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Title: Men still matter
Source:
STL Today
URL Source: http://www.stltoday.com/news/opinio ... 20-5fc2-9641-c98fd52a916b.html
Published: Sep 4, 2010
Author: Colleen Carroll Campbell
Post Date: 2010-09-04 15:31:29 by abraxas
Keywords: None
Views: 258
Comments: 23
Men still matter It's been a mean summer for men. The recent economic downturn, dubbed a "he-cession" because three-fourths of the 8 million jobs lost belonged to men, has shown few signs of reversal. Enrollment patterns for the coming fall look poised to continue the decade-long trend of women outpacing men in the quest for college degrees. The Atlantic, commenting on such shifts, recently featured a cover story on "The End of Men" arguing that "our modern, postindustrial society is simply better suited to women." Echoing the men-are-obsolete theme was a study published in June in Pediatrics, which claimed that teenagers raised by lesbian couples are better-adjusted than those raised by mothers and fathers. Despite the study's flaws — it focused on only a small cohort of self-selected lesbians and its conclusions about their children were based on the mothers' own reports — the "men don't matter" message picked up still more steam. Meanwhile, Hollywood happily chimed in with a spate of summer movies — "The Back-Up Plan," "The Kids Are All Right" and "The Switch" — featuring heroines who choose sperm donors instead of husbands to fulfill their dreams of motherhood. The feel-good films depict dads as little more than sweet, buffoonish bonuses in the lives of children and their mothers, their presence often causing more problems than it solves. As "Switch" star Jennifer Aniston quipped while promoting her film, "Women are realizing more and more that you don't have to settle, they don't have to fiddle with a man to have that child." So where does all of this leave men? For those who aspire to be more than perpetual adolescents, sperm donors or walking paychecks, the answer is unclear. So is the meaning of masculinity in a self-consciously unisex age when the very idea of a masculine or feminine nature is controversial and millions of boys are coming of age without ever having learned from a father what it means to be a man. Our pop culture, with its cartoonish images of manhood, offers little help. Hollywood equates masculinity alternately with brutish violence and adolescent boorishness, leaving young men two choices for role models. They can imitate either the vicious, womanizing, sociopathic anti-heroes that populate action movies or the beer-swilling, porn-ogling, Nintendo-playing Peter Pans that crowd romantic comedies. More genuine masculine heroes — the kind who use their strength, penchant for risk-taking and capacity for sacrifice to advance a cause greater than their own self-interest — are tougher to find. The same goes for our civic conversations about the social roles of men. On the one hand, our post-feminist society urges men to get involved in the lives of their children, show more sensitivity to the needs of women at home and work and recognize the unique perspective and gifts of women — worthy goals all. Yet we give men no right to veto the abortions of their unborn children, we celebrate the right of women to intentionally form fatherless families, and we regard with suspicion even the most benign attempts by men to find male-only fellowship outside the occasional bachelor party or baseball game. The result: bizarre scenes such as the one that unfolded when a Promise Keeper rally came to downtown over a decade ago. Feminists protested the all-male event as a patriarchal plot, apparently more threatened by a stadium full of men pledging to honor their marriage vows than by the scores of men outside that stadium who never considered marrying their children's mothers in the first place. History and experience have taught women to fear the dominance of men. But we also should fear men's marginalization, particularly in the lives of our children. Just as the cause of women's equality is not advanced when women deny our feminine distinctiveness in the workplace, neither is it served when we denigrate the unique strengths that men bring to family life. Men and women need each other because, not in spite, of our differences. In an age that prides itself on celebrating diversity, that's a counterintuitive truth that deserves to make a comeback. Colleen Carroll Campbell is a St. Louis-based author, former presidential speechwriter and television and radio host of "Faith & Culture" on EWTN. Her website is www.colleen-campbell.com.
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#1. To: abraxas (#0)
We will matter very much in the near future. I just wish I could recognize feminists, liberals, neocons, zionists, race traitors, white guilters and other vermin by sight. Then I would be free to leave them to their fate. .
Click for Privacy and Preparedness files I've listened to preachers I've listened to fools I've watched all the dropouts Who make their own rules One person conditioned to rule and control The media sells it and you live the role ~Ozzy Osbourne: Crazy Train
Amen.
So, mathematically, what's your second date to first date ratio?
Amen!
