Americans have long suffered European ridicule for simplicity of dress at official functions, but we have also been proud of it. In that sense Vice President Cheney’s parka fits a well established American tradition. In 1853 Secretary of State William Marcy sent a circular to American diplomatic agents abroad, recommending that they should appear in public in “the simple dress of an American citizen.” This brought continued comment from Europeans, who were more given to outlandish costumery. Our point was — we are American democrats, not European monarchists. We don’t need a fancy costume to get our point across. In the same way, we don’t invest out political leaders with crowns, scepters and other baubles. Marcy’s inspiration was Benjamin Franklin, who while in Paris during the Revolution was noted for his rustic contrast to Parisian couture. Congress later put Marcy’s instruction into law. When an Ambassador to St. Petersburg later showed up at a the coronation of the Tsar wearing an elaborate uniform of his own devising, he was chastised and ridiculed by his countrymen.