The Backlash! - December 1997

Should Katie Couric resign?

Condolences to Couric

Katie Couric joked that a man who jilted a woman perhaps should be castrated. Now that her husband died of colon cancer, will she joke about his grammar, wishing he had a "semi-colon?" Will her co-host, Matt Lauer, who lost his own dad to cancer last year, also continue mocking male pain? Oh, how funny male agony is. Let's give even more attention to only women's health issues, shall we? - Robert Sides

My condolences to Katie Couric regarding the death of her husband Jay Monihan, who died of cancer on Monday, January 26, 1998. Perhaps she is now learning the hard way how important fathers and husbands are and how short our life spans can be. Judging from her past statements she thinks the ravaging of men's bodies is a joke. Many women joke about prostate cancer in men and how women are stronger because they live longer but they better not say that around Katie at the moment. Poetic Justice? - Dresden


On the December 15, 1997, episode of Dateline, for an utterly bigoted piece about how the commercials directed at men are simple minded compared to commercials directed at women, because women are capable of more complex thinking and absorbing more information. (Maybe that's why so many men I know consider "The Princess Bride" a cult classic.)

Despite that most commercials are pretty stupid, the sample they selected was unrepresentative and self-serving. But the worst of it was that, near the end of the segment, Stone Phillips asked, "Is it really possible to teach men to be sensitive?" or words to that effect.

Is NBC/MSNBC bingeing on an orgy of anti male rhetoric, are they going for ratings because they know women comprise the majority of network television viewers, or is Phillips coming to Couric's rescue by trying to share the heat for her androphobia? It doesn't matter. Maybe it's time to boycott all of NBC's advertisers. Let them know bigotry is not a product they want to be selling.

While interviewing Nicole Contos, the jilted bride of Tasos Michael, on the Today show, Katie Couric asked Contos, "Have you considered castration as an option?" Some men's rights advocates say this is tantamount to advocating sexual violence and genital mutilation, that if a male host joked about "castrating" a woman he would be fired, and they demand Couric's resignation. What do you think? Should Couric resign, or is this harmless humor? E-mail your response, and we'll post it here.

Tuesday, December 2, 1997 - Ms. Couric had Monday off, but was back on the air today. Early in the program, she, her male co anchor and the fellow who hosts the weather segments cracked a few jokes with very mild sexual overtones. The weatherman looked at the camera and harrumphed, "It's only a joke!" Obviously, he was referring to last week's gaff. The way the boys are rallying 'round the lady is a prime example of inappropriate chivalry. It's okay to protect women, but not when they do wrong.

"Oh, come on!" All she did was tell a joke. Quite right. But jokes, as these well-paid people ought to know, are not always appropriate. More than 20 years ago, long before pop feminists began accusing me of promoting violence against women and a "rape culture," a male coworker was laughing about one of his most recent "conquests." He concluded with "If rape is inevitable, lay back and enjoy it." Hardy-har-har. "That's not funny!" I snapped at him. "It's only a joke," he retorted.

Now, where have we heard that one before?

Date: Thu, 29 Jan 1998 10:46:50 -0800 From: Sandra Obuck To: rodvan@nwlink.com Subject: Katie Couric Sure the remark was inappropriate, however, male violence against women is a very real and serious problem in this country whereas female violence against men occurs much, much more seldom. Perhaps this is why when Loreena Bobbit cuts off her husband's penis it becomes a national joke, but when O.J. Simpson beats (and likely murders) his wife it doesn't seem so funny because this kind of male against female violence happens everyday. Perhaps Katie should apologize, however, I think that firing her is way too extreme. Let her be a breast tissue donor on national TV! John Ghesquiere SABA University School of Medicine Box 527668 Miami, FL 33152-7668 ph: 011 599 462 659 JohnGhes@Megatropic.com Yes, she shouldn't be able to tell jokes on air. - William O'Connor

The question was no doubt meant as a joke, but if a man made a similar crack on national television about mutilating a woman, he would be unemployed instantly. Fair is fair. She should go. - John Klingle

