The white tie

This topic is a bit outdated, but had to queue for more important issues to be addressed first. Still, let's give this a try, because for once – yes just this once – and only on this very particular topic – I agree with (hold your breath...) George W. Bush! Yes, weird things do happen in this world...

Our favorite Texas cowboy was horrified when wife Laura gently told him he had to don the full regalia of a top-of-the-bill gala dinner on the occasion of the visit of Britain's Majesty Queen Elisabeth II to the White House. Now I had heard about a black-tie dinner (horrible enough), but this was to be a white-tie dinner. Gosh, I had to turn to Wikipedia to find out what this thing was all about. Well, more starched this and that and a white thing elaborately strangling your neck. You can check it out for yourself. (CNN: Bush to host Queen Elizabeth at white-tie dinner)

By now, you know I am an ardent opponent of any “dress code” whatsoever. Let freedom reign. Let everybody wear whatever he or she likes or even wear nothing at all... My personal favorites are: a Mao jacket, Kim Jong-Il's bomber jacket or Fidel's battle dress. And yes, a checkered shirt and jeans.

So, this once, I sympathized with George W. Bush. Although, of course, he shouldn't be hosting white-tie dinners at the White House, but should be on death row at an International War Crimes Tribunal, but that's besides the point in this case.

Because in this case the Queen was plain wrong. As a guest in the U.S. who the Hell she thinks she is forcing the president to wear a ridiculous outfit just to please her? Of course, George Bush blew it by winking at her and getting his anniversary dates wrong. But nobody, not even a war criminal, should be subjected to the torture of a white-tie dinner.

As for Queen Elisabeth II: “God Save The Queen, she ain't no human being, she made you a moron” (Copyright: The Sex Pistols)