Crist opposes droopy-drawers bill

Gov. Charlie Crist met Thursday morning with the NAACP State President Adora Obi Nweze whose group opposes a controversial bill the Senate passed last week which would suspend students who wear baggy pants to public schools.

The NAACP president says opposing such a proposal is an "easy" decision, since it disproportionately impacts African Americans and Hispanics, and the NAACP is already fighting zero tolerance policies in schools that "keep students out of schools." Crist agreed with her.

"I remember when I went to high school, people were worried about how long somebody's hair was. It really doesn't matter," Crist said. "What's important is what you learn, not what you wear... I think the (NAACP) president is spot on."Asked if he would veto the bill if it passes, Crist said, "Let's see if it comes to that." (It won't. The bill is as good as dead, as it's been gutted by a House council).

Comments

If I thought Crist was doing this from a libertarian, anti-government regulation perspective, I'd say Bravo, Governor.

But, knowing Crist, this is merely pandering.

So divided I am over the pants...

OF course he will veto it.
The NAACP has opposed it. Pandering Charlie will do anything to make himself look good.
CC = one term

what about the numerous studies have been done showing a direct relationship between appearance and performance. This isn't a racial issue, it is an academic performance issue. It is very easy to play the race card, how about showing some true leadership for the NAACP and try to help your constituency ADVANCE. There has to be some accountability at some point.

there is a reason the military shaves your head and puts you in uniform. One should reserach the history and motivaiton behind this effective technique.

Sometimes the jokes tell themselves...

[ds]

And again, terminator is 110% correct! I couldn't have said it better myself.

CC is opposing because he can't find cloths to fit him... or at least refuses to wear cloths that fit him.

[Boca Grande]

Baggy, low hanging pants are a good thing. When the little thugs run from the cops they trip and fall. I'm not making this up. It really happens.

Let's see how fast Cristi changes his position when he sees a poll saying that a majority of Floridians approve of the measure.

Now that was hilarious Boca Grande! Thanks for the laugh!

I know I for one would approve of it! Charlie will undoubtedly change his position to suit what the 'polls' are saying...

I'm sick of seeing how kids are dressing these days and I'm not that old! Like someone stated above - there is a reason why the military does what they do! Girls don't need to be walking around leaving nothing to the imagination and if the guys really realized how stupid they looked.

And it's interesting where the low riding pants originated... Easy access for the other inmates in prison. Wow. Nice that we have so many guys out there advertising that one!!!!

Good little nazis should all be dressed in neat little uniforms so they stop wasting their time with independent thoughts. What do you want from legislators, Democracy?

Conformity kills individuality. Would you actually want PARENTS to do their job by teaching their religion to their OWN children instead of trying to make the state do it? Do you want children listening to parental rules against premarital sex, instead of ditching their parents by getting the STATE to reward the promiscuous with support on welfare?

THAT's what hurts families. State officials with NO TEACHING SKILLS trying to distract us from their failure to provide teaching environments that work instead of endless high stakes tests to profit their campaign contributors.

Hair, skirt length, low slung pants, caps to cover bad hair days --- HEAVENS to Betsy -- fights about that are meant to distract us from REAL COST of unfunded Bushite mandates of NCLB that are choking education out of our public schools.

CLASS SIZE. HIGH SPEED RAIL. Don't sell our roads to foreigners. End the Jim Crow vestiges which still keep ex-felons from voting in Florida and only a few other states.

Those falsely accused of being felons via JEB's phony purge list in 2000 -- would have saved us from Iraq recession, war profiteering, insane gas prices, falling dollar, and mortgage meltdown where Bushicans got out with millions -- again -- for selling bad loans to their investors.

END JIM CROW. Let all taxpayers be responsible for good government. We don't tend to care about what we are excluded from having a voice in.

If our leaders act decent to minorities, our minority children will feel less kinship with falsely jailed prisoners.

SHOWING SOLIDARITY with bad fitting prison garb really was what STARTED the underwear exposing waistline, starting in Calif. first -- I think I recall.

Since poor minorities get lesser lawyers, get stopped more, get suspected more -- it had a bit of merit in its original intent.

