Who cares about seeing underwear? Unless you are 5 y/o or under, I don't want to see your ass crack.

AKA the "Plumber Suppression Act."

Tis okay with me - I'm sick of seeing crack.

Cindy

I can't help but think maybe VA's congress is in session too long, if they are coming up with laws like this.

That or there is some bigger bill they all want to avoid so peddled this one instead.

cirby - hahaha.

Other Democrats will simply disown Algie T. Howell Jr. saying he's a closet Republican. Believe me, the issue of race will come up too.

It was either this or pass laws against roosters crowing before dawn.

The restrained Virginia senate usually puts the kibosh on the silly bills passed by the traditionally more exictable and fervent house members caught up in legislative fads.

Plumber butt is probably safe in the Old Dominion.

I'm a lefty and this is dumb. What happens when the person is not wearing underwear? Does a swimsuit count as underwear? Does the law define "underwear"? Who decides what is "lewd or indecent"? Would the law make it so that police officers are considered "expert judges of lewdness and indecency" like they are considered "expert judges of vehicle speed". If this goes through perhaps we can get a law banning ladies from wearing miniskirts with Ugg boots, I hate seeing that too.

OK, easy joke #1) just so I understand this correctly...wearing pants too low is against the law...wearing bed-sheets with pointed hoods is ok?

easy joke #2) what's next tie-dyes and birkenstocks?

easy joke #3) go commando, avoid the fine and save on laundry

Seriously, if actually enforced the law will probably nab a lot more suburban white kid wannabes than anyone else.

the state must have indecency laws; the legislators should review them. they missed this boat by half a century, to the delight of Marilyn Monroe and Liz Taylor fans everywhere. [and those Calvin Klein ads running for about two decades now, hoo-ee!] Cat on a Hot Tin Roof never would have debuted.

c'mon folks, cloth = clothing, and I hate that baggy-pants/Calvins faux fashion too. Virginia doesn't need fashion police on the payroll.

Delegate Algie T. Howell Jr. (Democrat from Norfolk, VA) will be branded as all other blacks that lefties don't like if this bill actually passes. Wait for him to be called a sell out to the Religious White..I mean Religious Right.

They do it with all blacks that think for themselves rather than toe the predictable party line especially if they achieve a high position in either a Republican Administration or gain conservative electoral support. But don't call Democrats racist or race baiters.

Scott:
One is political speech, the other is not. . . unless you are talking out of your ass. That was my l'homage to cirby. :-)

I guess I'm on the "this is a stupid law" side. If a Bikini or speedo are still legal, this law is a farce.

Not having seen the text of the bill, I wonder who exactly it is will make the decision as to what a "lewd or indecent manner" is. This looks like a easy loser in any court to me. Without clearly defined limits and ensurances that the law is equitably enforced, this one is just going to be thrown out continuously.

No doubt those to the extreme left will blame the right for this one. Since that realm of democracy tends to ignore the facts when a good emotional rant is in the heart.

The count so far is:

Stupid Law - 7
Plumber Supression Act - 3
Hanging Chads - 3

Reminds me of the Woody Allen movie "Bananas" in which the nutty dictator decrees that underwear will be changed twice a day. To enable enforcement, he says, all underwear must henceforth be worn on the outside.

Wearing bedsheets as hats is political speech? How is discussing the lynching of blacks and other minorities "political"? They're not wearing hoods so they can freely discuss the merits of a flat income tax or a national sales tax.

And here I thought, "Call the fashion police!" was just a figure of speech.

The thought police can't be far behind.

Wearing bedsheets as hats is political speech?

Is a swatzika any less offensive than a white hood? Remember the nazis marching in Skokie? Why don't you think they were able to stop it?

How is discussing the lynching of blacks and other minorities "political"?

What is protecting your right to discuss it now? Don't confuse discussion with conspiracy.

They're not wearing hoods so they can freely discuss the merits of a flat income tax or a national sales tax

No, they can even discuss the merits wearing hoods, sheets, and by the light of a burning cross (so long as it's not on someone else's lawn).

This should get you riled: Communist Party. Nambla. American Nazi Party. Every crappy white supremist group. Figure it out.

The useful thing about this bill will be the ability to pick up gang members. Some gangs sag their shorts as means of identification. It's just crazy enough that it might help crime fighting.

"Underwear goes inside the pants....that's why it's called under-fuckin-wear!" -- Dennis Leary

Turn those hats around, too! And stop talking with your mouth full!

Kids these days...

...and don't jump in puddles!

Burning crosses and painting swastikas may be political speech, but they are not acceptable speech. They are in fact hate speech and, as such, not protected by the 1st Amendment.

