# In case you're wondering, this is what a slippery slope looks like **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 1, 2006, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-case-youre-wondering-this-is-what-a-slippery-slope-looks-like/366872 "2006-08-01T13:45:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![saoirse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@saoirse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saoirse)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2006, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-case-youre-wondering-this-is-what-a-slippery-slope-looks-like/366872/1 "2006-08-01T13:45:50Z")
The Sex Offender Registry was such a great idea that Tennessee now has a [meth registry](http://tennessean.com/government/archives/05/03/67636558.shtml?Element_ID=67636558) so we can all keep track of convicted meth cooks. Assuming, of course, that they have the right person. From the registry [database](http://www.tnanytime.org/methor/): > [@](#): > > The information contained in the registry is provided to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation by the office of the clerks of court in each county. The TBI does not independently verify the convictions, and cannot guarantee their accuracy. Therefore, this information should be regarded only as a resource suggesting the need for further inquiry. So maybe a meth dealer moved in next to you, and maybe it’s just some guy. If you own the house, though, err on the side of caution; you can be arrested if they get caught cooking in your property. Illinois is doing the same thing, and Minnesota is about to. This must be a good idea. You’re not in favor of crystal meth are you? What other crimes should we have a registry for? I’m thinking that guy who cut me off this morning. Get his name on a website for seven years, dammit! ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2006, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-case-youre-wondering-this-is-what-a-slippery-slope-looks-like/366872/2 "2006-08-01T14:08:56Z")
Registries I’d like to see: The Puts Ketchup on Hot Dogs Registry The Talks on Cell Phone While Driving Registry The Santa Sangre Fan Registry The Works as a Telemarketer Registry The Refers to their Pet as a Child Registry The Drives slow in the Left Lane Registry ---
**Author:** ![Absolute](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b2d939/32.png) [@Absolute](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Absolute)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2006, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-case-youre-wondering-this-is-what-a-slippery-slope-looks-like/366872/3 "2006-08-01T14:09:06Z")
As I understand it, criminal records are publicly available anyway. This is just making the information more easily accessible. I don’t see how that would make any difference: if you think criminal records should be private, then complain about that. If you’re okay with them being public, then you should be okay with this. ---
**Author:** ![Cluricaun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bb73d2/32.png) [@Cluricaun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cluricaun)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2006, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-case-youre-wondering-this-is-what-a-slippery-slope-looks-like/366872/4 "2006-08-01T14:09:46Z")
Wow, it’ll be like [Match.com](http://Match.com) for tweakers. Real bright. ---
**Author:** ![saoirse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@saoirse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saoirse)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2006, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-case-youre-wondering-this-is-what-a-slippery-slope-looks-like/366872/5 "2006-08-01T14:20:19Z")
[QUOTE=Absolute] As I understand it, criminal records are publicly available anyway. This is just making the information more easily accessible. I don’t see how that would make any difference: if you think criminal records should be private, then complain about that. If you’re okay with them being public, then you should be okay with this. [/QUOTE] Right. Just like I’m ok with the fact that the compilers of this information take no responsibility for its accuracy. Instead of using up resources from the TBI, they could just make it a wiki! That would be much more convenient. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Odds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/d_odds/32/2882_2.png) [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2006, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-case-youre-wondering-this-is-what-a-slippery-slope-looks-like/366872/6 "2006-08-01T14:22:00Z")
In the same spirit as **Hamlet** : The _Blocks the Bus Aisle_ registry The _Booming Bass at 3:00 a.m._ registry The _Votes Republican but doesn’t know why_ registry The _Votes Democrat but doesn’t know why_ registry Fortunately, the most heinous registry is already readily available [here](http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/teams/bos/roster). ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2006, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-case-youre-wondering-this-is-what-a-slippery-slope-looks-like/366872/7 "2006-08-01T14:22:00Z")
[QUOTE=Absolute] I don’t see how that would make any difference: if you think criminal records should be private, then complain about that. If you’re okay with them being public, then you should be okay with this. [/QUOTE] If you have nothing to be ashamed of, then you should invite the media into your bathroom as you pee. ---
**Author:** ![corkboard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@corkboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/corkboard)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2006, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-case-youre-wondering-this-is-what-a-slippery-slope-looks-like/366872/8 "2006-08-01T14:25:54Z")
[QUOTE=tdn] If you have nothing to be ashamed of, then you should invite the media into your bathroom as you pee. [/QUOTE] I’m OK with that, but I’m shutting the door when I take a dump. I need to concentrate. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2006, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-case-youre-wondering-this-is-what-a-slippery-slope-looks-like/366872/9 "2006-08-01T14:26:32Z")
[QUOTE=Hamlet] The Puts Ketchup on Hot Dogs Registry [/QUOTE] I am now prepared to be a vigilante. I just need a costume to hide my secret identity. I’m thinking I could dress in pink and have a yellow stripe down the middle. I am Super Weiner! ---
