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25 Women in 10 Free Software Organizations for GNOME's Outreach Program for Women

25 Women in 10 Free Software Organizations for GNOME's Outreach Program for Women

Posted Feb 8, 2013 22:15 UTC (Fri) by ARealLWN (guest, #88901)
In reply to: 25 Women in 10 Free Software Organizations for GNOME's Outreach Program for Women by blujay
Parent article: 25 Women in 10 Free Software Organizations for GNOME's Outreach Program for Women

In response to this comment I would like to note that although I don't wish to be put words into your mouth you seem to be stating that life isn't always fair and it isn't the job of the government to make it so. I do not dispute that this an interesting viewpoint and one that can have an impact on philosophical discussion. I do not necessarily see this as a view that has kept up with modern understanding and modern sociopolitical views. In modern views people seem to accept that women also have a right to work and are also endowed with equal rights as males with limited exceptions (men enjoy the freedom to enter and exit bathrooms marked as being reserved for them but women are not necessarily welcome and vice-verse. This seems to relate more to personal privacy then to the issue being discussed but there are undoubtedly other examples.). If we accept these premises to be true and just I don't believe it is a far reach to accept that not welcoming and promoting women into a professional community is at the risk of the community's own peril and or demise (I do not wish to elaborate at this time, however, I believe history illustrates examples of a refusal of an establishment to embrace certain trends and refute certain intolerance or discrimination).

To return to the subject regarding a governmental authority enforcing the rule that life isn't always fair, there was a terrorist attack that occurred on September 11 2011 against the United States of America. The United States had the option of declaring to the friends and family of the victims of the attacks that life isn't always fair and it isn't the job of the government to act to attempt to make it so. Instead governmental authorities decided to strike out against terrorists and illegal combatants. I am not aware of terrorists or illegal combatants having any seats at the UN so this raises some interesting questions. Was it fair for the US government to begin combat maneuvers against groups that were clearly disadvantaged regarding worldwide political status? Should the US have waited for illegal combatants and/or terrorists to be given seats at the UN before attempting any military actions against them?

My point being that I can mention interesting facts and ask questions that can detract from the issue at hand as well. I firmly believe that Valerie has does an excellent job with regards to explaining the problem, giving examples of it and showing how we can all do something to help. She even gives helpful replies in this thread. If you were genuinely seeking clarification or were in fact ignorant of the issues then I apologize. I have myself been ignorant of issues or topics in the past and have attempted to appear more knowledgeable then I was without even attempting to glean basic knowledge in subjects before discussing them. I hope to merely seem ignorant of significant subject matter in the future as opposed to appearing arrogant and trying to be a smartapple.


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