One conservative reaction to the Herman Cain sexual harassment scandal is a backlash against the concept of sexual harassment itself. Lacking any information about the incidents, conservatives assume Cain probably did nothing bad and fell victim to hypersensitivity. Senator Rand Paul rallies around Cain and even says that feminists have forced him to completely suppress his sense of humor:
“There are people now who hesitate to tell a joke to a woman in the workplace, any kind of joke, because it could be interpreted incorrectly,” he says. “I don’t. I’m very cautious.”
I have a few questions about Paul’s no-jokes policy. Obviously, dumb blonde jokes would be out, as well as raunchy sex jokes. I could even see why, if he wants to be extremely cautious, he might steer clear of “What do you do with an elephant with three balls? Walk him and pitch to the rhino.” It involves a sex organ. But no jokes of any kind? You’re really afraid “What’s the deal with airline food?” is going to get you slapped with a sexual harassment suit?
I also don’t quite understand why Paul would announce this publicly. If my editor announces he has a policy of not making any jokes in front of Jews, I might feel a little uncomfortable.
Paul Blasts Politico Story: ‘I Don’t Think You Should Print Stuff Like That’ [National Review]
