Sexism (noun)
1. discriminatory or abusive behavior towards members of the opposite sex (WordNet, Princeton University, 2006)
2. The belief that one sex is naturally superior to the other and should dominate most important areas of political, economic, and social life. (The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition, 2005)
Are we in agreement here? Yes? Good. In that case...
Are You Fucking Kidding Me???????
You are not really considering voting for John McCain and Sarah Palin because the vice presidential candidate has a vagina, are you? Are you really not able to think with your brains instead of your genitalia? Are you fucking kidding me?
Now, before I go any further, I want to make one thing clear: I have no problem with anyone voting for John McCain and Sarah Palin because they represent the issues you hold dear. None. And I have no problem with anyone voting against Barack Obama and Joe Biden because they are against the issues you hold dear. None. No, once again, I am speaking to those people, mostly women, who have always been liberal democrats, who have always rallied against conservative republicans, who voted for Hillary Clinton in the primaries and are now willing to vote McCain-Palin because, and for no other reason than because, Palin is female.
I admit, like most of America, I know almost nothing about Sarah Palin. I have, however, spent a good deal of time yesterday and today looking her up. Will this be all-inclusive? Oh hell no. Here is where I'm finding my information, though: www.ontheissues.org; www.hrc.org; www.thedailygreen.com; www.votesmart.org; and www.gov.state.ak.us
So, can we look at a few things? Stepping back from emotion and trying to be logical?
More Federal Funding for Health Care ~ Clinton supports it; Palin opposes it
Spend Resources to Stop Global Warming ~ Clinton strongly supports it; Palin strongly opposes it
Global Warming as a Problem Caused by Humanity ~ Clinton believes it; Palin does not believe it
Constiutional Amendment Stating a Marriage is Between a Man and a Woman Only: Clinton strongly opposes it; Palin strongly supports it
Domestic Partnership Benefits for Public Employees: Clinton strongly supports it; Palin strongly opposes it
Offshore Drilling ~ Clinton opposes it; Palin supports it
Abortion is a Woman's Right ~ Clinton strongly supports it; Palin strongly opposes it
Sexual Orientation is Protected by Civil Rights Law: Clinton strongly supports it; Palin strongly opposes it
Absolute Right to Gun Ownership ~ Clinton strongly opposes it; Palin strongly supports it
More Spending on Armed Forces Personnel ~ Clinton opposes it; Palin supports it
Creationism to be Taught in Schools ~ Clinton opposes it; Palin supports it
Look at this, people. They are not the same woman. They do not bring the same ideals and goals to the table and to the country. If you share ideals and goals with Sarah Palin then for the sake of all things holy, Vote For Her. Vote McCain-Palin. Please. If, however, you share ideals and goals with Hillary Clinton, open your eyes. Listen to the advice we have given to young men for so long: think with your head, not with what's between your legs. Come on, already. Your candidate lost. Are you really going to turn your back on what she stands for? Are you fucking kidding me?
Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.
21 comments:
Bravo. You did the research, providing the results I wished to see and anticipated.
I live in a "red state" deemed to be a possible swing state in this election. A little anecdote: My wife works part time in retail. Yesterday after the announcement she was talking, at work, with co-workers about the McCain choice. A customer approached, overheard, and asked to join the conversation. More succinctly that your post (and lacking your research), she voiced the identical views.
Elections are always interesting, and this one especially.
And did you catch Barney Smith speaking at the convention?
THANK YOU
The next President will probably nominate 3 Judges to the Supreme Court. I am not just opposed to the idea of McCain/Palin, I'm afraid of it.
And now I really know I angered you because I didn't take the time to express what I thought about her was beautiful besides the fact her face...but, whatever.
I know you probably expected better of me but that's what I think anyways.
So, like I said, whatever.
Appsrus ~ Thank you. While it is easy to jump to the emotional "but Palin is a republican and Clinton is a democrat!" argument, I really wanted to get away from the emotional with this. And that requires research. ;) Sadly, I missed Barney Frank. Boo on that.
Lovely Cats ~ You're welcome.
Lrns ~ I, too, fear a McCain-Palin win, for many reasons, including the Supreme Court (as I know you also have more than just that reason.) However, if someone can back up their reasons for supporting McC-P, as much as I disagree, I acknowledge their right to believe differently than I believe. I can even work up respect for someone who is willing to stick to their beliefs. HOWEVER, I cannot bring myself to work up even the smallest amount of respect for a hypocrite. This post wasn't about the pros or cons of McC-P or O-B. I wanted to make that very clear within the post.
