While driving home from work yesterday, I heard something interesting on the radio. I was a bit distracted as I drove. The Vermont autumn color is beginning to build, and my daily commute takes me past two mountain ranges and the broad expanse of Lake Champlain, so perhaps I was distracted by this show of natural beauty. Or maybe my lack of focus had to do with the fact that I was processing some personal difficulties which, I have recently been confronted with. Whatever the reason, I did not catch the name of the commentator who was holding forth on National Public Radio, but her words quickly caught and then held my attention.

She was articulate and obviously well educated. And her comments centered on the fact that, since the terrible events of September 11, 2001, she has been reading the op-ed pages of the various national publications, and is wondering why the views of women are not being given equal time. The commentator gave example after example of publications that seemed to be biased towards expressing the views of men. For example, she cited the fact that, on the day after the tragedy, the Washington Post ran twice their normal number of reader editorials, ten on that day, and all of them were written by men. The commentator indicated that since then, this trend has continued, with only one in five editorials appearing in national publications being authored by women.

I have to admit that, although I found this fact to be fascinating, I have to disagree with her conclusions. You see, based on what I heard her say, I believe that she was implying that, although an equal number of editorials were probably being submitted by women, the publications were publishing a majority of the views expressed by men. And she was lamenting this fact and imploring the media to give women an equal political voice.

Now for all I know the commentator might be correct in her assertion, however I have to admit to some skepticism. It seems to me that it is equally possible that women have chosen to remain silent on the matter, in order to reserve judgement. And if that is true, then it is not necessarily a bad thing. In the days and weeks following the tragedy, I have heard many testosterone driven rants, all authored by men. And most of the talk of war and revenge and of "smoking the enemy out" has been spoken by men also. Let’s be realistic, on today’s world stage, there are not many women present to be heard, nothing close to the proportion of women in the population.

Again, perhaps these women are correct to think before they speak, to consider the matter, before recommending action. And perhaps this represents a sort of commentary of silence. As an aside, there is at least one prominent woman who is a significant player in current events. Condoleezza Rice is the first woman in history to serve as the National Security Advisor to the President of the United States, and as such, is one of the most powerful individuals in the world. And based upon my observations of her dealings with this current crisis, it seems to me that, thus far, she has conducted herself in a very thoughtful, deliberate and efficient manner. And it seems to me that we are very fortunate to have this calming influence speaking into the ear of the President.

And it occurs to me that, just recently, maybe the thinking of the men is catching up with the thinking of the women. We hear more moderate tones out of Washington these days than we heard shortly after the conflict--the "war" is now referred to as a "campaign," and the military aspect of the solution to the problem which, we are now collectively solving for, is being downplayed. Our national temperament, which a week or so ago was burning red hot, has started to cool some, and the blood lust that many of us were experiencing has passed. But now what do we do?

It seems to me that, as human beings we possess a propensity towards compromise. Therefore, it seems to me that, with respect to the current situation, we will probably continue to engage in limited special military operations. I believe that we are laying the ground-work for limited military action which could, best case, nab Bin Laden, and or prevent his terrorism network from operating effectively. But at the same time, I believe we will proceed on a judicial track. Perhaps at some point charges might even be brought against the perpetrators in the World Court, and severe consequences imposed.

But all those silent women come to mind. And their silence compels me to consider the matter carefully, "for the swiftest stroke oftentimes goes astray." You know, if there really is a message in the silence of the women, then I have to respect it. For it seems to me that there might be some sort of collective wisdom in their actions.

But be that as it may, I know that, as I pen these words some of their sons, maybe from Lincoln Nebraska, Stockton California or even Troy New York are "in country" in Afghanistan. My guess is that they are performing reconnaissance for potential conventional military action. And I can see them there. The sun is just coming up with a light that makes the stark, stony landscape seem to be something a little bit more than it had been a moment before. In fact, it could almost seem beautiful to them. But then that beauty gets juxtaposed against a reality of terror, suppressed and distilled, and then channeled to a place where it becomes focused and useful and deadly. They are alive and aware, and is it not just a little bit ironic that as far as the "Commentary of Silence" is concerned, they are the son’s of some of these women.

And the irony does not stop there. In the religious fundamentalist society within which Bin Laden operates women are considered "unclean," therefore they have no real "rights." They certainly do not have a voice in the matter of setting political policy. And it would appear that women, by and large, with the exception of the above referenced Ms. Rice, do not have much say in how the terrorist acts will be responded to by the "west." But we do have their silence to consider. And as it relates to the current situation, it seems to me that it might speak volumes.