"To even consider reinstating him as a player... is a deep insult to the woman who was raped and to all women like her who have suffered at the hands of a rapist. The clear message to young boys and men is that you will be forgiven for this crime."

Well...eh, isnt that the whole point of our justice system? You break the law, you go to jail but after you went to jail, you have paid your dues and your punishment is over and you can and are supposed to continue living your life. Honestly, I don't see why the crime of rape should be treated differently.

And if the guy was say someone who works with children or vulnerable people, I understand why you do not want that person returning to that kind of job, and as I understood it, that is the current rule in the UK as well. But being a professional football player? Thats not really a job that puts him in a position where he can more easily rape people.

If anything, I think the real outrage her should be the fact that he only went to jail for 2,5 years or something. I think rape should be punished with longer jail sentences.

...personally, any man that has to get a woman drunk so that he can have sex is a coward!

People who have to be filthy drunk to say yes are cowards.

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If anything, I think the real outrage her should be the fact that he only went to jail for 2,5 years or something. I think rape should be punished with longer jail sentences.

Well said! Doesn't say much for the justice system though!

The only way to handle rapists

Find this petition and sign it.

There should be no country in the world that wants such an a****** giving workshops on how to mistreat women.

Find this petition and sign it.

There should be no country in the world that wants such an a****** giving workshops on how to mistreat women.

Hahaha....

He got such a hot reception here that he pretty much left straight away. ;-)

Cheers.

"To even consider reinstating him as a player... is a deep insult to the woman who was raped and to all women like her who have suffered at the hands of a rapist. The clear message to young boys and men is that you will be forgiven for this crime."

Well...eh, isnt that the whole point of our justice system? You break the law, you go to jail but after you went to jail, you have paid your dues and your punishment is over and you can and are supposed to continue living your life. Honestly, I don't see why the crime of rape should be treated differently.

And if the guy was say someone who works with children or vulnerable people, I understand why you do not want that person returning to that kind of job, and as I understood it, that is the current rule in the UK as well. But being a professional football player? Thats not really a job that puts him in a position where he can more easily rape people.

If anything, I think the real outrage her should be the fact that he only went to jail for 2,5 years or something. I think rape should be punished with longer jail sentences.

Most professional football clubs have training sessions with schoolchildren.
And one has to assume you have never been to a bar or club that is frequented by sports stars and seen the flock of adoring fans, hoping for some personal attention. And also the actions of these sports stars trying to get the attention of accompanied ladies, single and married, who have no interest in the stars.

Find this petition and sign it.

There should be no country in the world that wants such an a****** giving workshops on how to mistreat women.

Hahaha....

He got such a hot reception here that he pretty much left straight away. ;-)

Cheers.

Indeed, good job Australia!

Also good job on the satirical news articles :P

Most professional football clubs have training sessions with schoolchildren.
And one has to assume you have never been to a bar or club that is frequented by sports stars and seen the flock of adoring fans, hoping for some personal attention. And also the actions of these sports stars trying to get the attention of accompanied ladies, single and married, who have no interest in the stars.

Well yes, but training with kids is not his job and there is no law that says convicted rapists can't be pro football players anymore. Its the clubs decision and I would be extremely hesitant to start dishing out punishment outside the legal system.

As for the bar, he can go to a bar and do all those things even if he wasn't a pro footballer.

As for the bar, he can go to a bar and do all those things even if he wasn't a pro footballer.

But he wouldn't be a celebrity, with a bunch of other celeb's.

Taking "sexism" too far?

Oops, wrong shirt

One comment stands out: - "Poor Dr Matt Taylor. He landed on a comet and the only thing people seem to talk about are his tattoos and his shirt."

Taking "sexism" too far?

Oops, wrong shirt

One comment stands out: - "Poor Dr Matt Taylor. He landed on a comet and the only thing people seem to talk about are his tattoos and his shirt."

Well, regardless of whether the shirt is sexist or not, who in their right mind thinks its a good idea to speak to the press wearing such a thing. It speaks of incredible unprofessional behavior or even a lack of social awareness.

And why wasn't there anyone that borrowed this guy a jacket or something before he stepped in front of the cameras?

....It speaks of incredible unprofessional behavior or even a lack of social awareness.

And why wasn't there anyone that borrowed this guy a jacket or something before he stepped in front of the cameras?

Another storm in a teacup. He's an Astrophysicist and a bloody good one. High power academics are renowned for their lack of social skills so "lack of social awareness" is probably the answer. "Unprofessional" ? Definitely not.

T.A.

Taking "sexism" too far?

Oops, wrong shirt

One comment stands out: - "Poor Dr Matt Taylor. He landed on a comet and the only thing people seem to talk about are his tattoos and his shirt."

Well, regardless of whether the shirt is sexist or not, who in their right mind thinks its a good idea to speak to the press wearing such a thing. It speaks of incredible unprofessional behavior or even a lack of social awareness.

And why wasn't there anyone that borrowed this guy a jacket or something before he stepped in front of the cameras?

It certainly does show how pervasive sexism is that there will be some who have no idea why this might offend people and who will think it is a fuss over nothing.

