[David Lyga]

Honestly, shutterflight, you MUST admit that there are MEN out there who think that women should be treated with special deference. I am not talking about the (usual) physical disadvantage in that the men usually are stronger physically. But I am talking about men who think that women are more prone to being mentally hurt, more prone to depression, thus more worthy of being 'protected' by men. I find this nonsense. Some of the strongest examples of strength in the human race have been women who have overcome all obstacles. Some have not and needed men to carry the weight. But what I am driving at here is that inner strength is owned by NO PARTICULAR SEX OR RACE. PERIOD.

And, shutterflight, "I want women to become part of us" is not being sexist on my part because, truthfully, 'us' in this context is a predominantly male circuit of camera shows as well as the apug.org 'population'. I find that predominance to be unnecessarily one-sided. I wish that to change.

Suzanne, in my book you are certainly not in the least subordinate. But I advise you duly: don't fall into the trap of presuming that worthy men (I stress 'worthy') are necessarily putting you down. You should not NEED continuous affirmation to affirm what you intrinsically are, already. And, lots of times, seemingly noble male deference toward women can really be an indirect way of 'saying' that you are inferior. Watch for that. We all need compassion and consideration, both men and women, but not one sex more than the other. - David Lyga