By Darren Smith, Weekend Contributor
The Montana Secretary of State Office approved the ballot a measure that would mandate the legislature be equally represented by men and women. Presently, women hold 41 of the 150 seats in the state legislature. There are several more processes to surmount before the ballot measure becomes listed on the general election ballot. A signature drive follows and must obtain valid signatures of ten percent of the total voters in Montana and ten percent in each of the forty legislative districts. The signature gathering with the requisite signatures must be collected by June 20th if to be placed upon the ballot.
While certainly laudable in an effort to obtain greater participation of women in the political process, which is still not at parity, the likelihood of this measure, if it becomes law, surviving a constitutional challenge is weak.
On the surface there might be districts having a mandatory gender for a position and voter or other candidates are discriminated against solely based on sex and not qualifications generally requisite with any candidate. It surely can be divisive
Some might argue having a greater percentage of women in any parliament or legislature tends to bring in a better perspective and bring about more balance. When there was the effort in years past to organize and enable a parliament in war torn Afghanistan, many NGOs, local women’s groups, and international stakeholders mandated that women be included. It certainly was a laudable goal, considering the terrible suffrage in that country and subjugation of women there. Perhaps, maybe it might lead to less testosterone fueled extremes and more a voice of reason.
But does such a model have a place in Montana or other states, or is this just a form of reverse suffrage?
What do you think?
Source: Fox News
By Darren Smith
The views expressed in this posting are the author’s alone and not those of the blog, the host, or other weekend bloggers. As an open forum, weekend bloggers post independently without pre-approval or review. Content and any displays or art are solely their decision and responsibility.
me:
“Now, If it is a ride that gets the adrenalin flowing that you are seeking, then I suggest taking a ride in the Laz-y-Boy on wheels (after you retrofit it) down a mountain on a donkey trail. ”
Great idea! Kind of like the luge, but with more comfortable seating. My wife says I have to wear a helmet, though. 🙁
Porkchop – you listen to your wife? I have lost all confidence in you! Man up!!!
Paul Schulte: After the ride down that mountain, everything else= rather tame.
Paul Schulte: Na, gravity ride = rather tame. Before the Tamalpais trip we toured a silver mine in Colorado, dropping down that hole wasn’t bad enough it was the “quick way” we were told would get us back to civilization from the top of the mountain…Quick Way =. donkey trail/road around edge of the mountain (wash-board), one lane, mountain on one side, sheer cliff (precipice) on the other (my side). Oh yes, did I mention gravel and in a car. “Me” kept pleading with driver to get car closer to his side but the answer always was:. Sorry, I can’t, there is a mountain in the way…… To make a long story short, a change of clothes was required when upon reaching the bottom………….. Now, If it is a ride that gets the adrenalin flowing that you are seeking, then I suggest taking a ride in the Laz-y-Boy on wheels (after you retrofit it) down a mountain on a donkey trail. That might be just the thing, but do take an extra change of clothes and have a medic waiting.
Now can we get back to the original subject?
Paul Schulte – A trip to Mt. Tamalpais, Been there, done that. Was there about 6 years ago. Saw Muir Woods, didn’t have time for much else. However, it has several things to offer. Your family may enjoy it. We hiked a lot, beautiful views. Missed the Gravity Ride though. However, it may be just the thing to save wear and tear on the old Laz-y-Boy and prevent the hassle of having to retrofit it.
ME – been to Tamalpais, did the seacoast road back at night where I learned that in California “scenic drive’ mean “precipice to the right.”
Was hoping that YOU would take one for the team and do the Gravity Ride for Porkchop and me. Want to know if it is worth making the stop. 🙂
“Porkchop”: Amazing and interesting video’s. I believe I read sometime ago that one of those daredevils hit a rock on the way down and is no longer with us. However, to have the fortitude to jump off high mountains, etc. wearing only a special suit, calls for super nerves of steel.
Regarding the following statement: “If Porkchop puts the Lazyboy on wheels at the top of a hill on the side of the interstate….”
1. After reading that statement, it tends to leave me thinking that just maybe we do need more women in congress than men.
2. As for you “Porkchop”,
I would probably advise against the Lazyboy on wheels as it is quite possible the result might be a little more graphic than one would want to witness considering your being so old. Instead, may I suggest a slow ride down the sidewalk might be more your speed. Of course, considering your age, I really wouldn’t overdo it….. think of the family.
Thanks for the laugh guys.
Me and Porkchop – this week’s search topic for Google was “The Gravity Man” which leads to the Gravity Ride on Mount Tamalpais in Marin County, CA. An E ride for the whole family. 🙂 Me, you could check it out for us. I may be driving thru there on the way to Vancouver this summer and if it is worth the stop you could let us know. 🙂 This would save wear and tear on the Laz-y-Boy or retrofitting it. 🙂
Paul Schulte, you could at least hold my beer and watch. 🙁
Maybe guilt will work.I am committed to holding your beer any time — You just need to ask. I had college classmates from Miles City. A couple of them still live there. One of them is still my father’s accountant. Go Grizzlies!
