An interesting exchange took place on the June 9th edition of MSNBC's Hardball show hosted by Chris Matthews. Chris was discussing the events of the week on his Friday 'roundtable with Hardball hotshots.' They included MSNBC hosts Rita Cosby and Tucker Carlson along with Mike Barnicle of the Boston Herald.
One of the topics was Ann Coulter's new book Godless: The Church of Liberalism. The discussion was progressing much as you would expect with Chris and each member of the panel expressing their disapproval of the harsh writings of the author. Then something unusual happened; something unheard of with our politically correct media. From the MSNBC transcript:
MATTHEWS: Do you find her physically attractive, Tucker?
CARLSON: I'm not going to answer that, because the answer, I don't want to hurt anybody's feelings. That's not the point.
MATTHEWS: Positively.
COSBY: Don't ask me that question.
MATTHEWS: Mike, do you want to weigh in here as an older fellow. Do you find her to be a physically attractive woman?
BARNICLE: I'm too old to be doing that. I had enough fights in my life.
MATTHEWS: OK, Rita, do you find her to be a physically attractive woman?
COSBY: I'll throw it back to you, Chris, do you find her attractive.
MATTHEWS: You guys are all afraid to answer. No, I find her—I wouldn't put her—well, she doesn't pass the Chris Matthews test.
Introducing the physical appearance of a woman into a discussion about her political views? Yes, I believe that's what just happened. I could be wrong but I believe this type of issue has been a settled question for quite some time. Didn't women fight and win a remarkable battle in the last century to ensure future generations would have a political voice? Didn't they struggle to have their voices heard and to be recognized for more than just their physical appearance? I believe they did.
So does Mr. Matthews really believe in a special test for females; a test impacting their political arguments? Let's hope not, because that would be unfair and it would also be sexism rearing its ugly head.
Or do the rules only apply to liberal women?
Steven Sanders 6 21 06
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