And While We're Busy Being Politically Correct . . . .

Chuck Shepherd's News of the Weird this week quoted a November 29, 2005 Boston Globe report that brought politically correct whining to a new low:

At the Nov. 14 meeting of the governing board of Provincetown, Mass., Selectwoman Sarah Peake raised a formal objection to the continued presence of the historical painting that graces the board's meeting room, though it is of a previously uncontroversial scene of Pilgrims voting on the Mayflower Compact. Peake's objection (according to a November report in the Boston Globe) is that there are no women in the painting.

Ms. Peake really needs to get a grip. If there is not enough to keep her busy - or hold her interest - in conducting the business of the governing board of Provincetown, then perhaps they either need a new member or a reduction in membership.

If she wants to get worked up over the inequities and indignities suffered by women at the hands of callous government, she needs look no further than her pocketbook. Sarah should start a movement to boycott US currency and coinage until women are fairly and equitably represented. All those dead presidents are MEN! Even the few guys that weren't presidents are men. The only representation of the fairer sex on US money is on the rarely used and effectively uncirculated dollar coin (Lady Liberty's appearances can hardly be counted). Susan B. Anthony and Sacajawea (Sacagawea) are relegated to being "honored" on coins that no one wants! Why not just praise their fantastic personalities while the US Mint is at it?

I'll sign on with Sarah if she wants to refrain from all use of cash until such time as women get real estate on the front side of a few paper bills. Certainly U. S. Grant and Andy Jackson wouldn't mind making way for a noble cause!

And I may be mistaken. I have not examined the portrait extensively, but it is possible that the reverse of the two dollar bill has a cleaning lady hidden somewhere amongst all those dignified signers of the Declaration of Independence. Then again, that is another US monetary instrument that few beyond hard core collectors have any great interest in.

And if the cleaning lady is there, she's probably an illegal anyway . . ..