There is no oppressor anywhere

[eighteen buddha strike]

Pretty much exactly the point that I wanted to make Hoshiko. When typcasting based on image is favored over actual qualifications for the job, it hurts everybody. In the case of liquor vendors, however, I might add that the tactic can sometimes actually work (being that as a whole, simple minded males are very receptive to the 'hot chicks' angle) however this does not phase out the importance of a quality product or even knowledgable representitives.

The last trade-show I actually made it to, it seemed as if the 'hot chicks' were working mostly for companies that sell mediocre vodkas. However, I will add that I thought the asian girl at the jagermeister stand was very attractive (but dignified.) Also a number of female representives at that show who obviously deserved their jobs. Its just that it seemed obvious that there were a few who got hired simply for their sex appeal.

Anyway, I have worked for people in the past that before even considering hiring a potential female applicant would ask the question 'is she hot'. The real problem is simply that people like this exist, and manage to find themselves in positions that afford them a little ( or in some cases ) a lot of authority.

Anyway, ignorance is out there, its just that it doesnt have a central organization.

[Hoshiko]

Sorry, my bad. I need to go back and read for clarity. It's been a long day

Anyway, ignorance is out there, its just that it doesnt have a central organization.

What, you mean there is no vast male conspiracy trying to keep women down? You must be one of THEM.  

[Irreverend Hugh, KSC]

Sorry, my bad. I need to go back and read for clarity. It's been a long day

Anyway, ignorance is out there, its just that it doesnt have a central organization.

What, you mean there is no vast male conspiracy trying to keep women down? You must be one of THEM.  

That depends on who is really a male conspirator and who is really conspiring with the women or who is conspiring to let the flu-ravaged birds get us all.

[BADGE OF HONOR]

Okay, I'd just like to point out that discrimination, especially the unconscious type as described in that checklist, isn't the same thing as oppression.

[Shibboleet The Annihilator]

What is your definition of oppression?

[BADGE OF HONOR]

Oppression?  Being actively persecuted by the government.  For example, we can all vote, hold property, speak without fear of repurcussion, and are not preventing by law from doing anything merely because of race, class, gender, etc.

The closest thing we get to oppression round here is the constant attempts to legislate sexual practices.  Those, however, tend not to stand up in the court of law or be enforced universally.

[The Good Reverend Roger]

Oppression?  Being actively persecuted by the government.  For example, we can all vote,

Unless you are Black, and live in Florida.

[BADGE OF HONOR]

Har, har.  I did mean in the strictly legal sense.  What people actually do is a bit different.

[Masonity]

Pretty much exactly the point that I wanted to make Hoshiko. When typcasting based on image is favored over actual qualifications for the job, it hurts everybody. In the case of liquor vendors, however, I might add that the tactic can sometimes actually work (being that as a whole, simple minded males are very receptive to the 'hot chicks' angle) however this does not phase out the importance of a quality product or even knowledgable representitives.

The last trade-show I actually made it to, it seemed as if the 'hot chicks' were working mostly for companies that sell mediocre vodkas. However, I will add that I thought the asian girl at the jagermeister stand was very attractive (but dignified.) Also a number of female representives at that show who obviously deserved their jobs. Its just that it seemed obvious that there were a few who got hired simply for their sex appeal.

Anyway, I have worked for people in the past that before even considering hiring a potential female applicant would ask the question 'is she hot'. The real problem is simply that people like this exist, and manage to find themselves in positions that afford them a little ( or in some cases ) a lot of authority.

Anyway, ignorance is out there, its just that it doesnt have a central organization.

Looking at it from both sides of the bar, an attractive woman attracts young men in, and convinces them to spend money. Now, it isn't difficult to train an intelligent person into a star member of the bar team, as long as they have a fairly outgoing personality, are at least semi intresting, and have some common sense. So, why would one hire an unattractive female, or a male, when they could boost profits with a nice pair of tits?

Who cares if it's fair, if it brings in more money? By definition, the looks make them a better bartender than a similarly skilled ugly person.

