Virginia is a legislative debate over Legislating Low Riding Pants, Boxers, Briefs & Thongs:

The House of Delegates has passed legislation targeting young people who wear their low-riding pants that allow their underwear to show. The vote was 60 to 34. Delegate Algie Howell of Norfolk says he proposed the bill on behalf of constituents who said they find the exposed underwear fad offensive. The measure calls for a $50 fine for anyone who exposes his underpants in a “lewd or indecent manner.” Delegate Lionell Spruill of Chesapeake urged his colleges to defeat the bill. He said the measure targets young black people and that it probably is unconstitutional. The measure now goes to the Senate.

Yes, it’s a stupid fashion statement. However, it is not really lewd or indecent in the way those terms have been traditionally applied. This legislation bodes ill on a number of levels. Just what will qualify as lewd or indecent? Some folks think the exposed underwear in and of itself is lewd while others don’t. It is fashion not facism. If we tell the kids not to dress like their clothes are twelve sizes too big, they will only do it more. If we fine them, then they will find some other obnoxious trend to follow. Just leave them be and let the fashion style die off on its own . . . and if it doesn’t die then it reflects some sort of community value that we’ve no real business legislating away, at least the puritanical minority shouldn’t be shoving their values down folks’ throats. This is not serious enough of an issue to warrant legislative debate. Sheesh.