Saturday, January 31, 2009

Topless is Dangerous



Johnny Carson used to say there is no such thing as a new joke; just old jokes reborn, revived, restored, and retold. As you trespass through the years, you see how many battles that are being fought today have been fought yesterday. In fact, I think you know you are getting old when you not only see the first remake of a movie, but the second.

It has been a while since we read about a Palm Beach ordinance which snagged a lawyer who used to jog shirtless in Palm Beach. Nevertheless, I have a vague recollection of the furor and stir that it caused the uppercrust community of Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard.

It has even been a while since the city of Hollywood in Broward enforced that ordinance banning men from dancing with their private parts in a 'turgid state.' But as I was surfing through the Blogosphere for features for our Broward Law Blog, I came across an interesting ordinance out of Easton, Maryland.

Not only is it illegal for men to go topless in Easton, Maryland, it's illegal for "any person." Babies, too? Boys ? After all, equal enforcement! Here's the law:

Sec. 18-9. Required dress, upper torso, penalty.

(a) It shall be unlawful for any person, whether male or female, to appear upon the streets, sidewalks and highways, or in any public building of the Town of Easton unless he or she is wearing a shirt, blouse or similar article of wearing apparel designed to cover the upper torso of said person.

(b) The penalty for violation of this Section shall be ten (10) days in jail or a fine of not more than One Hundred Dollars($100.00). (Ord. No. 70,  1 and 2, 6/17/74.)10 days in jail! Here's a link to the Town Code.

Good to know that community has no other problems to worry about, huh? I bet they have a baggy pants ordinance, too. Please, laws like this are soooooooooo
stuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuupid, why do we bother? Why do we bother?

No comments:

Post a Comment