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VA Introduces Anti-Underpants Bill

By Jeralyn, Section Civil Liberties
Posted on Tue Feb 08, 2005 at 09:40:14 PM EST
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I see London, I see France, but you better not let me see your underpants....

That's the message Virginia legislators are sending out by endorsing a bill to ban low-riding pants.

Delegates approved a measure that would allow police to assess a $50 fine on anyone who exposes their below-waist underpants in a "lewd or indecent manner."

[Freshman Norfolk Delegate Algie Howell Jr.] said that since he introduced it last month, he's been deluged with calls and e-mails about the issue, mostly positive. Howell told The Virginian-Pilot that he kept hearing from customers in his barber shop that something needed to be done about young people who wear their pants around their knees, exposing their underwear.

Update: The bill is dead.

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    VA Introduces Anti-Underpants Bill | 36 comments (36 topical)
    Re: VA Introduces Anti-Underpants Bill (none / 0) (#1)
    by Pete Guither on Tue Feb 08, 2005 at 11:04:14 PM EST
    Watch for an increase in the sale of underpants with political messages printed on the waistband. Then a fine would be a violation of 1st Amendment rights.

    Re: VA Introduces Anti-Underpants Bill (none / 0) (#2)
    by Johnny on Tue Feb 08, 2005 at 11:20:51 PM EST
    Wow... I mean, what with a war on and all, this is the best that tax money can be spent on? Some impotent old barber is tired of looking at a girls thong? I mean, come on... I'll make a deal with the people sponsoring this bill: outlaw spandex in sizes larger than 10 and I will support this one... (rolls eyes)

    Re: VA Introduces Anti-Underpants Bill (none / 0) (#3)
    by bad Jim on Wed Feb 09, 2005 at 12:16:23 AM EST
    So Virginia would prefer that everyone go commando?

    Re: VA Introduces Anti-Underpants Bill (none / 0) (#4)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Wed Feb 09, 2005 at 05:24:43 AM EST
    with all that is going on, this is what our legislators are concerned about?

    Re: VA Introduces Anti-Underpants Bill (none / 0) (#5)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Wed Feb 09, 2005 at 05:33:00 AM EST
    Classic waste of time and effort. But note the very large loophole they left themselves: Define lewd or indecent. Even in a bible belt courtroom with a sitting judge who is a Jerry Falwell fan, you're going to have a hardtime arguing that the waste band on some kids boxers is a lewd display in the age of Carmen Electra and Christina Aguilera.

    Re: VA Introduces Anti-Underpants Bill (none / 0) (#6)
    by kdog on Wed Feb 09, 2005 at 06:04:14 AM EST
    Calling All Viginians!! Do not re-elect these knuckleheads. They are wasting your time and money.

    Re: VA Introduces Anti-Underpants Bill (none / 0) (#7)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Wed Feb 09, 2005 at 06:13:41 AM EST
    Think of the increase in funding for Social Security. Make this a national law. Every time some one bends over and the pants ride down there will be another $50 for SS.

    Re: VA Introduces Anti-Underpants Bill (none / 0) (#8)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Wed Feb 09, 2005 at 06:17:35 AM EST
    Is there a "plumber exemption"?

    Re: VA Introduces Anti-Underpants Bill (none / 0) (#9)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Wed Feb 09, 2005 at 07:08:53 AM EST
    They tried this last year in Louisiana, yes the home of Mardi Gras debauchery, and we became the laughing stock of the nation, even got a segment on the Daily Show. There was an exception for bonafide occupational display of underwear and buttocks--and of course that brought jokes about whether plumbers were in that category. Thankfully, it didn't pass.

    Re: VA Introduces Anti-Underpants Bill (none / 0) (#10)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Wed Feb 09, 2005 at 07:31:34 AM EST
    They are trying to get at young boys who sag their pants. Not that it is important, but it is a source of distress for many a Cosby-like community elder. They can't be fathers or do anything to control the young boys, so they harp on their pants as if pants that give you a wedgie is going to make you a more responsible citizen.

    Re: VA Introduces Anti-Underpants Bill (none / 0) (#11)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Wed Feb 09, 2005 at 08:04:02 AM EST
    Yet another example of how our legislators think 'they' need to be everyone's parents. Oh heavin forbid, my kid listens to that evil rock & roll music.... "Don't worry ma'am, Uncle Sam will help you, we'll put labels on all the records so you don't have to actually listen to what your kids do in order to find out what it is" "Pants around their ankles...not to worry, we'll pass another useless law to fix that too, that way you won't have to actually exercise any parenting skills".

    Re: VA Introduces Anti-Underpants Bill (none / 0) (#12)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Wed Feb 09, 2005 at 08:33:08 AM EST
    Not that I support this, being a tra