I have always found the disproportion of Women in government a little odd. While female participation has only been fostered in the last 100 years or so (and only seriously in the last 50 or so), why aren't more females going into government service? I wonder how much of it is stigma -vs- the "old boy network."

"old boy network" can only work at top (political appointees). Much of government is civil service. If women are underrepresented in civil service, it is likely because they want to work elsewhere. Civil service jobs can be frustrating for an ambitious person. Rules quite different from private sector. An idealistic person wishing to get results would not survive in this environment. Picture being surrounded by unambitious people who don't care when anything is done and since it is almost impossible to fire anyone, only those who have the same easy going slow pace survive.

As far as top political appointments, it takes a while to develop the talent/contacts to get there. This requires heavy duty networking as well as flexibility in ethics and convictions. He who pays the bills(lobbyists etc) sets the agenda you advocate...

RE: Justice O'Connor's resignation