Comments for CommonSense2.com http://commonsense2.com A Journal of Progressive Thought Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:42:08 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.1 Comment on Amiss America by callmeslick http://commonsense2.com/2010/03/cultural-criticism/amiss-america/#comment-958 callmeslick Thu, 11 Mar 2010 10:25:26 +0000 http://commonsense2.com/2010/03/cultural-criticism/amiss-america/#comment-958 a few follow-up points: First, I agree about the fact that we live in a very superficial society. Where I differ is that it has anything whatsoever to do with gender. I've stated here several times that far too many Americans can ID the American Idol finalists, and too few know who the Supreme Court justices are. To paint it as a 'women's issue' is both erroneous and divisive. Second, as pointed out above, more women than men are going into the professions at present. That fact would argue that the women you were questioning might already be self-empowered, by dint of their own educational or professional achievements. Thus, they probably don't feel the need to immerse themselves in MJ, Huffington, et al. In fact, that they are largely unaware might merely illustrate how irrelevant such outlets are to a younger, professional woman. A little further questioning might reveal that they DO read the trade and professional press essential to advancement of knowledge in their chosen career. Finally, that last line of mine points to the issue bothering me about your post.... there is evident a true lack of probity. You ask a few questions and leap to a conclusion that the facts don't support. In other words, you use your sketchy data to support a conclusion you had drawn before even starting to question. And that, I'm sorry to say, is intellectually weak. a few follow-up points:
First, I agree about the fact that we live in a very superficial society. Where I differ is that it has anything whatsoever to do with gender. I’ve stated here several times that far too many Americans can ID the American Idol finalists, and too few know who the Supreme Court justices are. To paint it as a ‘women’s issue’ is both erroneous and divisive.
Second, as pointed out above, more women than men are going into the professions at present. That fact would argue that the women you were questioning might already be self-empowered, by dint of their own educational or professional achievements. Thus,
they probably don’t feel the need to immerse themselves in MJ, Huffington, et al.
In fact, that they are largely unaware might merely illustrate how irrelevant such outlets are to a younger, professional woman. A little further questioning might reveal that they DO read the trade and professional press essential to advancement of knowledge in their chosen career.
Finally, that last line of mine points to the issue bothering me about your post….
there is evident a true lack of probity. You ask a few questions and leap to a conclusion that the facts don’t support. In other words, you use your sketchy data to support a conclusion you had drawn before even starting to question. And that, I’m sorry to say, is intellectually weak.

]]> Comment on Amiss America by callmeslick http://commonsense2.com/2010/03/cultural-criticism/amiss-america/#comment-957 callmeslick Thu, 11 Mar 2010 01:08:35 +0000 http://commonsense2.com/2010/03/cultural-criticism/amiss-america/#comment-957 wait a minute, Lynn.......if I understand you correctly, you just stated that you are finding that educated young women are completely ignorant of (what you feel are) key outlets for the discussion of women's issues. And, you are blaming this willful ignorance on objectification?? Please, spare me. Ignorance is not an externally caused condition. As long as folks continue to blame external forces for the outcomes due to the choices of individuals, our society will continue to devolve into a soft collection of victims. The facts are this: as time goes on, more women than ever HAVE gotten in touch with important self-worth values, and more and more women have greater impact than ever in our society. It's a process, for crying out loud! A century ago women couldn't even vote in the US, let along make up over half of the elite University enrollment or dream of being entrepreneurs and CEOs of major corporations. Hold elected office? And, you're willing to dismiss massive process because you and your daughter don't like the fact that young women you encounter aren't fascinated by your select reading list? Geez, what a tolerant view of your fellow citizens!! I'm sure that smug feeling of superiority warms you, but frankly, your argument makes utterly no sense at all. It lacks statistics, lacks proof or even provable theory, it lacks intellectual weight. Sorry to be so harsh, but your whole thesis reeks of ideological elitism. Just what the nation cries out for...... wait a minute, Lynn…….if I understand you correctly, you just stated that you are finding that educated young women are completely ignorant of (what you feel are)
key outlets for the discussion of women’s issues. And, you are blaming this willful ignorance on objectification?? Please, spare me. Ignorance is not an externally caused condition. As long as folks continue to blame external forces for the outcomes due to the choices of individuals, our society will continue to devolve into
a soft collection of victims. The facts are this: as time goes on, more women than ever HAVE gotten in touch with important self-worth values, and more and more women have greater impact than ever in our society. It’s a process, for crying out loud!
A century ago women couldn’t even vote in the US, let along make up over half of the elite University enrollment or dream of being entrepreneurs and CEOs of major corporations. Hold elected office? And, you’re willing to dismiss massive process because you and your daughter don’t like the fact that young women you encounter aren’t fascinated by your select reading list? Geez, what a tolerant view of your fellow citizens!! I’m sure that smug feeling of superiority warms you, but frankly,
your argument makes utterly no sense at all. It lacks statistics, lacks proof or even provable theory, it lacks intellectual weight. Sorry to be so harsh, but your whole thesis reeks of ideological elitism. Just what the nation cries out for……

