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Originally posted by MarkT That is a *ridiculous* position, IMHO...you really have trouble with "equality" as a concept both men and women being subjected to similar name calling might APPEAR as equal, but that is such an ignorant, simplistic analysis, I would say...the specific event (the name calling) is equal, but that COMPLETELY ignores the context, history, etc. of men and women, for example. if women were previously "marginalized" and have now gained equality, yet men faced no such previous marginalization, then isn't it possible that something as simple as name calling could be far from "equal"? Calling a woman a prostitute and a whore could be seen as an attempt to strip away or set aside that "equality" and reduce them to, or at least reference, their previous marginalized status. e.g. a black man is accepted into a mainly white whatever... a workplace, let's say. technically that's "equality", as you see it...but the only thing that is "equal" is that he has that position...is the context "equal"? no. it wouldn't be hard for a co-worker to give him a bit of a slap down with a racial remark...i.e. that equality is still tempered by the previous status quo. the same could be said for women. calling Stronach a prostitute and whore...one could argue that's an attempt, however passive/unconscious, to strip away all of her personal and professional accomplishments and reduce her to some marginalized status previously seen for women...when men make such bold business moves, however unethical one might see them, they are still ultimately seen as been "ambitious" or "driven"...but a woman can be called a whore. the country, and much of the wealth in it, is still essentially controlled by older, wealthy, white, straight men...men who, underneath it all, naturally want it to remain that way. I think that is ultimately arsondude's point. in any case, even accepting what I've said, it doesn't mean that a "crutch" can exist forever...but it's very short-sighted, IMHO, to examine something without considering the history and context of that perceived "equality".

Well said !

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"Hell is full of musical amateurs; music is the brandy of the damned."
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