Great article!! I thought of Dirk while reading it

[MrsSpooky]

This is great! http://www.religionandspirituality.com/morebeliefs/view.php?StoryID=20070413-064830-6537r

I'm so happy to hear more people speaking out about this injustice!

[ostarella]

I've complained for years about TV having stupid husbands and bratty kids - one of the biggest reasons I don't watch sitcoms as a general rule. And I know what it's like for the straight white male in society today, having a son and a couple brothers. Strangely enough, I do more complaining about the inequities than they do.

I must admit, however, to a slight bit of satisfaction at TV's male plight - after all, how many years did women have to look like Farah Fawcett to get anything more than soap commercials?

It would just be nice if we could have comedy by making fun of the situation and not the people...

[Genny]

Oh boy...I have very, very strong views about aggression, cruelty, abuse, wars, destruction and vandalism borne of mostly male, hormones. However, I totally agree with the article. There are so many decent and worthwhile young men, who are influenced by or, depicted as being similar to, the idiots we see so often on TV. I think that it is, necesary to protect and promote, women so that they can live without fear or discrimination. However....the way to do that is NOT, via denegrating men and portraying them in the media as if they are morons or inferior in some way. It does not, make womens' lives better, at all, for TV for example to be dominated by women trying to look and be male. Male children and teenagers need , role models. They need exciting, strong, intelligent role models...with power and using it well. We get mostly, these days, the notion that to be male, it's possible only to have a ' strong' identity by taking on a passive, role...or an irresponsible one which is pretty close to..passive. So it's OK to be dim, reckless, boring, or emotional to the point of being ineffectual. Men, are being replaced, on TV, - but it has created a vacuum, rather than justifiably giving women a fair profile. The baby is being chucked out with the bathwater and it is causing problems. I'm an early retired teacher..after 30 years. Boys, used to play at being Robin Hood, explorers, sportsmen, etc etc. Mostly, now...it's Jackass dweebs, misfits and so on. Even Harry Potter, doesn't get much of a look in. Negativity and inaction, rule OK. It needs a shake up. The effects on society, are considerable. In Britain now, 24% of children live in single parent families. That's fine, when there is no other choice and when the parent in charge is a loving and responsible person. That, has no adverse effects on a child's happiness or development or education...In fact, it can be better, than being in a family in which the other parent is not, as good a parent. We need, men to be men..not, accessories. They won't grow up aspiring to that, if they are brainwashed by Tv especially, into being second class citizens.

[bibbi]

Thank you for posting that link, Mrs. Spooky.
I think that Genny said everything that I wanted to say.

Take care,
Anne :)

[ostarella]

I think that it is, necesary to protect and promote, women so that they can live without fear or discrimination.

I agreed with most of what you stated except that. I don't need protecting or promoting - I can do that for myself, thank you very much :D That's the type of thing that got us to this mess with men IMHO. That, and the idea that anyone will ever live without fear or discrimination. The world is not a safe place for anyone and never will be. Don't wait to be protected - take care of yourself. No discrimination? You can change laws - you can't change the way people think. Don't tell me I can't buy a house next to you and I won't tell you we have to be neighborly - that's my outlook.

[MrsSpooky]

I think that it is, necesary to protect and promote, women so that they can live without fear or discrimination.

I agreed with most of what you stated except that. I don't need protecting or promoting - I can do that for myself, thank you very much :D That's the type of thing that got us to this mess with men IMHO. That, and the idea that anyone will ever live without fear or discrimination. The world is not a safe place for anyone and never will be. Don't wait to be protected - take care of yourself. No discrimination? You can change laws - you can't change the way people think. Don't tell me I can't buy a house next to you and I won't tell you we have to be neighborly - that's my outlook.

You know what? I feel the same way, but something happened last night that made me glad that there ARE guys out there who are protective of women. I was in a situation on Second Life where I was in a pub talking to a gentleman. Someone walked up to us and asked if I wanted to be his girlfriend, that he would pay me. He wanted me to have sex with him. My response would be "no thank you, go away and have a nice day". There were a couple of men present who basically ripped the guy a new one. They were saying "ignore him, he's an idiot". An argument ensued that got pretty heated.

I can take care of myself, and I wouldn't have taken the approach that the men involved did, but it felt really good to have someone standing up for me, defending me.

I think having a man stand up for you is a GOOD thing, and doesn't mean that we are not able to take care of ourselves. What's wrong with having someone bigger and stronger being there to protect you (whether we think we need them or not)? I can't think of anything. :)

[MrsSpooky]

This is good: http://worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=55270

I'm so happy! Word is spreading!!

[ostarella]

It's always nice to have someone watching your back - but I dare say, if those men hadn't been there, you could've had the bartender/barmaid put him out or called the police. Believe me, I've been in enough similar situations to know it's great - but I've also had to deal with them on my own. There's a definite satisfaction in knowing I can. And that they won't be bothering me again 8)

[ostarella]

This is good: http://worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=55270

I'm so happy! Word is spreading!!