Dreamer ~ We crossed in cyberspace. Two things: First, no, you really and truly haven't angered me. That's why I was very clear about not being accusatory in my last reply and about being sincerely interested in what you agree with her on. You did not strike me as a PUMA (one of the people I am indeed addressing in this post) and I did not hear your comment as one. You indicated that there were things about Palin you respect. And I would still be interested in hearing what they are.
Second, you are forgetting one of my most sacrosanct rules of my blog: if/when I have an issue with someone I know is a regular reader (such as you, dear), I will not deal with that issue here in the blog. I will not hint; I will not suggest. I will deal with that issue away from here. Therefore, you can trust that this post Is Not a reaction to your comment.
Pobble - thanks for laying out the research. I had found out a lot of that myself after spending time looking her up, too. I am also infuriated that there are PUMAs who are going to vote for the McCain/Palin ticket for the sole reason of being pissed at the DNC and the fact that HRC didn't get nominated. Doesn't that prove that women are too emotional and don't think rationally? I'm just disgusted.
And Appsrus - I LOVED Barney Smith. He had the best line ever - "I want a president that puts Barney Smith first, not Smith Barney!" I can't imagine the cojones all of those people had to get up and speak in front of 75K people and something like 38mln viewers. Unbelievable, every one of them!
Tell it sister. You had to see this coming, though. Obviously, the only reason McCain picked her was because he was hoping to attract the swing vote from bitter hilary spporters. We see this kind of crap in Canadian politics all the time. In fact, we might also have an election this fall and we have already had a woman Prime Minister. Guess what. She did exactly what her predecessor would have done. The world didn't change.
Just as much as I would love to see a black president, I would love nothing more than to see a female president and I wished Obama had chosen a VP candidate to negate this nonsense going on now.
However, fact is as history making as this is, I can't really celebrate it because the wrong woman is running for office (Palin's not even remotely qualified) and she was being used as a powerplay by the GOP to push their agenda to among other things, further oppress women.
It would be no different than the Republicans running Larry Elder, Alan Keyes, or Condoleeza Rice as a VP in a bid to further oppress blacks. Because hey, they have a minority VP candidate, ergo their politics must match up.
You know while I don't agree with her politically, I respected Elizabeth Dole when she ran for office because she was remotely qualified and she was doing on her own merits.
The logic that people would rather vote for McCain (the greater of two evils) than Obama because of Hillary's defeat is mind-boggling. And of course my only question to that what are the Clintonites really mad about?
She only has two years as governor of Alaska.
I SO adore you!
I truly appreciate this post! Pobble pointed out political issues, and that is what should be at the heart of EVERY voter. I have to say though, that as she is angry with people who would vote for Palin because she's a woman, I am equally angry with people who are making such a big issue out of the fact that she IS a woman. It's stupidity either way.
And it's insulting to ALL women of ALL political beliefs to say Palin only got the veep because of chromosomes. Guess she's upset the "Boys' Club" eh? Not possible that a woman could have been chosen for her own merits, eh? (Unless of course her name is Hillary Clinton...?) Anyone who has truly followed the problems McCain is having would know that she fits the bill better than any of his other available choices.
McCain does not have a super strong support from the base. He is not a favored son of the GOP. He's crossed them on numerous occasions. He HAD to have a veep that was fully conservative. Also, since both parties are arguing change, he needed a veep that was not a Washington insider.
Palin was the ONLY one on the list that fit the bill. Too many people hate Romney. Too many people hate Huckabee. Guliani is pro-abortion so he would have been a nail in the coffin. Other choices had age issues and he NEEDED someone younger. Personally, I think Crist would have been a good choice for him, along with Jindal. However, neither of them wanted the position.
That only left Palin.
When it came to issues, she filled the bill he needed to fill. Who cares if his choice was a man or woman?! That doesn't make a FRIGGING bit of difference!
What should he have done, NOT chosen her because she was a woman?
If voters don't like her because of her beliefs, so be it. But bringing her double X chromosomes into the argument is sexist in and of itself. When they say he choose her for being a woman they should be careful. It could just as easily be argued that Obama DIDN'T choose Clinton because of HER sex. After all, she would have garnered him MANY supporters. An Obama-Clinton ticket would have won hands down.
And yet he chose a man...a Washington insider...a long time member of the good old "Boys' Club".
When it comes down to it, the TRUTH is that both nominees chose their veeps based upon whom they felt most closely held the same beliefs and goals as they did while filling in the gaps. That's IT.
