Rant
As this post won't be as much fun in content as most of the others, I've decided to compensate by writing it wearing a funny hat.
The Defense Department recently gave $50,000 to Wellesley College's Centers for Women to advise the Pentagon on developing "a victim's advocacy office for military women who have suffered sexual assault or harassment." We'll get to the name later. This all seems innocuous, a way for those in power to protect and empower our nation's bravest women, and the partners of our finest men. It. Is. Not. Specifically nocuous is including the word "harassment." And I'll tell you why.
Women like feeling bad. Paying to watch a sad movie, so that they can feel sad. Wearing uncomfortable shoes. Picking fights with men. These are good examples of women actively seeking discomfort. Another fine example is choosing to become offended with people, things, actions, and phrases. Let's dig a little deeper.
First, we'll examine an example under the present system, the case of Lt. Bryan D. Black, U.S. Naval Academy faculty member. Two instances occurred in which he spoke out of turn. One comment was about his excitement upon boarding a battleship, the other about his ex-wife. The first comment was made to a group of people, among which was a female, the second was said only within earshot of a female. The woman who complained received an apology from Black. Lt. Black received a letter of reprimand and counseling, and the initial investigating officer felt that was adequate punishment for this 'crime.'
Enter initial female's female superior, Lt. Commander Michelle Whisenhunt. She hears of this matter, and decides to launch her own investigation. She conducts extensive interviews, really does her homework. However, she forgets there are two genders in the military and only interviews women. Black ends up court-martialed, charged with three separate crimes: failure to obey a lawful general order or regulation, conduct unbecoming an officer, and indecent language.
Now, something a little more close to home, but regrettably more vague.
Scene - My bedroom.
(Tom, sitting at desk. Ted enters room, steps over piles of refuse, notices stuffed microbe on desk, theorizes as to other disease-causeing microorganisms Tom might own in plush form.)
Ted - "I wish you had the AIDS virus."
(Tom immediately places out-of-context quote in away message)
fin
A quote out of context can be comedic dynamite in the proper forum. In theory, the reader takes a look and thinks, "Surely, someone cannot wish a fate as horrible as HIV infection on old Tom!" The reader then chuckles to him or herself for several moments, after which returning to a hawklike vigil over Tom's away message status.
This scenario did not come to fruition in one case. In another it did, but that's another matter (thanks Bryce). In this OTHER case, a woman read it and SERIOUSLY thought, "That is offensive. Babies in Africa have their parents die from AIDS, and he's putting a humorous out-of-context quote of it in his away message in order to bring a little ray of sunshine to the dreary existence of his readers. What a jerk!"
Were I in the military, I'd have two marines knocking on my door in the morning to drag me off to the brig. You may think that the scenarios aren't connected. But I doubt those brave sailors were any less offended short-term than this girl was/is (this happened earlier this evening).
The name of this advocacy group? Naturally, it's the Office of Victim Advocacy. Men in the military, beware! If you aren't lockstep politically correct, it's to the dungeons of OVA for you. And if that happens, may God have mercy on your soul.
That is, if she's not offended with you.
The Defense Department recently gave $50,000 to Wellesley College's Centers for Women to advise the Pentagon on developing "a victim's advocacy office for military women who have suffered sexual assault or harassment." We'll get to the name later. This all seems innocuous, a way for those in power to protect and empower our nation's bravest women, and the partners of our finest men. It. Is. Not. Specifically nocuous is including the word "harassment." And I'll tell you why.
Women like feeling bad. Paying to watch a sad movie, so that they can feel sad. Wearing uncomfortable shoes. Picking fights with men. These are good examples of women actively seeking discomfort. Another fine example is choosing to become offended with people, things, actions, and phrases. Let's dig a little deeper.
First, we'll examine an example under the present system, the case of Lt. Bryan D. Black, U.S. Naval Academy faculty member. Two instances occurred in which he spoke out of turn. One comment was about his excitement upon boarding a battleship, the other about his ex-wife. The first comment was made to a group of people, among which was a female, the second was said only within earshot of a female. The woman who complained received an apology from Black. Lt. Black received a letter of reprimand and counseling, and the initial investigating officer felt that was adequate punishment for this 'crime.'
Enter initial female's female superior, Lt. Commander Michelle Whisenhunt. She hears of this matter, and decides to launch her own investigation. She conducts extensive interviews, really does her homework. However, she forgets there are two genders in the military and only interviews women. Black ends up court-martialed, charged with three separate crimes: failure to obey a lawful general order or regulation, conduct unbecoming an officer, and indecent language.
Now, something a little more close to home, but regrettably more vague.
Scene - My bedroom.
(Tom, sitting at desk. Ted enters room, steps over piles of refuse, notices stuffed microbe on desk, theorizes as to other disease-causeing microorganisms Tom might own in plush form.)
Ted - "I wish you had the AIDS virus."
(Tom immediately places out-of-context quote in away message)
fin
A quote out of context can be comedic dynamite in the proper forum. In theory, the reader takes a look and thinks, "Surely, someone cannot wish a fate as horrible as HIV infection on old Tom!" The reader then chuckles to him or herself for several moments, after which returning to a hawklike vigil over Tom's away message status.
This scenario did not come to fruition in one case. In another it did, but that's another matter (thanks Bryce). In this OTHER case, a woman read it and SERIOUSLY thought, "That is offensive. Babies in Africa have their parents die from AIDS, and he's putting a humorous out-of-context quote of it in his away message in order to bring a little ray of sunshine to the dreary existence of his readers. What a jerk!"
Were I in the military, I'd have two marines knocking on my door in the morning to drag me off to the brig. You may think that the scenarios aren't connected. But I doubt those brave sailors were any less offended short-term than this girl was/is (this happened earlier this evening).
The name of this advocacy group? Naturally, it's the Office of Victim Advocacy. Men in the military, beware! If you aren't lockstep politically correct, it's to the dungeons of OVA for you. And if that happens, may God have mercy on your soul.
That is, if she's not offended with you.