13 Things Americans Banned in 2012

We live in the land of the free, which means we're free to ban just about anything we don't like. In 2012 Americans dropped the ban hammer on public nuisances from goose livers to "gateway sexual activity."

13. Styrofoam containers

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Sorry, residents of certain towns in California and Massachusetts. You'll have to carry your pad thai home in your pockets.

 

12. Panhandling

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It's unclear if this Colorado Springs ban extends to politicians.

 

11. Foie gras

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California banned the sale of foie gras because it is gross cruel to birds.

 

10. Learning about "gateway sexual activity"

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Let's hope Ke$ha wasn't planning on playing Tennessee any time soon.

 

9. Cursing

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This Massachusetts law is f***ing stupid.

 

8. Hoodies

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Where did you think the word 'hoodlum' comes from?

 

7. Loud TV commercials

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But… but… how will we know if those certified pre-owned cars are a deal, deal, deal?

 

6. Plastic bags

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Do you ever feel like a plastic bag / If you actually are one, you're banned in Los Angeles.

 

5. Insurance companies being a**holes

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They'll probably still find a way.

 

4. Bath salts

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The federal government banned the kind of bath salts that make people go crazy and attack other people, inadvertently causing a real headache for lifestyle stock photography agencies.

 

3. American-sized sodas

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New York, New York! If you make it here, you can't order a 20-ounce soda.

 

2. Wearing birthday suits in public

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In San Francisco, of all places.

 

1. Happy hour

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We'd tell Utah residents to drown their sorrows about this, but…

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