Porkchop – I try not to stare at traffic accidents. I appreciate your offer to hold my beer, but I do not drink. I did briefly go to Carroll College in Helena and the jr. college, in Miles City, but my degrees are from Arizona State University – Fork ’em Devils!
me:
Porkchop did not ask “Me” to hold Porkchop’s beer; Porkchop offered to hold “Me’s” beer. Apparently that will not be necessary.
Paul Schulte and Porkchop will hold each other’s beer, however. If Porkchop puts the Lazyboy on wheels at the top of a hill on the side of the interstate . . .
http://www.holdmybeerandwatchthis.com/
http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=hold+my+beer+watch+this&qpvt=hold+my+beer+watch+this&FORM=VDRE
Porkchop, you are on your own on this one. 🙂
“Porkchop” = Wow! really really really old and still able to cogitate – good for Porkchop!. “Me” = middle age. Too bad, guess “Me” doesn’t foresee “Porkchop” ever feeling indestructible again. Sorry, Porkchop will have to let the bar or spouse hold Porkchop’s beer. “Me” = not familiar with the Lindy Hop – prefer river dance, line dance, foxtrot, cha-cha, or swing with someone not too old to stand on one’s own feet. Not to disappoint “Porkchop”, “Me” performs for no one. And once again, “Me” doesn’t hold beer for any one! If “Porkchop” needs someone to hold “Porkchop’s” beer, then “Me” thinks “Porkchop” should retire and have “Porkchop’s” spouse take “Porkchop” home to his lazy boy. Oh yes, Me = no beer (ugh), prefer wine.
Me = unfamiliar with Montana’s laws, but knows very well how it feels to ride a motorcycle up the mountains in CA preparing for cross country racing,or riding a toboggan pulled across a lake in Ohio. Life is for living and being free. Oh yes, “Me” remembers the double nickle days but not allowed to drive then. “Porkchop” sadly (sigh (quite old) maybe should sit at the bar, rather than risk standing.
Lastly, sorry “Porkchop’s” previous message was not clear enough for “Me” to know “Porkchop” was speaking of “Porkchop’s” age. Has “Porkchop” never misinterpreted something? Unfortunately “Me” is only human – not quite perfection……………………………………………….. yet!
Now that we have cleared that up, can “Porkchop” and “Me” rewind and forsake the trivial crap and get back to the original subject? Good!
Paul Schulte —
Has Paul Schulte asked Paul Schulte’s classmate’s father how Paul Schulte’s classmate’s father self-identifies? 🙂
Porkchop’s father and mother are 92 — Porkchop would like to know whether they are “really old” or “really, really old.” The continuum is not well-defined. Porkchop’s father still drives and, after cataract surgery, recovered the hawk-like vision of Porkchop’s father’s WWII pilot days. Sadly, Porkchop’s father’s children did not inherit that good vision gene. Porkchop believes, based upon a complete lack of evidence to the contrary, that Porkchop’s father got to to the age of 92 by, among other things NEVER uttering the words:”Here, hold my beer . . .” Porkchop’s father did, however, embarrass Porkchop’s father’s children from time to time. Porkchop’s mother, of course, is a gracious angel who, among other things makes quilts for Porkchop’s grandchildren in Porkchop’s mother’s spare time when Porkchop’s mother is not busy relieving the ladies in Porkchop’s mother’s bridge club of those ladies’ social security checks.
Porkchop is also curious as to the current status of Paul Schulte’s preferences in beer, disco moves, and pickup surfing.
Porkchop has, from time to time noted an ambition to learn to “twerk” so as to properly participate in the next family wedding reception, but Porkchop’s family has been resoundingly negative on the subject. For the record, Porkchop’s mother does not “twerk”, Porkchop’s wife does not “twerk”, and Porkchop’s daughters do not “twerk”. All of those women seem mystified by Porkchop’s ambition, but Porkchop is confident that Paul Schulte would hold Porkchop’s beer.
”Me:”
1. Since “you” have apparently appropriated the use of pronouns for “yourself” here, it seems other posters all have to avoid to avoid confusing “you” by avoiding pronouns entirely. Porkchop will now remove the proprietary pronouns to make clear the comment that was made to Paul Schulte. In these comments, Porkchop will presume to speak for Paul Schulte. Paul Schulte may or may not wish to respond to or even repudiate these comments.
