The American Spectator

“Every day at the UN, on every side, we are assailed because we are a democracy. In the UN today there are in the rang of two dozen democracies left; totalitarian Communist regimes and assorted ancient and modern despotisms make up all the rest. Nothing so united these nations as the conviction that their success ultimately depends on our failure.”

How much has changed?

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Quote of the Day (so far), from Howard Kurtz: “The reason we’re all spending so much time debating media coverage of the war is that there’s never been a war where reporters interviewed soldiers who were on the ground firing or had just been wounded. A hundred things may go right, but if five things go wrong, you’re watching them live and in technicolor.” (3/26/03 9:46 a.m.)

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p> The Lolita Menace (posted 3/25/03 10:23 p.m.) br> Most of the national capital area has its mind focused on the war in Iraq (not on Iraq, as some of the networks would have it). But not necessarily in Fairfax County, Virginia, where a high school principal sent out this recent missive to parents, as scrupulously laid out as a text authored by, say, Al Gore. We live in titillating times that clearly call for some new regulations and reaching out to the community: /p>

“Finally, as we look to warm weather, a number of staff, parents, volunteers, and visitors have commented on the dress students are wearing to school in the bitter cold. Based on the skimpiness in cold weather, we anticipate problems in the spring. Bare midriffs, underwear worn on the outside or which is visible because low riding pants/skirts, and clothing advertising alcohol or other problem substances are among the areas of concern which distract and affect the learning environment. Some items of clothing appear to be almost intentionally designed to ride up (or down) with motion, so that a great deal of skin ends up showing. The issue is a county wide concern and the School Board is considering some regulations. Locally, if we see a young person with problem attire, we will ask them to put on a sweater. If it repeats, we will contact the parent, and on occasion may take photographs for the parent because some students actually change clothes en route to school. This allows parents to see what we’re seeing. We ask for your help in this matter.”

Mr. Principal goes on to “offer the following guidelines: While the choice of clothing is at the discretion of parents and children, certain types of clothing which are unacceptable include, but are not limited to, the following: bare midriff, transparent or mesh shirts or blouses, low cut or revealing clothing, clothing which advertises alcoholic beverages or promotes violence and/or drug use, clothing which displays profanity or obscenities. Halter-tops and tops that are backless or strapless are not appropriate for school. Underwear worn outside or protruding above the top of pants or skirts are also not acceptable. Despite current fashion trends promoting low pants and short shirts, your child’s stomach should not show at school…”

In signing off, the principal assures parents that “our commitment to excellence continues.”