FUNDAMENTALLY FEMALE

The Governor of Virginia should go back to Regent University, Pat  Robertson's haven of zealous fundamentalists, and learn how to deal with the "outside world"  That goody-two shoes, holier than thou veneer usually covers an individual who is among the first to be found face-down in the soft pelt of a lost soul at a brothel, a la "Elmer Gantry," Sinclair Lewis's velcro-souled preacher.  (Shirley Jones was awesome in the movie.)  This is all conjecture on my part, which usually precedes history, but I believe in reading signs.

   From the files of The Daily Press

The Face of Fundamentalism, Governor Bob McDonnell

(who evidently believes all women should have all offspring they conceive through their original sin)

We ladies have our weaknesses too.  I freely admit to sacrificing my potential (whatever it was) on the altar of matrimony.  Attending church, I realized my reward every Mother's Day, when I was recognized along with every other adult woman in the congregation, by standing.   Sort of a reverse "Red Letter A" tribute to doing God's will, it always felt like I was an anti- "Hester Prynne," Nathaniel Hawthorne's tramp-stamped protagonist of old.  Though I haven't been to church for years, I'm certain they all get their stand-up exaltation on their designated national holiday.

I hope I don't sound surrendered to the poisonous venom of a disappointed life, but I guess I maybe, kind of, am.  Being called out of the water at water's edge, this swimmer resents never leaving the inner tube of security for a free swim; and now to see the tide ebbing for women, nationwide, evaporates my conviction that America, sanctuary for people seeking freedom, equality, and opportunity, is anything but a stag party.

From "Bible Pictures and What They Teach Us"

The First Eviction:  Somebody's Going to Get Blamed.

The remedy for hopelessness is effort.  Do something.  Speak up.  Reason diffuses anger, if anger doesn't annihilate it first.  Vote for a man, which is your only choice usually, who might possibly protect your equality as a human being, and I sincerely hope you can find one.