"Every Person born within the limits of the United States, and subject to their jurisdiction, is by virtue of natural law and national law a citizen of the United States. This will not, of course, include persons born in the United States who are foreigners, aliens, who belong to the families of ambassadors or foreign ministers accredited to the Government of the United States, but will include every other class of persons. I don't know, I never tried to figure it out. But it's not good... But I don't care anymore.
Click for Privacy and Preparedness files I've listened to preachers I've listened to fools I've watched all the dropouts Who make their own rules One person conditioned to rule and control The media sells it and you live the role ~Ozzy Osbourne: Crazy Train
That's because most of the men are women with penises.
#2. To: abraxas (#0)
Men and women need each other because, not in spite, of our differences.
#3. To: PSUSA (#1)
I just wish I could recognize feminists, liberals, neocons, zionists, race traitors, white guilters and other vermin by sight.
#4. To: abraxas (#0)
Men still matter
Senator Jacob Howard, Co-author of the citizenship clause of the 14th Amendment, 1866.
#5. To: Samuel Gray (#3)
#6. To: abraxas (#0)
"The End of Men" arguing that "our modern, postindustrial society is simply better suited to women."
Waiting too late to oppose tyranny has always led to bloodshed.
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#7. To: abraxas (#0)
I have this silly little thing I do when a black male comes into my tire shop with his kid(s). I knock off about 20% from his bill and tell them that it's the "man being his kids' father" discount. Don't ask me why I do it, I just do.
apparently more threatened by a stadium full of men pledging to honor their marriage vows than by the scores of men outside that stadium who never considered marrying their children's mothers in the first place.
Waiting too late to oppose tyranny has always led to bloodshed.
Cheap Bulk .223 ammo cases battle packs south african
#8. To: abraxas (#0)
the title and article would be more accurate if it were White Men Still Matter.
#9. To: Critter (#7)
Critter, you are a good man. I wish you were in my town. I'd dress up as a black male and darken my blond children to get a 20% discount on tires. : )
Don't ask me why I do it, I just do.
"The conscious and intelligent manipulation of the organized habits and opinions of the masses is an important element in democratic society. Those who manipulate this unseen mechanism of society constitute an invisible government which is the true ruling power of our country. ... We are governed, our minds are molded, our tastes formed, our ideas suggested, largely by men we have never heard of." Edward Bernays, Father of Public Relations
#10. To: christine (#8)
lol........das racis'!!
"The conscious and intelligent manipulation of the organized habits and opinions of the masses is an important element in democratic society. Those who manipulate this unseen mechanism of society constitute an invisible government which is the true ruling power of our country. ... We are governed, our minds are molded, our tastes formed, our ideas suggested, largely by men we have never heard of." Edward Bernays, Father of Public Relations
#11. To: abraxas (#0)
This is true, but not something for women to brag about. The reason women are better suited for the "modern" world is because they take orders much better than men do and of course they are nice to look at.
"our modern, postindustrial society is simply better suited to women."
God is always good!
#12. To: christine, abraxas (#8)
But can they dance?
the title and article would be more accurate if it were White Men Still Matter.
"One of the least understood strategies of the world revolution now moving rapidly toward its goal is the use of mind control as a major means of obtaining the consent of the people who will be subjects of the New World Order." K.M. Heaton, The National Educator
#13. To: abraxas (#0)
I'm at the post-summit of my promotability. The company I'm in of course has positions for which I'm quite qualified, however, I'm a male, and we're not allowed, period. Of the 14 managerial positions in our office alone, 10 are filled by women. I can tell you for a fact that I can out perform these people at their own jobs (I work with most of them) because I cover their arses on a daily bases. The few men in management, predate the "new" policies, and are due for retirement soon, or transfer to another facility. We have ~125 in our office, total. We have, God, so few men, maybe 10% of the force. Of that work force, us few men do the actual technical work that makes most of the profit (seriously, we're on the conference calls, and we get handed all the grunt work). The other ~120 women do...God knows what. I know a lot of their jobs, and many of their jobs, maybe 70%, consist of talking to each other. The actual "requirements/work" jobs are handled by a small handful, mainly us guys. Who are not permitted to be promoted. I do value women as women, and men as men. But the situation in my company is not unique. The men do the profit bearing work, the women outnumber us by large margins and do, let's face it, nothing of profit. And now, due to law, they get promotions. Meh. About time to start my own hops farm or vineyard. I'm tired of this so called society. :-/
"The more artificial taboos and restrictions there are in the world, the more the people are impoverished.... The more that laws and regulations are given prominence, the more thieves and robbers there will be." - Lao Tzu, 6th century BC
#14. To: christine (#8)
Quite so. However, and I'm only noting this, even our token half-Puerto Rican (half Irish) guy isn't "qualified" for promotion. He does work that amounts to tens of millions of dollars of profit. Can't promote him. Same for the small amount of the rest of us guys, the rest of us being white of course. The other 100+ women, maybe 10 of them do work that matters to the bottom line, but by golly, they promote the hell out of each other. It's frustrating and maddening. And all of us guys, I tell you this sincerely, know exactly what's going on.
the title and article would be more accurate if it were White Men Still Matter.
