Can You Say ‘Sexist’?

So let's celebrate the hypocrisy of both sides, shall we? More important, let's eulogize the current definition of feminism, which from courageous and noble beginnings has devolved into a hysterical commitment to abortion above all other political, moral or intellectual values.

Palin's belief about abortion is that the fetus is a human being deserving of all the protections of the law, just like other human beings. You may disagree with that view, and it is obvious that you do. But it is neither a stupid view nor a selfish one. What Palin has done is to choose (in a legal context where even a nine-month-old ready for delivery can be aborted at will) consistenly with her moral principles.

, you would surely agree that the evident fact of your own sentience and ability to reason does not give you the right to (for example) shoot me or run over me with you car. Similarly, the pro-life position is not an attack on female sentience, but an intellectual and moral disagreement about the point at which human lives are entitled to recognition and legal protection. In other words, Anna, this is not necessarily about you and your choices. It is, arguably, about the collision between one set of rights (that of the mother to autonomy, convenience and control over her body) with the rights of another person, in this case the unborn child.

If you focus on the fetus immediately after conception, the argument for the woman's rights looks stronger. If you focus on the almost-full-term fetus when it is in every evident respect a fully-functioning human being, the argument for the woman's right to choose over the baby's right to live becomes very problematic.

I am a small-government conservative married to a pro-life woman with a Masters in Public Health from Johns Hopkins. I am uncomfortable with criminalizing first-term abortions. But faces with a choice between the extremism of contemporary feminism (any abortion at any time is simply a choice, and nobody else's business) and that of my wife and Sarah Palin, I'll choose the extremism that seems less selfish and less morally empty.

And to the argument that Sarah Palin in unqualified, let me offer two names of obviously less-qualified candidates -- Barack Obama and Geraldine Ferraro. Obama's qualification for high office is validated by the simple fact of his successful and bitter battle for the nomination. But I'd love to know whether you were similarly critical of Ferraro's qualifications in 1984.

Cordially,

Joe Joe Bubba Jr.

Wow, a lot of anger in this piece by a very obvious democratic supporter. No I do not think the Republican party is saying women are interchangeable by thinking women will want to vote for Ms. Palin. I think she is a real woman who has a vested interest in making our country better for her and our children. Whereas, Ms. Clinton is out to make things better for herself. Palin has experieince living in the real world while Clinton has been a weathly member of the polical machine since before a large portion of the voting majority was born. Yes, Palin is one of 'us'. Who better to understand our difficulties, needs, and desires? She is a highly intelligent woman with her feet planted squarely on the ground who is capable of experiencing and expressing real emotions and understanding what a working mother deals with and worries about on a daily basis. I have a special needs daughter and a gifted daughter who I am afraid to put in the public school system. I am very eager to see what she will do to improve our current situation in regards to energy, education, and security. I think right now she is really our only hope in this election. I actually wish she were running for President instead of Vice President.

This lady is making a supreme sacrifice in public service. Her entire family is rallying to her support, making such sacrifices possible. Not all women are called to do this, nor can all women do this. Stop with the hypocrisy comments - this woman has a calling and is fulfilling it. As for the Clinton vote - those who wanted Clinton just because she was a woman (~35%) will be shallow enough to conver to Palin. Those who wanted Hillary because of her platform will not. Get over it - cover something that's real news.

"...walk in lock step". Funny, that all liberals use this line to describe anyone how doesn't conform to their line of thinking. I continually hear the Democrats speak of "change", however, their message is the same every election "we know what's best for you, and if you don't believe us - then you're an idiot". As an Independent, I find this article sort of humorous. The Republicans made a choice based on a political move in an attemp to get votes - however, that choice to nominate a women may just lead to a legitimate change in the end. The Democrats only speak of change, but really have no intention of changing anything. Obama is a product of the Chicago political machine, he'll do what he's told; follow the liberal agenda that been chiseled in stone for him. In conclusion, I think the one main difference between Republicans and Democrats is that Republicans realize that they're hypocritical, Democrats pretend they're not (just ask the writer of this article).

What an amazingly hypocritical article this is. Bottom line: You radical left feminists are not supportive of women in general.....just left leaning women. I've got more news for you....the core of the pro-life movement that you despise is women....not men. You don't need to support the selfish and greed driven movement of abortion to be pro-woman. If you're so objective, why don't you take some time to do some thorough investigation into the money and profits generated by the abortion business? How about looking into the racial hatred that lead Margaret Sanger and others to promote abortion years ago? I know, you won't do that because that would shatter your fine liberal reputations of not being greedy or racially discrimatory.

Can you say, "Cognitive dissonance?" Inquiries and investigations into Governor Palin's professional experience are legitimate and NOT sexist. Agreed. However, inquiries into Governor Palin's family life and parenting skills are most definitely SEXIST. Liberal, so-called "feminists" only want "cookie cutter" feminists. The goal of the feminist movement was to afford choice: choice regarding whether or not to bear a child; whether or not to work outside the home; and (GASP!) whether or not to be liberal or conservative, etc. While I am pro-choice, I respect the moral position of the pro-life group. I'm afraid if you really believe that any abortion is murder, you can't compromise your values just to get the good opinion of the liberal feminist elite.

