Welcome back readers, and hello to any new readers. The responses to week 3: "Has feminism gone too far" were fairly light. I expected quite a range of different views and opinions, and in fact was looking forward to it. It seems to me that people might be agreeing with my point of view, but society has people afraid to voice their opinion. If that is the case, you can always leave an anonymous comment. But make sure that you leave something, as I am trying to gauge the general opinions of the populous. In any case, it seems that everybody agreed with me, that feminism has indeed gone too far.
For this weeks topic I thought I would tackle a more playful issue. "Do celebrity chefs have too much power?"
I, like millions of others, have watched television shows such as 'Masterchef', 'Good Chef, Bad Chef', 'Huey's Cooking', 'Alive & Cooking' (my kids favourite) & the current 'My kitchen Rules'. I love cooking shows, and I love seeing the different ideas, techniques and foods. But I cannot stand the famous chef's that we see dictating to us how we 'must' have things done. My pet hate is the humble steak. Every cooking show that you watch will tell you that a steak MUST melt in your mouth and should NEVER be cooked past medium. I am sorry, but I thought that food was something that differs greatly from one person to the next, and I for one like my steak WELL DONE. I do not like having blood squish into my mouth as I chew, nor do I enjoy the taste of it. How dare some stranger tell me that I MUST eat the steak the way that they like, just because they are famous. It is actually better for you to eat a chewy steak, as it excercises the jaw muscles, helps with digestion, and even helps to burn off the calories that you are consuming. I do not feel the need to have something melt in my mouth. I am not an invilid who needs their food pureed. Maybe when I am 90, I will. But until then, I am going to enjoy my healthy jaw muscles, and chew my food.
Another thing that I find annoying with celebrity chefs is the concept of 'resting meat'. I understand all of the theory behind why this is done, but it pisses me off! I have four children, so sitting down to a hot meal is rare. Not to mention that I am a fairly slow eater, so my meat is usually getting a little on the cool side before I get to eat it. If I were to let my steak sit for ten minutes before I ate it, it would be so ridiculously cold! I have always put my meat straight from oven to plate, as by the time I get to eat it, it will have 'rested' anyway. Besides, my priority is heat, not juices. If I wanted 'juicy' meat, I would have made gravy. But no, these celebrities insist that you MUST rest your meat.
On the show 'Good Chef, Bad Chef', the female cook insists that we should only use ingredients based on their health value, never on flavour. She is constantly criticising the other chef for using things based on how they make the food taste, instead of 'how quickly they are absorbed', or 'how it will cleanse your pancreas'. And the frustrating thing is, people are listening to her and doing what she says! These celebrity chefs are in positions of power, having millions hear THEIR opinions. The sad truth is, that they are abusing their power and brainwashing the country. I for one will cook as I see fit, not by how one or two individuals insist on.
If you agree with me, please leave a comment to let know. Especially if you do not agree, leave a comment. It does not have to be long, and it can be anonymous if you wish. But I would love to hear if I am crazy, or if there are others who agree.
-T.J.
Wednesday, 22 February 2012
Wednesday, 15 February 2012
Week 3: Feminism
Last week's topic 'Has racism become acceptable?' had a fairly light response. The comments that we did have were from both sides, so once again we have a draw of opinions. However, I have a feeling that this weeks topic may receive some different responses.
So, this week my question is, "Has the feminist movement gone too far?"
This is a difficult concept to put across without ruffling feathers, as pretty much 50% of people are women. First of all, I would like to say that I am not against everything that the feminists have accomplished. Quite the contrary really. I am all for women's right to vote, women's right to equal pay and equal job opportunities. I am also all for women's equal treatment. However, that is one of the biggest problems that I have noticed. Women nowadays are demanding to be treated as equals to men, but they are not treating men equally. If a man was to call a woman fat, she would be in an uproar, however, women feel that it is hilarious to say that a man is fat, tubby or pot-bellied, and he is not allowed to make comment in return. Women demand the same jobs as men, but when they have them, they complain that things are too heavy, or that they need constant toilet brakes. To have women trying to act like men is rediculous. I understand that some women are, how do you say, much more physically capable than most, and that is fair enough. But to have a 50kg lady in a job that involves heavy manual labour is inappropriate at best.
