Can You Say ‘Sexist’?

« Return to Article

Discuss

Member Comments

  • Posted By: All4America @ 09/08/2008 3:03:19 AM

    The reality is that the DNC failed miserably by nominating a candidate that will lose in November. I agree that Palin is underqualified but Obama is even less qualified (and he is running at the top of the Dem ticket!). The obsession to nominate an African-American trumped the rational decision to nominate the most qualified Democrat, and that was clearly Hillary. After McCain wins in November, the DNC will regret having promoted Obama before he was ready for prime time.

    • Posted By: socalsue @ 09/08/2008 3:15:11 AM

      Hillary was more qualified to be the Democratic nominee, but Obama is much more qualified than Sarah Palin to be the leader of the free world, a very real possibility given McCain's age and health history. The state of Alaska is only about 700,000 people, not even the size of a medium sized city and it is very isolated. She is not in touch with what is going on in the rest of the country.

      • Posted By: HarleyDavidson @ 09/08/2008 3:41:28 AM

        The community organizer? Qualified? Really? Palin has a 40 billion budget, thousands of employees, and sits on top of America's oil and gas supply, the energy Americans need now. That's Billion with a capital B. Barry Hussian Obama wrote two books about himself. About himself! Wow! Not about America. Not about anything but himself. Barry said he's been to 57 state with one more to go. Really, SocalSue he might want to write a Geography book with new details outlining those extra states. Palin may live in the north but she does know how many states make up the United States of America.

        • Posted By: socalsue @ 09/10/2008 2:40:11 AM

          And Sarah Palin is so qualified that her handlers haven't allowed her to be interviewed yet. She is still getting the crash course in the basics.

      • Posted By: katvan @ 09/08/2008 5:34:20 AM

        Why are you comparing a presidential candidate to a VP candidate? Not even close. And while Obama has spent less than 150 actual days in the senate missed 40% of the votes. (Can't be compared to McCains) He also voted *present* 130 times and "I pressed the wrong button" How much experience has he had following up his words with actions? Never did it with Iraq - no matter how he claims superior "judgment" - that judgment didn't translate into action. No action = no determination of judgment. Continuing to say he was against Iraq and allowing people to think it mattered is a gross lack of judgment.

    • Posted By: doctorfixit @ 09/08/2008 3:54:20 AM

      Obama has no experience as an executive. He does NOT run his own campaign. In every legislative position he has ever held, he immediately began his next campaign the moment he was elected. He never wrote a piece of legislation - he just took credit for the work of others. He is a big nothing who charms a lot of people with his speaking voice. Sound familiar?

  • Posted By: widgeon @ 09/10/2008 12:39:37 AM

    Thank you!! One of your strongest articles yet and I was wowed.

  • Posted By: beefy @ 09/09/2008 10:22:02 PM

    Too bad the Confederacy did not have propagandists like Anna Quidlen to proclaim that ???Lincoln wants to take away slave owners??? right to choose.???

    Existence is not a f---ing crime!

  • Posted By: beefy @ 09/09/2008 10:21:02 PM

    Too bad the Confederacy did not have propagandists like Anna Quidlen to proclaim that ???Lincoln wants to take away slave owners??? right to choose.???

    Existence is not a f---ing crime!

  • Posted By: buckosu @ 09/09/2008 10:12:31 PM

    So conservatives are sexist because of what they are supposedly thinking but not actually saying. Many liberals, including the candidate for president, are saying the right things. However, several others are actually implying that they know what Governor Palin should be doing and believe that it is her business to tell her. It appears that, to people like Anna Quindlen, Sarah Palin's greatest sin is that she actually dared to be a successful woman and still decide to have conservative principles.

  • Posted By: mboshart @ 09/09/2008 7:56:35 PM

    Bravo Anna Q for a wonderful article. It is apparent that the GOP's newfound star is the epitomy of everything the GOP of the past worked again, especially in regards to social/cultural issue directly affecting women. The current masquerade has me nauseated. It's nice to know that I'm not the only one who's stomach is turning.

  • Posted By: tarafriel @ 09/09/2008 7:45:19 PM

    Your column publicly articulated what I was "screaming" at my radio everytime a conventioneer was interviewed at the lovefest that was Sarah Palin! Thank you for writing this. Unfortunately, as you said, they will never recognize why some of us are sufffering whiplash from their about-face opinions!

