What I ended up writing in last week's column was far more serious than the topic I originally intended, for good reason. The reactions from men to news of the civil suit against Cornell and the men involved in the alleged sexual assault, and to my column last week, proved once again why women don't feel safe around a lot of men, and why so often we stay quiet when we're sexually assaulted and/or harassed. It's not just the trauma itself, but being revictimized by the reaction to the airing of the trauma.

But let's leave that behind for a little while, remembering that the criminal investigation must be allowed to proceed, as well as the civil case, and that the courts will have the last word.

Speaking of last words, there are those who are bound and determined that they should have the last word in any argument, thinking that makes them look strong. Actually, it often makes them look petty.

We all have fits of pettiness at times, especially when we feel personally slighted (how dare that person not recognize my brilliance!!!), but when we let it take over, we run the danger of just looking like someone holding a grudge because someone was mean to us.

Seriously, some people need to learn the difference between honest, civil debate/fact-checking and sniping just to snipe. The burden of proof is on the accuser (as it........

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