I agree women deacons would be a "step in the right direction," but I see it also as a delaying tactic and even an ominous sidetrack to genuine equality based on women's and men's common humanity and common baptism.  If "they" grant women the right to ordination as deacons, it would give them another 250 years to point to their openness to the Spirit, their magnanimous and benevolent gesture to lesser beings, an irrefutable example of their male wonderfulness.  

I completely agree with the nonsense of ontologic change.  The best solution would be, IMO, elimination of all clerical orders.  The second-best solution is immediate recognition of equality.  

(Not arguing with you, ATF -- I just don't see the diaconate as anything but an easy way out for a misogynistic institution.)