I can sympathize with Schreier's annoyance with feminist assumptions that all good women will just automatically fall into lockstep with feminist groupthink, on the war in Iraq or whatever. As if all the members of one's "constituency" would just naturally think alike, if only they weren't blinded by, I dunno, "false consciousness" or something.

In fact, this has long been to me one of the most annoying features of feminist thought, or for that matter, of most manifestions of leftish thought. "Just shut up and agree with us!" Yeah, right, just stop thinking for yourself, button your lip, and get with the program.

Hell, I could see through this aspect of "movement" feminism 25 and 30 years ago!

Back in the late 80s, when I was living in North Carolina, I remember a piece by local columnist Hal Crowther-- sort of a leftish fellow, but often crotchety and independent in his thinking. I remember him acidly commenting on "men who dutifully recite their feminist catechism, to angry women who don't seem to like them much anyway."

And I remember thinking to myself, damn straight, Hal-- you can see that, I can see that, why do so many people have such a hard time seeing that? Because, at least in the circles I frequented back in those days, there were many people who couldn't for the life of them see this aspect of "movement" feminism-- "Just shut up and agree with us!"-- even as they themselves were obediently shutting up and falling in line.

Fast forward to today's world, and more and more people are seeing it. Especially, I gather, more and more of those people who came on the scene after the Baby Boom Generation. But my question is, Why the hell has it taken so long?

I remember my little moment of revulsion of the feminist movement when I read an article in Time Magazine that was nothing but one long screed of how 'unappreciative' the 'younger generation' (meaning GenXers like me) were of the Boomer feminists. What, like I was stupid or something? Like, I didn't know that feminism began long before they were an itch in their daddie's pants, but if their daddy's had known what their pants would have produced, they would have kept it zipped?

My first thoughts were of how idiotic they sounded. Having to beg for gratitude like that is indicative of someone who has done what they did for all the wrong reasons, not to mention that I don't really consider burning bras, bashing men, and screaming like banshees over imaginary offenses to be worthy of gratitude, or admiration. I happen to like men...A LOT, and in some cases, much more than I would like the women friends I have.

Oh, but I babble. Just count me in as among those 'young' women (thank you Dean! LOL) who are sick and tired of hearing from the feminazi Left. I'm going to go cuddle my hubby now, and tell him what a great man he is, just so I can see a feminazi explode. heh heh heh...

Sharon, I feel like you. While I believe I am in way a lesser person than my husband, I am reprelled by screeds by some feminists comparing all heterosexual sex to rape and all men are the enemy - instead of seeming progressive, it actually feels very quaint and old-fashioned to me and I am under 30 :-)

Thing is, any SMART man will never think of a woman as lesser than himself...just different...and a SMART woman would think the same. I don't stay with my husband because I think I have a lesser role in life than he does. I stay with him because he is a GOOD caring man who loves me deeply and passionately and is willing sacrifice himself to take care of me and his daughter. That feminazis refuse to see these men in our society is indicative of how poorly they have been treated in their lives, and how unwilling they are to accept the fact that not everyone is willing to let it rule their judgement. I have been treated badly by men, too, but I have also known many men who have better hearts than mine.

Feminazis are just selfish babies...and REAL women are those who have grown up to see what treasures men can be.