EDITORIAL: Isn't under oath enough for city after Oasis bares it all?

They say seeing is believing, but this is ridiculous.

As Destin launches into round two of its battle with the Oasis, which wants to become a nude dancing bar on Mountain Drive, another interesting development has surfaced.

The Oasis has essentially admitted to violating Destin city code, which forbids nude dancing in commercial zoning.

In a recent court filing asking for immediate relief from the city’s rules, which forbid what the Oasis calls a First Amendment right to erotic expression, attorneys for the bar state that “the dancers perform in skimpy attire which covers, at a minimum, their genitals, anal cleft and areola. At times certain of the performers have danced fully nude at plaintiffs’ business.”

So what is Destin’s response to the Oasis’ revelation that it flouted a city ordinance?

“It sounds strange to say we have to observe it ourselves, but that’s our plan,” said City Manager Greg Kisela.

He’s right, it does sound strange.

Since when do you have to witness an infraction to slap an admittedly guilty party on the wrist? If Oasis owners offer their own body of evidence, isn’t that enough? And can there be better evidence than an admission to a court of law?

Since the Oasis’ admission and Destin’s response, the local online peanut gallery has been abuzz with jokes like this one: “I officially want to apply as city inspector for this position. How much do I need to pay to have this job?”

While we share their pointed humor on the matter, we hate to see local code enforcement be reduced to the punch line of some joke.
Whether the proof is a bikini on the floor or a legal brief, it seems to us that if the Oasis broke local law, they should be held accountable.