# Is it illegal to carve your name in the moon with a big ass laser? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 21, 2000, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-carve-your-name-in-the-moon-with-a-big-ass-laser/16262 "2000-04-21T16:46:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Breckinshire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/71c47a/32.png) [@Breckinshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Breckinshire)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2000, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-carve-your-name-in-the-moon-with-a-big-ass-laser/16262/1 "2000-04-21T16:46:00Z")
Seriously, a friend and I were arguing about this. We agreed that it was unethical, but not technically illegal. Everyone would be pretty angry with you, and cops may follow you around until you make a mistake, but you would be the most famous person in the world. What do the teeming millions say about this? Any illegalities? * * * - Blessed are the Fundamentalists, for they shall inhibit the earth. \* ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2000, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-carve-your-name-in-the-moon-with-a-big-ass-laser/16262/2 "2000-04-21T16:49:00Z")
Reminds me of the Calvin Sunday strip where he imagines going to the moon and using a moon buggy to write “Calvin Is Great” with tire marks. Calvin: I wish I could go to the moon… Dad: I wish you could, too! Mom: DEAR! ---
**Author:** ![SqrlCub](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SqrlCub](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SqrlCub)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2000, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-carve-your-name-in-the-moon-with-a-big-ass-laser/16262/3 "2000-04-21T16:52:00Z")
Actually that was the plot of the first Tick episode. Chairface wanted to do it but the Tick stopped him but not until he got off some markings. HUGS! Sqrl * * * [SqrlCub’s Arizona Adventure](http://boards.straightdope.com/ubb/Forum4/HTML/005351.html) ---
**Author:** ![Mullinator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c2a13f/32.png) [@Mullinator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mullinator)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2000, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-carve-your-name-in-the-moon-with-a-big-ass-laser/16262/4 "2000-04-21T16:56:00Z")
Well, I do know that in the cartoon series “The Tick” evil Professor Chromedome tried to carve evil mastermind Chairface Chippendale’s name into the moon. He only got the Cha carved before The Tick showed up and thwarted the plan. I don’t think he was arrested though. I am pretty sure this means it is A-OK as long as you avoid angering any large blue superheroes. If you do get arrested, feel free to call me as an expert witness. * * * Coming soon to a sig line near you! Relive the mundane highs, the flaming lows, and the pointless posts in between. Announcing the debut of the best of Mullinator. Because it’s not just a sig, it’s an adventure. ---
**Author:** ![Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/96bed5/32.png) [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patty_O_Furniture)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2000, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-carve-your-name-in-the-moon-with-a-big-ass-laser/16262/5 "2000-04-21T16:59:00Z")
I’m pretty sure the authorities would have something to say about your posession of such a powerful writing tool. But if they don’t, I’d like to borrow it when you’re done. ---
**Author:** ![Breckinshire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/71c47a/32.png) [@Breckinshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Breckinshire)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2000, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-carve-your-name-in-the-moon-with-a-big-ass-laser/16262/6 "2000-04-22T05:02:00Z")
Yes, it seems that the weak link in this plan is possession of a big ass laser. Illegal to steal from a military laboratory, sure, but what if you built it yourself? ---
**Author:** ![Esprix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/esprix/32/7899_2.png) [@Esprix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esprix)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2000, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-carve-your-name-in-the-moon-with-a-big-ass-laser/16262/7 "2000-04-22T05:02:00Z")
“And who is responsible for this vile act of defamation? Charro?” 😃 Esprix, also a fan of the Tick (Oh, and I found out Chairface Chippendale was also the cause of Furbies and the downfall of My Little Pony - you can see the whole story here at [Chairface Chippendale vs. the My Little Ponies](http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Shadowlands/9518/chair1.htm). Don’t ask how I found it - I’ll only be banished.) * * * Evidently, I rock. [Ask the Gay Guy!](http://boards.straightdope.com/ubb/Forum7/HTML/001376.html) ---
