The latest threat facing Eddy County kids? Emo.

The media, apparently done with Anna Nicole Smith, has set to work manufacturing outrage with regards to "emo." Apparently following in the footsteps of jazz, rock'n'roll and video games as corrupter of youth, "emo" is the latest dangerous "behavior" taking control of the kids.

Of course, the focus is "cutting" a phenomenon which actually predates Taking Back Sunday, but yet has become synonymous with the music for some reason. The piece talks to local youth as well as a member of Eddy County's Finest about the problem. The sheriff is actually fairly reasonable, drawing a distinction between fashion and cutting, but does take the "emo scale" literally.

Actually, that seems to be much of the problem with the story, many of the sources they cite are ironic, like the Insta-Emo Kit. The result is perhaps more dangerous than "emo" itself, since it confuses the very real and historical threats of depression and suicide with a recent fashion.

You can see the video, as well as Ian MacKaye's response to "emo", circa 1986.