Ho hum.  Dave Letterman is a whoredog.  Who cares? 

I support him for not going along with the extortian and I guess he made the right choice on that—given no good choices at the time, but no one got him in that spot but himself.

 I’m pretty disappointed, Margo, because I believe you have often taken the stance of "throw him to the curve" when a man cheats.  You acknowledge he was in a committed relationship and that he was marriage shy because of past experience, yet you seem to think not being legally married is a bright line that makes this not so bad.  I’m guessing he stated his commitment to his now wife and told her marriage was not necessary to prove his commitment.  Just guessing…

One point and one question.  The point is that workplace harassment is not just about the woman he might have currently been involved with, who may or may not have been on a par with him and thus able to freely consent.  It is also about the environment for all workers.  It is never a non-harassing environment for other subordinates when the boss is involved with one of the co-workers, no matter how nice and funny all the people involved may be.  The current "friend" always has a higher status and an ability to influence not available to the other workers.

 The question, though, is about your use of feminists.  It is being used lately as a dirty word, much like liberal.  When I hear some say are you a liberal in a tone like "are you evil"? I always try to step back and ask them to define  what they mean so I can answer point by point.  Yes, I believe in civil rights, no I don’t believe in [insert whatever crazy thing might come out].  So I will ask in a future column, please explain what is is you meant by feminist when you calmly stated with no regrets that you were aware you were going to upset the feminist.  

 I view feminism as (unfortunately still) standing up for women to be treated equally in the workplace, in business relationships, and so on.  Please tell me what you mean by it and why you find it so easy to not be concerned about dismissing us.

Only one has the right to judge Letterman. That’s God.  If Letterman did anything wrong, it won’t go unpunished. 

People who call him a deviate, a harrasser, a civil rights violator, scum, one who exercised his "power", or any other name posters used, this is wrong.  It’s none of your business.   I haven’t seen his current wife post a tirade of accusations anywhere with the media like some posters have done here nor has she called him names in the media.  And, he’s still working, so his employer must not think he did anything to violate laws.  Taking the liberty of judgement, when you don’t have the right to make the judgement, is certainly telling. 

These same posters re-phrased Margo’s words and made them into something they were not.  Accusations against Margo were made in some posts.  What in the world is wrong with people nowdays?? 

You can’t depend on your judgement when your imagination is out of focus.
- Mark Twain’s Notebook

David Letterman did the only sensible thing he could do.  I don’t understand people saying he would have been better off paying the blackmailer.  That makes no sense, it would have never ended.  He went on t.v. & told his side of the story.  From everything I’ve heard about the man, that must have been very hard for him to do as everyone says he is such a private person.  He did this because  gossip mags & shows would have been digging for the "dirt" & it would have eventually all come out anyway.  I do feel sorry for his wife.  People say  he wasn’t married but they had been living together for a long time.  This is something that only the two of them can try & work out together in private.

As for the sexual harassment people are talking about, come on people, it takes TWO to tango.  Please.  If you don’t like what is happening in the workplace there are other jobs.  I would take the most menial job in town before I would sleep with someone that I didn’t care for just to keep a job.  Yuck.

Interesting how we are all putting our spin & judgements on this situation when none of us know all the facts.  What about innocent until proven guilty?  David was the one being blackmailed remember?   

Margo was right on about the Letterman ‘scandal’. While I absolutely

do not condone what he did, it does not appear as though these

women were naive youngsters. I do feel for his wife though. This is

humiliating for her. It remains to be seen whether he can repair the

damage there and keep his pants on in the future.

I don’t understand why people just don’t act like adults and live and let live.  Nobody was hurt, there was no force or extortion from the involved parties except from the blackmailer.  It’s pretty obvious here that no hostile work environment was created, and I have full confidence that the people on set were mature enough to own their feelings.  The people involved in whatever sexual escapades went on in their private lives were not forced and made their own choices. 

From a pretty good Star Trek episode:

Riker: "Captain, it’s about Commander Daren.  I’m beginning to feel uncomfortable with her requests."

Picard: "Because of her relationship with me."

Riker. "Yes sir."

Picard: "Well, are her requests unusual?"

Riker: "No sir."

Picard: "Would you say she’s just trying to do her job?"

Riker: "Yes sir."

Picard: "Then let her do it.  And feel free to do yours.  Ship’s resources are your responsibility, and I’ve always had complete confidence in your judgment."

This is the way business environments SHOULD be.

Wow, the way everyone is commenting kind of reminds of a car wreck or a train wreck.    Everyone has to slow down and gawk at what is in essence a personal tragedy.