Ask the Editor "Talk to the Times" was particularly enlightening this Sunday, what with Andrew Rosenthal accidentally revealing his awesome deflection skills when it comes to talking about women.

Q. I love the editorial page; it is the first thing I turn to in the morning. My question is as much of a comment as a question. I find it a bit peculiar that the two women columnists, Maureen Dowd and Gail Collins, are satirical and humorous. I adore their writing, and generally think they are spot on, but it is almost like you cannot get a "serious" woman columnist. Do you agree? I also must add that I think the world of Verlyn Klinkenborg. Thanks and keep up the great work.

— Paul Bilsky, Manchester Center, Vt.

A. O.K., so I admit. I’m answering this because it’s a slow, hanging ball. First, I love Verlyn, too. And second, I would be the last person alive to suggest that Maureen Dowd and Gail Collins are not serious columnists. They are indeed, very serious.

You know Rosenthal walked away from that chuckling to himself and thinking "Nothing but net, Andy." But welp, using the two women given as examples in the queery about too few serious women columnists for the Times as evidence that there are enough serious women columnists at the Times? That's some circular logic, right there.