LAW OF NATURE PREVAILS IN VERMONT

The Boston Globe ^ | 23 August 2006 | Brian MacQuarrie

[Hemingway's Ghost]

BRATTLEBORO -- Here on the banks of the Connecticut River, in the busiest parking area of a downtown peppered with bookstores and coffee shops, more is meeting the eye than some people want.

A politely rebellious collection of teenagers passing time in the Harmony Parking Lot this summer has taken to disrobing. Seemingly on a whim, they shed clothes and soak up the sun, nude.

What began as a lark or an ode to youthful exuberance has now turned into a municipal quandary, because public nudity is permissible in Brattleboro.

In the words of Town Manager Jerry Remillard, if you're naked in public, and you're minding your business, you're legal.

``We're quite a bit different than a lot of places," Remillard said.

[Hemingway's Ghost]

Do you think nudity is a basic human right? Feel free to voice your opinion---click on the link to the story!

[Hemingway's Ghost]

Kristen Podsiedlik (left) and Hannah Phillips said they feel strongly about having the freedom to go unclothed, while Andrew Wdowiak, who works at Everyone’s Books, said he’s grown tired of the display of public nudity by local teenagers this summer. (Photos by Dominic Chavez/ Globe Staff)

[Perdogg]

If we ban public nudity, we let the taliban and mullahs win! ;)

[mewzilla]

I don't know about a human right, but the idiots are going to need a good dermatologist in a few years.

[Hemingway's Ghost]

More nudity in the news . . .

[Hemingway's Ghost]

If we ban public nudity, we let the taliban and mullahs win! ;)

That's what I say. But why is it that all the people who want to get nekkid in public are not the people we want to see nekkid in public? Hmmmm?

[camle]

just put a dirty opld drunken bum next to them and tell him to just stare. that'll get rid of em!

[pepperdog]

Doctor's who deal with skin cancer and loss of hearing will rule the world before it's over. Followed closely by those who remove tattoos. Tell your kids to study in one of those fields and they'll be able to support you in your old age.

[Graybeard58]

Do you think nudity is a basic human right? Feel free to voice your opinion

Depends entirely on what the nudist looks like. For instance, I should never be allowed to be nude in public.

[Hemingway's Ghost]

Depends entirely on what the nudist looks like. For instance, I should never be allowed to be nude in public.

Me, neither. I'm all for public nudity, but in my case, discretion is the better part of valor.

[wideawake]

Of course public nudity is not a basic human right.

And this public exhibitionism will stop soon - teenage girls will get tired of obese, poorly groomed, middle-aged men in sunglasses "just stopping by" the area again and again to ogle them.

In Germany there are specific areas in various cities and towns set aside for FKK (Freikoerperkultur - "culture of the free body") and they are well known to be used only by paunchy 50something dudes and are a serious eyesore.

[BelegStrongbow]

Because those who take the trouble to keep in shape also value the shape they have kept and either want to charge plenty to see or have the morality to restrain themselves.

The others just wannabe and don't care what others suffer.

[Froufrou]

Now, now. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, doncha know.

Heads up ping...no pun intended...

[pabianice]

"Vermont: Like San Francisco But With Better-Looking Bums"

[tuvals]

Well, if it were my child they would be warned once (maybe)! After that if they decided to disrobe the public could see all the bruises from the beating they received from dear old dad! This is laughable but real pathetic. Our society is gradually going down the dumpster unless we all begin to take charge. Where are the parents? P.S. - Oh, I would be sued by ACLU, charged with child abuse and anything else the liberals can think of. THEM!

[pandoraou812]

I wonder about the parents here. I know if one of my underage children were sitting around nude in a parking lot I would be down there dragging them home. As for nude bike riding....why would you want to be on a hot seat naked??? I must be getting old here. I sound just like my mother. lol

[Osage Orange]

WHAT!!?!?!???

Huh!?!?!?

[presidio9]

I down in DC this week (the world did NOT end yesterday). How long do you think it would take me to get to Brattleboro?

On second thought, forget about it. Nudists are always a let-down.

[Hemingway's Ghost]

Bike riding is "not a good naked."

[Froufrou]

Nudists are always a let-down.

Visually, or in some other way?