Comments on: Washington Post Says Women Are Dumb http://dearauthor.com/features/letters-of-opinion/washington-post-says-women-are-dumb/ Romance, Historical, Contemporary, Paranormal, Young Adult, Book reviews, industry news, and commentary from a reader's point of view Sun, 27 May 2012 18:05:26 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Writers At Play » Romance Is Everywhere, Get Used To It http://dearauthor.com/features/letters-of-opinion/washington-post-says-women-are-dumb/#comment-148184 Writers At Play » Romance Is Everywhere, Get Used To It Wed, 05 Mar 2008 16:55:31 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2008/03/02/washington-post-says-women-are-dumb/#comment-148184 [...] Dear Author [...] [...] Dear Author [...]

]]> By: Patricia Rice http://dearauthor.com/features/letters-of-opinion/washington-post-says-women-are-dumb/#comment-147873 Patricia Rice Tue, 04 Mar 2008 22:34:15 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2008/03/02/washington-post-says-women-are-dumb/#comment-147873 To me this is an obviously political post aimed at the poor sheep who still think the natural order of things is that men rule and if it weren't for Eve, we'd still live in the Garden of Eden, so keep the women in the kitchen and out of trouble where they belong. Unfortunately, there is a very large segment of society that still thinks Big Daddy ought to look out for them. It's so much easier to be TOLD what to do than THINK about it, isn't it? And to think, I spent all those years wasting my time fighting for equality. Really, maybe I am stupid. To me this is an obviously political post aimed at the poor sheep who still think the natural order of things is that men rule and if it weren’t for Eve, we’d still live in the Garden of Eden, so keep the women in the kitchen and out of trouble where they belong. Unfortunately, there is a very large segment of society that still thinks Big Daddy ought to look out for them. It’s so much easier to be TOLD what to do than THINK about it, isn’t it?

And to think, I spent all those years wasting my time fighting for equality. Really, maybe I am stupid.

]]> By: Robin http://dearauthor.com/features/letters-of-opinion/washington-post-says-women-are-dumb/#comment-147765 Robin Tue, 04 Mar 2008 17:22:00 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2008/03/02/washington-post-says-women-are-dumb/#comment-147765 <blockquote>I still haven't figured out linkage.</blockquote> I can only do it in limited circumstances. Here, because of the "link" tag, it's pretty basic. As you're writing your post here, in another window go to the URL you want to link to. Then copy the URL you want to insert, and then come back here and highlight the text you want to be the "link" and then hit the link tab. You'll get a window into which you copy the URL and then hit okay, and it creates some line of code that attaches the URL to the words you highlighted. <blockquote>That article and the ones you cited all display the same characteristics: (1) take a “contrary” view of some cultural topic; (2) alternate anecdotes with apparently reliable studies; (3) contradict yourself and put forth completely illogical positions; (4) be part of the group you're criticizing, so that your arguments sound more convincing because they're from inside rather than outside.</blockquote> Yeah, she's a lightweight in her reasoning, IMO. I actually enjoy reading good conservative commentary, because it forces me to sharpen my own logic, but Allen just comes off sounding strident and like she's really writing a parody because it makes so little internal sense.

I still haven't figured out linkage.

I can only do it in limited circumstances. Here, because of the “link” tag, it’s pretty basic. As you’re writing your post here, in another window go to the URL you want to link to. Then copy the URL you want to insert, and then come back here and highlight the text you want to be the “link” and then hit the link tab. You’ll get a window into which you copy the URL and then hit okay, and it creates some line of code that attaches the URL to the words you highlighted.

That article and the ones you cited all display the same characteristics: (1) take a “contrary” view of some cultural topic; (2) alternate anecdotes with apparently reliable studies; (3) contradict yourself and put forth completely illogical positions; (4) be part of the group you're criticizing, so that your arguments sound more convincing because they're from inside rather than outside.

Yeah, she’s a lightweight in her reasoning, IMO. I actually enjoy reading good conservative commentary, because it forces me to sharpen my own logic, but Allen just comes off sounding strident and like she’s really writing a parody because it makes so little internal sense.