Oh, Newsweek. You do realize that over 48% of women voted Republican in 2004, don't you? My own mother who always worked full-time and is a supervisor that earns 6-figures is a Republican and there are millions of other successful women in the party.

Most Republicans have always been happy to see women in the workplace. Can you name a single Republican governor, senator, or member of congress that says they oppose women working? How do you reconcile the fact that there has never been any controversy over the many Republican women that are governors, senators, or members of congress? Republicans never said they should stay at home either.

What's really amusing is that you could write this whole article about hypocrisy with only specific examples from one man on the right while ignoring that the supposedly feminist Democratic party has suddenly started saying that women should stay at home! Maybe Dobson flip-flopped but millions of liberals are suddenly some kind of 1950s conservatives that think women should stay in the kitchen. It literally makes me laugh out loud.

Newsweeks transformation from a mildly-left leaning but reasonable magazine to a radical liberal clone of The Nation has been so fast you all must be suffering from whiplash.

Whether you like it or not, many of us prospered during the Bush years, and we want four more, thank you. That's why we're voting McCain/Palin!

It would appear to a liberal, like myself, that Sarah is showing That a woman of values and conviction is able to influence thought-leaders, like Dobson. It is this easing of cultural differences that makes her such an effective change-agent. Go Sarah!

Poughkeepsie's population is less than 30,000. Alaska's is over 680,000. Your statement about the citizens served as governor of Alaska was off by more than a factor of 20!! Is that laziness with your fact checking or just elitist disrespect for the candidate? Stuff like that serves to validate and legitimize claims such as those made in and excellent editorial by Clive Crook at the Financial Times ( see http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/f1984d88-7cd5-11dd-8d59-000077b07658.html?nclick_check=1 )

Anna's picture must have been touched up in photoshop. Her column tells me she is green with eny.

Poughkeepsie's population is less than 30,000. Alaska population is over 680,000. You felt that your point was weak enough that you had to stretch by more than a factor of 20? Is that laziness or just elitist disrespect? It's stuff like that which completely validates points like those made in Clive Crook's editorial over at the Financial Times. ( http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/f1984d88-7cd5-11dd-8d59-000077b07658.html?nclick_check=1 )

Years ago I read an article you wrote with such honesty and transparency, about when you were pregnant and men didn't look at you much anymore. After that I always read your articles hoping for the same. Nothing came close. Your writing continues with transparency anyway as you are unable to hide your unbalanced assessment of a Woman/Mother/Governor/Politician. Clearly you see the forest not the trees. A Democrat!!
wwwwsuchtransparency

The cup is half full, Anna. By removing those old obstacles, and observing Republicans accept the fact that it's OK for a mother of five to pursue high office, it should forever make it same for Democrat mothers of five to take the same path. It was once thought that most men would never accept a woman president. Men - including lugnuts like Limbaugh and Hannity and Michael Reagan - love this woman.

I've been a republican since 1988, and I'm a woman. I was sorely tempted to sit out this election, and after Palin's entry, I've been energized to vote. I've decided the most responsible thing I can do is exercise my ability to write in RON PAUL as my choice because now I know I no longer have anything in common with the republican party or its sorry platform.

In the 2006 midterm elections, I voted for every Libertarian and then democrat; in races where there the incumbent ran unopposed (and was republican), I refused to vote. I figured that lashing would've smartened up my party, but it only made them more stupid.

Mr. McCain, you can trot out and display a woman veep all you want, but I know the truth - she is a token gesture, and only there because you figured by pandering to women like me, you'd get our votes. This republican feminist is not that gullible to buy into such a sham! You insult my intelligence by doing so, and as such don't deserve my vote....ever. You think it's brave to hide her and control her speaking engagements, using her to your best advantage....but you're still using her. She's about as genuine as a $3 bill, and nothing more than Bush rubber stamp!

If Tim Russert were alive, you know she'd be eaten alive and he'd have your butt on the menu for such a poor choice.

I could not agree more with Anna, Palin first of all is not a Republican Hillary Clinton she is a female GW Bush.

Point for point action by action she is a GW Bush, pro oil and quick to fire anyone who disagrees with her.
Considering her attempt at censorship while mayor of Wasilla, even her respect for the Constitution parallels and may exceed Bush's distain for that document, who dismissed it as quaint?

But why was Palin selected? certainly it is not because she is qualified, it's a scary thought she might be getting the 3 am phone call, and estimates are she may be able to discuss foreign policy with about two months of tutoring
She supports the party line point for point, The real reason she was selected was to get votes, in short "used" to get McCain into the white house, period.

As a Catholic I'm voting for Pro-Life Palin! Hopefully McCain will support her philosophy when he appoints Supreme Court Justices.