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From: lee@unmvax.UUCP
Newsgroups: comp.org.usenix
Subject: Re: Women's BOF in Phoenix?
Message-ID: <491@unmvax.UNM.EDU>
Date: Thu, 30-Apr-87 11:33:43 EDT
Article-I.D.: unmvax.491
Posted: Thu Apr 30 11:33:43 1987
Date-Received: Sat, 2-May-87 01:42:33 EDT
References: <148@krebs.acc.virginia.edu> <466@unmvax.UNM.EDU> <69@esquire.UUCP>
Reply-To: lee@unmvax.UUCP (Lee Ward)
Distribution: na
Organization: University of New Mexico, Albuquerque
Lines: 40
Keywords: women BOF


 Ignore references line please. This posting comes after reading everyones
views. I was quite surprised to see the number of responses. I expected
to be called "childish", "sexist" and a host of other names. I didn't
expect rational discussion. For the most part, I must say I am happy
to be dissapointed.

 I have seen the point made that "men outnumber women 100 to 1" at
the conferences. I don't think the blame lies on USENIX nor it's associated
staff and members. More likely the finger should be pointed at the
women themselves (how many TRY to go? how many are even in the field?).
If there IS discrimination it sure isn't USENIX doing it. Try the
womens' bosses who think a man can do a better job than they.

 I don't object to a women's BOF. I object to official sanction being
given (and asked from) by USENIX. I don't think political and moral
arguments unrelated to the purpose of the conference should be sanctioned.
This means, homosexuality, gun control and equal rights.

 While the problems exist, USENIX is not the place.

 However, it seems from one point I am wrong. I read that ANY topic
is valid for a BOF. I thought we were all there to discuss, learn
and share ideas about a particular operating system. Am I wrong?

 I could see ACM supporting and sanctioning such a topic. Their purpose is
to help the field in general;  To promote understanding of it and what it is
trying to do. Even take up causes such as this where related.
I pay dues to that organization along with most of you. I would
happily see my money spent for such a cause by ACM. I would give my time
to help.

 Finally; My friends and I who get together at USENIX do talk about totally
unrelated subjects. I wouldn't dream of asking the organization to put a notice
of these topics in any official publication though. So, for the comment
of "do unto others..." I say, I am!

-- 
			--Lee (Ward)
			{ucbvax,convex,gatech,pur-ee}!unmvax!lee