| Liberty for all, justice for some |
[Oct. 1st, 2007|12:53 pm] |
I had an interesting discussion the other night about feminism and its role in modernity. I, and those who sometimes mock feminism, were criticized for making light of a serious problem which continues to exist in modernity, mainly that of continued inequality of women. The problem I have with feminism isn’t an unreasonable fear of it do to the social stigma which has grown up around it in modernity, but due to actual notions espoused by claimed feminists. All too often the most radical of all feminists have criticized every negative aspect of society as a direct consequence of machismo. This notion I would attack as ridiculous and feel no shame in continuously mocking such notions as unrealistic and idiotic. This is not to say that some of the issues which have confronted civilization are not directly related to its rule by men, only that some aspects of which have defined Patriarchal society are defined not by the influence of masculinity but by human nature and science. For example the notion that war is a concept fueled purely by male aggressiveness seems to me to be blatantly false, as conflict, and violence as an extension of that conflict, is a fundamental part of human nature. Even more laughable than that is another notion espoused in my international relations textbook that the reason weapons are phallic is that men are the ones that go to war, completely disregarding the notion that the phallus is an aerodynamic shape and the design of weapons in those shapes is a result of science and engineering, not any role played by testosterone. But this mocking fails to address the real issue most feminists attempt to address. Most feminism seeks to obtain equality for women, an honorable goal. But how is this to be accomplished?
Everyone can appreciate the goal of equality, but concrete solutions to achieve that goal are hard to come by and raise another issue. There are two conflicting goals found in the rhetoric of the American experience, that of liberty and that of justice. In the declaration of independence it is written that all men are endowed by their creators with the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, but the previous line is that All men are created equal. The contradiction between these two principles is not immediately apparent, but it is quite important. The right to liberty is the right to freedom, and freedom entails that you are free, if you so wish to treat others unequally and vice versa. So the question is not whether or not reasonable feminists have a noble goal, as they undoubtedly do, but to what extent that goal is to be pursued.
The first solution, the one usually practiced in America is to seek equality through legislation and protest of unfair practices. This seems to be a reasonable practice, but at times it, just like the more radical feminists mentioned above, can become irrational. At some point stalwart feminism becomes discrimination against males, though this in not the case in most instances. In most instances the problem which arises is the dialectic argument between the benefit of a society which guarantees equality(read justice) to women and a society which guarantees freedom of action to all. Any time government regulation or protest attempts to make society equal it does so only by circumscribing the liberty of others to exercise their beliefs, such as sexism.
The other option which seems at once to be more reasonable and insidiously awful is that of educating persons to eliminate the belief of sexism in its entirety by educating American youth about the equality of the sexes through the public school system. This process would be slower, more subtle and in many ways far more effective than the coercive strategies of regulation and protest, but at the same time it is almost morally repugnant to indoctrinate young people to espouse your view regardless of whether or not they understand it. Anyone who doubts the effectiveness or wickedness of this strategy need only to watch the documentary Jesus Camp.
I am not trying to offer any concrete solutions to the problem, or criticize or support any aspect of the quest for equality for women. All this short meme is meant to accomplish is to articulate the complexity of the issue, and to cause others to think critically and make reasonable assessments of the situation. Perhaps in this concluding paragraph I contradict myself, as perhaps that is my grand policy solution. Teach people to understand the complexities of the issue and recognize that they need to think critically about it, freeing themselves of irrational prejudices whatever they may be. This would ensure the liberty of each individual to make his own decision, but would not necessarily entail the equality which women’s rights advocates seek. |
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| (no subject) |
[Jul. 4th, 2007|02:03 am] |
I still maintain that their is a rational concern with homosexuals in the military, but Paresh's evidence of integration in the British armed forces and the effects it has had their proves, more or less, that it is possible and therefore a desirable goal. Another issue which I would like to bring up, provoked by the mentioning of Steffen in his LJ a little while ago, is the issue of hate crime legislation. This issue I find to be far more interesting, for a moral and philosophical perspective. We can all agree that acts like assault and murder are crimes which deserve to be punished, but why is it that so called 'hate crimes' have greater punishments then their supposedly mundane counterparts?
