A woman's got the power
I don't know anything about the book cited but it seems to me that the persecution of witches (real or imaginary) had something to do with power. It seems rather obvious that there were more women than men at the bottom of the power pyramid at that time, but there were certainly men there too. So maybe the 3:1 ratio does tell us something about the distribution of powerlessness. Nothing surprising, though. I saw a TV spot with the author of a new book about the Salem Witch Trials this week, who also makes a similar point for that historical event--there were a significant number of men among the accused. But when the accusations reached to the governor's wife, he put a stop to it--power in action.
Dr. Dwight Galster
Everybody's gay
I am in total sympothy with the view that the witch-burnings were among the cruelest events in human history and represent woman-hating at its worst. Where I differ from the standard ideological slant associated with this recognition is that I am willing to highlight awareness of the role in history of homosexual males of the masculine ("butch") persuasion in promoting misogyny. It is politically incorrect, but historically relevant, to talk about this.
The Harvard Gay & Lesbian Review (fall 1999) presents an adoring picture of King James I, who was gay. The article fails to highlight his woman-hating and his prominent role in stirring up anti-witch hysteria in the period of the burnings. For this you have to consult other sources. See my website.
I have learned what I know of gay culture from gay writers, medical literature about AIDS and HIV transmission vectors, and professionally associating with gay organizations and consultants during my experience as an AIDS researcher, supported by two federal grants awarded to me.
The woman-hating tradition in the Catholic priesthood can be traced back to St. Augustine, who was also gay. This information comes from gay English professor Paul Russell of Vassar, author of The Gay 100. Russell called him a "thorough-going misogynist."
Michael Wright
Re: Pride and Prejudice (November)
Chomsky's down with the poor
Mr. Sullum:
The difference between Chomsky and his critics is quite simple. Chomsky does not regard people's lives of less value because they are from poor countries.
The US bombed Afghanistan killing thousands of people who had absolutely nothing to do with the 9/11 attacks. It is preparing to kill thousands of Iraqi's who have nothing to do with Saddam's crimes, in fact who are his victims. The thinking that allows people to accept these actions lies at the heart of terrorism..
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