JP- Of course dressing appropriately is a social convention. But since when is it a more authentic form of conservatism to disdain social convention? You could — and I would — make the case that dressing appropriately is part of good manners. You wouldn’t go to a funeral in shorts and a tank top, for example. Of course, it’s not just clothes. My guess is Russell Kirk would be horrified by public breastfeeding.

Customs, manners, social conventions: this is the sinew and bone of civilization. Rod seems to be in the business of picking and choosing when convenient. Customs he likes: Crunchy. Customs he doesn’t: “mainstream conservative” or “mainstream liberal.” This will not do.

Here’s something for the guys at the CCBlog to debate: birkenstocks are to culture what broken windows are to crime.