In Crack is Whack, Ambra Nykol  gives her take on the Virginia state House of Delagates’ passage of a bill “authorizing a $50 fine for anyone who displays his or her underpants in a ‘lewd or indecent manner.'”  Although I agree that all too many young people these days need to learn the proper use of a belt, I don’t see this as an issue that requires legislative action.  And before anybody starts screaming about crazy right wingers, let it be understood that the bill enjoyed bipartisan support.  This looks suspiciously like a case of pandering to the vocal minority: “Mr. Underpants there doesn’t vote.  Let’s throw our constituents a bone.”

I ran across Ambra’s blog a couple of weeks ago and since then have thoroughly enjoyed reading her posts.  Ambra is smart, funny, insightful, and one heck of a good writer.  Anybody who can write something as insightful and dead on as this is worth reading.  I learn something worthwhile from almost every one of her posts, even those in which I disagree with her.  And that is priceless.  Oh, and did I mention that in addition to all her other traits, Ambra is also gorgeous?

Update 02/10:  As reported here, the Virginia State Senate had the good sense to kill this bill in committee today in a unanimous vote.  From the brief report in the article, it appears that my suspicion of pandering to the vocal minority was dead on:

The bill’s sponsor, Democratic Delegate Algie T. Howell, declined to answer reporters’ questions Thursday but issued a statement saying the bill “was in direct response to a number of my constituents who found this to be a very important issue.”

He has said the constituents included customers at his barber shop who were offended by exposed underwear.

’nuff said.