As Mayor Quimby once said, I am flip-flopping. (And not just to stoke the fire)

I now ignore the fact that WRD is a farce, and put my whole support behind it.

I now ignore that feeling I'm being labelled a woman-basher by default and being emotionally blackmailed into joining. I'll tell myself I'm joining because I want to, and I am rising above it.

I now ignore the fact that the propaganda put out to promote WRD is self serving and inaccurate and biased. I won't let it colour my attitude to the day, and tell myself the end justifies the means.

I now ignore the objectives of WRD could be better served by looking more holistically at domestic violence than the current cheap slogan appealing to the desire to see things in black and white, heroes and villains. I'll tell myself the populace is pretty stupid and that's all they'll understand.

I'm happy to relinquish all my principals so that women can feel safer, and feel that men care. Every girl just wants to feel special, and after all, women's feelings are the most important thing in the world, and as a strong man, I can carry the load to make them feel better.

Houellebecq, that is spot on the mark ("girls just want to feel special") & just sums most of it up in a nut shell. Desperation to be the center focus of society, they have been borne & bread to be the spoilt brat & as long as they get what they want, nothing else matters.

Like Pynchme, I'd like to read some of the strategies proposed by the WRD knockers for eliminating interpersonal violence in our society. I also wonder what's stopping the various men's groups from addressing violence, rather than bleating on about women.

Cornflower, you are one of the most dishonest and downright nasty haters who posts on OLO. I didn't make the comments that you attribute to me - rather, they are your inferences, based on my support for White Ribbon Day and your strong antagonism towards me.

It's not about me, or you for that matter. I support men taking the initiative and trying to influence their peers into doing something to eliminate violence against women. You say that this strategy is an "abomination", but you don't say why - instead you launch into a silly personal attack on me and try to chage the subject.

I think you're still smarting from the thorough trouncing you received on the gay marriage thread, where you employed exactly the same dishonest tactics. Whatever gender you are, you are part of the problem, not part of the solution.

Houellebecq and like minded,
I understand your point, I think, but what I don't follow is, why it has to be a matter of principal?
And how you came to the conclusion that the issue is, "women just want to feel special" as though this developed in a vacuum.

I would agree, that WRD is more symbolic than effective, however sometimes, given we're dealing with people, not necessarily principals, such an approach is apposite i.e. The apologies.

To me, the apologies weren't significant except that they were necessary for the (emotional) healing process of the afflicted.
I can't see that sensitivity to others need be a matter of principal.

NB. I'm not saying that the focus of WRD couldn't be substantially improved i.e.broadened to cover all domestic violence.

I am saying, that instead of getting bound up in matters of doctrinal principal, of it's not right, so reject it.

Think of it like our parliamentary system, it too is badly flawed, but rather than bring it down, we need to change it appropriately

Houellebecq
quote "could be better served by looking more holistically at domestic violence".

Exactly. Holistic view of society truth be known. General mental health check of the nation.

Justice is required when a wrong is committed. No real reason to stereotype an issue or a cause.

The Cronulla Riots are a case in point.

One special interest group, an ethnic community, were given what was perceived as special treatment. The violence against women by some gang members was unbelievably horrific. Any outrage was met labels of racism. The police under the politically correct regime of the day tried not to appear to be targeting some community members based on race. The violence and intimidation of the public increased. It was in fact anarchy. Due to special interest group.

Women came off second best. It was more important not be racist. So in fact many should have celebrated the intent (not the result) of the Cronulla riots. However the poster cause rent a mob did not,they never do see all sides of the equation so often can be assessed as hypocritical.

All that was ever required was straight out justice for crimes committed. So dividing justice into special interest groups is discriminatory. May have been necessary at one point but we have gone to extreme.

Meanwhile our children live in fear.
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,26402571-2,00.html
"The survey also found the younger generation doesn't care about the environment. It ranks almost last,coming in below depression, family conflict and bullying"

So please do not abandon the holistic approach, our kids deserve some at least try.

CJ

You are an absolute fraud and your silly story about how you handle your assumed DV offenders in your home town proves it. Now you move to distance yourself from your own boastful statements.

No wonder there is violence and suicides in country towns if they do what you are doing:

http://forum.onlineopinion.com.au/thread.asp?discussion=3252&page=8

How could anyone, especially in a small town, react to a possible DV case by ostracising the assumed offender and ignoring the needs the victim as you are so proud of doing? Then you boast in this thread about how clever you were!

You presume to look down on and lecture others, including the helping professions represented on OLO, but you really are clueless as proved by your smug and very wrong reactions to events that are going on around you.

To top it all off, you didn't even take the oath you are fast to recommend for all of those inferior beings around you.