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March 18, 2007

Global Warming Threat to Manliness

Daniel Clark has written an irreverent and, truth be told, very funny piece about how the global warming movement is emasculating American men. If you're a liberal and/or a metrosexual you will be offended by his narrow, ill-informed perspective, but Clark brings to our attention a problem that must be addressed. In our quest to save the planet and create a more tolerant society, we must find a way to let men continue to be men, to tolerate "guyhood." We can't expect all men to turn into metrosexuals.

The latest point of emphasis in the global warming movement is that cattle farming endangers the planet by producing too much methane. So now, steaks and hamburgers are classified as instruments of destruction, along with large vehicles, lawn mowers, and charcoal grills. It can't be much longer before cowboy movies, cigars and hockey are held to be enemies of the earth as well.

This has got to be the most blatant assault on guyhood since ABC moved Coach to the same night as Roseanne, and turned Hayden Fox into Phil Donahue. It's a wonder that liberals don't cut to the chase, by simply claiming that global warming is caused by testosterone. Then, they could make public school nurses siphon the offending fluid from the boys during health class.

I like rugged, "manly" men, as I've said here before. I like the kind of men who brave the elements and hike through tough terrain for hours to track and kill animals fair and square and pack them out and butcher them and barbecue them up on a charcoal grill. I like the kind of men who ride Harleys and eat red meat and smoke cigars and ride bulls and drink beer and drive heavy equipment and tame the elements. I like men who have no fear. There is something irresistible about so much confidence, and I've come to realize that the attraction is because a truly "manly" man isn't afraid of a strong-willed, independent woman. As a strong-willed woman, I share the fear of many of my testosterone-laden counterparts - that their very existence seems to increasingly be seen as bad for the planet.

Certainly, we need to curb behavior that is destructive to the planet, but in doing so, we must not get rid of outlets for the testosterone-driven males among us or appreciation for their personalities. A lot of men are perfectly content to be metrosexual, to eat tofu and drink wine coolers and get manicures and wear turtleneck sweaters - and a lot of women like them that way. Good for them. But a diverse society needs all types, and that includes fearless warrior-types who wear Wranglers and steel-toed boots, have calloused hands, and get their joy out of cheating death and becoming masters of their world.

Posted by Becky at March 18, 2007 12:33 PM