The American Mustache Institute continues to fight the good fight for those who wish to wear a mustache in peace. We are doing what we set out to do - serve as the ACLU of mustached Americans and help usher in a new era of greatness for the lip sweater.

However, there are far more cogs in that wheel than AMI. It will take a nation of support: men, women, celebrities, business, Joe Six-Pack, and all of you who read this blog.

Sadly, despite AMI's efforts, a mustache was shaved yesterday, and you may not have known this but, every time a mustache is shaved, an angel in heaven dies and falls to earth, which is a shame.

But yes, NBA scribe David Waldstein of the venerable Newark Star-Ledger (yes, that Newark, go Andy Harteveld!), as well as ESPN, reports that Jason Kidd has indeed caved to the pressure of ESPN and fragile and follically-challenge teammate Vince Carter. Kidd has chosen to shave his cookie duster.

When contacted in her Louisiana home, the wife of the late Pete Maravich, a mustached American with skills similar to those of Kidd, would only say, "Weak ass b!!#$. Pete gave everything for today's players. The least Kidd could do is keep that thing as somewhat of an homage to Pete. It's a damn shame when a grown man is brow-beaten into shaving off his manhood."

The AMI agrees that it is a sad day indeed, and we hope that each and every one of you will say a prayer for Jason's mustache and that angel.