**Author:** ![Esprix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/esprix/32/7899_2.png) [@Esprix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esprix)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2000, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-carve-your-name-in-the-moon-with-a-big-ass-laser/16262/8 "2000-04-22T05:03:00Z")
DAMMIT! I thought I would be the first to post to this thread, but in my enthusiasm to get the Tick quote right and look it up on the web, y’all beat me to it! DAMMIT! Esprix * * * Evidently, I rock. [Ask the Gay Guy!](http://boards.straightdope.com/ubb/Forum7/HTML/001376.html) ---
**Author:** ![Satan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Satan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Satan)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2000, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-carve-your-name-in-the-moon-with-a-big-ass-laser/16262/9 "2000-04-22T05:10:00Z")
And in every episode afterwards, you could see the letters CH (and part of the) A in the moon. Then, a later episode involved a large being (I forget what exactly) that took a bite out of the moon, and every episode afterwards featured the moon looking like Cookie Monster got a hold of it. I love continuity in TV series’, and I absolutely LOVE _The Tick_! \*\*“Roof pig. Most… Unexpected…” * * * Yer pal, Satan [http://www.raleighmusic.com/board/Images/devil.gif](http://www.raleighmusic.com/board/Images/devil.gif) _Still not smoking, but away from my meter!_ ---
**Author:** ![Crown\_Prince\_of\_Irony](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ed655f/32.png) [@Crown\_Prince\_of\_Irony](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crown_Prince_of_Irony)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2000, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-carve-your-name-in-the-moon-with-a-big-ass-laser/16262/10 "2000-04-22T05:12:00Z")
> [@](#): > > Originally posted by Mullinator: > **I am pretty sure this means it is A-OK as long as you avoid angering any large blue superheroes. If you do get arrested, feel free to call me as an expert witness.** Hmmm… cartoons as legal precedent. Does that mean I can drop a big friggin’ anvil on my sworn enemies’ heads, as indicated per _R. Runner v. Wile E. Coyote_? 😃 * * * You can call me the King of Futility There’s a purpose to my actions, I just haven’t found it yet You can call me the Crown Prince of Irony It’s a crown I wear with dubious pride; it keeps falling down as I swim against the tide ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Cynical](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ee59a6/32.png) [@Mr.Cynical](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Cynical)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2000, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-carve-your-name-in-the-moon-with-a-big-ass-laser/16262/11 "2000-04-22T05:16:00Z")
Although I’m sure that a Big Ass Laser would be sufficient to carve your initials in the moon, I would recommend using the upgraded version: The Big Moon Laser. Plus, it doesn’t smell as funny. ---
**Author:** ![StrTrkr777](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/fbc32d/32.png) [@StrTrkr777](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StrTrkr777)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2000, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-carve-your-name-in-the-moon-with-a-big-ass-laser/16262/12 "2000-04-22T05:21:00Z")
As long as the anvil does not harm or do any damage to the enemy you can do so. It’s called the LooneyTune defense. Jeffery ---
**Author:** ![Crown\_Prince\_of\_Irony](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ed655f/32.png) [@Crown\_Prince\_of\_Irony](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crown_Prince_of_Irony)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2000, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-carve-your-name-in-the-moon-with-a-big-ass-laser/16262/13 "2000-04-22T05:24:00Z")
Temporary musical insanity? Hey, it’s a good excuse for Yoko Ono. * * * You can call me the King of Futility There’s a purpose to my actions, I just haven’t found it yet You can call me the Crown Prince of Irony It’s a crown I wear with dubious pride; it keeps falling down as I swim against the tide ---
**Author:** ![Crown\_Prince\_of\_Irony](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ed655f/32.png) [@Crown\_Prince\_of\_Irony](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crown_Prince_of_Irony)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2000, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-carve-your-name-in-the-moon-with-a-big-ass-laser/16262/14 "2000-04-22T05:37:00Z")
Temporary musical insanity? Hey, it’s a good excuse for Yoko Ono. * * * You can call me the King of Futility There’s a purpose to my actions, I just haven’t found it yet You can call me the Crown Prince of Irony It’s a crown I wear with dubious pride; it keeps falling down as I swim against the tide ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2000, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-carve-your-name-in-the-moon-with-a-big-ass-laser/16262/15 "2000-04-22T05:37:00Z")
