There’s a moderately interesting article in the Moscow Times about how the Russian government is in the process of drafting a law to make Emo and Goth music illegal. On the one hand this is totally against everything for which we in America stand. On the other hand…good. It could be a step in the right direction.

Emo is all about horribly whiny music and fashionably disaffected teens. Y’know, the sort of things that make anyone with any modicum of intellect gag. Goth, on the other hand, has been hijacked my Mall Culture and turned into a cartoony fashion show for people who like to dye their hair black and dread it, wear all black clothing with fashionably Frankengoth boots and talk about how much they hate the world and the people contained therein – not very far removed from Emo, just darker in image and more cynical.

Maybe those wacky Russians are on to something?

Well, as tempting as it may be it’s not as though we can actually support this sort of stifling social architecture. Last month a parliamentary committee was convened to discuss a draft proposal of the Russians’ “Government Strategy In The Sphere Of Spiritual And Ethical Education” bill, the details of which were leaked to The Moscow Times. Among other measures, the proposed legislation calls for heavy regulation of Emo web sites and for banning young people dressed like Emos or Goths from entering schools and government buildings. Obviously this would never fly in our great Nation. Or would it?

The bill also outlines what it calls a “spiritual and ethical crisis” facing Russian youth, including the high rate of alcohol abuse, teen abortions and “negative youth movements.” Emo ideology encourages and justifies drug use and sexual relations among minors, according to the bill, which also lumps Emos and Goths together with Skinheads.

“The point of the bill is so that by 2020, Moscow will have someone to rule its government,” said Alexander Grishunin, an adviser to Public Chamber member Yevgeny Yuryev, one of the bill’s three coordinators. “This is the first step in the public discourse.”

The bill’s sponsors hope that it will be passed into law by the end of the year.

Emo and Goth aren’t what encourage and justify drug use and sexual relations among minors. A misuse of authority are what encourage that sort of behavior. A fundamental lack of education are what encourage that sort of behavior. Societal ignorance is what encourages that sort of behavior.

It isn’t as though the so-called Emos and Goths are going to rise up against their dictators and schedule mass protesting. If they’re anything like the self-described Emos and Goths in this country they’ll retreat to a dark corner and sulk.

Perfect.

Oh I know, I know. But c’mon. These spoiled kids make great targets. Just ask the Russian government.