SENSIBLE POLICIES FOR A HAPPIER MEXICO

Mexico City (dpa) - Come New Years, residents of Villahermosa, a
sizable city southeast of the capital, may no longer run around naked
in their own homes.
If caught in the act, they face 36 hours of arrest or a fine of 133
dollars, the Mexican daily ``La Jornada'' reported Wednesday. The town
of half a million residents lies in a tropical zone about 750
kilometres southeast of Mexico City.
The town has also forbidden residents to appear at parties without
an invitation.
Only one council member, Rodrigo Sanchez, voted against the law,
saying it was ``laughable'' and ``an attack on civil rights''.
Mexican towns and cities are in the grips of a passing such
regulations, presumably in an effort to bolster city incomes.
But whether they actually make any money on the nudity law is
another thing: the town has also forbidden spying on one's neighbours.