Bill sets fine for low-riding pants

By Associated Press
Posted February 9 2005

RICHMOND, Va. -- Virginians who wear their pants so low their underwear shows may want to think about investing in a stronger belt.

The state's House of Delegates passed a bill Tuesday authorizing a $50 fine for anyone who displays his or her underpants in a "lewd or indecent manner."

Del. Lionell Spruill Sr., a Democrat who opposed the bill, had pleaded with his colleagues to remember their own youthful fashion follies.

During an extended monologue Monday, he talked about how they dressed or wore their hair in their teens. On Tuesday, he said the measure was an unconstitutional attack on young blacks that would force parents to take off work to accompany their children to court just for making a fashion statement.

"This is a foolish bill, Mr. Speaker, because it will hurt so many," Spruill said before the measure was approved 60-34. It now goes to the state Senate.

The bill's sponsor, Del. Algie T. Howell, has said constituents were offended by the exposed underwear. He did not speak on the floor Tuesday.

Spruill and Howell, also a Democrat, are both black.

 

Won't pass no way no how, this is a bluff.

On top of that it's a bathing suit not my underware will be one of the defences.

In NY a woman can go topless because a man can.

This is a sexist law targeting women, i want to see their thong!

No see genitals = legal.

The only thing that freaks me out is when girls are going around dressed like that and mommy and daddy are with them.

If I had a kid i'd give her a smak down for even thinking about it.

Whats with the writting across the ass!!!!

Some 14 year old girl at the grocery store with Soccer written across her ass. I don't want to look at that yet how do you not read it. Dumb ass parents piss me off, they want to encurage people to stare or read thier little girls ass? Too many sickos out there. My kid would be chained to the radiator I'd be so freaked out with these insane nutjobs walking around.

 

This seems like it's getting into a freedom of expression realm, and I would hate to see this thing pass. Unless they put in a provision that would make it a fine to wear an "lewd or indecent" comb-over. Hit the politicians right back.

 

 

I agree it shouldn't pass, but it already passed one house in VA's congress.

You're joking about NY women going topless in public, right? I agree they should be permitted too (partially for my own selfish reasons, obviously..).
But really, is a woman's chest more indecent than a man's? I think not. In fact, I've seen some pretty indecent man titties.

 

Nope not joking. Passed in the early 90s I believe, went to NY surpreme court. Only fat ugly chicks took off their tops in protest.

 

Well, I've only been to NY once, but now I'm very disappointed that I saw no hot chicks exercising their rights.

 

Why does this not surprise me!!!! I've lived in Virginia all my life and it's a very conservative state. This is a joke. What happened to freedom of expression? Who is it really hurting for the teens to dress like this? It's not hurting those old farts in the senate. It's not as if any lewd body part is being exposed.

I will never understand why my tax dollars are being wasted on crap like this. Why can't they spend time voting on things that ARE important???!!! For instance eliminating the car tax that I have to pay year after year.

 

Did you guys know.. that women on South Beach can sun bathe topless.

 

Knew that..

Did you know that here in Indiana, it's illegal to show any lewd body parts, unless you can prove to the judge that you were mooning someone for a viable reason?