And there it is. Absolutely correct and true.

Well, I'm glad to see we're in agreement on aging gracefully because that's all over these threads. Ick.

I bathe every other day, unless I am tired. If I'm tired, I get in the shower, and it helps clear away the cobwebs.

Exactly how I explained it to my child. Recently, she said to me, "When I grow up, if I get married, I want to marry a boy and a girl." I smiled and asked why. She said, "Well, there would be more toys."

It's good because it's about time we start reflecting more realistic family groups on mainstream tv. I mean, my child's kindergarten has all configurations of lovely families. That should be reflected as the normal thing that it is. I keep having to reiterate this point with my child because she sees it in life, but…

My point is that age is not why she is "stale." She's not even stale as much as she's doing what she's always done, for as long as she's had a career. It just wasn't called "stale" when she was younger. Because she wasn't old. Now that she's old, it's open season on the "aging gracefully" remarks and "put it away."

Her age is not relevant to her behavior. Her behavior hasn't actually changed all that much over the years.

Wouldn't it be nice, then, not to mention Madonna's age as part of the criticism? She deserves criticism for what she is doing, not how old she is.

Yeah. Run away. Until you're 40. Then, you better be aging gracefully or else!

Yes. And the people you've mentioned are (ugh) "aging gracefully" in a socially acceptable manner for a woman.

Fine. But, it's doesn't take away from my original point because the first course was not to post other women, was it. And I bet we could find little comments about how aging gracefully is a problem if these women were to do something we don't like.

If it wasn't a requirement, why mention it? That's what I'm saying. No patronizing little quip takes away that point, now does it? I'd prefer you not do you, if it means ageism comments, Thanks!

You're aware all these are photos of men, yes? Can we all think about why this might be problematic? Let's do it together!

I'm not a huge Madonna fan, but why should she "grow older with grace?" Why is that a requirement?

I may not agree with everything Madonna does as a person, and it is only in retrospect that I'm able to appreciate her as a performer, because it irritates me that she can't sing.

::head desk:: Oh my god.

I really need to find out who I can know so that I can get free swag at these events out here. Some of it was stupid, but some of it was nice.

Yes! I agree. It's a hairpiece!

Yes, that's it. Because my reasonable discourse with you was totally sexist and your comments just now were completely reasonable and not at all sexist. /sarcasm

He used an example, but that point of the piece is something deeper than that. And much more pervasive. That's why the piece was so long. Because he was trying to get to all those places to make that point.