My Vision is Cloudy

My daughter has been over yesterday and today we have soccer, so not a lot of reading for me (I'll get to you guys on the blog rolls later today) but I thought I would post this:

Who knew? An old law shuts psychics

Alerted to a forgotten state ban, Phila. authorities have closed at least 16 storefront fortune-tellers. One alleged discrimination.

By David O'Reilly and Michael Vitez

Inquirer Staff Writers

Philadelphia's fortune-tellers didn't see it coming. Suddenly they're facing a very unhappy future. Alerted to an obscure state law banning fortune-telling "for gain or lucre," the city's Department of Licenses and Inspections is closing storefront psychics,

MICHAEL BRYANT / Inquirer Staff Photographer

astrologers, phrenologists and tarot-card readers who charge money for their services.

Inspectors had closed 16 shops since Tuesday, Deputy L&I Commissioner Dominic E. Verdi said yesterday.

"We were not aware it was a crime," he said, "but the Police Department came to us a few days ago and showed us where the crime code prohibits psychic readings.

"We looked into it, and it's clearly illegal. I was surprised."

Fortune-telling for profit is a third-degree misdemeanor. The law has been on the books for more than 30 years.(link)

You would think the fortune tellers would have seen this coming :)

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Reason to wonder

Filed: Philadelphia, psychics, law, LordNazh