Masculinity and Responsibility

When I was in high school, one of my teachers took me out to the teacher's parking lot and threw me against the school.  He threatened to "break my fucking kneecaps" if I ever didn't do as he said again.  For the record, I did as he said, just not fast enough apparently.  That moment was so impactful on my life that it's coming up in my therapy 20+ years later.  The way that he used his overt masculinity to overpower me, I've never forgotten.  Over-the-top displays of masculinity to this day cause me to instantly lose respect for someone now.  Over-the-top femininity bothers me too - from men or women.  It always comes across as having something to prove that their mind/mouth combo cannot.  I would take an intellectual wuss over a muscle bound dumb-ass any day.

It occurred to me today that this is why I hated Bush so much (the presidential one).  He ran this country the way that teacher ran his life.  Pushing people around, using the strength and power to coerce people.  All with zero accountability or admissions of mistake.  

Obama just admitted to screwing up and I respect the shit out of him for it.  It's a huge part of what I wanted from Bush.  Just a simple, "I screwed up!" 

So let President Obama set an example.  To quote Dennis Miller, "Instead of blaming the inventor of the fork because you're a fatass, take a little responsibility."