# Ban Dwarf-tossing? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [June 23, 2003, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ban-dwarf-tossing/183798 "2003-06-23T16:23:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![december](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/838e76/32.png) [@december](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/december)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2003, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ban-dwarf-tossing/183798/1 "2003-06-23T16:23:49Z")
This is an issue right now in Canada, according to this [columnist who argues against the ban](http://www.canoe.ca/Columnists/worthington.html). Is this a demeaning, repugnant act that should be prohibited? Or should a dwarf have the right to earn a living by be tossed around by patrons in bars? ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2003, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ban-dwarf-tossing/183798/2 "2003-06-23T16:45:06Z")
If the dwarf is willing to be tossed, and the thrower is willing to toss him, then we’re talking about an agreement between two consenting adults. Whether or not a third party finds their actions demeaning/repugnant/sinful has no relevance to the issue. ---
**Author:** ![Tir\_Tinuviel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bc79bd/32.png) [@Tir\_Tinuviel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tir_Tinuviel)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2003, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ban-dwarf-tossing/183798/3 "2003-06-23T16:48:14Z")
Is people taking off their clothes to earn a living a demeaning, repugnant act that should be prohibited? Or should it be down to the individual involved and those wanting to participate? If the dwarves are happy and have made their own decision to do it, weren’t forced or fooled into it, why should someone else decide it’s not ok? We idolise people like Jackass for doing stupid things and hurting themselves, but now we want to ban flying dwarves? What, cos dwarves are in some way not able to decide for themselves if they are being “taken advantage of” or “unfairly exploited”? That’s what it sounds like to me. YMMV. 🙂 As the guy in the article states, he’s an adult, he’s fully capable and entitled to make the decision of whether to allow himself to be tossed all by himself. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2003, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ban-dwarf-tossing/183798/4 "2003-06-23T17:16:06Z")
People should be free to do as they please in these matters. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2003, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ban-dwarf-tossing/183798/5 "2003-06-23T17:35:25Z")
Yet another reason for some Canadians to emigrate to the US.🙂 It would be interesting to see what the results would be if both countries decided to completely open the borders and allow unrestriced emigration either way. Too bad we couldn’t equalize the climate to take that variable out of the experiment. ---
**Author:** ![dantheman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dantheman/32/9421_2.png) [@dantheman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dantheman)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2003, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ban-dwarf-tossing/183798/6 "2003-06-23T17:40:39Z")
Sure beats tossing corpulent patrons. They don’t go as far. Is this really a Great Debate? ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2003, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ban-dwarf-tossing/183798/7 "2003-06-23T18:05:58Z")
BTW, the cite appears to be (surprise!) pretty sensationalistic. One MP is proposing a bill. That’s a far cry from becoming a reality. Hey, every country has its odd-ball legislators that propose whacky legislation like this. ---
**Author:** ![december](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/838e76/32.png) [@december](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/december)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2003, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ban-dwarf-tossing/183798/8 "2003-06-23T18:10:29Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by dantheman \* > \*\*Is this really a Great Debate? \*\* No, it’s a small debate. Dwarf tossing is illegal in some places, e.g., [New York State](http://www.weeklydig.com/dig/content/279.aspx) and [France](http://www.megastar.co.uk/world/news/2002/09/27/sMEG01MTAzMzE0ODE2MTI.html), so there must be good arguments for banning it. ---
**Author:** ![MC\_Master\_of\_Ceremonies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/bb73d2/32.png) [@MC\_Master\_of\_Ceremonies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MC_Master_of_Ceremonies)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2003, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ban-dwarf-tossing/183798/9 "2003-06-23T18:11:26Z")
You can keep your Dwarf Tossing, I prefer a man’s sport like Cheese Rolling. ---
**Author:** ![dantheman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dantheman/32/9421_2.png) [@dantheman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dantheman)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2003, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ban-dwarf-tossing/183798/10 "2003-06-23T18:13:43Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by december \* > \*\*No, it’s a small debate. > > Dwarf tossing is illegal in some places, e.g., [New York State](http://www.weeklydig.com/dig/content/279.aspx) and [France](http://www.megastar.co.uk/world/news/2002/09/27/sMEG01MTAzMzE0ODE2MTI.html), so there must be good arguments for banning it. \*\* As **John Mace** said, there are many wacky laws out there; their existence is no proof of good arguments in their favor. Blessed are the cheese rollers, **MC**. ---
**Author:** ![Grey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b782af/32.png) [@Grey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grey)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2003, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ban-dwarf-tossing/183798/11 "2003-06-23T18:18:27Z")
Quick clarification it’s a MPP (Member of _Provincial_ Parliment. Ontario has 103 of them. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2003, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ban-dwarf-tossing/183798/12 "2003-06-23T18:38:39Z")