  • Posted By: ljcapechick @ 09/09/2008 7:44:49 PM

    Ha! Jealous much? Ticked off at the number of women relieved that the liberal definition of what it means to be a feminist is no longer the only choice we have? Liberal ownership of "feminism" is why I have always positioned myself against it as absolutely not THE way to advance women's rights. Palin advances feminism without rejecting feminine. We don't want to be women who have the right to morph into men; we want to be women who do it like women.

  • Posted By: NHWorkingMomof3 @ 09/09/2008 3:40:28 PM

    This is an excellent column...one of the best, that captures the essence of what is wrong with the Republican's support of Palin's candidacy. We've heard what's wrong with Palin as a candidate, but the Republicans are guilty of far worse in supporting her.

    • Posted By: colddeadhands @ 09/09/2008 7:24:40 PM

      Agreeing with this column as "one of the best" illustrates the pile-on effect. It has all you libs giving each other verbal high-fives over nothing but smearing and hubris. It is a pile of fluff. None of it it true.

  • Posted By: Belker @ 09/09/2008 7:20:00 PM

    Get Anna, what is your point? Are you engaged in a slam at Sarah, but trying to hide it behind smoke and mirrors.

    Sarah cannot be a true feminist because she is opposed to abortion? Male chauvinist Obama will love you for that.

    In case indepentant voter missed it Sarah does not head the ticket. She has a supporting role. McCain decides how things will be done. And why aren't you demanding that Biden announce his "own" plans, but of course, he has to clear it with Obama first.

    And it is obvious that you are a wolf in sheeps clothing. An Obama supporter trying an indirect smear. Nice try. Are you and Annna Q twins?

  • Posted By: WrknActor @ 09/09/2008 5:57:39 PM

    If Ms. Palin and the GOP wish for her personal life and that of her pregnant teenaged daughter to remain a private matter and "out of bounds," then shouldn't she (and the GOP) show the same courtesy and respect for the women of America regarding their personal and private matter of choice and reproductive rights? What's good for the goose ...

    • Posted By: colddeadhands @ 09/09/2008 7:16:59 PM

      neither of them killed their baby

  • Posted By: kimbus @ 09/09/2008 10:55:19 AM

    Bravo!!! Thank you for this article. I was starting to think i was alone in the world. Married, white, mid-aged working mom here, former Clinton supporter, now staunch OBAMA supporter. My gender does not dictate my choice for President; my conscious does, my values do, and my dedication to the ideals of the Democratic Party!

    • Posted By: Independant Voter @ 09/09/2008 7:12:12 PM

      Well said - thank you!

  • Posted By: denmill @ 09/09/2008 5:38:27 PM

    Miss Quindlen, let's stop the race and the gender card. Miss Sarah can kick asss!!!!!!!

  • Posted By: libs4palin @ 09/09/2008 8:45:27 AM

    Memo to the oh-so-smart media: Every Hillary supporter I know is now firmly in the McCain-Palin camp. These commentators are, to use the cliché, out of touch with ordinary women, and women who do not march in lockstep with their party. They keep saying we won't switch allegiances to McCain-Palin because of abortion rights and other issues. But we are not all ???issue voters.??? We also care about experience, character, and leadership. McCain-Palin beats Obama on all these points.
    As a liberal Democrat, I???d also like to add that the Dems nominated the wrong candidate. Obama is neither qualified nor electable. Hillary should be the nominee, or at least on the ticket. As prez, Hillary could win this election in a walk. As veep, Hillary would have Obama leading the polls big-time by now.
    To those (especially female) pundits who say it???s ???offensive??? to think that Palin might garner the Hillary vote: I think it???s ???offensive??? that you are so sequestered in your elite ivory tower that you make stupid assumptions about women you don???t have a clue about!
    Sorry, but for me and many others, it???s country first, party second.

    • Posted By: SlowBurn @ 09/09/2008 9:27:07 AM

      I am one of thosepeople who wanted Hilarry but will take Palin as a "consolation prize'; anyone but obama is fine with me!

      • Posted By: bwlear @ 09/09/2008 4:03:52 PM

        Then you are a fool who will get the type of goverment you deserve.

    • Posted By: Jose52 @ 09/09/2008 2:37:31 PM

      I agree with your facts! Would the chosen one dump Abortion Joe and then choose HRC. It could happen.

      • Posted By: News and Notes @ 09/09/2008 3:33:37 PM

        Too late. Obama would never publicly admit he made a grave mistake and error in judgement when he snobbed out Hillary

  • Posted By: sieg6529 @ 09/09/2008 12:14:57 PM

    I don't like her, but I wish Obama had picked Hillary to be his VP. I'll still vote Democrat, because I'm too poor to vote Republican.

