Dressing provocatively isn’t a crime — and it shouldn’t be

Dressing provocatively isn’t a crime — and it shouldn’t be

EDITOR:

This letter is in response to a recent letter to the editor by a reader who was concerned about indecent dressing by young girls and women. The writer made these points:

1. Dressing indecently is “a great offense against God,” “a great offense to your fellow man and an occasion of sin to men who chose to do the right thing and keep themselves pure in thought and action.” “This kind of sin will send a soul to hell forever if he or she dies in that state.”

2. Parents “allow their daughters to dress scantily.” “Department stores who sell this indecent clothing should be held responsible.”

3. We should “contact our state and federal legislator” to “present legislation to stop the spread of this immortality.”

Since when does this individual have the right to impose her idea of morality on everyone? This person even goes to the extreme to suggest that legislation be passed. It is not up to the government or individuals to prescribe how one chooses to dress, other than to the extent of legally “indecent exposure.” How one dresses is not criminal behavior and should not be lumped in with crimes against your fellow man. Laws intended to enforce morality have generally failed (examples: the “blue laws” and prohibition).

As for quoting the Bible, let me remind the writer that this is a secular country and not everyone chooses to abide by the Bible. If the writer does, that is fine, but do not impose it on everyone. These views border on religious fanaticism and that is dangerous for all of us. We do have laws in place should an individual behave in a criminal manner.

In conclusion, I would like to offer a few suggestions to this writer.

1. Stay at home if you are offended by how people dress.

2. If you want to live in a place where dress codes and religious practices are strictly enforced by the government, pack up your burka and join the Taliban in Afghanistan.

3. And lastly, may I suggest an 11th commandment: “Keep thy religious intolerance to thyself!”

FRANK A. MICCHIA

Canfield

Those Golden Bears made ’58 class reunion a blast

EDITOR:

As the 50th reunion of East High School “Class of 1958” approached, feelings of anxiety caused me to wonder should I or should I not go. I had never gone to a reunion because I never felt connected to my classmates. During my school days I never felt the class camaraderie. I always felt like I was on the outside looking in.

But as soon as I got to Stambaugh Auditorium Saturday, Oct. 4, the anxiety left. The hugs, handshakes and laughter of fellow Golden Bears overpowered me. The personal struggles during my school days which had been locked in my past melted away. The roar of the Golden Bears was the key to unlocking buried emotions that had prevented me from attending previous reunions.

Many thanks to the class reunion committee; Judi Conti Katsuras, Carol Garone, Brenda Cononico Leshnack, and Dina Gentile Petracci. God willing, I will see you all at our Class of ’58 Birthday Celebration Aug. 14, 2010.

ROBERT F. THOMAS

Youngstown