Jeepers, for just a moment there I was foolishly thinking **december** , for some strange reason, had taken a sincere interest in the ethics (or otherwise) of dwarf-tossing, then I followed the link and read the headline therein: **Small minds the mark of Big Liberals** …and all became clear. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Lance\_Murdoch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/47e85d/32.png) [@Captain\_Lance\_Murdoch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Lance_Murdoch)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2003, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ban-dwarf-tossing/183798/13 "2003-06-23T18:39:51Z")
Additionally, The UN has ruled that dwarf-tossing is a violation of human dignity. Personally, I think this is treating little people like children who aren’t responsible for their own decisions. I also feel that anyone who gets their jollies from watching dwarf-tossing is an idiot. ---
**Author:** ![Ben\_Hicks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bbce88/32.png) [@Ben\_Hicks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ben_Hicks)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2003, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ban-dwarf-tossing/183798/14 "2003-06-23T18:42:54Z")
I hear they’re making Dwarf tossing an Olympic Event next year… ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2003, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ban-dwarf-tossing/183798/15 "2003-06-23T19:29:21Z")
El, “Liberals” in the context of the headline means the political party the bill’s sponsor refers to, not the “liberals” **december** dislikes so much. The Liberal Party is generally centrist, despite the name. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2003, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ban-dwarf-tossing/183798/16 "2003-06-23T19:48:15Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by december \* > \*\*No, it’s a small debate. > > Dwarf tossing is illegal in some places, e.g., [New York State](http://www.weeklydig.com/dig/content/279.aspx) and [France](http://www.megastar.co.uk/world/news/2002/09/27/sMEG01MTAzMzE0ODE2MTI.html), so there must be good arguments for banning it. \*\* Interisting. Being tossed is undignified, but a woman stripping on a table is OK. I wonder if the NY law has ever been challenged. ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2003, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ban-dwarf-tossing/183798/17 "2003-06-23T20:06:40Z")
Ban dwarf-tossing? They better not! I love to hurl those ugly little things. Eyesores, that’s what they are, cluttering up the lawn with their little badly coloured plastic corpulence. Oh wait, those are gnomes, not dwarves. My bad. Carry on. > [@](#): > > The Liberal Party is generally centrist, despite the name. This is, of course, true in Canada. However, if the Liberals ran in the US on the same platform they do in Canada, they’d be raving left-wing fringe loonies, with their decriminalised pot and their same-sex marriage and their universal health care and of course their balanced budgets. ---
**Author:** ![Tomcat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Tomcat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tomcat)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2003, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ban-dwarf-tossing/183798/18 "2003-06-23T20:12:58Z")
Not many people caught this, but… New Zealand went through this a few years back, and then LOTR came out and Gimli had that line about no dwarf tossing when he’s around…methinks they were connected somehow. -Tcat ---
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2003, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ban-dwarf-tossing/183798/19 "2003-06-23T21:01:49Z")
I’ve mixed feelings about this issue. “Dwarf-throwing” has been forbidden in france, not by law, but by a court ruling. On one hand, if the guy made his living this way and was quite happy with that, I would tend to say “more power to him”. On the other hand, I used to know the president of main french association of “short people”, and he was adamantly opposed to this practice, and IIRC, one of the initiators of the lawsuit. Essentially all his arguments revolved around dwarves being already already dispised/looked down enough, and didn’t need this kind of PR to fuel the fire. But he was pretty convincing, and felt that this practice objectified people, making them (and dwarves in general) nothing more than fun items to play with. ---
**Author:** ![smiling\_bandit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@smiling\_bandit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smiling_bandit)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2003, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ban-dwarf-tossing/183798/20 "2003-06-23T21:56:34Z")
I suppose one could make a strong argument that this was like deliberately crashing your own car into a tree - just because you don’t hurt anyone else doesn’t mean it couldn’t be legally banned. It seems that Dwarf Tossing could be a very, very accident prone occupation. I’m not sure one can really make the same statement about other, more common professions, since those usually have a regulated hazard list. Of course, Dawrf Tossing for free may be a problem. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ban-dwarf-tossing/183798.md?page=2)