Virginia lawmakers dropped their droopy-pants bill after the whole thing became just too embarrassing. The bill, which would have slapped a $50 fine on people who wear their pants so low that their underwear is visible in ``a lewd or indecent manner,'' passed the state House was killed by a Senate committee two days later in a unanimous vote.

The committee hearing drew a standing-room-only crowd that included about 75 government students from Surry County High School. ``If people in Florida can wear bikinis, a little underwear showing isn't going to hurt anybody,'' 17-year-old Elvyn Shaw said. The bill's sponsor, Democratic Delegate Algie T. Howell, had no immediate comment on the vote. He has said he introduced the legislation on behalf of constituents, including customers at his barber shop, who are offended by exposed underwear... and to think that there are really important issues like homelessness, lack of education that still need attention while such an issue is being addressed.