Boston mayor Thomas M. Menino has called upon a Niketown store in his city to remove a window display that includes T-shirts emblazoned with the words “dope” and “get high” and a picture of a spilled pill bottle. Nike says the shirts are part of an action sports campaign (take pills, get in the action?) and not a crass way to romanticize the use of drugs. Menino’s BS detector is not buying it, and he sent a strongly worded letter to Nike asking them to remove the display; but the swoosh pusher has remained firm.

“We maintain our position that they’re not appropriate for the city of Boston. They’re not appropriate for anywhere as far as we’re concerned,” said Menino spokeswoman Dot Joyce.

“Nike should be compelled as an athletic apparel manufacturer to promote health and fitness – rather than drug use,” Joyce said yesterday.

(Photo: Boston Herald)