It’s time to stop throwing stones at women, men, and start constructing metal shields to block the stones coming in your direction. After the last issue of The State Hornet, I felt compelled to write a response to Andrew Stewart’s column about women who wear less clothing in the summer, attracting attention and receiving less respect.

First of all, this is California, Mr. Stewart, and in case you didn’t know, it’s hot! Are females supposed to wear slacks and collared shirts the whole summer to preserve some kind of modesty for you silly men? Just because a female wears less clothing during the summer does not make her less intelligent, less compassionate, less witty or even less down-to-earth, for that matter.

Everyone wears less clothing in the summer! So don’t expect me to feel a tinge of guilt for sporting a fitted tank top, shorts and sandals while getting my long-awaited bronze summer tan just because some of you horny men can’t get it together and pull your minds out of the gutter.

Instead of breaking your necks to look at what women are wearing, why don’t some of you men grow up and stop blaming the females for your sex-crazed nature. Sometimes it’s you men who deserve less respect.

Let me paint a picture: You’re walking in Old Sacramento with your lady; suddenly, a pretty woman walks by, stealing your attention, and the word “damn!” accidentally slips out of your mouth as you bite your lower lip. Immediately after your girlfriend slaps your drooling, ungrateful face back into reality, you stand there blaming your behavioral issues on a random female who was, in your opinion, “teasing you” with her outfit. You need to check yourself.

Don’t get me wrong. There is something to say about a woman, or anyone for that matter, that doesn’t respect herself. However, that’s not the exact feeling I got from Mr. Stewart’s column, which seemed to group all pieces of clothing weighing less than 8 ounces in the same category. There’s a stark difference between the woman dressed in a cute halter-top and denim skirt and the crack-addicted lady outside the liquor store with her saggy butt cheeks hanging out the bottom of her red, micro-mini skirt. Don’t get revealing mixed up with bad taste; and, once more, don’t blame cute women for your frustrations. But while we’re on the topic, there are a few things that men do in bad taste, and I wonder how men would feel if women put men’s clothing under the microscope.

“I think the crooked ball cap thing is annoying,” said accountancy senior Michelle Bennett. “It shows a man hasn’t grown up yet, and it’s like they’re noncommittal.”

OK, so I suppose women are equally capable of dissecting the subliminal signs of the fashion world. But now we know it’s a two-way street — and there’s more.”I personally can’t stand it when it looks like a man has put too much effort into getting ready,” said marketing junior Heather Duffin. “There’s a fine line between clean and prissy and, of course, grunge is no good either. It’s all about balance.”

She’s talking about women desiring manly men, and she’s not alone with that one! Most women aren’t patient enough to wait for a man who hogs the bathroom mirror and pampers himself like J-Lo. It’s simply unattractive, and a good indication that he’s insecure. Oh, and another thing, guys — with summer coming up, let me be the first to remind you that men have no business trotting the sandy beaches in Speedos. Swim trunks are preferred, no matter how much you’ve been working out! It’s important to note that the reason is not because we’ll respect you less for wearing tight, revealing swim attire, but rather because it’s gross.

Anyhow, men and women, all this nit picking doesn’t really make anything better, because the bottom line is that everyone has his or her own unique style, taste and social standards. So as I’m writing this, I realize that there is a portion of the population who will disagree with my argument. For those guys and gals who believe that an attractive woman wearing a tube top and shorts could never be wife material, I say: form your own singles group! The rest of us can appreciate a nice physique when we see one, without being so uptight and judgmental. What’s the use of complaining, anyway? Summer is hot in so many ways, so be happy. Just remember that even nice girls wear less in the heat.

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Carrie Espiritu can be reached at [email protected]