Originally Posted by Mellowicious
It seems to me that there are much better ways to start a discussion than with an insult. If that really worked well, we'd see it used as an opening gambit here at RR a lot more often, wouldn't we?
IMO provocative postings initiate many discussions here on RR. The frequency of such opening gambits would likely be much higher if not for the rules of the board and the intensive moderation. I think the intention of the editor's decision to publish the article was indicated by the opening paragraph which said
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Agree? Disagree? Think this article should never have been published? Send a response to outlook@washpost.com and put "Smarter Than You Think" in the subject line.

Originally Posted by Mellowicious
I went back and looked at that thread; the closest thing I could find was "My point being that it's as foolish to believe one candidate's campaign to be clean as is it to excoriate another's for being 'dirty.'" That's saying two things are equally foolish; it's not calling a group of human beings "dumb."

Julia, if you think there is a huge difference between foolish and dumb... then I sincerely offer you the apology that you deserve.

Originally Posted by Mellowicious
she said "way down deep, we are...kinda dim." (emphasis mine)

Yes she did say that, just as Chris Rock might "insult" members of his race about some of their foolishness. Just as Garrison Keillor makes fun of the foolishness of Scandinavians. And just as you or I might criticise how things work in America ... and also be somewhat defensive if a non-American were to say the same thing. Julia, with all respect, I could generalize and say that we men are kind of "dim" in the sense that we often seem incapable of controlling our lust. And if I were to say it, I don't imagine I would be attacked by other men for my sexist comments demeaning men.

Originally Posted by Mellowicious
You also say the article "did not intend to demean women." .... snip.... That closing paragraph insults all of us - and it does so intentionally. I had forgotten just HOW insulting it was until I went back to look at it

I can certainly understand that you would feel infuriated and insulted by what this author wrote. Clearly, the author does not move in the same circles that you do
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Most of the women I know, I also like, and respect. They don't fit this pattern. They are factory managers and accounts and software test designers and network designers and emergency docs and investment bankers. A couple are small-business owners. Some volunteer their time to other people. Many of them are also caretakers, of children or elderly parents. They are not dim.

I do not perceive any nasty intent from this author. She has an entirely different life experience than you.

I am guessing that most of your friends do not watch Jerry Springer, or Dancing with the stars, or TMZ, or One Life to Live, ad nauseum. But we know that lots of people do watch these programs. Is it not possible that the author of this article is on of the large number of people who live a life quite different from the life lived by you and your friends? Is it not possible that "trailer trash" would have a different view of life and it's possibilities than you and your friends?

IMO the author wrote an article that reflects her own opinions and her own experience of life. Obviously it is far different than the experience of you and your friends. But it does seem a stretch to accuse the woman of intentionally insulting you and your friends.

I would also offer you my apology if I have inadvertently offended you by defending the honor of a woman with whom I disagree.

"It's not a lie if you believe it." -- George Costanza
The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves. --Bertrand Russel