Europe: Right Into the EU Crapper.

The reports of the death of Soviet Union-style heavy-handedness seem premature:

Under the EU's Optical Radiation Directive, employers of staff who work outdoors, including those in Bavaria's beer gardens, must ensure they cover up against the risk of sunburn.

Oh, Lord, the world is fast running out of places to which I'm willing to vacation.

Employers now face heavy fines if they fail to protect their workers from the threat of sunburn or skin cancer.

Because, of course, there can be no freedoms or responsibility left to the individual. That is not good for the common collective, comrade.

The directive was initially accused of outlawing bare-chested British builders. But Britain opted out of signing it, arguing that it was up to employees and employers to use their common sense to guard against the sun.

Thanks to Great Britain for deciding not to play such ridiculous state-deifying games.