The Great Debate Megathread! Black Lincoln versus whiter, richer Douglas!

[Valmy]

There is a fair amount of literature regarding how law schools became more tolerable places once Female students and then professors came on the scene - they were simply unwilling to put up with the kind of bs males were willing to put up with and dish out all those years in the absence of females.

Take that example and multiply it across society.

In that case I look forward to society functioning better in the future.

[Grinning_Colossus]

Back in '92, 6-year-old me loathed George Bush. My #1 issue was spotted owls. 

[derspiess]

There is a fair amount of literature regarding how law schools became more tolerable places once Female students and then professors came on the scene - they were simply unwilling to put up with the kind of bs males were willing to put up with and dish out all those years in the absence of females.

Take that example and multiply it across society.

I think the presence of a certain number of women tends to have a civilizing effect on an environment.  I'm not sure that applies to politics, though.

[Valmy]

I think the presence of a certain number of women tends to have a civilizing effect on an environment.

Yeah but does that make for better functioning lawyers though?  And does that have a civilizing effect on the functioning of the law system itself?

[derspiess]

I think the presence of a certain number of women tends to have a civilizing effect on an environment.

Yeah but does that make for better functioning lawyers though?  And does that have a civilizing effect on the functioning of the law system itself?

I thought he was just talking about law schools.  Can't speculate on how that affects lawyers or the law system.  I just know there are too damned many lawyers.

[merithyn]

I think the presence of a certain number of women tends to have a civilizing effect on an environment.  I'm not sure that applies to politics, though.

I'd like to find out.

[garbon]

I think the presence of a certain number of women tends to have a civilizing effect on an environment.  I'm not sure that applies to politics, though.

I'd like to find out.

We already have women in many political offices so couldn't we just take a look at that?

[merithyn]

I think the presence of a certain number of women tends to have a civilizing effect on an environment.  I'm not sure that applies to politics, though.

I'd like to find out.

We already have women in many political offices so couldn't we just take a look at that?

I would argue that the culture in politics changes as you get further up the food chain. It would be nice to see what the House and Senate would be like with a true representation of the population in them.

That being said, there was some annecdote around here about the difference between the local School Board from 30 years ago (all men) and now (~50/50 men/women). Apparently, it's a kinder, gentler School Board today, and they've pretty much erradicated the systemic racism that was policy in the earlier years. There have been, of course, a number of other factors that have changed (and a lawsuit), but a woman I know on the School Board likes to say it's all because of the estrogen present now.

[Barrister]

I think the presence of a certain number of women tends to have a civilizing effect on an environment.

Yeah but does that make for better functioning lawyers though?  And does that have a civilizing effect on the functioning of the law system itself?

I thought he was just talking about law schools.  Can't speculate on how that affects lawyers or the law system.  I just know there are too damned many lawyers.

[garbon]

I would argue that the culture in politics changes as you get further up the food chain. It would be nice to see what the House and Senate would be like with a true representation of the population in them.

Well while 17% isn't representative of the population in general, you'd think that'd be enough to draw some conclusions, no?

[Valmy]

I mean if it does make things better that is great since we are going to do it anyway for social justice and all that good stuff.  I guess I think the common denominator is our humanity and that is going to continue to contribute to the same sorts of problems we always have had.

[Eddie Teach]

You know if there were fewer lawyers, you'd probably get paid more.

[Sheilbh]

Based on Maggie, Golda and Indira I kind of admire and fear successful female politicians.

[FunkMonk]

Based on Maggie, Golda and Indira I kind of admire and fear successful female politicians.

What about Sarah? (Palin)

[crazy canuck]

There is a fair amount of literature regarding how law schools became more tolerable places once Female students and then professors came on the scene - they were simply unwilling to put up with the kind of bs males were willing to put up with and dish out all those years in the absence of females.

Take that example and multiply it across society.

In that case I look forward to society functioning better in the future.

To a large extent I think it already does.