]]> Comment on Amiss America by CALynn http://commonsense2.com/2010/03/cultural-criticism/amiss-america/#comment-956 CALynn Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:56:24 +0000 http://commonsense2.com/2010/03/cultural-criticism/amiss-america/#comment-956 I think it matters not the quantity of females versus men but the quality. My daughter and I were out one night and we ran into a friend of hers. This young lady said she had just graduated from college with a degree in journalism (this is where I could see my daughter cringe). So I asked her who her favorite journalist was. She was dumbfounded by my question. I asked her if she liked Amy Goodman. She said "Who?" Do you read Naomi Klein? "Who?" I asked her if she read Mother Jones (co-editors both women who recently had babies), and she said "Who?" I have yet to find any single young woman - and I'm talking about the $100,000 college graduates - who know about Democracy Now or The Huffington Post or any media outlet that emphasizes female empowerment and education. I'm batting 1,000. My point in this column is that as long as women are objectified and told every second of every day the outside takes priority over what's on the inside, we will continue to have women struggle to understand what the hell is wrong with them. I grew up in a house that was dominated by a man whose political/social/economic/female views made Archie Bunker look like Mike Stivic. It was suffocating and it took decades to understand there's nothing wrong with me (OK work with me here!) and to feel comfortable in my own skin. Miss America is alive and well. Make no mistake about it. Haven't you seen WE (which stands for Women's Entertainment) channel's programming that showcases the little Miss Perfect pageants? very popular. Maybe we should have a Miss American Peace Pageant. I can think of tons of qualified candidates. We need to re-shape the mold...and hurry. We're losing ground with every wink of Sarah Jessica Parker's (plastic surgery) eye. I think it matters not the quantity of females versus men but the quality. My daughter and I were out one night and we ran into a friend of hers. This young lady said she had just graduated from college with a degree in journalism (this is where I could see my daughter cringe). So I asked her who her favorite journalist was. She was dumbfounded by my question. I asked her if she liked Amy Goodman. She said “Who?”
Do you read Naomi Klein?
“Who?”
I asked her if she read Mother Jones (co-editors both women who recently had babies), and she said “Who?” I have yet to find any single young woman - and I’m talking about the $100,000 college graduates - who know about Democracy Now or The Huffington Post or any media outlet that emphasizes female empowerment and education.
I’m batting 1,000.
My point in this column is that as long as women are objectified and told every second of every day the outside takes priority over what’s on the inside, we will continue to have women struggle to understand what the hell is wrong with them.
I grew up in a house that was dominated by a man whose political/social/economic/female views made Archie Bunker look like Mike Stivic. It was suffocating and it took decades to understand there’s nothing wrong with me (OK work with me here!) and to feel comfortable in my own skin.
Miss America is alive and well. Make no mistake about it. Haven’t you seen WE (which stands for Women’s Entertainment) channel’s programming that showcases the little Miss Perfect pageants? very popular.
Maybe we should have a Miss American Peace Pageant. I can think of tons of qualified candidates.
We need to re-shape the mold…and hurry. We’re losing ground with every wink of Sarah Jessica Parker’s (plastic surgery) eye.

]]> Comment on 9/11 Questions Start To Seep Into Mainstream Press by callmeslick http://commonsense2.com/2010/03/that-woman/911-questions-start-to-seep-into-mainstream-press/#comment-955 callmeslick Sun, 07 Mar 2010 21:15:58 +0000 http://commonsense2.com/2010/03/that-woman/911-questions-start-to-seep-into-mainstream-press/#comment-955 it's all a sinister plot..........aimed at people completely lacking a sense of humor. it’s all a sinister plot……….aimed at people completely lacking a sense of humor.