[eighteen buddha strike]

I'm not complaining one bit, well, I dont like it when idiots get by on their looks.. but I've seen a lot of bartenders of both sexes who are intelligent and happen to be very attractive, and on either side of the gender issue this is a bonus. I guess I just have a problem with stupid people, go figure.

As far as oppression goes, I have to disagree with the initial post here. Simply put, look at the ghettos of any major city of the united states. Sociologically speaking, the idea that anybody in this country can become rich as the result of hard work is just a myth. On average, once born into poverty it takes several generations of hard work to overcome. Its difficult for an inner city black youth to recieve a decent education, let alone rise above the poverty level. Sure, if they manage to make it through the hell that is inner city living, they can get a lot of govt. subsidies to go to college (you'll hear racists bitch about that one), but why is it that many dont even make it that far?

The increasing poverty levels in this country, over time. The erosion of the system of checks and balances in this country. The lowering of the standard of education for the common man. In general, just the erosion of a strong middle class to further seperate the rich minority from the poor majority. I really dont understand how a person could not recognize the signs of oppression here...  maybe its been worse in other time/spaces in history... but to say that there is nothing going on behind the scenes, kind of ludicrious.

Anyway, its not a matter of bitching or passing the blame onto some sort of abstract entity. Its simply a matter of not being delusional, and being aware of the fact that well... there is an oppressor, but its not some white guy at a desk pushing a button, its an abstract entity (I dont know exactly how to communicate it, or the source of it, for I know it only by its symptoms and not its source)... and its not just anywhere, its everywhere.

[East Coast Hustle]

[LHX]

there is something going on behind the scenes

but
its so sloppy that its beyond description



oppression deals with pressure

those who are oppressed have a lot of hate to shit but are not allowed to shit it

those who 'arent' oppressed shit their hate
but
at the same time they try to hold on to all their shit
and put pressure on themselves and everybody else in the process



the reason why the middle class is disappearing is because the balancing act between the two is impossible

you cant have people putting pressure on you
and
also people preventing you from releasing the pressure

the machine is breaking
dont doubt it

[LMNO]

those who are oppressed have a lot of hate to shit but are not allowed to shit it

those who 'arent' oppressed shit their hate

[LHX]

yeah

we had that talk before


the meaning expands

because it is such a damn good term

[BADGE OF HONOR]

I'm not complaining one bit, well, I dont like it when idiots get by on their looks.. but I've seen a lot of bartenders of both sexes who are intelligent and happen to be very attractive, and on either side of the gender issue this is a bonus. I guess I just have a problem with stupid people, go figure.

As far as oppression goes, I have to disagree with the initial post here. Simply put, look at the ghettos of any major city of the united states. Sociologically speaking, the idea that anybody in this country can become rich as the result of hard work is just a myth. On average, once born into poverty it takes several generations of hard work to overcome. Its difficult for an inner city black youth to recieve a decent education, let alone rise above the poverty level. Sure, if they manage to make it through the hell that is inner city living, they can get a lot of govt. subsidies to go to college (you'll hear racists bitch about that one), but why is it that many dont even make it that far?

The increasing poverty levels in this country, over time. The erosion of the system of checks and balances in this country. The lowering of the standard of education for the common man. In general, just the erosion of a strong middle class to further seperate the rich minority from the poor majority. I really dont understand how a person could not recognize the signs of oppression here...  maybe its been worse in other time/spaces in history... but to say that there is nothing going on behind the scenes, kind of ludicrious.

Anyway, its not a matter of bitching or passing the blame onto some sort of abstract entity. Its simply a matter of not being delusional, and being aware of the fact that well... there is an oppressor, but its not some white guy at a desk pushing a button, its an abstract entity (I dont know exactly how to communicate it, or the source of it, for I know it only by its symptoms and not its source)... and its not just anywhere, its everywhere.

I can't disagree with you there.  I was indulging in a bit if hyperbole, mostly because I was irritated that a bunch of rich white kids were talking about how they're being oppressed.  Hello?