And thus the people who think women are not full human beings have won. They have succeeded in associating the concept of feminism with negative stereotypes that have nothing to do with reality. (Bra-burning? What is this, 1973?) The propaganda has worked.

Please see above.

Oh for crying out loud. Really? I'm sorry, you have taken this far beyond any reason. I have said quite explicitly that I do not in fact think consumerism is a more important issue than racism. It is not what I think, it it is not what I meant to express, I chose my words poorly. If your need for purity is so great…

I know. I really do. (My parents were English professors.) While I think that the reaction to my post has been over the top, it is the internet, and you have to accept that the nuances of face-to-face don't work here. I messed up.

I find the full throated defense of "consumerism=freedom" to be bizzare, myself.

I accept that I screwed up in implying that I thought racism was not all that important, and the people who jumped on that, well fine - and in that it was a poor choice of words. But my aesthetic judgement that a $2500 handbag is bizarre, I did mean that.

Thanks, but it is the internet. One must assume that everything you post can and will be used against you. I slipped up.

You know, two things. One, it was a poor choice of words, not well thought out on my part. But I do in fact believe a $2500 handbag is bizarre, and I've been a little surprised at the full-throated defense of "consumerism=freedom" sentiment here.

As I have noted before, it was a poor choice of words. Obviously racism is more important than extreme consumerism.

I'm a PC gamer because I did not grow up with one of those controllers in my hand. I own a 360, but frankly I just don't care for the limitations of a controller. Not a "twitch" gamer, I'm afraid. Plus, no mods. Elder Scrolls and Fallout without mods? Nah, not for me.

A poor choice of words on my part, but I still think $2500 handbags are bizarre.

Yes, I'm a bad proofreader. Fixed, thank you.

I don't shop for expensive handbags. I am aware these things exist, but that doesn't mean I think it makes sense.

Well, I understand your point, but I don't think you have to devote yourself to extreme asceticism to be critical of some of the extremes of consumerism.

Fine, it was inartful. But you are reading waaaaay too much into my comment.

Oh I know they exist. I still find it pretty bizarre.

A bit flip I suppose, but while I'm hardly surprised Barney's might be racist, I do find $2500 handbags to be surprising.

No, I wasn't trying to suggest that. More that I'm far more surprised that anyone spends that much on a handbag than I am that a snooty store like Barney's might be racist.

The better question is why would anyone spend $2500 on a handbag?

Makes me sad there isn't a negative star option.