Sexism, alive and flourishing: Watching the debate the other night we saw Joe Biden get all choked up and had to pause to get control. The news media are talking about how compassionate he is.

I remember another candidate, our own Edmund Muskie, who was a leading contender for the presidency. Campaigning in New Hampshire in 1972, while trying to defend untrue remarks about his wife, he was accused of breaking down and crying.

Muskie always claimed that he did not cry, it was snowflakes melting on his face.

Nevertheless, it ruined his chances to be president. I wonder if Biden's moment will have the same devastating effect?

Do you suppose if Sarah Palin had had a compassionate moment, choking back tears, trying to steady a shaky voice like Biden did, that the press would call her compassionate? I think not.

I think most women know that they would have called her too soft to be vice president.

No stamina, a lack of stability, no solidity, no guts, maybe it was just the wrong time of the month. Sexism is still alive and well and we are seeing plenty of it in this campaign.

Shirley Hanley

Randolph