2. Age counts when comparing memories of what date or dates certain conditions prevailed. Paul Schulte and Porkchop both received drivers’ licenses in Montana as teenagers. Porkchop reported on Porkchop’s recollection of the speed limit as of the date Porkchop received that license and somewhat earlier. Paul Schulte reported that Paul Schulte received Paul Schulte’s license some ten years earlier, thus implying that Paul Schulte was older than Porkchop by some ten years, assuming that both Paul Schulte and Porkchop obtained drivers’ licenses at the earliest possible date. Accordingly, Paul Schulte reports that Paul Schulte’s recollection goes back further than Porkchop’s recollection, and that in the period preceding Porkchop’s recollection, events relating to the speed limit in Montana took place, of which Porkchop had no knowledge. Porkchop acknowledges Paul Schulte’s superior knowledge of prior events.
3 Porkchop = Old; Paul Schulte = Really Old.
4. Porkchop has no idea how old “Me” is. Unless “Me” has a recollection of the speed limit laws in Montana at a date earlier than Paul Schulte’s recollection (1956), “Me’s” age is irrelevant. If “Me” has such a recollection, then “Me” could be possibly be “Really, Really Old” (depending on how early that recollection might be).
5. If “Me” is “Really, Really Old”, that would make both Paul Schulte and Porkchop feel youthful again, and both would be grateful to “Me”. Then both Paul Schulte and Porkchop will feel indestructible again, will request a bystander to hold Paul Schulte or Porkchop’s beer, and will engage in behavior that will make the spouses and/or children of these men cringe. Such behavior could range from potentially harmful behavior like driving at excessive speed as in the good old days, “surfing” in the box of a pickup truck on the highway, or driving a snowmobile up an impossibly steep slope just to see how far Paul Schulte or Porkchop can get before rolling over, to simply embarrassing behavior, such as demonstrating disco dancing to the friends of Paul Schulte or Porkchop’s children or grandchildren.
6. The families of Paul Schulte and Porckhop fervently hope that “Me” is not “Really, Really Old”. Paul Schulte and Porkchop, on the other hand, would be very happy to hold “Me’s” beer while “Me” demonstrates “Me’s” disco dance moves — or the Lindy Hop, if that is more “Me’s” style.
@Me and Porkchop – I agree with most of what Porkchop writes except no. 3 where he concludes that Paul Schulte is really old. How Porkchop self-identififies is up to him. How he identifies others is another matter. Paul Schulte accepts that he is older than Porkchop, that seems to be a fact in evidence. Still, that does not make Paul Schulte really old and if ME is older than Paul Schulte, it does not make Me really, really old. Really, really old is my classmate’s father-in-law who is 97. 🙂 And I hope to be really, really old, too.
Porkchop:
1. Thanks for the compliment – much younger than you would ever believe. Yes, older than you. 30 and holding but, age is of no consequence here.
2. Porkchop = Smart A_ s and porky. (I don’t like being called “really 0ld” either)
3, I was unaware that any age counted against someone who has an opinion different from others?
4. “Visitor” why not set better term limits on all of Congress and fewer years for the Pres. Not to mention putting the Supreme Court out to pasture when they get senility age……… In short, term limits for them too? We don’t need permanent homes in Washington, either. Serving in more than one capacity on the Hill should have limits also. Nix the Perennial politicians, Washington needs new blood and active brains not elected officials that owe their allegiance to the unions, lobbyist and fat cats that contributed to their campaigns.
5. By the way “Paul,” my best car was a much much later model and the fastest I ever got it to go was 125. at which point reality set in and I backed off. Sure hated to sell that car. By the way, the stretch on U.S.40 between Nashville and Memphis was a good place to make time on long trips. I had a perfect place in Ohio to hone my driving skills though
My goal …………… “Skip Barber ” Driving school…….. I do like a car that will move.
Paul Schulte:
1. Me = old. Older than me = really old
2. Ah, the good old days when the MHP would do that for you.
3. You’ve been to Hooters one more time than I, so . . .
@annieofwi, parody, by no means. take a walk in my part of the world. (Incidentally, “Waters World” is what the real world is more like than yours or mine.) If I wish to discuss something, politically of importance, I am usually speaking to a man. Believe me, that kind of attitude I spoke of before, in certain parts of the country, still exists. On the flip side, many of the men do not want to discuss politics with a woman, they will clam up when you walk up and act as if you are there to listen. Politics, in their point of view, should be left to them. That stigma still exists in many areas of this country, no matter what your status in life is. Thus,too many of the female gender are not willing to talk about the events going on around them.
I am all for women in Congress. We have many very educated and highly qualified women but unfortunately, not necessarily spread out evenly throughout the US to place politically in such high positions for each state. However, many of those who have been elected have proven to be merely rubber stamps for the President’s agenda. Listen to the rantings of those who stand up for Obama care. They parrot the words of their Party leaders. That is also very true of many of the men in congress. (They are for the Party they represent not the people.) Telling a lie to help the Party, if it suits the occasion, is quite alright with them.
