The annual meeting of the National Organization for Men (NOM) is usually held at Bubba’s Sports Bar in
Pineville, Tennessee, but with almost three dozen men attending this year, it had to be moved to a more spacious location down the road: Earl’s Tire Emporium.
Luther Bramley, president of NOM, was about to address the gathering when a bearded man wearing a John Deere cap stood up. “How many women does it take to change a light bulb?” he asked. “Four. The first to read the instructions, the second to hold the step ladder, the third to screw the light bulb in, and the fourth to send out the press release.”
Everyone laughed, except a middle-aged man with long sideburns. “What’s a press release?” he asked.
“I’m not sure, Billy Bob,” the man next to him whispered, “but I think it’s when those reporters in the Middle East get freed from captivity.”
Bramley peered over the large podium, consisting of four Goodyear tires. “You’ll be surprised to know, Earl, that my wife changes light bulbs all by herself,” he said. “She doesn’t even need a step ladder –- just wears a pair of her high-heeled shoes. Women are learning to do all kinds of things these days, even parallel park. That’s why we need this organization –- to protect our rights, to make sure women don’t take over the world. If they start making all the laws, the next thing you know, beer and football will be illegal. And we’ll be put in prison just for leaving the toilet seat up. We need this organization to protect our rights –- and also our wrongs. We’re not as big as the National Organization for Women, but we’re growing so fast, we may need to hire someone to handle our public relations.”
“What’s public relations?” Billy Bob asked.
“I’m not sure,” the man next to him whispered, “but I think it’s when you have relations with the public.”
“You mean like Tiger Woods?”
“Sort of, but with men too.”
“It may surprise you to know that a dozen countries around the world are being ruled by women,” Bramley continued. “Germany, Ireland, the Philippines, Argentina, Bangladesh and Liberia all have women on top.”
“It’s that darn Cosmopolitan magazine,” Earl said. “Ever since my wife started reading it, she wants to be on top too.”
“We managed to dodge a Hillary Clinton presidency,” Bramley said, “but who do you think is second in line to succeed Obama? Yes, you guessed it: Nancy Pelosi. She’s right behind 67-year-old Joe Biden. What do you guys have to say about that?”
“Long live Obama! Long live Obama!” the men chanted.
“Women have been moving up in the business world too,” Bramley said. “You wanna know how many Fortune 1000 companies have women at the top? Almost 30 of them. For example, Indra Nooyi is CEO of PepsiCo.”
“That’s it,” Earl shouted. “I’m not paying for any more Pepsi.”
“Ilene Gordon is CEO of Corn Products International.”
“That’s it,” Earl shouted. “I’m not paying for any more corn products.”
“Laura Sen is CEO of BJ’s Wholesale Club.”
“That’s it,” Earl shouted. “I’m not paying for any more ... uh, never mind.”
“Women are also moving up in the military,” Bramley said. “They’ve become generals, admirals and rear admirals.”
“What’s a rear admiral?” Billy Bob asked.
“I’m not sure,” the man next to him whispered, “but I think it’s someone who admires you from the rear.”
“Women are trying to take over the world and we just can’t let them,” Bramley said. “That’s why this meeting is so important. In a little while, we’ll be splitting up into three sessions. The first session is called ‘How to Assert Your Manhood.’ The second session is called ‘How to Show a Woman Who’s Boss.’ And the third session is called ‘How to Find a Good Hiding Place During ‘That Time of the Month’”
“I’m attending the third session,” Earl said, “And after that, Billy Bob and I are going to hit the town. Beer and wings are half-price at Bubba’s tonight, and we’re going to watch some great fights from the WBF: Women’s Boxing Federation. Who’s going to join us?”
“I’d love to join you,” Bramley said, “but my wife wants me home by 9.”
Refreshingly good.
Posted by: Ravi Maganti | April 18, 2010 at 11:08 PM
Good one...the rear admiral was good:)
Posted by: aneez | April 19, 2010 at 03:33 AM
First they laugh at you (whilst ignoring the actual issues).
Posted by: Tom | April 19, 2010 at 07:31 AM
Melvin, this is amongst your best ! Keep it up !
On second thoughts, I dont know who your muse is. Whoever she is, she has been doing one hell of a job lately :-)
Posted by: vinay | April 23, 2010 at 05:20 AM
you shuold get an oscar for screenplay for thisyaar
Posted by: ramesh ramanlal | June 02, 2010 at 04:23 PM