MOTD have new female commentator
Posted by: Chillkram on 21 April 2007
I can't quite believe the fuss that is being made over the BBC's first female football commentator (as opposed to presenter) Jacqui Oatley, who is to appear on Match of the Day tonight. My 12 year old daughter was asking me why people thought that a woman could not be a commentator and I have to say that I was embarrassed at having to explain that some men still harbour such sexist opinions and are unabashed at airing them in public. None of the argument against can possibly be rational. I mean, this is 2007 ffs!
We went through all this years ago with Angela Rippon reading the news. Real progress would be just to let it pass by without comment or thought. The day that happens we have truly achieved equality of the sexes.
Mark
Posted on: 21 April 2007 by acad tsunami
I had an interesting chat with an ex Royal Navy chap today ('35 years service man and boy')and he was banging on about women being allowed to serve on ships now and what a disgrace it is etc. and I was thinking of some female Army officers I have met who were highly competent so I could hardly agree with him but then he said if I thought women were so capable did I think it was possible to have an all female crewed destroyer and that made me think again......
Posted on: 21 April 2007 by acad tsunami
Anyway, I think it only right that women get to commentate on men's football after all football is about a bunch of men running around in shorts so I feel it is natural for them to show some interest.
Posted on: 21 April 2007 by Graham Russell
My missus prefers rugby players. Apparently they've got bigger thighs and tighter shorts!
Posted on: 21 April 2007 by Chillkram
quote:
Originally posted by acad tsunami:
...if I thought women were so capable did I think it was possible to have an all female crewed destroyer and that made me think again......
This is somewhat different in my opinion, Acad, and often forms the basis of the argument of the bigotted. There is a difference between allowing women to serve on ships, and having an all female crew. Any team is about achieving balance. You would not employ a crew entirely of physically strong but intellectually limited men as it would be disastrous. Equally you would not employ a crew entirely of intelligent but physically weak men. The point is that the crew should be selected on the basis of their ability to contribute to the team and not on the basis of gender.
Mark
Posted on: 21 April 2007 by Chillkram
quote:
Originally posted by acad tsunami:
Anyway, I think it only right that women get to commentate on men's football after all football is about a bunch of men running around in shorts so I feel it is natural for them to show some interest.
Would it be right for women to commentate on drying paint, Acad?
Posted on: 21 April 2007 by acad tsunami
quote:
Originally posted by Chillkram:
quote:
Originally posted by acad tsunami:
...if I thought women were so capable did I think it was possible to have an all female crewed destroyer and that made me think again......
This is somewhat different in my opinion, Acad, and often forms the basis of the argument of the bigotted. There is a difference between allowing women to serve on ships, and having an all female crew. Any team is about achieving balance. You would not employ a crew entirely of physically strong but intellectually limited men as it would be disastrous. Equally you would not employ a crew entirely of intelligent but physically weak men. The point is that the crew should be selected on the basis of their ability to contribute to the team and not on the basis of gender.
Mark
I agree entirely Mark. Entirely. I was just jesting.
Posted on: 21 April 2007 by Chillkram
Posted on: 21 April 2007 by acad tsunami
quote:
Originally posted by Chillkram:
quote:
Originally posted by acad tsunami:
Anyway, I think it only right that women get to commentate on men's football after all football is about a bunch of men running around in shorts so I feel it is natural for them to show some interest.
Would it be right for women to commentate on drying paint, Acad?
Watching paint dry with a few mates and some beers is an entirely male activity as you should know - females in the armed services, downing street and even London clubs is fine by me but I draw the line at women watching paint dry. You should be ashamed of yourself!
Posted on: 21 April 2007 by Bob McC
The real breakthrough will be when any sport has a female commentator who looks like an old trout and not eye candy.
Posted on: 21 April 2007 by acad tsunami
That will be Angela Rippon then
Posted on: 21 April 2007 by acad tsunami
Posted on: 21 April 2007 by Chillkram
quote:
I agree entirely Mark. Entirely. I was just jesting.
I know that well enough my good friend, but your ex Royal Navy chap, presumably wasn't.
Posted on: 21 April 2007 by acad tsunami
quote:
Originally posted by Chillkram:
quote:
I agree entirely Mark. Entirely. I was just jesting.
I know that well enough my good friend, but your ex Royal Navy chap, presumably wasn't.
Oh no he wasn't joking at all - he has been wondering around muttering to himself in a state of shock for years!
