First New York moved to ban smoking in public places. Then it banned trans fat from restaurant menus. Now it may ban people from using Ipods and cell phones while crossing the street.

Can’t people take care of themselves? I understand the government has some duty to protect its citizenry, and I approve of measures limiting cell phone behavior and the like while driving because of dangers posed to innocent bystanders, but this brand of paternalism we’re seeing out of New York is getting ridiculous. People need to take some accountability for the consequences of their own actions.

What’s next–banning bicycle riding?

Tags: ban, ipod, nanny-state, new-york