I DON'T LIKE seeing underwear. Nor did I like it when my last teen's female classmates tried wearing men's boxer short OUTSIDE their pants. I didn't care if they thought it said anything about Tianeman Square chinese protests. I said NO and stuck to it. I didn't need a LAW.

12:44 - what have gas prices done since the Dems took over Congress?

How the heck did this issue become a blac or hispanic issue?

Kids should have a dress code in school. Showing your underwear or your b u t t crack is disrespectful no matter what color you are. I usually support the Gov but not on this one. Having these pants hang down is not a race issue.

[Riddle Me This Liberals]

What major world market player has emerged in the last decade?

Which market is it that is blamed for absorbing many jobs formerly held in the US?

What effect does this player's demand on fossil fuels have on the global pricing scheme?

Which US President pushed to grant this player "Most Favored Nation" trade status, and accepted large donations from many of their prominent leaders?

1:07 - No kidding. I see all sorts of kids (mostly male but believe it or not, som females!) doing this. Forget the color. Pull your pants up and dress like a normal person. If you have to hold up the edge of your waistband or walk with a shuffle to keep your pants on, GET A CLUE. THEY DON'T FIT!!!!

1:14 Just go to the mall, lil white boys doing the same thing. Joe, paul michael, sam, john, dennis.....

Black legislaors are running this bill because they understand this has nothing to do with race. Governor rethink your position

My boy ever comes home with droopy pants, I will whoop him

1:14 - I know, but the question was why did the NAACP take this position and they said "since it disproportionately impacts African Americans and Hispanics,"

1:22: Right on! Its the parents' responsibility to police droopy pants, not the State's.

My taxes haven't dropped like a rock yet! Why are you guys wasting time on drop pants, toilet paper in restaurant restrooms and $1 taxes on strip club cover charges?

Crist is so transparent! It's obvious what is going on here - he's courting the black vote for McCain. I can't believe i voted for this fake.

Hey McCain: If you pick this dope for VP you'll lose my vote.

And that, 1:33, pretty much says it all.

How about a charge of indecent exposure and a fine? We could probably make up the national deficit that way!

Get rid of the ridiculous baggy sagginn' pants!

This is the most blatant political pandering Gov. Crist has done yet. Teaching young people good habits (like dressing appropriately) is an admirable goal. Gov. Crist should truly be ashamed of himself.

Someone give charlie a party change card so he can hang out with the NAACP full time.

... why do they oppose it?

1:31: Let not your heart be troubled. Unless McCain is a total moron, his people have already vetted CC and found out about his predilictions. There's no way McCain can afford to have a questionable character as his VP. Count on Pawlenty or Sanford being picked.

[Annette]

Charlie...quit trying to be "all things to all people!" It doesn't work!

[Kay]

I personally do not like the look and support a school dress code BUT we do not need a LAW about it.
Someone earlier commented about individuality and conforming... Guess what? It is not expressing your individuality and it is conforming since others do it too!
Anyone not covering their backside in public should be ticketed for indecent exposure and the schools should tell kids "no exposed underwear" and enforce it.
Kay

[Dora]

Uuuuuugghh, why is this wasting anyone's time? this is stupid, it shouldn't even be a political issue! this is something to be enforced with school dress codes and work dress codes. It's a stupid fad, just like the whole, "popped collar" thing, it's all annoying, but it's all apart of pop culture. Who knows, in ten year the style will be to wear socks with flip-flops. Quit wasting valuable time and money on dumb issues. And no, I don't think it should be a black vs white deal, either. I see just as many black kids and white kids do the baggy pants deal or the popped collar deal.

Gary Siplin can't be happy.

Governor Crist is forging a new style of leadership that will ensure Republican victory for generations to come. Governor Crist is showing that anything is possible if you don't care who gets the credit. Governor Crist will be known as the greatest governor of all time because he is leading our state and tackling all of the difficult issues by reaching across the aisle and engaging all interested parties.

Our state has never been in better hands.

Governor Crist is going to be an incredible Vice President and Chairman Greer will be a great RNC Chair.

kay - i agree that this is generally more of a school district issue - BUT - charlie buys into the NAACP's angle and mentions nothing of local control

question is, would he oppose a school district that proposed banning saggy pants? if so, then it is clear he is pandering to the wacky and obsolete NAACP

2:44: Our state has never been in better hands?

