Will 'Fashion Police' Replace 'Dallas SWAT'?

News flash: This fall, a new reality show, The Fashion Police, will replace Dallas SWAT on cable TV! At least, if Dallas school board member Ron Price gets his way.

In an example of what the Texas Public Policy Foundation calls "overcriminalization" reaching ridiculous proportions - i.e., the trend toward making more, and more petty things criminal rather than enforcing existing laws - Price wants the Dallas city council to ban baggy pants. LOL.

No. Really. And not only wasn't he laughed out of the council chambers, the suggestion was taken seriously enough to ask the city attorney to investigate its legalities. LOL.

"I think it's disrespectful, it's dishonorable and it's disgusting," said Price, who made the recommendation last week to the City Council. "I have no problem with the top of your Hanes label being shown. My problem is when grown men walk about the city with pants below their buttocks."

A 26 year old gentleman with sagging trousers but a tucked in shirt "agreed with the proposal that people should be fined for showing their underwear," reported AP

"You've got to be presentable," he said. "Besides, showing underwear with super baggy pants is a look that's "played out," he said.

Arresting people for fashions that have "played out" - that's a job for The Fashion Police. After all, it's important that we ban fashions once they become unfashionable, you know, for the good of the economy.

I nearly didn't write about this. I usually try to make arguments on Grits, not just point and make fun. But what else is there to do when a politician announces, "I don't like your pants, I think I'll pass a law!"? I mean, it's not like Dallas police have anything else to do.

That said, this is too bad an idea not to catch on. Five will get you ten someone files a bill in Texas 80th Legislature in 2007 making baggy pants a misdemeanor. Last session they tried to ban sexy cheerleaders. No. Really.

Another prime example why The Daily Show and The Colbert Report do so well satirizing news stories - who could write satire that matches the silliness and ironies you see following everyday current events?