I was thinking the same thing, LOL.

Because it's okay to rape someone if they're dressed provocatively?

Absolutely not, but I do see the opportunity for some mixed signals that could turn ugly instead of humorous as in this example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yO-Tio-1uMA

Often times, Hoffa has observed that those females wearing the sexy costumes tend to be over-indulgent with alcohol consumption and very flirty - not a good combination for the scenario mentioned by Mike.

Yeah, they're just asking for it Todd Akin fan.

@low life POS scum bag Schmitzy -

And you're asking for Hoffa to make a phone call to his Detroit collection guys!

Don't recall that we ever said violent costumes are bad.

Exactly, Denise!

Although I don't watch these programs, I think it comes down to the eye of the beholder. Most normal kids don't view American Idol or x Factor with regards as any sexual overtones! That being said it does say something about you and how you view this kind of programing and find you to have some very disturbing tendancies! In other words your freakin WIERD O man!

Vigilante - it should be you're (you are), not your. Example: Like you're a mouth-breathing idiot. Try to use correct grammar.

Those places are total trash and personally I don't think anyone over the age of 12 should be dressing up for halloween much less going trick or treating. That is a kids activity, not a teenagers. I do not give candy out to developed girls are boys with facial hair and deep voices or anyone over 5' tall. Those little masks that used to make my face sweat should be good enough for them. They were really hard to eat candy through though.

True, but they also have a lot of great, non-risque costumes for kids and adults... it's up to the adults to actually parent their kids and be responsible for what they are wearing.

I believe they're still based in New Berlin. They attempted work a deal to move into the City of Milwaukee in the Menomonee Valley, but the geniuses on the Common Council and Tom Barrett didn't like the kinds of jobs they had to offer (many seasonal, at minimum wage), so they expanded their existing facility in New Berlin.

Hoffa doesn't like to think that he's 'naughty' on Halloween and Hoffa would be considered a part of 'everyone,' wouldn't he?

Correction: Everyone likes to think they're 'naughty' on Halloween except for the notorious exception to the rule, James R. Hoffa. LOL

Personally, I never soaped a window or tipped an outhouse. I just got a secret thrill over knowing that I COULD.

That's better - thanks Randy ;-)

You could always follow the example of Tuesday Addams and go as a psychopath without any costume at all because, "they look just like the rest of us." LOL

Tuesday Addams was the most normal girl in her town - definitely not a psychopath! After all, who doesn't love a good game of 'wake the dead?'

Who's Katy Perry and why is she famous?

One of the very few benefits of being older is remembering stuff like kids about that age dressing up as Madonna and Boy George for Halloween 25 years ago. Girls have been dressing up as Barbies and Princesses for as long as I can remember and if folks are truly worried about "messages" being sent by or stereotypes reinforced by costumes kids wear once or twice a year, those aren't particularly PC either.

Be a parent and do what you think is best for your kid. Don't worry about what your neighbors do. Don't patronize stores you don't like. It's pretty much that simple.

And for Hoffa, this is Katy Perry in an appearance on a show notorious for forcing prurient imagery in front of pre-schoolers...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHROHJlU_Ng

@Bob -

Thanks for the reference - so in other words, she's a Bettie Page wannabe that can sing.

Translation: Hoffa always 'hires out' his 'alteration' work, 'tailored' to Hoffa's request.

@Jay -

But of course!

@David -

A valid observation - Hoffa has noticed this too. If adults maintained the innocence of a children's event in how they celebrated the holiday, then it might not be so bad. Unfortunately, this just isn't the case.

As I commented up-thread, the original pagan holiday of Samhain was no innocent children's event. Even the holiday of my childhood, with nighttime trick or treating has been tamed down into a daylight candy giveaway.

@Randy1949 -

Also a valid observation, however, when has America, en mass, ever celebrated Halloween according to the pagan traditions upon which it was founded?

Never, unless you believe those stories about Salem. However, I will report that the holiday was a little wilder in my youth. Adults did participate -- usually in costume to scare the bejeebers out of the trick-or-treaters when they answered the door.

During Hoffa's youth, it seemed far more creative, with most making their own costumes as opposed to buying pre-made costumes off a store rack - Hoffa misses the creativity, imagination, and ingenuity.

Hoffa still dresses up to the answer the door and pass out candy at his grandparent's suburban home, as Hoffa has never gotten a single trick-or-treater at his home way out in the sticks.