    • Posted By: danerno1 @ 09/09/2008 12:48:11 PM

      Hey sieg6529. Don't blame being poor on Democrats or Republicans. Look in the mirror for blame. I'm rich because of a great education, (at my own expense, no welfare or entitlements) training on several jobs, and then finally pulling my own business license. After almost a year of working 80 hours a week, the REAL money started rolling in. This is America. It's out there for any gender, race, or political party. Turn off the TV, put away the beer and get busy. You're your own best friend, or your own worst enemy.

      • Posted By: bwlear @ 09/09/2008 3:53:09 PM

        And Im sure that no one helped you along the way. No Pell grant, subsidised loans, tax credits for tuition, no goverment grants to the school you attended, no instate tuition which is subsidized by the taxpayers of the state, etc.
        Can you say B.S.?

      • Posted By: Mariee123 @ 09/09/2008 2:56:26 PM

        You're obviously very fond of yourself. Congratulations.

  • Posted By: zachmom @ 09/08/2008 5:21:57 PM

    Republicans are not against women't rights. Republicans are for equal rights for all. Women should have the same opportunities that men have. Women should have equal pay for equal work. The only difference between us is that pro-lifers believe that a baby's right to live is more important than the mother's right to choose. If we believe that life begins at conception, then abortion is murder, and thus we believe we are in the midst of a holocaust. That does NOT mean that we believe that a woman's place is in the home, barefoot, ignorant, and pregnant. You dismiss a legitimate conversation between us when you assume otherwise.

    • Posted By: Mark Steven Zuelke @ 09/08/2008 5:51:34 PM

      Proud to agree with you. Conservatives have ALWAYS been the party of freedom and justice, no matter who it applies to.

      We still believe in the Constitution, the words of the Pledge, our National Anthem still brings truth to the fore and our country is still the most just, free, loving country there is because of CONSERVATIVES, those people who throughout history wish to uphold the essential truths our country couldn't exist without..



      • Posted By: pearsoncrz @ 09/09/2008 1:09:20 PM

        Palin is pro-life, even in the case of rape, and opposes same-sex marriage and favors the discussion of creationism alongside evolution in schools. But she hasn't pushed for legislative changes in any of those areas.

        The Associated Press reported Sept 3: "Palin's children attend public schools and Palin has made no push to have creationism taught in them. ... It reflects a hands-off attitude toward mixing government and religion by most Alaskans."

        She even vetoed a bill that would have denied benefits to employees in same-sex relationships because she said it was unconstitutional.

        That says plenty. It shows she knows the limits of government, and believes that government isn't there to tell us what to do.

        Obama seems more inclined to use government to control what choices we have than Palin does. Check out HR 800 and see what the democrats are up to while we're all talking about Palin. They are trying to eliminate the secret ballot in union elections. How unAmerican is THAT?????

      • Posted By: popmanifesto @ 09/08/2008 6:11:08 PM

        The founding fathers were progressives. Some were even radicals. If they were conservatives, we'd all still be British. And if you actually believe in the Constitution, you wouldn't have let Bush and Cheney spit on it. Freedom and justice no matter who it applies to? Are you kidding me? Tell that the thousands of innocent Iraqis who have been imprisoned, tortured, and/or killed, including the precious babies you Republicans claim to care so much about. They did nothing to us, but they died because your arrogant, immoral president and VP lied to send us to war with them. Think again.

        • Posted By: zachmom @ 09/09/2008 9:46:23 AM

          Are you kidding me? Do you honestly believe that the Iraqis would be better off in the long term if Saddam Hussein was still in power? I don't agree with HOW the war in Iraq was handled either, and there are many areas in which I disagree with Bush. But to leave the Iraqis with an unstable government would be the worst thing we could do. Until they are stabilized, we need to maintain a presence there. But I digress. Or rather, you do. This was a discussion of feminism, if I was not mistaken.

        • Posted By: pearsoncrz @ 09/08/2008 9:41:51 PM

          you equate conservatism with status quo.

          Classical conservatives are first and foremost small government, fiscally responsible, and family values oriented. Small government is good for business, which is why business align themselves with the conservative party, not because they want to maintain some stagnant status quo or promote corporate interests over the welfare of the people.

