State Legislator Seeks to Criminalize Bad Language and Droopy Pants

South Carolina state senator Robert Ford is seeking to criminalize bad language in songs and droopy pants. The former civil rights worker believes that he has the right to dictate the speech and styles of citizens — dismissing any claims of constitutional rights. Indeed, he has proudly proclaimed that “[w]e’re talking about teenagers. They have no rights.”

Of course, his law would affect everyone and not just teenagers. Yet, it is his complete lack of understanding or appreciation of the Constitution that is most alarming.

Ford sounds like a cranky old uncle in interview, railing against how teenagers appear in the mall. “It’s a disgrace,” he complains, “they want to look like prisoners . . . When older black people go to the mall they cry when they see that stuff.”

His law would make it illegal for people to wear pants more than three inches below their hips. It would also criminalize music that is “profane, vulgar, lewd, lascivious, or indecent.” Ford does not supply a definition.

However, it does not apparently include the word “H . . E . . . double hockey sticks.” When asked whether this is just laying the groundwork for his anticipated 2010 bid for governor, Ford responded “Oh no, hell no.”

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