The current furor in the Muslim world has prompted the Republican Party to resume playing one of its oldest and most hypocritical games. It concerns the double standard in how they respond to anti-Americanism.

If a Democrat is President, they always argue that such anti-Americanism is a sign of American weakness. And they claim that if we only had a he-man Republican in the White House, then they'd respect us-- they wouldn't dare try any provocation then.

Now cut to reality. When we do have a he-man Republican in the White House, anti-Americanism happens anyway. But in this case, they don't blame their own President and say it's about American weakness. This time, all the blame goes on the bad attitudes of foreigners. They're just wrong to think and act the way they do, that's all. A consideration they never give to a Democrat.

And the Republicans simply increase their insularity and resentment of the rest of the world. A resentment that's a major element of the "Exceptionalism" they insist on. And ironically, it leads to a heedlessness that's a major factor in producing anti-Americanism. "Blame America first?" No, blame Republicans. It's hard to be a good neighbor when you hate the world, and when you think being considerate is weak.

Sincerely,

Stephen Van Eck

Rushville, PA

I would like to submit my view of the Irish-Gaelic meaning of the O in front of names - first, given or surname or family names. The O has been in front of Irish names since at least the 10th century. The meaning of O is ‘a Grandson’. For an example - the name of O’ Neil would mean Grandson of Neil. In Scotland and Ireland - Mc or Mac would mean’ Son of’ preceding the main name. Now Ireland (not the British Northern part ) belongs to The European Union.

There are at present, 27 Countries in The E.U. and 2 of these Countries are extremely Pro-Life. Malta is 100% Pro-Life - no Baby killing allowed! Ireland is 2nd and allows abortion only if the Mother could die in a birth of her Baby- That scenario is almost non - existent. Sadly, the 25 other Countries in The E.U. allow Baby-killing abortions. Most E.U. Countries - 100% abortions, and a few with less restrictions. President Barack O’bama’s record in his voting career has advanced by far, (of any of our past Presidents) the most pro - abortion record in our Nation’s history! I do believe that President O’bama should not be associated with Ireland by the name O’bama.

Sincerely,

Bruce Moorhead

Susquehanna,Pa

Sexism. That '60s neologism under which feminists rallied to protest centuries of oppression by men. The list of feminists' grievances reverberated through sympathetic media and compliant courts with ne'er a word of dissent.

To name but a few of the injustices: Marriage was a male invention to enslave women to cook, do the housework, and---most onerous---to bear and rear his children. The medium income for men in 2012 was $48,000, but for women it was only $37,000. Men are preferred over women by employers because of the “ol' boys' network.” A “glass ceiling” prevented women in corporate America from rising to top positions. And women are sex objects to be ogled, pestered, whistled at, and “hit on.”

True? Or Ms-information? To begin, let's take that diabolic social institution, marriage.

Who of the two parties in a relationship wants an engagement ring and a church wedding with all the trimmings? It is, as we all know, the woman. She spends hours trying on gown after gown for the perfect dress to wear while walking down the aisle to meet her future husband. Weddings are a matriarchal rite of passage.

For a woman, marriage is an all encompassing, life-changing event. It is the point where she can make a home, a safe and secure environment where she can begin what she was designed to do, to have and rear her children. And what could be grander than that?

What about the disparity in income? Isn't an $11,000 difference proof of sexism?

Not at all. A good chunk of a young woman's life is devoted not to making money but the 24/7 job of nurturing her children; a rigorous and demanding task that will consume the next 20 years of her life.

Later, after the nest has emptied, she may choose to join the workforce to supplement her husband's income. Naturally the incomes will differ significantly.

But why do employers generally hire a man before a woman? That's discrimination.

The choice is not so much discriminatory against women as it is an employer's willingness to pay a premium for men. Generally, a man is more capable with things mechanical, stronger, able to work more efficiently, has more energy and drive, and is less prone to sickness.

Does this mean that men are better than women? At some tasks, of course, just as women are better than men at other endeavors. In any case, it is the employer who makes the decision based upon what is best for his company.

Now we come to corporate America and that indiscernible “glass ceiling.” Even today there are few women CEOs in high-dollar corporations. Surely, that's wrong?

No, that's right and here's why. CEOs live or die at the bottom line. He gets a quarterly fitness report based upon profits and they better be good. The truth is that top management would hire a two-headed yellow dog, and most certainly a woman, if it could boost profits. Sex, race, religion, all are secondary to the dollar.

Lastly, women are seen by men as sex objects, boys' toys.

That's busted, too. Women do everything in their power to enhance their natural attractiveness to men: carefully applied make-up, appealing and fashionable dress, jewelry, even breast augmentation. That's not custom or culture, that's hardwired biology. Her purpose is to attract suitors from which she can choose the best provider and father for her children.

Men, for their part, at least in Christendom, have shown women the greatest respect. A man would remove his hat when talking to a woman. He would never presume to offer his hand in friendship to a woman but gently grasp her's if offered. A woman as one of superior social station would always be introduced to a man. He would open a door for a woman and rise when she entered the room and remain so until she was seated. Profane expressions and blue jokes were strictly verboten in her presence. And in dire straits, it was women and children first.

Feminism has made great strides since the '60s but never by popular demand expressed through the ballot box but by force of law through an activist judiciary. But whether the courts have been instruments of social progress or have succumbed to the fatal attraction of feminism is to this day an open question.

Sincerely,

Bob Scroggins

New Milford, PA