Parkas Aren't Always Appropriate

Years and years ago, I visited a good friend's mother in the hospital when she allowed visitors after she started to recover and was off a respirator. She always took care with her appearance and looked as beautiful as ever that day. Propped up on her pillows and in a lovely gown and robe, with her hair nicely coiffed and a smile on her face, I handed her flowers and a wrapped gift. Her sleeves on her robe was 3/4 length and when she reached for flowers I saw the number tattoo on her arm. You can imagine my shock and my friend told me later that her mother never spoke about it.

*late in the argument*

andrew,

we didn't liberate those camps. The Soviets liberated those camps, and lost millions of citizens in the process, and yet putin (whom I am no big fan of) dressed appropriately.

One who may choose to be an apologist for this administration may consider this a trivial matter. The fact of the matter is that Cheney is contemptuous of the international community, and this was nothing more than a reflection of that.

Perhaps it would have been more appropriate for the world leaders to bend down and kiss Cheney’s ring and thank him as the representative of the country that stands all that is good and Godly in this world?

snow makes a good point. if hillary clinton wore jeans to a 9/11 memorial, say the fifth anniversary, a lot of people would tear her to shreds regardless of what they or their poseur friends wear to funerals. don't think cheney was malicious in his choice, but even ignorance has repercussions.

If it's acceptable to wear jeans to the office nowadays, is it really disrespectful that he didn't dress like he was going to high tea with Queen Victoria?

As usual, the media looked for a story that was "better" than the real one, a moving tribute to the millions who perished needlessly.

I'm not that concerned about WHY Cheney wore the Eddie Bauer ensemble. It's simple.

1. It's cold as crap

2. Unlike the later wreath dedication in Krakow, he had to sit out there in the bitter cold for an extended time.

3. He's not exactly 100% healthy so he needs more protection from the cold.

4. Unlike a zipped up parka, a dress jacket would leave his body exposed to the wind.

That much we can agree on.

But why did his staff dress him like that

He could have worn:

...a black parka and black boots, which would have made him stand out less among the other foreign leaders, while providing the same level of protection

...one of those big furry George Costanza hats, which would have been more appropriate for the occasion AND kept his head warmer.

...high-tech underlayers athletes wear that keep you warm as hell. The Under Armour stuff is thin enough that Cheny could have worn the tights underneath his suit.

These are all simple stuff. Neither Cheney's health nor the climate in January should have been a surprise. How could they be so unprepared?

I read that article.

So does that make Spongebob is a hermaphrodite?

sponges reproduce asexually, IIRC

just to put the issue to a close...

compare this picture taken on 1/27 (temp in krakow, poland: high 25 degrees, low 14) http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/photo/postphotos/style/2005-01-28/1.htm with this picture taken on 1/28 (temp in krakow: high 25, low 7) http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/050128/481/xak15101281153

notice the change of attire (even shoes) even though the 28th was acutally colder than the 27th. kudos to the cheney staffer who caught the mistake and corrected it. nothing beats pictures to point out a glaring mistake and correction.

and might as well take a look at this picture as well, http://www.theage.com.au/news/World/Auschwitz-where-survivors-and-ghosts-meet/2005/01/28/1106850108537.html?oneclick=true . i'm pretty sure if these men could brave the cold, the vp could do so as well.

i'm off to write a nasty protest letter to the producers of spongebob. how DARE they spread tolerance and homosexual friendly propaganda, and in the worst way--through the use of a sponge!! i write because that's what jesus would do.

and, jen and jake, you should be ashamed of yourselves. posting your own opinions on your blog. that's just outrageous. i havent been this mad since kerry donned that hunting outfit. wearing a hunting outfit when hunting?! (ok, ken, calm down.)

Your support has abandoned you, S.D. Mabye they aren't swayed by ***REALLY POINTLESS CAPS AND BOLD LETTERING THAT DO NOT HELP YOUR FEEBLE ARGUMENT***

I think that trying to find a malignant motive for Cheney's decision to wear a parka is absurd. That has been the point of all my posts and my argument has been clear and persuasive. I haven't attempted to change the subject - why should I? It's loads of fun watching frustrated losers make mountains out of molehills.

