Are Universities REALLY giving women an EDUCATION these days or are they 
being used as dupes to progress an agenda of familly breakdown so that the 
STATE gains ever more power at the expense of the individual? (Phil)

http://www.tnhonline.com/news/2005/03/28/Commentary/Painefully.Right.Patriarchy.Huh-904986.shtml
Painefully Right: Patriarchy Huh?
By James Paine
Published: Monday, March 28, 2005

      There has been a lot of hubbub focused on the word patriarchy around 
campus lately, most notably (and apparently newsworthy) the Feminist Action 
League (FAL) with their opus, the Patriarchy Slam. Patriarchy, a system 
villainously administered by men, is such a threat to society that some men 
have gone against their evil kindred and formed groups to combat the 
patriarchy menace, aptly calling themselves The Men Against Patriarchy.

      Men, as anyone who subscribes to the anti-patriarchy faction can 
testify, are a bestial group who know nothing but murder, rape and turmoil. 
Men have few redeeming social values, being unable to carry on a 
conversation without sneering maliciously and making comments about boobs. 
Even the men who declare themselves as allies of womyn are subconsciously 
oppressing them and until one actively takes a bullet for a womyn, they are 
to be regarded strictly as a threat. The only possible exception is 
homosexual men, who are to be accepted as allies (and potential shopping 
partners), because they too are oppressed by fat, white men in suits.

      Many people became upset with the FAL and their Patriarchy Slam. There 
were opinions voiced advocating violence against men. Open animosity was 
expressed towards all males in society, no exceptions. This frightened 
people. It made them uncomfortable to think that there are groups of womyn 
with such strong convictions that they might actually make motion towards 
castrating the men of our society to limit their powers of patriarchy.

      Frankly, the Patriarchy Slam shouldn't be seen as a threat, but rather 
it should be viewed in a refreshing light. Finally, we are hearing the truth 
from what these womyn want and what they are planning. All pretense of 
wanting an egalitarian society where we could all wear gender-neutral 
clothing and dance happily in friendly meadows of acceptance were thrown out 
the window. To have someone actually say something along the lines of "I 
hate men, I think they are all without redeeming value and should be kept 
underground, excluded from society save for the sole purpose of occasional 
breeding," is great in the fact that it is finally an honest sentiment.

      As an avid videogame player, the use of violence that seemed to be the 
theme of the Patriarchy Slam seemed downright titillating. The first thing 
that came to mind when reading the aftermath of this event was "Wow, these 
ladies are finally on to something." There is nothing like violence, actual, 
implied, threatened or otherwise, to gain attention. This formula was 
discovered and has been abused for years by Hollywood and the six o' clock 
news. Kudos to the Feminist Action League and their affiliates for getting 
with the program.

      There is great promise in this new breed of feminism. One can only 
imagine the possibilities of groups of angry violent womyn, patrolling their 
turf together, wearing the same colors as a banner of their allegiance to 
the cause of male hate. In groups they can ambush suspected members of 
fraternities or athletic teams, ceremonially beating them into submission 
and then allowing a new initiate to castrate the man, effectively earning 
her way into the posse. While this may seem like ridiculous hyperbole, do 
not discredit the fervor of these capable and intelligent young womyn (some 
of whom, you may remember, wore scissors around their necks to symbolize the 
severance of male genitalia from male bodies).

      This new movement of uninhibited hatred and intolerance towards men 
could be everything that the East Coast versus West Coast rap feud didn't 
live up to in the early '90s. Womyn nationwide could band together and 
attempt to kill anyone who they feel does not meet their standard of 
contributing to society, effectively eliminating anything they see as a 
problem. The crusaders could not only attack men, but also womyn who do not 
agree with their radical and uncompromising ideology (such as that brave 
womyn who declared her enjoyment of pornography at the Patriarchy Slam and 
was promptly attacked for it).

      For the record, kicking David Huffman out of the Patriarchy Slam was 
not discrimination, as there were other men in the audience who were allowed 
to stay. While it may not have been in good taste, it sure did make a point. 
Throwing someone out of the rally because that person did not conform to the 
mentality presented went perfectly with the message that seemed to be "if 
you are not with us, we are against you." Again, more power to them for 
having the brass to commit an act that would almost certainly result in 
harsh scrutiny from students and administrators in the name of their cause.

      Good for you, FAL and friends, in utmost sincerity. It is a brave and 
daring thing to go against social standards and declare your hate for half 
the world's population. It may not be the friendliest or most productive 
thing in the world, but it was a moment of shimmering honesty, and that is 
respectable. To actually say that what you want is not to be equal with men, 
but to topple them, hurt them and dominate them, well, that is just bad***. 
It is admirable that this new brand of feminist is willing to do anything 
necessary to win their war, including aping the very actions of those they 
hate. Go forth. James Paine supports you.


      Editor's Note: Opinions expressed in both signed and unsigned letters 
to the Editor, opinion pieces and columns are not necessarily those of The 
New Hampshire or its staff. If you do not see your side of the argument 
being presented, we invite you to submit a letter to the Editor by e-mail to 
tnh.editor{at}unh.edu.





--- UseNet To RIME Gateway {at} 3/31/05 4:47:59 AM ---