The answer to the Katie Couric question is simplified, when put in perspective. Imagine Dan Rather asking a man in a similar situation, "Have you considered cutting her breasts off?" or, "Have you considered sewing her vagina shut?" Just what do you think would happen if that were said? He would be waxed before he got to his dressing room. It is sick, the way people laugh at one statement without realizing the consequences of the words. - Steve Woodrow

She should not be asking questions but she should not be fired. To level the issue please have in mind that only in 1995 Dr. Polone a professor at Rutgers and editor of the journal of Interpersonal Violence or other magazines has in fact publicly advocated castration in the interview with the New York Times. He is a psychologist. All professional staff issue a protest that really even touched Dr. Polone. Do not fire her please but get another perspective. - Emilia A. Wisniewska

The Katie Couric flap reminds me of something that happened on CNN shortly after the Lorena Bobbit incident. Female newscasters ran footage of women wearing T-shirts that read "Don't snip it or clip it, Bob-bit" and "Manassas a cut above the rest". They seemed to think their little fashion show was very funny. I vote for firing her. - Jerry Vrooman

My opinion? Couric should be flogged to death. Why not? She advocates violent assault, so give her a taste of her own medicine -- preferably a lethal dose of it. Is my reaction extreme? No more extreme than advocating genital mutilation over the media. The funny thing is that when I wrote a letter of protest to the former editor of the Jerusalem Post about a gender feminist who used her column to advocate the same thing, he didn't know what was wrong with what she said -- and it certainly wasn't to be taken seriously, so he maintained. Tell that to John Bobbitt, the most glaring example of a person who was the victim of a violent assault and, as a result, became an international laughingstock. If we've reached this level, it's time to take drastic measures. - Maurice King

Yes she should.... She should at least apologize. What if a guy had joked about a woman not showing up to an expensive wedding. "Well, you should have your tit's cut off shouldn't you?!" Or, "Well, I guess you should be sterilized!" It is just as disgusting as male bashing. - Robert Costa

I think it is sick and tasteless. Had a man made light of female genital mutilation he would have been summarily executed. I see no difference in this situation, the women are continuously screaming for equality, when what they really want is for them to be able to pick and choose what is equal. I am very limited in my news sources, but you can bet that she will NOT be one anymore. - Kevin Taylor

Hmmmm...to be honest, I think that this was meant as a joke, BUT...can you imagine what would happen if a man said "Have you considered sewing her vagina as an option?" (sorry to be so blunt). Can you imagine the outrage? It seems as if women can joke about the castration of men, and it isn't seen as serious - why? A man can't even joke with a woman without being slapped with a lawsuit. In a time when women are trying to stop domestic abuse and other instances of violence against women, it seems counterproductive to talk about castrating men. Should she be fired? Well, women want equality, right? Thus, Katie Couric should be treated the same way as a man who called for the assault of a woman. If a man would be fired for saying something similar, then Katie should be treated the same way. If a man would be given a reprimand, then that is what Katie should get. - Carolyn Gargaro

Couric should resign! Her comment is at least as bad as Jimmy the Greek's or Andy Rooney's. The Greek did resign, and died shortly thereafter, and Rooney groveled for weeks. Better yet, don't watch NBC, ABC, or CBS. - Gene Hopp

Katie Couric is representative of a nation of well bred & cultivated sexist pigs. NBC would not hesitate to fire a male for such a comment. He'd be gone in a second. But anyone who watches a week full of NBC is blasted with such a shock wave of male bashing on every conceivable level (the canned laughter after much of the bashing to help the viewers get in the mood is a nice touch) that the comment by Katie Couric is merely befitting of the network itself. And, her male associates who defend her were effectively neutered long ago. - Paul Goetz

How about Mary Kay LeTourneau, the school teacher convicted of statutory rape? She raped a boy, she brought a child into this world, got the boy's mother to baby sit, and there is no order for child support. Then perhaps the State of Washington, King County Office of support should take away her driver's license. It appears that she will be back on the streets driving and making babies real soon. - Victor, DADS

I saw a Time magazine piece on it, and I'm afraid I'm not as excited about this as other people (men) may be. I don't imagine Ms. Couric really intended it as a real suggestion. - Mark P.

