Major Dad1989

Miss Shields:
The faculty was very concerned about Miss Elizabeth's article. We decided the situation called for parental involvement.

Maj. John D. 'Mac' McGillis:
Front and center.

Miss Shields:
Don't interrupt. How do you feel about these children wearing boxer shorts to school?

Maj. John D. 'Mac' McGillis:
Ah, well, that depends on whether you can see them or not. [laughs and stops when he sees Mrs. Shields is not] I'm against it.

Miss Shields:
So are we. Neat minds call for neat clothing. You Marine's understand that.

Maj. John D. 'Mac' McGillis:
Yes, ma'am.

Miss Shields:
How do you feel about people flagrantly disobeying the rules?

Maj. John D. 'Mac' McGillis:
I'm against that, too.

Miss Shields:
You shoot people for that, don't you?

Maj. John D. 'Mac' McGillis:
No, ma'am.

Miss Shields:
Study up - I think you do. Elizabeth, I know you put a lot of effort into this article; it was thoroughly researched, thoughtfully structured, and powerfully written.

Elizabeth Cooper McGillis:
Thank you.

Miss Shields:
But it was wrong, don't you see? If we don't follow the rules we have anarcy and those silly '60's all over again. Do you agree, major?

Maj. John D. 'Mac' McGillis:
I do.

Miss Shields:
And it's up to the people in charge to see that we follow the rules. Do you agree?

Maj. John D. 'Mac' McGillis:
I do.

Miss Shields:
Then you also agree we should not print this article.

Maj. John D. 'Mac' McGillis:
No, I don't.

Miss Shields:
What?

Elizabeth Cooper McGillis:
What? [looking at him surprised]

Maj. John D. 'Mac' McGillis:
Mrs. Shields, I think these girls wearing boxer shorts to school is just about as rediculous as those little pants they stick on lamb chops. I also believe that if everybody went around breaking the rules, the world would go to Hell in a hand basket.

Miss Shields:
Then what's the problem?

Maj. John D. 'Mac' McGillis:
Well, it's just this little thing called the Bill of Rights. I'm sure that somewhere in this school there's a civic's class and I suspect they teach these kids about freedom of the press, but then they come in here and they find it doesn't apply to them. What kind of teachin' is that? 20 years ago when I joined the Cor', I swore an oath to defend and protect, among other things, everybody's right to freedom of expression, whether I agree with them or not. IF the uniform or short hair made you think any different, then with all due respect, ma'am, you have more to learn than your kids.

Elizabeth Cooper McGillis:
Whoa.

Miss Shields:
Your point is well taken, major. Your grammar needs work. [looks at Elizabeth] I will print your article.