One of the biggest problems that our current society faces is the 'global financial crisis'. Many families in America lost their homes because of the GFC, and many others struggle with the financial woes of home ownership. Yet sixty years ago, there was only ever one parent at work and they were able to cope with the mortgage. So what has prompted this money change? I believe it is the working woman insisting that she have a blooming career, and the feminists insisting that they be entitled to work just as any man does. Having a job and focusing on your career is fine. I have no argument with that. However, when everyone in the country has both parents working and dumping their children in daycare, it makes it practically impossible for families like mine who WANT to have one parent at home, spending quality time with their young children and raising them with their ideals instead of what a daycare teaches them, impossible.
Another big problem we face is the bad behaviour of children. As one of our readers mentioned in 'week 1: Children's Discipline', a big problem with children's behaviour is broken homes. So many children come from broken homes, in fact, there are more broken families in my daughter's class than not. This is from a number of different causes: divorce, seperation, death, and the most common, children born out of wedlock. No matter the cause, not having a mother AND a father around hinders a childs development. They need a female role model to show them how a lady should act and how she should treat a man, and they need a male role model to show them how a man should act, and how a man should treat a lady. Most children are missing out on this vital knowledge. But the root of this problem, is feminism. Back in the sixties, the pill became a revolutionary icon, giving women the ability to control their own sexual choices. This led to the desensitisation of sex, and it quickly became common place to have sex before marriage and to indulge in multiple sexual partners. Just look at society today. It is not uncommon to have sex on one of the first dates. Now, I am not here to debate premarital sex ( though I would like to), but the fact is, having sex makes children. Hell, that IS the point of it. So this trend has caused MANY people to get pregnant with someone that really, they did not intend on staying with long term. I think that our children would greatly benefit from stepping back into the polite past when STDs were unheard of, and sex was a special thing between a man and his wife.
I strongly believe that men and women, in some ways, are not equal. We are made differently, with different strengths and weaknesses. We compliment eachother because of this. I think that women need to stop being so hyprocritical, be grateful for the rights that they have, and accept the differences that make them so special. Women are delicate, and need to be treated as such. Lets face it, most women spend at least nine months of their lives pregnant and EXTREMELY fragile. Men are big and strong so then they can protect their fragile wives and children. In my household we have adopted the philosophy that the man is the head of the household. He maintains the right to put his foot down should he really want to, and has the final say should he wish. The wife is a close second, though she gets an equal say in all decisions and her voice is always heard. The flip-side to the man being the head of the household, is that he is well-aware that should any intruders brake in, it is his job to deal with it and protect his family. I am not suggesting that all families take up this mentality, but at least we all play to our strengths. Why are feminine women who believe in old-fashioned values and the strength of their men looked down upon with distain? Why are women today so obsessed by having 'independence'? Does this really make them happy, or does it do just what it means, make them alone?
Basically, my point has been that while the feminists have accomplished some great things, we have also lost some great things, and the sad truth is that we are not better of. I know that if women did not have the right to vote, my partner and I would discuss our opinions and we would vote together. As I have said, this is a very difficult concept to discuss, but I do believe that the feminist train needs to slow down and reflect on all that has changed.
Please let me know if you agree or disagree with what I have said, as long as statements are mature. I understand that some people will be against what I have said, and I welcome their views also.
-T.J.
So, this week my question is, "Has the feminist movement gone too far?"
This is a difficult concept to put across without ruffling feathers, as pretty much 50% of people are women. First of all, I would like to say that I am not against everything that the feminists have accomplished. Quite the contrary really. I am all for women's right to vote, women's right to equal pay and equal job opportunities. I am also all for women's equal treatment. However, that is one of the biggest problems that I have noticed. Women nowadays are demanding to be treated as equals to men, but they are not treating men equally. If a man was to call a woman fat, she would be in an uproar, however, women feel that it is hilarious to say that a man is fat, tubby or pot-bellied, and he is not allowed to make comment in return. Women demand the same jobs as men, but when they have them, they complain that things are too heavy, or that they need constant toilet brakes. To have women trying to act like men is rediculous. I understand that some women are, how do you say, much more physically capable than most, and that is fair enough. But to have a 50kg lady in a job that involves heavy manual labour is inappropriate at best.
