Can You Say ‘Sexist’?

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  • Posted By: paz15 @ 09/10/2008 5:44:34 PM

    sayles70, if your friends are only voting for obama because he is black that is a shame. and if you are only voting for mccain because palin is a woman that is also a shame. this needs to be about issues that are at stake for the united states, not anatomy, not race. i might disagree with republicans because of where they stand on certain issues, but at least we can have real discussions about the economy, poverty, health care, the war in Iraq, the environment, etc. Just using race or sex as a motive behind a choice is to be an ill-informed and misguided citizen.

    • Posted By: sayles70 @ 09/10/2008 7:44:03 PM

      there is a difference between voting for black because he is black and voting for woman because she is a woman. and that is this: there is a considerable BIOLOGICAL difference between men and women and not black and white. if you need an example look at schools (some of which prohibit the other gender so that their gender can arguably learn better), olympics (black and white compete, but not men and women), heck even the oscars have different categories for men and women. once again i ask you to think about who are the most community-minded people you know. who asks (and cares) about how you are doing? when i pick up my kids from school, the boys are tossing footballs and the girls are talking. i would NEVER say a female would be a better president, all i am saying is i'd like to see JUST ONCE a woman in our executive branch.

  • Posted By: olderwiser @ 09/06/2008 7:59:27 PM

    Everything done in politics since the primaries started seems to keep us polarized. Some call it competition, but competition in its traditional sense required that one be exposed to both victory and defeat, and upon the occasion of either result it was the duty of the combatants to accept either with a sporting camaraderie and go forward without rancor or an unworthy egotism. Instead, we have do or die philosophies which seem to require excessive crowing on the occasion of victory and vengeful hate on the occasion of defeat. This is not going to work in the long run. There is a need to raise our young better than this and try to get back to a workable system of healthy competition that benefits us all. What we are doing now, in this process of constant retribution, is corrosive and would do better to cease. We need to all pull together at some point, agree that the fight is overs when the game is over, and that we all need to get to work together in whatever system that we vote to achieve. Then, if it doesn't work out, we can vote it away in just a few short years.

    • Posted By: ecdmuppet @ 09/10/2008 7:10:56 PM

      The problem with that is that the entire liberal agenda loses all credibility in a world where conservatives aren't the devil.

      If George Bush doesn't hate Black people, and conservative values of hard work and respecting the fruits of someone's labor can be applied to Black people, then that means they don't need huge government programs to solve all their problems, and community organizers to free them from the oppression of evil rich white people.

      If Conservative Christians don't want women to live in the dark ages, and decent Christian men can look to a strong, virtuous family woman as an agent of moral clarity and a strong leader for the nation, then how can their brand of feminism compete? How can you argue for a woman's right to have an abortion against a movement whose women would never consider that "choice"? If all the women of the world had the self-esteem and independance not to put themselves in a situation to have an unwanted pregnancy, or had such strong families that even an unexpected pregnancy was never unwanted, how could the topic of abortion even be an issue?

      The answer is that it can't. The liberal agenda would crumble if they acknowledged that the conservative agenda is based on the law of kindness and an honest desire to see every person reach their potential, and live a fruitful and happy life. If they are forced to defend their stances - to explain why government control over peoples' lives is better than individuals running their own lives with government playing referee rather than quarterback, they lose. When the discussion turns to socialism vs. capitalism, socialism loses.

      No self-respecting person that believes that most of the world is good wants government beaurocracy to solve their problems for them. Liberals know this. That's why they will never let people believe that conservatives are not evil.

  • Posted By: Independant Voter @ 09/10/2008 6:47:00 PM

    Great article Anna. The GOP is so hypocritical - and so cynical - and they look down on everyone (talk about elitist!). In the end - after all the lies and distortions come to light - I believe the American people will get this election right.

