Gina's (Apropos) Quote Du Jour (Maher)

Of course this whole "feminist" issue isn't about who kills the spiders. As a woman I don't want to be treated as a subordinate who needs a man to take care of me. Obviously I want and am entitled to the same rights and pay as a man, but I am ready, willing and able to take equal responsibility along with those benefits of our society. I would consider it a thoughtful and enlightened act for a man to assume that, since I am his equal, I would appreciate the opportunity to pick up the check as often as he does.

Equality means each person - regardless of gender - gets to choose his or her own actions without a prescribed code of behavior governing them. I am more likely than a man to hold a door open for a woman - or a man - than either of them would be for me. In short, I believe in being a courteous person, equal - yet different - to any other person, and that attitude guides my actions in the world. I enjoy having the freedom to make the choices that are appropriate for me as an individual, without being told what men must do and what women must do.

As far as physical capabilities, our bodies are different...that is not a secret, nor is it a mistake. We are made to perform different physical functions as male and female. Deal with it...the animal kingdom does!

Different doesn't mean less or more, better or worse unless we so judge and stipulate. That's another neat thing about being human...we get to make judgements, and sometimes they can be sound! I don't want special consideration because I am a woman. Being a woman isn't a liability unless I - or someone else - make it one. Equality also gives us an equal opportunity for success - or failure. Looking beyond gender for the talents and skills that each of us possess individually increases everyone's potential for achievement and satisfaction. In other words, "find the right man or woman for the job," and things will get done by the right person.

Instead of picking and choosing the parts of the feminist movement that benefit us (would that be called "cafeteria feminism?") wouldn't it be more effective to drop the whole "us against you" mentality altogether? We need to admit that we are all just human beings and that we are automatically equal without the indignity of creating laws which dictate that simple -self-evident -truth?

Let's face it...nobody wants to be left on that sinking ship Bill Maher talks about. There's nothing about being a man that would make that situation any easier than it would be for a woman! And what kind of horrible, self-important person could justify sacrificing another life for her own? For me, making that choice would be harder than going down with the ship!