> If you finished reading this, thanks. If you have a different opinion
> about it, go for it.
Sorry Bethany.....y'see, the mental image *I* had was a 400-pounder from
"Dwayne's All-Sumo, All-Drag Revue" down the street. :-)
I don't recall mentioning gender *or* species.
MGF
Patrick Johansen
Still in the sense of an interesting debate I hope.....
I think everyone should speak up about their opinions. Just to clarify, I
did not label Bethany as "a nutty feminist, overly sensitive, or an etc." I
think she is wonderful. She is very friendly and kind and nice. She seems
very intelligent. I hope it is ok to say that I have also noted that she
has a beautiful face, especially her profile. Just some of my observations.
But, on some things, we might disagree. Although we might agree after
discussing them...or not. It's ok if we disagree, she still has all the
characteristics mentioned above.
I just wanted to make sure you recognize that I didn't label her. However
you did label me. Interesting. It's ok, I don't get my feelers hurt
easily. But you sure categorized me very quickly with out really knowing
very much about me. Something to think about for your own personal growth.
"And no Patrick...if you were paying attention.....women are significantly
different than men". Hmmmm, if you were paying attention, I think it was I
that said that. I said," I also observe that women are different than men,
and are treated differently than men." Hmmmm, paying attention?
I think probably through our lives, we have all felt in danger, all been
humiliated, all been made to feel stupid or inept. I cant imagine that
anyone makes it all the way through life without feeling those things as
some point. I cant imagine that you really believe that no men have ever
felt these things.
Mark has pointed out that his Cartoon Character was not defined as male or
female. Stop for a second and realize the prejudice that you bring to his
words. There are many male topless dancers, male strippers and male
prostitutes. You seem to assume that only women participate in these
careers. By definition, is your attitude not sexist?? OK, come on Pete,
you have to admit, I got you on that one. I have to get some debate points
for that.
I suppose you could claim that Mark's comment demeans society as a whole.
But on the other hand, should we make believe that these careers don't
exist. Are you saying that people who have these positions demean society.
Isn't this tremendously judgmental on your part? Are people who write
trashy novels Ok in your book? How about sperm or egg donors. How about
people who have abortions? How about garbage men. Do people grow up
thinking their goal in life is to be a garbage man or a sewer cleaner, or do
they take these jobs because they are desperate and/or need or want the
money? Is this demeaning also? So if we mention the existence, are we
demeaning society?
I wouldn't want my mother to be a sewer cleaner.....eeeewwwwww! My point
in these last few paragraphs is just to point out that your philosophy might
just be a bit hypocritical.
How do you think a women who has chosen to be a topless dancer would feel if
she read what you have written. Would she feel demeaned? Are you
anti-feminist? Shouldn't a woman be able to CHOOSE what she wants to do
with her own body? Who are you to judge her?
I have been treated like a sex object, by an older woman, when I was
younger, in better shape, before I wore burlap, could jump off tables and
when I wasn't this ugly. By a woman about 10 years older than me. I
realize that not everyone would like that type of attention. Some men and
women do. In that scenario, I was quite flattered.
As long as we are discussing this, there is something else I feel should be
mentioned. A few weeks ago, Dave had made an equal opportunity statement at
the meeting. He pointed out during the nominations for president of the
club, that we should remember to consider all options, both men and women
for the position. He was publicly chastised as some told him that just the
fact that he mentioned it was demeaning to women. I didn't say anything at
the time because I thought that I had missed something, but I checked with
others later, and they confirmed, that in fact was what happened. Similar
Equal Opportunity statements are on most of the job applications I have ever
filled out, and are posted in most businesses. Does this seem right to you?
Patrick Johansen
-----Original Message-----
From: cp...@googlegroups.com [mailto:cp...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of
petebarry
Sent: Sunday, March 23, 2008 9:40 PM
To: Cascade Paragliding Club
Subject: CPC: Re: Oregon pilot map--your comments?
>you two need to get over it already! what the f#@k! this is a
>paragliding forum right? do your cryin someplace private..
>i think u both need more time in the air..so why not use the weather
>site and get out and move on!GO FLY!!
<snip>
note the [OT] which is appropriate for this and your post.
don't be a breedbate; demeaning a demeaning comment isn't allowed here.
-- jim
It hadn't occurred to me that this would make some people feel so
uncomfortable. Obviously Mark's pilot locator program is intended to make it
easier for pilots to find each other and communicate. This is good for
flying and the paragliding community. Likewise, Bethany's comments are
intended to help us all understand the effect that certain kinds of humor
has on excluding certain members of the community from the general
discussion--again relevant to building a better paragliding community.
Are there others who feel this is Off Topic for the forum? Are there others
who feel that thinking about the social dimension of this sport is not only
valuable but also interesting?
John Balwit
-----Original Message-----
From: cp...@googlegroups.com [mailto:cp...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Jim
Donaldson
Sent: Wednesday, March 26, 2008 9:56 AM
To: Cascade Paragliding Club
Patrick Johansen
Patrick Johansen
-----Original Message-----
From: cp...@googlegroups.com [mailto:cp...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of brad
ross