Okay, so I offended some people with my post about sexist shadings, and the prospect of more to come, in the coverage of House Speaker Jill Krowinski and Senate President Pro Tem Becca Balint. The complaints concerned the use of the term “catfight” and the accompanying illustration of two teenagers pulling each other’s hair. I’m accused of, essentially, committing exactly the offense I was criticizing in the post. For some, the use of “catfight” in such a context is out of bounds.

I can see your point of view. But if you’ve read me for any length of time at all, you’ll know It’s What I Do.

I’ve often described my blogger persona as 90% analyst/commentator and 10% poo-flinging monkey. I’ve sometimes upped the “monkey” percentage. I bring a certain fearlessness and wildness to a #vtpoli that is overly polite, reticent to offend anyone.

It’s great that our politics are not as destructive as the national version. But there are times when politeness simply won’t do the trick.

My inspirations (for those who care) are Frank Magazine, an absolutely ruthless Canadian publication, and the original Wonkette written by Ana Maria Cox. (The current Wonkette upholds her tradition pretty well.) They approached politics with a jaded eye, a sharp tongue, and a willingness to offend for the sake of satire.

In truth, I’m not nearly as edgy as either of those. Even so, I’ve managed to offend just about everyone in #vtpoli at one time or another. My modus operandi is well-known and established.

Anyone who knows my writing would recognize that the headline and illustration were deliberate exaggerations meant to show the absurdity of the “catfight” characterization, and point out that our media is ever vigilant for signs of conflict (and emotion and wardrobe and hairstyle and) among women in high office. If, again, you’ve read me for any length of time, you’ll know I’m a supporter of equal opportunity for women and BIPOCs and all the rest. I come from an old-white-guy perspective and I don’t always get it exactly right, but I try. In my own way.

I regret that I’ve offended some people whose judgment I respect. It’s happened before, and I’m sure it will happen again.

It’s what I do.