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There has been much pressure in recent years from certain groups and political parties for equal representation for women in Government and on the boards of companies and in many other areas of society, with the result that, for example, we have seen an increase in women-only short lists for elections.

The aim has been not for equality of opportunity but for equality of outcomes. But how fair and democratic is this? And will the resulting outcomes be an improvement in terms of better government, increased trade and profits, and so on? Such attempts at social engineering rarely have the desired effect. Is the best woman for the job also the best person for the job?

Why should sex be the sole or main characteristic deserving of such treatment. If gender parity is so desirable, then why not also educational or intelligence parity? Surely we wouldn’t want to deprive uneducated or unintelligent people of representation. Why not also proportional representation based on religion, race, ethnicity, income level, marital status, number of children, sexual orientation, and a host of other categories?

If we apply this principle consistently enough, we won’t even have to vote any more, we can just determine who gets to be in councils and parliaments based on group membership. And while we’re at it, then we can also do away with such old-fashioned notions as individual achievement and merit. How unimportant are those compared with ensuring gender parity..??!!

The truth is that those women who want to get ahead and to achieve something in life can do so, and have always been able to do so. Those who have done so in the past have not needed helping hands, women-only shortlists, or feminism. It's all about choices, determination, and ability..

What we are actually doing with such things as, for example, equal pay or all-women short lists, or in other words, 'positive discrimination', is granting privilege to groups that the current elites are persuaded to believe are more deserving. Yet women, as opposed to ethnic minorities, have always been a privileged class..

With all your recent postings and threads I can't help but feel the you feel you have been wronged by a female in the past.

Richinns wrote:With all your recent postings and threads I can't help but feel the you feel you have been wronged by a female in the past.

I'm convinced somebody threw a copy of The Female Eunuch at him and gave him a concussion.

Richinns wrote:With all your recent postings and threads I can't help but feel the you feel you have been wronged by a female in the past.

He got charged double by his regular escort and is looking for retribution

I was hoping for some intelligent response, coherent comment, and persuasive argument. Obviously my case is indisputable. But there's none so deaf who will not hear, none so blind who will not see, and none so intellectually moribund as those who resort to ad hominem attacks, juvenile jibes, and personal insults.

And yet, if there's just one person out there who sees the light and passes the word on to others, all the sticks and stones will be worth it.. And we made it to the World Cup finals.. :na:

I'll be completely honest with you, I lose the will to live about halfway through one of your posts on this and other similar subjects.

Nothing against you, and it's good that you feel strongly about something like this, but I'm really here for football posts, banter and general childish crap - this stuff is lovely in the right forum I'm sure, but I don't think there are, with all due respect, that many people who have an strong enough opinion on it on this forum to provide you with enough debate

I actually agree with his stance on most things he posts but rather than depress myself with discussing the facts I prefer to post juvenile responses

That's fair enough. The Popside is stated to be for general off-topic chat and other sports talk, and there has indeed been an eclectic mix of topics here, and I presume therefore that people are free to add threads and posts relating to whatever they find interesting. You will see from my input that I have also done my best whenever possible to contribute with football posts, banter, and other general topics. I appreciate that some will be of minority interest, but people are free to ignore those and indeed to begin threads on whatever topics they find interesting. The more the merrier in my opinion; surely there's room for serious discussion as well as the lighter stuff? To me, it all helps to make the forum interesting to read and popular for all in the community. However, if some people find the serious stuff heavy going, it might perhaps be an idea to split this forum into two: the Popside, for general sports and entertainment, and a 'Serious' forum for politics, news, culture, etc.. Don't know if that's feasible...

You post away.

I was just letting you know where I stood on this and other similar topics.

Southampton Gull wrote:I actually agree with his stance on most things he posts but rather than depress myself with discussing the facts I prefer to post juvenile responses

Christ sakes don't tell him you are gay....though that pose is a give away Dave :~D

I never realised you looked at me "in that way"

Southampton Gull wrote:I never realised you looked at me "in that way"

I like a bit of rough

I thought Gays were all closet feminists.. ??

usagullmichigan wrote: I like a bit of rough

Just as well your missus does as well then