  • Posted By: Alivegarden @ 09/06/2008 7:21:38 PM

    Fine. Let the right wing make abortion illegal in all instances. But pass this law on the condition that all good Christian conservatives in this country MUST sign a legally-binding contract in which they agree to adopt at LEAST 2 of the unwanted children that will flood the already strained and under-funded foster-care system. I'm sure all these God-fearing, wealthy conservatives will line up at the chance to adopt a crack-baby or two, otherwise, these children would most likey be left to lives of neglect, crime, drug-addiction and a host of other nasty circumstances, since conservativesa are against any welfare funding of any sorts.. So come on, good Christians, start adopting! If you don't, you are hypocrites.

    • Posted By: ecdmuppet @ 09/10/2008 6:45:26 PM

      Or we could just help those people up, and let them stand on their own two feet to live successful lives instead of blaming all their problems on successful people while claiming that massive government programs are the only thing capable of solving their problems. Then they won't be on crack, and they can raise their own babies.

    • Posted By: skytrooper @ 09/08/2008 2:57:31 AM

      I'm a conservative and whether you care to admit it or not 90 pct of us work for a living.And that's what's going to win this election for McCain/Palin.Working people.But,of course,I don't expect you to know that word,working!It's a pretty simple concept.You get up off your ass every day and put in your 8-10 hrs,come home and relax a bit then you do the same thing each day...for the rest of your life...with no government crutches to lean on....then you retire and enjoy the rest of your life...you ought to try it, you may even agree with me after awhile.But,I seriously doubt it,

      • Posted By: Alivegarden @ 09/08/2008 6:39:46 PM

        Yea, then if your job gets shipped to China so Republican-backed corporations can save on labor costs, what do you do then? I hope your job gets outsourced, then you can start doing all that hard work all over again. Keep voting for deregulation, its bound to happen.

    • Posted By: jblackwell88 @ 09/07/2008 11:02:21 PM

      So basically you're saying abortion is good because it gives minorities a chance to eliminate unwanted children. Gotcha.

    • Posted By: kingsley2187 @ 09/07/2008 12:46:46 AM

      Amazing idea!

    • Posted By: Cazador1972 @ 09/07/2008 12:05:54 AM


      That is sooo right on the money! I remember thinking, all the way back in 2000 when McCain hadn't sold his soul, that many Conservatives in NC voted against him because they bought into the whole "he fathered an illegitimate black child". Here's a Conservative who actually RAISED a child and voters turned against him.

      I know many Pro-Life Conservatives, including my ex in-laws, who are decent people I'd lay my life down for without a thought. Yet, not A SINGLE ONE OF THEM has adopted a child. What's up with that?

  • Posted By: marylu @ 09/10/2008 6:33:09 PM

    Brava, Anna. Of all the columnists I have read thus far, you are the first one to completely capture why I feel so monumentally insulted and patronized by Governor Palin's selection. And as for the hypocrisy... just think how these self-styled values voters would have reacted had it been Hillary Clinton who went back to work right after having a baby, or who had a pregnant teen daughter.

  • Posted By: Eric B @ 09/06/2008 4:21:05 PM

    Hypocrisy is working on both sides here, the pepole defending might be the usual prosecutors, but the usual defenders are prosecuting. It just shows that it is all political. However it is should also be noted that Palin is at least living the principles she professes.

    What is also important to note that just because she has chosen to live a life according to traditional judeo christian values does not mean she is setting back the women's movement, she has just moved it up 30 years, how can the Republicans ever go back once she has been elected and has given the party new life.

    • Posted By: Esencia08 @ 09/07/2008 12:07:58 AM

      Exactly! Palin's VP nomination really does signal change, not just for the entire country but also for the republican party. Palin can actually help ease some of the rigid beliefs of the right wing christian sector that currently dominates the party platform.

      • Posted By: abbreviate @ 09/08/2008 4:12:18 PM

        How?

        Keep pregnancy secret for political gain.
        Risk health and life of mother and child for political gain.


        Knowingly let child suffer for the rest of his life for disputed moral principles of one church that sounds more like cult.
        Use and abuse own children for political gain.
        Does not sound right to me. How about you?