One of the biggest problems that our current society faces is the 'global financial crisis'. Many families in America lost their homes because of the GFC, and many others struggle with the financial woes of home ownership. Yet sixty years ago, there was only ever one parent at work and they were able to cope with the mortgage. So what has prompted this money change? I believe it is the working woman insisting that she have a blooming career, and the feminists insisting that they be entitled to work just as any man does. Having a job and focusing on your career is fine. I have no argument with that. However, when everyone in the country has both parents working and dumping their children in daycare, it makes it practically impossible for families like mine who WANT to have one parent at home, spending quality time with their young children and raising them with their ideals instead of what a daycare teaches them, impossible.
Another big problem we face is the bad behaviour of children. As one of our readers mentioned in 'week 1: Children's Discipline', a big problem with children's behaviour is broken homes. So many children come from broken homes, in fact, there are more broken families in my daughter's class than not. This is from a number of different causes: divorce, seperation, death, and the most common, children born out of wedlock. No matter the cause, not having a mother AND a father around hinders a childs development. They need a female role model to show them how a lady should act and how she should treat a man, and they need a male role model to show them how a man should act, and how a man should treat a lady. Most children are missing out on this vital knowledge. But the root of this problem, is feminism. Back in the sixties, the pill became a revolutionary icon, giving women the ability to control their own sexual choices. This led to the desensitisation of sex, and it quickly became common place to have sex before marriage and to indulge in multiple sexual partners. Just look at society today. It is not uncommon to have sex on one of the first dates. Now, I am not here to debate premarital sex ( though I would like to), but the fact is, having sex makes children. Hell, that IS the point of it. So this trend has caused MANY people to get pregnant with someone that really, they did not intend on staying with long term. I think that our children would greatly benefit from stepping back into the polite past when STDs were unheard of, and sex was a special thing between a man and his wife.
I strongly believe that men and women, in some ways, are not equal. We are made differently, with different strengths and weaknesses. We compliment eachother because of this. I think that women need to stop being so hyprocritical, be grateful for the rights that they have, and accept the differences that make them so special. Women are delicate, and need to be treated as such. Lets face it, most women spend at least nine months of their lives pregnant and EXTREMELY fragile. Men are big and strong so then they can protect their fragile wives and children. In my household we have adopted the philosophy that the man is the head of the household. He maintains the right to put his foot down should he really want to, and has the final say should he wish. The wife is a close second, though she gets an equal say in all decisions and her voice is always heard. The flip-side to the man being the head of the household, is that he is well-aware that should any intruders brake in, it is his job to deal with it and protect his family. I am not suggesting that all families take up this mentality, but at least we all play to our strengths. Why are feminine women who believe in old-fashioned values and the strength of their men looked down upon with distain? Why are women today so obsessed by having 'independence'? Does this really make them happy, or does it do just what it means, make them alone?
Basically, my point has been that while the feminists have accomplished some great things, we have also lost some great things, and the sad truth is that we are not better of. I know that if women did not have the right to vote, my partner and I would discuss our opinions and we would vote together. As I have said, this is a very difficult concept to discuss, but I do believe that the feminist train needs to slow down and reflect on all that has changed.
Please let me know if you agree or disagree with what I have said, as long as statements are mature. I understand that some people will be against what I have said, and I welcome their views also.
-T.J.
Thursday, 9 February 2012
Week 2: Racism
Welcome back everyone. We had a great reaction from week 1: Children's Discipline. We only really had a couple of people post comments on the argument, some for and some against, so people's opinions on the smacking ban was a draw. However, it was fantastic to see people so passionate about their children, and I think that as long as we all use consistant, firm discipline balanced with love and affection, our children will be fine. Just remember that if you would like to have your opinion counted towards the argument, you need to leave a little message here on the blog page. Please ensure all comments are mature and on the topic.
So that brings me to this weeks topic. "Has racism become acceptable?"
