March 29, 2005
Speaking of To The Point
Since we mention being to the point as well as the particular comment that inspired this great motto, let us explore the point(s).
First, however did modern society, in the name of women's liberation, accept concubinage as an acceptible lifestyle?
Second, and more importantly, is this:
The Schiavo case is an extreme, which helps and hinders the exploration of the issue at hand. Obviously most men are not 'enry VIII or Duke Bluebeard. Most attorneys are not George "the impaler" Felos. Most judges are not... well, that is the third issue, since I am afraid most judges are like the weenies (technical term) that have handled this case at every level.
But, have you ever wondered what the young trophy wife is thinking when she "marries" the old coot who left his wife of thirty years? Does she think that she will have thirty years before she is set aside (and hopefully with a generous alimony settlement)? Does she think that this time will be different?
The first explanation is the depressing one, because it shows a willingness to be used as a concubine (and I don't care what the rental fee is, so naturally I apply this explanation for the floozy who thinks, "gee, the old coot will kick it soon anyway"). The second one is naive and misguided, but at least it takes the view that marriage is really something for life (if only every little circumstance is perfect and no little snag comes up at all. ever. Hah!).
I really cannot imagine what Mr. Schiavo's current fling is thinking, but I don't understand it either in the many cases of Mr. Successfulbusinessman who lets his wife raise his children and then goes and "marries" young Miss Peroxide. Does she think that her looks and novelty will be forever? Does she think that the man has changed? I don't understand how the friends of the family are at all surprised when the kids turn to dope and cults, either (of course I have known perfectly sound families that still had a child turn to dope and cults. Such is the way of original sin).
It seems that in either the extreme or the all too normal situation, the problem lies in viewing human beings as things with uses. Everyone knows that things get discarded when they no are no longer useful.
Humans, on the other hand, are worth more than that.
Posted by erik at March 29, 2005 1:56 PM | TrackBackhola erik! i need to confess two things. 1) i rarely watch television - i mean VERY rarely. and 2) when i first heard of the schiavo case i thought the husband probably had a girlfriend. but since then, i'm not so sure. because the fact is, he could have divorced his comatose wife at any time, leaving her in the care of her parents. thus the motivation for killing her isn't compelling. it's interesting however that within the span of just a few days, you have a bunch of activism in favor of continuing the unnatural measures keeping terry schiavo alive -- and then you have the pope, who rejected false life-prolongation and intervention measures. that said, it's impossible to know to what extent the people in the schiavo case are "objectifying" anyone -- we only see it through the lens of the media which SURELY does. so is it the people? or is it the media? lastly, the curious question that remains is, why did the husband and family put her on heroic measures to begin with (if he knew her wishes were opposite)? AND- most importantly, why unplug her NOW after 15 years? again, if her parents were so hot on taking care of her, he could have washed his hands and walked away anytime, leaving her vegetable self with them. so it makes one wonder.... 'course, the husband is more mature now than when he was young. so right or wrong, perhaps he bowed to pressure before but is asserting his power now finally.
Posted by: maya at April 4, 2005 3:44 PMit's the men I feel sorriest for. by choosing to marry an attractive clothes horse, rather than entering into a partnership of two humans, they do themselves out of the important bits - companionship and all that implies.
The clothes horses could probably be wonderful companions, if only they were allowed to try.
Twits.
Posted by: emma at April 3, 2005 4:56 AMAgreed.
And any woman with a lick of sense (which I agree leaves a LOT of people out these days)knows that if HE cheated on HER with YOU, then HE will cheat on YOU with the next HER.
My grandma told me that, and she was right. If you get him cheatin' you're gonna lose him to cheatin'. Unless, of course, you are so pitiful that you don't care that he cheats on you.
Posted by: MamaT at March 29, 2005 4:29 PM