I heard a story many years ago about Golda Meier, former Israeli Prime Minister, that proported to be from her time in the Israeli Parliament. I have no idea whether it is truth or folklore.
At the time, there had apparently been a steep rise in the reported number of rapes, and the concerned representatives felt moved to respond. They suggested a country-wide curfew for women, to “protect” them from the apparent predators. Rather than arguing with them about the obvious sexism that even made that suggestion a possibility, she turned it around. Golda responded that she thought it a wonderful idea, but that it seemed obvious that, were a curfew to be extended, she thought it should apply to the male half of the population. “After all, it is men committing these crimes, don’t you see?”
The proposal was, of course, immediately abandoned.
I couldn’t help but think of that when I read this, via Salon.
What would Golda say?
STFU
This one is intended as a double-barrel shot. Out of the right barrel, Media Matters picks up some of the most obscene sexism imaginable, courtesy of the Fox Network. Can anyone honestly imagine a similarly extreme racist getting anywhere near the microphone? (Plenty of racism hits the airwaves, to be sure, but nothing this outrageous is permitted any longer, just ask Don Imus.) And – if you can stomach it – check out this original material from the jerk. Don’t you just wish these guys could work out their mommy issues?
I was too lazy to track down the url, but this will take you straight into your mail server: Comments@foxnews.com
Speaking of men who now clearly need therapy, out of the left barrel we have (sigh) again, Bill Clinton. When he went off the rails in South Carolina I wondered whether he wasn’t unconsciously trying to sabotage Hillary’s campaign. Now he’s gone off again and resurrected one of its most embarrassing moments. Can’t we send him somewhere away from the cameras to work it out?
Special Alert
If you get MSNBC (I don’t) or it you don’t mind watching tv on your computer (I don’t) check out this documentary special on MSNBC tonight. I’ll be fascinated to see the pubic conversation on race that is scheduled to follow.
