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Saggy-Pants Debates Just Hot Air

'Legislative tailors' have their way across America

By Matt Cantor, Newser Staff

Posted Mar 4, 2009 1:51 AM CST

(Newser) – Legal battles against sagging pants are being waged across the US at an absurd rate, writes Greg Beato in Reason. Detractors argue that exposing large “swathes of underwear” should be banned, particularly because the style emulates prison attire and to wear them is “to embrace criminality.” “I certainly respect the Constitution, but we have some issues that are much bigger than the Constitution,” said a mayor backing a ban.

But enforcement of such laws is rare, and pushing them often amounts to “political theater” on the taxpayers’ dime, notes Beato. Besides, "if saggy pants are such a sure indicator of criminality, why do we want to eliminate this easy identification system?” he asks. And if criminality is cool, then banning the pants makes them cooler. Instead of “clogging our legal system,” why not hire “paunchy, middle-aged white guys to start wearing their slacks shockingly low?” Beato wonders.

[Images (2)]

[Quotes (1)]

Two young men sport baggy jeans in Trenton, NJ. (AP Photo)

"One can't help but wonder" if efforts to battle saggy pants "are terribly misguided," writes Greg Beato in "Reason." (Shutterstock)

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What else is the law but a metaphorical belt designed to uphold proprietary and keep us from exposing our inherent baseness to each other? This, at least, is what an epidemic of legislative tailors
seem to believe. - Greg Beato

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 9 comments

Rob

Mar 4, 2009 6:10 AM CST

“I certainly respect the Constitution, but we have some issues that are much bigger than the Constitution." This nameless mayor that said this should be removed from office. If there truly are things in government bigger than the Constitution, then I find it hard to imagine that the way teenagers wear their pants is one of them. Who is this guy and lets bury him and his constituents in email.

Guest

Mar 4, 2009 5:06 AM CST

Hmmm... It's been a while since I saw baggy pants like that. Give it time, folks, it will run its course in your neck of the woods too.

Guest

Mar 4, 2009 2:17 AM CST

Hey... why didn't the mayor backing a ban on baggy trousers give equal attention to the whale-tail? Seems this mayor is a bit discriminatory... I wonder why?

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Saggy-Pants Debates Just Hot Air