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June 21, 2004 - Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card - Place an Ad Valley&State Backpage O&E Sports Archives Classifieds Faith&Beliefs Obituaries Revels May 22, 2004 May 22, 2004 *Eds. note: The editorial board could not reach a consensus on the nudity ordinance being brought to the city council. We issue both sides of the debate here. Nudity in the city: Con Of course, in Ashland we love a good political battle, we love a good debate and we especially love a good protest. But is this really worth fighting? Police Chief Mike Bianca is asking the City Council to consider a change to the city ordinances to make public exposure of genitalia and pubic hair a crime. No surprise, but some are upset. Not even in Ashland can this ordinance be considered extreme. If passed, both women and men can still legally bare their chests, or even their backsides, in public. Are we really so concerned about our civil right to full frontal public nudity, especially in light of a current administration that is seriously challenging basic civil liberties with increasing boldness? It trivializes the real concern of rights and liberties, making it little more than a circus sideshow. No doubt the Lars Larsons of the world will seize such opposition as signs that all liberals are completely out of touch with a vast majority of America. As parents, we teach our children about their "private parts," hoping they learn about self-esteem, personal boundaries and the value of their own bodies. For their safety alone, this is essential. Do we really want to argue a lesson that a 5-year-old has no problem learning? Let's hope not. As Bianca rightly says, this measure is about decency, respect for others and dignity. It's not about civil rights. Nudity in the city: Pro Ashland is often at the forefront of political and social change, but is a ban on nudity really consistent with this tradition? We're at the vanguard for civil liberties, war protests, environmentalism and ... modesty. It doesn't fit. The state itself has seen no need to implement such ban, and there's no need for Ashland to put wheels to a non-existent bandwagon. Police Chief Mike Bianca is calling for the ordinance because nudity "is very upsetting to community sensibilities," yet, the Tidings has received no letters to the editor bewailing the sordid state of affairs, no frantic calls from parents whose children's lives have been ruined by a glimpse of skin on the Plaza. The issue was less than a whisper of a rumor before it came to the council. Something like this, so tied to community values, must originate from the community. Would it surprise anyone if Ashland's community values included nudity? No. At first blush, this seems to stem from police comfort levels, and perhaps a desire to give tourists that special "Disneyland" feeling. If that's enough for an ordinance, so be it. But the council has a responsibility to confirm that residents support this ban before enacting it. DailyTidings.com Home Page Valley&State | Backpage | O&E | Sports | Archives | Weather | Classifieds Columnists | Faith&Beliefs | Obituaries | Revels | Subscribe | Contact Us Copyright 2004 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers All Rights Reserved Click Here Site Search: .:Advertisements:. RESOURCES - Mail Tribune News - ODOT Road Cams