From: jangus@skyld.UUCP (Jeff Angus)
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
Subject: Sexist Statement
Date: 4 Sep 92 18:07:19 GMT
Organization: Grendel's Lair

Note:   The following statements all include personal opinions and as such
        are not represented as strictly fact without comment.

Some history:

        Jim Kearman from the ARRL made the mistake of saying one of the
dreaded four letter word, (don't look), "guys" when refering a group (non
-sex specific) of radio amateurs. Of course, this didn't go unnoticed as
evidenced by his subsequent posting appologizing for it, and promising to
become a kinder and more gentle productive member of society in the future.

Some perspective Amateur Radio:

        From it's early beginnings, amateur radio has been populated by
technically curious and highly motivated persons. Due to the basic social
structure of the United States over the past 75 years or so, a MAJORITY of
the people involved in amateur radio as a hobby have been middle class white
males.

Some comments on change:

        Society is changing, the options of choice available to people are
expanding every day. Women aren't the only ones that have had options, once
closed, made available to them. The thing that has to be kept foremost in
your mind is that change is a gradual process. As inevitable as it is, it is
also excruciatingly slow at times.

Some comments on responsibility:

        You are responsible for what you make of your life. It is not because
you are a (fill in oppressed group of choice) and because of the actions of
(fill in oppressing group of choice) you have not been able to (fill in want
of choice).

And now, the part you've all been waiting for, my response to Sharon.

Sharon writes and quotes me in her letter:

> >gals? Oh come on team, the "Politically Correct" term now is Vaginal American.

        For the humor impaired, the above comment was a joke.
        In keeping with the current media fascination of not
        calling a spade a shovel, I adopted the term above for
        refering to females. Opps, there I go, using an OLD no
        longer P.C. term, I meant to say, of the Non-male type.

> Of course, the rational and mature thing to do is to ignore such a juvenile
> comment.

        But failing to qualify for either, you decided to comment.

> But this IS the first week of elementary school in my town.

        So tell me, which grade are you repeating?

> And so, I decided to use this opportunity to briefly revisit those carefree

        Reliving our past eh, is this your way of dealing with
        the present?

> grade-school days, when life's biggest worry was how to come up with the
> best insults for some kid who was bothering you. A period in life that
> Mr. Angus, apparently, still hasn't left behind.

        Yes indeed. I remember that period of time in my life.

        I graduated from High School in 1971. Just in time to
        consider a carier in jungle warfare. With mixed blessings
        the situation in Viet Nam came to and end, along with
        most of the job opportunities in the Aerospace Industry.

        Of course, girls, young women, and other non-male types
        didn't have to worry about getting murdered overseas.
        They also didn't have to worry about food and shelter
        either, as there were plenty of men (the usurpers of
        the helpless) that would be willing to provide for them.

> So, Jeff ...
>
> > ... < This space left blank intentionally. >
>
> Along with that space between your ears.

        True, I tend to keep that space clear of all the petty self-
        pitying crap that others seem to require to make it through
        the day with.

> And ...
>
> >J Angus, PO Box 4425, Carson CA 90749-4425 voice (310) 324-6080
>
> Wouldn't your last name be so much more fitting if you'd just lose that "g."

        It's been done. As part of a long standing joke, I was at
        the geneology booth at our local Ren-faire and checked the
        history of my name. If you go back far enough, it is as
        you suggested, but it is pronounced, Ah-noose.

> Gee, wasn't that fun.

        It has been fun for me, was it as good for you?

> And now I return to the life of a mature, responsible adult.

        You left out humorless self-pitying whiner.

> You ought to try it some time, Jeff.

        Try what, maturity? I got older if that is what you mean.
        I have a family and have worked for the past 22 years
        supporting them. But I suspect you want me to turn into
        some humorless drone, and I'll have none of that thank you.
                      
> (My apologies to the rest of you for the non-ham-related flame).

        What for, are apologizing for the poor job you did of flaming me?
        Or are you sorry you did it? "I'm sorry" is probably the most
        useless phrase in the Englsh language. If you knew it was wrong
        to begin with, and did it anyways, how can you expect forgivness?

        You could have sent me private e-mail concerning my comments,
        but you chose to make your attempt at witticism (and remarks
        as to my character, background, upbringing etc.) on a public
        forum. What you sow, so shall you reap.

> Sharon
> --
> Sharon Machlis Gartenberg
> Framingham, MA  USA
> email: sharon@unixland.natick.ma.us   or   uunet!think.com!unixland!sharon

xenon!skyld!jangus   < This space left blank intentionally. >
J Angus, PO Box 4425, Carson CA 90749-4425 voice (310) 324-6080