Mo Mocks Purse-Holding Husbands - With One Exception

New York Times-Maureen Dowd/NewsBusters ^ | Mark Finkelstein

[governsleastgovernsbest]

by Mark Finkelstein

August 23, 2006 - 07:45

What does Maureen Dowd want? Her column of today is the latest evidence of a woman torn between the imperatives of modern feminism and a not-so-secret longing for more traditional domestic arrangements.

The topic of Ring-a-Ding-Bling [subscription required] is marriages in which the husband plays a decided second fiddle to the wife. You might think that Dowd-the-feminist would celebrate marriages in which women play the leading role. But, with one notable exception, she expresses little but scorn for husbands whose wives have the upper hand.

Mo's Exhibit A is the Britney Spears/Kevin Federline couple. Dowd begins by professing that "to make fun of Mr. Spears [would be] too easy — shooting tuna fish in a can, as they say." Of course by referring to Federline as "Mr. Spears" Mo has mocked him already. Then, utterly ignoring her own precept, she proceeds to ruthlessly ridicule him, describing his recent attempt at rap music as "even more deliciously atrocious than anticipated," also letting us know that "the hip-hop community reacted with amused disdain."

Though presumably not privy to the inner workings of the Spears/Federline marriage, Down dismisses K-Fed, as she calls him, as a "blissful and unself-conscious marital moocher." Dowd also writes of 'Hilary Swank sydnrome' a reference to the failed marriage of the two-time Oscar winner to Chad Lowe - minor actor and brother of Rob.

And what does it say about the state of modern feminism when Maureen Dowd helpfully passes along save-your-marriage tips from . . . a Cosmopolitan magazine editor? “He’s got to feel like he carries the weight in the relationship somehow,’’ Kate White wants us to know.

But was all of this gossipy mockery in the service of a grander electoral scheme on Dowd's part? She concludes her column by informing us that:

"Besides K-Fed, there is one other guy who seems perfectly content to play backup dancer in his superstar wife’s national tour: B-Clint. 'Now the choreography is reversed, and it is Hillary’s time to take the lead,’ Karen Tumulty writes in this week’s Time.

"Other men in that spot might struggle with emasculation issues, as Geena Davis’s husband did in 'Commander in Chief.' But somehow you know that, as First Lad, Bill would have the time of his life in the time of his wife."

Does Dowd really want to hold up Bill and Hillary as a model for the modern marriage?

[JRios1968]

I am sure M-Doug (snicker) is content to ignore the sounds out of her mouth...

[HiTech RedNeck]

The topic of Ring-a-Ding-Bling [subscription required] is marriages in which the husband plays a decided second fiddle to the wife. You might think that Dowd-the-feminist would celebrate marriages in which women play the leading role. But, with one notable exception, she expresses little but scorn for husbands whose wives have the upper hand.

C. S. Lewis, I think, mentioned this phenomenon decades ago. The femmies have nothing but contempt for their neighbors' compliant househubbies.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

the Rodney Dangerfield line from "Back to School," "the last time I saw a mouth like that, it had a hook in it."

Right actor, wrong movie. The line was from Caddyshack, the party scene at Bushwood Country Club where Rodney manages to insult almost everyone in attendance. He says to another man's wife "how'd you like to make $14 - the hard way?"

[duckbutt]

Mo giving marriage advise is like me telling someone how to rebuild a classic corvette. It's to laugh.....

Shut up Mo...just write about Manhattan cocktail parties.....I'm sure that's what your cadre of faithful readers are looking for.....

[Mr. Brightside]

"It's not a purse, it's European."

[Larry Lucido]

LOL! Ya beat me.

I think there's a "pants pants pants" thread somewhere on FR today.

[traditional1]

"Right actor, wrong movie."

Wow....must've been a "senior moment" here.

I thought it was from a frat party scene in Back to School.

Oh well, the line still works well in any case for Dowd.

[maggief]

Kfed-Best Song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAN52CsDr6s

Kfed Lose Control Teen Choice Awards

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aam1pDl8wnM

[finnigan2]

Everytime I read something of Dowd's (which I try to avoid), I'm reminded of Mark Steyn's description - "The New York Times elderly schoolgirl".
It says it all.

[arizonarachel]

You're sweet to do that. My dear husband refuses to even touch my purse. However, I would hope (!) he would do the same if we were in your situation.

Your wife is lucky!

[HIDEK6]

"Other men in that spot might struggle with emasculation issues, as Geena Davis’s husband did in 'Commander in Chief.'

Wasn't that a TV show? (make-believe).

[Dick Vomer]

C. S. Lewis, I think, mentioned this phenomenon decades ago. The femmies have nothing but contempt for their neighbors' compliant househubbies.

he did in "Mere Christianity"

[Leftism is Mentally Deranged]

Except for the fangs, the claws, and the castration knife Mo Do would be really nice...

[libs_kma]

"What does Maureen Dowd want?"

Lets see....Michael Douglas? To see CZJ die in a brutally painful accident?

[yankeedame]

Well said. Sounds like your wife is a lucky woman, and that you're a happy man.

I couldn't agree more. Camle sounds like a tender husband and a loving friend.

[Al Gator]

Mo Dow just craves an old fashioned, over the knee spanking.

[camle]

well, thanx (blush!) but she ain't me wife - yet(!)

nor is she tjhe lucky one. I get to bask in her sunshine whilst she has to put up with me. I definately get the better end of that deal;-)

[Rummyfan]

Mo-Do has lost it (and I don't know if she ever even had it!).

People pay for a subscription to read her drivel?

[Rummyfan]

You must have been something before electricity!

Now I know why tigers eat their young!

Last time I saw a hat like that, it came with a bowl of soup.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Nicely done, and as a reward, when you die, on your deathbed, you will receive total consciousness. So you've got that going for you. Which is nice.