Regardless of how stupid they look or the fact that saggy pants aren't even fashionable anymore, here at Stylelist, we believe you have a constitutional right to sag. Many political figures agree with us, including President Obama, a Palm Beach circuit judge, and mayor Frank Melton of Jackson, Mississippi. Mayor Melton, however, has decided that due to a severe fashion crisis, he must revoke the constitutional right to sag in Jackson. Bummer.

Even though a saggy pants ordinance recently failed to pass in the city council by a vote of 4-2 -- on the grounds that it wouldn't pass constitutional muster, and it just might get the city in an expensive lawsuit with the ACLU, and it's completely idiotic -- Melton reportedly said that he plans to issue an executive order to institute a citywide dress code anyway.

"I certainly respect the Constitution," Melton said, "but we have some issues that are much bigger than the Constitution."

In history class, you might remember learning that certain civil rights may be suspended in time of complete and utter chaos. Apparently, this is one of those times. Councilman Kenneth Stokes, sponsor of the ban, explains the catastrophic circumstances that have led up to the suspension of the First Amendment in Jackson, MS:

"In these neighborhoods, they're showing their naked behinds," Stokes said. "It's embarrassing."

We wonder: are these saggy pants offenders as embarrassing as the statements being issued by the city's mayor? Also, what's the deal with sagging these days? It's got to be at least 10 years since the saggy pants trend was at its peak.

[via BoingBoing]