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Kathleen Parker is one of America's most popular opinion columnists, addressing the country's mental health through her views on current national ...
Read more about Kathleen Parker.
Kathleen Parker is one of America's most popular opinion columnists, addressing the country's mental health through her views on current national ...
Read more about Kathleen Parker.
A Summers Break
Kathleen Parker
(Please say yes.)
Forever accursed is the economist and Clinton-era treasury secretary for having raised -- more than three years ago -- the eensy-weensy possibility that innate differences between men and women might explain in part why more men than women reach the top echelons in math and science.
His comments, though not completely without scientific basis, unleashed a millennium worth of female scorn, making Hell a suddenly attractive destination for the discriminating traveler in search of cooler climes.
Research pointing to male-female differences that could partly explain different career outcomes is available to anyone in search of clues to the gender universe. But let's not go there. The social construct versus hard-wiring debate will continue unabated until the last woman utters: "No, honey, you stay in bed. I'll go see what that noise was."
For these purposes, let's stipulate that Summers said a dumb thing. He didn't, really. Provocative, yes, but it was a question about theory, not an assertion of belief. Impolitic? Without question. Still, we'll call it dumb.
Should said offense forevermore disqualify Summers from public service? Or even public appearances?
Summers was driven out of Harvard following his remarks. In September 2007, he was dropped as the keynote speaker at a University of California Board of Regents meeting when a female professor circulated a petition to have his invitation withdrawn.
Now, feminists have begun raising objections over speculation he might be considered for a second term as treasury secretary. Kim Gandy, National Organization for Women president, expressed her concerns to the Huffington Post. Gandy acknowledged that Summers is a smart guy on economics, but wondered whether his perceived bias would preclude women being hired within the department. That seems a stretch.
There may be compelling reasons to appoint someone other than Summers, but his having said something dumb -- or at least unpopular -- once upon a time shouldn't be one of them.
According to Financial Times business commentator John Gapper, Summers is "genuinely an inventive and original thinker and there are precious few of those." No mention of people skills, but haven't we had enough of hiring people according to their beer-a-bility?
What say we call a moratorium on punitive measures for dumb things uttered while in the commission of "good stuff"?
Many would benefit from such a moratorium. A few that come to mind: Howard "Arrrrrggggggg!!!!!" Dean; John "I actually did vote for the $87 billion before I voted against it" Kerry; Andrew "He's (Bill Clinton's) probably gone with more black women than Barack" Young.
The stainless steel-tongued Joe Biden gets his own page. Make that a booklet.
Even Obama should get a pass for once saying he had campaigned in all 57 states with one to go, a mental detour interpreted by fevered minds on the right as proof that he's a secret Muslim. (There are -- aha! -- 57 member states in the Organization of the Islamic Conference.)
One small slip, repeated and amplified, can have serious consequences. A new Beliefnet.com exit poll found that half of McCain voters think Obama is or was a Muslim, with 32 percent saying, "He used to be Muslim and still has too many connections to Islam."
Although Republicans, led by the renowned neologist George W. Bush, are doubtless equally guilty of foot-in-mouth incursions (Trent Lott's infamous birthday paean to Strom Thurmond comes to mind), the GOP might benefit as much from an Adultery & Wide Stance Amnesty Act.
Given all the words uttered in the course of a presidential campaign, some are going to be screamingly funny; others ridiculous; some embarrassing and still others painful.
Covering all of the above, Biden, speaking to the Columbia, S.C., Rotary Club, all but boasted: "Hey, I'm from a slave state, too!"
Well, dang, Bubba, why didn't you say so in the first place?! At the risk of a too-brisk segue, sometimes intelligent, thoughtful, talented people simply step in it. And though some misstatements are too delicious to ignore, there really ought to be a point at which good outweighs bad; when smart outpaces stupid.
When even a screamer like Dean, who as Democratic National Committee chair rebuilt his party in all 57 states to run Republicans out of Washington last week, ought to be remembered best for the latter.
Make that all 50 states.
And give Summers a break.
