Controversy at Harvard

The controversy over Lawrence Summer's comments at an academic conference continues to simmer.  The NY Times had an article on it and the press coverage on it is just overwhelming.  While it is terrific that people are spilling ink on the issues of gender discrimination and the trials and tribulations women continue to face in the world today, I find it very frustrating that people are attacking Larry Summers without actually trying to understand what he really *SAID*.  Here is a link to the transcript of his speech:

http://www.president.harvard.edu/speeches/2005/nber.html

Please read it if you are interested in this topic and then try to contrast what he actually said with what is written about what he said.  It is abundantly clear to me that most journalists who write on this topic have not read his comments.  He raises issues that are extremely valid and whether you agree or disagree with him, you would want it to be raised, discussed and argued in the academic world.  To castigate someone for asking whether we need to look at different worldviews to fully answer the question of discrimination is totally at odds with academic freedom or philosphical inquiry.