Headline Stew

Professor J,

I'm glad it wasn't a roast of me. Though I am roasting in this sweltering heat wave as I'm sure you are. 

How interesting that while we are having this little "What happened to the real news?" discussion Rupert Murdoch and son are testifying before Parliament.  I'm not the first person to point out the irony of Murdoch having the tables turned on him and the absolute glee with which many are absorbing every detail of the downfall of The News of the World and the public bashing of its owner. We've heard some discussions of journalism ethics (however vague) and the criminality of hacking phones and paying bribes so it seems that there are still, dare I say it--standards, (however low) even for a tabloid. Then yesterday in the midst of something that looked like a serious inquiry, a man entered the proceedings and threw a "pie" in his face. His wife leapt to his defense. The anchors quickly dubbed her "Tiger Wife" and it was the lead story.  Ah, we're back to farce again.

You are absolutely correct about the gender inequality and the cases are numerous. One only has to remember how the Duke lacrosse players were raked over the coals of public opinion and assumed guilty (no matter what the law says). While people remember that they are less likely to recall the name of the prosecuting attorney (Nifong) or that he was disbarred as a result of his unethical behavior.

And now for sports: :)

Last night while watching Real Sports with my son, Bryant Gumbel had a little tirade about how the women's soccer team was portrayed after their loss to Japan:

“Finally tonight, can we stop coddling women in sports? Are we now so fearful of being labeled sexist that we can’t objectively assess the efforts of female athletes? Those are both valid questions that have come to the fore in the wake of the patronizing reactions that have followed the USA’s loss to Japan in the Women’s World Cup soccer final.

For the record, in the final, a very determined but unheralded Japanese team won the championship, upsetting a U.S. team that was heavily favored and ranked number one in the world of Women’s Soccer. En route to the loss, the American women failed to cash in on a wealth of early scoring chances, twice blew late leads with sloppy mistakes, and then got badly outclassed in penalty kicks.

Had a men’s team turned in a similar performance, papers and pundits nationwide would have had a field day assailing the players, criticizing the coach, and demanding widespread changes to a men’s national team that flat out choked. Yet the common reaction to this ladies’ loss were simply expressions of empathy for the defeat of the unfortunate darlings and pride in their oh-so-heroic effort.
Look, I have no desire to see anyone assail the women’s game or their athletes unfairly. But if the definition of true equality is treating folks honestly, without regard for race or gender, then it’s time we started critiquing women athletes in the same way we do the men. I’m sure some won’t like it, but blind praise is worthless in the absence of fair criticism.”

Is that a little harsh? Maybe, but the problem with any discussion of gender equality is that it isn't possible, on this planet at least ;), to find a disinterested third party. Everyone is viewing all these situations through one filter or the other no matter how hard we try to be unbiased. I will say that having a son caused me to be more cautious in my thinking. I thought about things I hadn't before, concerning males. When I had a daughter I worried about her being treated fairly. When I had my son I began to worry if the pendulum had swung too far the other way. There must be a balance somewhere we clearly haven't found it yet.

Back at home: The debt ceiling debate rages on.  We see what the result in Greece is of taking on too much debt even with the EU effort to bail them out.  Would Americans have any better reaction to the word "austerity" than we are seeing in Europe? That ordinary politics and posturing are still going on by both sides while they consider how voters will view it in 2012,  is infuriating under the circumstances. Shouldn't we be doing much of what both sides are proposing, and more? Clear it up for us Professor and help us shake the summer cobwebs from our brains! :)

Yes, I see you resisting the urge to jump into our next discussion. You may be able to meander your way there from here. :)