Barbara:  I don't think it's getting too involved at all.  In fact, I think a
discussion of feminist ethics and feminist morals would be timely.  Feminism is
normative, yet what we have here is a struggle among women who disagree on the
rectitude of Daly's behavior.  There doesn't seem to be an overarching "norm"
for women's behavior or for feminist behavior or for the behavior of
thealogians.  Where does that leave feminism as a movement and what does it
say about the direction that the feminisms of particular religions are going?
They're bigger questions than whether MD should speak to men or swear at them,
but I think they're lurking underneath the Daly discussion.


> I was, and still am upset over the tone of cp's post


Oh, sorry Silke.  I just found this letter and the other one which addresses
my tone in the wrong mailbox, hence my late reply.


About the tone of my message... The story sounded like an urban myth to
me, probably because I've heard it several times, with slightly different
twists every time.  Since details are never given in any of the tales I've
heard, I've been suspicious.  I don't put any of it past her, mind you,
just as I don't put it past teenagers to shoot people who flash their
brights at other drivers or slightly senile elderly people to think that the
microwave will dry a wet cat.


Again:  I repent of my skepticism toward the story that you told!


As far as sociobiologists go, I think the reasoning and affinities can be
found in any discipline.  (NOT that I now think YOUR colleague is a
sociobiologist!!!)


>Now, would you care to share your credentials again?


Sure, but first let me state unequivocally that the only credential which
questioning requires is the ability to think.  College degrees do not bestow
thinking and questioning ability nor do they bestow the right to do so.  Indeed,
there are several people on this list who have expressed feeling intimidated
by the degrees of some of the academics on this list.  I prefer that everyone
who thinks and feels strongly about the issues here be allowed to speak
without fear of academic intimidation.  (I also don't believe in fussing at
people for misspelling words on email, though I don't mind if my own errors
are called to my attention.)


That said, my academic credentials include that I'm ABD at the University of
Texas at Austin, in sociology.  After completing my M.A., I passed my
comprehensive exams with honors.  I've got one research publication and one
review article (solicited though, so not really anything to brag about and not
very good either, I must say) and another article in progress at the moment,
though not yet submitted.  There's more, but then...blah...blah...blah...


>And your reason for your apparent anger?


Erm...  Since I'm not angry, I think that my *apparent* anger is probably due
to either one or a combination of two things:


1.  Email is less effective than face to face speaking in communicating
emotional tone, and I don't usually use emoticons.


2.  Your emotional investment in the issue has adversely affected your
perception.


cp = Carolyn Pevey (cpevey)
p.s. Silke is a neat name.  It makes me think of mermaids.