Wednesday 4 July 2018

"What Senator Leyonhjelm

said was completely unacceptable and no woman should be subjected to that sort of behaviour."
Isn't it time that someone actually said that?
For those of you in Upover - there is a row over the vile, sexist remarks that one of our male Senators made to another - female - Senator.  He is refusing to apologise. She is seeking legal advice.
It could end up being very nasty.
They are both at fault. Both of them are also right.
Both of them are at fault for showing disrespect. They are both right in saying that disrespect for the opposite sex is far too prevalent. Neither of them, along with most other politicians, seem to realise that they are there to serve the people who elected them. They are not there to serve their own interests but the interests of those who elected them. They are both lacking in respect for those who elected them - both female and male. 
Not all men are misogynists - far from it. It is time to recognise that and use it to show those who are how to behave. Not all women are misandrists either. It is time to recognise and use that fact too. If we emphasise the positive then we might overcome some of the negative - even if it doesn't make the sort of coverage the media loves.
I have been extraordinarily fortunate in that the Senior Cat, my brother, my nephews, and every male I know in my wider paternal clan treat women with respect. Women treat men the same way. Those who have married into the clan do the same. My paternal grandfather and his siblings were taught the highest standards of behaviour by my paternal great-grandmother. Those standards have carried on. It has made for a close knit and supportive clan.
I wonder who taught the two Senators how to behave. 

1 comment:

Jodiebodie said...

There is no room for arrogance in our parliament - we need people who can compromise, see different viewpoints and solve problems collaboratively with respect. One doesn't need to agree with another in order to still respect them.
I'm disgusted by the behaviour. It's a shame that Senate terms are so long as it will take longer to vote badly behaved people out.