I know that pretty much everyone who reads that question is going to frown, shake their head and say 'of course not', but please, hear me out. Once upon a time, white man ruled the world, with black man as his slave. Eventually, white man came to his senses and saw the black man as his equal. It is now very offensive to treat someone differently because of the colour of their skin. Or is it? I personally do not care what colour someone's skin is. I think people are stupid no matter where they were born. But, the attitude from other races towards the white man has become one of loathing. (I am going to generalise quite a bit, and I am aware that individuals can vary extremely) For example, if two children at school were misbehaving, one black and one white, quite often, the black child will say something along the lines of "it's 'cause I'm black!" Where as a white child would not say "It's 'cause I'm white!" Not to mention that if a different race is offended by... Christmas for example, we are expected to remove it from our schools just to appease a small minority. I am sorry, but I was under the impression that this was an Anglican country (for the majority)(This is based on Australia). Why are we so quick to roll over and change our own traditions and beliefs to appease a few complainers. What did our grandfathers fight and die in the war for, if we are just going to give away our beautiful nation. Why is it okay for people to burn the Australian flag, but they cry 'racist' if we burn theirs. I am happy to welcome any colour of people into my country, but they have to be willing to become an AUSTRALIAN. They do not need to follow our religion or customs, but they should not make us change ours! To quote a bumper sticker I saw once, "If you don't like it, leave!" But white man does not defend himself against these racist acts. I think maybe they are trying to compensate for the years of racism against other races, but enough is enough. Equality involves BOTH sides being treated EQUALLY. The sad truth of the matter is, that it has become acceptable for other races to be racist towards the white man. And quite the opposite to a hundred years ago, the middle aged white male has become the least powerful demographic in the world.
So, if you also can see that racism has become acceptable (not that you agree it should be or not), please let me know. If you disagree, I would love to hear why.
-T.J.
So that brings me to this weeks topic. "Has racism become acceptable?"
I know that pretty much everyone who reads that question is going to frown, shake their head and say 'of course not', but please, hear me out. Once upon a time, white man ruled the world, with black man as his slave. Eventually, white man came to his senses and saw the black man as his equal. It is now very offensive to treat someone differently because of the colour of their skin. Or is it? I personally do not care what colour someone's skin is. I think people are stupid no matter where they were born. But, the attitude from other races towards the white man has become one of loathing. (I am going to generalise quite a bit, and I am aware that individuals can vary extremely) For example, if two children at school were misbehaving, one black and one white, quite often, the black child will say something along the lines of "it's 'cause I'm black!" Where as a white child would not say "It's 'cause I'm white!" Not to mention that if a different race is offended by... Christmas for example, we are expected to remove it from our schools just to appease a small minority. I am sorry, but I was under the impression that this was an Anglican country (for the majority)(This is based on Australia). Why are we so quick to roll over and change our own traditions and beliefs to appease a few complainers. What did our grandfathers fight and die in the war for, if we are just going to give away our beautiful nation. Why is it okay for people to burn the Australian flag, but they cry 'racist' if we burn theirs. I am happy to welcome any colour of people into my country, but they have to be willing to become an AUSTRALIAN. They do not need to follow our religion or customs, but they should not make us change ours! To quote a bumper sticker I saw once, "If you don't like it, leave!" But white man does not defend himself against these racist acts. I think maybe they are trying to compensate for the years of racism against other races, but enough is enough. Equality involves BOTH sides being treated EQUALLY. The sad truth of the matter is, that it has become acceptable for other races to be racist towards the white man. And quite the opposite to a hundred years ago, the middle aged white male has become the least powerful demographic in the world.
So, if you also can see that racism has become acceptable (not that you agree it should be or not), please let me know. If you disagree, I would love to hear why.
-T.J.
Friday, 3 February 2012
Week 1: Welcome/Children's Discipline
Hi all, and welcome to my blog, T.J.'s Sad Truths. I am personally sick and tired of the most logical and sensible ideas and solutions being either over-thought or over-looked. The point of this blog is to make as many people as I can aware of common sense thinking and ideals. There are so many topics that I plan to go into, ranging from marriage, religion, and politics, to the everyday things like driving, and parenting, (oh so much on parenting!). So, each week I am going to discuss the problems with certain things that are happening today, and how common sense can fix it. I will even make you guys a deal. You can leave a suggestion for next week's topic, and if enough people want me to discuss that, I will.
The topic for week 1 is the headline that was on the morning news today. "Should smacking your children be made illegal?"
