Friends,    I assume Mark did not mean any harm in his comment about
the "redhead" etc....Not to berate him...but to remind myself and
maybe you all.....that we grew up in a very sexist society and it all
too common that we reflect that to other men, and even more
unfortunately to the women around us.   I totally respect Bethany for
speaking up. Women who speak up are typically labeled as nutty
feminists, overly sensitive, etc....men who speak up are considered
smart or dominant......   Patrick comments sounds like an "old-
school"  typical male who has no clue what sexism is.....apparently
has never been treated like a sex object...been worried about being
raped, or just been treated like he was stupid, or inept....the
comments also miss the point.

Many women might also enjoy an attractive driver and pizza sugar-
daddy...but the "nude" part of Mark's daydream and especially the
"topless dancing" aspect simply demeans women.    And no Patrick...if
you were paying attention.....women are significantly different than
men...they think various types of guys are sexy...but it is not their
dominant preoccupation in life.     99.9% of us men would never even
consider stripping for money, and would hate to see out daughters
having so few options they might end up part of such a esteem damaging
and risky "job."    Spending our money or attention in any way toward
the sex industry supports a dangerous and unhealthy exploitation.

I so enjoy having the few wonderful women that are willing to hang out
with us in our "spectator-boring" sport, support us, drive for us...or
just tolerate and even sometimes celebrate out joys of chasing our
flying dreams---and the ones that fly with us.   I'm all for stepping
up and giving "advice" or admonition in our sport when we see people
taking unnecessary risks or threatening our safety or sites....but
watch yourself and other men...we are much more prone to give women
"free advice" and tell them what to do....much more than we do men.
Lets all treat women and men as equally as we can.   Thanks for
considering my view-point.     Peter Barry (Eastern Oregon)