> [@](#): > > Originally posted by Satan: > \*\*And in every episode afterwards, you could see the letters CH (and part of the) A in the moon. Then, a later episode involved a large being (I forget what exactly) that took a bite out of the moon, and every episode afterwards featured the moon looking like Cookie Monster got a hold of it. > > I love continuity in TV series’, and I absolutely LOVE _The Tick_! > > \*\*“Roof pig. Most… Unexpected…” > > \*\* That was when the Tick and some astronauts went to the moon trying to fix the “CHA”. The Tick got blown out into space and met up with the giant planet eating guy. The episode was called _Alone Together_ if I remember correctly. * * * “And so he says to me, I don’t like the cut of your jib. And I go, I says, but it’s the only jib I’ve got baby.” ---
**Author:** ![Cheese\_Head](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Cheese\_Head](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheese_Head)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2000, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-carve-your-name-in-the-moon-with-a-big-ass-laser/16262/16 "2000-04-21T18:14:00Z")
I would think nothing is illegal on the moon…murder, theft, arson, rape… If one astronaut did that to another, who would prosecute them? I wouldn’t think that any country has jurisdiction on the moon. I think the only laws on the moon are science laws. ---
**Author:** ![lswote](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lswote/32/5737_2.png) [@lswote](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lswote)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2000, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-carve-your-name-in-the-moon-with-a-big-ass-laser/16262/17 "2000-04-21T18:51:00Z")
> [@](#): > > Originally posted by StrTrkr777: > \*\*As long as the anvil does not harm or do any damage to the enemy you can do so. > > It’s called the LooneyTune defense. Cartoons provide so many unappreciated functions in society. See the attached [Cartoon Laws of Physics](http://www.jump.net/~lswote/cartoon_law.html). * * * In this world, you must be oh-so smart, or oh-so pleasant. For years I was smart. I recommend pleasant. ---
**Author:** ![Joe\_Cool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ecb155/32.png) [@Joe\_Cool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joe_Cool)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2000, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-carve-your-name-in-the-moon-with-a-big-ass-laser/16262/18 "2000-04-21T18:57:00Z")
> [@](#): > > Originally posted by Cheese Head: > **I would think nothing is illegal on the moon…murder, theft, arson, rape… If one astronaut did that to another, who would prosecute them? I wouldn’t think that any country has jurisdiction on the moon. I think the only laws on the moon are science laws.** Except that, at least for american astronauts, they are on a military expedition and members of the US Armed Services. That means no matter where they go, they are subject to US Military codes of conduct and laws. Unless I’m mistaken. * * * ## In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice, this is rarely the case. Joe Cool ---
**Author:** ![jab1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ee7513/32.png) [@jab1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jab1)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2000, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-carve-your-name-in-the-moon-with-a-big-ass-laser/16262/19 "2000-04-21T19:46:00Z")
What about civilian astronauts? The last man to walk on the moon was a civilian geologist and not a military pilot. * * * Sig Alert! ---
**Author:** ![Breckinshire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/71c47a/32.png) [@Breckinshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Breckinshire)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2000, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-carve-your-name-in-the-moon-with-a-big-ass-laser/16262/20 "2000-04-21T19:51:00Z")
I think even civilian astronauts are subject to US military law, because they could be considered as part of the military expedition. They traveled in the same vehicle, they’re getting paid from the same pockets, etc. * * * - Blessed are the Fundamentalists, for they shall inhibit the earth. \* [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-carve-your-name-in-the-moon-with-a-big-ass-laser/16262.md?page=2)