You, on the other hand, want to keep telling us about how you've met concentration camp survivors. If you admit this gives you no special insights, why do you keep mentioning it? And speaking of changing the subject - have I defended GWB and Cheney "to the point where they can do no wrong"? That's quite a ridiculous statement, even for you.

Guys, this is now Nola/"Ram" don't-offend-my-republican-religion thread.

The world will come to an end before this Neo-Con Accoolyte would ever admit that his Prophet made a bad judgement call.

Anyone points anything out to hgim and he launches an Ad Hominem attack rather than discuss the issues.

To wit:

Notice like nearly all his rant's he attempts to change the subject?

My Advice: Don't feed the troll.

The last Thing I want to say is: Yep, I've met Concentration Camp survivors. No, I'm hardly an expert, But I know you **DON'T** make light of Several Million deaths by wearing Hiking Boots as weel as a Cheap Parka. See here for an even better picture. (No doubt he'll jump off on a tangent about that website rather than discuss the picturee...)

You want to defend Your Religion, GW and his Co-Disciple, Dick Cheney, to the point where they can do No wrong, Fine.

the real question is, why didn't president bush go ?

Yes, the Soviets liberated some death camps in Eastern Europe while maintaining quite a few of their own. Do you have a point or are you trying to impress us with your shallow knowledge?

by the way dipshits, Auchwitz was liberated by the Red Army, not by Americans.

Ok. So Cheney is a bumbling doofus who doesn’t know how to mix and match and he stuck out like a sore thumb. Even the Vice President can make mistakes for god's sake. Even thought I don’t like him and he’s a creature of pure malevolence . . . I try not to dwell too much on the petty BS.

But be my guest if you want to blow this whole thing out of proportion. To HELL with the atrocities the Nazis committed during WWII, we all care about what Mr. Cheney wore. Omg how DRAB, how can he be so disrespectful???

This aint Hollywood. Who cares?!

I don't know, snow, maybe the world isn't as focused on Dick Cheney's parka as this handful of bitter losers are. Maybe most people still have a little gratitude for the role the United States played in liberating the death camps and are willing to overlook the fact that an old man with health problems wore a warm parka to this ceremony. Will you stop sniffling if Cheney admits that he should have worn a topcoat as opposed to a parka? Do you spend half as much energy criticizing the Europeans who collaborated with the Nazis (and never apologized) as you do criticizing the administration you dorks couldn't bring down?

I wonder how those on this board who think that Cheney's display was no big deal would react had this been last year's commemoration of D-Day. If French President Jacques Chirac or another country's leader came dressed as casually as Cheney did today would they have said that Chirac disrespected the many American soldiers who died there or would they compare his outfit to what a "NYC poseur" wears to a funeral?

As much as nola might like to call people sore losers, there is such a thing as being a sore winner, too. People in power make mistakes. No matter what their political affiliation they should own up to them and apologize. As much as you'd like the "angry losers" to get over all of this, why can't the angry winners ever seem to admit a mistake?

Wow! You've met concentration camp survivors? Well, that ends this discussion. Since you are such an expert, why don't you tell us whether they were impressed with the French delegation's fancy duds. Did their nice dark suits make up for their nation's cowardice and collaboration with the Nazis during WWII? Something tells me that holocaust survivors see this with a little more perspective than the angry losers who can't get over the election. Boo hoo!

What's all the more amazing is that prior to this event - mabye about one hour prior, maybe more - he had attended another at which he placed a wreath on a grave honoring the people who died in the Holocaust. He was wearing a dark wool coat and dark shoes, just like almost every other world leader. Don't know why there was the change, but he had the proper attire available to him.

"S.D., here's an idea: why don't you channel some of your haughty, self-righteousness into a sense of humor?"

...

Ummmmm, You do realize what occured on Auschwitz, right?

Let me see if I get this right: Our Vice President, representing the Entire United States, went to Auschwitz where it is estimated that over 1 million people died, dressed like he was going to a Football Game and You think *I* need a sense of humor? Let me take a guess, you don't think Miss Jones and "Hot" 97 did anything wrong, do you?

Wow. IMO, your really one Twisted person.

Oh and Just to clue you in: Yep, he disrespected the event by not taking it seriously.

