"A Louisiana state representative wants to make it illegal for people to wear low-slung pants that expose underwear -- or more," the Seattle Times reported in May 2004. "But he's having trouble getting some of his colleagues to take him seriously.

"When the bill came up for debate, Rep. Derrick Shepherd, a Democrat from the New Orleans suburb of Marrero, was met with catcalls on the House floor. The bill would make it a crime to wear clothing in public that 'intentionally exposes undergarments or intentionally exposes any portion of the pubic hair, cleft of the buttocks or genitals.'

"Launching a fiery speech in support of the bill, Shepherd said, 'There comes a time in every society where we must draw a line of decency, where we must speak to a group of individuals who would flaunt the laws of our state, who would flaunt the morals of our community.'

"The result: laughter from some and a facetious chant of 'No more crack!' from Rep. Tommy Wright, D-Jena."