I'm a regular watcher of the Today show and Katie has a long history of making subtle and not so subtle jabs at the male gender. Kind of makes me wonder about her relationship with her husband. I wouldn't like to see her fired, but perhaps a little sensitivity training would be in order! - Robin Welch

Delighted as I am at the prospect of the terminally perky Couric's smirking at me less frequently across the airwaves, I would NOT urge her removal on the grounds that she told a joke with sexual connotations. I WOULD, however, urge her removal because she's not entertaining. Also, I appreciate Mr. Van Mechelen's protective instincts toward (presumable female) victims, but if I must choose between taking a chance of having to avoid an idiot in my workplace and losing a scintilla of an iota of my freedom of speech, then bring on the idiots: I (and just about every woman I know) can handle 'em. - Laurie Morrow

I have to admit that I agree with Laurie Morrow- my own opinion of Katie Couric merely clouds the issue, because I find her an obnoxiously perky twit whose career was made merely by the fact that she wasn't Deborah Norville. But in any case... I'm disgusted but not surprised by Couric's comments. Couric has always been to me the type of "feminist" who isn't really necessarily for "equality" as much as getting something from men. I don't know if she should be fired, but she should at least be made to apologize. The defensive "it was only a joke" attitude offends me more than the actual act. I mean, doesn't Couric have a male child? Could she imagine someone suggesting that about her son? Also, what troubles me is the graphicness of this statement. Even Ralph Kramden never suggested physical mutilation of Alice. Did she say this on the Today Show? The fact that children might be watching makes it even worse. Actually, maybe I do think she should be fired. Suspended at least. - Dave Platt

There will be a demonstration (picket line with, perhaps, speakers) protesting the statement of Today Show host, Katie Couric, on that program, November 21,1997. On that date Couric said to Nicole Contos, who was left standing at the altar by Tasos Michael, "Have you ever considered castration as an option?" (A letter I have written to NBC follows this letter.) The demonstration will take place at NBC's New York City headquarters at 30 Rockefeller Plaza, off Fifth Avenue at 50th Street. It is opposite Saint Patrick's Cathedral. The date is Sunday, December 7: and, the time is 12 Noon to 3 P.M. If you are coming, I sincerely hope that you will bring your families: New York really is very lovely at Christmas time and it should be a treat for everyone. I would love our rally to have a pro-family emphasis. Feel free to bring your own flyers, banners or poster-boards advertising your organizations or the issues of concern to you. I shall certainly mention pro-life issues. Please talk it up among your group. If you wish to discuss the protest, my number is 516-281-4183. In any event, if you are unable to attend, God bless you and Merry Christmas! - Jospeh Vincent Byrne

I too echo the words of Maurice King. Take the bitch out and shoot her. Or better yet, put her through a mastectomy and declitorectomy. Then let's laugh at her while she screams in pain, do this to her feminist allies as well. We men, as a gender, are at war. This war is no different than other wars( i.e. Korea, Vietnam, etc.) Chivalry is a disease taught to men (as children) by wo-men in positions of power(moms, schoolteachers) to serve the interests of wo-men exclusively. Chivalry is a disease that serves women at the expense of men and needs to be wiped off the face of the earth completely. We must use the weapons of war, just as the enemy does, if we men are going to win the gender war. - Scott Marshall

You want to get her fired? Do you really want to come off as ridiculously humorless and thin-skinned as the pseudo-feminists who wanted Stern banned from the airwaves? I realize there's a double standard in that had a man made a crack about a woman equivalent to Couric's, he'd likely have been suspended. But, the right response to a double standard is to make a just response run in both directions, not to make sure an equally wrong response goes both ways. - John Koroly