]]> By: Randi Thompson http://dearauthor.com/features/letters-of-opinion/washington-post-says-women-are-dumb/#comment-147555 Randi Thompson Tue, 04 Mar 2008 02:30:46 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2008/03/02/washington-post-says-women-are-dumb/#comment-147555 Hmmm....ostensibly I'm female (I have all the parts, that is) but I'm a notorious slob in the house, children make me uncomfortable, and I don't have a history of being affectionate towards my male love interests. Does that make me a man? Hmmm….ostensibly I’m female (I have all the parts, that is) but I’m a notorious slob in the house, children make me uncomfortable, and I don’t have a history of being affectionate towards my male love interests. Does that make me a man?

]]> By: Sunita http://dearauthor.com/features/letters-of-opinion/washington-post-says-women-are-dumb/#comment-147520 Sunita Tue, 04 Mar 2008 00:44:31 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2008/03/02/washington-post-says-women-are-dumb/#comment-147520 Thanks, Robin! I still haven't figured out linkage. That article and the ones you cited all display the same characteristics: (1) take a "contrary" view of some cultural topic; (2) alternate anecdotes with apparently reliable studies; (3) contradict yourself and put forth completely illogical positions; (4) be part of the group you're criticizing, so that your arguments sound more convincing because they're from inside rather than outside. Thanks, Robin! I still haven’t figured out linkage. That article and the ones you cited all display the same characteristics: (1) take a “contrary” view of some cultural topic; (2) alternate anecdotes with apparently reliable studies; (3) contradict yourself and put forth completely illogical positions; (4) be part of the group you’re criticizing, so that your arguments sound more convincing because they’re from inside rather than outside.

]]> By: Robin http://dearauthor.com/features/letters-of-opinion/washington-post-says-women-are-dumb/#comment-147489 Robin Mon, 03 Mar 2008 22:55:31 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2008/03/02/washington-post-says-women-are-dumb/#comment-147489 <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/12/AR2007101201882.html" rel="nofollow">Here it is</a>, Sunita. Here it is, Sunita.

]]> By: Sunita http://dearauthor.com/features/letters-of-opinion/washington-post-says-women-are-dumb/#comment-147433 Sunita Mon, 03 Mar 2008 19:47:50 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2008/03/02/washington-post-says-women-are-dumb/#comment-147433 And let's not forget the previous WaPo column, in which she inveighed against Living Wills (I had to stop reading before my head exploded, but I think the column basically argued that medical and legal professionals ask you to have Living Wills because They Want You Dead). My favorite takedown so far is at Jezebel. Someone who makes Caitlin Flanagan look good. Wow. And let’s not forget the previous WaPo column, in which she inveighed against Living Wills (I had to stop reading before my head exploded, but I think the column basically argued that medical and legal professionals ask you to have Living Wills because They Want You Dead). My favorite takedown so far is at Jezebel.

Someone who makes Caitlin Flanagan look good. Wow.

]]> By: Robin http://dearauthor.com/features/letters-of-opinion/washington-post-says-women-are-dumb/#comment-147397 Robin Mon, 03 Mar 2008 18:06:46 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2008/03/02/washington-post-says-women-are-dumb/#comment-147397 Apparently, Charlotte Allen is a conservative author and columnist. I found a few other pieces by her, including <a href="http://opinionjournal.com/taste/?id=110009704" rel="nofollow">this one</a>, and if you look further, you can find somewhere that Anne Rice gave some endorsing comment to her one book. <a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/comment/comment-allen081301.shtml" rel="nofollow">Here's</a> another article, <a href="http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/opinion/points/stories/040305dnediallen.35261.html" rel="nofollow">and another</a> -- this one a seeming precursor to the one Jane highlights in this post. <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/03/02/in-which-i-respond-to-cha_n_89461.html" rel="nofollow">Here's</a> a pretty amusing response to her article from a male columnist at the Huffington Post. Apparently, Charlotte Allen is a conservative author and columnist. I found a few other pieces by her, including this one, and if you look further, you can find somewhere that Anne Rice gave some endorsing comment to her one book. Here’s another article, and another — this one a seeming precursor to the one Jane highlights in this post.

Here’s a pretty amusing response to her article from a male columnist at the Huffington Post.

]]> By: Meljean http://dearauthor.com/features/letters-of-opinion/washington-post-says-women-are-dumb/#comment-147383 Meljean Mon, 03 Mar 2008 17:16:35 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2008/03/02/washington-post-says-women-are-dumb/#comment-147383 I'd say the writer isn't stupid at all, and neither are the folks at the Washington Post, considering that this op-ed piece comes out the weekend before another big primary, in which a very prominent woman is trying to come back after quite a few losses, and might withdraw if she can't regain momentum. I’d say the writer isn’t stupid at all, and neither are the folks at the Washington Post, considering that this op-ed piece comes out the weekend before another big primary, in which a very prominent woman is trying to come back after quite a few losses, and might withdraw if she can’t regain momentum.

