Its hardly news that gender issues are divisive. My initial reaction is to be a little embarrassed to hear stories like the one about the man getting hit over the head with a purse when he held a door open for a woman. On the other hand, in the earlier days of the movement there was a more extreme attitude. It had to be that way to draw attention to the issue. All in all it was a pretty non-violent revolution (at least on the women's side in Western nations). Mistakes were made along the way but the womens' movement made it possible for me to do all kinds of things I couldn't have done if it hadn't happened, and to enjoy the liberties that early crusaders won for me. So thanks to my "angry feminist" fore-sisters for paving the way for me. I don't blame you at all if you sometimes got a little p.o.ed and sensitive. Who wouldn't be angry if they were faced with being treated like a second class citizen?

Its not her weight that really sets off the alarms. All I can do is try to imagine being in her shoes. The combination of horror and one's child being taken and the guilt of knowing that you left your child alone in a hotel room to go out for dinner would make most mothers into a wreck. She is so composed. I'm not saying I think she did anything. I have no idea. However, as a mother myself, I tend to look at her more. Its nothing like what I would expect a parent's reaction to be.

Check this out:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-07-29-lefttodie_N.htm

You're the one trying to paint with a broad (no pun intended brush). I never said there weren't exceptions to the rule. I accept that there are gray areas and inequalities.

Now, it seems to me that you could use a nice relaxing bubble bath.

I live in a country with socialized medicine. Last night I had to take my child to a health clinic and wait our turn so a doctor could comfirm an ear infection. We waited for three hours. I am pretty sure that some of the people who got in ahead of me had less money than me. Its possible some were unemployed and some were almost certainly immigrants. We all saw a doctor and none of us left with a bill. That three hours was time well spent. I know our system is not perfect, but I'd take that inconvenience and our highter taxes over the US system anyday.

You don't even have to go so far as to give the example of knee surgery. I live in a country with socialized medicine. Not only do I not know anyone who is chomping at the bit for unneeded surgery or say, radiation therapy, I don't even know anyone who is thrilled by the idea that recreational check ups could be free. People who make that argument need to find a hobby. I can only assume they are bored or lonely or have Munchausens.

Its nice to read an article that discusses the middle ground. Like it or not, most people are unlikely to adopt a vegetarian or vegan diet, at least not cold turkey, no pun intended. Rational discussions of ways to decrease our carbon footprint often lead to more and more small changes which add up. In the same way it might not be helpful for an overweight person to be encouraged to run a marathon, but instead to visit the gym three times a week for half an hour, might one day mean they do run that marathon. In the meantime, they're at the gym and even that is better than nothing. I work in a "green" industry. In my experience, a little education and a nudge in the right direction are way more effective than a lecture on how someone needs to do it all and do it right now.

BS65