[MD] NYT: The Feminine Critique

[MarshaV]

At 06:00 AM 11/5/2007, you wrote:
> > What man on this earth has the right to speak for women, when women have
>lost
> > the ability to speak for themselves?
>
>How distant is that from being a stereotypical statement? In a country such
>as yours (which I presume is the US or in the EU), there is absolutely no
>concern about women not being able to express themselves. "Democracy is our
>foundation" says the West, and so goes the West teaching the world how to
>live. Where's the democracy now? Look at the countries in the mideast
>where women don't even have freedom in clothing, let alone speech or
>rebellious action. And obviously, no person is ever made up completely of
>Yin or Yang. What matters is the proportion.
>
>Women can't speak for themselves? Either that means an inherent flaw or an
>imposition.

Either, or?

>The former, you'll disagree with. The latter, there simply is
>little room for that argument, especially in a Western country, where
>freedom of speech is embedded deeply in the constitution and legal practice.

You will not hear me defend this democratic-oligarchy.  It is social 
level illusion.

>In countries like India, although there's constitutional democracy, because
>of all the corruption, if even a member of the parliament speaks against an
>opponent, he's sure to receive threats. But this is 21st century India,
>Britannia's legacy. If you look at the earlier India there was a perfect
>constitution (Manu Smriti).

I have always wished to visit India.  Are women still expected to 
through themselves on the fire of their burning husbands?


>"Europe is nothing but a jagged promonitory of Asia" -- Will Durant
>
>Akshay

I have no answers, but many questions.  I have been trying to 
descend, but I seem to be buoyant.  All I get is 'it's not this, it's 
not that, it's not the other'.  But I keep remembering, '... if that 
which you seek you find not within yourself, you will never find it without.'

I may not have any answers, but I'm certainly not going to trust yours.

Marsha