"Strong . . . Yet Vulnerable" refuses to die

If you are one of the lucky planeteers who is privy to my rants, you sho'nuff would have heard the "Strong, Yet Vulnerable" one, AKA Rant #247. If you haven't, check out my archives (from August 2004). The title of the first such article was "Things that make you go 'GEESH!! Enough already!!'"

Here are the first compelling bits:

I've noticed something, gentle reader. I've noticed that, in these presumably enlightened but beneath the surface painfully stifling times, people can't stand to describe a woman as "strong" or otherwise capable without throwing in the inherent weakness that they all possess--their vulnerability. I've been noticing it for years, and it shows no sign of going away. . . . It gets even worse when you consider the actual definition of "vulnerable." Web 10 defines it as: Capable of being physically wounded; open to attack or damage; . . .

So anyway, I'm gathering information about the Neko Case show coming up and I innocently go to one of the top 3 Google web sites and come across this nugget:

"In 1997, Case recorded her solo debut, The Virginian, a traditional country album that revealed The Voice--rough around the edges but possessing a vulnerable strength and range that has caused critics and her growing legion of loyal fans to swoon ever since." [Italics are mine, in anger.]

Now, Ms. Case has a voice that is truly impressive. Imagine if Bjork and Annie Lennox had a voice box and that voice box preferred to sing haunting alt country ballads and full-on piledrivers. It would be awesome, right? It is! And you would never think to describe it as "vulnerable."

I realize I'm well on the way to being accused of being too sensitive, but 1. This doesn't keep me up at night even though 2. it's a well-documented epidemic revealing the misguided notion that women and only women, despite their gains, are still but a second away from crying, fainting, or both. I should write an article about it for Slate or something. A couple of weeks ago I was reading about yet another girls-kick-ass type of gal, and found my concentration totally blown by the insertion of that lunatic phrase. If only I could remember who it was! Ah, the vulnerability of a woman's mind.

p.s. Just wanted to see what else was out there. Here are 4-in-a-row from google:

... the belligerent dealer is testament to an unyielding director, who wants astrong, yet vulnerable female character, willing to make the ultimate sacrifice.www.iofilm.co.uk/printer_friendly. php?filename=blind_spot_2002.shtml - 4k - Cached - Similar pages
The Silence Of The Lambs (1991)Foster's strong, yet restrained, vulnerable female lead role in the much talked-aboutfilm was intensified by public knowledge of her real-life associations ...www.filmsite.org/sile.html - 40k - Jun 11, 2005 - Cached - Similar pages
washingtonpost.com: Chatological Humor"W. attracts all of us loyal, devoted, strong yet vulnerable, affectionate womenwho lavish him with attention way beyond what he deserves. ...www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/ liveonline/style/funnyyoushouldask/ - Similar pages
Joan of Arc (1999/I) (TV)Her Joan is strong, yet vulnerable, and Sobieski's ability to capture thecomplexities of the character is what makes her so good, and makes her Joan so ...www.imdb.com/title/tt0178145/ - 52k - Cached - Similar pages