I'm looking forward to getting to know Palin a little better. I'm looking forward to the veep debates. I'm interested in seeing how Palin is going to do. Not because she's a woman, but because she's the on the ticket. And that is the ONLY thing that should matter to ANYONE. I'm going to be voting for the President and Vice-President of the United States of America. I'm voting on issues. I'm voting on how quickly they can answer a question and how decisive the candidates are. I'm voting on how well they hold up under pressure. I'm voting on whether or not they hold true to their beliefs or waiver according to "poll data" (I so hate that).
I couldn't care less if they piss standing up or sitting down. And last I checked, the all-important question of who can and who can't write their name in the snow while standing erect wasn't one of political importance.
Of course, as the mother of five with a special needs child myself, I can't help but smile from ear to ear. I mean...seriously...how couldn't I...? ***grins***
Fantastic post, Pobble!
Love it!
I have been saying that if someone is a "true Democrat" they would never vote for McCain - - but you listed ALL the reasons why so very clearly!
I'll be referring to your list often, I think!
Nemeria ~ "Doesn't that prove that women are too emotional and don't think rationally?" Exactly. Instead of furhtering our cause, PUMAs set it back generations.
GOML! ~ That's part of it for me: so many countries have had female leaders and they have been just that ~ leaders for their terms. Not the saviors of the Universe. Nor the end of civilization as we know it. I'm ready for us to just get the hell over ourselves already.
Dennis R Upkins ~ What are the PUMAs really angry about, indeed!
Jersey Girl ~ Right back atcha.
Krystal ~ Once again, we arrive at the same place from different sides. The one place we disagree here is that I *do* believe Palin's gender played a role in McCain's selection. Mind you, I also believe Biden's demographics (age, gender, race, experience) played a part in Obama's selection. The post before this one spells out my feelings on political motivations and ties in. With all the Republicans in the country, Palin could not possibly have been the only option available to McCain, especially if he was going with a nationally unknown entity. It was politically brilliant to choose a female or a non-white for his VP. Would he have chosen a woman who didn't match up with his beliefs? God, I hope not. I respect the man and would like to think he hasn't become a complete sell-out since he last ran for office. I also don't have a problem with politicians making politically motivated decisions and don't see why some people have a hard time admitting politicians are actually politicians. Bottom line, vote for issues, not genders. And *that* we agree on.
Momo ~ You're welcome. Feel free to refer as often as you'd like.
Thank you, amen, etc. I mean it.
I was watching CNN this morning, and they were talking with a former Clinton supporter who justified voting for McCain simply because he added Palin to the ticket. When asked about the wildly differing viewpoints between Clinton and Palin, she had no real answer as to how she could reconcile & then shift alliances. Wonderful. Just wonderful.
And to those to whom you are yelling, that's why McCain chose her because he knows that there are angry Clinton supporters out there who will NOT think with their heads. McCain understands that the majority of American voters do not think before they vote. In fact, he's counting on it.
Aside from the fact that this woman can't make appropriate decisions for her own family which means I do NOT want her making ANY for mine, I find this troubling:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/09/02/politics/animal/main4407224.shtml
(sorry, I'm no good with the linky things.)
Hmmm...doesn't seem to have published the whole link address. I'll have to figure this out. Shoot.
It's an article about how she's been part of the Alaska Independence Party which hates the US Government and wants Alaska to secede from the US. The guy in charge said "The fires of Hell are glaciers compared to my hatred for the American Government." Party members have also been told they "must infiltrate" the 2 major parties and then push for Alaskan independence, 'cause they believe that the vote which declared Alaska a state was illegal. Nice.
So McCain is campaigning on a "country first" platform, and his running mate wants Alaska to secede from the union. I wonder how many people will be fired for this little blunder?!
And baby...you nailed it.
It is why Pobble Thoughts matter!
STB
You know, when I was 10, Geraldine Ferraro was nominated for Vice President. And we fifth-grade girls were so thrilled! When my class had a mock election, Mondale won because all us girls wanted to see Ferraro get the VP post. (Girls slightly outnumbered boys in my class.) And that is all cute and developmentally appropriate for a 10-year-old girl who only gets a mock vote in her classroom. It is appalling in a 40-year-old woman going to vote for real.
You might like this satiric blog entry, complete with gynecological illustration, about why a female Hillary voter should become a McCain/Palin voter.
This is the blog entry that finally woke me up and reminded me of why I blog....
I am in total agreement with you on this, ny dear!
Wonderful job....
I love you, dear friend!
DON
Hey, Pobble! Were'd you go??!!
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