        • Posted By: ecdmuppet @ 09/10/2008 6:16:10 PM

          I'll tell you how: by providing an example of feminism that doesn't involve hating men and abandoning family life and conservative values. Sarah Palin is the perfect example of how a career-oriented woman can be a successful and inspirational leader without being a total beyotch. Conservatives would have figured that out 30 years ago if liberals hadn't attached the entire feminist movement to their own God-hating, socialist agenda.

          For that matter, the same thing goes for race relations in this country, and poverty, for that matter! If you'd stop telling the world that white conservatives hate black people, and the poor have no opportunity to fulfil their potential, and that conservatives don't care about their problems, then we could start a dialogue about fixing these issues - private sector and public, working to fix what's broken in this country.

          The problem is that for liberals to gain power, something has to be broken, and it has to be conservatives' fault. There has to be some problem that's so huge, only an equally huge government program can fix it, and save the oppressed people of the world from the evil conservative agenda.

          And that's why liberals are pissed at Sarah Palin. It's the same reason they hated Clarence Thomas. Black people can't be conservatives! It's base trechary to them! Black people need huge government programs to take care of them, not ambition and sefl-respect! Conservatives valuing a strong female leader is like Osama bin Laden converting to Judaism to them! It's simply impossible! How can this evil group of woman haters be so cynical as to pretend to value a strong woman?!

          Well, here's why: We value people based not on the color of their skin, or their gender, but by the content of their character. An extremely great man once taught us that. If the politics of race hadn't been so devicive back then, maybe we'd still have him around to lead us.

  • Posted By: danerno1 @ 09/09/2008 11:45:27 AM

    Ms. Quindlen. As a 66 year old Democrat I need to dicuss how wrong and disgusted I've become with you and some others in my party. We all want to show the differences between our party and the Republicans. But the vitriol, lies, exaggerations, misimformation, and omissions has become intollerable. We all know that McCain's main reason for choosing Palin was the feminine factor. Secondarilly was the close political idiology she shares with McCain. But these vicious and sexist attacks on Palin as a woman and mother MUST stop. They are losing the Democrats' votes by the millions. Are you too novice and biased to see that? Use your head woman!! And the comment you made in your most recent article about Republican "wingnuts of their own party elevated such attacks to a fine art by accusing Hillary of fictitious misdeeds from treason to murder." Why would you bring that up? Were you asleep when Ed Willey, Jerry Parks, Kathy Ferguson, Florence Martin, Suzanne Coleman and many more all died of gunshot wounds because they were a threat to Bill and Hillary Clinton. Some shot in the back of the head the day before they were to testify in court against the Clinton's. Could you believe for one second that Bill and Hillary weren't complicit in these murders, and over 30 more? Bill and Hillary are a despicable embarrassment to our party. As are those of you who think vicious attacks are more productive than political discourse. Shame on you. Dan Renga. Las Vegas, NV.

    • Posted By: thinkingwoman @ 09/09/2008 12:31:02 PM

      After reading your comment, three things are clear: 1) You are NOT a Democrat; 2) Either you haven't done your homework, or you are willing to belive--and pass along as truth--the most ridiculous, unfounded, outrageous, and idiotic blarney, and 3) Refer to #1.

      As i peruse the comments posted here, I am forced to conclude that most of the posts are angry conservatives who make no logical arguments or demonstrate reasoning of any kind. Rather, they rely on the tried- and true methods of blame, lies, and name-calling and the knee-jerk use of the same old GOP scapegoats--liberals, the media, the liberal media, etc.. and you might try using a dictionary, too.

      You should be ashamed of yourselves! Where is the thoughtful commentary, the reasoned debate? As the great observer of American culture, George Carlin, once said... "Think of how stupid the average American is... and then think about the fact that half of them are stupider than that."

      I fear for our country's future. We will not be world leaders for much longer if we can't participate in public life like civilized people.

