I don’t want women in the military where they are placed in harm’s way; I don’t want them as cops on patrol or as firefighters where they are ill-suited physically. But we men cannot be faulted for taking some degree of mild interest in the way women are handling themselves in the political arena. Forget the way men are pummeling each other, that’s old hat. Ah, but how the fair sex pummels each other using their most dangerous weapon, their verbal skills against each other; that’s a grabber. Men are used to this, having largely brought it upon themselves, but no-holds barred verbal beating of woman on woman is something to behold.

In “The Music Man” the mayor says “You watch your phraseology” when hearing anything he thinks bordering on blue speech. I wonder how he would respond to Ann Coulter’s column “I am woman, hear me bore: Speaking of which, the horny hick’s wife finally ended the breathless anticipation by announcing that she is running for president. I studied tapes of Hillary feigning surprise at hearing about Monica to help me look surprised upon learning that she’s running.”

Now, I know Bill and Hillary are white trash just putting on airs, I have written about them being in Mammy’s words “nothing but mules in horse’s harness” but without any of the redeeming virtues of Rhett and Scarlett; however, “horny hick’s wife?” Lordy! Ann; “watch your phraseology.” We all know Bill is a horny hick, but goodness gracious certain proprieties should be observed, and few things are so detrimental to making a point than to skewer yourself with improper phraseology in the public forum.

It is true a couple of years ago Ann sent me a brief note. She had been on the mailing list for The Weedpatch Gazette and the note very succinctly read: “Remove Immediately!” Well, rather than taking umbrage being the gentleman I am I did as requested, and I sure didn’t want to invite Ann’s verbal skills being practiced on me. But it did occur to me it must have been something I said, and being a gentleman I knew it couldn’t have been my phraseology. However, given Ann’s continued support of Caesar Bush and my outspoken criticism of him I don’t doubt she just didn’t want to hear it. But Ann’s rebuff has not prevented me continuing to read her column by which I find useful information about the thinking of right wing conservatism. And this is the way you not only keep informed, but you allow differing points of view to your own perspective of issues and people.

Some may take my speaking to the issue of the need of women in the decision making processes of world governments as taking the side of women. But it is not a matter of “taking sides,” it is not a matter of combativeness or competition, but a matter of what should be the compatibility of differences between men and women, something sorely needed in making decisions impacting upon a host of issues facing humankind.

Al Gore learned very quickly but too late from that “kiss of death” during the presidential campaign men forcing themselves upon women does not play well in Peoria. I’m a great fan of kissing women, always have been. But I also know the best kissing requires real sincerity on the part of the participants. The wooden Al just didn’t come across with the required sincerity, and his “performance” seemed totally out of character. Now why didn’t Al have the same unfeigned passion for his wife he came to show about global warming, a passion that may win him an Oscar? I’d give a pretty to be a fly on the wall as Al and Tipper have that discussion. And who could blame Al’s wife for upbraiding him to the effect “Why didn’t you give that kind of Oscar performance with me and while you were running for President?”

Sexual frustration takes many forms besides that of “Desperate Housewives.” But it is a tragedy for humankind it often takes the direction of violence against women, and in too many cases of men against men whether individually or in the wars men make. This has been one of the reasons for my advocating legalizing prostitution. However, my reasoning includes gentlemen’s clubs where men have opportunity to talk to women in an unfeigned atmosphere conducive to conversation without the competition and combativeness as well. It’s the old story of “My wife doesn’t understand me.” But women have the same trouble with their husbands. So there should be those lady’s clubs also. Just think of all the sexual frustration that could be relieved on the part of both men and women in an atmosphere where there is no recrimination, where both men and women get a chance to talk to each other in neutral territory. Now that to my mind is “civilized,” especially where sexual frustration can be legally relieved without either violence or recrimination.

There seems no end of books and talk shows, films all revolving around the frustration of men and women in relationships. But an honest discussion debating the merits of legalizing prostitution in America, of gentlemen’s and lady’s clubs seems anathema even among those that like to be considered “liberal.” But who doesn’t think it would be interesting, if not downright fun, to watch and listen to pundits in the MSM having an honest discussion on the subject.

I believe Ann should be able to avail herself of a lady’s club, a place where she could vent her own sexual frustration by talking to men in a non-judgmental atmosphere; it wouldn’t make Bill any less a horny hick, it wouldn’t make Al any less wooden with Tipper, but I believe Ann, Hillary, Nancy, and others would profit mightily from such a thing. Why, it could mean peace in our time!