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Back to Which Way, L.A.?

Which Way, L.A.?

Legislating Morality

The Congress wants the Ten Commandments hung on the walls of public schools. A Los Angeles woman is gathering signatures to make adultery a crime. A Santa Barbara Assembly member wants the law to promote stable marriage. All proposals which appear to have laudable goals - but is legislation the best way to accomplish them? Would they have the consensus needed to make them respected as law? How would they be enforced? Would the Constitution require that they be thrown out of court?

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By Warren Olney • Jun 28, 1999 • 1 min read

The Congress wants the Ten Commandments hung on the walls of public schools. A Los Angeles woman is gathering signatures to make adultery a crime. A Santa Barbara Assembly member wants the law to promote stable marriage. All proposals which appear to have laudable goals - but is legislation the best way to accomplish them? Would they have the consensus needed to make them respected as law? How would they be enforced? Would the Constitution require that they be thrown out of court?

  • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

    Warren Olney

    former KCRW broadcaster

  • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

    Frances Anderton

    architecture critic and author

    News
Back to Which Way, L.A.?