NOW Whacks Natarus for Sexist Slur

The Natonal Organization for Women's Chicago Chapter, one of their largest chapters in the country, whacked Alderman Burt Natarus this week for asking Chicago Sun-Times reporter Carol Marin whether she was a "pussy," which was pretty artfully done considering the paper won't allow the printing of the word. Here's what NOW board member Joe Hance said:

I don't know what's worse: Aldermen Stone and Natarus' cavalier regard for the Shakman decree, or the use, while rousing his fellow alderman, of unprintable vulgar references to the female reproductive tract. Surely the words "spineless" or "unmanly" convey the same message and pack the same punch.

If Stone and Natarus feel that strict guidelines on appointments and hiring impede good government, and if they want us to take their argument seriously, they'll have to come up with something better than schoolyard slurs that use female body parts as insults.

Sexism or corruption, which is worse? Good question, NOW. My guess is Alderman Burt Natarus would say "neither", since he recently joked about the Marin column at a packed public forum, before 350 people. Even with it staring you in the face from the newspaper, even with a federal prosecutor breathing down your neck, some folks just do not get it.