  • Posted By: independent in texas @ 09/08/2008 5:40:10 PM

    i hope one day, the people who keep voting for the top of the democratic ticket come to understand, they don't have your best interest in mind, they don't give a whit about you or your situation. they only care about being in power. to be able to control your life in every facet. they don't believe you are smart enough to raise your kids, they want to tell you what doctor to use and when, or fine you and put him in jail. they only want to turn this great country into a communist police state and take away ALL your freedoms.

    • Posted By: popmanifesto @ 09/08/2008 5:54:56 PM

      Sir, you accidentally wrote "democratic" when you clearly meant Republican. It all fits except that one word.

      • Posted By: socalsue @ 09/09/2008 3:17:47 AM

        Agree. Either that or he really doesn't get it.

        • Posted By: pearsoncrz @ 09/09/2008 1:08:50 PM

          So you think democratic efforts to get HR 800 passed and take away the secret ballot in union elections is not trying to control our lives?

          Tell that to all the small business owners who are about to become union shops.

  • Posted By: pearsoncrz @ 09/08/2008 9:34:26 PM

    Sarah Palin never tried to ban any books. In response to multiple inquiries, the City of Wasilla has now issued a statement which includes a list of the Wasilla Public Library challenged books -- all four of them. All four of the challenges occurred either years before or years after Palin was a member of the city council (1992-1996) or was mayor (1996-2002).

    Here are the four books:

    Year of Challenge: Pre-1986
    Item Challenged: Angel Dust Blues by Todd Strasser
    Result: Creation of "Young Adult" section in library and placement of item in section

    Year of Challenge: 1986
    Item Challenged: Bumps in the Night by Harvey Allard
    Result: Remained on shelf

    Year of Challenge: 2005
    Item Challenged: America (The Book): A Citizen's Guide to Democracy Inaction by Jon Steward (sic)
    Result: Remained on shelf

    Year of Challenge: 2007
    Item Challenged: The Abduction by Mette Newth
    Result: Remained on shelf

    Go to http://www.cityofwasilla.com

    • Posted By: socalsue @ 09/09/2008 3:08:45 AM

      True, but she asked the librarian if she would remove books from the shelves if asked. The librarian said no and Palin later tried unsuccessfully to fire her (the town wouldn't let her). It's on CNN. Check it out.

      • Posted By: pearsoncrz @ 09/09/2008 1:04:28 PM

        It is entirely appropriate for an administrator to find out whether those working for them would do something illegal or in violation of the constitution. There is nothing wrong with posing a hypothetical and getting an answer, and there is no evidence that Palin ever asked that any book be removed or even asked for a book to be put on restricted access.

        In fact, although Palin opposes same sex couples, as governor she vetoed a bill that would deprive such couples of equal rights, saying it would be unconstitutional.

        Just because a person has individual beliefs does not mean she wants to impose them on others.

  • Posted By: philgrimm @ 09/09/2008 12:48:23 PM

    Quindlen: "I am not defensive! I am NOT defensive!" I was not being an East Coast Liberal Elitist!!

  • Posted By: Hillaristka @ 09/08/2008 6:18:42 PM

    SARAH PALIN's PHENOMENON ENABLED BY DEMO BOSSES and LIB MEDIA

    What irony! Democrats would have nothing to worry about had they put Hillary as a VP on their ticket. McCain would not take this risk without hope (right or wrong) that Palin would attract Hillary's votes. Even her conservative credentials would not suffice to take such a gamble.
    I am Hillary supporter and will vote for demo ticket (although my spirit is squashed by the demo party machine) --but some of my friends will not. Do not blame them--blame the stupidity of Dean/Pelosi/Read who would risk 18 mlns votes for nothing. So--here is fruit: lethargy amongst the Obama suppporters and elation for Palin's party.

    • Posted By: socom1_up @ 09/08/2008 6:53:08 PM

      With Hillary as your VP running mate, you better hire a food taster. Can you imagine being the only person standing between Hillary and the presidency?
      Obama's survival instincts served him well as he side stepped the Bill/Hill machine.

