree that there are more pressing matters in the health industry than those in a tattoo shop. "If someone got an infection from a nostril piercing, how is that a threat to the public health?" asked Lynn Fenn, a body art enthusiast. Others may argue that a ban would drive such practices underground and away from any regulation.
Most importantly, it is argued that this will go against the Bill of Rights. "People have been putting bones in their noses for hundred of years. Next you'll tell people they can't dye their hair pink." Attorney Paul Pepper says he will sue if the "unconstitutional" proposal is put into action. He argues that they are a form of spiritual and meaningful communication that must be protected by the 1st Amendment.
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I agree with those opposed to this ban, not just because I myself am a tattoo and body art enthusiast, but because it is such a specific violation of freedom of expression. It is a terrible thought that the issues concerning tattoos which have just finally been legalized in all states have come back under attack March 29, 2007. While seemingly unconventional to many conservatives, it is an ancient art form that has been a part of cultures around the world for generations. Some may even say it can almost be a religious practice. It has never proved to infringe the rights of any other person. It only has been shown to make people uncomfortable. Issues of employment have also come into light because the showing of tattoos or piercings can be considered vulgar. However, by whose standards is this measured by? The whole idea of any sort of a ban on whatever someone disagrees with is ludicrous! If we were to give into that idea, everything and anything can be banned. Our freedom as we know it will dissolve into nothing.
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I agree with those opposed to this ban because I think it violates the freedom of expression. Sometimes tattoos and body piercings can be a from of expression for many people.
Yeah, I totally agree. I see tattoos and piercings as an expression for some symbolic meaning to one's life, or how they want to express themselves. And banning that, would seriously be violating the first amendment-- freedom of speech.
Strong opinion there, girlie. But I completely agree as well. It's a perfect example of a long practiced freedom of expression that has never hurt anyone. Anyone wishing to tattoo their own body has a right to no matter how many conservatives it offends. 'Offending' are hardly illegal and this would be a silly thing to outlaw.
I don't see anything wrong with getting a tattoo or a piercing. It is our freedom of expression, and the health department cannot take away this right. I agree with Attorney Paul Pepper that if the they do plan to ban body art, what's next?- are they going to try to stop us from dyeing our hair in exotic colors? People are all different and unique in our own ways; why does the health department want to ban our freedom of expression because they do not like the way it looks or don't want to deal with temporary infections.. this is excuse is unreasonable.
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