Women are individuals. Like all individuals, each one is responsible for her own success or failure. It's 2012. I can't believe that people like Goodman are still trying to blame a man or group of men or a vast right wing conspiracy for their perceived lack of success. I'm not president of General Electric and probably never will be. On whom shall I blame my perceived lack of success?

since when is it that women getting free birth control is slowing down their progress, If women can't pay a co-pay, that's a problem. Terrible article.

I thought Ellen retired. Oh well, the screaming feminist never retires, and always comes back. Finding silly ways to show womens's advancement being reversed is a tired theme for a column. Ellen is forever a victim, and will always find things to complain about. I think she makes herself look very small, by forever focusing on these little anecdotes. Maybe she can begin next year with a column showing how WOMEN have misplayed their new found equality.

I liked this editorial and learned something. Misogyny is still live and kicking. Good work, Ellen!

The same people who deny sexism also deny racism. After all, if racism and sexism exist, then white male privilege must also exist. And we all know that men who achieve have done so completely by their own merit, despite the political correctness of the left. Right? 83% of Congress and 100% of presidents... right?

Funny how Ellen "forgot" to mention Anthony Weiner. Then again, when a married Democrat sends unsolicited, puerile, pictures of himself to a coed that probably elevates the status of women. Certainly the behavior of former Democrat VP candidate John Edwards isn't noteworthy either as it didn't demean his dying wife. I guess it was easy to overlook Carrie Fisher who wrote in her book about an evening with Ted Kennedy where he asked her "do you think you'll be having sex with Chris at the end of your date?'. Fisher is an adult woman so an outrageously disgusting suggestion by the "Liberal Lion" of the Senate is utterly innocuous. Goodman's "outrage" over the mistreatment of women by conservative figures seems to be perfectly blind to the endless varieties of far worse behavior by liberal, Democrat, men towards women. But I suppose when you have to swallow the endless misogyny of a Bill Clinton for a decade it becomes awfully easy to trot out an article as idiotic as this and whine about the "abuse" of women by so many conservatives, no?

Let me make some guesses about Ellen's psychological makeup. She was born into a family with a strong mother (that also reads as domineering, or controlling, depending on the circumstances). Her father was a quiet, shy, hard working, supportive guy, who loved the kid(s) but kept in his place. Or, if the parents divorced it was bitter. Ellen is smart and she is assertive (aggressive) and dominates in groups of other women. She is well educated, and now recognized by many groups as a "leading feminist". She is in a "bubble". Most of her friends are "feminists" or "feminist enablers". >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Problem number 1: Do you notice that political pundits far and wide often talk about what "we" know. But the meaning has shifted from meaning what facts are known to what "the people" think. In that sense, what "we" (Joe the plumber and Jane the single mom) don't get is the difference between "equal rights" and "equal opportunity". "Rights" has become "what any group (tribe) wants. and "Equal rights" has become the tribe should have the same as the tribe with the most of whatever it is. In other words, "we" don't get that reverse discrimination to give special priviledges to certain groups destroys "equal opportunity". The "special rights" tribe doesn't care -- it won't "give up" special rights because they are unfair. more...

continuing... So the first problem that Ellen has is that she doesn't understand the pernicious nature of "equal rights" for whatever group. And neither do "we" -- meaning liberals, pundits, academics. Right wingers may, but they don't count if they are not "we" -- meaning they are against abortion, pray every day, and want religion to be part of government. They are not "we" so they are dismissed. But, of course, "we" don't usually get the big problems until they have caused a catastrophe. Can you say, global warming. Can you say "plagues and pestilences", as in Biblical writings? Hurricanes, West Nile, EEE, fires, draughts, earthquakes, need I go on. "We" also didn't get that lack of regulation in the financial world would cause a catastrophe. Can you say "forclosed homes"? In fact, the GOP is trying to convince people that reducing regulation is the SOLUTION. So, if "we" vote in the Repubs "we" will be essentially throwing gasoline onto the fire. Now, back to Ellen. She does not get it that "rights" are made up to be "what we want". She does not get what the consequences are. Neither does the Globe. Neither do "we" -- the liberal consciousness. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Many "feminists" -- the high profile, attack oriented ones -- are either being manipulative or are stupid.

