…he will be the first American President with facial hair since William Howard Taft, who served in that office from 1909 to 1913. That was over a century ago! In fact, as best I remember, the last candidate for the office with even a moustache was Thomas Dewey, who lost to Harry Truman in 1952.

The ancient Greeks sported beards and long hair, but the Romans, being hygiene freaks, preferred short hair and a close shave. Most of our founding fathers were clean shaven and wore their hair long, or wore wigs to simulate long hair. Early in the 19th century the fashion changed and long hair was out. I suspect this was the result of Napoleon’s hygiene regulations for his military (body lice were a problem on campaign) but I confess I don’t really know for sure.

What drives fashion, anyway? Something is going on, and it means a lot to some people. I come from a time and place where you could get the crap beat out of you if your hair was too long, and you couldn’t get laid if it was too short. That does have a tendency to mold your political opinions.

I wear my hair short, and I’ve had a moustache for years, but I have worn a beard and had long hair at times in the past. I found both uncomfortable and didn’t stay hairy for long.

This must mean something, but I’ll be damned if I know what it is.