Glenn Reynolds links to this NYTimes column regarding the slippery slope of the ever expanding definition of sexual harassment.  Since no one has offered any substantive specifics on just what Cain did or didn’t do, and whether it crossed any legal or moral boundaries, it seems to me this situation is as likely to be political dirty tricks as it is inappropriate behavior. 

Having recently retired after 34 years of federal government service, this post brought back memories.  We had annual mandatory workshops on “sexual harassment” and “diversity” and sometimes the content was downright Orwellian.  My favorite story was the time the diversity instructor told us solemnly that the paper easel he was using for his presentation should not be called a “flip” chart as that term would be considered offensive to people of Filipino origin.  Instead, we should call it a “rip chart”.  To our credit, several folks immediately burst out laughing.  And then we started asking what we should do if called upon to “flip a coin”.   Or if we could no longer “flip the bird” when cut off in traffic.  In went on in that vein until the flustered diversity expert gave the class an unscheduled coffee break.  I guess he was surprised we all flipped out on him by being so flip about such a serious matter.