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VA Introduces Anti-Underpants Bill

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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    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 transplanted Virginian, but I have never understood this droopy/baggy ass pants thing, anyway. I don't want to see anybody's none-too-hygeinic 'crack' displayed for all to see. But I don't need any dumb law passed, either. Might as well legislate against flatulence and body odor for all the good it does...

    Re: VA Introduces Anti-Underpants Bill (none / 0) (#13)
    by kdog on Wed Feb 09, 2005 at 08:45:42 AM EST
    Amen BB.

    Re: VA Introduces Anti-Underpants Bill (none / 0) (#14)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Wed Feb 09, 2005 at 08:47:21 AM EST
    Re: Plumber exception: Only for Bon Jovi

    Re: VA Introduces Anti-Underpants Bill (none / 0) (#15)
    by kdog on Wed Feb 09, 2005 at 09:37:07 AM EST
    I propose we give these legislators atomic wedgies.

    Re: VA Introduces Anti-Underpants Bill (none / 0) (#16)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Wed Feb 09, 2005 at 10:11:46 AM EST
    In the spirit of cutting down on Government waste, lets boycott underwear in VA - the extras could be sent to Iraq for use in prisoner interrogations. Of course, this may prompt complaints from military families complaining that they once again are forced to equip our military with the supplies they need. Troops may again confront Donald Rumsfeld, asking, "Why do we have to have used equipment (the fact that they have been washed notwithstanding). I say, let's do it for the Gipper! (...or is it for the WMD...or for the victims of 9/11...er...uh...Lets just do it for Freedom)!!!! God bless America (and our underpants)!!!!

    Re: VA Introduces Anti-Underpants Bill (none / 0) (#17)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Wed Feb 09, 2005 at 10:54:41 AM EST
    You think maybe the folks in his barbershop were complaining about a crack epidemic and he just got confused?

    Re: VA Introduces Anti-Underpants Bill (none / 0) (#18)
    by kdog on Wed Feb 09, 2005 at 11:01:21 AM EST
    Very good mfox, that about sums it up.

    Re: VA Introduces Anti-Underpants Bill (none / 0) (#19)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Wed Feb 09, 2005 at 11:05:49 AM EST
    thanks kdog. And don't get discouraged about the LAPD shooter. You're right, they're wrong.

    Re: VA Introduces Anti-Underpants Bill (none / 0) (#20)
    by pigwiggle on Wed Feb 09, 2005 at 11:53:00 AM EST
    Today I’m gunna sag in solidarity. Let’s put the A back in T&A. There should be a conservation to law; all law should constitute no more than X lines. Pass a law with 5,000 lines, 5,000 lines are repealed elsewhere.

    Re: VA Introduces Anti-Underpants Bill (none / 0) (#21)
    by kdog on Wed Feb 09, 2005 at 12:24:41 PM EST
    Thanks mfox, I'm not discouraged, though it bums me out to think others have so little regard for human life, and would willingly give police a blank check to kill as they see fit. Sounds good to me pig.

    Re: VA Introduces Anti-Underpants Bill (none / 0) (#22)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Wed Feb 09, 2005 at 12:44:21 PM EST
    Kdog... though it bums me out to think others have so little regard for human life, and would willingly give police a blank check to kill as they see fit. LOL...You guys do crack me up. I really don't think anyone on here did that. We are all just very tired of the left jumping all over things like this and convicting the cop of murder automatically. That's all.... it's very simple. The left assumes immediate guilt on behave of the authority figure, (IE- the actual criminal is not at fault)... while the right tends to give the the authority figures (police and/or military)the benefit of the doubt, while we wait for all the facts....

    Re: VA Introduces Anti-Underpants Bill (none / 0) (#23)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Wed Feb 09, 2005 at 01:06:01 PM EST
    You're the one that's very simple. And a liar. And commenting on the wrong thread (apologies to TL for cross-referencing). Kdog, I have not ever read a comment of yours that I don't agree with 100 percent. You go, dog.

