Comments on: “After the flirtation came the fatwa”

By: Sawgunner

Sawgunner — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 22:19:23 +0000

It would be wrong to say “Wow Sarah you look hot!” but acceptable to say “Hey that’s a great outfit your wearing today!” and anyone who deems both statemts to be equal is certainly an outlier on the bell curve.

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By: NJLawyer

NJLawyer — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 22:14:20 +0000

And the truth, Nick, is that men don’t really know what women are thinking, and women like it that way.

(Now let’s watch them scurry….)

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By: NJLawyer

NJLawyer — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 22:11:11 +0000

LOL, Nick. I agree. I think most women — and men — know the difference between a compliment and a sleazy remark. In fact, I’m sure of it. As I said, intent should be given credence and weight.

I also agree that physical beauty is fleeting, so it’s a good thing I got my education. What’s inside makes all the difference.

They are currently reviewing the Bush/Ferraro debate, and she called him patronizing, and in a way I would agree. At the same time, if he had said his words to a man, it would have been a direct hit. Palin said she wouldn’t whine, and so far, I haven’t heard that she has.

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By: Nick H. Peters

Nick H. Peters — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 20:20:59 +0000

To NJ Lawyer

Since when can men figure out what women are thinking? But as a rule I think compliments should be taken in the spirit in which they are given.

But women (and men) should not let compliments about physical appearance go to their head. Physical beauty is fleeting but our faults are forever.

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By: NJLawyer

NJLawyer — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 20:01:05 +0000

Hey, Nick, #15 made me laugh. I was always under the impression that men had always been constrained to ascertain the thoughts of women — at least the ones they were interested in. And then, of course, women had the right to play the game.

That, of course, is different from an “office” situation. And I suppose that’s what the feminazis here and in Pakistan want — the poor guy was trying to be nice to Palin, that’s all he intended, and I think intent matters. It certainly does in criminal law. An element of a crime is whether the perp has “mens rea” (evil intent) and without it, there is no crime. That’s how I view this situation. The man had no evil intent here. It doesn’t seem to have bothered Palin, but she’s probably used to being considered pretty. What a sad commentary when we have to pick apart everything a person does, but that’s what the liberals MSM and liberals in general do. They never give the benefit of the doubt.

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By: Nick H. Peters

Nick H. Peters — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 19:23:41 +0000

To NJ Lawyer

The problem is men don’t know when it is okay to compliment women on their appearance and when it is not okay.

My hunch is women want to judge that on a case-by-case basis and men are suppose to ascertain their thoughts.

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By: buddyglass

buddyglass — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 19:21:29 +0000

He didn’t say she “looked good” he called her “gorgeous” which has a definite sexual undertone. While I don’t think it should upset Palin overmuch, it does seem unprofessional. I wouldn’t compliment my female coworkers by telling them they’re “gorgeous”. I might compliment them on a dress, or a new haircut, but that’s a specific thing, not a general assessment of their overall attractiveness. You wouldn’t say to a female coworker, “Hey, you’re looking really hot today!”

The worst part about what he said is probably the the second sentence: “Now I know why the whole of American is crazy about you.” Not because she’s competent and effective, or has the right platform, or because she’s a good speaker. No, because she’s gorgeous.

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By: NJLawyer

NJLawyer — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 18:25:19 +0000

Men may not compliment other men on their outfits, but I often hear men say “you’re looking fit” or “you’re looking prosperous” to other men.

There is no need for speech police.

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By: Anlir

Anlir — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 18:01:12 +0000

The point is, a lot of what we now get alarmed about (ie, a compliment on a woman’s appearance as the Paki Prez did) used to be accepted/expected by gals as late as the 1940s/50s.

Yes, and nobody used to get alarmed about calling black people the “N” word in the 1940s/50s.

The “good old days” of the 1940’s and 50’s were not so “good” for women, blacks, and other people.

And I don’t think we should apologize for (or regret) treating other people decently and civilly.

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By: NJLawyer

NJLawyer — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 17:51:28 +0000

And “lookism” isn’t really a crime. He flattered her. He acknowledged the truth. Heaven forbid someone should pay someone else a compliment. No one got upset when men said those same things to Princess Diana.

If you want to get upset over something, get upset over the video of her beauty contests. We don’t see any video of Biden’s oral argument in law school.

(Just so you know, Sawgunner, gals still like to hear that they’re pretty.)

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