]]> Comment on 9/11 Questions Start To Seep Into Mainstream Press by Stefan Kosikowski http://commonsense2.com/2010/03/that-woman/911-questions-start-to-seep-into-mainstream-press/#comment-954 Stefan Kosikowski Sun, 07 Mar 2010 16:20:37 +0000 http://commonsense2.com/2010/03/that-woman/911-questions-start-to-seep-into-mainstream-press/#comment-954 Clearly you are obtuse, for the point is lost upon you. I already know who you are. What is relevant is that you post your comments under a pseudonym, to make it immpossible to run a web search on your name (identity) and connect them to your comments, freeing you to make ugly remarks about people without consequence. If you have any honor whatsoever, you would be "blunt" while posting under your full name. Then again, that does require character and integrity. Clearly you are obtuse, for the point is lost upon you. I already know who you are. What is relevant is that you post your comments under a pseudonym, to make it immpossible to run a web search on your name (identity) and connect them to your comments, freeing you to make ugly remarks about people without consequence. If you have any honor whatsoever, you would be “blunt” while posting under your full name. Then again, that does require character and integrity.

]]> Comment on 9/11 Questions Start To Seep Into Mainstream Press by callmeslick http://commonsense2.com/2010/03/that-woman/911-questions-start-to-seep-into-mainstream-press/#comment-953 callmeslick Sun, 07 Mar 2010 15:55:28 +0000 http://commonsense2.com/2010/03/that-woman/911-questions-start-to-seep-into-mainstream-press/#comment-953 no, they are not, they are claiming that the government is not being transparent or forthcoming. Semantics, perhaps, but, it is a jump from that claim to 'lying'. Thomas J. Littleton ; BS(Biochemistry)MS(Biology) keep for your files.....lol no, they are not, they are claiming that the government is not being transparent or forthcoming. Semantics, perhaps, but, it is a jump from that claim to ‘lying’.

Thomas J. Littleton ; BS(Biochemistry)MS(Biology)

keep for your files…..lol

]]> Comment on 9/11 Questions Start To Seep Into Mainstream Press by Stefan Kosikowski http://commonsense2.com/2010/03/that-woman/911-questions-start-to-seep-into-mainstream-press/#comment-952 Stefan Kosikowski Sun, 07 Mar 2010 15:26:38 +0000 http://commonsense2.com/2010/03/that-woman/911-questions-start-to-seep-into-mainstream-press/#comment-952 LOL... people can search the extensive archives and possibly find your identity... that's really noble of you! Also, those 1000 engineers and architects are stating that the government is lying. Let's not try and gloss that fact over. LOL… people can search the extensive archives and possibly find your identity… that’s really noble of you!

Also, those 1000 engineers and architects are stating that the government is lying. Let’s not try and gloss that fact over.

]]> Comment on 9/11 Questions Start To Seep Into Mainstream Press by callmeslick http://commonsense2.com/2010/03/that-woman/911-questions-start-to-seep-into-mainstream-press/#comment-951 callmeslick Sun, 07 Mar 2010 14:06:55 +0000 http://commonsense2.com/2010/03/that-woman/911-questions-start-to-seep-into-mainstream-press/#comment-951 hiding my identity?? A check of the archives will readily reveal my real name. Further, I have no beef with the original article. Those engineers merely want a more thorough, public review of the incident. It was YOU who went off on the goofy tangent about lost SEC documents, and how it HAD to have been something other than a result of the planes hitting the complex. hiding my identity?? A check of the archives will readily reveal my real name. Further, I have no beef with the original article. Those engineers merely want a more thorough, public review of the incident. It was YOU who went off on the goofy tangent about lost SEC documents, and how it HAD to have been something other than a result of the planes hitting the complex.

]]> Comment on 9/11 Questions Start To Seep Into Mainstream Press by Stefan Kosikowski http://commonsense2.com/2010/03/that-woman/911-questions-start-to-seep-into-mainstream-press/#comment-950 Stefan Kosikowski Sun, 07 Mar 2010 03:55:44 +0000 http://commonsense2.com/2010/03/that-woman/911-questions-start-to-seep-into-mainstream-press/#comment-950 Before you question my comprehension skills, you should remove the vagueness from your statements. As you just described it makes no sense in the context of the discussion. BTW... obtuse would be more apt than blunt. Just remember one thing though. You can take all the personal snipes you want at me, even while hiding your identity in a dastardly way, but it doesn't dismiss the 1000 engineers and architects and their expressed EXPERT opinions that this article is written about. Keep your focus! Before you question my comprehension skills, you should remove the vagueness from your statements. As you just described it makes no sense in the context of the discussion. BTW… obtuse would be more apt than blunt.

