While I liked some of Paglia's insights I think that the editorial is 'all over the place' and, more importantly, makes a very weak case for Palin's 'feminism'. I have the sense that Paglia here thinks feminism is about women who exhibit power *period*. It seems to matter not one whit (for Paglia) to what end the power is wielded. In my opinion, feminism necessarily addresses the matter of 'power' and yes, it takes 'power' to live as a feminist, a person who subscribes to feminist principles, and no, it does not matter if one is a democrat or a green or just about anything else. Feminist principles, imo, have to do with women's rights and women's freedom - rights and freedom that do not manifest at the expense or denigration of men and their own rights and freedom- but rather, have to do with creating/restoring a balance of power between the sexes. (Anyone who seeks to remove women's rights and freedom is anti-feminist, imo.) Moreover, feminist principles, when well-articulated and successfully applied, benefit men, women, and children. That's why I think Mr. and Mrs. Obama's vision for positive change is one that could be called 'feminist.'

Thank you for your excellent article. Why is the MSM not asking the same sorts of questions raised in The Dumbing Down of the GOP? Why was Gov. Palin's performance at the debate graded on a curve? Why is the MSM over-looking the fact that she evaded questions, did not use proper English, relied on her notes, spoke in generalities and slogans, and condescendingly referred to citizens as "Joe Six-Pack", etc.? Did anyone of the MSM catch this gaffe made by Gov. Palin :"It is a crisis. It's a toxic mess, really, on Main Street that's affecting Wall Street. And now we have to be ever vigilant and also making sure that credit markets don't seize up. That's where the Main Streeters like me, that's where we would really feel the effects." If anyone in the MSM did, he or she then simply looked the other way.

I suspect that the most reporters in the MSM are more intelligent than Gov. Palin - but they do seem rather cowed! The neo-cons seem to have effectively kept the citzenry and the MSM cowed through fear of one thing or another (e.g, through the threat of nuclear weapons and/or the threat of terrorists) while simultaneously offering us some down home gollygeewillikers feel good kind of candidate starting with ray-gun, I mean, Reagan. It is a power trip. The neo-cons want to decide what is threatening and how deal with those threats which is not through tough and candid diplomancy, sanctions, etc., but, rather, through sheer military might. The military gets all the money. The middle class and education suffers and the dumbing down continues...

but even if she did not have a booty, our new First Lady would still radiate beauty. Really, she has the kind of beauty that age cannot diminish...

purplelotus (speaking from the heart)

Thanks for your insightful remarks Cary Tennis! Yes, I think that there are many soul brothers and sisters who have addressed this particular phenomenon via poetry and the arts in general. After reading every letter to the editor (most of which I thoroughly enjoyed), I only have one juicy tidbit to offer: please check out the paintings of Giorgio de Chirico - particularly works from his metaphysical period. Perhaps this feeling is part of the human urge to create or to commune with one's maker. Regards,