What offends me most about Couric's comment is the hypocrisy and the cowardice. If a male "talking head" said anything even close to that regarding a woman, he definitely would have been fired. Come to think of it, if he even referred to a woman as a jerk because of what she did to a man, he would have been called a misogynist by some. It took no courage for Couric to make a comment like that because she knew she could get away with it from the NBC brass who are paternalistic/feminist limousine liberal types. NBC spends a great deal of money on patronizing sexual harassment seminars for its employees. If a male NBC security guard making $8 an hour said that to a woman in private, it would cost him his job. Couric says that to millions and it doesn't even cause a ripple. This is an ever changing world and what is considered OK today will be a degenerate sexist remark tomorrow. Thirty years from now when that comment is considered just that, Couric will say "I know it was wrong but that was the attitude back then in 1997." I hope women (and men) think about this and try to understand the double standard. - Dresden

This should answer your questions and clear up some misconceptions. I for one have no interest in--nor am I so divorced from reality as to think possible--the banning of Ms. Couric. The purpose of the complaint is to oppose the double standard of concern over harm to the two sexes. Yes, it's just humor; but behind the humor is a viciously harmful attitude. Demanding that Ms. Couric go back on the air and joke about female genital mutilation is the best way, in this circumstance, to raise consciousness to that attitude--and falls into the category of "opposing bad speech with more speech", us liberals' alternative to silencing speech. - Ferrel Christensen

Katie Couric must publicly apologize for her hateful remarks on the "Today Show". If she does not, she must be fired. She should not be given the option of a resignation. - Steve Andersen

In this day and age of equality, let us fall back on an older axiom, "What's good for the goose is good for the gander." And what's good for the gander is good for the goose! A man wouldn't have got away with it, she goes! - David Prichard

A search at alta vista's web site regarding male bashing in advertising produced 0 hits. Male bashing & TV produced 3 hits. There are many sites reflecting male bashing, many just male bashing joke sites, but the lack of focus on the TV ad media is surprising. Or is it? Speak out against the new pollution; ban unwanted advertising from the web. - Garry Curtis

I would like to address Mr. Scott Marshall's suggestion to "take the bitch [Couric] out and shoot her. Or better yet, put her through a mastectomy and declitorectomy [sic - the proper term is "clitorectomy"]." What I find fascinating about every one of these responses, especially Mr. Marshall's nauseating piece of misogynistic propaganda, is the invisibility of the subject of female genital mutilation. For many women, American and non, genital mutilation IS a reality (email me for details). In a culture of female genital mutilation and rape, I find Ms. Couric's comments (while inappropriate) an understandable attempt to mention the flip side of women's reality. Ladies and gentlemen, it wasn't too long ago when it was legal to prosecute, persecute, rape, murder and genitally mutilate women who committed adultery, failed to sexually fulfill their husbands or "jilted" their prospective husbands. Katie Couric's comment is an (albeit hypocritical) attempt to tilt the scales which have for centuries allowed men to mutilate women's social lives, aspirations and yes, genitals. I'm so sorry this dose of medicine which women have stomached so long has so deeply offended all of you. Upsetting, isn't it? As for Mr. Marshall, trust me, your wish is our culture's command -- many woman are still receiving these dosages of torture your hypocritical tirade prescribes. - Lesleigh Owen

Equitable standards are a must. If you can accept a Phil Donahue type asking some jilted husband..."did you ever consider chopping off her boobs?"...then you are justified in ignoring Ms. Couric's comments. If not, and in my opinion you should NOT accept such commentary, then you should act with conviction in dealing with Ms. Couric. This is not even a gender issue...this type of commentary is the lingo of a bigot. It is the type of commentary you expect from extremist groups like the KKK, Skinheads, White Supremacists etc. Do not be tolerant of this situation. - Brian Mahin

