I See Your Hinney

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana (AP) -- Hike up those pants. Droopy drawers that bare skin or underwear might soon be forbidden fashion on the streets of several cities, and violators could be forced to part with some cash.

"I'm tired (of) looking at behinds," Shreveport, Louisiana, Councilwoman Joyce Bowman said after Tuesday's 4-3 vote to ban fanny-flaunting trousers.

Nobody can be arrested just for violating the ordinance, but they could be fined or required to perform community service. The maximum fine for a first offense is $100.

Elsewhere, Atlanta's City Council held a hearing on a measure to outlaw saggy pants that reveal shorts or thongs. The Atlanta measure will likely face another hearing before it comes to a vote, and some sponsors say it is already starting a debate that's long overdue in the city's schools, community centers and churches.

R.E. Williams, a veteran Atlanta police officer, said he views the saggy pants trend as a measure of sorts because "the lower the pants are, the lower the self-esteem."

A similar proposal in Stratford, Connecticut, was soundly rejected this week after critics argued it would be unconstitutional and unfairly target minorities.

Some opponents cite other objections.

"Are you going to have a 'sagging' court?" Michael Williams asked Shreveport's council. "The police have more important things to do than chase young boys and girls and say 'pull your pants up."'

------I sang a song to my grandchildren as toddlers, if caught naked or their pants down: "I see your hinney, all black and shiney, if you don't hide it I'm gonna bite it" and they would run screaming as I do bite. But my biggest concern, with this type of legislation, is the nationwide ramifications it could have on plumbers.