Not the best way to attract more women into the STEM subjects.

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Reality Internet Personality

A few hundred years late, at least one religion slowly moves up with more recent times:


Church of England to finalise plans for women bishops

The Church of England is poised ... its first female bishops could be ordained next year.

The general synod voted to back plans for female bishops in July.

The first women priests were ordained in 1994, but to date they have not been able to take on the Church's most senior roles...

... Dean Hedges predicted it "will be a slow process", but added: "The fact it is on its way is very exciting and good news for the Church and our mission to the world."

... As a lay synod member, [Hilary Cotton] has been campaigning for women in the church for more than a decade. She said: "It is not just about having women wearing purple, it is about changing the culture of the Church to be more equal."...


All for the good at long last for a more even and balanced shining light... But why such a 2000 year long hiatus?!


All in our only one world,
Martin

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See new freedom: Mageia Linux
Take a look for yourself: Linux Format
The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3)

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2014/11/17/after-attacks-by-mobs-men-kenyan-women-march-for-right-to-wear-mini-skirts/

After attacks by mobs of men, Kenyan women march for right to wear mini-skirts

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It certainly does show how pervasive sexism is that there will be some who have no idea why this might offend people and who will think it is a fuss over nothing.

Not the best way to attract more women into the STEM subjects.

What would your attitude be if it was a lady wearing a shirt with pictures of saucily dressed firemen (a not impossible event) ? Would you be as offended on behalf of the male portion of humanity ?

Good grief. The man had just landed a vehicle, on a comet, half the solar system away and all you can do is whinge about his shirt ???

I would suggest that any woman who took more notice of his shirt rather than his achievement would not be that interested in STEM subjects anyway.

T.A.

It certainly does show how pervasive sexism is that there will be some who have no idea why this might offend people and who will think it is a fuss over nothing.

Not the best way to attract more women into the STEM subjects.

What would your attitude be if it was a lady wearing a shirt with pictures of saucily dressed firemen (a not impossible event) ? Would you be as offended on behalf of the male portion of humanity ?

Only if such embedded behaviour was creating barrier's to women's success. Which it is.

Good grief. The man had just landed a vehicle, on a comet, half the solar system away and all you can do is whinge about his shirt ???

All I can do? How the hell would you know what "all I can do is"? Are you suggesting that all I am capable of as a woman is whinging about stuff? and that I can't possibly hold more than two thoughts in my tiny little woman brain? Because that's what it sounds like. It sounds like I have to make a choice between pointing out that the guy was wearing an inappropriate shirt or recognising the achievement of a group of scientists (which by the way actually included some women, because, this may surprise you, he didn't do it on his own). Of course what you are proposing is not only stupid, its a little insane and quite a lot offensive.

I would suggest that any woman who took more notice of his shirt rather than his achievement would not be that interested in STEM subjects anyway.

T.A.

Well, you'd be wrong on so many accounts there.

I am sure the Astrophysicist that first tweeted a complaint about the shirt was not only interested in the science, but also quite capable of also being able to see that wearing of the shirt was inappropriate. Hell, I am pretty sure that even though I am a woman, I actually have a physics degree along with an obviously unnatural interest in science. Strangely enough I have found myself able to cope with two thoughts at once! I am quite sure I am not unique.

Your post is full of so many assumptions that I could use it as a textbook example of unexamined sexism. Even down to your attempts to dismiss the complaints as trivial.

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Reality Internet Personality

All I can do? How the hell would you know what "all I can do is"? Are you suggesting that all I am capable of as a woman is whinging about stuff? and that I can't possibly hold more than two thoughts in my tiny little woman brain? Because that's what it sounds like. It sounds like I have to make a choice between pointing out that the guy was wearing an inappropriate shirt or recognising the achievement of a group of scientists (which by the way actually included some women, because, this may surprise you, he didn't do it on his own)....

A Straw "Person" argument !! You know as well as I do what that term means. I'm not saying that's all you can do. I'm saying that's all you WANT to do and you do so to the exclusion of everything else. You don't seem to realise that by concentrating on the shirt that you and your ilk are the ones distracting attention from the entire team, including the women on it, and its fantastic achievement. Nowhere have I seen you post "Good one Team Rosetta".

FWIW
I posted the picture on Facebook and asked my female friends and relatives if they were "offended" by it.

I had 10 replies. This represented an age range from early 60's to early 20's. It includes a range of occupations from 3 professionals (an accountant, a Nursing Sister and a Dr. of Biology) to a stay at home Mum (her choice). So while small, it is a pretty fair across the board sample. All are strong women who kowtow to no-one.

Of the 10 replies, 5 said "Who cares ? - No problem". 4 said the shirt was in poor taste (but not worth all the fuss) and one said it reminded her of the childish innuendo on "Big Bang Theory" but no-one was "offended", although 2 made the comment that they were offended by the over the top reaction from "the usual handwavers" (their words).

If you read the blog of the woman who hand made it for him, she is most upset how the beat up over the shirt took the attention away from his great achievement. The man himself is shattered because he wore it to honour her gift to him.

