The most fascinating thing about the Clinton candidacy is that it has forced the United States to scrutinize it's own entrenched misogyny in a way it's never had to do before. Young women of the "I'm not a feminist, but. . ." ilk will no longer be able to ignore the inescapable sexism of the media and political landscape. Older women will see their own experience reflected in the treatment of Hilary and feel vindicated and emboldened to speak out. Men will realize there really is such a thing as kneejerk sexism, after witnessing various jerks' (Matthews) knees jerk throughout the national media. And they'll be examining their own knees for telltale twitches. Suddenly we can no longer close our eyes to this issue. It's right up in our grill, so to speak. All thanks to Hilary.

I think it's exciting. Whatever the outcome, Clinton is breaking new psychological ground in the US and I think the process will ultimately have a deeply therapeutic effect on the nation as a whole. The whole country is poised to grow up just a little bit in it's attitude toward women.

By the way, why no link to the Steinem piece?

I'm convinced that in terms of how she presents herself Hilary Clinton can't win. When her comportment is controlled and exact, she's considered unfeminine and robotic. She's derided for her flawless 'helmet' of hair, but whenever she's depicted looking tired, haggard, or, god forbid, her age, it's endlessly discussed, worried over, and criticized. When she's powerful and decisive, she's a bitch. When she wells up and her voice breaks, she's (god forbid again) a "woman". There is absolutely no approach she can take that will meet with widespread public approval--her presence/personality will never feel "right" to the pundits because, as a female, she's simply not supposed to be in the position she is in. She's the first. She's breaking new ground and for that reason she's going to meet with resistance and personal attacks every step of the way. Man would I not want to be her.

I'm convinced that in terms of how she presents herself Hilary Clinton can't win. When her comportment is controlled and exact, she's considered unfeminine and robotic. She's derided for her flawless 'helmet' of hair, but whenever she's depicted looking tired, haggard, or, god forbid, her age, it's endlessly discussed, worried over, and criticized. When she's powerful and decisive, she's a bitch. When she wells up and her voice breaks, she's (god forbid again) a "woman". There is absolutely no approach she can take that will meet with widespread public approval--her presence/personality will never feel "right" to the pundits because, as a female, she's simply not supposed to be in the position she is in. She's the first. She's breaking new ground and for that reason she's going to meet with resistance and personal attacks every step of the way. Man would I not want to be her.

Maybe I'll say it a third time! No, I kid, I'll stop.

1) I'm so glad I don't peruse the kind of sites/publications where I would encounter such an unbelievably gross, and really quite hostile, infringement on a person's private life. Does this photo really truly exist? If so: Hell, meet very crowded handbasket.

2) Salon I thought you promised to never ever talk about Britney again.

3) Right on, Cho--smite those ever so delicate middle-class sensibilities, and all those who would respond with horror and loathing at mere mention of the dreaded Flow. I find it hilarious that one outraged poster was moved to protest: "My mattress is fine!"

sorry but I have to agree with the previous poster. the egregious misuse of this word is pretty unforgivable. this kind of sloppiness is what gives webmags a bad name.

I can't believe no one has mentioned the preponderance of irritable bowel syndrome cases in the past decade or so. A previous poster wrote:

"As long as (your bowels are) moving reasonably regularly and without any problems don't worry about them."

Sure, but for more and more people these days, that's not happening. And anyone who's suffered with IBS knows how singularly useless mainstream medicine is on the subject, and how profoundly irregular bowel movements can effect your overall health. I've suffered crippling bouts of headaches, fatigue and irritability, and it was only after I started giving a shit about, you know, shit that my symptoms began to let up. Once I started paying close attention to something I'd previously tried to pretend didn't exist, my health and energy level improved dramatically. If I hadn't been willing to turn around and gaze into that bowl, no one would have done it for me--and I'd still be suffering.

It's not Salon or Leslie Crawford who are being juvenile here, it's anyone who would insist the topic is somehow not fit for discussion because it's, like, gross. Why do you think it is your doctor asks how your bowels are moving at every checkup? Do you think she's deriving some kind of naughty, infantile thrill out of the subject, or could it be because it's actually a crucial indicator of your overall health? Whether or not BM happens to have been anointed trend-of-the week is hardly the point.