White House enforces strict dress code for tourists

CBS News ^ | 7/26/07

[Santa Fe_Conservative]

WASHINGTON New signs are posted around the White House indicating a new strict enforcement of the dress code, the Washington Post reported Thursday. The code applies to all visitors and staff members, including tourists.

Some tourists are finding the strict clothing restrictions at the White House un-American.

The forbidden items include jeans, sneakers, mini-skirts, t-shirts, tank tops and absolutely no flip flops.

The motivation for the clothing crack-down comes from the Bush Administration who think some of those who work there and those who visit just don't dress appropriately.

[Leatherneck_MT]

You have to understand that there are 2 types of people here bud. Free men and slaves.

Free Men will go where they want when they want wearing what is comfortable.

Slaves will kiss booty whenever and wherever possible in order to seem “with the in crowd”

I prefer the former as opposed to the latter.

If I am invited to be with the president on an official meeting, I will then dress up. If I am visiting the white house as a Citizen of these United States that pays for upkeep on that house with my taxes, then I will wear what the hell I please. My thought is, this new rule won’t last long. As it shouldn’t.

[HarmlessLovableFuzzball]

you better show some respect for it.

Ok, misphrased. You ought to show some respect for it.

[humblegunner]

Ok, misphrased. You ought to show some respect for it.

Much better.

I shall and do respect the office, the holder of it and the edifice itself.

I just have a problem with being ordered about by those without that privilege.

[Leatherneck_MT]

“This rule points out what so many fail to acknowledge. WE ALL ARE NOT EQUAL thus someone has to set the standard by telling those with no sense what is appropriate attire and when.”

They are in my country. As evidenced by the below paragraph in our Declaration of Independence.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

If the Elitists in the white house don’t like that, perhaps they would be in more agreeable company in like say.. China.. Russia.. Cuba..

I’m sure that those Freedom Loving societies would love to have them and their overbearing arrogance.

[Constantine XIII]

That’s un-American.

COMMUNIST! XD

[RJS1950]

Add to that the heat and humidity and you have a recipe for heat stroke. Those nicely dressed kids in the picture were bused in and the photo shoot was prearranged. If I were going to formally meet the president that would be different. The tours are through the public areas and it’s the public (at least a lot of us) who pay the tab for the upkeep. My jeans, polo shirt and walking shoes should be just fine.

[I see my hands]

"I wonder what an online poll would say if we were asked to decide if you are out of line, or just infantile?"

Life is more accommodating when you when you live it in your imagination, yes?

[Iscool]

Every City Hall and business is probably sick of looking at people who look like they are going to Wal-Mart, the beach, the races or a Playboy layout appointment.

I don't care much what they think of me...It's what I think of them that counts...

[Inquisitive1]

The White House can start showing a minimum of respect for those they SERVE.

Thank you. Best reply yet.

[Constantine XIII]

Well, um, couldn’t he say the exact same thing to you? ;)

[Snoopers-868th]

Re-read what I said. I agree my EQUAL applied to CLASS difference—or are you going to deny that too.

[restornu]

What about burka?

I have stood in lines and I don't think it should be allowed, sorry!

they can see me that I am ok but I have no clue who the heck they are?

[steve86]

This strikes me as more Boosh upper-class elitism. Now, I agree a wet swimsuit or skimpy halter top would be overdoing it, even for a summer tourist. But banning blue jeans and sneakers? This tells me Boosh is more out of step with his constituency than even we feared. Yes, Booshes, Americans use barcode scanners and wear blue jeans!

[Leatherneck_MT]

Financially equal, I agree with you. I’m not equal to them or to you most likely. But that gives them zero right to enforce this kind of overbearing dress code on the private citizen just because Jorge doesn’t like seeing people in tennis shoes and flip flops.

It’s not my business what they wear and it damned sure isn’t his, so long as it’s within normal bounds of decency.

[Eaker]

You are so correct on this issue.

I am a Texan and I wear jeans.

We spent a week in DC three months before 9/11 and probably will never make it back again either. We were out of the hotel at seven every morning and arrived back at seven or later every evening. There is so much to see and many of the monuments must be seen during the day and at night because of the lighting effects.

The saddest thing that I saw was when we were at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. A tear jerking event in its own right but when the National Anthem was played I looked over my shoulder and saw that the only children standing with their hand over their heart were mine. This indeed made holding back the tears harder.

America’s problems stem not from dress but from the lack of heart.

[ontap]

No! I was answering a post he made to me. Not challenging his right to post whatever he pleases.

[Lijahsbubbe]

The forbidden items include jeans, sneakers, mini-skirts, t-shirts, tank tops and absolutely no flip flops.

Are these allowed?

[chrisser]

Who OWNS the White House?

We all do. And in a representative republic, we all elect the executive to set the rules for his department of government. Maybe the majority of us are sick of the disrespect shown our house by a minority of slackers. Maybe its the reverse. I really don't know, but unless we're going to become a pure democracy and vote on every little isssue, it becomes the discretion of the executive to decide what's appropriate and to take those measures he/she sees fit.

Don't like it? Make your opinions known.

The assumption by many that this is somehow an affront to their liberty because they "own" the WH and should be able to visit dressed anyway they damn well please could easily be turned on its head - perhaps the rest of us, who also collectively "own" the WH, are sick of the collective you dressing like slobs and hookers and since you're all too stupid to figure it out for yourselves, we had to make a few simple rules, as we would have to for children.

[Trajan88]

Hmmm... when I visited the WH in August '96 it was quite hot and humid... in fact it was raining. I was dressed same as all other tourists (wore t-shirt and shorts)... I can see if I was going to the Oval Office/West Wing as part of a VIP tour or to receive an award or some such... but as part of a throng of tourists, seems a little excessive to be dressed to impress.

Oh well, they make the rules.

[bluefish]

I thought your comment was a parody LOL. The subsequent responses might suggest I was wrong?

I'm kind of anti-gov myself Freedom. Just don't visit the White House if you don't like the dress code, I guess.