How Far Is Too Far?

What's the line in the sand where government interference is concerned? Onerous taxation? Regulation of your business? Well, how about interfering in the naming of your child? Is that government run amok? It is to me.

STOCKHOLM, Sweden (AP) -- Metallica may be a cool name for a heavy metal band, but a Swedish couple is struggling to convince officials it is also suitable for a baby girl.

Michael and Karolina Tomaro are locked in a court battle with Swedish authorities, which rejected their application to name their six-month-old child after the legendary rock band.

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Although little Metallica has already been baptized, the Swedish National Tax Board refused to register the name, saying it was associated with both the rock group and the word "metal."

Tomaro said the official handling the case also called the name "ugly."

A taxing authority telling you what you cannot name your child. It's a short step from there to telling you what you can name your children. Coming soon to a bureaucrats office near you, too given the way this country is headed.

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Libertarian, Nanny State, Sweden