Well, it’s about time someone took a stand on this issue.
Commissioner Michael Williams of Caddo Parish in northwest Louisiana has proposed a ban prohibiting wearing pajamas in public. The muse for the ordinance came in the form of a member (no pun intended) of a group of young men sporting pajama pants who made his privates public to the Commish and other patrons of a Caddo Wal-Mart.
At least Williams has provided sound reasoning for his proposal.
From Time:
“If you can’t [wear pajamas] at the boardwalk or courthouse, why are you going to do it in a restaurant or in public? Today it’s pajamas. Tomorrow it’s underwear. Where does it stop?”
Where, indeed?
The proposed ordinance has raised eyebrows in Louisiana and raises the question of how one defines pajamas. And, what of the unfathomable fashion dilemma of what college girls are supposed to wear to class with their UGG boots?
This, of course, brings to mind the work of Martin Niemöller.
First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out –
Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out –
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out –
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me — and there was no one left to speak for me.
While I doubt that Mr. Niemöller was the sort of gentleman to peruse the aisles of his local Wal-Mart with his junk hanging out of his pajama pants, the point remains.
There has been much kerfuffle as of late regarding threats to our liberties in light of Congress’ prospective passing of SOPA, PIPA, and, of course, the most recent NDAA. But, what of our rights as citizens to be lazy, unfashionable slobs? It is, after all, the American way.