"The more artificial taboos and restrictions there are in the world, the more the people are impoverished.... The more that laws and regulations are given prominence, the more thieves and robbers there will be." - Lao Tzu, 6th century BC
#15. To: Critter (#7)
Right on man, good policy. Do it for all men in that same circumstance and you'll be A Hero (tm). :)
I have this silly little thing I do when a black male comes into my tire shop with his kid(s). I knock off about 20% from his bill and tell them that it's the "man being his kids' father" discount. Don't ask me why I do it, I just do.
"The more artificial taboos and restrictions there are in the world, the more the people are impoverished.... The more that laws and regulations are given prominence, the more thieves and robbers there will be." - Lao Tzu, 6th century BC
#16. To: abraxas (#0)
Yep. http://www.kaneva.com/asset/assetDetailsFullScreen.aspx?assetId=3897626 I can smell a pig from a mile away...
"The more artificial taboos and restrictions there are in the world, the more the people are impoverished.... The more that laws and regulations are given prominence, the more thieves and robbers there will be." - Lao Tzu, 6th century BC
#17. To: abraxas (#0)
"Without men, civilization would last until the next oil change" -- P.J. O'Rourke.
"Society is, always has been and always will be a structure for the exploitation and oppression of the majority through systems of political force dictated by an élite, enforced by thugs, uniformed or not, and upheld by a willful ignorance and stupidity on the part of the very majority whom the system oppresses." -- Richard K. Morgan
#18. To: PSUSA (#1)
There is that hostile, bitter look. For some reason, they hate me on sight.
I just wish I could recognize feminists...by sight
"Society is, always has been and always will be a structure for the exploitation and oppression of the majority through systems of political force dictated by an élite, enforced by thugs, uniformed or not, and upheld by a willful ignorance and stupidity on the part of the very majority whom the system oppresses." -- Richard K. Morgan
#19. To: SonOfLiberty (#16)
I tried to cut and paste that link to take a look, but "We did not find results for: http://www.kaneva.com/asset/assetDetailsFullScreen.aspx?assetId=3897626." is the response. Can you post it again with the hyperlink active so I can take a peek? Thank you. : )
"The conscious and intelligent manipulation of the organized habits and opinions of the masses is an important element in democratic society. Those who manipulate this unseen mechanism of society constitute an invisible government which is the true ruling power of our country. ... We are governed, our minds are molded, our tastes formed, our ideas suggested, largely by men we have never heard of." Edward Bernays, Father of Public Relations
#20. To: Turtle (#17)
lol......that is a good one.
"Without men, civilization would last until the next oil change" -- P.J. O'Rourke.
"The conscious and intelligent manipulation of the organized habits and opinions of the masses is an important element in democratic society. Those who manipulate this unseen mechanism of society constitute an invisible government which is the true ruling power of our country. ... We are governed, our minds are molded, our tastes formed, our ideas suggested, largely by men we have never heard of." Edward Bernays, Father of Public Relations
#21. To: abraxas, Cowboy, 4 (#19)
You may have included the period and/or the quote sign...
#22. To: abraxas (#19)
I'm a man, ergo, I'm an idiot. My bad. :)
"The more artificial taboos and restrictions there are in the world, the more the people are impoverished.... The more that laws and regulations are given prominence, the more thieves and robbers there will be." - Lao Tzu, 6th century BC
#23. To: PSUSA (#1)
Plaid lumberjack shirts, butch haircuts. Weight varies. Don't shoot in spring, let the antlers shed the velvet in late summer. Best cooked with peppercorn and oregano, a nice red tawny wine complement is ideal.
I just wish I could recognize feminists,
"The more artificial taboos and restrictions there are in the world, the more the people are impoverished.... The more that laws and regulations are given prominence, the more thieves and robbers there will be." - Lao Tzu, 6th century BC
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