The First Refuge Of The Scoundrel

I've been a little loathe to enter the furor over Ann Althouse's repulsive smear of Jessica, if only because Althouse's point was so self-evidently cruel and unfair that it seemed unworthy of further publicity. But PZ Myers' post reminds me that there's a larger issue at stake. For those blissfully unaware, Jessica's summary of the hubbub is here, but the tale is simple enough: Jessica's extraordinary work on Feministing -- and, more generally, as a young feminist trying to fashion a relevant and resonant feminist message for her generation -- got her invited to the recent blogger lunch with Bill Clinton. During the group picture that closed out the meal, she, like everyone else, did a three-quarter turn. The problem? Jessica was wearing her breasts at the time, and their outline was vaguely visible beneath her sweater. Ann Althouse was scandalized.

Sorry -- you can't see it, but I just burst out laughing. Of course Althouse wasn't scandalized: She knows what breasts are, she knows that they've the nasty habit of changing a chest's side profile, she knows there was nothing revealing or untoward about Jessica's outfit. Here's the picture, see for yourself. Althouse was trying to discredit Jessica. She dislikes her ideology, dislikes her brand of feminism, dislikes the political leader she was meeting with, and she went for the kneecap. Classy.

As PZ argues, Althouse was trying an old trick: Subtly insinuating that Jessica's looks, and not her talent, dedication, or intelligence, are the issue. See, Jessica is young and attractive, has the misfortune to look like she's young and attractive, and we all know that young, attractive people (particularly young, attractive women) are morons. The temerity that she'd prove otherwise while continuing to look young and attractive. Whore.

There's a reason why, when I was on C-SPAN the first time, I refused to reveal my age. There's a reason why, when Lee Siegel was offended by my comments to him, he attacked my supposed ambition, youth, and family. And there's a reason Althouse went after Jessica's looks. This is supposed to be a realm where ideas rule, where argument matters, where the playing ground is level. It's supposed to be a place where academics debate laymen, professional professional journalists mix it up with political junkies, and all ages, genders, and races participate without baggage. That's what it's supposed to be. But that can only last so long.

Eventually, inevitably, people like Althouse or Siegel get scared, or beat, or defensive, and they fall back on what's easiest: Trying to discredit, rather than debate. It's the first refuge of the scoundrel, and that's what Althouse proved herself. She's not only brought dishonor on her own reputation, she took what should've been a proud day for bloggers and the blogosphere and irreparably marred it for those involved, Jessica in particular. She sank low, hit hard, and smeared cruelly. That's not what this medium is supposed to be about. Althouse should be ashamed.