Sounds like one of CC's pickup lines at the Metro!

Is there anyone that Crist doesn't pander to. I wish I could take back my vote. So far he has enabled everyone with a beef to burn to get the best of the state. What ever happened to conservative principles. He's no different than a Hubert Humphrey democrat.

[Spuds Buckley]

SO the housing mess and insurance mess is not as important as talking about this DUMB bill. I'm sorry I voted for you!

[George]

1:22, I guess you want to get fast tracked to DCF or the County Jail. Like most of the "law-and-order" types on this blog, your way or the highway. My guess is most of you types' kids have hit the highway. It's not 1850, it's 2008.

[JDUB]

This bill needs to pass. Girls g-strings and boys underpants are a distraction in the school. They need to be taught to conform and be respectful in this environment. They can do whatever they like when they get home but while in school the students should look presentable. Period.

George: I hope you don't have any kids. If you do, they obviously wear droopy pants and act like hoodlums.

[Gilbert R. Ford]

I am AfrAm: I find it absolutely deplorable the NAACP would even try and get a forum for a ridiculous fad such as this. I am a mentor for impressionable youth ages 13-17, male and female, AfrAm, Caucasian, Hispanic and Asian. They all wear their clothing in this manner, however it is moreso with AfrAm. youth than others! I will not tolerate this fashion statement in my groups, PERIOD! I could care less who their parents are or were they originate. Simple reason, if they want to be treated like adults I am the person to see, if they want to be treated like or dressed like "thugs" go someplace else.

If the NAACP really wants to do something noble, then tackle the Sexually Transmitted Disease rate that is ravenging the AfrAm. community. Better yet consider it an oversight that they have not put pressure on the (1) parent homes that predominantly occupy AfrAms. Still, lets tackle the illiteracy rate. Better yet, lets stop turning our heads when OUR AfrAm youth consider being incarcerated as a sign of GREAT respect. I really could go on an on, however this is a snipit of what I see NAACP and I do not possess 20/20 vision!

Gov, Crist if you really want to do something, create a group, that will help the single mom homes of our Great State of Florida!

[rick w]

NAACP State President Adora obi Nweze and Gov. Charlie Crist are politicians they go as the wind blows. If a school has a dress code fine; other wise I say let them wear them ridiculous clothes if they want unless their bare butt is exposed. I see whites wearing them blacks wearing them; if they want to look like a baby with their diaper hanging out let them. They think they look cool we laugh at them so who cares .Why do people always make something racial out of things. I see rich blacks and whites especially the professional sports athletes dressed in nice sharp suits .The only ones wearing these cloths in the professional field is the gangstra rappers black and white. Also the baggy clothes trend was not even started by the ghetto gangsters like people believe; it was started by white Australians a full generation ahead of them. But I will say one thing they do to the people wearing them no matter what color they are; it does make them look very uneducated. The NAACP does play the race card like the rednecks to show they are still of some need to be around. The NAACP is an unneeded organization that likes to create racism just like the KKK and skinheads, they all hold on to power and exert it every chance they get; we will be better off when these racists organizations fade into the past. That’s just my opinion.

Kay,

I agree, if I show my underwear, I should be fined... but wait, I don't wear underwear!

Gov. Crist, someone's hairstyle is not a good paralllel to walking around with your pants down and your underwear showing.

It is called indecency and there are laws that prohibit that.

It's insulting to women and children and revolting to look at. FL lawmakers should be proud to pass this leigislation. Anyone that opposes it has low moral standards and neats a conscience check.

The bill is a good law and there is no good reason not to sign it besides being political.

Can someone in the governor's office articulate why it's "controversial" to require a student's pants be on properly at school?

How about standards of a dress code, discipline, respect.... etc. etc. etc.

Gov. Crist, irrespective of what race does this, it's wrong. It's a matter of common decency. You are wrong on this one.

[rick again]

Gilbert R. Ford ... well put! NCAAP will never do anything about Sexually Transmitted Diseases revenging the black community because it will say there is a problem here in the black community. The spirit of MLK was lost with him. NCAAP is now just a former shell of itself; and is now just for power hungry politicians.

