To: calgal who wrote (201761 ) 11/9/2001 3:58:49 PM From: jlallen Read Replies (3) | Respond to of 769670 Couric comes up dry...... www.mediaresearch.org Katie Couric’s obsession on Tuesday morning: "Sexism" in the military and the FBI. The November 6 Today, MRC analyst Geoffrey Dickens observed, devoted the entire 8am half hour after the news update to a "Women of the War" segment with Couric interviewing three women in leadership roles in the war on terrorism. Via satellite, one by one, she asked each of the women, whom she dubbed "shining examples" of how women "can do great things," about their jobs, challenges in carrying out their missions and for any advice they might have for young girls. Then she asked all three about sexism they’ve encountered. She started with Major General Martha Rainville, who commands the Vermont National Guard: "General Rainville, as much as we would like to think it’s not sexism is still alive and well in many quarters. Do you encounter much of it in your job?" Rainville maintained "I've been very fortunate I think through the course of my career. I mean obviously human nature is human nature. People have to get used to change and having women in non-traditional fields throughout my career, anyway, has meant change. Sometimes you just have to give them the opportunity also to get to know you. To understand that you are focused on the mission. That you are there to do a job and you're a professional. And most times things will work out." Couric moved on to Kathleen McChesney, the Assistant Director of the FBI who runs the Quantico training academy: "How about you, do you face much sexism on the job?" McChesney: "No, I don't. We have a large number of women who have all kinds of roles in the FBI. It's a fabulous place to work for a man or a woman." Finally, Couric pressed Bess Harrahill, Commander of the Navy hospital ship Comfort: "Anybody in the Navy give you a hard time about being a woman?" Harrahill: "Not at all, no. I've had a lot of good opportunities and learned from every job I've been in." Couric had doubts: "Would you answer that question honestly if it were the case?" Harrahill: "I'd do the best I could." An empty well for a disappointed Couric.