Phyllis Schlafly

Another feminist demanded that Summers immediately submit to a week of "intense discussions" to get him to admit his guilt. Other feminists ran to the Internet and to friends in the media to activate an orgy of indignation and personal attacks.

Congressional liberals got into the act, too. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., was quoted nationally that Summers "knows that he clearly crossed the line."

Summers didn't say anything that hasn't been said by a few courageous scholars many times before. For example, University of Virginia Professor Steven Rhoads' book "Taking Sex Differences Seriously" (Encounter) is copiously documented.

But, as the dean at the very feminist Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Studies said, Summers gave us "an opportunity that didn't exist before" and we took it "to see that the changes at Harvard get made."

After two weeks of flagellation by the liberal media plus those "intense discussions" (a k a Soviet-style re-education) to force Summers to accept liberal dogma and use only feminist-permitted language, a contrite Summers apologized over and over again. It was unconditional surrender.

Summers appointed not one but two task forces: one on women in the Harvard faculty and another specifically on women in science and engineering, to recruit, support and promote women.

The task forces, which must report by May 1, are made up of 22 women and 5 men - the feminist version of gender equality. The chairman of the task force on women in science and engineering told the press she took the assignment only on Summers' promise that he will "act immediately on the suggestions."

It's doubtful that the task forces will make any suggestions - more likely they will issue orders. The announcement didn't include any caveat that new female hires be as qualified as the men who would be passed over, because Summers is already on record as endorsing affirmative action.

In one more Summers capitulation, he will appoint a commissar of faculty diversity. Perhaps we should say a commissarina since there's no need to speculate about her gender.

When will American men learn how to stand up to the nagging by the intolerant, uncivil feminists whose sport is to humiliate men? Men should stop treating feminists like ladies, and instead treat them like the men they say they want to be.

Phyllis Schlafly
