Judge Susan Webber Wright's ruling dismissing Paula Jones' complaint against Bill Clinton certainly gives lie to the right-wing charge that anti-discrimination laws have gone too far. And it shoots down the tired complaint that a man can't even compliment a woman at work anymore.
Jones alleges that Clinton ran his hand up her thigh, exposed himself to her, asked for oral sex and pointedly reminded her of his friendship with her immediate boss. No woman should have to put up with such behavior at work. But according to the judge, even if then-Governor Bill Clinton propositioned and pawed then-state employee Paula Jones -- certainly misconduct for any employer or supervisor, Jones does not have a valid harassment claim because she could not prove that the overall result was a hostile work environment.
This ruling does not mean it's open season on women in the workforce.
Women who face unwelcome sexual behavior at work can still win in court
if the harassment is so pervasive or so severe that it interferes with
their jobs. When it does, lewd bosses and crude co-workers can and
will be held accountable.