      • Posted By: INSURANCEMAN @ 09/08/2008 7:29:44 PM

        YOU HAVE TO BE KIDDING ME ! BY NOT SELECTING HILLARY AS HIS V.P. RUNNING MATE IS NOT ONLY ONE OF THE DUMBEST THINGS OBAMA COULD HAVE DONE BUT IS THE MOST SEXIST THING OBAMA HAS DONE. HERE'S ONE BETTER LADIES, THE ONE & ONLY OPRAH WINFREY WILL NOT, I REPEAT, WILL NOT ALLOW SARAH PALIN ON HER TELEVISION SHOW. TALK ABOUT RACIST ! WHAT COULD OPRAH BE AFRAID OF ? IS THIS A SHOW OF UNITY AMONG THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY AGAINST WHITE PEOPLE ? NOBODY EVER BRINGS UP THE FACT THAT 6 WEEKS AGO MICHELE OBAMA SAID THAT SHE HATED WHITE PEOPLE ! LET'S MENTION BACK TRACKING. OBAMA CLAIMS HE'S NOT A MUSLIM, THAT'S ANOTHER LIE, HE IS A MUSLIM ! JERIMIAH WRIGHT ONLY TOUCHED THE TIP OF THE ICEBURG, NO BODY EVER MENTIONS OBAMA'S TIES WITH PRES. CHAVEZ OF VENEZULA. CHAVEZ HAS CONTRIBUTED CASH MONEY TO OBAMA'S ELECTION COFFERS. ONE LAST THING, HOW IS OBAMA GOING TO PAY FOR ALL OF HIS GRAND PLANS FOR AMERICA ? HE'S GOING TO RAISE TAXES MORE THEN YOU CAN IMAGINE. WHAT'S WRONG WITH A WOMEN IN THE WHITE HOUSE ? PALIN DOES HAVE EXPERIENCE, SHE'S A GOVERNOR NOT A COMMUNITY ORGANIZER. WOMEN-------WAKE UP ! THIS IS THE TIME TO ELECT A POSITIVE, PROGRESSIVE, PERSON TO THE WHITE HOUSE. OBAMA DELIVERS A NICE SPEECH & IS ANOTHER BILL CLINTON, WHO RODE OUT HIS 8 YEARS IN THE WHITE HOUSE FROM THE SURPLUSES LEFT BEHIND BY RONALD REAGAN & GEORGE BUSH. I BLAME CLITON FOR 9-11. CLINTON SOLD OUT AMERICA & NOW, BECAUSE HE'S BLACK, THE LIBERALS WANT TO JUMP ON THE RACIST OPRAH WINFREY WAGON, LEAVE OUT SARAH PALIN FROM HER SHOW BECAUSE OPRAH WANTS OBAMA AS HER PRESIDENT. GIVE ME A BREAK ! I'M VOTING FOR THE MC CAIN/PALIN TICKET. YOU'VE GOT TO HEAD IN THE SAND TO VOTE FOR OBAMA. HAS EVERYONE FORGOT ABOUT THE ONLY ATTACK ON AMERICAN SOIL ON 9-11-01 ? THE IRAQ WAR IS SECURE OUR DEPENDANCE ON FOREIGN OIL, LET'S CALL A SPADE A SPADE. JUST LIKE JAPAN DID IN WW2, THEY BOMBED PEARL HARBOR TO GET AMERICA INTO THE WAR. OSAMA BIN LADEN BOMBED AMERICA TO SHOW THE WORLD THAT AMERICA WILL FALL TO HER KNEES FOR OILK ! WHAT DID EVERYONE WANT BUSH TO DO ? OH, IT'S O.K. OSAMA, YOU CAN BOMB US ANYTIME YOU WANT. OBAMA IS IN THE POCKET OF OUR ENEMIES & THE U.S. CITIZENS CAN'T SEE IT. GO AHEAD, VOTE FOR THIS MUSLIM OBAMA & WITHIN 6 MONTHS THE U.S. WILL BE IN THE WORST DEPRESSION YOU WILL EVER SEE. WE WILL LOOSE OUR CREDIT RATING, OUR BOND RATING & OUR MILITARY SUPERIORITY THAT RUSSIA IS NOW TESTING US. WHY DO YOU THINK THAT WARREN BUFFET IS BUILDING FACTORIES IN CHINA ? BECAUSE IF OBAMA GETS ELECTED THE DOLLAR WILL CRASH & TRADED WILL BE ROBUST FROM CHINA & OTHER FORIEGN COUNTRIES. WAKE-UP PEOPLE, DON'T LISTEN TO HOLLYWOOD OPRAH, FROM CHICAGO !

        • Posted By: Isis Skye @ 09/09/2008 12:43:07 AM

          Someone is a leeeetle beeeet misinformed and confused here...

          • Posted By: Mark Steven Zuelke @ 09/09/2008 12:35:45 PM

            ...yea, YOU.

Reply

Report Abuse

Enter comments if any for reporting abuse