February 11, 2005
At first I thought it was a joke, but as Will Rogers used to say, "when I tell a joke, it's just a joke, but when Congress tells a joke, it becomes law."
The Virginia House has passed a measure that would impose a $50 fine on anyone whose underwear peeks above their pants or skirts.
I'm not making this up.
How would you like to be the police officer who enforces this law?
The state lawmaker who introduced the bill, Algie Howell of Norfolk, says "it's not an attack on baggy pants. To vote for this bill would be a vote for character, to uplift your community and do something good not only for the state of Virginia , but for this entire country."
That sounds pretty noble, but do we really want government enacting a dress code.
What about girls and some of the provocative dress, or undress, on the upper body?
Apparently we're just dealing with lower body underwear in this case. I'm all for more modesty.
I just doubt whether government is the primary means by which we will achieve it.
Suitably dressed in Washington , I'm Cal Thomas.
Cal Thomas is a nationally syndicated columnist based in Washington, D.C. Watch his television show, After Hours with Cal Thomas, on the Fox News Channel, Saturdays at 11 p.m. Eastern Time.
