Can You Say ‘Sexist’?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!!!!!!!

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!

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.