I wonder if Crist would think its OK if the students didn't wear anything except their unders? Isn't that the same logic as - it's about learning, not about how someone dresses?

Shallow thinking,Charlie.

Hey, I like when my wife's g-string shows...

[Nicole]

Ok I am a sophomore in college and I really hate it when guys wear baggy pants, but I don't think we should be allowed to take that right away from kids. Kids should be allowed to express themselves in anyway they choose as long as it does not effect anyone else. I know many kids that wear baggy pants and still have extremely good grades.

How many kids wear baggy pants and distract others from getting good grades?

[NADER]

I am sorry to hear Gov Crist not being behind The Baggy Bill,but the GOOD NEWS HE IS ALL FOR A LOCK ON EVERY CLOSET IN FLORIDA..

Nicole at 4:24

They can wear their pants that way when they are not in school if they want to.

There is no "right" to have your underwear and butt show in public school in front of others.

The Senate should get this one passed.

Nicole - While I appreciate your desire to express yourself, when it infringes on my right to not have to view someone else's underwear, then there is a problem. As 4:27 states, I'm sure it is a distraction to others as well. Wearing someone's pants so low that they are basically sliding off is ridiculous. That's not expressing oneself. If everyone was as concerned with actually learning in school and letting teachers do their jobs instead of playing police and parent at the same time as they are with worrying about whether or not someone is allowed to 'express themselves', one can only imagine how different the system might be...

Nicole,

Those baggy pant wearing kids make good grades now, but I bet the draws come up when they go in for an interview.

[Mike]

As an International Baccalaureate high school diploma recipient, recent USF grad, current critical care RN, and proud wearer of baggy pants I am pleased with Chuck's take on this (even though I hate his guts). You folks are quite closed minded and are going to have to come to terms with the fact that an entire generation has grown up with baggy jeans being the norm. There is always resistance to cultural change, whether it be music, hair style, etc. I am actually quite shocked that the generation that brought about rock and roll and the like has developed such a wedgie about this issue. You folks may want to invest in some looser fitting jeans because you appear to have something up your rear.

[Mo]

Why is it people think it is okay for the State to decide what I can and can not wear? Schools have a dress code, businesses have a dress code. If you don't want to see some kid's butt crack or underwear or boxers then look away. Get a grip people. Who are you to decide what is appropriate for someone else to wear in public? To each his own; it is not your place! As far as prison goes, it is against their dress code to wear your pants sagging; you are issued a DR and can end up in confinement. Does it irritate me to see, yes but I didn't purchase the clothes and the person wearing them isn't my child so it is not my place to decide nor is it the state's.

Mo, actually saggin pants started in prison - it told other inmates that you were 'open' for some lovin...

Mike

Do the attending physicians allow you to wear baggy pants on your shift?

You wore baggy pants and now are an RN. Godd for you.

Dis the MD's wear baggy pants in high school. Doubtful.

[KatAustin]

White is right

naacp is wrong and wants to see the white people in chains.

Mike

I received an IB Diploma. I also never wore any stupid baggy pants. We made fun of the kids that did, and now they work for us.

[No More Butox]

Let the dimwits dress as they see fit. They will learn that dressing like morons will get them not very far in life.

[Dave]

Talk about a bunch of COMMIE talk! You are ALL nothing but commies! Move to China, please... Where the government will tell you how to dress, think, what to say, etc... You can live there in comfort KNOWING that your individual rights, thoughts, and freedoms have been suspended. This is America people. Who CARES about what people wear when there are BIGGER issues at hand here in the good ole US of A.

[Mike]

Your personal insults are a clear indication that you lack any sort of debate skills. My point is that pants have no effect on ones educational or professional possibilities. Obviously I am not out with my pants to my knees, and I certainly keep a shirt tucked in at work to maintain a professional demeanor. In addition your insinuation that nursing is an inferior field to medicine is bigoted and inherently false. I chose my field because of the decent living it provides and rewarding nature of the work. I could have been whatever I chose, and this is what I chose. I hope malpractice premiums choke you and the transmission falls out of your lexus...scum.

[Dr. Reinhardt]

Mike,

Fetch my coffee and gloves, boy.

