Writer's Note: Polk County, Florida just put into effect a requirement for school uniforms. They had had such a requirement, but had an "opt out" clause that allowed anybody to not wear the uniform. The new requirement has no "opt out" clause except for religious reasons. The following column relates to that issue.

The 4 to 3 vote on school uniforms by the Polk County School Board will not be the last shot fired in the school uniform shootout". Should be, but won't. School Superintendent Glenn Reynolds took a stand, took it hoop and scored with the 4-3 vote! He deserves lauding not lawsuits.

But lawsuits are the chosen weapon of our society today. If a group is in the minority and lose, they run to the ACLU or other "do-gooder" litigator. Not to say that they should be denied this right, but the ramifications are larger than a school policy.

If indeed the ACLU does file a lawsuit, I think that it should include more than just school uniforms.

If by demanding that a student wear a uniform he loses his right of expression, surely if he is on the football team he should not be required to wear a football uniform. All the same, all the same color… surely this too is a denial of "rights".

And look…the cheerleaders, all in the same (UGHHHH) Uniform! What….? The Band, too!!!! Surely their music ability is utterly crippled by this straight jacket discipline. And even worse… they want all the football players to run the SAME play at the same time!, the band to play the same song and the cheerleaders to give the same cheer… Good grief, how can they live under such crushing sameness?

If we are going to litigate, let's cover all the bases and get it done in one big suit. I kind of hate to bring up this tongue- in-cheek argument; it may expand the lawsuit even further!

Get real, people…. Maybe most telling argument for school uniform dress code is that we must NOT allow our children to think that they have any rights at all, whatsoever!!!! Stand up and do not let this "kids rights" Camel's nose under the tent.

Should they realize that they do have rights (and power) they would demand more and more rights. They will want cars on their 16th birthday. They will want a complete bank of music players in their rooms. Oh, of course they will demand that their room be "off limits" to parents, privacy, you know! They will demand their own telephone line. They will want the latest designer clothes, sneakers and of course the absolute right to wear a baseball cap backwards anyplace at anytime including during the playing of the national anthem.

They will demand an allowance that allows them to live as they would like to become accustomed to.

Parents unite… We have an ally in Mr. Reynolds… not a dictator. Our children will act and live up to the standards we set. If we demand that they look neat, look business-like they will get an understanding that school and learning is their "business" right now. If we continue to lower our standards they will soon get the idea… that what school is about is not very important!

The Board has taken a small step in upping the standards. The schools are timid enough. When they make a stand to improve things, let's get behind them, not beat up on 'em.

So let's get out there and sell the idea that Khaki is Kool. Use the money you will save by not buying the latest Nike sneaker, the Tommy Hilfiger logo shirt, take your kids on a nice vacation. Oh, let them year jeans!

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