Sexism? Really?

Loyal readers know I am loath to wade into discussions of women or women’s issues, but it seems I have been scratching my head so much in the last week I may soon go bald.

So, apparently the entire news media and the Democratic Party are sexist. Could someone explain this to me? I know I am inviting the wrath of womankind here, but I didn’t understand it when Hillary Clinton cried foul on this at the end of her campaign and I don’t understand it now. Watching Palin-mania unfold, I was struck by a contradiction that rendered the word “sexist” pretty meaningless.

Why? Because with Sarah Palin’s historic nomination we suddenly have a new set of rules. Apparently women with five children don’t face any special challenges in their job, least of all the second most challenging job on the planet, because women are the same as men and the mother and father roles are interchangeable. To ask about this balancing act is considered sexist. However, women are not the same as men when it comes to our qualifications because no one is allowed to question Palin’s readiness to be president — they way we would have that of Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine had Obama chosen him — because anyone who asks is sexist.

So, I await some clarification. In the meantime, I wrote in my column this week about the women who believe Hillary and Sarah are interchangeable. Don’t underestimate this group; they could turn the election. Let me know your thoughts, but only if you read the whole thing.

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