Meet any survivors of Concentration or Labor Camps? I have. This is NOT something a "World leader" should take lightly.

Did he do it on Purpose? I hope not, but his disregard of protocol is disturbing. Was it Cold? It's January in Poland. What did he think it would be? Sping time?

Guarateed that if Cheney and Halliburton were around back then, Cheney would have turned a profit building and managing Auschwitz for the Nazis. That's what he's thinking: Wonder who got the contract on this place?

Guarateed that if Cheny and Halliburton were around back then, Cheney would have turned a profit building and managing Auschwitz for the Nazis. That's what he's thinking: Wonder who got the contract on this place?

I will certainly concede that what a political figure wears is of greater significance than what some NYC poseur wears to a wedding or funeral. But people who don't observe these conventions themselves should not be so quick to become outraged when someone else makes a gaffe.

Maybe Cheney was battling a cold and needed a warmer coat at the last minute? At worst, this was a minor lapse in judgment. Are any of you nutty enought to believe Cheney was trying to insult anyone? If you are worried that someone's feelings were hurt just remember that Bush-Cheney have been better friends to Israel than any of those well-dressed Europeans.

Congratulations to Gothamist for finding three posts in over a year of posting. It isn't your job to be perfectly neutral but you do seem to go out of your way when it comes to Hillary. How you ignored her racist joke I'll never know. Maybe you are waiting until '08? There will be lots for us to laugh about then.

S.D., here's an idea: why don't you channel some of your haughty, self-righteousness into a sense of humor? Does the guy look like a buffoon? Of course he does. But, that in no way means that he has some how defiled or brought dishonor on this event. Lighten up a little bit.

nola sure loves building the liberal strawman, doesn't he?

Really, doesn't Dick have people who dress him? Or did Air Force Two lose his luggage and he had to duck into the Eddie Bauer at Auschwitz Mall?

Despite some people's Attempts, This isn't a Democrat/Liberal/Republican/Rightwinger/Whatever-politics thing.

In his choice of what to wear. He was disrespectfull to the memory of Millions kiled and imprisoned.

Was this a Crime? No.

Was it incredibly inappropriate? Absolultely.

And "Ram", regarding this comment:

So, for a participant at a funeral the only way they can demonstrate true sympathy is by spoting their finest, formal digs? Interesting.

oh, Please...

as a way left crunchy type, i wore no shoes to my own wedding and told gusets to wear whatever they wanted. I have ALWAYS hated wearing dresses but when my grandma died at 98 last year, I wore a nice black dress to her funeral out of respect for her, for my mother, and for my aunts and uncles. I was VERY UNCOMFORTABLE in the dress, but i did it anyway, as liberal and crunchy (but noone would ever call me a hipster) as I am. No, this disrespectful outfit is not the worst thing cheney has done, but it does fit well with the whole nose-thumbing, disrespectful m.o. this administration has for pretty much the entire world.

You know, Kojak, I disagree. I think even Bush would have done right by this one.

Please note: liberal Dem giving credit to Bush!

I usually give Cheney the puppetmaster more credit. He is the man behind the Bush. But Come on. This is something GWB would do.

Should'nt Cheney be inside his bunker hooked up to a heart machine? Why can't Bush ever go to these functions?

Oh yeah, Europeans dont like him.

Oh yeah, He'll make us look even dumber than Cheney just did.

you do have a point about hillary, but you might also notice that gothamist posts a fair amount--much of it given a positive spin--about our republican mayor mike. and i don't think it's relevant what you or i would wear to a wedding or funeral--there is a dress code, unspoken or no, for events of state like this; adhereing to it shows respect for the event and the country holding it, and our elected officials represent us in this and there is no reason for them not to do right by us when it comes to these very simple but visible duties.

Nola, what stupid hipsters wear to their grandmother's funeral is a silly comparison to what an official representative of the US government should wear to the commemoration of millions of dead Jews, political prisoners and others.

If during the 50th anniversary commemoration, then-VP Al Gore had worn a ski parka to Auschwitz, it would have been all over Rush and the rest of the right wing media, and rightly so. I say that as a liberal Democrat. Left or right, Cheney's choice of clothing was innappropriate. Look for a wider shot of that same picture and you'll see how much he stands out.