      • Posted By: danerno1 @ 09/09/2008 1:06:44 PM

        Sorry 'unthinkingwoman'. I, my parents, and their parents have always been Democrats. Proudly, 'Blue Dog' Democrats. Conservative yes, but caring and generous. I've always put America first, regardless of party. You are obviously one of the young, brainwashed 'ultra liberals' that never consider anything but welfare, or especially the consequences of it. Good Americans stripped of pride and self worth after generations of being told they can't make it without help. Want me to really tick you off? Look at the direct correlation between more black Americans getting a college education, and more blacks joining the Republican party. It's because we Democrats have not been good for them. STOP giving away buckets of fish. TEACH them to fish.

        • Posted By: CBJinAL @ 09/10/2008 3:29:05 PM

          And with this "increase" in African Americans in the GOP, why was it that therer were only 36 AA delegates at the GOPconvention? Even J.C. Watts has said his party needs to do a better job in this regard. And nope, the DNC doesn't have us brainwashed ,either. I for one will vote my pocket book, for my friends who are in Iraq and for relief at the pump, none of which has even been addressed by the GOP.
          CBJ in AL .
          I

        • Posted By: socalsue @ 09/10/2008 3:18:17 AM

          "Blue Dog" Democrats might as well be Republicans. I'm with thinkingwoman on this. There are a lot of angry people posting and not enough real dialogue. Our country has big problems and putting the Republicans in office for four more years would be a big mistake. Bill Clinton left us with a budget surplus. George Bush is running the country into the ground. John McCain promises more of the same. Sarah Palin is just a Republican mouth piece. And I am not just some young lib..

        • Posted By: bwlear @ 09/09/2008 3:57:02 PM

          There are FEWER African American delegates in the Republican party now then there were when G. Bush was elected. Dont let Condi Rice fool you. Keep telling yourself the lie that you did it by yourself.

      • Posted By: socalsue @ 09/10/2008 3:01:43 AM

        Depressing, isn't it.

  • Posted By: denmill @ 09/10/2008 3:12:00 PM

    Anna Quindlen you are the #1 HYPOCRITE. whay don't you ask both Michelle and Barack Hussein Obama to stay home. Why did not you questionne Michelle when she said that her mother was available to care for her children. Guess what, Sarah's husband did choose to stay home. Yes the best is to have a parent to stay home not just mother. My sister in law is a VP of a company and make much more money than her husbang who is a psychologist and thhey have made the decision for the father to stay at home. There is no problem with that. You liberal media and family values hater like to twist everything to your liberal agenda's advantage. You need to join your liberal friends like Oberman and Chris Matthew. You have no business in jounalism because you are not impartial. GO TO HELL!!!!!!!

    • Posted By: bwlear @ 09/10/2008 3:17:39 PM

      Dosent feel so good when we throw it back in your face huh? Perhaps your Physcologist friend can examine you and let us all know why you have such a problem with Mrs Obama when she is running for nothing and on no ticket? Quite the women right supporter.

  • Posted By: Debra Tanner @ 09/10/2008 1:55:58 PM

    Dear Ms. Quindlen, Thank you for your thoughtful and intelligent article. I pray that men and women will see through the mean politics as usual approach that is being put up via a woman and think again about how they really want to see our country ran.

  • Posted By: Debra Tanner @ 09/10/2008 1:51:24 PM

    Dear Ms. Quindlen, I think you are head on, right on. Your article says it all. You were much nicer about it and more intellegent in your presentation than I would have been, so I thank you. I hope that more women and men will see through the lipstick.

  • Posted By: JDinHouston @ 09/10/2008 1:25:08 PM

    Right on! The Republicans are using a double standard. Sarah Palin is a politician, and is being attacked like any politician. The Republicans still want her to be their version of a woman, a nice quiet and respectful mom you never talk back to no matter what she says. Gov Palin has come out swinging and in politics you hit back hard. Can't handle it? Tough.

