I can see what you're getting at, but I think the point Tom was trying to make was that even if 99% of men are non-sexist and make reasonable on-topic comments

I can see what you're getting at, but I think the point Tom was trying to make was that even if 99% of men are non-sexist and make reasonable on-topic comments on female bloggers, the vocal sexist minority is still going to be there and make stupid comments. Indeed, it's not very optimistic. I think a solution would be if more sites implemented HN's rating system which hopefully would increase the ignorability of crude comments.