The big story on USA Today’s front page this morning concerns the commission appointed by President Bush last June to recommend changes in Title IX. It’s not clear what exactly the commission will propose, and opinions differ on how drastic the changes will be, but it seems quite likely that the proposals would reduce participation by women in collegiate sports.

The people who want Title IX changed say that rules intended to ensure high levels of female participation force schools to disband men’s teams in lower-profile sports, like wrestling. Opponents of change counter -- convincingly, I’d say -- that the real reason there isn’t money for certain men’s teams is that the typical school spends so damn much on football.

Notice, if you will, that in the midst of a war on terrorism, a recession, and (we’re told) a looming Saddam crisis, this got the attention of the executive branch.

But that’s the Bush administration for you, isn’t it? Stratospheric approval ratings, weak opposition, nationwide acclaim for war leadership, a fawning press -- and they're still trying to shore up their base. Sports-crazed Angry White Males want Title IX weakened, so sports-crazed Angry White Males will by God get Title IX weakened, by the Leader of the Free World.