He’s pointing out an important phenomenon, but I guess maybe because he’s a teacher (and thus is supposed to leave politics off the table), he avoided the influence of rightwing/Nazi ideology as a major influence.
I suppose shaming such boys could be effective. They certainly sound like they’re acting “shameless.” I think that stressing and teaching them empathy (and maybe even how attractive displaying it and acting on it actually is) would help too.
That would be Gen. Jennie Carignan, chief of defence staff.
“After 39 years of career as a combat arms officer and risking my life in many operations around the world I can’t believe that in 2024 we still have to justify the contribution of women … in the service of their country,” she said to a standing ovation.
Some offered apologies, some admissions of guilt, some denials, and some shared their plans to learn more about consent:
All were found guilty and sentenced to years in prison.
Only one was also convicted of taking what he learned about the process to do the same to his wife as well.
I find it hard to believe that none of the other 49 men took advantage of knowing the crime protocol with anyone else.
And I’m still wondering about what he may or may not have done to his own children as well.
I wouldn’t be surprised if many of these men are going to be facing trials for other crimes, sexual or otherwise, too.
Many years ago I saw an episode of Law and Order where a husband was drugging his wife with insulin, because he liked having sex with an unconscious woman. I thought “that seems a little far-fetched even for a TV show.” But I guess I was wrong.
Ah, here it is:
That was of course Bill Cosby’s preferred arrangement too.
Throughout this period the Republican Party has been competitive only because, it has received the consistent support of 60 per cent of white men.
Of course, that wouldn’t be enough without some votes from non-whites and women. But there is no group other than white men where the Republicans have had a reliable majority over the past 30 years.
More precisely the Republicans represent, and depend on, angry white men.
Angry white men are overwhelmingly Christian (non-Christian white men mostly support the Democrats), and it used to be argued that they were deeply concerned about a variety of moral and ethical issues, mostly around sex and gender. But Trump has trashed all of their supposed values, notably including principled opposition to abortion, without losing any support. They are still vociferously bigoted against trans people, but really, any target will do.
Political success is going to make angry white men even angrier. By silencing their opponents they can, in the immortal words of the New York Times Editorial Board acquire “the right to speak their minds and voice their opinions in public without fear of being shamed”, but they will still be shunned, and know that they are being derided behind their backs.
John Quiggin, an Australian economist, is a professor at the University of Queensland.
I can see that. Add in the fact that we still exist (and we will, damn it) and they will be even angrier. But also, the post mortems all seem pretty damned short sighted. I’m really tired of hearing that we weren’t nice enough to the fascists, and shouldn’t worry about trans folks, anyway. The next Martin Niemöller will start their lament “First they came for the trans folk, and i said nothing…” i have nothing but contempt for any who cannot see this. But i also have no answers. I have to hope that the young people will be our salvation, because it is eminently clear that my generation will not be.
Indeed, and just to be clear, I don’t think Quiggin is saying that.
Great post!
That is a really thought provoking conversation, especially the bit about “men are attracted to the right because there they are seen” and “men feel like they have a choice between becoming their grandfather or becoming their sister.” I’m not certain i agree with all of it, but it certainly strikes a chord. Hmmm, gonna have to let this marinate for a while. I do 100% agree with the education part. Schools are failing boys in a massive way by expecting a standard, uniform learning style. My only problem with the hypothesis is that i feel they are failing girls in exactly the same way. Maybe someday it will be ok to let kids be themselves instead of trying force them into a “standard kid” mold. I fear it will get worse first, though.
