Will the last one out please turn off the lights?

Yet more proof that this country is going bonkers:

Jewish couple sue neighbours for 'imprisoning' them with automatic hallway light (Daily Mail, 16 June 2009)

A Jewish couple are suing their neighbours in a block of flats, saying an automatic security light is keeping them prisoner in their home because it forces them to break their Sabbath rules. [...] They say their human rights are being breached and are now suing the flats' management company - their neighbours - for failing to accommodate their religion.

Ah, "human rights", "accommodating their religion"... Those old chestnuts. And then the best part:

The other 35 owners of the seaside flats are liable to pay court costs if the claim is successful.

I cannot understand why these people are kicking up such a stink - surely the fact that they are not physically switching the light on or off means that they can employ just a little bit of common sense and get along with their neighbours? From what I can tell this building is shared by a range of different people from different backgrounds - and so why should what is a sensible way of saving energy be shelved simply because a couple of religious zealots are getting into a not-so-merry flap about it?

If course, if one forgets simple compromise and common sense there are three alternatives:

• the lights are permanently left on using the override switch this litigious couple were wiling to pay for. Naturally, they would have to foot the bill for any additional electricity that may be consumed.
• the lights are permanently left off, and a disclaimer written so that this couple cannot sue if one or both of them happen to fall down a flight of stairs and break their necks. Of course, if the lights are off and any of the other residents injure themselves when attempting to find the light switch in the dark, the Orthodox Jews would be liable.
  
• they leave and go to a building solely occupied by Orthodox Jews who can make up their own rules as they wish.

It's like Britain in microcosm, really: one small group of people make their way to a place that has been running along nicely for years, only to then start bleating loudly and make ridiculous demands - thus putting others' noses out of joint.

A case of stupid people wanting to have their matzo and eat it.