"After all these years, I see that I was mistaken about Eve in the beginning; it is better to live outside the Garden with her than inside it without her."

- Mark Twain, "Adam's Diary"

While not every woman will fit onto a pedestal nor maintain any sense of comfort on such a perch, I like to put most of them there purely out of respect - unless they prefer hugs instead.

Sure, there are some women who are so self-involved as to make being around them a chore. There are some women who have allowed themselves to fall prey to the many stereotypical images with which they are bombarded by the media - not necessarily speaking of physical images here. There are women who see men as potential conquests - nothing more.

There are exceptions. These women have my greatest respect.

As for men...I guess far too many of them have become products of modern culture. Many have no idea how to talk with one another. Many have no idea how to express emotions to one another other than conceit or perhaps excitement over some sporting event. Many have no idea how to be friends with women without necessarily being driven toward bedding them.

There are exceptions. These men have my greatest respect.