  • Posted By: mbfun @ 09/10/2008 11:49:09 AM

    You want to talk hypocrisy?? How about the fact that liberal opposition researchers are tirelessly trying to dig up dirt on Sarah Palin's record (to no avail) desperately trying to convince American voters of her inexperience while turning a blind eye to the fact that their PRESIDENTIAL candidate has far less experience historically. And with regard to the comment that the Palin pick is just a means of inducing a knee-jerk response among uneducated voters...What do you think Obama is?? Liberals in this country are so desperate for change in Washington that they are willing to propel an undeniably inexperienced candidate to the top of the Democratic ticket just because of the superficial illusion of change that he represents. Palin may not be the MOST experienced candidate ever but at least her responsibilities are encompassed within the VP position. Obama's proven inexperience would have detrimental effect if placed in the position of chief executive and I am sure that the upcoming debates and interviews will bring this fact to light.

  • Posted By: mbfun @ 09/10/2008 11:40:19 AM

    You want to talk hypocrisy?? How about the countless liberal opposition researchers tirelessly digging for dirt on Sarah Palin's record desperately trying to convince American voters of her lack of experience while trying to cover up the fact that their PRESIDENTIAL candidate has far less experience. And the comments about the Palin pick being a means of inducing a knee-jerk response from uneducated American voters... c'mon people!! What do you think the point of propelling a young, African-American, (inexperienced) candidate to the top of the Democratic ticket is?? Liberal Americans so desperately want change in Washington that they are willing to vote in a completely inexperienced candidate simply because he represents a superficial change in appearance. Sarah Palin may not be the most experienced candidate ever but at least she's just running for VP. Obama's proven, undeniable inexperience would be detrimental if placed in the position of chief executive and I believe that the upcoming debates and interviews will bring this fact to light.

  • Posted By: gobbledegook @ 09/10/2008 9:10:38 AM

    Jack McSplat married the porkbarrel.

  • Posted By: olderwiser @ 09/10/2008 9:06:58 AM

    Easy. Karl Rove studied the whole nation in great detail. Like a hard working gold miner panning gold dust from the bed of a mountain stream, he discovered the vast mother lode of our population's ignorance and gullibility. He realized that you can distract enough voters from governmental issues to turn an election your way with small details concerning religion, sex, abortion, and the general aura of soap opera which surrounds those subjects. All the while, totally failing to mention any legitimate campaign issue concerning health care and all of the other issues of the day. He also learned the "copy cat" technique of campaigning, in which if your opponent seems to be ahead of you with a popular idea such as "change", then you adopt your opponent's mantra of "change" and make it seem as if you invented it. Add to that his technique of taking an opponent's attributes and making them seem to be menial and downright evil, as in swift boating a war hero, or accusing your Christian opponent of being a Muslim, and voila, you can steal an election. We are watching this process in action today. A neat new wrinkle is the "woman from nowhere" chosen as a vice presidential candidate who is permitted to trash an opposing candidate for president whose shoes she is not qualified to shine, alongside a prohibition for anyone to trash her or even for the press to interview her about her qualifications to be dog catcher and here is where we are today. These people in office today have us on the verge of a 1929 economic depression and they are seeking to continue in office. What other cause for this can we find other than ignorance and gullibility of our voters?

  • Posted By: sayles70 @ 09/09/2008 9:42:50 PM

    I've voted democratic all my life, but I'm not a registered democrat. I'm one of those people who sways. I don't think folks ought to abort after the first trimester. I don't have a gun, but I believe in the right to own one. I don't want a death tax, but I don't mind income tax. I think sex education should be taught at home. And I believe it's about time we have a woman as a Vice President. I am educated with a masters degree, but I would have voted for Obama if he had chosen Hillary. It's as simple as that. Many folks (so called friends) have called me stupid these last two weeks. "Do they think we're stupid enough to vote for McCain just because of a female running mate?". Yup. Count me in. Not all because she is a woman. Like I said, I'm pretty moderate. But breaking that 200 year old glass ceiling is worth a few compromises. Also, this is not a dictatorship we are talking about. We don't have to live her life hook, line and sinker. There are a few checks and balances. We made it through Bush with the right to choose. I ask the women here- who in your family, community and society cares for the good of everyone? Who offers to carpool, hosts dinner parties, keeps school papers submitted on time, makes doctor appointments? Who is the most empathetic and sympathetic person you know? Who know how to juggle an enormous amount of needs-of-others? Yes, for some it will be a man. But for most it will be woman. This is who I want leading the country. At least once in a couple of centuries!