Proponents of hate crime legislation argue that hate crimes are especially bad and that it is important to strongly discourage such extraordinarily bad behavior. Opponents, even those who recognize and support Civil Rights among minorities such as Gays, blacks, mexicans, and other racial minorities, argue that in most murders and assaults Hatred is a factor. The question they ask is what makes the hatred one feels for a gay man the murder more egregious, and therefore worthy of greater punishment, then the husband's murder of his ex-wife, or the random murder of a drifter?
Opinions? |
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| Political Blog |
[Jun. 26th, 2007|02:23 am] |
I'm bored and wish to articulate my opinions. Whether or not anyone reads this I don't care, I have just read some things however which make me want to articulate a viewpoint.
The problem with politics in this country(one of them at least) is that the low level of political discourse. By this I mean people arguing about issues that don't matter-Such as don't vote for him, he cheated on his wife-or ignoring the other persons arguments so that any debate devolves into a shouting of "you're wrong" and "no, you're wrong". I will not go in depth as to why this is, but I will say that in large part this has to do with the structure of the system. The system unfortunately cannot be changed without a massive effort,and effort which is currently far beyond anyone's power to attempt. This does not mean a change cannot be made. In America we live in a democratic state which means we have the power. We the people can do anything if we wish, but first those of us who recognize the political system for what it is, those of us who care enough to try to make a difference, must start small. If we choose to discuss politics, we must do so in a controlled, rational, and accepting manner. If we express a political opinion, chances are it will be disagreed with by someone. How we respond to this disagreement speaks to the decency of our characters as well as our political aptitude.
The first thing which we must remember is that you have the right to disagree, but that their are many political opinions out there, and any political opinion held by many people, many educated good hardworking people, has to have a reasonable basis, or at least seem like it does to some. Therefore it is important that we don't flippantly dismiss their opinions without thought. Lets take for example Homosexuals in the military.
The argument for homosexuals being allowed to serve is quite simple, they are people with equal rights and therefore should be allowed to do whatever it is they wish to do. It is, despite it's simplicity, a compelling argument and that is why it's so tempting to label anyone who disagrees with it a bigot. This may be true for some people, but many people who oppose homosexual integration of the military do so on other grounds with an argument which is more nuanced and particular. They believe first and foremost that Homosexuals will distract the other men. The problem is not that they are different but that their differences will effect the ability of the military to do its job. Homosexuals, some feel, because they wish to have sex with men, will distract other men because of the other men's discomfort with homosexuality. Furthermore, they believe that the homosexual will be distracted by lust for their fellow soldiers, exacerbating the situation by making the homosexual a worse soldier and further alienating his heterosexual comrades. In addition, if a homosexual were to get into a relationship with a fellow soldier, it would jeopardize their ability to think clearly in combat situations. This is an argument also used by continuous opponents of placing females in combat roles.
I am am not saying I agree with any of these viewpoints, only stating that both sides have reasonable arguments and to dismiss them is idiotic as well as offensive to anyone who holds them. To rationally argue why one isn't very important is what is desirable. By doing this, slowly we can improve the level of political discourse in this country and eventually, make it so people will turn to rational arguments as they now do shouting matches. |
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| (no subject) |
[Jun. 15th, 2006|02:35 am] |
Erika sent me a livejournal slap or poke or whatever it's called telling me I haven't updated in 12 weeks and that I should do that, so for this long boring, and rather pitiful entry you all have Erika to thank.
The first thing on my mind these days is Cancer. Yay, what a wonderfully happy subject to begin talking about. As you may or may not know Cancer is responsible for the death of my paternal grandfather and maternal grandmother(After she had had Breast Cancer twice!) and the reason for my mother's hysterectomy. But God in his infinite wisdom(And yes, I am being sarcastic) has decided that my family and I haven't quite suffered enough and so Cancer has appeared once again. This time a very very close family friend, more than an aunt to me, has been diagnosed with Cancer in her Kidney. Sher, those of you who actually know her probably know her better as Dan's neighbor, had a CAT scan done wednesday of last week during which they found lumps(read tumor) which they were fairly certain were cancerous. Today, the oncologist confirmed it. My mom printed off information from the cancer from some website or another which said that if the cancer had spread to other organs the usual prognosis was a 5% chance of survival. Well, guess what! It has spread to the lungs. The reason they found the cancer is because Sher has been having a lot of pain with her lower back and legs, which she still has, and to make matters even better the pain's getting worse and she can't take any pain medication 'cause she's allergic!
