An age-old question: boxer shorts or briefs? And which do dictators prefer? Now we know the answer. Saddam wears briefs. And as far I am concerned, only one truly important issue remains. What's the brand?

Nor should we stop there. We all know that briefs bind and crimp, cutting off the flow of vital essences and inhibiting the free movement of . . . well, you get the point. Could it be that dictators are the way they are because they all have their nickers in a twist?

And what about university administrators? I'll bet Thames wears briefs.

Shalll we put the proposition to the test? I think not! No telling what sort of unpleasantness we might find.

Final note of self-disclosure: I'm a boxer man myself, and proud of it.