Mike,

Go to Citrus Park mall, find 10 teenagers with baggy pants and 10 with normal pants. Keep a record of their information.

In 5 years, go back and survey their academic and/or professional choices.

My guess is that your scenario falls into a small statistical minority.

[Mike]

You're probably correct about the results of those statistics. However, would that be a result of the pants, or a result of the socioeconomic status of a majority of baggy pants wearers? The style tends to skew towards the poor and minorities. There are larger social problems at work here. Making people get tight pants won't fix the problems with education and poverty in this country. And Reinhardt... I hope you burn your tongue.

[JC]

Did MLK, JFK, RFK, Obama, or even Al Sharpton walk around with their underwear hanging out? NO! That's why they are legends in the minds of intelligent people who have respect for themselves and choose to be "different" by other means, than by "showing their asses"!!!
It's easy to distinguish which child that has been raised with some class, and the ones that have not. Now pull up your pants, tie your shoes, put your hat on straight, and stop advertising for overpriced Gangsta wear! Those companies do not care anything about you, except your money! Don't you get it? Your paying for their "charmed lifestyles".

The pants are a result of the socioeconomic status. The socioeconomic status is a result of the lack of self-motivation and pride in oneself, which leads back to the baggy pants.

Sounds like a problem that government needs to stay out of.

[Yo, my pants be baggy!]

Yes, indeed, sometimes the jokes really do tell themselves.

It's great that the NAACP continues with their 'hey, you're a victim' teachings to their own constituents. The NAACP is broken, and broken in such a way that it no longer serves the needs of anyone other than the executives that run it. Do you hear the NAACP encouraging its' constituents to stay in school? To stop fathering children out of wedlock? To recognize that the dissolution of the nuclear family is dooming the AfrAm race?

No, you don't hear them doing that. Because that doesn't fit in well with their "hey, you're a victim" mentality they like to espouse.

[Ugh.]

What everyone seems to be missing is that the baggy pants and shirts to the knees ARE TO IMPLY THAT THE PERSON IS CARRYING A GUN. Long hair is not comparable, as it is not intended to imply THAT THE PERSON IS CARRYING A GUN. The baggy clothes are akin to wearing a faux suicide bomber vest to school and should most definitely by banned. I am mooned daily by men wearing this and it is offensive. I am a blonde attractive female and I would be jailed for doing the same, therefore it's nto equitable.

[Movin' On Up To The East Side]

I'd LOVE for the NAACP to get involved with the black community, and promote things such as family values, education, and character.

But they never have, and they never will. Remember, the second A stands for "ADVANCEMENT". Without character, education, and family values, the only advancement you'll get is to have your court date moved up.

Stop playing the 'victim' card, and start helping your own.

[shawn]

And where does it stop from there if this passes? Your to fat for spandex? That skirts to short? Shirt to sheer? Every group of people have had there trademark style, be it white tees and leather in the 50's or this. Like it or not, leave it be!

[Carol]

It's all about Crist and his own agenda....

What ever happened to full-cut pants, worn above the navel with short suspenders, a white button long sleeved shirt and necktie tucked into the trousers so it doesn't fall into the inkwell?

5:00, it is a fad stared in prison, but not as a result of that urban legend. A little research goes a long way.

2:44, as showing one's underwear is already a no-no in schools and he has not opposed those areas, I'd guess not.

Passing this would not address those in school. Seeing underwear is already not allowed. The schools can't enforce their own rules; you think they will do so for others?

I think it is obvious that many who are for this bill have misconceptions about this trend and they have not actually seen a lot of it. Really look at the next person you see wearing baggy pants - you do NOT see butt. THAT is NOT part of the trend. It would be to wear boxers underneath. You see butt, it's not trendy, it's something else. Often you do not even see boxers, you see another pair of shorts. Does it make sense? Nope. Attractive? Nope. Who cares? Who is anyone to tell someone they are breaking a law because of those reasons?

Also, I do not think it is illegal to go outside wearing one's underwear. Bra, panties, boxers, briefs - all would be acceptable on the beach. As long as the pertinent areas are covered, I don't think it's illegal. I haven't looked as of yet.