Lesleigh Owen - I agree that some of the comments about Ms. Couric are misogynist, and I don't agree with them. However, I find it very disturbing that you think this is somehow turnabout and therefore fair play. If I may quote you, " Katie Couric's comment is an (albeit hypocritical) attempt to tilt the scales which have for centuries allowed men to mutilate women's social lives, aspirations and yes, genitals." First of all, social lives and aspirations do not = genitals. In this particular case, there was no indication of physical abuse on the man's part. Couric was equating leaving a woman at the altar with an offense punishable by genital mutilation. She did not preface this with talk of the practises of some cultures towards women. She merely said it. Taken on its own value, it is offensive, pure and simple. Trying to put it into some context of global misogyny is a pathetic attempt at justifying a very nasty comment. What I keep wondering is that Ms. Couric has a job that would be envied by easily 90 per cent of the world's population, and is aided and assisted by men in her business every day. She has, literally, nothing to complain about. Where does she get off making such hateful sentiments? - Dave Platt

I've sensed for many years now, that the one and only thing women can't control YET over men, is our physical strength. I've seen a vision that one day, in the not too distant future, women will carry with them some kind of electronic devise, that will render us helpless immediately in horrific pain, done with some kind apparatus they carry that tazzors an electronic jolt to our genitalia bringing us instantly to our knees; for something as minor as they don't like the way we look at them. It will be the law of the land, the final conditioning will be in place, as we males live in such daily terror, we dare not think of ANYTHING that would upset them. Does this sound CRAZY? Not. This is the time when women will have all seats of power, and loathe even our existence, we will be nothing more than a sperm expediter, if that. After all by this time, women will have only affection for other women; physically, emotionally and psychologically, and will raise the male species with the knowledge that THEY are inferior, while their older sisterhood preach and extol the extermination of men. Their message is right from their feminist dogma, that men have been the cause of war throughout history. Eliminate men...and we sisters finally have peace. Since the late 60's & early 70's, women have progressively stopped at nothing to create a double standard on every front politically, socially, and live for that bright and shinning day when they Lord over us economically and keep us around only for labor intensive work. Yoo eee ooh. Yoo eee ooh.. - Tom McCarty

Katie Couric is as "crass, insensitive, rude and sexist in the most flagrant manner," and as such, ought to be TERMINATED by the TV network immediately! This same type of behavior would NOT be tolerated by a male sexist host or commentator, nor will it be tolerated by myself and members of the Domestic Rights Coalition! - George T. Gilliland Sr.

In response to Tom McCarty: You must lead a sheltered life, bro. The day HAS come, has grimly reaped a wide swath throughout the men of our land--and, it's been done against MEN not against any particular race--and, with Initiative 200 (anti-discrimination, they way it oughta' be), has alarmed the remaining men with pre-Lorena Bobbitt and pre-Couric genitalia to act accordingly. Just as no nation ever taxed its citizenry into financial utopia, no society--yes, even male-dominated Sparta -- ever flourished under a one-sex-only constituency. About Couric? Let her live with herself. The greatest punishment is a blissful life, amidst group-thinkers, a sorry little infestation of Utopia lovers and Utopia pushers, busying themselves holding up the illusion that many of us can see right through. Convincing themselves, a la Al Gore, that the sky is falling and that they are the savior of the rest of us imbecilic plebes. Arrogance, treachery, conceit and deceit, and never having a principle that wasn't easily bought out, or co-opted for the victimization flavor du jour...that's Couric's life. She will never fully understand the exhilaration of a passionate debate, a real debate, not the TV-mangled version of it, where she may at once be a dissenter or at another moment, a proponent. This is the curse of life in our nation. Dispassionate, morally vacillating, void of original thought, nothing is offensive, until deemed so by "officials" such as Couric. To be really mean, I would sentence Couric to one year on a deserted island with a monotone, elitist drone who believes in something because he thought of it: His name is Al Gore. - Neal Gold

I agree with Steve Anderson- fire her if she doesn't apologize. - Dan Marshall

I agree that she should no longer be on the Today show... Tuesday last, she was pointing out how the lyrics of a song was abusive to women by playing the same lyrics ("Smack the bitch" were the words) three times. I sent her an email via the Today show and told her as a MALE and a General Electric Company (they own NBC) stockholder, I believed her remarks about castration were encouraging physical male abuse. I have heard nothing in response. As a shareholder, I am sending a letter to Jack Welch, Chairman of General Electric complaining about this insensitive remark and asking him to have her fired. - John Kupik

Editor: Because we're men, Couric probably blames us for those lyrics. Sort of like blaming blacks for slavery because their ancestors were sold into slavery by other blacks. Couric may be a big-name big-bucks TV host, but a bigot by any other name...

