Mardi Gras Parade Goers Should Keep Their Shirts On

The saints may be marching in New Orleans soon, as Mardi Gras nears, but are some of those who attend Mardi Gras just a little too---unsaintly? Indeed, one has to wonder how many horizontal black bars it would take to make a video of some Mardi Gras parade goers safe for young people's eyes.

Mardi Gras is a time for celebration, fun, and partying, but is a line being crossed when some people---particularly women---"want to let it all hang out" (as the saying goes) for a string of beads? Confidently, this 20s-something guy who labels himself "decent" answers yes.

To be sure, exposing your---er---upper front torso (just in case the kiddies are reading this) may be a great way to get oodles of beads thrown your way, but what is a woman sacrificing when she does that? How about decency, purity, and self-respect. For the life of me, I cannot figure out why a person would want to literally and lewdly bare all simply to snag some beads. Sure, there are always those who take part in or advocate nudity simply "for the fun of it," who decide to cite Mardi Gras' "party" atmosphere as an excuse, or even rationalize such obscene behavior by saying "well, others are doing it." Of course, though, we know that people can have fun at parties, even at Mardi Gras, without having to sacrifice decency to enjoy a good time---or even to collect a string of beads.

Some may argue that women baring their front side do so for the attention. Well, yes, attention they get. Perhaps from some pervert standing next to her, ready to grope her at the moment she flashes herself? Maybe from a police officer who decides to enforce public nudity laws and slaps the woman with a ticket? Oh, yes, and we cannot a modern-day convenience that may prove inconvenient for the flasher: cell phone cameras.