THOUGHTS ON THE AL GORE SCANDAL, AND ITS RECEPTION: “Quite aside from global warming, what about feminism? If the massage therapist’s story is true, we are looking at the same problem we saw with Clinton. There are politicians who give the appearance of caring about the equality of women. It’s a principle that, conceptually, is a necessary part of a political ideology they need to appear to hold. But maybe they don’t really believe it at all. What a dirty secret, thinking that women exist to serve you! . . . What makes a man treat a woman like that? Generally, I think it’s because he’s done things like that before, many times, and gotten away with it. We’re talking about an older man, with a big reputation and a lot to lose. Why would he proceed in such a crude fashion? I would guess that his sensibilities have numbed over the years, as women acceded to his moves. The moves became less and less elaborate.”

Of course, it could all turn out to be some sort of sham, though it’s looking less that way — and Gore’s not reacting that way.