I'm late on this story

But it still blows my mind.

Sunday the NYT had a story about Man Dates, which aren't what you think. And that's kind of the problem. Turns out two men can't go out for a dinner and conversation without feeling weird about it. Meeting buddies at the bar isn't a man date, going to a restaurant with linens and a wine list is. Going to the movies might be a man date if you're watching something foreign or without Vin Diesel in it. Going to a game is not a man date.

Anyway, the article basically says, and I don't want to say "blames women" but that's kind of where the tone takes it, that since women's liberation — since we are seen as men's equals, allegedly — we become men's relational equals. Whereas men at the turn of the century had to seek companionship from other men, since their marriages were not those of equals, it was cool to seek advice and consolation from men out on the town. People weren't as cognizant of homosexuality then, either, was another part of the equation.

Now, that kind of makes sense, but Jeez, dudes. Where is it written in our culture that you can't get a grip and be secure in yourselves? Wasn't the "men's movement" supposed to change all this? You still have all the power, get over yourselves and make some friends.

What is the matter with this society that women make $.64 to a man's dollar and men can't have friends without posing like macho ding dongs? Why can't we share the economic and emotional wealth?