GOP Hates Big Government: How About This WTF Moment

Droopy Knows Best - His Appearance Reflects That Attitude

GOP Redneck goobers always project a strong attitude about too much government, right???? 

Call this a Rick Perry “Oops” moment - story from here.

$200 Fine or 30 Days in Jail for Sagging Pants?

A Louisiana city is trying to pass an ordinance to make it a crime to sag your pants.

From the ACLU to the Opelousas, LA City Council:

From news reports on KATC.com, the ACLU of Louisiana has learned that the City of Opelousas plans to consider an ordinance to regulate the attire of people in Opelousas.  We understand that the ordinance will be based on one in Ville Platte, and based on the text of that ordinance, we urge you to not to support that proposal, which is a violation of the Constitutional rights of the people of Opelousas.

As we understand it, the ordinance to be proposed will provide that “Pants worn by any person, regardless of age, should be size appropriate and secured at the waist to prevent the pants from falling more than three inches below the hips (crest of the ilium).”  The penalties would include fines and community service, if they are consistent with those currently in place in Ville Platte.

This letter is to advise you that clothing is a form of expression protected under the Constitution of the United States. To ban a particular clothing style would violate a liberty interest guaranteed under the 14th Amendment of the US  Constitution.  In Kelley v. Johnson, 425 U.S. 238, 244 (1976), the US Supreme Court assumed without deciding that individuals have a liberty interest in their personal appearance.  This has been affirmed by the US Fifth Circuit Court of Appeal, among others, Lansdale v. Tyler Junior College, 470 F.2d 659, 663 (5th Cir. 1972) (en banc), cert. denied, 411 U.S. 986 (1973) .  

The government must demonstrate a rational basis for its ban – and Opelousas has no legitimate rational basis for regulating the attire of its residents.