    • Posted By: socalsue @ 09/10/2008 2:48:02 AM

      Yeah, but the one McCain picked isn't even ready to face an interview with the press. She is just not ready. Also, the Supreme Court is already teetering to the right and it will take a generation to recover if McCain is elected. Ask yourself if the Supreme Court represents your beliefs. How many Scalias and Alitos do we need on the Supreme Court. How many women are on it? You can bet they aren't going to appoint the kind of Justice Obama will appoint.

      • Posted By: sayles70 @ 09/10/2008 8:42:21 AM

        if obama announced he wants to put hillary clinton on the supreme court, or at least mentioned a specific cabinet position that she wants, he would have my vote.
        when he chose the less qualified man (the democratic party said so in the elections) over the woman, he showed his true beliefs.

  • Posted By: seanblog @ 09/10/2008 8:11:26 AM

    This is a column I have been waiting to read ever since they announced Palin as the running mate. You are correct about their hypocrisy. They don't believe for a minute that she is qualified to run the country and they definately believe that she should be home with her kids. What they do believe is that she can get Hillary votes and get that old man elected and that's all that counts. So now the Republicans have framed her like they frame the war. If I'm against the war, I'm a communist and if I'm against her I hate women. Great.
    Thanks for another great column.
    www.begup.com

  • Posted By: Mariee123 @ 09/09/2008 8:38:27 AM

    The Palin choice appeals to 'dumbed down' America. Anyone who is paying attention can clearly see the old boys club completely contradicting every last attack they have used against Obama. Gee, 'ain't she pretty' and, 'golly, she's got lady parts just like me' are sentiments that should not turn elections. It's the same logic as 'defeat evil' - simplistic and stupid.

    • Posted By: News and Notes @ 09/09/2008 11:57:40 AM

      The DNC and party elites pushed through a smooth talking underexpereienced nominee over a smart, intelligent, hard working, knowledgeable, strong,l experienced woman. Where is the dumbing down?

      • Posted By: Mariee123 @ 09/09/2008 3:10:58 PM

        How could any Hillary supporter completely disregard everything Hillary stood for in order to support an unqualified, dangerously ultra conservative female? Is it just about anatomy??

        • Posted By: News and Notes @ 09/09/2008 3:29:32 PM

          To answer your question, change "conservative female" to "liberal male"

          • Posted By: Mariee123 @ 09/10/2008 8:03:27 AM

            You're fighting the wrong fight.

        • Posted By: News and Notes @ 09/09/2008 3:28:03 PM

          I was trying to point out how the DNC and party elites, in my opinion, "dumbed down" Americans. Then Obama dumbed us down again by not asking Hillary to be his running mate. McCain cleverly capitalized on their poor judgement and mistakes. Its time for Obama and his supporters to get humble, acknowledge their mistakes, and try to win this thing.

    • Posted By: SlowBurn @ 09/09/2008 9:28:52 AM

      The obama choice appeals to ANTI-AMERICANS IN THE U.S. AND AROUND THE WORLD! NO THANKS!
      McCain/Pailn (America First!)

      • Posted By: Mariee123 @ 09/09/2008 3:06:46 PM

        There is nothing more ANTI-AMERICAN than trying to ban books, teach creationism, ban sex education, secede from the Union, and shove Evangelical principles down other peoples' throats. Stop using the flag to cover up your ignorance and fear. That is UNAMERICAN!!!

  • Posted By: r s cohn @ 09/10/2008 5:22:17 AM

    I'm hoping that centrist American women realize what's at stake here. Palin had the right to choose.......we cannot allow the right to be taken away from us. We have fought too long and hard for it, and women MUST have the right to choose for themselves. The Right to Choose and the Supreme Court are up for grabs in this coming election -- women who care had better stand up to be counted!
    rosanne cohn, redmond washington

  • Posted By: socalsue @ 09/10/2008 3:22:32 AM

    Is anyone else getting tired of Sarah Palin yet?

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