David Gelernter identifies and names a plague which has engulfed America over the last few decades: "machisma." The feminine counterpart of machismo is a mirror—image form of bullying, basically the requirement that someone share his or her feelings.

Picking up on Senator Dianne Feinstein's cringe—inducing question to Chief Justice Roberts during his confimration hearings, Professor Gelernter documents familiar examples of this abuse taking place in classrooms, houses of worship, and (my own contribution to the list) sensitivity training courses throughout America. I have always loathed the experience of comparattive or complete strangers asking me about my feelings. By definition, feelings are quite private. And must be respected as such.

Thomas Lifson   9 30 05