One evening in maybe 1968 (you could look it up), after hours
 and hours of booooring discussion of budget issues, a Boulder
 (Colorado) City Councilman introduced an ordinance to make
 earthquakes illegal in Boulder (but allowing the City Council
 to grant earthquake licenses on showing of need or constructive
 purpose).  The Council, glad to have something fun to do, first
 declared the regulation of earthquakes an emergency measure
 (obviating a "second reading" at their next meeting), and then
 passed the ordinance (I think unanimously) with only minor
 amendments.  Last I looked (mid-1970s) it was still on the
 books.
 
 Moral of the story:  Don't attribute to stupidity what can be
 adequately explained by whimsy.