This suggestion both upsets and infuriates me. I am a proud parent of four children, all under the age of five. They are all very intellegent children, both mentally and emotionally. I can and do take them everywhere with me, and am not afraid that they may cause me trouble or make a scene, (with the exception of the two month old who cannot help but to cry). They know the difference between right and wrong, and have a healthy understanding of consequences for their actions. If I was to ask an adult, "What would happen to you if you put a live electrical appliance in the bath with you?" Every adult would answer along the lines of "you would get electricuted". This is a simple matter of knowing the outcome, or the consequences of your actions. This concept is not understood by children, unless you teach them. Now I would not recommend teaching them consequences by putting them in a bath with electrical items. It is much safer to give them a smack. This way they associate doing something bad, with the pain of the smack. Yes, once they reach a certain age, you can reason with them, but it takes time to reach this age. There are so many children nowadays who have NO respect for authority or rules. We are having ten year olds holding up convenience stores, and twelve year olds beating up security officers. Their parents have failed them by not teaching them respect, and consequences. All of our parents were probably smacked as children, and most of them grew up with respect for their elders, and a healthy understanding of the rules. But somewhere along the way, society has gotten it into their heads that smacking is evil, and that we need to pander to whatever our children want. Smacking is the easiest and most effective way of diciplining your child, and the only thing I am against is when people turn smacking into beating. That is NEVER acceptable. So many people think that smacking is child abuse, but the sad truth is that not disciplining your child is child abuse. You are setting them up for failure and problems.
So, the key to proper discipline is:
1. Choose a method of discipline that works for you, whether it be smacking, the 'naughty corner', etc
2. Be consistant! This is the MOST important thing. What kind of message are you giving your child if one day you let them stand on the couch, and the next day you are screaming at them for standing on the couch.
3. Never smack out of anger, only smack to teach them.
4. Always explain why you smacked them (or what discipline they received)
5. Make sure you balance punishing the bad things with rewarding the good.
Thank you for listening to my rant on the sad truth about children's discipline (or lack thereof). I look forward to your feedback, and I understand that some hippies out there are going to disagree with me, and that is their perogative.
*I would also like to add an amendment to the original post. The fact of the matter is, is that most people lack the required patience, stamina and time to discipline without the appropriate smack, but society is telling them that smacking is wrong and cruel. So what is happening is a downwards spiral of bad behaviour due to no real appropriate discipline being used.
-T.J.
The topic for week 1 is the headline that was on the morning news today. "Should smacking your children be made illegal?"
This suggestion both upsets and infuriates me. I am a proud parent of four children, all under the age of five. They are all very intellegent children, both mentally and emotionally. I can and do take them everywhere with me, and am not afraid that they may cause me trouble or make a scene, (with the exception of the two month old who cannot help but to cry). They know the difference between right and wrong, and have a healthy understanding of consequences for their actions. If I was to ask an adult, "What would happen to you if you put a live electrical appliance in the bath with you?" Every adult would answer along the lines of "you would get electricuted". This is a simple matter of knowing the outcome, or the consequences of your actions. This concept is not understood by children, unless you teach them. Now I would not recommend teaching them consequences by putting them in a bath with electrical items. It is much safer to give them a smack. This way they associate doing something bad, with the pain of the smack. Yes, once they reach a certain age, you can reason with them, but it takes time to reach this age. There are so many children nowadays who have NO respect for authority or rules. We are having ten year olds holding up convenience stores, and twelve year olds beating up security officers. Their parents have failed them by not teaching them respect, and consequences. All of our parents were probably smacked as children, and most of them grew up with respect for their elders, and a healthy understanding of the rules. But somewhere along the way, society has gotten it into their heads that smacking is evil, and that we need to pander to whatever our children want. Smacking is the easiest and most effective way of diciplining your child, and the only thing I am against is when people turn smacking into beating. That is NEVER acceptable. So many people think that smacking is child abuse, but the sad truth is that not disciplining your child is child abuse. You are setting them up for failure and problems.
So, the key to proper discipline is:
1. Choose a method of discipline that works for you, whether it be smacking, the 'naughty corner', etc
2. Be consistant! This is the MOST important thing. What kind of message are you giving your child if one day you let them stand on the couch, and the next day you are screaming at them for standing on the couch.
3. Never smack out of anger, only smack to teach them.
4. Always explain why you smacked them (or what discipline they received)
5. Make sure you balance punishing the bad things with rewarding the good.
Thank you for listening to my rant on the sad truth about children's discipline (or lack thereof). I look forward to your feedback, and I understand that some hippies out there are going to disagree with me, and that is their perogative.
*I would also like to add an amendment to the original post. The fact of the matter is, is that most people lack the required patience, stamina and time to discipline without the appropriate smack, but society is telling them that smacking is wrong and cruel. So what is happening is a downwards spiral of bad behaviour due to no real appropriate discipline being used.
-T.J.
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