Twentieth century bureaucracy stumbles when it comes to the Amish, who have stubbornly resisted the Social Security program and other government rules and regulations. The latest conflict has cropped up in Mesopotamia (pop. 2,000), Ohio, 40 miles east of Cleveland, where Amish Volunteer Fire Fighters Eli Miller and Noah Mullet go unshaven as a sign of personal simplicity. A new state law forbids fire fighters to wear beards in the line of duty. The reason: facial hair prevents a proper seal from forming between the skin and a breathing mask, which fire fighters are required to use near flames.
Choosing deference...
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