This would be a law built upon prejudice (not necessarily racial) and personal preference. What if the majority said that baggy pants were the best way to wear clothing? Supporting any measure like this would be giving power to take away YOUR clothing of choice. But most people who support laws that take away personal choice cannot see far enough past the tip of their nose to understand that. Thinking someone has a gun because they have baggy pants on is about the prejudice or misconceptions someone has. It no more means someone has a gun than each man wearing a sport coat a la TV cops is wearing a shoulder holster.

[Rebman]

Baggy pants is a throwback to gangs. Perception is reality. I see someone walk into an interview for a professional job with baggy pants down past their butt my first impression is that they have no respect for themselves much less anyone else. That being said, most kids I've seen with baggy pants have total disrespect for anyone BUT expect respect towards them. They tend to think they are "MR. Toughmen" and tend to look for trouble. This is definitely NOT a racial issue. It's a PUBLIC issue. It's distasteful. I should pass

Lack of respect or professionalism or taste is not to be legislated. Who in their right mind would think that it should be?

7:11 - and to think I was happy when banks decided among themselves to tell customers not to wear hats when entering a bank...

[jojo]

So, they claim the baggy pants bill is racist and banning nooses is not? I am tired of the double standard. There is a reason that black youths get stopped more often, they are doing a majority of the crimes. I will never consider a black president until the black community grows up.

[Deb]

I'm a teacher and I (along with many others, including students) DO NOT WANT TO SEE YOUR KIDS UNDERWEAR!!! I find these low slung baggy pants offensive. I have enough responsibility without having to deal with this on a daily basis. Mom and Dad, if you think it's cool, let them dress like that for you. Do they dress like that for church or do you just leave them home? We all have rules to follow. Why is this one so difficult?

Deb, as a teacher you must know that inmost cases these clothing trends are already prohibited per the dress code. Why are you seeing them if that is the case in your district? What else would you like to see written into law? Perhaps a law barring cell phones? Hats? Flip flops? Any offense you take is your own and moot. It should not dictate law (generally speaking, as you did not write of how you feel about this bill).

jojo, wow. To not listen to one person's qualifications because of the acts of others of that person's race...I think there is an adjective for that.

7:46, there's always something, eh?

Rebman, perception is the reality of those doing the perceiving. It is not the actual reality of those being perceived. People who base judgement upon something as trivial as looks and dress will find something else to base their judgement on even if they don't have their baggy pants. Length of hair, vehicle, shoes, skin, teeth, accent, etc. Another case of always something. You see butt and think no respect- same go for plumbers? Or just the younger kids?

shawn, I think you've got the right idea. This is another case of one generation reacting to the younger. We've seen it from rock music to rap music, from mini skirts to bell bottoms and long hair. All were seen as offensive, disrespectful, threats to society, and more and they are commonly accepted now, celebrated even.

I am always amazed at people who are willing to give up personal freedom in order to protect their delicate sensibilities. It is YOUR freedom too. YOU open the door by supporting taking choice away from others. What next?

[kyle]

Charlie is kinda keen to seeing little to no clothing on the male body. No wonder he would vote it down.

[wilbur]

WHO CARES

[My Name Be Balack HUSSEIN Obama]

Peoples, even though dat NAACP lady done says that passin' dis bill ain't gonna happen, I's somehow gots to get my message across.

Boys, you done got to hike dem britches up. I ain't never seen nuttin' so damm stupid as a bunch of y'all walking 'round like yo pants don't fit. Ain't no wonder everyone be thinkin' we be stupid.

Low pants are great for people like Crist. It easy opening to the rectum.

[me]

OF COURSE THE NAACP STANDS AGAINST IT..
because if they keep their own people down the socio ladder , they can then keep their own spots and never have anyone challenge them....keep the drawers down and keep yourselves down...

DROOPY DRAWER WEARERS: the regular clothes-wearing students WILL BE YOUR BOSS AND YOU WILL BE THE LOWER WORKER...GO FOR IT...LESS COMPETITION FOR THE TOP KIDS.... cream always rises to the top no matter what the race.

