Well... I suppose an equivalent may be when I have male friends say things like they're going to "kill that bitch" and stuff like that, and I know they don't mean it literally, but it's still painful.
I definitely don't like it when people joke about killing people, but I also appreciate that it's part of a larger culture that makes it "acceptable." So, I don't immediately stop being friends with men who joke about killing women, but I do ask them to modify their behavior.
I read Ford's statement in a sort of similar way, as something not great, but part of a larger cultural zeitgeist. FWIW, she has also since apologized for the statement and withdrew an application for a grant due to the surrounding the controversy.
Simple fact is, people say messed up stuff; I certainly wouldn't blame anyone who is upset over her statement, nor would I ask them to like her. However, I'm also reluctant to cancel someone indefinitely for a messed up thing they said. And that applies just as much to sexist men (if they're willing to apologize) as it does to over-zealous feminists.
[Edit] - upon reflection, I actually do think I was a bit too lighthearted about it. I updated my piece with a note about that; perhaps you don't agree with my justification, but I do think that the casual death wishes are something we really need to cut out from all sides, and you had a point about that.