There is an obvious double-standard at play here. As anyone with eyes can see, many women in journalism habitually display that type of female chauvinism and arrogance. Rather than fire Katie Couric, why not pick out her ouch! with a rusty pair of tweezers and make her eat it with salami? That oughta' pay'em back for Bobbitt tragedy. - Ted jamison

Enough of double standards. Katie talks about castrating a man and its 'only a joke'. A man making a similar comment would be gone, demoted or be busy apologizing publicly. People like Kelly Flynn, Susan Smith and countless other women get away with words, deeds and violence that continually go unpunished. Its time feminists grow up and stop acting like teenage brats, who want everything they can get but don't want to be responsible or to pay for anything. Who always blame someone or something else for their problems. Obligation and responsibility are every bit as much a part of the equality (they only claim to want) as are the rights and responsibilities. Treat her like her equal would be treated...she should be fired. - Terry Ward

I think it's about time all advertisers on the Today show be told they we are not going to buy their products until an apology is aired on the same show. Send letters to both and request a response from both. Then a web site of the boycott can show what is going on. - Thomas Burbo - Vermont Parents

This is a perfect example of the double standard that women benefit from. If this story were about a man who joked about female genital mutilation, he would already have been fired. Get her off the air. - John Sample

If a standard of political correctness in gender discussions is going to be imposed upon men, and it most assuredly has, we need to assert a similar standard upon women. Talk about the genital mutilation of women is not funny, and talk about the genital mutilation of men is equally unfunny. Katie Couric should know this. Obviously, she doesn't. Surely there's a woman equal to Ms. Couric's talent who does not harbor such misandry. - Larry Ouellette, Director, Maine Dads

It's a no brainer, get rid of this sorry excuse for a woman! By the way, men, things will only change when we speak out! I find it appalling that our tax dollars are being used to fund our own character assassination in society. Men have to start helping men and it will be fun to turn all the tables around on the so-call anti-male sect of society. Time waits for no one. We can build an A-bomb, but can't fight off feminism! Wake up men, the statistics are on our side, look and you will see! - Vincent Marin

I am a loyal fan of the Today Show. I watch it every morning while preparing to go to work. Over the weeks and months since Bryant Gumble left the show she has become more and more arrogant in her quest "to be number one." Notice how she gets top billing now as the show opens with her name with the logo, yet the announcer mentions the male anchor first (a compromise to keep the peace?). Her interviews are always slanted and colored by her warped sensibilities. In watching every day one can't help but notice not only how she handles her stories but which stories she consistently gets to do. It was not a joke! I am convinced that she wrangled her way into getting to do that interview with that "joke" in her pocket ready to spring when she had an opening. I watch her do similar things most every day and then try and hide behind her cutesy "smile." She has a devious side and pulls out her knives and slices up literally anyone who doesn't agree with her positions on literally every topic. I think the show does well in spite of Katie not because of her. The other guys constantly cover for her. Yes, I think Katie should definitely be replaced. - Howard Walker - VDA

Actually, I like the Hooter's type of approach. Forget the agenda, let people see her for what she is, the situation for what it is, and let the ratings do the rest. I don't watch her, do you? - Simeon C. Garriott

Of course she shouldn't be fired. Women can't possibly be expected to live up to the same high standards as are applied to men; they simply aren't capable of achieving them. Her colleagues seem to agree, judging by their behavior. ;-) - Bruce Fraser

It's been obvious, since Katie's interview with Whoopie Goldberg, that she's a closet pop feminist. And in the closet only because of the career ramifications. She's just another ugly little example of the jealousy and hatred that the bigoted feminist movement has for men. It's high time we [men] start teaching our sons, that blind chivalry is not good, not acceptable, and that womyn seldom resemble the mothers of bygone days. Men who defend womyn like Couric should be publicly criticized and humiliated for standing up for her, and her ilk. - < a href="mailto:Mark51246@aol.com">Mark G.

