Oh, what the heck! Let's drag the discussion out a bit.
Ignoring all the rumors and urban legends about where and why the fashion originated - someone please explain to me (without making reference to the mental acumen of the practitioners or to the approval of persuing police officers) why the fashion trend continues.
I have not attended the court hearings, but a cop with whom I sometimes discuss the events of the week tells me that some arrests have been made based on the "lewed and lascivious behavior" law.
§ 18.2-345. Lewd and lascivious cohabitation.
If any persons, not married to each other, lewdly and lasciviously associate and cohabit together, or, whether married or not, be guilty of open and gross lewdness and lasciviousness, each of them shall be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor; and upon a repetition of the offense, and conviction thereof, each of them shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.
§ 18.2-11. Punishment for conviction of misdemeanor.
The authorized punishments for conviction of a misdemeanor are:
(a)
(b)
(c) For Class 3 misdemeanors, a fine of not more than $500.
(d)
For a misdemeanor offense prohibiting proximity to children as described in subsection A of § 18.2-370.2, the sentencing court is authorized to impose the punishment set forth in subsection B of that section in addition to any other penalty provided by law.
Apparently the police have found a General District Court judge that agrees with their assessment that fondling one's privates in public meets some definition of lewdness and/or lasciviousness. As the ACLU does not seem to be involving itself, my guess is that the fines being levied are less than the maximum allowable.
Yes, it is a crying shame that it has fallen to the use of the law to enforce "social appropriateness" - but since logic, shame and/or ridicule seem unable to address trhe matter .... Again, I am willing to adjust my views should someone convince me that this is merely the current iteration if duck-tails, pegged jeans and tight white t-shirts with the mandatory flip-top Marlboro pack rolled in the left sleeve.
In the meantime -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJ6uvviKOgIstay safe.