Other than beginning to lose a family member to cancer(yes she is family), I have been thinking and come to the realization that in all probability I will never have a girlfriend, never date anyone, and never find love. Kinda sad but true, I just don't have the necessary skill set. I don't know how to make women interested, I don't know how to act when I'm interested, and I don't know what to do after that. It really doesn't help that Lee is always on my case calling me lazy or when Steffen has ragged on me saying he's a better heterosexual than me because he's had a girlfriend. The point is I don't know women and as far as I can tell never will. It isn't a matter of laziness, If there is some way I could end the embarassment of being 19 years old and never having gone on a date don't you think I would? I feel a pang of embarassment every time I watch a show like Saved by the Bell, or That 70's Show, which make me feel behind and inadequate for not having a girlfriend. I guess what I'm trying to say is when it comes to women I'm a loser and would appreciate you *cough* Lee *cough* not making me feel worse by saying things like "You could have a gilfriend if you weren't so lazy" and "why haven't you had sex yet".
In other news I now have a Job at Bed Bath & Beyond working as a cashier. It's kinda fun actually, the people I work with are lots of fun and really cool to work with, and I don't hate the job like I did when I worked at Copps. I bought an XBox 360 to drown my sorrows in video game induced stupor but it hasn't been working well. And I miss steffen and paresh, and ricky, and lee might as well not be here because he's always working. Luckily my job keeps me distracted for 30 waking hours every week, at least that's something.
And just so you know, no I'm not wallowing in self pity, I'm just using lj as a forum to write these things down so I don't have to actually think about them. |
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| Every new beginning comes from some other beginnings end. |
[Mar. 12th, 2006|10:44 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| |  listless | ] |
| [ | music |
| | Closing Time-Semisonic | ] |
Last night was one of the most incredible experiances of my life. It was teh quietest I had ever seen Madison. Everybody was gone, and it just felt empty, but not dead. There was a feeling in the air last night, a euphoric feeling that just made me unable to feel bad about anything for any reason. Last night I felt more high on a walk along the lake shore than I have even been while drunk or stoned and it was incredible. A completely natural high that reaffirmed the reason for existance and gave me hope in a future, not just for me but for my friends, my family and everyone. I don't know what it was about last night but despite everybody being gone, despite their being a thunderstorm and rain, despite the darkness of the sky, life and hope existed throughout the air. Last night was the calm after the storm, and now there is nothing. So many things I knew I now know not, so many things I used to define myself, used to think were the core of my being are no more. Who am I? What do I want? What can I do? I don't know...I just don't know. |
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| (no subject) |
[Feb. 15th, 2006|01:01 am] |
Alright, so life's simple pleasures. I refuse to inflict this travesty on anyone else so I'm not going to tag anyone, but as I have been tagged, I must suffer.
1. A really good beer over a nice dinner chat with my dad (other good company would probably do to), It has in recent months become one of my favorite things to do.
2. The smell of spring air right after all the snow has melted. It is the smell of hope and new life.
3. A dinner that goes on for hours after everyone is done eating.
4. Driving my car to nowhere with a friend in the passenger seat.
5. On a warms summer day just ignoring the rest of the world while letting the sun's warming rays pass over me.
Fuck this, I had to suffer, I tag Steffen, Lee, Paresh(I'll bet you 10 bucks he won't do it), Heather and Tim. |
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| I'm a humanist who made it into heaven...barely |
[Feb. 9th, 2006|03:18 pm] |
You fit in with:
Humanism
Your ideals mostly resemble that of a Humanist. Although you do not have a lot of faith, you are devoted to making this world better, in the short time that you have to live. Humanists do not generally believe in an afterlife, and therefore, are committed to making the world a better place for themselves and future generations.
20% spiritual.
40% reason-oriented.
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Take this quiz at QuizGalaxy.com
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After you die...
