TRENTON, N.J. – It’s a fashion that started in prison, and now the saggy pants craze has come full circle — low-slung street strutting in some cities may soon mean run-ins with the law, including a stint in jail.
Okay, I’m no fan of the “baggy pants”. I think it looks completely idiotic. But I have to think back to the Sixties, when long hair on men was outlawed in some places. Isn’t this the same kind of thing? Young people trying to fit in with whatever they think their peer group is. Kids trying to look cool (or whatever euphemism passes for “cool” these days).
In other words, I recognize that I am a complete curmudgeon when I see a kid with his pants around his knees and it just looks so silly. But making it illegal? What comes next, the fashion police? Wear white shoes after Labor Day, do hard time?
What happened to that nation of rugged individualists? What happened to freedom of expression? What happened to freedom, period? I would no sooner tell you how to wear your clothes, than I would tell you how to wear your hair. It neither picks my pocket, nor breaks my leg.
It just makes me giggle. Which, when you think of it, is not very manly, but still is not a crime.
I leave you with the words of Kris Kristofferson:
Billy Dalton staggered on the sidewalk
Someone said he stumbled and he fell
Six squad cars came screaming to the rescue
Hauled old Billy Dalton off to jail
‘Cause the law is for protection of the people
Rules are rules and any fool can see
We don’t need no drunks like Billy Dalton
Scarin’ decent folks like you and me, no siree
Charlie Watson wandered like a stranger
Showing he had no means of support
Police man took one look at his pants cuffs
Hustled Charlie Watson off to court.‘Cause the law is for protection of the people
Rules are rules and any fool can see
We don’t need no bums like Charlie Watson
Scarin’ decent folks like you and me, no siree.Homer Lee Hunnicut was nothing but a hippy
Walking thru this world without a care
Then one day, six strapping brave policeman
Held down Homer Lee and cut his hair‘Cause the law is for protection of the people
Rules are rules and any foola can see
We don’t need no hairy headed hippies
Scarin’ decent folks like you and me, no sireeSo thank your lucky stars you’ve got protection
Walk the line, and never mind the cost
And don’t wonder who them lawmen was protecting
When they nailed the Savior to the cross.‘Cause the law is for protection of the people
Rules are rules and any fool can see
We don’t need no riddle speaking prophets
Scarin’ decent folks like you and me, no siree.