Breasts, Brains and Headless Chickens

["Muscovites for Equal Rights" <idahomer@hotmail.com>]

Visionaries, City Council and Mayor Comstock,
I have to agree with Gregory Dickison that the religious argument regarding 
this issue needs to be heard.  From what I can tell, that is the only 
argument that has been stated so far.  Unfortunately, no one has really 
clarified that.  This is the 3rd time I'm asking for someone to state the 
biblical basis for the belief that breasts should not be exposed to public 
view.

It is also unfortunate that a law has been passed and no one is willing to 
come forth and publically debate the neccesity of this law.  I can only 
assume that is because we have chickens running around with their heads cut 
off.  You know you have been called on the law you support.  You call us 
names, think we are perverted and skirt our serious questions.  You know you 
have no argument against:

This sexist law violates the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution.  Similar 
laws have been overturned by the courts.  This one likely will be challenged 
in court, costing us taxpayers money to defend it.  This is a waste.  Our 
city council could have passed a more reasonable law that wouldn't be a 
target for a lawyer trying to make a name for him or herself.  New York's 
topfree laws were shot down by the court.

This law sweeps onto private property.  All of us now violate the law if we 
are naked in our own homes and open to public view.  This includes the cleft 
of your buttucks and women, this includes your breasts.  The fine is up to 
$500 and 6 months in jail.

This law bans certain bikinis and other apparel.  Boise's law that banned 
mainstream attire was shot down by the court.  Our law tests the same 
argument against the Boise law.

Police Officers now have an excuse to harrass women who may appear to be 
breaking the law by showing too much of their breast.

The concept of restricting women from exposing their breasts in public view 
to prevent the corruption of men is no different than the Taliban's extreme 
restriction of making women cover themselves completely.  This becomes even 
more apparant considering the main argument for this concept is religious.

There are not many city's in Idaho that have such an extreme law.  Even 
Pullman's nudity ordinance is based on lewd behaviour, not apparel.

Our city council needs to be held accountable for passing such an 
irresponsible law.  This is for the good of Moscow to insure that laws that 
are passed are well thought out and don't violate our US Constitution.

Be it known that we are making an attempt to educate the public about this 
law.  We made the Women's Rights Rally open to anyone who wanted to speak 
and we are making the Civil Rights Celebration open to anyone who wants to 
speak.  Let us hear your arguments for or against civil rights in general 
and/or this law in particular.

Be it known that we have asked for someone to debate this law in public on 
stage with us.  If no one takes us up on this challenge, we will have a mock 
debate.  I will play the devil's advocate and debate someone who is against 
the ordinance.  I will attempt to be as biased for the ordinance as 
possible.  But since I don't really know all the arguments for it, I 
probably won't do as fair a job as someone who sincerely feels this 
ordinance is necesary for Moscow.

Muscovites for Equal Rights is organizing a Civil Rights Celebration to be 
held in East City Park in Moscow on Saturday 9/7 from 11 to 7pm. The intent 
of the Celebration is to recognize the freedoms of Americans and promote the 
expansion of freedoms to those repressed. Equal rights to all will be a  
theme, highlighted by the campaign to rescind Moscow's nudity ordinance.

Part of the Civil Rights Celebration will be devoted to educating the public 
about Moscow's new nudity ordinance.  In order to provide even coverage, we 
are challenging those who support the ordinance to a public debate.
An hour or so during the Celebration will be devoted to this debate.
Participants will appear on the stage in East City Park and will be
moderated by a neutral person.  Participants will follow time guidelines set 
by the moderator.
So, we are looking for someone who wants to take this challenge.  Let the 
public know why you think this ordinance is necessary for Moscow.
We are also looking for a moderator.
Please respond if interested.
Mark Rounds (folk), Lisa Simpson (folk), The Sauce (funk/ jazz fusion) and 
Galactic Tofu Farmers (psycho-electric groove food) will provide music.
Speakers, games, skits, a fashion show featuring newly "illegal" attire, and 
petitions to put the ordinance to a public vote will tie the Celebration 
together.

You can walk with the Wild Thang, the Clearwater Country's own Dragon, from 
the Farmers' Market at Friendship Square up to the park at around noon.

In July, Moscow's City Council approved Ordinance 2002-13, which makes it 
illegal for a woman to expose her nipples, sides or bottoms of her breasts 
to public view. Public view includes private property if a woman can be seen 
from a public space. Many bathing suits, some sleeveless blouses, low cut 
dresses, and other garments now violate the law. It also bans exposure of 
the division between the buttocks for both sexes.
The fine is up to $500, or 6 months in jail.
MER believes the ordinance is sexist and unconstitutional and suppresses the 
rights of women in order to prevent another person from feeling a certain 
way.
MER is committed to upholding the 14th amendment's guarantee of equal 
protection under the law for all citizens.  MER has started a petition drive 
to put the ordinance to a public vote.
2300 signatures of registered voters in the city of Moscow must be collected 
by September 24.
Call 883-7965 or email idahomer@hotmail.com for more information, to
co-sponsor as a business or group, or to help organize or be part of the 
celebration.
Please forward and spread the word.
Garrett Clevenger







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