Mourning decorum's death (author laments casual dress at Reagan's repose)

LA Times ^ | 6.9.04

[ambrose]

June 9, 2004

THE REAGAN LEGACY Mourning decorum's death

To say that California casual was the dress code among those paying last respects to Ronald Reagan is to put it charitably.

By Booth Moore, Times Staff Writer

A president was lying in repose, but the occasion could just as well have been a Saturday afternoon at Universal CityWalk, judging from the polo shirts, shorts, Harley-Davidson T-shirts, tank tops, flip-flops and dirty white sneakers with pulled-up tube socks.

For some people these days, there is nothing they will dress up for ? not a concert at Disney Hall, a graduation, not even to pay their respects to a former head of state.

When Americans went to see John F. Kennedy's flag-draped coffin at the U.S. Capitol in 1963, women wore dresses and high heels and men donned suits.

But during Monday's procession through the Reagan library in Simi Valley, many men did not even remove their baseball caps as they paid tribute to a man who was never in the Oval Office without a coat and tie.

[ican'tbelieveit]

Well, in that case, lets start stoning the adulterers outside the city gates. And to think on an unpure act is as to commit it, so lets start lining up the sinners.

[montag813]

But during Monday's procession through the Reagan library in Simi Valley, many men did not even remove their baseball caps

I didn't see a single man who left his hat on. How did he see "many"?

Also this moron apparently doesnt realize that most of these people were likely tousists and did not have other clothes to wear.

[nopardons]

With that kind of an world view/attitude,you aren't worthy to talk about much of anything.Hysterics don't win any debate,dear. :-)

[Don'tMessWithTexas]

I will mirror your language:

Oh please. Quit acting like such a slob. The point is this is not standing in line for concert tickets. It is standing in line to pay respects to one of our greatest presidents.

If you feel that it is appropriate to dress like a bean picker to pay respects to Ronald Reagan, go right ahead. But please don't spread the idea that it's okay to be a schlub.

Now you will condemn me for being elitist.

[Don'tMessWithTexas]

You are being judgemental.

[Don'tMessWithTexas]

I am impressed. You are coming off as a complete and total idiot.

[HungarianGypsy]

Wouldn't it be great if everyone dressed up like in the old days. Of course, you can't find any decent clothes anymore unless you make your own or can afford the more expensive stuff. (which is why I'm learning to make my own clothes after I get my sewing machine fixed. I love the old vintage styles)

[MEGoody]

"The point is this is not standing in line for concert tickets. It is standing in line to pay respects to one of our greatest presidents."

Yes, indeed. Some people stood in line for 12 hours at a time.

And you are playing the elitist.

[freebilly]

Thanks. I aim for perfection.

[TOUGH STOUGH]

"Fools, one and all, of you. Grow up."

By your own definition, you are guilty of the same thing of which you accuse others. Thank you, you have well proved my point.

It appears anyone who doesn't agree with you and who would uphold traditional standards of decency and respect is judgmental. Sorry but your tactics won't work with me.

Have a nice evening!

[ican'tbelieveit]

Actually, anyone who doesn't be your clone is wrong. I could care less what you are anyone do, except being so foolish over a petty issue on such a momentous occasion. I have never said that I wouldn't uphold a certain decency and respect, and it is wonderful that you will also. But, you would be there looking down your nose, and talking rudely behind peoples backs about how inappropriate they are. You would be an embarassment.

You are an unbelievably petty fool. In fact, I can't imagine having met worse.

[ican'tbelieveit]

You are the one who wants to bring up OT law to defend your pov. Just pointing out that OT law demanded such actions.

[ican'tbelieveit]

Time to judge the petty.

[Rytwyng]

there were some people wearing bicycle spandex outfits to the viewing...

Athletic wear is taking it too far...

Did it occur to you that lots of people may have biked or hiked to the Reagan library? Quite a hill. Athletic wear would be the only choice.

Give them credit for going.

[Rytwyng]

Our forefathers wore starched white collars and wool suits in the South during the summertime.

A dress code inherited from a much colder climate. It took time for our culture to adapt.

BTW, not everythning our forefathers did, was right. Conservative means holding to the GOOD of the past, not simply holding on to the past per se. Otherwise we'd all be Amish.

[Rytwyng]

oops, meant to ping you to post 314

[Modernman]

People buy jeans and shorts at fifty/sixty bucks a pop and boast about it.

I can't remember the last pair of jeans that I bought that cost less than $100.

[Rytwyng]

Rules for priests serving in the temple:

And it shall come to pass, that when they enter in at the gates of the inner court, they shall be clothed with linen garments; and no wool shall come upon them, whiles they minister in the gates of the inner court, and within. They shall have linen bonnets upon their heads, and shall have linen breeches upon their loins; they shall not gird themselves with any thing that causeth sweat.

Well, that rules out coat and tie.

[Rytwyng]

I can't remember the last pair of jeans that I bought that cost less than $100.

At Costco they can be had for $13-$15. Levi's 501s are around $40.

[ican'tbelieveit]

Alert, Alert. People in line for the procession in DC are not dressed properly. Who cares it is 90 degrees, and they have been in line for hours. They should all be in black wool suits and dresses. / sarcasm.