It may have very subtle, but I think the male candidates in Democratic Primary debates, DID show deference to Hillary Clinton as a "lady." They weren't exactly gentle, but they certainly didn't talk to her the same way that they would have if she had been a man. Most men, if they have had any kind of training in manners, are automatically more polite to women. It is burned into our being. This is an example of more mixed signals from "feminists:" "treat us like equals, but put down the toilet seat."

Isn't the inference that Joe Biden may come off as a "dick" a horribly sexist statement? Why are we not asking about the possibility of Palin coming off as a "cunt?"

As usual, you have an amazing ability to misread and then react to what you think someone said. I didn't say Palin would TRY to act like a cunt. I was questioning SALON's the use of the word DICK in reference to Joe Bidan.

Sarah should show up in high boots and a leather boustier, holding a riding crop (or maybe a red lace teddy).....be very pouty and keep her mouth shut except when she licks her lips. Isn't that why she was put on the ticket?

I am all for manners and mutual consideration among human beings. God knows there is too little of it in the world. BUT, the idea of treating a woman like "ladies" suggests giving them special treatment. In the 70s, (yes, I'm old) "feminists" got angry if you opened a door for them. Now, women are asking: "what ever happened to chivalry?" Well, quite simply, "feminism" killed it. Again girls, make up your freakin' minds!

It makes perfect sense that women would want to have sex with robots. As a man, I can attest that having sex with some women is the very definition of robotic.

Ms. Palin still seems to think she is running for Homecomeing Queen. But, more pathetically, she is convinced that she DESERVES to win. There is a kind of scorched earth obsessiveness about winning for its own sake that makes her (in spite of all the gee-whiz, golly, aww-shucks perkiness) kind of terrifying. I'm positive that MICHELLE OBAMA knows more about national and world affairs than Palin and McCain combined (what an asset she would be) and, still, some people are actually considering voting for McCain---a man who changes his mind three times every hour and a spoiled girl-woman who must have her way or all Hell will break loose. *(A woman must have everything---Joni Mitchell)

One of my favorite Molly lines concerned Pat Buchanan's speech at the Republican Convention. (Dear Lord, was there a time when he was a actually a candidate for president?) She said his remarks "probably sounded better in the original German." Damn, she was funny and smart and incisive and original and, ultimately, very compassionate toward those who were not fortunate (emphais on fortune) enough to be born rich Republicans. I miss her like crazy. Compared to her, Maureen Doud is autistic. Someone else I miss is Kurt Vonnegut. He was quite ill when most of this craziness began and died before things got even weirder. I'm sure he'd have some wonderfully sardonic comments to make ragarding the huge bags of gas who claim to represent American values. Thank Buddah for Jon Stewart, David Letterman and Keith Olberman.

For Christ's sake, does she ever stop smiling? You get the feeling that she could tell you your grandmother had just died(or that your son had been killed in Iraq)and her expression would never change. Her whole approach, trying to get by on charm alone, shows some kind of deep insecurity. She literally NEEDS to be liked. Unfortunately, the qualities that are so precious in a 17-year-old girl are just kind of sad in a 44-year-old woman. She reminds me of one of those moms who flirts with her kids' friends.

Sarah and Ladies,

I appreciate your attempts to balance the overwhelming amount of male-bashing that goes on regularly in this column with all this gushy-girlie appreciation of Mr. Biden. But, given the fact that Broadsheet is based on the premise that men are stupid, emotionally retarded, violent, animalistic clods, it is, too little too late. And, as much as you claim that classy intelligent men turn you on, the evidence, in my experience, does not bear that out. My observation has been that most women under the age of 50, almost without exception, go for big dumb jocks (preferably with money). Sorry, but, all of this "enlightented feminism" just doesn't ring true. It might have some credibility if it were not a complete fantasy. I will believe it when I see it in reality.

Thanks for the encouragement. I don't know where you live, but here in the hinter lands (where, as my father used to say, the average age is diceased) it is nearly impossible to meet anyone of an intellectual-artistic bent. Most people give me "the RCA Dog look" when I start talking about books or music or paintings or letfist politics or just about enything that has nothing to do with drinking, fucking or bitching about work. It's easy to say, well, JUST MOVE. But, in these economic times that is out of the question for now. And, frankly, I have pretty much given up the hope of meeting a woman who is up to my (possibly unreasonable) standards. I am lost in the darkness.

The most ludicrous aspect of all of this is that Sarah Palin has reached her tenuous grasp of the issues only after being tutored by the "best minds" of the Republican Party.