Redress the Red Dress

Oh! the lady in red,
the fellows are crazy
For the lady in red.
She's a bit gaudy,
but laudy,
What a personality
--Xavier Cugat

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This administration seems challenged all the way 'round, even on the attire front. First it was Condi in Weisbaden in her dominatrix boots, ''look(ing) as though she was prepared to talk tough, knock heads and do a freeze-frame 'Matrix' jump kick if necessary.'' [The ''as though'' is the operative phrase, for we now know she can walk the walk, but not talk the talk.]

Then it was Cheney in the windbreaker at the somber commemoration in Poland of the liberation of Nazi death camps, looking for all the world like he'd stepped off the set of Fargo, wearing "the kind of attire one typically wears to operate a snow blower."

Now, we have the woman in the red dress at what was to have been an opportunity for Ms. Rice to have spoken informally with Iranian Foreign Minister Mottaki [''Iran's Minister Boycotts Dinner Over Dress.'']

It seems Iran's foreign minister was offended by the seductive nature of violinist Larissa Abramova's sleeveless red dress with matching gloves to the elbow. Though she wore a scarf draped over the "low-cut front," it was still that.

If the U.S. wants to open serious dialog with Iran, then a little cultural sensitivity would go a long way. Surely a combination of the U.S. Department of State and the Secretary of State could put their heads together and determine a non-offensive venue in which to facilitate exploratory talks.

What's more important here--bucking for Mr. Blackwell's list, or discussing nuclear weapons issues?

Rice should show some initiative to get these talks moving, to facilitate a regional peace. If dressing a bit more like Laura Bush is called for, so be it. We want Iraqi and Afghani hearts and minds, but don't care much about Iranians.

Seems we only talk hearts and minds when we're killing them; during the negotiation phase it doesn't much matter.

--Fashion by Lisa; bitching by Ranger