NOW Slaps Letterman On Wrist, Calls for CBS To Do...Not Much

For the second time in four months, the National Organization for Women has come down on CBS "Late Show" host David Letterman, this time for his extra-marital affairs with staffers.

Readers should remember NOW putting Letterman in its Media Hall of Shame back in June for his disgusting remarks about former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin and her daughter. 

Yet, despite their concern this incident raises "serious issues about the abuse of power leading to an inappropriate, if not hostile, workplace environment for women and employees," the women's organization asked for no specific actions to be taken against Letterman by his employer (h/t NBer QueenMum):

Recent developments in the David Letterman extortion controversy have raised serious issues about the abuse of power leading to an inappropriate, if not hostile, workplace environment for women and employees. In the case of Letterman, he is a multi-million dollar host of one of the most popular late-night shows; in that role, he wields the ultimate authority as to who gets hired, who gets fired, who gets raises, who advances, and who does entry-level tasks among the Late Show employees. As "the boss," he is responsible for setting the tone for his entire workplace -- and he did that with sex. In any work environment, this places all employees -- including employees who happen to be women -- in an awkward, confusing and demoralizing situation.

Most women can attest to the fact that many workplaces are plagued with inappropriate behavior by men in power. The latest Letterman controversy sheds new light on the widespread objectification of women in the workplace. [...]

Every woman -- and every man -- deserves to work in a place where all employees are respected for their talents and skills. The National Organization for Women calls on CBS to recognize that Letterman's behavior creates a toxic environment and to take action immediately to rectify this situation. With just two women on CBS' Board of Directors, we're not holding our breath.

Take action immediately to rectify this situation? Like what?

Well, at least NOW didn't use this as another opportunity to bash Rush Limbaugh. 

Speaking of which, do you think NOW would have been so soft in its admonishment if the offending party was Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Glenn Beck, or Bill O'Reilly?