Many represent traditions that reach back centuries.
If scientists claim to represent traditions notable for self-criticism and well-tested results, shouldn't their presentations of history share these ambitions?
The Catholic Bishops and Southern Baptist Convention -- both leaders in the charge against reproductive rights -- represent traditions in which male "headship" and control of female fertility have long been tools of competition for money and power.
The program's title seemed to suggest that Petipa represents tradition, Mr. Scarlett represents innovation and Balanchine includes both.
Amid the plentiful music and high-kicking dance, Santa and Mrs. Claus are of course much in evidence, representing tradition but growing gracefully into the information age with their cell phones and faxes and e-mail and the big-spirited eclecticism that allowed Old St. Nick to embrace rock 'n' roll some years ago.
Nadal supports a shift to a two-year ranking system in the interest of protecting players from the effects of injuries, while Federer continues to back the existing one-year system, arguing that it represents tradition and also allows emerging players a better chance to break through.
Ask any devoted monarchist why they're so fond of this crinkled mediocrity, and you'll probably get a variant on the same answer: She represents "tradition," she "provides stability," she's "always been there," she's been "patient," she doesn't go anywhere, she is beyond life and death.
Though representing tradition and plentitude, the fruit is past its prime.
This Saturday you can get a taste of genuine Arab culture when the 11th Annual Arab-American and North African Cultural Street Festival transforms that very block of Great Jones into a multicultural souk of music, food and crafts, representing traditions from Tunisia and Morocco to Syria and Jordan.
They represent a tradition that predates grocery stores and supermarkets, and they often serve as colorful substitutes for the more antiseptic stores.
