Levity Strictly Forbidden

"I am sorry that anyone was offended by the comments in my speech, which was far from my intention. My remarks were made to provide a context of what went through my 19-year-old mind when deciding back in 1983 to go to Western. Nothing to do with being sexist at all."
"My comment was in reference to a compliment and nothing else. I am an egalitarian." 
"According to Playboy magazine, at that time, the women (at Western) are among the best in North America, and obviously they still are." 
Aubrey Dan, Philanthropist, founder and president, Dancap Global Asset Management and Dancap Private Equity

"He's not apologizing for his actions, he's apologizing for how his words have been perceived."
"I hope that he shows some learning and some acknowledgement of an appropriate contextual and contemporary reference on how we treat women… that's not an apology."
Johanna Weststar, associate professor of psychology, Western University 

Comments made by businessman and philanthropist Aubrey Dan during a convocation ceremony on Friday raised eyebrows among faculty members.  Western University

"Western values a respectful learning and work environment and we sincerely apologize to those who attended this Convocation ceremony and all others who were offended by these remarks,"
"Western has had a longstanding relationship with Mr. Dan – that includes his tireless efforts to encourage and support thousands of students at Western – and that dedication to Western was honoured during the ceremony last Friday."
Western University statement

Most of those in the audience at Western University's Convocation where philanthropist Aubrey Dan was being honoured and received an honourary doctorate, found his statement amusing, and laughed in appreciation of his description of his youthful self at 19, deciding to attend the university and attributing it to an imagined pleasure of encountering at the institution female students of distinction and attractiveness. Don't most young men do just that? On the other hand, don't most young women reciprocate in kind?

Obviously, not in the universe we now occupy, driven by strident 'feminist' voices of disapproval disavowal and disappointment in nature's endowments of the genders. His light-hearted statement obviously inserted to lift the mood of an otherwise somewhat solemn occasion honouring his generosity over the years to his alma mater failed to please the discerning Johanna Weststar who herself has benefited enormously from this man's largess, and who chose to attribute to him disrespect for women.

Is she prepared to demand from the audience members individual apologies for having laughed at Mr. Dan's light assertion of self as naive teen?

No disrespect on her part, needless to say, for the sensibilities of the man who was so pleased and honoured to be recognized. This humourless gender martinet whose shrill accusations have tainted what was meant to be a recognition of generosity and appreciation felt it to be more important to humiliate both the man whose millions have made it possible for her to have an academic position and for the university to have a department wherein such an ingrate could practise her teaching skills.

Women who have devoted themselves to the bitter pill of recrimination, accusation and character assassination seem to glory in a kind of power structure they have built into a scaffold of puritanism that men find themselves defenceless against, for to deny a woman's claims of violation of stature, person or body, true or false, is to open oneself to a full-scale assault where hysteria rules and a witches' brew of allegations hold court.

Aubrey Dan's swift apology, knowing which way the social-contract wind was blowing was insufficiently humbling for Ms. Weststar's taste; she was out for blood and blood is what she demands. Nor did the university's knee-jerk apology suffice to soothe the Valkyrie in Ms. Weststar's psyche. That the man whose name heads the university's Department of Management and Organizational Studies where she teaches is being besmirched without reason by this woman is of no concern to her; she's on a warpath.

"I would like to see Western also make a public statement of apology that is not immediately tied to statements of Mr. Dan's worth and commitment to Western" she thundered sanctimoniously. "These issues are separate and saying sorry out of one side of your mouth while you endorse someone out of the other side is not enough. I recognize that Western would like to maintain their donors, but this should not come at the cost of compromising the integrity and reputation of the institution."

Furthermore, the miscreant upon whom feminist scorn is now being heaped must "show that he is truly sorry for what he said in a way that reflects that he has given thoughtful consideration to the impact of his words." Evidently Aubrey Dan erred in making an effort to explain the context of his remarks, innocent in and of themselves for their failed to ruffle those flaming feathers of vengeance against perceived slights.

Ms.Weststar should look up  the descriptives harridan, shrew; Shakespeare knew his types. "If I be waspish, best beware my sting." Ms. Weststar is not for taming. It seems reasonable that Western might consider parting company with Ms. Weststar to preserve the integrity and reputation of the institution.

I am Woman, Shake and Shudder, Ye Males!