========
Kathleen Parker's e-mail address is kparker@kparker.com
(c) 2008, Washington Post Writers Group
This news arrived on: 11/14/2008
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Posted Comments:
11-17-2008 01:50
JCE wrote:
I imagine only a terrorist would be an expert on how many member states in that organization. I am sure it would be of interest to history buffs and other students, but to use it to attack our president elect only confirms what is obvious, and having a friend in Saudi Arabia only confirms that MTH is a terrorist. Too bad he is anonymous. Tell me, MTH, how does it feel to be called a terrorist and a traitor to your country, and convicted by your own words? There is far more evidence against you than Obama, but guys like you have condemned him and this country, for no good reason at all.
11-16-2008 23:06
MTH wrote:
A Summers Break
Kathleen,
"Summers was driven out of Harvard following his remarks. In September 2007, he was dropped as the keynote speaker at a University of California Board of Regents meeting when a female professor circulated a petition to have his invitation withdrawn."
Thank you for reminding the world that the enlightened free speech workers in California squelched a speech by Summers. I'm in Nebraska and I think our state has received some flack when public outrage led to the cancellation of a speech here by William Ayers. Nice to announce that the PCers are as vituperative as others.
Even Obama should get a pass for once saying he had campaigned in all 57 states with one to go, a mental detour interpreted by fevered minds on the right as proof that he's a secret Muslim. (There are -- aha! -- 57 member states in the Organization of the Islamic Conference.)
You might be interested to know that a friend from Saudi Arabia is rejoicing in the fact that the USA now has a Muslim president. Prior to the election it was only Obama's critics pushing the idea.
"Summers was driven out of Harvard following his remarks. In September 2007, he was dropped as the keynote speaker at a University of California Board of Regents meeting when a female professor circulated a petition to have his invitation withdrawn."
Thank you for reminding the world that the enlightened free speech workers in California squelched a speech by Summers. I'm in Nebraska and I think our state has received some flack when public outrage led to the cancellation of a speech here by William Ayers. Nice to announce that the PCers are as vituperative as others.
Even Obama should get a pass for once saying he had campaigned in all 57 states with one to go, a mental detour interpreted by fevered minds on the right as proof that he's a secret Muslim. (There are -- aha! -- 57 member states in the Organization of the Islamic Conference.)
You might be interested to know that a friend from Saudi Arabia is rejoicing in the fact that the USA now has a Muslim president. Prior to the election it was only Obama's critics pushing the idea.
11-16-2008 06:41
Kevin Beck wrote:
A Summer's Break
First, I think we need to get one thing straight: Mr. Summers should not be disqualified from being the Secretary of the Treasury based the fact he uttered a factual but stupid statement. He should be disqualified because of incompetence and lack of skill for this job. And maybe Joe Biden should not be identified as having a stainless-steel tongue. A lead tongue or a cast-iron tongue would be more accurate. The unfortunate thing is we endure a mass media culture whereby every public utterance is grist for the mill. But these same scoundrels of the mass media could not figure out how to ask any legitimate questions to the candidates for President without being blindsided by accusations of racism from the Obama campaign. Maybe this is an area where Mr. Summers would be more than qualified, rather than as Secretary of the Treasury.
11-15-2008 20:34
Kathie wrote:
If this guy can help us out of the financial mess that this country is going through, who cares what his opinions are on gender differences? If there is a member of the opposite sex that is as qualified, then let that person challenge him for the position. Otherwise, get over it.
11-15-2008 16:52
Mike Manes wrote:
Academia / Feminist
My experience indicates that Academic Institutions are the most intolerant places in the world even as they hide behind the mask of alleged "academic freedom." Academic freedom is the right to agree with the majority (inside of the academic minority) opinion.
Feminist on other hand express outrage over Mr. Summers' "question about theory" and remain silent over half time shows at soccer games in Afghanistan that include the execution of women by the Taliban.
Where's the outrage? Where's the reason? Where's the logic? Where's the courage to debate?
MGM
Feminist on other hand express outrage over Mr. Summers' "question about theory" and remain silent over half time shows at soccer games in Afghanistan that include the execution of women by the Taliban.
Where's the outrage? Where's the reason? Where's the logic? Where's the courage to debate?
MGM
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