The Soapbox: Rants and Commentary: Grazing Away on the Thin Ice of a New Day Composed by Mike O'Leary (oleary@pegasus.montclair.edu) Is it in or out? Since the time when Vanitus the Ancient Greek Senator decided to where his toga off the left shoulder instead of the right, and the other Senators followed his lead not to seem foolish, people have tried to keep up with the trends. Where do these trends come from, and why do most people try to follow them? Deep within the dark recesses of Paris, France, the French (as in "Roll over like the...") have devised an occupation so... it's too horrible to mention. Of course, I'm talking about fashion designers. Now, if there was any doubt that America was the best country in the world, this is proof: America's idea of beauty: Cindy Crawford, Claudia Schiffer. France's idea of beauty: Mammory-deficient women with 2 to the 20th power pounds of make-up, faces that don't smile, and unshaven legs and armpits. But France has taken it upon itself to decide what is the height of culture in the fashion world. Usually this appears to be something akin to when little kids play dress-up in the attic, but with giant hats that wouldn't fit through double doors. Now I know what you're saying. You say that this does not affect us in the U.S. of A. That's where you're wrong. In a very Reagonomic-like way, European Fashion trickles down to us here. When the magazines such as Cosmo and Elle catch this, they turn around and say "What's hot and what's not". Much like sheep, people follow. The ultimate example of such mindless worshipping of fashion didn't even come from France, but right here. I am talking about this thing with guys (and even some girls) lowering their already 6 sizes too large pants halfway down their ass, exposing their underwear. WHY ON EARTH DO YOU WANT TO SEND THE MESSAGE THAT NOT ONLY ARE YOU TOO STUPID TO BUY THE RIGHT SIZE CLOTHES, BUT THAT YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT THE "UNDER" IN "UNDERWEAR" MEANS?! I _do not_ want to see a man's underwear. Ever. How the hell can you waddle around constantly pulling up your pants to keep them from falling down ALL the way (that's next year's fashion) and have the slightest notion that you are cool? I've seen guys hit on girls while simultaneously pulling up their pants. It's funny to watch. It's scary when the girl thinks the guy is cool. I could go on and on. Everything from nose rings to shaving your eyebrows (which seems to be making a comeback. Ladies, they don't always grow back.). Take a step back some time and just look and see how malleable the wills of some people. They truly are slaves to fashion. Back To Rants and Commentary

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