JOHN LEO'S BLOG

In Seattle, the slogan was "harnessing the power of the human body and spirit," not (as many might imagine while looking at the photos) "quelling all sexual desire among those who fail to look away in time."

The rides protested dependence on oil, automotive air pollution, and the dangers that cars pose to cyclists, as well the usual array of causes. These include criticizing President Bush and demanding a 32-hour work week. Nakedness doesn't seem to have much to do with dependence on cars, but one message took a stab at tying the two subjects together: "Stop indecent exposure to vehicle emissions!"

My favorite photo is the rear view of a man with "Re-Elect Gore" on his buttocks. A close second is the woman painted with a message indicating that one of her private parts would make a better president than George W.