May Debate
The John Adams Society
Christopher Phelan, Chairman
Marianne Stebbins Beck, Secretary
Larry Colson, Chief Whip
Roger Belfay, Chancellor
Marianne Stebbins Beck, Secretary
Larry Colson, Chief Whip
Roger Belfay, Chancellor
May 10, 2006
"American feminism has a man problem. The beaming Betty Crockers, hangdog dowdies, and parochial prudes who call themselves feminists want men to be like women. They fear and despise the masculine."
"American feminism has a man problem. The beaming Betty Crockers, hangdog dowdies, and parochial prudes who call themselves feminists want men to be like women. They fear and despise the masculine."
— Camille Paglia
Following the feminist movement of the seventies and eighties, men have taken up the additional roles of wife, mother and housekeeper. No longer an economic arrangement, marriage is now a tool for companionship, with women seeking a confidente, an uber-girlfriend. From mall to mall across suburbia, girly-men are seen holding purses and shuffling an appropriate two feet behind the family chief. The once-stoic gender now emotes equally with his wife, and discusses his feelings with his children.
Today’s politically correct culture, in which emotional intelligence trumps traditional IQ, rewards the feminized male. It is no longer enough for a man to do his job well, if in silence; today’s man must collaborate and incentivize with his female associates and bosses. Leadership is now defined by how well someone can empathize with and motivate those being led, as opposed to strict decision-making ability. It can be argued that these traits, at least to some extent, are not entirely negative.
ON THE OTHER HAND, the popularity of such shows as HBO’s Sopranos suggests that both sexes would applaud a return to traditional roles. Today’s voters still pull the lever more often for manly men (wit the sail boarding Kerry vs the brush-clearing Texan, or Al Gore in need of an alpha-male makeover). As ever before, the female is biologically drawn to virility, strength and security in a mate, even when preferring hugs to grunts. And younger generations of woman have shunned the old-style feminism, freeing the modern man to reclaim his role closer to John Wayne than Alan Alda.
The chairman, wishing to mull this further over a double-whip latte, has called for a debate to settle the question:
RESOLVED: AMERICAN MEN HAVE BEEN FEMINIZED.
The Debate will be held on Wednesday, May 10, 2006 at the University Club, 420 Summit Avenue, in Saint Paul. The Chancellor will preside over drinks beginning at seven o'clock p.m. The debate will begin at half past seven. While there is no dress code for attendance, gentlemen who wish to speak must wear a tie; ladies should adhere to a similar sartorial standard. For those gentlemen who arrive tieless yet wish to speak, fret not: the Purveyor of Ties will keep on hand at least one of his quite remarkable ties for just such an eventuality. Questions about debate caucus procedures or about the John Adams Society itself may be directed to the Chairman at (612) 204-5615 or the Secretary at (952) 470-8090.
Following the feminist movement of the seventies and eighties, men have taken up the additional roles of wife, mother and housekeeper. No longer an economic arrangement, marriage is now a tool for companionship, with women seeking a confidente, an uber-girlfriend. From mall to mall across suburbia, girly-men are seen holding purses and shuffling an appropriate two feet behind the family chief. The once-stoic gender now emotes equally with his wife, and discusses his feelings with his children.
Today’s politically correct culture, in which emotional intelligence trumps traditional IQ, rewards the feminized male. It is no longer enough for a man to do his job well, if in silence; today’s man must collaborate and incentivize with his female associates and bosses. Leadership is now defined by how well someone can empathize with and motivate those being led, as opposed to strict decision-making ability. It can be argued that these traits, at least to some extent, are not entirely negative.
ON THE OTHER HAND, the popularity of such shows as HBO’s Sopranos suggests that both sexes would applaud a return to traditional roles. Today’s voters still pull the lever more often for manly men (wit the sail boarding Kerry vs the brush-clearing Texan, or Al Gore in need of an alpha-male makeover). As ever before, the female is biologically drawn to virility, strength and security in a mate, even when preferring hugs to grunts. And younger generations of woman have shunned the old-style feminism, freeing the modern man to reclaim his role closer to John Wayne than Alan Alda.
The chairman, wishing to mull this further over a double-whip latte, has called for a debate to settle the question:
RESOLVED: AMERICAN MEN HAVE BEEN FEMINIZED.
The Debate will be held on Wednesday, May 10, 2006 at the University Club, 420 Summit Avenue, in Saint Paul. The Chancellor will preside over drinks beginning at seven o'clock p.m. The debate will begin at half past seven. While there is no dress code for attendance, gentlemen who wish to speak must wear a tie; ladies should adhere to a similar sartorial standard. For those gentlemen who arrive tieless yet wish to speak, fret not: the Purveyor of Ties will keep on hand at least one of his quite remarkable ties for just such an eventuality. Questions about debate caucus procedures or about the John Adams Society itself may be directed to the Chairman at (612) 204-5615 or the Secretary at (952) 470-8090.
posted by Scribbler de Stebbing | 5/03/2006 07:57:00 AM
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