And you are right in pointing out that Cheney's Vietnam deferrment has nothing to do with this discussion. Then again, some of us have criticized our fellow Dems for their mistakes or ethical blunders, so your criticism that Gothamist (I guess you mean liberals on Gothamist) never criticize our own doesn't ring true.

Ram, your message is very clear so why didn't you come out and say it? It seems as if you don't beleive the Holocaust should still be commemorated, as if we're done with all that. That's a shame. Is there a statute of limitations on remembering tragedy?

We have totally made fun of Democrats!

http://www.gothamist.com/archives/2003/11/10/facial_analysis_of_john_kerry.php

http://www.gothamist.com/archives/2004/04/26/please_pretty_please.php

http://www.gothamist.com/archives/2004/01/21/what_there_is_to_like_about_john_kerry.php

Wow, you sore losers get more desperate by the hour. Most of the indignant windbags who find fault with Bush and Cheney's every move probably would have no qualms about wearing jeans to a funeral or black to a wedding themselves. Suddenly we're all strict constructionists when it comes to fashion.

For the whiners who keep bringing up Cheney's decision to take a deferrment: Why did you vote for Clinton?

And Gothamist sure manages to look the other way when Democrats step in it. Did you post a story when Hillary told that racist joke in Missouri? Or when her associate got indicted for violating campaign fund raising laws? Her actions are more pertinent to a New York blog than what coat the Vice President is wearing this season.

So, for a participant at a funeral the only way they can demonstrate true sympathy is by spoting their finest, formal digs? Interesting.

Did someone forget to charge Formal Dick's battery? You'd think they'd use the right robot...

"Who gives a rat's ass what the man was wearing?"

Oh, I don't know, The survivors of the dead and their Families??

You Think?

Self-righteous blather. Who gives a rat's ass what the man was wearing? I have no doubt that he will have ample opportunity to correct his fashion faux pas - because we'll be having commemoration about the Holocaust for a long, long, long time.

Nobody complained about how the Americans were dressed when they liberated those camps!

(sigh)

Andrew, You *DON'T* dress for a funeral as you would a Football game. Get a Clue: He could have worn/borrowed/bought a wool coat. Instead, he chose this disrespectfull display. Other American's wore appropriate dress. He couldn't borrow a coat from someone??

Finally, the soldiers we're welcomed. Mr. Draft Dodger would not have been.

the ugly american. he looks like he's dressed for a jets game-- not for an event commemorating the murder of thousands of innocents. what a pig.

I have been kept awake for hours at night wondering what else besides a good parka would keep me warm if I traveled to Europe in winter where, of course, everyone is oh so fashionably and appropriately dressed every minute of the day.

What other kinds of outerwear would keep me toasty warm? Is fur a no-no? I don't have that anyway. What, oh what, is out there? What kind of attractive hat? What kind of gloves? And what about boots? I prefer waterproof. Is that stodgy too? Oh, the stress!

At least the aides, took the Giant Foam Finger that said USA! USA! on it away before he left his car.

Cheney is old enough to be a Vietnam vet but he sought a draft deferment because he "had better things to do".

Nobody complained about how the Americans were dressed when they liberated those camps!

Not like would have stood out there for an entire year with a few hundered thousand other troops liberating them from the Nazis either wearing US Army fatigues ... isn't he old enough to be a WWII vet?

Snow, I LMFAO at that one...

Yes. Who could have possibly imagined it would have been cold in Poland in January?

But then again, this is the same group of people who thought the sentence "Bin Laden Determined to Strike Inside the U.S." was ambiguous.

i'm guessing he was ill prepared for the weather conditions. he should have had an assistant check the weather on the internets.

What a boob. Did he think this was a Casual event??

Nice to know that we were represented at such a somber event by such a person...

Offensive. Can you imagine if Clinton or Gore had shown up to the 50th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz in a similar outfit? Considering this White House micromanages about every photo opportunity they can, one would have hoped for a better image than this. Bush, Carter, Clinton and everyone else were better dressed for the opening of the Clinton library and it was POURING RAIN during that celebratory ceremony.