This Is Legal In New York… Ain’t Crazy Laws Wonderful?
March 18, 2007 (8 Responses)
THE CRAZY WEATHER today (pretty much four seasons in a single day) reminded me of a photo I’d seen recently. As I sit here typing away the temperature is dropping fast outside, the wind is howling and there is snow in the air, swirling about insanely.
Everyone I see is either hunkered down against the wind or running for shelter, but all I could think of was this image from New York that I’d seen in some story recently.
You see it’s ok for women to go topless in New York, as long as it’s not “for the purposes of business“.
This shot on the left is from a series by a photographer who is trying to promote equality – from a topless perspective – across the USA. If a man goes topless anywhere in the US, it’s pretty much ok. But if a women does it anywhere outside of New York – it’s an offence.
I absolutely love this photo though. The snow, the black and white night shot, the long scarf and perfectly sexy exposure of a breast… for me it expresses a kind of freedom rarely seen on city streets, except perhaps for Brazil, and certainly never seen here on the streets of Dublin – at least I’ve never witnessed such a scene, but feel free to correct me if I’m wrong 
And it’s all made possible because of some weird law still on the books in New York. Still – it’s not as if we don’t have a few crazy ass laws still on our books over here too. It wasn’t that long ago that Bertie Ahern unveiled plans to repeal thousands of English and British laws – some dating back to William the Conqueror in the 11th century – that were enacted prior to Irish Independence in 1922 and still remain in force.
These included such obscure acts such as one from the 12th century forbidding monks “to receive men unless their reputation is known” and another banning Jews from owning chain mail. I also seem to recall some mad law which was taken off the books a few years ago down the West of Ireland concerning the use of Goats as character witnesses in court. I’d say that made for some interesting court cases!
Of course I’ve sworn off travel to the USA until Bush & Co. are removed from power and things start to return to normal, but I do intend to go back to New York at some stage; I guess I’ll just have to content myself with this photo until then 
Nude York isn’t the only place with bare breasted ladies. Here in San Francisco, thousands (of both sexes) routinely parade naked through the streets with nary a peep from the police. There’s a world famous nude beach within sight of the Golden Gate, and on marathon days there are almost as many naked people as there are people watching them. In fact, a naked person would probably have to punch a cop…really, really hard…to get arrested.
But then, that is the beauty of the place…that and really good sourdough bread and crabs (the aquatic kind, not the little itchy beasties kind).
OP – That sourdough bread is amazing all right, and you’ve also got some seriously good Japanese joints to eat at too as far as I recall.
It’s been a few years since I was there, but San Francisco is one of those places on my list to go back to; at least once Bush & Co are gone and the country starts to return to normal. Hopefully.
I’ve got nothing but great memories of that city; you’re a lucky pup to be living there.
beautiful shot – but why? I guess that doesn’t matter when we’re talking about such a beautiful artistic work.
Have you got a bigger version?
Phil – if you drop me a line using the contact form on the site, and include a return email address I’ll send you on the larger version.
Links to large photos sent via contact form as promised.
Enjoy
I disagree with the above remark. I think in these tough economic times we need to rethink our old ways of thinking. For more information visit http://www.alaskapersonalinjurylawyer.net
The information in given in a simple way and I think anyone can understand it very easily and can implement it in a very short period of time
Good information, especially the keyword combination are quite impressive and information is fresh. Good article.