They're proudly displayed by any self-respecting bull, but dangling big metal ones on the back end of a truck could be banned in Florida.
Metal replicas of bull testicles have become trendy bumper ornaments in some parts of the Sunshine
State, but state Sen. Carey Baker is campaigning to ban the orbs.
Baker acknowledged that Florida lawmakers have more pressing issues, including huge revenue shortfalls, but said the state needs to draw a line on what's obscene before more
objectionable adornments appear.
State Sen. Steve Geller argued against Baker's bill: I find it shocking that we should be telling people that have the metallic bull testicles ... you're now going to have points on your license for this.
Geller was in the minority. Baker's bill to fine drivers $60 for displaying the ornaments passed the Senate. It's now up to the House, but there's only a slim chance that members of that chamber would pass the measure before the session ends this
coming Friday.
If it were to be passed, Gov. Charlie Crist has not indicated whether he would sign it, although he has not been too critical of this and other not-so-pressing issues.
It's good to have some things that maybe aren't
quite as serious. Got to have a little levity, the governor said.
Americans are wrestling with the question, whether the use of truck nuts constitutes obscenity or is a question of free expression.
The debate began when a South Carolina woman was ticketed for hanging a pair of gargantuan plastic testicles
from the backup of her pickup truck. Virginia Tice was given the $445 ticket under the state's obscene bumper sticker law, according to the Associated Press.
However, Tice has opted to let a jury trial decide whether having a big red pair of balls
swinging from the back of your trailer hitch is a threat to public morals or if it's constitutionally protected freedom of speech.
WCSC quoted local police chief Franco Fuda explaining, Genitalia is offensive. As a law enforcement officer, I'll
advise that if it warrants a citation, I'll issue a citation.
Locals have rallied to Tice's defence, with one telling the local ABC station that People have the right to freedom of speech. Fellow truck-nut swinger John Caddedl agreed it
was a matter of personal expression. My truck's got power.
