Banning the booty-shake: The same state that brought me childhood fantasies in the form of the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders [at right, the 2004 squad, which has nothing on the women of '82] now wants to ban racy pom pon routines at public school events. The Texas House of Representatives gave preliminary approval for a bill that would prohibit "sexually suggestive" routines by drill teams and cheerleaders. Rep. Al Edwards, D-Houston, the bill's author, likens these dance moves to internet porn and lewd TV programs, adding that such lasciviousness can distract students and lead to pregnancy, school dropouts, the contraction of STDs, and—"cutting off their youthful life at an early age."

Oh my.

Why is the state legislature meddling in the content of cheerleading routines? And is it a good message to send that girls and their dreaded sexuality are to blame for bringing the culture down?

(Thanks, Reggie.)