Heaven
After death, you will exist in heaven. Everything and everyone you love will constantly surround you for all of eternity. You lucky scoundrel.
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Take this quiz at QuizGalaxy.com
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| Thank You |
[Dec. 14th, 2005|09:00 pm] |
( Read it, trust me it is worth it. )
I haven't made a serious lj post in quite a while, and I wasn't planning on making another one until after finals, but today I was inspired.
I Love my friends. It is a simple enough statement, and if that is all that I could ever say of myself, it would be enough. I have been tamed by them, and to me they are unique in the world. I have been Tamed by Lee's randomness and hilarity, as well as the caring I know he has deep down. I have been tamed by Steffen's poise, his ability to stand up and speak for any opinion he believes in. I have been tamed by his golden locks and the shoulder he offers me to cry on. I have been tamed by Paresh and his stoicism, tamed by the knowledge I know he bears beneath his quiet mask. And, I have been tamed most of all by Patty. Regardless of what I may at times think about her, or what others may believe, she is a beautiful person, inside and out. I have been tamed by her spirit, her intelligence, and her extroversion. I have been tamed by my friends, my brothers and my sister, my closest family.
If this is all that my life is ever to contain, friendship and fraternity, I can die happy, knowing I have lived a better life than everyone else. More happiness cannot be asked for, nor contained. Whether I Graduate from college, whether I'm rich or poor, whether or not I find a women to love, is irrelavent. I have found true love, many times over, and to be unsatisfied with its platonic beauty is folly.
Life is short, and many argue that you have to make the most of it by adventuring, experiancing, and absorbing as much of the experiance as possible. This is not so, the one thing that makes existance bearable is love, and it should be sought above all other things. Without love, we are all lost, because only through love are we found.
I would just like to thank you all, not just Steffen, Lee, Paresh, and Patty, who I have already mentioned. Thank you for being my friends, thank you for the love, and thank you for Life. |
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| (no subject) |
[Dec. 7th, 2005|02:58 am] |
Yup, I'm better than you and everyone knows it. Look at my score and tell me you aren't jealous
 Dear Santa...
Dear Santa,
This year I've been busy!
In June I didn't flush (-1 points). Last Tuesday I gave ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) peojkl a kidney (1000 points). In July I caught a purse-snatcher who stole gogofromzozo's purse (30 points). In February I turned picounts in for littering (3 points). In November I signed my organ donor card (28 points).
Overall, I've been nice (1060 points). For Christmas I deserve a new bike!
Sincerely,
Dragonkin451 |
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| I guess I didn't live up to my namesake... |
[Nov. 14th, 2005|06:07 pm] |
.
 | You scored as Angel. Angel: Angels are the guardians of all things, from the smallest ant to the tallest tree. They give inspiration, love, hope, and positive emotion. They live among humans without being seen. They are the good in all things, and if you feel alone, don't fear. They are always watching. Often times they merely stand by, whispering into the ears of those who feel lost. They would love nothing more then to reveal themselves, but in today's society, this would bring havoc and many unneeded questions. Give thanks to all things beautiful, for you are an Angel.
Angel | | 100% | Faerie | | 75% | Mermaid | | 58% | WereWolf | | 50% | Dragon | | 25% | Demon | | 0% | </td>
What Mythological Creature are you? (Cool Pics!)
