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Originally posted by snarky412
This ridiculous law is in the state of Massachusetts where the Black Mental Health Alliance of Massachusetts has released a Public Service Announcement warning citizens about the state’s penalties for sporting saggy pants.
I personally can't stand that look but this is crazy.
1/24/13
New Massachusetts PSA: ‘Pull Up Your Pants’ or Face Fines
The announcement alerts baggy-pants wearers that sporting pants “hip-hop style” with your “underwear exposed” could result in fines of up to $300 or even land you behind bars.
“You still think it’s cool?” a cop asks. “It’s the law. Pull up your pants. Respect yourself.”
Evidently Massachusetts law bans ”open and gross lewd and lascivious behavior” and warns that such behavior can be punished by up to three years in state prison or two years in county jail.
Seems a little harsh to me......... a warning maybe but jail time???? No way.....
At least with this being brought about by Black representatives, they can't be called racists or accused of harassment.
I have seen at various events in some places where the cops will demand that guys pull their pants up. Not fine them but order them to do it. Usually it's a black cop so I don't know if they don't like the image/message that these young black boys are sending out or if they just think it's not appropriate. Some of the gangs wear this type of attire so maybe they are trying to cut down on the stereotyping that some people have on young black people.
Yes, that style of clothing looks idiotic at it's best, indecent at it's worst, but not worthy of fines/jail time IMO.
Originally posted by syrinx high priest
public indecency is a real issue
wanna look like a fool in private ? cool
in public ? get a grip
if there is no consequence, there is no change
Originally posted by JiggyPotamus
For those who think it is, this is not racist, because all races have those who exhibit this type of behavior. I think that baggy pants are fine, but I also think that pants should go around your waist. I have seen people with their pants literally down to almost their knees. That should be public indecency or something anyway. The government cannot tell us what to wear, but they can tell us we are not allowed to expose ourselves by going out into public without properly covering ourselves. I think that is fair, and that the majority would support it.
Originally posted by crankyoldman
Let me get this straight.
The STATE has determined that it is the singular and only definable "victim" of the crime of saggy pants. The STATE has determined that being victimized by the horrendous baggy pants offense is causing the STATE undue harm and damage. Those who persist in such egregious actions AGAINST the STATE are to be punished by fine and or imprisonment.
300 dollars to the STATE makes the state whole again when the pants are dropped below the belt-line. The STATE suffers damages to the tune of 300 dollars. Does the STATE have to define what, where, or how those damages are derived? Why 300?
The STATE has also determined in some instances, 300 dollars does not even BEGIN to cover the damages the STATE has suffered. So the STATE has decided to incarcerate such individuals at a cost to the STATE! So, the STATE can either take money to cover the damages it has suffered by the "crime" of baggy pants, OR, the STATE can incarcerate the offending individual AND pay money to do so. Huh? So, say it costs 3000 dollars a month to incarcerate someone, the STATE can either collect 300 or spend 3000? WTF?
Does this make sense?
Oh, wait. Screw me, I just realized, the STATE determined long ago, not unlike the plantation owners of the south, that the ONLY way to change behavior is to fine, beat, or imprison the slaves, since "beating" is now passe, the state must utilize the other two in order to force all to conform. Though, seriously, wouldn't it make more sense to lash each offending individual with 20 lashes in a public square?
BTW, it was the STATE, yes, the STATE that caused the problem in the first place!!!!!!!!!!!! "It" did so by incarcerating people in once size fits all clothing, so those who were let out of prison simply continued the STATE'S own clothing mandate of PRISON-BAGGY-PANTS!!!!!!!!
As an aside, I hate the baggy pants, it "offends" me, I am the one who's eyes are damaged to the tune of 300 dollars, but for some inexplicable reason I can't seem to get ahead of the STATE to collect my damages.
In all seriousness, when are people going to stop accepting economic punishment as way to change behavior? The STATE seems to get rich by defining everything anyone can do as a crime, yet, the same said STATE has the most horrendous educational system on the planet, oh, wait, it seems the STATE educates, or rather mis-educates, then fines the folks for the behavior they learned at the STATE institutions - what F*&*^&% racket!
But here's the slippery slope. So three inches of underwear is somehow offensive and a threat to the state.
Originally posted by JiggyPotamus
For those who think it is, this is not racist, because all races have those who exhibit this type of behavior. I think that baggy pants are fine, but I also think that pants should go around your waist. I have seen people with their pants literally down to almost their knees. That should be public indecency or something anyway. The government cannot tell us what to wear, but they can tell us we are not allowed to expose ourselves by going out into public without properly covering ourselves. I think that is fair, and that the majority would support it.