Boston Mayor Tom Menino doesn't like anyone sending bad messages to the impressionable children of his city — you may recall his outrage over the sale of STOP SNITCHING T-shirts a couple of years ago. Last week, he discovered another sordid example: T-shirts on display at Niketown on Newbury Street, with skate-culture lingo that could be interpreted as pro-drug use.
The mayor demanded removal of the DOPE, GET HIGH, and F**K GRAVITY shirts. Niketown initially balked, but by this week the offending garments had vanished — although store management insisted that the move had nothing to do with mayoral pressure.
It's debatable whether the T-shirt crackdown will lead to young Bostonians eschewing drugs and leading wholesome, positive lives. But surely it will spur Menino to search even more fervently for potentially negative or vaguely offensive material to banish from Boston. Like the Beanpot Tournament? Joint legislative committees? High Street?
But he's only one man — so the Phoenix turned to Twitter and enlisted help. We asked for ban-worthy items to bring to Menino's attention, using the hashtag #MeninoMonitors. Unfortunately, we soon realized that hashtags themselves — you know, hashtags? — are among the offenders. Below are some of the other suggestions — and please add your own to the list!
The statue of Samuel Adams; an obvious celebration of beer drinkers. (@fivecentchris)
Now we know why the Bruins didn't re-sign Miro Satan last offseason. (@CMassPolitics)
Elections . . . way too similar to "erections." And do we really need them anymore? (@datafordonkeys)
Youth violence rises in the summer, so the solstice should be canceled. (@andrewphelps)
Old North Church smacks of ageism. Tear it down! (@HeyRatty)
Follow David Bernstein on Twitter @dbernstein.
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