GOV. ARNOLD Schwarzenegger was not just offensive in trying to use "girlie men" as a term to describe what he regarded as weak legislators. He was wrong, just flat wrong, to equate male chromosomes with toughness or competence in the state Capitol -- or much anywhere else in 2004.
Frankly, many male legislators could only wish to have the level of guile or resolve of a Jackie Speier, Debra Bowen, Sheila Kuehl, Jackie Goldberg, Martha Escutia or a number of other top-notch lawmakers who happen to be women.

Hilary Clinton, Barbara Boxer, Dianne Feinstein, Nancy Pelosi, Harriet Woods, Eleanor Roosevelt, Barbara Mikulski, Teresa Heinz Kerry, Jean Carnahan, Debbie Stabenow, Mary Landrieu, Blanche Lambert Lincoln, Tipper Gore, Nita Lowey, Shirley Chisholm, Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Sandra Day O'Connor, Patty Murray, Madeleine Albright, Janet Reno, Frances Perkins, Jeanette Rankin, Geraldine Ferraro, Carole Moseley Braun, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Barbara Lee, Patsy Mink, Barbara Jordan, and on and on and on and, Mothers (Jeanette), Grandmothers (Rosetta & Clara), Daughters, Aunts, Nieces (Mariah), and Sisters (Wendy) are doing it for themselves.

"Girly" means powerful in my book.