Christopher wrote:
Jim Oberg wrote:

Does Mars need women? Russians say no

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/6955149/

COMMENTARY
By James Oberg, NBC News space analyst
Special to MSNBC
Updated: 8:52 p.m. ET Feb. 11, 2005

Are women up to the job of exploring Mars?

snipped

After addressing students at Moscow International
University, Professor Anatoly Grigoryev elaborated
in
comments reported by Russia's RIA Novosti news
agency:
"After all, women are fragile and delicate
creatures;
that is why men should lead the way to distant
planets
and carry women there n their strong hands."

Did he say it with a straight face?

Not according to the original article. But it doesn't
matter that it was put forth in a joking manner,
because he meant it, every single word.