Oh, those candies were returned because they had bugs in them. But then, this may have been the kind of mother who didn't care if they ate buggy candy. I know what you mean about unruly kids--they drive me up the wall in stores, restaurants and everywhere. I was parked at a drive-in restaurant. In the car next to me was this nasty kid who kept sticking her tongue out at me. Her mom never reprimanded her. I made a scary face at her: the one where you pull down your eyes lids and lips and the kid started screaming hysterically and pointing at me. I just smiled sweetly and waved at her. Not very adult on my part but I bet that child thought about it before she stuck her tongue out at anyone again.

First of all, I’m not that old. I was simply brought up in this world with better morals. We dressed in funny clothes in the 80’s and 90’s but this is about more than personal style. If you had read my entire blog, you would have read what I said about the disrespectful kids AND their parents.

As far as the girls and their exposed chests are concerned; I traveled to Gwinnett Arena last year to watch the FCHS boy’s and girl’s basketball teams in the state semi-finals and state championships. There were several teams from around the state represented there over those 2 days. The only schools I saw that had fan representation like what I witnessed Friday night were the inner city schools from Atlanta. I saw several girls dressed the same way, sports bras and paint. Security personnel would not let them stay in the bleachers dressed that way. They were made to put on a shirt or leave.

It amazes me when I see people defend this sort of thing. I see young people on TV all the time that have been involved in violent crime after violent crime. Then, when something bad happens, people cry out, “He (she) was such a good kid. He (she) never wanted to hurt anybody. Why would the police target him (her)?” Parents obviously can’t control everything their children do, but if they instill better morals and values, maybe these kids wouldn’t grow up so violent. Saying “excuse me sir (mam)” and I’m sorry that my child kicked you in the head” really isn’t that difficult.

I will be contacting the FCBOE about enforcing dress codes at athletic events. It may or may not change anything, but at least I’ll have my voice heard.

I think ignorant is making a direct correlation between baggy pants/exposed chests and violence/lack of morals. In your day it was all fun and games to dress like you were young and dumb. Today it's a dangerous and violent lifestyle that's the product of poor upbringing. I can't really defend defending the way they dress, but I understand why they do it and why people like you get so uppity about it.

Don't worry about not being that old, you're old at heart

...is that I don't like disrespectful kids and their parents. And I don't like to see half naked teenaged girls and boys with their butts showing at a high school football game or anywhere else for that matter. I have lived in Fayette County all my life. I would be surprised if any of the other schools in the county had a similar problem.

Oh, and by the way...I like being old at heart. That's called maturity. Something you'll develop over time I'm sure.

I'm glad the bottom line is that you feel dressing in such ways is disrespectful instead being an indicator of violent tendencies and an inability to have morals.

If it would surprise you that other school systems would have this problem you must be oblivious to the trends in youth fashion and the general lack of concern for what adults think is respectful that is characteristic of most youths.

I believe maturity can be the ability to recognize cycles that happen over and over and over. You become a youth, you do things adults don't like, you get older, you complain about the things youth do. Someday the same kids you are complaining about will be complaining about the next generation of youth and how things were different and better in their day. I can see kids doing stupid kid things without forgetting that I did the same thing and that my kids will do the same thing. And I can do without getting my panties in a wad and without making ridiculous correlations between a funny/scanty style of dress and the moral decline of an entire generation of young people.

Your definition of maturity is just having a certain sense of fashion. My definition of maturity is recognizing the world for what it is, and has been, without letting it ruffle my feathers. Sweater-vest and ankle length skirts vs. actually thinking about things.

I guess you're too narrow minded to realize what I was trying to say. I'm not into playing games with people of your mental capacity. I'm sure you're just trying to get in the last word and that's fine. You are obviously the kind of child that will kick me and step on my feet without saying "I'm sorry". I guess your parents never taught you r-e-s-p-e-c-t. Good bye and good luck (you will obviously need it).

The police should be concerned with the perpetration of crimes against individuals and their property, not the awful fashion sense of others. As a taxpayer, I am far more concerned with actual crime that the disruption of public morals and sensibilities.

Tennfan, in case you didn't know, those baggy pants (in the thug world) do have a purpose. Their purpose is to hide large firearms (sawed-off shotguns, rifles, etc.) -- the kind people use to commit crimes like robbing banks or shooting rival drug dealers.

I'm a firm believer that if you let your child dress like a thug then you have consented to having your child treated like a thug. If you let your daughter dress like a 'ho, you have invited the boys to treat her like one. Don't buy the stuff for them and they won't have it to wear.

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If you and I are always in agreement, one of us is likely armed and dangerous.

A no sagging ban would be a good deterrent to crime even starting.

If such gangsta dress isn't tolerated, they'll take their crap somewhere else. Or maybe, just maybe, they'll learn to assimilate to THE RULES!!!!

I'm not saying you need to write tickets. But some of these kids need a good hasslin' by the cops. Or at least they're asking for it by the way they dress.

BTW Holla out to the mayor and his dudes for at least enacting the youth curfew ordinance which I hear has helped some.

but I would think the schools could enforce it. I am not against fads but this is over the top. I was in the Tyrone Publix's parking lot and there was a Publix bag boy trying to walk back into the store--I say trying because every few steps his pants would drop down almost to his knees (of course he had on boxers) and he would have to stop and pull them up and walk a few more steps and repeat. If I had not been late for an appointment I would have gone in and talked to the manager. How could this young man perform his job when he had to constantly stop to pull up his drawers! He may have been a model citizen, a good employee, an amazing student but he lost points with me by the very stupidity of the situation. I wonder if businesses hire people dressed like this because they are afraid of the loonies who are ready to protest and offer their services to sue the company for prejudice. Again, I know each generation has it's fads and very often older people are against them but this is one fad that should have worn out its welcome. The only good thing about it I guess, as one blogger said previously--it makes it easier for the police to catch them if they do break the law and try to run away. Not too easy to get a good head start when you are stepping constantly to pull up your pants!