Southern exposure could result in fine

Richmond, Va. Virginians who wear their pants so low their underwear shows may want to think about investing in a stronger belt.

The state’s House of Delegates passed a bill Tuesday authorizing a $50 fine for anyone who displays his or her underpants in a “lewd or indecent manner.”

Del. Lionell Spruill Sr., a Democrat who opposed the bill, had pleaded with his colleagues to remember their own youthful fashion follies.

During an extended monologue Monday, he talked about how they dressed or wore their hair in their teens. On Tuesday, he said the measure was an unconstitutional attack on young blacks that would force parents to take off work to accompany their children to court just for making a fashion statement.

“This is a foolish bill, Mr. Speaker, because it will hurt so many,” Spruill said before the measure was approved 60-34. It now goes to the state Senate.

The bill’s sponsor, Del. Algie T. Howell, has said constituents were offended by the exposed underwear.

City wants to ban cosmetic work on pets

West Hollywood, Calif. Leaders in this community known for its progressive views are trying to ban cosmetic surgery – for pets.

Mayor John Duran introduced a motion Monday that would prohibit ear cropping, tail docking, debarking, defanging and other surgical procedures performed on animals for “noncurative” reasons.

Such procedures, supporters say, hurt the animals to satisfy their owners’ tastes. Already law in many European countries, the ban would be the first of its kind in the United States, Duran said.

West Hollywood already has laws forbidding cat declawing and designating its residents as pet guardians rather than pet owners. Last year, the city started requiring pet-grooming companies to supply their customers with fresh water and report injuries related to grooming within 24 hours.

Grand jury drops charge over man’s mock court

New York A man arrested after telling lawyer jokes at a courthouse got the last laugh when a grand jury dismissed the disorderly conduct charge against him.

“It’s still legal in America to tell jokes – even about lawyers,” said 70-year-old Harvey Kash’s lawyer, Ron Kuby, about Monday’s decision.

Kash testified he was exercising his First Amendment right when he shared a few lawyer jokes with his friend, Carl Lanzisera, 65, as they waited to enter a Long Island courthouse last month.

Kash and Lanzisera are founders of Americans for Legal Reform, a group that uses confrontational tactics to urge greater public access to the courts. They said they have mocked lawyers outside courts for years.

“How do you tell when a lawyer is lying?” Kash reportedly asked.

“His lips are moving,” the pair howled in unison.

Some people giggled, but a lawyer in the line told them to pipe down and reported them to court officers. They were arrested for allegedly being abusive and causing a disturbance.

The charge against Lanzisera was dropped because of insufficient evidence.

Fire crews didn’t get OK to wear gear to gala

Memphis, Tenn. The Memphis Fire Department has reprimanded 19 firefighters for wearing department equipment while performing “unbecoming” acts at a racy fashion show benefit.

Fire officials said the men failed to get permission to use the department’s name at the police and firefighters gala last summer.

Investigators reviewed a videotape of the event, which featured nearly nude men who appeared to wear only soap suds on stage and at least two women who were hoisted in the air with their legs around the men’s waists.

Others in the show swung badges, wore department pants and held nightsticks.

According to the Fire Department, 28 firefighters were involved in the event, but there was not enough evidence to punish some, and some did not have on uniforms.

The Memphis police officers had approval to participate.