Today the question is whether the effigy of a US soldier hung by a noose from the side of a Sacramento house is protected free speech or hate. I vote for hate; 65% of Californians polled think it is either the right thing to do or is protected. See for yourself:
http://www.thekcrachannel.com/news/4180042/detail.html

Is it just me or should PARENTS be the ones who regulate this, and not GOVERNMENT. At the very most SCHOOLS can enforce it (if the schools can enforce dress codes).

... if this bill makes it through the state Senate and the Governor signs it, the credit (or blame) is 100% on Virginia Democrats.

This won't stop the MSM or the dnc from stating or implying it was Republicans.

Now, Henry, I thought you would be the first one to volunteer for Thong Patrol.

Burning crosses and painting swastikas may be political speech, but they are not acceptable speech. They are in fact hate speech and, as such, not protected by the 1st Amendment.

Wow, could have fooled me and the USSC!

A state may enact laws prohibiting cross burning carried out with the intent to intimidate . However, cross burning by itself is not prima facie evidence of the required intent.

As the history of cross burning indicates, a burning cross is not always intended to intimidate. Rather, sometimes the cross burning is a statement of ideology, a symbol of group solidarity. It is a ritual used at Klan gatherings, and it is used to represent the Klan itself. Thus, "[b]urning a cross at a political rally would almost certainly be protected expression." [Citations omitted.]

(Virgina v. Black (2003) __ U.S. __ .)

I can tell you without looking at your website that it is exactly the type of speech the first amendment was intended to protect. Before something is illegal, there must be a law prohibiting it. What specific statute prohibits this? None. And if there was one, it would be illegal.

Politicians who vote for laws like this should be run out of office. I leave what should be meted out to those writing and sponsoring such laws to your delightfully fevered imaginations.

Jay:

But if they didn't, what would bloggers have to write about? Don't bite the hand that feeds you.

Other Democrats will simply disown Algie T. Howell Jr. saying he's a closet Republican. Believe me, the issue of race will come up too.

I seriously doubt the other Democrats in VA will disown him based on this, and doubt it will make much news at all. As far as the race issue, its already been brought up, first by whatever dippy AP writer wrote that story and decided to point out that the two vocal lawmakers here are black, and then by many of you. What does this have to do with race? If the same bill were being debated by two white delegates, would the reporter have noted that?

Julie-
You know, this just may be a Democratic attempt to backdoor gay rights in Virginia. If you're going to have dress codes then I say get an expert...anyone up for appointing Carson Kressley as the first Chief of the Fashion Police? It'd be absolutley fabulous!

I'm sure he'd get into the spirit of the job..after all he is a world-ranked equestrian and those Virginians do so love their horses...all those polished leather boots, riding crops and saddles.

And just think, with Carson in control the state could so move beyond just low-hanging pants and exposed underwear. Why not mandate a new dress code...gucci loafers, no socks, plain-front khakis, a nice all cotton pastel Lacoste shirt (preferably in yellow or coral), then topped by either a blue blazer or a nice cashmire sweater (I always go for a French blue sweater since it makes a nice contrast to the Lacoste shirt).

For the girls...well who really cares? Either just have them think Scarlette O'hara...pre-Sherman of course. I'm sure they'd be happy to get out of those flour-sack dresses or Daisy Duke cut-offs.

Remember people, it's not a make-over its a make-better...when you look good you feel good and when you feel good, good things happen. I could just see it now, once the state got itself buffed and polished Norfolk could so easily replace Provincetown. It has better weather so the party season could last so much longer...not to mention all those young sailors in their Navy whites...talk about eye-candy...well a boy can dream can't he? And now that Virginia is getting a firm grip on the situation I'm sure many boys will be.

So let me be the first to welcome Virginia to the other side of the Rainbow!

Scott

"What does this have to do with race? If the same bill were being debated by two white delegates, would the reporter have noted that?"

'Zactly!

I was reading this story during the current events portion of my American Government class and one of my African-American students said "all the blacks are going to leave Virginia". Yea I think the law is dumb too. Do they have to call the police when they call a plumber?

1) The Senate passed the bill, too.
2) Del. Howell also sponsored legislation to ban loud car stereos, driving with the seat reclined too far, driving with video screens visible to the driver. And nothing else this session. Make of that what you will.

Well, the VA Senate killed the bill. So I guess all your speculation about those racist democrats going after this nutjob Howell was for naught. Too bad.

UPDATE: yeehaw!!!

Cindy

never mind, guess I'll have to get used to crack, which I HATE.

Cindy