The stupidification of America is quite evident on FR as the reading comprehension expressed here with some folks is atrocious.
See my post on this.
But I might point out there is no such word as “stupidification” (nor is there such thing as the common “stupidest”). ;-)
It is alarming. But the article is confusing. If the author’s representation of the law is correct, both of these girls can ride without a booster seat.
I looked up the law to see what it really says. It’s at http://www.leg.wa.gov/pub/billinfo/2005-06/Htm/Bills/Session%20Law%202005/1475-S.SL.htm
The relevant text is “A child must be restrained in a child restraint system, if the passenger seating position equipped with a safety belt system allows sufficient space for installation, until the child is eight years old, unless the child is four feet nine inches or taller.”
So both of these girls are exempt from the booster seat requirement. The author presented the girls as complying with a requirement, but stopped just short of saying so explicitly. I suspect this is another example of a sympathetic press working to extend the influence of an invasive nanny state.