]]> By: carolyn Jean http://dearauthor.com/features/letters-of-opinion/washington-post-says-women-are-dumb/#comment-147355 carolyn Jean Mon, 03 Mar 2008 14:46:18 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2008/03/02/washington-post-says-women-are-dumb/#comment-147355 This woman is not so stupid as she sounds. An awful person, probably, but not stupid. My guess: she's a freelance journalist who doesn't have enough work right now. She sees this idiotic study. Everyone knows practice makes perfect and the guys always have to drive, but she gets an idea: what if I pitch an op-ed piece to the buffoons at the Washington Post praising that study? At a buck or two a word, it probably paid her rent and then some. As we know, a number of women have carved out lucrative careers taking this position. Yuck. This woman is not so stupid as she sounds. An awful person, probably, but not stupid.

My guess: she’s a freelance journalist who doesn’t have enough work right now. She sees this idiotic study. Everyone knows practice makes perfect and the guys always have to drive, but she gets an idea: what if I pitch an op-ed piece to the buffoons at the Washington Post praising that study? At a buck or two a word, it probably paid her rent and then some.

As we know, a number of women have carved out lucrative careers taking this position.

Yuck.

]]> By: Nora Roberts http://dearauthor.com/features/letters-of-opinion/washington-post-says-women-are-dumb/#comment-147332 Nora Roberts Mon, 03 Mar 2008 12:23:22 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2008/03/02/washington-post-says-women-are-dumb/#comment-147332 Oh my, how the Mighty Washington Post has fallen. People like Allen jusst make me shake my head and move on. Let them be happy in their simple little world. But I'm really glad I didn't move on before seeing the photo. It's good to start Monday morning with a laugh. Oh my, how the Mighty Washington Post has fallen.

People like Allen jusst make me shake my head and move on. Let them be happy in their simple little world.

But I’m really glad I didn’t move on before seeing the photo. It’s good to start Monday morning with a laugh.

]]> By: Stephanie http://dearauthor.com/features/letters-of-opinion/washington-post-says-women-are-dumb/#comment-147222 Stephanie Mon, 03 Mar 2008 03:50:06 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2008/03/02/washington-post-says-women-are-dumb/#comment-147222 OK, so, regarding same-sex schooling . . . wasn't there a little Supreme Court decision, say, fifty-three years ago, stating that separate is inherently unequal? Regarding that article: what is she smoking? Could, POSSIBLY, those pseudo-scientific studies she refers to be BIASED? NOOOOOOO . . . never! And since she's willing to use anecdotal evidence as proof of things, my boyfriend has been in approximately four times as many accidents as I have. So there. OK, so, regarding same-sex schooling . . . wasn’t there a little Supreme Court decision, say, fifty-three years ago, stating that separate is inherently unequal?

Regarding that article: what is she smoking? Could, POSSIBLY, those pseudo-scientific studies she refers to be BIASED? NOOOOOOO . . . never!

And since she’s willing to use anecdotal evidence as proof of things, my boyfriend has been in approximately four times as many accidents as I have. So there.

]]> By: Meredith Duran http://dearauthor.com/features/letters-of-opinion/washington-post-says-women-are-dumb/#comment-147212 Meredith Duran Mon, 03 Mar 2008 03:29:38 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2008/03/02/washington-post-says-women-are-dumb/#comment-147212 It is a weird and troubling coincidence that this piece came out the same day as the NY Times Magazine article about single-sex schooling -- part of which discusses the theory that the brains of males and females are inherently different, thus necessitating different pedagogies. At least the latter article elucidates the problems with studies that discuss structural differences between male and female brains (namely, we have absolutely *no idea* if we're correctly interpreting the significance of these differences). I sincerely hope it doesn't signal the start of a regressive trend. Anyway, thanks for calling this to our attention -- I don't normally read the WaPo! It is a weird and troubling coincidence that this piece came out the same day as the NY Times Magazine article about single-sex schooling — part of which discusses the theory that the brains of males and females are inherently different, thus necessitating different pedagogies. At least the latter article elucidates the problems with studies that discuss structural differences between male and female brains (namely, we have absolutely *no idea* if we’re correctly interpreting the significance of these differences). I sincerely hope it doesn’t signal the start of a regressive trend.