Respectfully, I beg to differ with the whole tone of that article. I was going to go through point by point, but then I saw who the author was. Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council. From their website:

"The Family Research Council (FRC) champions marriage and family as the foundation of civilization, the SEEDBED OF VIRTUE, and the wellspring of society. FRC shapes public debate and formulates public policy that values human life and upholds the institutions of marriage and the family. Believing that GOD IS THE FATHER OF LIFE, LIBERTY AND FAMILY, FRC promotes the Judeo-Christian worldview as the basis for a just, free, and stable society." (emphasis mine)

No offense to Christians here, or even political conservatives - but any time you get "facts" from any organization that has a strong agenda like theirs, it's very hard to accept the veracity of anything they put forth as fact.

[Genny]

Osterella, I said that I think it's necessary to promote and protect women. Without advances in the law, it would be easier to commit violence against women and children. Even though we have, legislation, it's still happening. If anyone is fortunate enough not to have needed protection, then they are basing the idea that it's not necessary on their own experience and incidentally -past and current not necessarily future experience, not that of many people. I didn't mean male protection as if women are useless and helpless. I did, mean male co operation.
On the subject of promotion....Again, it was, necessary to achieve equality. We at least now have the vote...Women co operated with each other and also endured force feeding in prison, in order to achieve that in Britain,,and that was only as far back as my grandparents early adult years. I don't, though agree with either males or, females having a bias in their favour. I'm a very independent woman who has never, expected to be protected by a, man. What I was saying, was that if good male role models ..and I don't mean unrealistic, feminised male role models are on TV..then perhaps it will work positively. That, could lead to protecting women and children..to a greater extent..Believe me, many of them do, need that. Thanks for your comments though...It's good to hear peoples views. Incidentally, I think that The A Team, was so popular not just, because of the guns, helicopters etc. There were three male men...not at all diminished in their masculinity, by helping people not as physically powerful as themselves nor trained to be as effective. We know, that women are heroes, in all sorts of different ways. I do not mind at all, seeing women on screen, kicking as* for good reasons. What's not, on..is when men are there less and less. That's not, equality..

[ostarella]

Believe me - at my age no one has to tell me what women have had to deal with, or how far they have yet to go. Nothing is more irritating to me than young women who denigrate NOW and the feminist movement, without which they would not have the jobs, educations or incomes they now enjoy. And I think that is why I cringe when people talk about women needing protection, with or without the cooperation of men. We don't need protection - we need our rights enforced. And we no longer have to go begging with hat in hand to the powers that be for that - because we are right there with them.

I seem to have gotten rather high on my soap box, and I apologize for that. But to let you know where I'm coming from - my mother's first husband was an abuser. She had no place to go, no avenue to take - so she took matters into her own hands. She told her abuser that if he ever touched her or her children again, she would wait until he was asleep and take a butcher knife to him. He never touched her or the kids again. Knowing what my mother had to do, how can I say that I need protection? What I need is to take my destiny in my own hands and not expect someone else to protect me or my rights. I have the power now that my mother's generation did not have, and it's my own fault if I fail to take advantage of that.

[Genny]

I have four prolapsed spinal discs but the burst eardrums and black eyes healed long ago. Was married to an abuser. No form of strength worked. I told no one. Was trying to sort it out myself. Ah well. Am glad, that your mother was able to. Do not cringe any more - I am off, to find an avatar !

[Lily]

Theres a lot of courage on this forum when you look at it, and i like the fact it has been posted on Dirk's forum, whose we obviously take to our hearts and feel comfort in doing so.
I feel pretty humbled to be a member alongside you lot, which shows two points in the threads posted , courage and humour and an ability to put points across.
I too was a victimn of a family member, plus suffered a lot of berevement, but I don't blame men. And I am lucky to have friends close in both sexes.
The tv heroes type thing. I have my partners little girl at the weekends she is 4. And loves Dr Who.
Not only does she want to become a princess, but she wants to travel in space.
Next week it will be different, my point is that we have now back on our screens a tv male Hero with a companion who is a trainee doctor and herself very intelligent.
There will be both boys and girls that maybe take heart from that programme and feel they may be want to be a scientist, astronaut or doctor. Thats where I think tv is important.
I want more equality on tv and I won'y watch any programme that treats either sex as an idiot .

Love light and peace Lily xxx

[Arciris]

Thanks for posting it Mrs Spooky!
I agree, it's good.

[Genny]

Met Nichelle Nicholls who played Uhura in the original Star Trek a couple of times years ago. The knock on effects of her in that role have been wonderful. Lovely lady she is, too.

[Feeonagh]

Met Nichelle Nicholls who played Uhura in the original Star Trek a couple of times years ago. The knock on effects of her in that role have been wonderful. Lovely lady she is, too.

At the risk of sounding flippant, on a serious subject..

One of my favourite films is Galaxy Quest... Your post Genny, brought back the image of Sigourney Weaver, sitting at the controls in her short skirt, repeating everything the computer said!! :lol: :lol:

Well I found it funny! (The token female, a bit of eye candy, with nothing to actually do!)

Fee xx

[Lily]

That is a Film given time gets classic status!
Don't forget brfore Uhura in the pilot there was a second in command who was female, wonder how that would have paned out. xx

[Feeonagh]

That is a Film given time gets classic status!

I agree

Fee

[Genny]

Yes..Galaxy Quest is also one of my, favourites. :D Of course, " Hailing frequencies open, Captain " was not, a great role for Nichelle Nichools but it was, a role which at the time was progress. First inter -racial kiss on American television, too.