My fellow CWRU alumnus and TMV co-blogger Jill Miller Zimon from Cleveland, OH sparked some thoughts way out here in Phoenix, AZ. She’s concerned about alleged gender bias of the Cleveland Plain Dealer – a decrepit rag of a newspaper if there ever was one – with respect to political endorsements being subtly biased against women – somehow, even if unintentional. You should read her post just a few notches below this one to get her perspective and follow her links.
No point in getting upset about the Cleveland “Pee-Dee,” I think. Jill (an astute and talented woman, lawyer, and politician, was commenting on the media endorsements to the newly created Cuyahoga County 12-member council. (Another voter-approved expansion of excessive local government that Northeast Ohio has had in perpetuity.) Shes notices bias in many places against fellow women that I as a dense male never notices (my spouse would agree).
I would argue that it might be far more preferable to live with U.S.-style bias against women rather than an evil Taliban-style bias. But then, I’m a man (and a former lawyer who thinks running for public office is a complete waste of time) and so I’m just being a chauvinist pig. Most American women are pretty spoiled when their lives are compared to the demeaning treatment many other women regularly face and the outright atrocities committed against so many of them around the globe. These include global sex trafficking, physical mutilations and general abuse, lack of educational and work opportunities, to overall status as second-class citizens. Contrarily, women in the U.S. now constitute the majority of the workforce (unfortunately many in low-paying jobs and now also supporting unemployed men) and they also attend higher education in greater numbers than men. At this point in time, it might be that American boys and men are the ones who need some special assistance.
I have long noticed the preponderance of men at all levels of elective office, and in top administrative positions in all levels of government. The same holds true for most top executive positions in the private sector. Perhaps there is something to those males who possess a higher level of testosterone or sociopathic tendencies that permits them to callously crawl over most women and men to positions of power.
There was a study many years ago testing the saliva of various lawyers to determine who had the highest levels of testosterone. Litigators won that one by a noticeable margin over corporate lawyers. (Sorry, the subjects were all men.) I think another study confirmed that trauma surgeons had more testosterone than psychiatrists – again all male subjects. But…at least Hillary Clinton would beat most male Democrats in a similar test.
I also strongly believe that there are some distinct differences between men and women that must be honestly acknowledged and dealt with in order for any society to survive. It is not a question of equality, but it relates to our essential genetic and hormonal compositions.
I believe that men in general have pretty well messed up this planet’s environment, and the entire political, economic and social systems in the U.S. We men (Republicans, Democrats and Independents) have to take the blame because we hold most positions of power and authority and have so for centuries. What I would advocate is to simply bar all men from running for all elective offices. We could still vote and work in appointed public positions and within the merit-based public administrations at all levels of government.
Considering how low our asinine and perpetual public debates have fallen over the past few years, we might need and welcome women to be completely in charge of our political system. Sarah Palin will soon discover that age is the biggest part of discrimination against women in the U.S., even when you’re nominated for judicial, administrative, or political positions. Most female TMV readers really don’t want to know what many men say among themselves when discussing various women in politics – and for that matter what women say about each other is also best left unpublished.
My proposal would permit men of all ages, races, religions, colors, sizes, and persuasions to get off the hook from being blamed for all future problems. It would be a huge relief if only women could hold all elective political offices. Besides the potential cat fights would be highly entertaining and might beat out watching many boring professional sporting events. Shall we instead discuss the Miss USA and Miss Universe Pageants?
Under my plan, the Plain Dealer and other Media outlets would hereinafter only be able to endorse women candidates and thus no sexual bias could be found. I’m sure they’ll base their choices on whose physical attributes are nicer if they find that all the female candidates are equally vapid and clueless on the issues.
The current Miss USA (a beautiful Lebanese Muslim-Christian from Detroit who wants to be a lawyer) might make a great candidate for elective office – and she could even beat any male candidate who would dare run against her. Now some might claim I am biased in favor of young and pretty women. The 3 women Supreme Court Justices may all be brilliant, but most men are just not that into them – if you know what I mean. Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi of Italy would agree with me – and he’s a huge chauvinist pig if there ever was one.
I’ve been happily married for 12 years and one learns compromise the hard way with a wife. (Men rarely win any arguments unless women make complete fools of themselves.) What other purposes do florists and jewelry shops serve? Besides, most of the disputes have been trivial in the big scheme of things. A forgiving good sense of humor is also essential in any marriage.
When you’ve so screwed up things for so long, an entire sex might need a “time-out” or a prolonged vacation from responsibility and decision-making power. I have spent a lifetime grasping for, negotiating about and ceding control over many things. What I have discovered that when I cede everything, I become the most free – physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Many other men might find this instructive – or completely stupid – depending upon their testosterone levels.
So Jill, I sort-of agree with you. Anything to keep you, my spouse, and most women quiet and happy would be fine with me.
Marc Pascal – a former long-time Ohio resident now happily ranting from Phoenix, AZ.
Now for a story barely related but this is a perfect place to put it:
Back in the early 1990’s I was once listening to various motions hearings presented by other attorneys in one courtroom of the Cuyahoga County Courts Tower while I waited my turn to argue my particular motion. There was a female attorney speaking who was recently admitted to the Bar. Opposing counsel and the Judge were both middle-aged men. After letting both sides argue uninterrupted, the Judge permitted a back-and-forth between the attorneys. At one point the older attorney said to the Judge “You’re not going to listen to her; she’s just a lawyerette.” Of course the female attorney glared at him while most every male in the courtroom laughed at her expense. The judge forced a blank face and said he would take the matter under advisement.
Young male attorneys would also be subject to similar derisive treatment by older lawyers but there was never such a special name for them. As a postscript, the young female attorney did win the motion hearing which lead to a prompt settlement of that case. She later married another attorney and quit practicing law. They had 3 children and promptly moved out of Ohio. I love happy endings.
Now TMV readers might complain what purpose was served in my writing this post and this separate story about the lawyerette. Most men would argue that women frequently talk to (at) us while not even making any particular points or even having a coherent linear plot. They are simply stories and complaints without end. Consider this post just returning the favor.
8/20/10 Response to Jill: The article went thru some editing by others and some sentences might have been combined incorrectly. The NEO elections for the County Council is not until 11/2/10 and Jill is only serving on City Council for Pepper Pike. I won’t argue her points because she’s closer to the action in NEO. However, my post actually wandered elsewhere in thought and geography. I wish Jill had posted her full comment as a separate TMV post because it’s worth reading and I’m not too sure all TMV readers dive into the commentary section.