Anyway, thanks for calling this to our attention — I don’t normally read the WaPo!

]]> By: Laura Elliott http://dearauthor.com/features/letters-of-opinion/washington-post-says-women-are-dumb/#comment-147177 Laura Elliott Mon, 03 Mar 2008 01:36:44 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2008/03/02/washington-post-says-women-are-dumb/#comment-147177 Charlotte Allen is the type of person to marry a man who thinks a woman's place is in the kitchen. I work with a few of these men and am always surprised they have wives. Charlotte Allen is the type of person to marry a man who thinks a woman’s place is in the kitchen. I work with a few of these men and am always surprised they have wives.

]]> By: Teddypig http://dearauthor.com/features/letters-of-opinion/washington-post-says-women-are-dumb/#comment-147169 Teddypig Mon, 03 Mar 2008 01:15:56 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2008/03/02/washington-post-says-women-are-dumb/#comment-147169 Obviously not geek men... <a href="http://www.thinkgeek.com/stuff/41/wec.shtml" rel="nofollow">Wireless Extension Cords</a> Obviously not geek men…

Wireless Extension Cords

]]> By: snarkhunter http://dearauthor.com/features/letters-of-opinion/washington-post-says-women-are-dumb/#comment-147160 snarkhunter Mon, 03 Mar 2008 00:24:14 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2008/03/02/washington-post-says-women-are-dumb/#comment-147160 Well, <i>someone's</i> been drinking the Kool-Aid. Well, someone’s been drinking the Kool-Aid.

]]> By: Shiloh Walker http://dearauthor.com/features/letters-of-opinion/washington-post-says-women-are-dumb/#comment-147158 Shiloh Walker Mon, 03 Mar 2008 00:21:31 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2008/03/02/washington-post-says-women-are-dumb/#comment-147158 Dang.... you mean when I chose to go to a female doctor, I was going to see somebody that was so stupid they shouldn't have passed the medical exam? Now you tell me. What about all them women scientist folk out there discovering new vaccines, improving old ones, developing new medical treatment? How they doin that if they dumb? Lemme get back to my chick-litrure now. Dang…. you mean when I chose to go to a female doctor, I was going to see somebody that was so stupid they shouldn’t have passed the medical exam?

Now you tell me. What about all them women scientist folk out there discovering new vaccines, improving old ones, developing new medical treatment? How they doin that if they dumb?

Lemme get back to my chick-litrure now.

]]> By: vanessa jaye http://dearauthor.com/features/letters-of-opinion/washington-post-says-women-are-dumb/#comment-147151 vanessa jaye Mon, 03 Mar 2008 00:07:37 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2008/03/02/washington-post-says-women-are-dumb/#comment-147151 I refuse to take this serious. She *must* have her tongue firmly in cheek. There's no way an intelligent being (who also happens to be female, and who is not part of some cult, or named Katie Holmes-Cruise. heh.) could be sprouting this shit for real. I refuse to take this serious. She *must* have her tongue firmly in cheek. There’s no way an intelligent being (who also happens to be female, and who is not part of some cult, or named Katie Holmes-Cruise. heh.) could be sprouting this shit for real.

]]> By: Josie http://dearauthor.com/features/letters-of-opinion/washington-post-says-women-are-dumb/#comment-147135 Josie Sun, 02 Mar 2008 22:56:31 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2008/03/02/washington-post-says-women-are-dumb/#comment-147135 'Is this what they call “the shallow end of the gene pool”?' LOL Nathalie! In all honesty, I actually feel dumber just for having read that. Damn you Charlotte Allen, I needed those brain cells! ‘Is this what they call “the shallow end of the gene pool”?’

LOL Nathalie!

In all honesty, I actually feel dumber just for having read that. Damn you Charlotte Allen, I needed those brain cells!

]]> By: Nathalie Gray http://dearauthor.com/features/letters-of-opinion/washington-post-says-women-are-dumb/#comment-147117 Nathalie Gray Sun, 02 Mar 2008 21:43:58 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2008/03/02/washington-post-says-women-are-dumb/#comment-147117 Is this what they call "the shallow end of the gene pool"? Is this what they call “the shallow end of the gene pool”?

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