From: lstewart@watserv1.waterloo.edu (L. Stewart -- IS      Office 1058)
Subject: Re: Dworkin and MacKinnon Rule!
Organization: University of Waterloo
Date: Thu, 16 Apr 1992 16:35:41 GMT

In article <8gzjj8n.sheaffer@netcom.com> sheaffer@netcom.com (Robert Sheaffer) writes:
>In article <1992Apr15.194042.2290@watserv1.waterloo.edu> lstewart@watserv1.waterloo.edu (L. Stewart -- IS      Office 1058) writes:
>>
>>Dworkin and her ilk have neither the charisma nor the popular
>>support to impliment their dysfunctions on society. Hitler was
>>enormously popular and spoke to an entire nation in a time of
>>crisis. MacKinnon and the censor-gang speak to a fraction of the 
>>population and haven't managed too much popularity. Let us hope     
>>that they haven't managed the putsch that launches a thousand
>>repressive laws, and "actions". 
>>
>
>I wish this were true! MacKinnon is the one who INVENTED the very
>"crime" of "sexual harassment" (see a fascinating article on this
>in the January issue of Reason magazine). She has managed to
>force her personal agenda into law throughout North America without winning a
>single election. And you say that RadFems like Dworkin and
>MacKinnon have no power!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
>-- 
>  
>        Robert Sheaffer - Scepticus Maximus - sheaffer@netcom.com

I have not said that these persyns are without power. They have 
lobbying power, they have audiences and they have achieved some  
of their political goals. I do not entirely disagree with sexual
harassment legislations. I *do* disagree with the wordings and
definitions of these legislations (at least locally) and I am
disturbed by the trend of yet further attempts to enshrine anti-
men politics in law. 

Too often good ideas are put to bad use. Canadians and Ontarians     
are facing anti-man consent legislation which make it illegal to
copulate when drunk or without clear verbal consent that would be
accepted by an impartial third party as consent. Soon it may be
a requirement to have a stenographer or some recording device at
the bedside. We have a sexist piece of shit "Deadbeat dads"
legislation that is absolute in its gender reference to men for
support that, if passed, will garnishe men's wages from the 
moment custody is handed to the woman. If a man can't eat or
sustain himself too damn bad.

My sincere hope is that Dworkin and MacKinnon age prematurely
and fade into the moonset. They are simply the most vocal and
wrong-headed aspect of feminism. Many of the clearer minds are
interested in creating a better society in which to live. I
do not claim to be a feminist or an apologist for feminism.
But I share some of their goals and ideals. I like the idea of
safe streets for all people, I know the feeling of fear on city
streets and in parks at night. I stay toward well lit areas and
I don't take careless risks. Most of the men I know feel the same
way as do most of the women I know. That isn't patriarchy that's 
common sense.

We as humans share many of the same needs and goals and what
is in our pants is not an issue until it affects our ability to
achieve our needs and goals without undue hinderance. What I
hear is people asking to be given a fair shake. It is a shame
that some would use that desire for fairness to damage others.

Equality of opportunity and remuneration, before the courts and in
access to services and benefits. Freedom of speech, choice,
movement and action. These are the basic goals of people in our
society (North America) as I perceive them. There are many changes
that need to be made and the process of change is long and
diffiult and the changes themselves take time to become refined.
There is a power gap that opens when society changes and those that
lust for power are drawn like pigs to the trough. With luck and
perseverance we can disconnect pigs like Dworkin and MacKinnon
from the feed line before they cause more damage than they 
already have.

The solution, if there is one, is for the reasonable and moderate
voices to be heard. We have no shortage of hatred in our lands
it is time to start healing or there will be no hope for the
children to whom we will leave this planet. I was recently
fortunate enough to attend a Cree healing sweat lodge with both
men and women from many nations, native and otherwise. The most
touching experience was a quiet voice saying that the time for
separation is over we must come together and understand in order
to heal.
Newsgroups: soc.men