Maximus,
Just an observation, if as you say Education is Marxist clap trap, it is extrordinary that we have had a conservative Federal Government for a decade.

Col, tubley,
We are discussing equality of the sexes, however it is common knowledge that politics is and always has been "a boys club" with very few exceptions. Merit does not really apply to politics as we know it, but another very important life rule does "it's not whay you know, it's who you know" nod nod, wink wink say nomore.

The sad part of this topic is that it will be not a woman of merit, from either side of politics, who will become our first female PM, but rather [unlike the male counterpart] a woman of exceptional merit, who will fill that vacancy in history.

With so few women in the parliament, I can think of at least 2 women, from either side of politics who stand out in performance from their male counterparts, but for whom their respective leadership aspirations, is virtually non existant.

I would just like to state for the record, that if Tubley is ever exposed as a lesbian feminist Marxist, I would not at all be surprised.

Seeker,

As you're a man, I know it must be hard, probably being brought up on the belief that the only defense is offense. But if you want to insult me, please try harder. There's worse things than being labeled as a Feminist Marxist. As for being a lesbian, you never know.

Maximus,

Bashing people over the head? I’m glad your son is exhibiting healthy behaviour, I treat all of my students with dignity and respect. I get the impression that you think I’m trying promote ideas that limit opportunities for males. In actual fact, I’m suggesting that we enhance opportunities for all people, women and men.

My principals shall judge my professional conduct, not you. On the other hand, please feel free to judge me on a personal level if you have anything worthwhile to go by.

PS, I choose not to rely on luck… skill is a far more consistent and dependable option.

Yabby,

In your experience, women may be seen as thinner skinned based on the way in which they express their emotions in daily life, socially, among friends and family. But this says little about how they handle themselves professionally, which is a different medium.

It may also say more about the inability of men to express themselves emotionally when they need to, which is a disability of sorts.
I want to suggest a reading by Colette Dowling... The Frailty Myth: Women Approaching Physical Equality. I recommend it to anyone.

Now, Col…
Strike three!

You’re really grasping at straws made of air now. As I read your post I called to mind imagery of a rat I once encountered in my garage while servicing my car. As we noticed each other it quickly backed itself into a corner, sharp and crooked teeth showing, claws swiping, while letting out a grotesque screeching sound in defensive anarchism.

So here’s a poem for you, Col, to summarise:

The Rat in the Shed
by Tubley Thompson

An ugly display, from the rat,
Who went away, to another shed;
Hopefully, you’ll do just that…
See you ‘round, in another thread.

"Women on top"I must be getting a bit senile in my old age.I thought we already had a women as Prime Minister?(What was that honey that's my wife speaking over my shoulder)oh sorry silly me,she just reminded me it's pudgy the minister for foriegn affairs thats more inclined to be on the bottom (emphasis on the bottom) than the top.Sorry fellow posters I do get confused at times,now my wife tells me Amanda Vanstone is a women.Must be the way they dress I dun know.What this country needs is a Thatcher,look alike for P.M. umm Bronwyn Bishop maybe with out the make up.At least she wouldn't get touched up by all those manly hot blooded members of the liberal party (small L).She would certainly bring out the true wets of the party.

Maximus,

As a person who knows many teachers (but) am not one myself I have never met one whom I would consider anywhere near Marxist. Teachers are a fantastic group of people who (generally speaking) work long hours (many unpaid marking assignments & exams) to help educate and bring out the very best in the children under their care. Obviously in any large group of people there are good and bad teachers - with the good teachers massively outweighing the bad.

They do their absolute best to educate children and prepare children for their futures. Like nursing it is one of the most honourable professions around.

From my experience most people think they are an expert on education, (even the untrained), because they have been through the system but to suggest that the Education System is Marxist brainwashing is garbage. Please lay out some of the marxist brainwashings your child has been exposed to by teachers?

So now you are a home schooling parent and congratulations for that.... hopefully you won't be teaching your Marxist theories about teachers.

The true test of your expertise as an educator will be the performance of your child as a result of his/her home schooling and I genuinely wish you every success in that endeavour.

Too many times teachers are denegrated unfairly by people who have never stood before a class of 30 children all with varying abilities. If you think Adult education compares with Primary or Secondary education you may need to expand your expertise.

I remember from my days at school even through the Whitlam saga - a very emotinal time - I never was exposed to any personal opinions by my teachers on politics and any discussions were always very balanced

Opinionated2,
Maximus, seems to see most things as a communist plot, I don't really know why, however in my humble opinion if women are good enough to become police, teachers, nurses, administrators, solicitors, judges, labourers, clerks or anything else they feel so inclined to do then for the life of me I don't understand why a women in any important occupation, including mother, should not seek to represent her community in the parliament of this great nation.

Women somtimes have a new perspective to add to a debate, and should be encouraged to join political parties, to provide their input into life's issues, politics can be an exciting endevour, because politics is LIFE...