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BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. - Almost half of a $273,000 grant awarded in 2002 to fight the Goth culture in Blue Springs has been returned because of a lack of interest — and the absence of a real problem.

Blue Springs received the grant two years ago from the Youth Outreach Unit, money the city and U.S. Rep. Sam Graves trumpeted proudly as a way to fight a perceived Goth problem.

But $132,000 of the grant was returned because officials never found much of a problem with the Goth culture, which some students called a fad that most people eventually outgrow.

...

You have to admit if you saw one, two, three, four or more people dressed in traditional Goth, it would be discerning," [project manager Allyce Ford] said.

(Story via Patriotboy and Atrios)

"Discerning?" Don't you mean "disconcerting?"

In case you're wondering, Sam Graves is my moronic congressman.

Sigh.