We may be living in the 21st century however, we lag far behind in educating enough of the female gender to the point of becoming knowledgeable and excited about what truly is happening in the WORLD around them. The good of the entire country must come first (not Party). They must be willing to stand their ground and execute the laws within the limits of the Constitution. Willingness to talk about the events happening in our world comes by being excited about serving the Country enough to make one’s own decisions when voting and representing the constituents, not becoming rubber stamps to the Party or to add to their personal purses. My opinion, The person most suited and qualified for the position should be elected, not election by gender, or race.
Parody, I think not.
visitor:
“deprived of his right to freely give his ballot to any person who declared himself candidate”
As a practical matter, that has never been the case, and it certainly not the case today, unless you count my periodic write-in votes for Mickey Mouse as a realistic exercise of my right to vote for any person I choose. The legal impediments to any candidate not nominated by a major political party being on the ballot are almost insurmountable. Voters choose to vote for a major party candidate, not to vote, or to throw their votes away in some quixotic statement that will be lost on whomever they thought they were addressing.
Paul Schulte:
1. We have established that you are really old.
2. We have not established when you were cited for doing 130 — I think there is an argument to be made that, pre-Interstate, 130 would rarely have been reasonable and prudent. 105-110 in my ’64 Impala on US 2 would have been different, of course.
3. You didn’t mention how you felt about the Hooters part of my comment. 😉
magginkat:
I think you mean public financing for political campaigns, not for elections. I don’t think that campaign finance is the real issue for most women (or most men, for that matter). Political campaigning takes time away from (a) earning a living and (b) taking care of one’s family. In order for public financing to make a difference, one would need to finance not only general election campaigns, but also primary campaigns — potentially a much more costly matter. In addition, one would need to subsidize the personal and family expenses of those who don’t have the means to quit a job and campaign full-time.
Porkchop:
1. We have only established that I am older than you. Not ‘really old.’
2. The nice MHP in Miles City wanted to see just how fast my car would go so he kindly clocked me. When I hit 130 the car hit a bump and I caught air for about a block. I backed off the pedal then. 🙂 Still had some pedal to go. 3rd pot did not kick in until you were doing 110.
3. I have only been to Hooters once in my life and I did not like the food. Neither did my wife. I do not have an opinion. Someone who goes more often needs to weigh in on this issue. 🙂
According to the census we have had about 5 million more women than men in the U.S. for quite some time so why shouldn’t we have at least 50% of the membership of elected offices be filled by women especially for state legislature & Congress. Out of approximately 317,000,000 people I’m sure that we can find plenty women who are well qualified & would love to run for public office if they had the means…………which brings us to public financing for elections!!!
magginkat – public financing for elections in Arizona was declared unConstitutional.
@Me, that was parody, right?:)
Setting quotas in a legislature is, firstly stupid for the reasons given by my predessors, and secondly is an assault upon the sovereignety of the voter, deprived of his right to freely give his ballon to any person who declared himself candidate and hadn’t lost his rights for having been convicted of a felony.
Thirdly, why not setting race quotas in the Congress?
France is also taking the incredibily stupid way to put two candidates in the districts for the election of representatives in the départements.
I’m with Samantha, this is a dumb A__ idea. I say let the better of the two win legally and legitimately and my guess is that there will always be more men elected than women because, In the area I reside, I can only find a handful of women who are willing to talk politics as they don’t want to be bothered. Many of the meetings I attend, I am told now “Me” no politics today. We let our men solve that problem. Scares the heck out of me just thinking that we may have to draft some of the silly women who ask hubby the day before voting day, who to vote for. I say we insist that all women in school have to take courses that get them interested in how their country is run. Of course we will always have a few who want to add one more feather in their cap by serving in an important office. Elected but can’t do the job, AKA Hilliary C. I would hate to have her be the one to answer the phone at 3:00 AM.
We need women elected to office that excel rather than a certain number of females that are placed in office just because they are female and it has to be split down the middle- male/female. Dumb, Dumb, Dumb
I am not against women, there are precious few that want to be bothered with how to run the country and.are truly qualified……… yes I am female and that kind of attitude makes me want to scream.
Yes, David we must stop the female domination of the educational system and make Hooters hire more men in short shorts!
As silly as it may sound Porkchop is right about the education system. It really is important that more men teach in Elementary School so little boys can be little boys instead of being emasculated and turned into little girls. Boys play different than girls but women teachers do not like the way they play, because they are disruptive. As a former teacher, I speak from some experience. If it were 50/50 some of these silly expellings for pointing a finger like a gun would not happen.