What Letterman did has been called "sexist," especially by Ms. Harding.

Can we actually think about this a minute?

Making a joke about a woman is not innately sexist, as long as that joke is based on real behavior of the individual rather than identity or stereotyped behavior.

Hence, the Right's comments about, say, Sotomayor being a potentially bad jurist because some days she'll have her period--well, that's sexist. Because it's based simply on her identity as a woman and the supposed stereotypical behavior of women--not on any actual behavior of the judge.

The Right's calling Hillary a "bitch" is sexist, because, once again, it goes to identity and stereotype. Anyone who made fun of Hillary for her secretive behavior during the "Hillarycare" dustup, or who made fun of her for her ambition--not sexist.

You can see where this is going: you can make fun of an individual for his or her individual behavior. Otherwise, you will never be able to laugh at someone again. And laughing at people is useful. One of the uses of comedy is as a social whip; it's used to bring people back into line, without ostracizing them or executing them in the public square.

So: is Letterman's joke sexist? I'd argue "not," because it went to the behavior of Bristol.

Is the "slutty flight attendant" joke sexist? I'd say, "borderline", in large part because Palin's behavior is not that (nor is her makeup, arguably) that of a "slutty flight attendant." It's the arguable part that makes the joke borderline.

Palin's response? Pure political pap. To take "offense" over the implied "statutory rape" of her 14-year-old is typical right-wing: lie about the actual in order to gin up the base and make yourself a victim.

There's a joke to be made about Palin's behavior here, and guess what? It's not sexist.

The Republicans think they can play to their base, which is shrinking, both numerically and as a percentage of the total population, every day.

Pretty soon the GOP will be the 21st century equivalent of the Birchers. Sweet!

It's unclear what any of these people believe a stronger stance from Obama would actually accomplish.

It would make them feel good. Tough talk, championed by people who have never fired a shot in anger. Tough talk! Hey, they can stand tall.

Actually, they simply want to criticize Obama. If BHO had given "tough talk," Kristol and his slimy ilk would ooze onto stage to whine that Obama shouldn't have given such tough talk.

Has nothing to do with results; has everything to do with politics here at home.

Just one word is needed in response to the crap filling the digital airwaves:

Netflix.

And, if you're impatient, two words:

Netflix Instant.

Have a good evening watching "Dr. Mabuse" or "The General" or whole seasons of MI-5.

Enjoy, Terrans.

And somehow this column manages to be all three!

It's amazing that the GOP mind is so firmly entrenched in the barnyard!

Yet another example of why Salon is not worth a premium subscription.

And the answer to that question, for many of them, is taking a lengthy vacation at state expense at the GrayBar Motel.

Given his politics, I suggest he's away, planning an attack on Fort Sumter.

Great that Franken was confirmed.

Now we just need to see a copy of his birth certificate....why? Just because!

We will only get what we want and need if we fight for it.

To begin with: write. Write your Representative. Write your Senators. Write your President.

Next? We'll probably need to march.

But it's not going to happen if we sit on our collective ass and bitch and moan about how "the Democrats" aren't doing it.

We ARE the Democrats.

After reading about two-thirds of Ms. Paglia's incoherent screed, I now know who is writing the "wingnut" columns in Salon, and I share that information with you.

They just hire deeply racist hosts.

Other species? So now African-Americans (and even Irish and Italian--listen to the guy!) aren't human, they're other species!

Holy Cow. Now that's another species....

...and where's the public debate between scientists on electricity?

Where's the public debate between scientists on the flat earth?

Where's the public debate between scientists on gravity?

Where's the public debate between scientists on the hollow earth?

Where's the public debate between scientists on the Bermuda triangle?

Where's the public debate between scientists on phrenology?

I mean, the MSM is just keeping so much under wraps! All the debate that is simply squelched!

If only we had something like the Internet where public debate between reputable scientists could actually get out in the open!

So a 19-year-old Alaskan kid CALLS A PRESS CONFERENCE--and the PRESS SHOWS UP?

Why, oh why, do you think newspapers are dying and what we're pleased to call the "MSM" is having continual problems with credibility and sales?

I don't think this would be much of a problem for men on the Right; from the evidence, most of them haven't experienced the descent of their testicles yet.

And the reality of a black man in the White House and a strong, wise Latina on the Supreme Court will probably make those testicles go even farther up.