I think I did overreact further up the thread to the dismissive comment about my own comments, but on the other hand, I prefer to consider what people say and respond by giving my opinions as thoughtfully as possible, and it annoys me when others don't meet the same standard. At the risk of sounding preachy myself, I hope I would never just dismiss what somebody says as 'nonsense' or whatever, but not one of us is perfect.
Somebody above lauds equality and speaks of it in almost religious terms as a fine and noble aim, as if it is beyond debate. But even the most noble intentions are not beyond rational question and discussion. In my view, equality is not a good objective for society, and I do not accept that the pursuit of equality is always as noble as it may seem. In some cases, the motivations are malignant and not noble at all.
If you tell me, or imply or insinuate, that I am 'sexist', I am going to be somewhat offended, even if (as here) you fail to define what you mean by 'sexism'. The reason I am offended is not because I think there is anything wrong with being sexist, or racist, or whatever, rather it's because I recognise - I see instinctively - that there is an agenda behind what you are doing, which is essentially a deep desire you have to tell other people what to do, to lecture to us like we're naughty primary school children, and invent problems and stir up trouble when there is no reason or cause for it.
Until 'Her Game Too', I was used to seeing women at Leeds United matches. I can tell you they were there in the 1980s, in the crowd. Yes, real, actual women! I know, it's shocking. Now you have turned what is a matter of utter mundanity and insignificance into some sort political or social cause. There are women sports journalists. There are lady corporate officers at clubs. There are female stewards. There are women everywhere. Until now, I had not even thought about it, because there is no need to give thought to it. If somebody is rude to somebody else, whether a man or a woman, then rudeness is rudeness. How does it become a massive social issue that we all need to be lectured about, as if we're little children? Yes, it's her game too - but we already knew that and it never had to be articulated because it has never been an issue, except for a few idiots, for whom there are already civil and criminal laws and other mechanisms such as informal scolding and social disapproval.
It is quite likely that I am sexist by the standards being set for me here, but I see absolutely nothing wrong with that. I don't mind women pursuing careers, once they have had children. It's natural for women to have children. That's their biological imposition. Furthermore, I can't really take a woman in authority completely seriously. That's because I am a man. It's just human nature. We can pretend otherwise and affect to be more refined about it, but the problem with pretending is that a pretence is a pretence. What you're doing is creating an artificial situation that can't hold. There will be exceptions. Now and then, a woman will come along who doesn't want children and just wants to freely pursue her own visions and ambitions. OK, fair enough. There may even be a lady footballer who is good enough to play in the Championship or Premier League. I don't mind, as long as it is acknowledged that she is one of the few exceptions that demonstrate the rule.
I do try to treat people politely and with decency. I don't always succeed because, like you, I am less than perfect - in my case, significantly short of perfect. Very, very, very far from perfect is what would describe me. If God does exist, I'll need a very good QC when I die to make my eternal case. But I do have a decent heart and I think that should be enough. I will not be grist to your mill. I will not be lectured to by you and others, for your sinister social engineering, your slimy little agenda.
More to the point, nobody has the right to demand that you or I adhere to equality and treat people equally. Apart from anything else, people are not inherently equal, nor are people equal in matters of practical reality. I am not going to be the next face of GQ. That's because I am ugly. There are, however, men who could be the face of GQ. They are superior to me in that respect. An example of inequality.
Now, I do hope there are no uglist people on this Forum. As well as watching your pronouns, you need to ensure that you don't offend me on account of my ugly visage. Uglism is a terrible form of prejudice. Ugly people like me deserve to be treated equally. That's why I've complained to GQ magazine and demanded that they carry my Ugly Mug on their front cover as part of a campaign of raising awareness about the bigotry faced by ugly men...blah, blah.....
See the problem?
Some people are thick, some people are fat, some people are disabled, some people are black, some people are gay, some people are Leeds United supporters. All of these people deserve kindness for their afflictions and the problems and challenges in their lives, and I would be the first to condemn bullying and other unpleasant behaviour - and I do mean that - but demanding that you or I treat people equally is an infringement on our basic dignity and autonomy and our ability to make our own decisions and control our own lives. Life is unfair.
Moderator Message:Gascoigne please ensure you read to post by SelbyWhite below Im adding this comment to inform you if you continue with posting containing content that you are aware will offend you will be banned from the forum
- Davycc