Just remember one thing though. You can take all the personal snipes you want at me, even while hiding your identity in a dastardly way, but it doesn’t dismiss the 1000 engineers and architects and their expressed EXPERT opinions that this article is written about. Keep your focus!

]]> Comment on 9/11 Questions Start To Seep Into Mainstream Press by callmeslick http://commonsense2.com/2010/03/that-woman/911-questions-start-to-seep-into-mainstream-press/#comment-949 callmeslick Sat, 06 Mar 2010 22:58:54 +0000 http://commonsense2.com/2010/03/that-woman/911-questions-start-to-seep-into-mainstream-press/#comment-949 geezus, I think I've discovered the issue. You have serious reading comprehension problems. I said "angry young man wannabe", which implies that you aren't all that young, if you paid attention. Maybe that is how you can find 'facts' in pure fiction. Hell, I pretty much figured you to be in your 40's or more, as you apparently had enough time to train to be a super-duper terrorist killing Ranger, with mad skills, a professional engineer, and now your current position in Exeter. Look, you're the one who once pointed out here the shortcomings of the medium. Perhaps, discussing these things over drinks, coffee, a plate of nachos(food fight! Whee!), whatever, miscontruing words wouldn't come to you quite so easily. Still, I'll admit freely to being one blunt presenter of my opinions, and I would be just so blunt in person(heck, just come to Canal St. for a DL session and flag me down, you'll see what I mean, no doubt). And, Stefan, that is why I pull no punches about the absolutely outrageous claims you made above, regarding 9/11 and specifically WTC-7. They are laughable, easily proven to be false by folks who know far more about the details than either you or I. If you want to go on spouting such paranoid crap as 'truth, hidden from the unsuspecting public', go ahead. Just don't do it here, without expecting questions, contravening facts and more than a few bemused observations from myself. Seem fair? If you noticed elsewhere, I was more than happy to straighten out Onenastybeast about tax cuts that weren't really tax cuts, or pointing out when someone misses the whole point of a movie to make a bogus point about the state of feminism in America. I'd like to see a little more critical thinking out of Progressives AND Conservatives in this country, because if we don't start getting some, the whole ship sinks in a sea of stupid. And, that's what I'm focused on. Oh, and by the way, I'm 55, and not all that elaborately coiffed. Comparisons to body parts, to my mind, vary with the beholder and can be wildly disparate. geezus, I think I’ve discovered the issue. You have serious reading comprehension problems. I said “angry young man wannabe”, which implies that you aren’t all that young, if you paid attention. Maybe that is how you can find ‘facts’ in pure fiction.
Hell, I pretty much figured you to be in your 40’s or more, as you apparently had enough time to train to be a super-duper terrorist killing Ranger, with mad skills,
a professional engineer, and now your current position in Exeter. Look, you’re the one who once pointed out here the shortcomings of the medium. Perhaps, discussing these things over drinks, coffee, a plate of nachos(food fight! Whee!), whatever, miscontruing words wouldn’t come to you quite so easily. Still, I’ll admit freely to being one blunt presenter of my opinions, and I would be just so blunt in person(heck,
just come to Canal St. for a DL session and flag me down, you’ll see what I mean, no doubt). And, Stefan, that is why I pull no punches about the absolutely outrageous claims you made above, regarding 9/11 and specifically WTC-7. They are laughable,
easily proven to be false by folks who know far more about the details than either you or I. If you want to go on spouting such paranoid crap as ‘truth, hidden from the unsuspecting public’, go ahead. Just don’t do it here, without expecting questions,
contravening facts and more than a few bemused observations from myself. Seem fair?
If you noticed elsewhere, I was more than happy to straighten out Onenastybeast about tax cuts that weren’t really tax cuts, or pointing out when someone misses the whole point of a movie to make a bogus point about the state of feminism in America. I’d like to see a little more critical thinking out of Progressives AND Conservatives in this country, because if we don’t start getting some, the whole ship sinks in a sea of stupid. And, that’s what I’m focused on.
Oh, and by the way, I’m 55, and not all that elaborately coiffed. Comparisons to body parts, to my mind, vary with the beholder and can be wildly disparate.

]]>