I think we're missing out on the most effective form of protest: that stupid window to the outside Today is so proud of. How about putting up some (tasteful) picket signs outside the window, saying how Katie is sexist. If the producers try to take down the signs, go to nonviolent demos. I admit I'm speaking a big game (I don't even live in NYC), but I think someone could get a lot of press out of this. I'm kind of annoyed how ignored this story has been. I've heard nothing about it except here, whereas for example Howard Cosell and Jimmy the Greek's statements (neither of which advocated actual violence towards a group) got national coverage. - Dave Platt

Thank you, Katie!!! You've proved what I thought about you all along. A phony, dim-witted jerk. When you decide to tell another "joke", be sure to give notice to all those "men" who don't appreciate moronic humor that you are about to tell an "unprofessional" "joke". Oh yes, and thank you, Katie, for reminding me there are other choices in the morning for my viewing pleasure. - Scott Gotti

Certainly Couric should be fired or given toe option of an on air apology. Interesting: what Dateline took to signify the "complexity" of women's minds I took to signify their evasiveness and fear of responsibility. That's why they imply rather than say, to leave the action up to someone else, and it is the action that brings blame. Deceit is not subtlety. - David C. Morrow

No, Couric should not resign. She is doing her job, and very well, I might add. The problem with the world today is that people like you take everything out of context and are out to twist all words up to fit whatever the cause is at the time. Just shut up and let people do their job. If you do not like quit watching you have plenty of options for other shows. - Stacy Alford

I don't see how she could be fired over that statement. As manipulative as it sounded. What we should have done as a gender, is to flood all of the primary networks with our anger and let them know that female media-types are not going to get away with the cow manure. Giving KC the ax would help a little, but not much. - Chad Mears

Isn't it ironic that when a six year old kid who probably doesn't know any better decides to kiss a girl who asked him to, it's considered sexual harassment. When a well respected newswoman like Katie Couric who's supposed to have a professional position encourages the brutal castration of men, its considered a "joke." I just don't get it. Then again, maybe that's why Katie Couric claims my mind isn't complex enough. :-) - NMVdS

People can rationalize Ms. Couric's remarks all they want. The fact remains: it is not currently acceptable to make malicious "jokes" about any societal group, with the exception of men. Any such "joke" about women, or any ethnic group, would be grounds for a broadcaster's immediate termination. But "jokes" about men are still OK, because men have all the power. Now there's a real joke. - Steve S.

Fire the bitch! - Christie Jackson

I am a faithful watcher of the Today program as I get ready for work. It seems to me that to even "find" this story was a stretch for a "news" program in the first place. It had to have been a slow news day. As the interview was progressing I was half paying attention to this rich women who was stood up (I wonder how she made her money?) when this castration comment came out of the blue. I was angered, offended and appalled at the flip manner with which she made her off-hand comment, and just continued as nothing had happened. I immediately e-mailed NBC Today to register my objection. She should be made to apologize to all men each day for a week on the evening news. OR, NIGHTLINE should televise a discussion where Ms. Couric and NBC could be allowed to defend their position on the subject, along with other public and experts to examine the social and political implications. If they are not willing to do this, she needs to be fired. This is just another example that demonstrates the Women's movement is not really interested in equality, but in superiority and official, sanctioned male subjugation. I'm deeply offended, and seriously disappointed in cute Katie and NBC. - Ivan Lorentzen

I like Katie Couric. She should show her tits to get higher ratings. - William Moxham

Editor: I'm sure Ms. Couric will appreciate that this is only a joke. (Then again, she might be insulted because it is only a joke.)

The real "crime" re: Ms Couric's gaff is not with her but rather those that are in charge of the show; her boss(es). They must have little or no courage or perhaps they want to leave the door open for when Stone Phillips makes a similar gaff. - Dr. David L. Ellis

Editor: That would have been about a week later, when he said, "Can men ever be taught sensitivity?" NBC, it would seem, is on a man-bashing binge.

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