    Re: VA Introduces Anti-Underpants Bill (none / 0) (#24)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Wed Feb 09, 2005 at 01:07:40 PM EST
    And pigwiggle, I'm proud to say that in this thread, I agree with everything you said. Which makes me feel good for some reason I don't understand. Here's to working towards common ground!

    Re: VA Introduces Anti-Underpants Bill (none / 0) (#25)
    by pigwiggle on Wed Feb 09, 2005 at 01:20:25 PM EST
    mfox- I value absolute and unqualified liberty above anything, including the freedom to show ones a$$ in public. It makes me sad that folks don’t value freedom but only want freedom for things they value. I don’t see the sense in talking of fairness and justice when it is framed in terms of limiting freedom; I think this is where we disagree most often.

    Re: VA Introduces Anti-Underpants Bill (none / 0) (#26)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Wed Feb 09, 2005 at 01:27:37 PM EST
    This law is inexplicably dumb. I can't imagine it doing anything but backfiring on the jerks who are promoting this law and giving teenagers a cause to rally around. And these Republicans had the nerve to call the government under Democrats "the nanny state"? Apparently under Republicans it is "the daddy state." What is the punishment exactly? Do they get to put these kids over their knee?

    Re: VA Introduces Anti-Underpants Bill (none / 0) (#27)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Wed Feb 09, 2005 at 01:55:46 PM EST
    So how many 2 year olds will go to prison in our great nation of freedom? good god help us all, and banning pants is nut's but about right foe a freedom love non nation.

    Re: VA Introduces Anti-Underpants Bill (none / 0) (#28)
    by john horse on Wed Feb 09, 2005 at 02:08:56 PM EST
    Now that it is illegal in Virginia for anyone to expose their below-waist underpants, how are plumbers and electricians going to be able to make a living?

    Re: VA Introduces Anti-Underpants Bill (none / 0) (#29)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Wed Feb 09, 2005 at 02:09:52 PM EST
    mfox... You're the one that's very simple. And a liar. Sticks & stones..... So, what did I lie about? (I know you lefties like to throw that word around a lot...not really knowing what it means) And commenting on the wrong thread I commented on Kdog's post just before mine. I suggest you read before accusing...oh wait... you guys don't do that do you? Kdog, I have not ever read a comment of yours that I don't agree with 100 percent. Duh...that's because your both bleeding heart libs...

    Re: VA Introduces Anti-Underpants Bill (none / 0) (#30)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Wed Feb 09, 2005 at 07:13:39 PM EST
    Please stay on topic and don't confuse readers by cross-thread posting. This is about the underpants law.

    Re: VA Introduces Anti-Underpants Bill (none / 0) (#31)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Wed Feb 09, 2005 at 07:34:03 PM EST
    If this bill covers "plumber butt," I'm on board.

    Re: VA Introduces Anti-Underpants Bill (none / 0) (#32)
    by Che's Lounge on Thu Feb 10, 2005 at 07:38:56 AM EST
    Finally, it appears most of us on all sides agree, this is a WOT. (Waste of Time-not War on Tighty whiteys)

    Re: VA Introduces Anti-Underpants Bill (none / 0) (#34)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Thu Feb 10, 2005 at 12:03:36 PM EST
    Thanks for clarifying, Che. I thought you meant War On Terror!

    Re: VA Introduces Anti-Underpants Bill (none / 0) (#35)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Thu Feb 10, 2005 at 12:48:09 PM EST
    Wait until you hear the legislature’s next command: All women must wear veils. The Leg has met the enemy and they are them. It’s funny how a bunch of old men in Virginia are fixating on young mens’ underpants. Next up are manditory animal-calling classes for all male teenagers, students may choose between pig and sheep sounds, private final exams to be proctored by state officials.

    Re: VA Introduces Anti-Underpants Bill (none / 0) (#36)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Thu Feb 10, 2005 at 07:29:02 PM EST
    satchel - Arte you a U of Arkansas grad? Whooo pig, pig, soooey....

    Re: VA Introduces Anti-Underpants Bill (none / 0) (#37)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Feb 25, 2005 at 06:56:50 PM EST
    It's just another excuse to arrest black male teenagers. I