Clothes don't always make an honest man

In response to Mr. Shillingstad's My Turn (Feb. 4), I had to laugh. I now consider myself an older person in society, as I qualify for AARP - but consider myself young in the mind, as my mom tells me I failed to grow up.

First off, I do not have any tattoos or body piercings, but I frequently wear denims to my work place, in a professional setting, and try to take extremely good care of the public that chooses to allow me to take care of their needs. I chose to dress this way because I had come from a farming background, and the people I knew back then I considered to be trustworthy and honest.

When going to college and shortly after getting out of college, the corporation I worked for mandated a dress code of "tie and professional smock." This business no longer exists - corporate leaders ran with their millions ... employees' retirement went to the cesspool ... bad management, bad leadership.

Unfortunately, I do not know what "appropriate attire" Mr. Shillingstad prefers. He really did not state what is appropriate, only what was not appropriate. I believe he implies "clothes make the man," and "your appearance makes the person," and I assume by these statements he feels people should dress in a more "professional" attire. He did not specify if "clothes make the woman."

Unlike his opinion that "teachers, pastors and other leaders are no longer respected," I totally disagree. I know many that are not - just like any other element of society.

Perhaps all people should dress in suits and ties, or business skirts/attire. We can all be like politicians, or bankers, or corporate executives. The good Lord knows what a great job many of the "leaders" did for our society and the tremendous job they have shown all of us in how to be the "leaders" of the future.

I do have many friends who dress like "business" people, and to the best of my knowledge are very good people for their communities as leaders and examples. I would tend to believe it is what is in the individual's heart and mind, and their ability to get along with others, that makes them good examples for what our society is and may become.

It is not necessarily in one's appearance that the truth is known. Give me a young person who wears clean clothes and practices good hygiene and I will be happy to try to help develop them further into being good citizens in our society.

I will stand by the soldier, the farmer, the miner, the forester, the suited business person or the tattooed/pierced hippie, or any other person who is willing to work hard and try to be productive in our society.

Again, the good is from the heart and mind, not from appearance.

Brian Jorgensen is a Kootenai County resident.