[Debbie]

Just another disappointing comment from our Governor! Does he not have a clue? I have seen kids from all ethnic backgrounds attempting to keep pants up to their lower-butt level -- it is not a black issue. All children should come to school to act and dress in a respectful manner - clothing does have an impact on your demeanor. And, yes, as one writer commented...what happened to indecent exposure having impact on this decision? My gosh, Gov...wise up and take a stand! Pandering? Yup - none other! Shame on you, CC.

[Debbie]

Just another disappointing comment from our Governor! Does he not have a clue? I have seen kids from all ethnic backgrounds attempting to keep pants up to their lower-butt level -- it is not a black issue. All children should come to school to act and dress in a respectful manner - clothing does have an impact on your demeanor. And, yes, as one writer commented...what happened to indecent exposure having impact on this decision? My gosh, Gov...wise up and take a stand! Pandering? Yup - none other! Shame on you, CC.

Schools have dress codes. This is not something that should be legislated.
I do not like seeing the pants so low either, but if they trip on them, maybe they will get the message.
Is it really any worse than men with a 45 inch waist who still think they have a 32 inch waist, and their pants are around their thighs, or a 250 woman in spandex?
This is just one more stupid law that should go nowhere.

[Me]

I am a teacher in Florida - Saggy Pants in our schools is a simple act of defiance. Welfare at its best - Parents who will not pay a dime for a lunch but will spend 50$ on pants that do not fit. An in-your-face slap at school districts! When kids know that they must follow the rules, discipline improves, and the school atmosphere is more conducive to learning.
The NAACP will grab any excuse to cry racist!
And Charlie - yes, they did worry about your hair being too long. And they made you cut it - and. . . .guess what? No kids walked in to schools and shot other kids or teachers!!!!

[Pasco Mom]

THANK YOU Gov. Crist. In the passed century the kids have outraged the adults with styles influenced by flappers, Chicago gangters, hobos, greasers, hippies, metalheads, juggalos, and what have you. THANK YOU Gov. Christ for letting the kids fulfill the same harmless rebellions of clothing statements that many American kids have exhibited for ages.

My kid is more important to me than his clothing. He is smart, honest, kind and an eternal advocate for the underdog. He is a sober, straightedge teen who scolds his peers for their own self-depreciating habits. And yeah, he wears baggy pants. He knows the origin of the style, but doesn't wear them for that reason. He wears them because he likes them.

Honestly, I can understand why some folks always feel a need to control
all that they disapprove of, but I do not agree with such outlooks.

America was founded on the principals of rebellion, not conformity.

I'm glad the Florida House and the governor realized that they have much more important things to do for the Florida residents.

THANK YOU Governor Crist for letting my son focus on keeping his grades up,
rather than focusing on his pants
(which don't exhibit anything indecent anyway).

If the underwear shows, then pull them up. It's that simple. It is indecent exposure at that point. I do not want my 12 year old daughter being forced to look at some gangsta's underwear. Thank goodness for private education and dress codes. It has been proven that dress codes enhance the learning environment.

Pasco Mom,

In the "passed" century, whereabouts did you receive your education?

Ignorant hillbilly.

[sick and tired]

well lets see, does long hair really relate to someone's butt crack hanging out while a young girl walks down the hallway to her next class.....NO. no one is saying you can't wear baggy pants, just pull them up and have some respect. this has nothing to do with race. the African American population is always trying to play everything into a big mess regarding these issues bringing their cult rue down, how about the 90% of the black community who still call themselves the "N" word? fix that and then come and talk about how the white man holds you down. as far as this bill possibly violating someone's probation, ARE YOU SERIOUS ???? they are on PROBATION. these are the same people who break into your houses, cars, steal your property from your yards and smoke weed. come on people, wake up. these are the kids who are going to run the country when you are bed ridden or trying to retire. respect is where it begins. if you don’t have that then you may as well start over. these kids are lazy ,rebellious, bull headed and disrespectful. they need guidance that they are not getting from home. Charlie, you are supposed to be a leader who looks out for our future. this has nothing to do with how long your hair was in the 50's. I am glad you decided to do the popular thing and let the NAACP scare you into vetoing this bill, if it makes it to your desk. who cares about the blue collar family who is trying to teach their children morals and self respect. People, pull the hair out of your eyes and your head out of your baggy pants. you are a disgrace