Politically Incorrigible

When I sit down in the morning to write the accompanying commentary to these cartoons I usually have no idea where my mind is going to head. Today I flashed on the most recent blog entry of my friend Jean Burman (http://www.jeanburman.com/), concerning political correctness. I created this a few days ago, and it hadn't occurred to me that it might be tasteless, crass, and insensitive until I connected it to Jean's observations (with which I both agree and have reservations about, but that's another story). And then I recalled the true story of a feminist author who was terrified of flying but had to spend a lot of time travelling to conferences and speaking engagements. To overcome her phobia she took a course (dare I call it a "crash" course?), and was told that the first time she flew after "graduation" she should explain her situation to the cabin attendants (notice I didn't use the sexist term "stews"), and ask to meet the pilot, thus putting a human face to the person who would be responsible for her safety and well-being. But when she saw that the pilot was a woman, she burst into tears.