Can a Mendacious Media Resuscitate Feminism

There have been so many counterproductive social movements since the 1960s, that it's difficult to pick the one that has been most detrimental to our society. However, as social movements tend to follow similar patterns, a look at one can be illustrative of others. Let's take feminism, which, like other movements, is in decline, but still zealously supported by activists, government and media.

This typical feminist quote has been attributed to Gloria Steinem: “A woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle.” Ms. Steinem is a self-anointed authority on women, and the quote does sound like her. It is also characteristic of the 1970s, when radical feminism was in full flower. I want to elucidate on this quote, and a brief look at director Lina Wertmuller's 1974 film, Swept Away, will set the stage for what I want to say. The plot of Swept Away begins with a group of wealthy Italians on a luxury cruise in the Mediterranean. Not only do these well-heeled Italians expect to have their whims catered to but they consider deckhands who serve them as low class and vulgar . One afternoon, a haughty female demands that a deckhand she has often insulted, take her out in a dinghy to locate an island where she can swim. The motor in the dinghy stops working, and by the time the deckhand repairs it, they have drifted far away into the open sea, and darkness is falling. They cannot relocate their yacht, but when the sun comes up they spot an island. The dinghy is destroyed during their attempt to land, so they become the only persons on a deserted island with no means of escape. Now their roles are reversed. The deckhand catches lobsters, build fires; improvises tools, and constructs a shelter. But the pampered female discovers that she is unable to survive in such a primitive environment. He angrily rebuffs her attempts to give him orders and she is reduced to begging her former servant for food. To survive, the female must submit to the deckhand's male dominance. However, the reversal of their roles eventually evolves into a relationship of closeness, and ultimately love. They become so enthralled with their idyllic island existence, that when they see a ship on the horizon, they are at first reluctant to contact it. But they eventually decide to signal the ship and are rescued. Before returning to their families, the two make a pact to reunite and remain together permanently. However, the woman finds that she is unable to give up her life of wealth and privilege, so the grieving man waits for her in vain.

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Altered conditions can alter behavior

This fine cinematic creation by Lina Wertmuller illustrates how altered conditions can alter behavior. Applying the analogy to feminism, we can see that the movement could not have existed before men created labor saving devices in order to free women from many menial tasks. Additionally, what essentially made the revised feminism of the 1960s possible was a thriving economy that also offered more time for leisure pursuits; an economy generated by successful factories and commercial enterprises created and operated by men. In the flourishing economic conditions of the 1960s and 1970s, a feminist could easily claim that a woman didn't need a man. However, it was the commercial endeavors of the men of the 1950s that improved individual finances, making this new wave of feminism as well as the 1960s counter culture possible. It is ironic that both feminism and the counter culture were based on a rejection of the 1950s culture; this amounts to 'biting the hand that feeds you.' The version of feminism that Gloria Steinem championed in those years was quite a departure from the original womens' rights movement, although its proponents attempt to portray it as the continuing campaign for “equal rights”. The goals of these new feminists were more radical, and their methods more adversarial. - Consider this prediction that Ms. Steinem made about liberated women: “We're becoming the men we wanted to marry.” I don't know if Gloria Steinem realized how prescient her prediction was, but in the years since, countless women have deliberately and aggressively become more masculine. At the same time, so many men have been indoctrinated and intimidated by these women that they have sheepishly abandoned their manhood. Current polls indicate that only around 20% of American women consider themselves feminists. In fact, most antagonism towards feminism comes from women rather than men. Today's women seem to have had enough of feminist propaganda. They want to be women, not men. But the Leftist establishment and its consort, the news media, try to convince us that feminism is still a viable movement with a large following. Last year President Obama bestowed one of the nation's highest honors on Gloria Steinem: the Medal of Freedom. At the ceremony, President Obama lauded Ms. Steinem for creating “lasting political and social change in America” and “inspiring us all to take up the cause of reaching for a more just tomorrow.” In keeping with the ceremony's hoopla, Steinem informed the audience, “I can think of no president in history from whose hand I would be more honored to receive this medal from.” Actually I can think of few presidents other than Mr. Obama who would even consider Gloria Steinem a candidate for such an illustrious award.

Feminists have redefined “equal rights” to include taxpayer-funded contraceptives and abortions for single as well as married women

Feminists have redefined “equal rights” to include taxpayer-funded contraceptives and abortions for single as well as married women. Those who oppose these free services are accused of conducting a “War on Women.” To promote the War on Women propaganda, feminists are being assisted by the Obama administration and the mainstream media. Feminists hope that they can keep the War on Women culture alive until the 2016 presidential election. It will be an essential part of their strategy to secure the election of the world's foremost feminist, Hillary Clinton. But it will take quite a massive effort by news media to gloss over voluminous reports documenting Hillary's lies, scandals, mismanagement, and unethical behavior. Hillary Clinton is the Empress, the high exalted one in the feminist monarchy. A fawning news media even portrays the Clintons as America's royal family, reporting their every move in details that rival the British media's coverage of its royal family. Media reports of daughter Chelsea's baby are almost as copious in this country as reports of Prince William's baby are in England. But the United States is a democratic republic, not a monarchy. So the presidency will not be automatically passed on to Hillary Clinton as the result of a royal line of succession, much to the annoyance of the Leftist establishment. She must be chosen by voters, but even a limited review of her career will indicate a lack of accomplishments as well as a lack of ethics. Although the “symbolism” of being the first female president might get her elected, it will not make her competent to perform presidential duties. Barack Obama's failed presidency should have taught us that the “symbolism” of being the first president of a previously disadvantaged group does not necessarily equip one to perform presidential duties.