Personally, I think he should have been more aware that despite his achievement there would be those looking for any excuse to disparage him and should have been more thoughtful in his choice of attire, but I also think that those who are screeching from the rooftops about a shirt should harden up and stop looking for "sexism under the bed".

T.A.

What would your attitude be if it was a lady wearing a shirt with pictures of saucily dressed firemen (a not impossible event) ? Would you be as offended on behalf of the male portion of humanity ?

I would be (but Im a guy). But if I would be offended and at least very uncomfortable with him/her being my boss, its not that hard for me to imagine that women are offended/very uncomfortable as well.

Good grief. The man had just landed a vehicle, on a comet, half the solar system away and all you can do is whinge about his shirt ???

I am of the opinion that one part of your job, no matter what that job is, is to dress representative. Its a sign of respect to dress professionally. If he did that it means such a shirt is apparently representative of the rocket science field, which would suggest sexism is a rampant problem there. If that shirt is unrepresentative, it means the guy is just unprofessional at least to some degree.

Either way, that shirt is a problem.

All I can do? How the hell would you know what "all I can do is"? Are you suggesting that all I am capable of as a woman is whinging about stuff? and that I can't possibly hold more than two thoughts in my tiny little woman brain? Because that's what it sounds like. It sounds like I have to make a choice between pointing out that the guy was wearing an inappropriate shirt or recognising the achievement of a group of scientists (which by the way actually included some women, because, this may surprise you, he didn't do it on his own)....

A Straw "Person" argument !! You know as well as I do what that term means. I'm not saying that's all you can do. I'm saying that's all you WANT to do and you do so to the exclusion of everything else. You don't seem to realise that by concentrating on the shirt that you and your ilk are the ones distracting attention from the entire team, including the women on it, and its fantastic achievement. Nowhere have I seen you post "Good one Team Rosetta".

Yes, let's talk about strawman arguments.

Here's a good one.

Anyone who points out that the shirt was a poor choice for a scientist to wear when representing an important global science achievement at a time when we are having problems not only attracting women into the STEM subjects but keeping them there is making that issue more important than the landing on the comet.

That is a straw man argument.

Now, how about your assumption about these people just because the only thing you've bothered to notice about them is that they are complaining about a sexist shirt? The fact that most of them were scientists who have done important stuff despite being female has totally escaped your notice. All you see is that they, amongst all the other stuff they have done, dared to point out something that they thought was wrong. So who is really ignoring someone's achievements to focus on this? Not only that. Some of these women are now receiving death threats.

Which says it all. The real issue here seems to be what happens to women who point out when something isn't right.

Now, just because you didn't see me give a five minute talk on the comet landing to my class on the day, doesn't mean it didn't happen. You make an awful lot of assumptions...and so many of them are based on your biases.

FWIW
I posted the picture on Facebook and asked my female friends and relatives if they were "offended" by it.

I had 10 replies. This represented an age range from early 60's to early 20's. It includes a range of occupations from 3 professionals (an accountant, a Nursing Sister and a Dr. of Biology) to a stay at home Mum (her choice). So while small, it is a pretty fair across the board sample. All are strong women who kowtow to no-one.

Of the 10 replies, 5 said "Who cares ? - No problem". 4 said the shirt was in poor taste (but not worth all the fuss) and one said it reminded her of the childish innuendo on "Big Bang Theory" but no-one was "offended", although 2 made the comment that they were offended by the over the top reaction from "the usual handwavers" (their words).

Well I guess your our of context poll on facebook carries far more weight that the words of an Astrophysicist (the lady who made the first tweet) who understands the issues that face women in science, especially physics.

Well a lot of people agreed with me on facebook too...although I wasn't posting a picture of a shirt out of context and asking if it was offensive. I've also spent most of my career trying to get girls to study physics and trying to figure out why they don't. This includes reading a lot of research papers on the subject.

I can assure you, that shirts like this do not help promote science for women.

If you read the blog of the woman who hand made it for him, she is most upset how the beat up over the shirt took the attention away from his great achievement. The man himself is shattered because he wore it to honour her gift to him.

I read it. I have no idea why she feels the need to apologise. She is not the one that chose to wear it during an international science conference.

I've seen plenty of shirts like hers at Rocker Billy weekenders. They are very common and popular and in that context they make sense.

Personally, I think he should have been more aware that despite his achievement there would be those looking for any excuse to disparage him and should have been more thoughtful in his choice of attire, but I also think that those who are screeching from the rooftops about a shirt should harden up and stop looking for "sexism under the bed".

T.A.

Harden up? Are you aware that the women who dared to complain about the shirt are getting death threats now? That's what women face when they dare to complain. I'd say you have to be pretty "hard" to speak out even when you know that is one of the consequences you have to face. I wish more women would harden up and speak out. I applaud their bravery.

Unfortunately we don't have to look for sexism under the bed, because its all around us. Women scientists get their views ignored, their research stolen and they are often marginalised and not taken seriously. How's that for a working environment?

The very fact that no one at any point thought to tell him before he went on TV that the shirt wasn't the best way to represent Science, says an awful lot about the culture in science research.

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Reality Internet Personality