Toni,

Helmets for bicycle riders?

Dear ALTRAV,

However whether we like it or not - societies and
times do change. People do question things.

Australia
today is not the same country as it was in the 1950s
or even earlier. People question the wisdom of some
of the rules imposed by law. Things like early
closing for pubs, censors banning books, plays, and
films. More and more people began demanding their right
to see, hear, and read what they wanted and so on.
In the 1950s and 1960s, Australians were becoming
more and more aware of the fact that they were considered
a cultural "backwater." For the best in the arts one
had to go overseas.

However, during the following years many plans were made to
put an end to that state of affairs. The Australian Opera
House, The Victorian Arts Centre just to name a few. The White
Australian Policy was abolished. Critical self-consciousness
became more and more apparent and forced both politicians
and the public to revise not only policies but also many
of their long-held and cherished notions about themselves
and the rest of the world.

We then saw women going out to work.
Equal pay finally is becoming an
accepted thing in many occupations where women and men do the
same jobs, (although it still has a long way to go) the
greater affluence of women has become apparent. Two-income
families have often now become two-car families
with many added luxuries as part of the normal purchasing
power of the average Australian.

We are today considered to be an affluent society and much as
some of us would like to deny it, Australia has changed and
will continue to change. Intolerance towards people of
other nationalities, races, and religions has long
been unacceptable to most decent Australians. Now Australians
are questioning their intolerance of the other sex - that is
their sexism.

Anyway, I've had my say on this topic.
I don't have anything further to add.

I've enjoyed our robust discussion.

I look forward to the next one.

Enjoy your day.

Foxy,

" Intolerance towards people of
other nationalities, races, and religions has long
been unacceptable to most decent Australians. "

So in your estimation, there are some decent Australians who are intolerant, how does that work?

cont'd ...

I forgot to add the more recent changes in societies -
like same-sex marriage. Ireland's recognition of abortion.
Women political leaders - in the UK, New Zealand, Germany,
Lithuania, to mention just a few.

It has now become apparent to politicians that if they
want the woman's vote, they have to earn it by
legislating (making laws) for the equal rights of all.
(Male and female).

More and more women are demanding to be treated as equals.
Books, films, plays, magazines and newspapers are dealing
with the problems of women. Whether we like this or not
is irrelevant. Changes will take place despite what we
think - history has shown us.

As Foxy has signed off on this topic I will comment in general with the odd reference to previous posts.
Firstly the thought that we have become a more affluent country does not mean we have become a better or smarter one.
As it has been suggested that we are basing our examples on, of all things, the arts.
I could no longer care about two cowpats as even reckognise anything to do with the 'arts'.
If the 'artsy fartsy' types have taken over then that would explain a lot as to why we are an effluent country, not an affluent one.
It is becoming evident that Australia and more-so Australians are not as smart as they claim to be.
Like art, their thinking is arbitrary, just look at the decisions over the last century or so.
So as to get the full impact of what I am saying, look it up. 'Arbitrary', that is.
One word sums up Australians.
Because the topic is another issue which pretty much is at a level of cowpats and the arts.
Hard liners keep forcing the mantra that we are changing and men are getting neutered into becoming effeminate males, and women are taking over the roles traditionally held by men.
Let me assure those of you still sane, mature and intelligent enough to understand. What a lot of cowpat.
This ridiculous notion, if it exists, is minuscule in the greater scheme of things and in no way represents main stream Aussies.
You guys, guilty of getting neutered, stop thinking with your dicks and man up.
Take back your manhood and tell the arrogant cruella de-vils to go fu(# em selves.
I can not stand these self righteous women who push a selfish agenda based on their personal convictions and beliefs.
Then go looking for the 'experts' for vindication.
This does in no way give any credence or legitimacy to their argument or their topic in question.
So in summary, and by the reasons mentioned, the answer to the topic of Women in Parliament, is a very resounding NO!

Foxy,

" Ireland's recognition of abortion..."

and a good thing too, it'll save all that expense and travel time to London.