continued...Manipulative if the "rage" and the stridency are an act. THey know what they want to accomplish and the ends justifies the means. They know many of their pronouncements are false but they don't care if it achieves the end result. Like Mitt Romney, everything is fabricated. So, a smart, logical, feminist with an axe to grind, or a mission, that overrides the facts. The other possibility is that the feminist is stupid, no logical, emotional, "a true believer". This species exists in all areas, of course, male and female, young and old, educated and not. I don't think Ellen falls into this category. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> But there are also "real" feminists. They work hard, do well, are fair to everyone, smart, logical, always thinking, in short what "equal opportunity" is all about. I know some of them. They are impressive. "we" don't get that they are the real feminists. But "we" are the winners, those who are on "the team". THe ones who know the most but only about what "everyone" knows. Ih short, NOT independent thinkers, NOT creative. Unwilling or unable to give up the benefits of being on the "team" in return for calling it like it is. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> My guess is that Ellen is one of the manipulative faux feminists. It's an act. She knows herself that there are other considerations but dismisses that it is important to talk about them. Like many liberals, perhaps she believes that only your intentions count. You are not to blame for unintended consequences. This, by the way, is the second log in the liberal eye. "I was trying to do the right thing". So, you have no responsibility for the results of your actions if you were "trying to do the right thing". Like the loud claims that global warming was made up? Of course, those people will all be dead by the time things get REALLY tense -- most likely for your children. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> So, Ellen, you are one of the "good old girls". You are obsolete. It seems you can't teach a &q

continued...It seems you can't teach a "good old girl" new tricks. But, be aware, you are not (just?) rubbing it in the faces of your nasty father, your abusive uncle, you stupid ex husband, or, heaven help us, your current feckless husband or boyfriend. You are subverting your sons (do you have any, Ellen) and your friends sons. Do you really want the boys to turn out to be obedient puppies, just so they'll take out the garbage and cook your meals? Do you prefer to have husbands and boyfriends who acts like servants at a 5 start resort. I think, Ellen, that you do. You come down on the side of those who want an easy life, not an authentic, rich and vibrant one.

Ellen, I suggest you have a talk with Cathy Young (a real feminist).

Nice column Ellen. I think some of these posters need to keep an open mind.

Hello Ellen - Miss your style. Opinion is written way too much like the way System writes comments below. We are all getting MORE stupider. Hee hee! Take care - Dave

You appear to have missed Ms Goodman's excellent points. Shocking!

THAT'S what you took away from this opinion piece? Okay, whatever.

Yeah, we get it, "jkupie", Some of your best friends are feminists. So, your exposure to them as taught you how to spot the "faux feminists". Thanks for doing that for the rest of us. I don't what we'd do without your (endless) postings. Stay vigilant, my friend.

See lordchaucer, TSeeker43 a couple of bubblettes with attaboys heard from! Make you feel better in your bubble, Ellen?

HHKitchener2, Ellen, you forgot the Female genit@l mutilators in Muslim Egypt. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Good point, HH. Perhaps she didn't bring it up because so many women support male mutilation. It helps to prevent disease transmission to women during sex. You may know it as circumcision. Personally, I don't think either sex should be mutilated. There should be a law, actually, because kids are mutilated when they are too young to prevent it. And, religions by the way (if you were thinking of mentioning it), have to obey the laws for all...

I think Weiner set men back more than he set women back, but yes, he certainly deserves 'dishonorable mention.'

Wow, your extended post is longer than the column. Were you hoping to be offered a fee as a free-lancer? At least I am getting my own money's worth with so-called points and counterpoints.