I hope that this blog isn’t going to be the in-place for conducting inquests on rape and the disgraceful behaviour of men. There seems to be a group who comment here putting women’s rights above everything else. Aren’t there other blogs who specialise in supporting women who want to complain and talk about victimisation? But who can’t self-examine themselves or their sisters and perhaps their own provocative behaviour, or even agree that women can act provocatively and unreasonably. And can’t agree that the world can be unsafe and individuals should be cognisant and take some responsibility for themselves.
I fear that if the present trend continues The Standard will become dominated by one issue which will never finish because it is such a fertile field for criticisms. These will always be renewed as there are many attacks and discriminatory behaviours that would outrage any person. But they cannot be discussed in any rational manner looking right around the problem, trying to find a way to limit and then stop assaults.
If this happens the commenters with wider interests looking for real discussions on them will go elsewhere.
- Whao, dude, where did this come from? I haven’t been around for a while, but the last couple of Open Mikes I’ve read haven’t been overrun with what you describe. Are you refering to the perspectives in the link posted by Carol a #6.4? If so, you have to understand that they are fully supported by logical reasoning and statistics and that any attitude you may detect in necessarily abbreviating some of the concepts is completely allowable and valid. They are talking to the converted, to some degree.If there is a specific idea or concept in mind, offer it up. Do you want to discuss the arbitrary limitations of personal responsibility? Would you like to investigate the myths around self-protection in a prejudiced and priviledged world? How about the hidden dangers of using analogy to assist logic? That’s how the Standard Open Mike works isn’t it?
- Uturn
I actually don’t want to discuss any of your suggestions. And I find it just as irritating to come across gender politics regularly as I found Pete George’s too frequent comments. And he made reasonable comments also, but with a slant towards his favourite argument. With gender politics there is a team that comes out of a huddle and envelops the discussion.There are a lot of things I am concerned about and I think that I can leave you to worry at the female angle on anything. - I have to say I find your comment quite bizarre prism. As far as I can tell the recent upsurge in discussions from ‘female angles’ has happened for two reasons:1. Morrissey spammed TS with posts about the Assange case, and eventually some of us got sick of the rape apologies going on, so we started talking about that aspect of the case. Flowing on from that has been wider discussion about rape and rape culture.2. There are more women commenting here now. It’s natural that intelligent, politicised women will want to talk about issues what interests them.Ghettoising women in the blogosphere is akin to saying that women shouldn’t take their interests anywhere where men have dominated (eg parliament). Women aren’t going to take their little interests back to the kitchen. Sorry mate, you’re just going to have to suck it up.I’m also guessing that you mean that talking about rape makes you uncomfortable. This is understandable, but I don’t think it is reasonable to expect women not to talk about rape in mixed company, given that the problem is with men. I wouldn’t worry about it too much though, it will come and go as a topic like other ones do.btw, I’ve been meaning to say this for some time. I’ve been really enjoying how many women are commenting here now. TS is a fairly blokey place, which is fine, and I think it adds to the place to have strong women’s voices here too. This isn’t just in obvious feminist discussion, I’ve been noticing the different views that women often bring into the debates. A few men have commented on this too.
- And I would add that the issue today that has given rise to some of the comments is the passage of the marriage equality bill. I’m not into marriage myself, but understand that for a large number of LGBT people, it’s a significant milestone – a measure of achieving full acceptance in the eyes of contemporary society. It’s not an issue that’s likely to dominate here once the bill is passed.I can remember the time when people, even friends, rarely talked about homosexuality, and when they did it was with a significant sneer and demonisation. The impact was debilitating for those so ostracised, in every sphere of their lives. I have known people who have committed suicide, been incarcerated in psychiatric institutions (and one old guy in the UK who had been imprisoned), deteriorated into alcohol or other addictions, and/or been rejected by their families.So, please can we (hopefully) celebrate an important landmark, without one or two (and it is a minority) of those whose sexuality has dominated exclusively for too long, giving us a bit of a slap and saying “But what about me?”Another stimulus to discussion of rape/sexual assault today came from Uturn’s question (I have the impression UTurn is a male).And then you will see, I for one, will be largely back to the pressing issues of income inequality, poverty, employment structure etc….. ones that won’t make one or two leftie guys feel the least bit uncomfortable.
- ah devotion-“in the flow”
just wonderful! - How about guest posting some of QoT’s posts (assuming she agrees)? eg ones like this update about Shearer’s dogwhistle
- Chur, weka. lprent and The Standard have occasionally reposted me or hosted my guest-posts, like I just commented above moments ago, but I’m always happy to have more fame thrust upon me!
- Sweet!
- Morrissey spammed TS with posts about the Assange case, and eventually some of us got sick of the rape apologies going on, so we started talking about that aspect of the case.What rape apologies have I ever engaged in? Perhaps you have some evidence to back up your self-rigteous posturing, but I strongly doubt it.
- Yeah you’re right, it’s possible that it’s more a form of rape denialism Or a mix of the two.(every time you have said that Assange never raped those women. I really don’t have to provide a link, ‘cos you’ve been saying it for ages).
- Yeah you’re right, it’s possible that it’s more a form of rape denialism. Or a mix of the two.Your lack of wit is compounded by your incomprehensibility.I really don’t have to provide a link, ‘cos you’ve been saying it for ages).In other words, you can find no instance of my indulging in “rape apology”.Q.E.D.
- Is there anything in your post that actually means anything?You do realise that in my post 14.1.1.1 I wasn’t referring specifically to you as a rape apologist. But if the cap fits…http://thestandard.org.nz/nz-vs-ecuador/#comment-511546
http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-22082012/#comment-511301- Is there anything in your post that actually means anything?You know perfectly well what my words mean. The Latin abbreviation you can look up.You do realise that in my post 14.1.1.1 I wasn’t referring specifically to you as a rape apologist.Good.But if the cap fits…None of those links lends any support to your sleazy insinuations.
- Yes they do (and I’m fairly sure that the few minutes between my posting them and you replying isn’t long enough for you to have examined them). But I didn’t post them for your benefit
- Yes they doNo they do not, and you know perfectly well they do not.(and I’m fairly sure that the few minutes between my posting them and you replying isn’t long enough for you to have examined them).Good Lord, how slow is your internet connection? I clicked on most of them, and recognized what I’d written, which of course was nothing like what you claimed.But I didn’t post them for your benefitRunning such a malicious campaign of falsehoods certainly is not beneficial to your own reputation. So why exactly DID you post them?
- So people can judge for themselves.