**Author:** ![Absolute](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b2d939/32.png) [@Absolute](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Absolute)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2006, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-case-youre-wondering-this-is-what-a-slippery-slope-looks-like/366872/10 "2006-08-01T14:27:03Z")
[QUOTE=saoirse] Right. Just like I’m ok with the fact that the compilers of this information take no responsibility for its accuracy. Instead of using up resources from the TBI, they could just make it a wiki! That would be much more convenient. [/QUOTE] They stated that the information comes from the county court clerks. Presumably, they are the ones responsible for its accuracy. > [@tdn](#): > > If you have nothing to be ashamed of, then you should invite the media into your bathroom as you pee. Is this a joke? How does that have anything at all to do with what I said? ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2006, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-case-youre-wondering-this-is-what-a-slippery-slope-looks-like/366872/11 "2006-08-01T14:27:06Z")
[QUOTE=Hamlet] The Puts Ketchup on Hot Dogs Registry [/QUOTE] Damn! Guess I’m on the list. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Duke\_of\_Rat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Duke\_of\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke_of_Rat)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2006, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-case-youre-wondering-this-is-what-a-slippery-slope-looks-like/366872/12 "2006-08-01T14:33:41Z")
[QUOTE=Cluricaun] Wow, it’ll be like [Match.com](http://Match.com) for tweakers. Real bright. [/QUOTE] Tweaker 1: “Wonder where we can score some meth?” Tweaker 2: “Dunno, Billy Bob got busted.” Tweaker 3: “Let’s look in the Meth Registry!” Tweaker 1: “Look at all the cookers!” Tweaker 2: “Hey! There’s Billy Bob’s new address!” All 3: “Yea!!” ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2006, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-case-youre-wondering-this-is-what-a-slippery-slope-looks-like/366872/13 "2006-08-01T14:36:21Z")
[QUOTE=Absolute] Is this a joke? How does that have anything at all to do with what I said? [/QUOTE] No, no joke. Your lax attitude towards public shaming smacks of “If you support privacy laws, then you must have something to hide.” ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2006, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-case-youre-wondering-this-is-what-a-slippery-slope-looks-like/366872/14 "2006-08-01T14:43:43Z")
Damn it, no mug shots! I loves me my tweaker mug shots. ---
**Author:** ![Absolute](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b2d939/32.png) [@Absolute](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Absolute)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2006, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-case-youre-wondering-this-is-what-a-slippery-slope-looks-like/366872/15 "2006-08-01T14:48:34Z")
[QUOTE=tdn] No, no joke. Your lax attitude towards public shaming smacks of “If you support privacy laws, then you must have something to hide.” [/QUOTE] Did I say that? No. I made no argument about whether the records _should be_ public or private. I merely said that, if you think they should be public, then you should be okay with them being easily accessible, and thus that complaining about the government making it easier to access already-public records is stupid. The OP should have been complaining about the records being public in the first place, not the government making it easier to find them. Personally, I think criminal records should be private. Next time, shut up and read more carefully before you jump to conclusions. ---
**Author:** ![Absolute](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b2d939/32.png) [@Absolute](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Absolute)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2006, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-case-youre-wondering-this-is-what-a-slippery-slope-looks-like/366872/16 "2006-08-01T14:50:59Z")
[QUOTE=Absolute] Next time, shut up and read more carefully before you jump to conclusions. [/QUOTE] Sorry, that was uncalled for. ---
**Author:** ![Licentious\_Ectomorph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/5e9695/32.png) [@Licentious\_Ectomorph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Licentious_Ectomorph)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2006, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-case-youre-wondering-this-is-what-a-slippery-slope-looks-like/366872/17 "2006-08-01T14:58:31Z")
[QUOTE=Hamlet] Registries I’d like to see: The Puts Ketchup on Hot Dogs Registry [/QUOTE] –the fuck?! 😕 I realize this is supposed to be a joke, but seriously, WTF? People who enjoy foods you don’t, or choose to prepare them for their own consumption in a way you wouldn’t yourself, are criminals? A thousand times :rolleyes: . ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2006, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-case-youre-wondering-this-is-what-a-slippery-slope-looks-like/366872/18 "2006-08-01T15:12:48Z")
[QUOTE=Licentious Ectomorph] –the fuck?! 😕 I realize this is supposed to be a joke, but seriously, WTF? People who enjoy foods you don’t, or choose to prepare them for their own consumption in a way you wouldn’t yourself, are criminals? A thousand times :rolleyes: . [/QUOTE] [The Master speaks.](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a3_095.html) And to add to my list: The People Who Take Things Too Seriously Registry. ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2006, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-case-youre-wondering-this-is-what-a-slippery-slope-looks-like/366872/19 "2006-08-01T15:23:50Z")
And, Mike Royko’s words on the topic of ketchup on a hot dog: “No, I won’t condemn anyone for putting ketchup on a hot dog. This is the land of the free. And if someone wants to put ketchup on a hot dog and actually eat the awful thing, that is their right. It is also their right to put mayo or chocolate syrup or toenail clippings or cat hair on a hot dog. Sure, it would be disgusting and perverted, and they would be shaming themselves and their loved ones. But under our system of government, it is their right to be barbarians.” ---
**Author:** ![D\_Odds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/d_odds/32/2882_2.png) [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2006, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-case-youre-wondering-this-is-what-a-slippery-slope-looks-like/366872/20 "2006-08-01T15:50:42Z")
[QUOTE=Hamlet] [The Master speaks.](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a3_095.html) [/QUOTE] > [@Perfect Master](#): > > People get pretty emotional over the ketchup question. Mel Plotsky opened our discussion by describing the condiment as a “catchall of garbage.” Over at crosstown rival Vienna Sausage, they refer to ketchup as the “K-word.” If you go into an authentic hot dog joint and ask for ketchup on your hot dog, the counterman will pause and look you in the eye. He may or may not say, “Ketchup?” with a tone of disbelief. But you may be certain what he’s thinking: “Behold this creature that walks like a man. It wants ketchup on its hot dog.” Too many damn useless laws on our books as is, and yet people still are allowed to put ketchup on hot dogs. There just ain’t no fairness in the world. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-case-youre-wondering-this-is-what-a-slippery-slope-looks-like/366872.md?page=2)