created with QuizFarm.com |
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| (no subject) |
[Nov. 13th, 2005|03:50 am] |
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Ah, love. It is a concept that has weighed heavily upon me of late and one which now feel compelled, in borrowed voice, to write. I love, yet I cannot. I hope, though there is none to be found. I stare wistfully and wishfully for hours upon end into the darkness. And in that shadowy and inconstant figure, ever changing in the face of new adversity, I find no comfort, no desire. There is no fire to warm me from deaths icy grip, save that of my burning passion quenched by solemn disapproval and depraved indifference. I have played the fool, given my love unto another, never to be reclaimed by my soveriegn self. In that love my Other, I dare not write the name for what it shall evoke in me, cannot or does not return, but instead uses it against me. She fans the flames of my passion to warm her slight-chilled feet, and demands of me such effort, and treats me with such reward to make a tamed animal squeal in protest, yet I endure. Oh what an ass I am, or wish I were, for an Ass in its stubborness and propensity for disobediance would her my loves requests with a deaf ear and fulfill her harsh demands with empty action. Instead I play the faithful canine, thinking not for my self but for my love, throwing myself upon the fire to fuel her warmth. Oh, that my mistress was worthy of such devotion, yet there is none worthier of my heart than she. I love her with all my heart and soul, and shall do so unto the ending of my life. Through that love I give her power, whether it be used to play her spaniel or to sacrifice my existance to better hers, I know not nor does it matter. I am who I am, I stand where I stand, unable to break free from a cycle of pain I can no longer suffer. Here, where I now shall sit, I shall cast my love into the very fires whence it was made. I shall think of the Other no longer passionately but as friend only. Scalded and scathed by that which gave it birth my love shall be no more than black ash, and no more may hope for than that despised ash is like the phoenix reborn, and given unto one with love and in that glorious purifying fire, be rid of scorn. Goodbye my sweet, my fire has burned out, no more shall I bow to heat your frigid heart. |
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| Look what I did last night |
[Sep. 29th, 2005|12:25 pm] |
To sleep, or not to sleep, that is the question:
Whether ‘tis nobler in the mind to stay up studying
Or to take a blanket and by using end it?
To study, to sleep no more
And by a sleep to say we end
All chances of good grade earning.
To sleep, to study – to study perchance to succeed
Ay there’s the rub,
For in that success what jobs may come
Must give us pause.
For who would bear the waste and hurt of study,
The professor’s wrong, the regents contumely,
The ignorance of TAs, and the merit
That by dishonesty the cheater takes
When he himself might his future make
With a beer bottle. Who would fardels bear
To think and swear under a studious affair
But that the hope of something after school
The undiscovered career, of whose boon
No student could refuse, changes the mind
And makes us rather bear those ills we have
Than fly to other’s we know not of.
Thus ambition does make graduates [of us all];
And thus the native hue of resolution
Does sweetly overcast the gloom of present,
And enterprises of great pitch and moment
With this regard their currents turn awry,
And lose the name of action. |
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| This is the last one, I promise |
[Sep. 28th, 2005|05:03 pm] |
 | You scored as agnosticism. You are an agnostic. Though it is generally taken that agnostics neither believe nor disbelieve in God, it is possible to be a theist or atheist in addition to an agnostic. Agnostics don't believe it is possible to prove the existence of God (nor lack thereof).
Agnosticism is a philosophy that God's existence cannot be proven. Some say it is possible to be agnostic and follow a religion; however, one cannot be a devout believer if he or she does not truly believe.
agnosticism | | 100% | Buddhism | | 88% | Islam | | 67% | Judaism | | 58% | atheism | | 54% | Paganism | | 38% | Christianity | | 33% | Hinduism | | 33% | Satanism | | 29% | </td>
Which religion is the right one for you? (new version)
created with QuizFarm.com |
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| Hmm...Homer Socrates, Aristotle, sounds like more fun than heaven |
[Sep. 28th, 2005|04:43 pm] |
First Level of Hell - Limbo
Charon ushers you across the river Acheron, and you find yourself upon the brink of grief's abysmal valley. You are in Limbo, a place of sorrow without torment. You encounter a seven-walled castle, and within those walls you find rolling fresh meadows illuminated by the light of reason, whereabout many shades dwell. These are the virtuous pagans, the great philosophers and authors, unbaptised children, and others unfit to enter the kingdom of heaven. You share company with Caesar, Homer, Virgil, Socrates, and Aristotle. There is no punishment here, and the atmosphere is peaceful, yet sad.
The Dante's Inferno Test has sent you to the First Level of Hell - Limbo!
Here is how you matched up against all the levels:
Take the Dante's Inferno Hell Test |
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| Two's a good number |
[Sep. 28th, 2005|04:30 pm] |
| Your Superhero Profile | 
Your Superhero Name is The Wonder Fly
Your Superpower is Divine intervention
Your Weakness is Vince Vaughn
Your Weapon is Your Caustic Whip
Your Mode of Transportation is Horse |
| You Passed the US Citizenship Test | 
Congratulations - you got 9 out of 10 correct! |
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