Friedman writes that his support for women-only tourneys is NOT based on women being less skillful than men. Rather, his justification is, "many women feel uncomfortable playing against men and they want to enjoy the game without them."
Does he really believe in this argument? If it were valid, then it'd be equally valid to hold no-ladies tournaments, as long as there are men who find the game more comfortable and enjoyable when women are completely absent.
If one wants to support ladies-only but not men-only, then what's required is either pure hypocrisy, or a reasoned argument why the stated reason for supporting ladies-only is ignored in the case of mens-only.
This article offers not one word of such reasoned argument. It instead relies on personal attack and name-calling ("a disgusting display of greed and self-absorbed gall".
Emotional and insult-based arguments are common in public discourse. But I'd hoped that among poker players, we'd avoid such ploys, in favor of a bit of reason and logic.
News Comments
Male Borgata Player Wins Ladies Event But Loses Self-Respect (12)
973 days ago
Friedman writes that his support for women-only tourneys is NOT based on women being less skillful than men. Rather, his justification is, "many women feel uncomfortable playing against men and they want to enjoy the game without them."
Does he really believe in this argument? If it were valid, then it'd be equally valid to hold no-ladies tournaments, as long as there are men who find the game more comfortable and enjoyable when women are completely absent.
If one wants to support ladies-only but not men-only, then what's required is either pure hypocrisy, or a reasoned argument why the stated reason for supporting ladies-only is ignored in the case of mens-only.
This article offers not one word of such reasoned argument. It instead relies on personal attack and name-calling ("a disgusting display of greed and self-absorbed gall"
.
Emotional and insult-based arguments are common in public discourse. But I'd hoped that among poker players, we'd avoid such ploys, in favor of a bit of reason and logic.
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