Andrew: I know, I know. For the longest time I was racked by agonizing guilt. Every time I donned my flip-flops I heard the voice of George Orwell in my head, raining against “sandal-wearing vegetarian pinks.” (As Orwell originally said it I believe there was something homophobic in there, too, but this is a family website.) Visions of Richard Nixon also troubled me–did he ever take his black oxfords off, even to go to bed?
Then I had a moment of self-liberating insight. Footwear is actually INDEPENDENT OF POLITICAL ORIENTATION! I am FREE TO BE MYSELF! I am me! John Derbyshire! And that’s GOOD! No more guilt! No more shame! Free, free at last! Great God almighty, I’m free at last! Etc., etc.