Does Hoffa need to dress up to scare the kids? ;)

I remember by Dad and Uncle's stories where they used to go knocking over out houses. Sometimes with people in them. In my youth adults did have their own Halloween parties either at homes or taverns. Living on a farm I remember a couple, dressed as hobos coming to our house. They never spoke, only using hand gestures, wanting a drink. My parents always served them shots of booze and they were on their way. When I grew up I found out that couple had been my Uncle and Aunt.

We did go trick-or-treating and our church had a party. But it was celebrated as All Soul's Day or All Saint's Day which I now read also had a pagan tradition.

Like JRH, we live in a rural area and get no trick-or-treaters.

@mau -- Actually, All Saints Day is Nov. 1, the day after Halloween or All Hallows Eve. We kind of need a holiday to honor death and dying at this time of year when Nature is doing the same. Dressing up and pretending to be spooked is fun, and it was so entrenched that the early Church had to make the holiday its own. If you can't lick 'em, join 'em.

We never got any trick or treaters either, but I went to my share of Halloween parties -- even at school, where we were allowed to dress as scary things. They had banned anything scary or occult by the time my son was in school.

Hahahahaha!!!!! That was a good one Jeff! {:-D)

Maybe costumes for women and girls should all come with a scarlet letter on them.

LOL @ MIKE KNIGHT

@Randy1949 -

Today, people would interpret the scarlet letter 'A' as meaning that the garment was purchased from the Aeropostale outfitter.

As a former art student who became very comfortable with nudity in life-drawing class, i can assure you that the human body is nothing to be ashamed of. Our life models were not ashamed -- young, old, perfect, imperfect. But they were completely naked.

Oddly enough, the body only becomes salacious when selectively revealed, like with a sexy nurse costume with the cleavage down to Florida, or that silly little bow-tire on an otherwise nude Chippendales dancer.

Yes Randall, I am sure that you saw many unusual things during your drug filled days in the 60s with the Age of Aquarius and all. Of course the human body is nothing to be ashamed of, but what do you propose? Are you fully clothed as you opine on the Patch? Do you wear clothing when you shop at Outpost foods?

Silly Pennypacker. You can't even tell when I'm (kind of sort of) agreeing with you for once. I said salacious dressing -- like the 'Swiss Miss' and the pre-teen pirate costumes above -- is salacious dressing. I do cover up in public to avoid frightening the horses. As for what I wear when i comment on the Patch, that's kind of personal, don't you think? But if you want to fantasize, go ahead and knock yourself out.

And once again, don't call me Randall.

Florida Randy? I think it became a salacious journey by the time the cleavage reached down south to Virginia.

@Lyle -

What did you observe while living in Utah?

@Lyle - You ever dress up in drag on Halloween?

@Taoist -

Rape as a possible undesired result of sexy costuming was mentioned by a single commentator, thus it would be appropriate to use the singular for "finger waggers," as opposed to the plural form as you did!

Once again, your reading comprehension has proven to be for crap!

Perhaps you should try to focus!

@Taoist -

So, that's a yes on the "450 pound wife [that] doesn't look the same in the sexy nurse outfit as she used to?"

No, it's a classier way of saying that Pennypacker's juvenile and offensive statement shouldn't be dignified with a response.

@Randy1949 -

In this case, Taoist goaded the personal attack.

Taoist erroneously generalized that everyone on this board who believes that overtly sexy costumes for minors are inappropriate also believes that engaging in such activity would inevitably lead to rape, when only a single commentator, Mike I, made such a statement/connection.

Whenever one attempts to stereotype or generalize premised upon erroneous assumptions, it inevitable leads to the victims of such stereotyping/generalizing to feeling emotionally incensed, thus Pennypacker's retort is not all together unexpected, and the form of such retort is consistent with what we've all come to expect from Pennypacker.

Thus, in this case, Taoist got exactly what was coming to him.

@Cassie -

Good for you!

Hoffa was never much of a conformer either, and he's all the better for it!

good luck living alone with your 20 cats!

What's the matter, Neil? Can't fit 20 cats into your parents' basement?

Neil's problem is that he tries to dress up his 20 cats in sexy outfits!

Randy1949 - I tried once. But your wife kept on sneezing!

Hoffa. I'm not into beastiality. If I was though, I'd hook up with your wife!