Posted on: 21 April 2007 by Cheese
In Switzy we have one female referee in First Division Football, I happen to know her, and I am full of admiration for her because it wasn't easy for her to get there. She once told me that she never stays with the boys (other referees, players etc.) after the match has ended because she says that they 'want to be amongst themselves'. She says she fully understands this, and it's also the way I think. Be honest guys, sometimes it's fun to drink and burp and swear on a man's evening. Women are also quite good at throwing us out if need be and this is all right.
Posted on: 21 April 2007 by Chillkram
quote:
Originally posted by Cheese:
Be honest guys, sometimes it's fun to drink and burp and swear on a man's evening. Women are also quite good at throwing us out if need be and this is all right.
Nothing wrong with that at all, Cheese. Boys will be boys and girls will be girls. This is simply about (specifically) the fuss surrounding the appointment of a female football commentator (so what?!!) and (generally) judging people's fitness for employment purely on gender and not on their ability to do the job.
Mark
Posted on: 21 April 2007 by Beano
No females on British submarines Acad, all to do with privacy and the fact that there is never a cold bunk
Beano
Posted on: 21 April 2007 by manicatel
If she's good enough to do the job, fine.
If its "tokenism" then its another example of PC gone too far. Give her a chance, lets see (hear) whats she's like.
I have a lifelong mate who is female & knows more about footie (& up & coming bands) than 80% of my male friends. Plus she's lovely, & has a great radio voice.(she works for bbc radio humberside).
I reckon she could do it.
Matt.
Posted on: 21 April 2007 by Chillkram
quote:
Originally posted by manicatel:
If its "tokenism" then its another example of PC gone too far.
I agree Matt. This I also don't like. Just employ the best person for the job.
Mark
Posted on: 21 April 2007 by Cheese
quote:
Boys will be boys and girls will be girls.
Dunno how it is in England but try and say that on Swiss TV. You can be sure to get hundreds, if not thousands of angry letters as well as a reputation of a super-macho for the rest of your life.
Posted on: 21 April 2007 by Chillkram
quote:
Originally posted by Cheese:
quote:
Boys will be boys and girls will be girls.
Dunno how it is in England but try and say that on Swiss TV. You can be sure to get hundreds, if not thousands of angry letters as well as a reputation of a super-macho for the rest of your life.
Why?
Posted on: 21 April 2007 by Cheese
quote:
Why?
That's what I'm asking myself too. It is currently 'common sense' that males are inherently violent and they go as far as organizing 3-day workshops at some schools where boys are taught to 'avoid reaction after a provocation' and to 'show feelings'. Girls, in turn, are taught to 'show determination'. I could send you a link but it is in German.
To me this is 1) perverse and 2) another prime example of wanking teachers using their schoolchildren for their own experiments. The whole program has come under attack and I believe it's fortunately in the process of being abandoned.
Posted on: 22 April 2007 by Bob McC
Wasn't very good was she?
Only just avoided acclaiming a goal with a header that hit the side netting.
Posted on: 22 April 2007 by Chillkram
quote:
Originally posted by bob mccluckie:
Wasn't very good was she?
No.
But I think perhaps one was more focused on her commentary than usual because of the awareness that she was the first female football commentator on the BBC and because, in all honesty, it did sound a bit strange hearing a female voice in that context.
Very likely many of the male commentators are equally poor but they occupy the background and don't attract my conscious appraisal.
She may be better or worse than the others, I really wouldn't be able to tell in truth.
If she's worse she should go. If she's as good, she should stay.
Mark
Posted on: 22 April 2007 by Mick P
Cheese
You are spot on. The "education industry" is largely staffed by PC types who are mainly motivated by imposing their own useless ideals on children. The education aspect comes second.
Also if anyone feels that they can do a better job of being a commentator then they should apply for the job instead of whinging about women.
Regards
Mick
Posted on: 22 April 2007 by Chillkram
quote:
Originally posted by Cheese:
quote:
Why?
That's what I'm asking myself too. It is currently 'common sense' that males are inherently violent and they go as far as organizing 3-day workshops at some schools where boys are taught to 'avoid reaction after a provocation' and to 'show feelings'. Girls, in turn, are taught to 'show determination'. I could send you a link but it is in German.
To me this is 1) perverse and 2) another prime example of wanking teachers using their schoolchildren for their own experiments. The whole program has come under attack and I believe it's fortunately in the process of being abandoned.
It's a bit silly, really and an example of the so-called 'pc brigade' in action that people get so upset about. It shows a misunderstanding of the concept of equality in my opinion. Equality does not mean that everyone should be the same. On the contrary, we all have differences determined by many influences that are cultural, biological etc, etc. These should be celebrated and shared in my opinion, not homogenised.
'Variety is the spice of life', 'vive la difference', etc, etc as they say.
Mark
