Greetings, loyal minions. Your Maximum Leader has wondered about “Crocs.” Wondered might be too powerful a word… Skeptical about Crocs might be more appropriate… Perhaps he should say he’s curious…

Surely you know the Croc? That ugly rubber shoe/flip-flop/sandal thingie. Click here for their web site.

In your Maximum Leader’s estimation they were an ugly overpriced faddish beach shoe. Something you might put on your feet to keep your delicate soles from burning on hot sand or getting cut on a crab shell while cavorting on the beach. The fact that they were green, or yellow, or pink didn’t make up for the fact that they looked vaugely orthopaedic and thick soled… Indeed, they reminded me of my paternal grandmother’s nurse’s shoes. You know the ones. White, lace-up, thick soles for proper arch support.

Crocs appeared to be quite popular with the youngish set. No fewer than three of Villainette #1’s friend own at least one pair - some as many as three. Villainette #1 has never asked for a pair. Nor has Villainette #2. (Villainette #1’s shoe tastes run the gamut from $.99 flip-flops to really nice dress shoes that cost your Maximum Leader about $35. Remember she’s 9…)

Once your Maximum Leader asked the mother of a friend of Villainette #1 who’s daughter always seems to be wearing a pair of orange Crocs about the footwear. He wanted to know if they were “good” for her feet. The mother wasn’t sure, but stated that she thought the Croc was a godsend because her daughter wouldn’t leave the house without them (which was an improvement to being barefoot in her mind).

Your Maximum Leader even went so far as to examine this young girl’s Crocs. Before you go thinking weird stuff… Your Maximum Leader must disclaim that he generally would never contemplate ever touching someone else’s shoes. He gets a little disgusted touching the shoes of his own children. So, touching the shoes (in this case Crocs) of another’s child required a little bit of work. (nd he later washed his hands thoroughly.)

Upon physical examination, they seemed to be sturdy. They seemed to provide adequete arch support. They also seemed to be durable. They didn’t “feel” like they would give up the ghost after a few months of summer wear.

Well… Now an article in the Washington Post seems to confirm that Crocs might actually be good for your feet. The article says, in part:

Crocs, made of a resin foam called Croslite and listing for $29.99, are featured prominently on the Web site of the Bethesda-based American Podiatric Medical Association… as one healthy alternative to flip-flops; two Crocs models — both in the Crocs Rx line, designed for people with diabetes and others with circulatory and foot ailments — recently have been awarded the APMA Seal of Acceptance. The APMA takes special note of the fact that Croslite “warms and softens with body heat and molds to the users’ feet, while remaining extremely lightweight.”

Wow. Sorta interesting. Now your Maximum Leader doesn’t know if the APMA is willing to give out its Seal of Acceptance at the drop of a hat. But your Maximum Leader is sure that the Washington Post seems to be citing them as an authoritative body. For what that is worth.

Of course, this doesn’t mean that your Maximum Leader will run out and buy any. Indeed, he’d never imagine putting the ghastly things on his feet. Your Maximum Leader is a Birkenstock type of guy. Well, a Birkenstock type of guy when he isn’t wearing real shoes… Now, after reading the article, he probably wouldn’t object if the Villainettes wanted to get some Crocs.

Carry on.