Shotgun

Doesn't quite have the same ring as "Joe Sixpack," but that seems to be the image he's going for these days. So do any of you beer lovers find Obama more appealing because of his apparent love of beer?

Well, now Chick-fil-A has flip-flopped too. Good for them.

News on Chick-fil-A: Looks like they plan to stop donating money to anti-gay groups: http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/chick-fil-funding-anti-gay-groups-175154249.html?_esi=1

"Socialism" is such a broad term to blame for this or any other problem, yet it seems pretty popular these days. What is the opposite of "socialism"? Is it "every man for himself"?

One thing I've learned in Speakers Corner is that "The Problem" (any problem) is usually what someone else is doing.

Good luck venting in Speakers Corner? I think he's doing just fine with that.

It's not controversial. I think almost everyone I know would agree that both sexes should be treated equal. Then explain affirmative action based on gender. I don't necessarily support affirmative action based on gender. And of course there's a difference in believing that everyone should be treated equal and knowing a solution to ensure that everyone is treated equal. There's a point where things like affirmative action end up causing reverse discrimination, though I don't think that is the intent.

It's not controversial. I think almost everyone I know would agree that both sexes should be treated equal.

I'm so sorry to hear that. Our pets are family, and I know how hard it is to lose one. But I'm glad to hear that you were able to give him a long and happy life.

Haha, nope...dating is for suckers Is your apparent disgust for women based on some experience in your life?

If the TV shows and commercials are just silly things then whats with all the whining about skinny women in the ads? You'll have to ask someone who whines about skinny women in ads.

Hey, I don't think we're welcome in here. I think this may be a cry for men to get their own designated forum.

Show me any man on that show as smart as Tina Fey's character. Her mentor, Jack. Just saw a commercial on WGN for 30 Rock...reminded me of this thread: Lemon: You're not thinking straight! Jack: Not thinking is what makes this country great... That show pretty much makes fun of everyone.

You doubt the power of tv shows and commercials to influence people's behavior? No, I don't. And there are a lot of things I don't like about what TV shows and commercials portray and therefore influence. But ultimately it is a choice to watch them.

There are biases everywhere in life, something that probably won't ever go away. I think there are some real issues concerning men, but it's hard to have a serious conversation when people are exaggerating (slavery) and getting overly concerned with silly things like TV shows and commercials. Mental health is one issue that stands out to me. I think men are much less likely to seek help when they need it, perhaps because that is perceived as a sign of weakness. The recent Sandusky trial was very disturbing to me, and it made me wonder about the rate of sexual abuse among boys and whether they were less likely than girls to ever tell anyone about it. The abortion/child support thing is also worthy of consideration, though I believe that was beaten to death here before. It is unfair to men that the woman basically has the final say on carrying a pregnancy through or not, and that he may be held financially responsible if she does carry it through. But I've yet to see anyone offer a solution that would be fair to everyone involved.

No, I don't think I can agree with such a broad statement.

And so many men love that show, as well as other shows that make men look like idiots. And I wonder how much of it is written by men.... Perhaps a lot of it is just good-humored laughing at oneself.

No one said it wasn't a thing. Do you have any suggestions for what should be done about this horrific injustice?

What, TV is not reality??? Am I not really sexy and sophisticated while drinking vodka, like those ads tell me I am?

What "tired old excuse" did I recite? I happen to agree that women are more likely to be coddled in life than men are, though not 100% of the time.

The article focused only on commercials involving domestic chores, and it gave no numbers - just said that men were "often" portrayed as inept. The footnote has no link, so I wasn't able to read that. Anyhow.... Whatever the numbers are, it's obviously bothersome to some men. So you can choose not to watch those shows, and you can complain to the companies who make such commercials and/or choose not to buy their products. Is there any other solution?

It's because you've never paid attention . . . Not true. Really? Under what circumstance have you previously and conciously analyzed this? I've seen men complain about this before, so that has caused me to pay attention. How have you analyzed it to come to the conclusion that the majority of commercials belittle men? Is it perception, or have you actually conducted a study on the topic?

It's because you've never paid attention . . . Not true.

Show me any man on that show as smart as Tina Fey's character. Her mentor, Jack. His father. Some of the writers. But she's not exactly portrayed as "smart." I'm thinking of all of the commercials I've seen recently, and not a single one matches this description. I've certainly seen the scenario many times before, but hardly "in almost every situation portrayed in commercials."

Oh, I know what kind of commercials you're talking about, but I don't believe it's a "majority" of ALL commercials. (But feel free to show me some research that says it is.) I watch prime time TV when I'm at my mom's house. I've seen those "domestic chore" commercials before, but not in a while. And that type of commercial is probably more likely to make men look goofy because they're trying to appeal to women, which women could find equally insulting since it implies that we should be doing all of the domestic chores. If you're going to watch sitcoms that portray men as being stupid, then it makes sense you're going to see commercials that portray men as stupid. But if you are watching those shows, then you're contributing to the problem and shouldn't be complaining about it. Watch something else. The only sitcom I regularly watch is 30 Rock, which doesn't seem to portray either gender as being more incompetent than the other. And there are even some dads in the show.