I have to congratulate Karl Kime for his excellent column on the state of our culture as represented by the obsession with tattoos. I do have to take exception with a few points that he made.

First, he mentions that he "almost has to go to a different sandwich shop" because of the troubling view of a tattooed clerk. While that may ruin an appetite it is nothing compared to that thing she has in her tongue, lips and eyebrow. If your gaze dwells on those body piercings you can easily become nauseated. Ears that resemble a Masai warrior can give you the chills also.

The second item of difference is that Mr. Kime observes much of this weird phenomena and seems to make a point that some maturity would bring about some common sense and give them regrets about their actions. I would hope that might be the case, but I have little hope for that line of thinking when I see those parents and grandparents parading in public with a low neckline, sleeveless tops and shorts to show off their later "tat." You notice these balding, overweight men in the winter wearing their cargo shorts to show off that nifty tattoo on their calf and a look in their eyes that seems to say, "I may be an over the hill fat guy but I really have an edgy, rebellious nature."

But really this is a part of what is happening to our entire society where, as the late Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan once said, "We continue to define deviancy down." What was deviant behavior a generation ago is now the norm. It is about a loss of civility in our culture that lessens all of us. No longer do we have role models that try to exemplify leadership and example. Teachers show up for class in jeans and a sweatshirt. Pastors go to the pulpit in a shirt and slacks (maybe jeans), and of course if you really want to identify with the lowest possible denominator you don't tuck your shirt in. Then you are "way cool."

If you show up for church, concert, travel, meetings, job interview, (fill in the blank) feel free to wear the same outfit you wore to change your car's oil. Jeans are ubiquitous and are the uniform of the day no matter what the occasion. Don't take off your hat indoors - it should look like it's attached to your head. Wearing it backward looks cute on those kids under the age of 10; maybe it could give you that same look of immaturity.

We wonder why teachers, pastors and other leaders are no longer respected and admired. Could it have something to do with the way we look? It used to be said that "clothes make the man" and there was certainly truth to that. We could expand that by saying "your appearance makes the person."

Thanks to Karl Kime for starting the conversation. I am sure there are many out there who agree.

Bob Shillingstad is a Hayden resident.