Glora Steinem On Sarah Palin: The Only Thing Sarah And Hillary Have In Common Is A Chromosome
The good news, she says is that even the anti-feminist right-wing is addressing the gender gap. And the better news? It won’t work.
This isn’t the first time a boss has picked an unqualified woman just because she agrees with him and opposes everything most other women want and need. Feminism has never been about getting a job for one woman. It’s about making life more fair for women everywhere. It’s not about a piece of the existing pie; there are too many of us for that. It’s about baking a new pie.
It was women like Hillary Clinton and Shirley Chisolom before her who paved the way. But putting Sarah Palin on the ticket is no way to attract women.
Palin shares nothing but a chromosome with Clinton. Her down-home, divisive and deceptive speech did nothing to cosmeticize a Republican convention that has more than twice as many male delegates as female, a presidential candidate who is owned and operated by the right wing and a platform that opposes pretty much everything Clinton’s candidacy stood for — and that Barack Obama’s still does. To vote in protest for McCain/Palin would be like saying, “Somebody stole my shoes, so I’ll amputate my legs.”
Palin isn’t the issue. The issue is John McCain. He could have chosen someone who knew what a vice president does, or one who understands the Iraq issue.
Palin’s value to those patriarchs is clear: She opposes just about every issue that women support by a majority or plurality. She believes that creationism should be taught in public schools but disbelieves global warming; she opposes gun control but supports government control of women’s wombs; she opposes stem cell research but approves “abstinence-only” programs, which increase unwanted births, sexually transmitted diseases and abortions; she tried to use taxpayers’ millions for a state program to shoot wolves from the air but didn’t spend enough money to fix a state school system with the lowest high-school graduation rate in the nation…
So, it is clear that Palin wasn’t chosen just because she’s a woman. She was chosen because she is a woman who appeals to the far right wing of a party that might wake up after a loss the November and reclaim its more moderate roots.
Leftists are so small and petty. LOL.
September 4th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
Alan – Another wonderful post. You are exactly right. Palin wasn’t chosen just because she is a woman. She is the right candidate for the job as she showed so well last night. Apparently only the left wing pick candidates based on gender. Hillary, Nancy, Gloria should take note. The feminist movement is now advocating all women return home, take off their shoes and start cooking dinner…this is so fun to watch the left run!
Again, I say, PALIN FOR PRESIDENT!
September 4th, 2008 at 1:04 pm
Joe: The Leftists impose onto people a range of acceptable behavior and ideology.. and if you fail to conform, then you are the enemy.
It’s like with Islam… you have the Utopia of Dar Al Islam, and then there are the wretched kufr in Dar Al Harbb.
September 4th, 2008 at 1:06 pm
Obama sure could’ve used Hillary as his VP about now. At least she wouldn’t allow Palin to get away with impunity her dirty, below the belt remarks about Obama and his wife. Palin is a racist from the backwoods of Alaska which is a breeding ground for same.
September 4th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
Ig. I’m not a big fan of Gloria Steinem, but I agree with her on this score.
September 4th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
Glorias statements are well written and have illustrated a very important point. Obama should have hired Hillary! His own ego and lack of experience illustrate once again his own bad judgement in the face of monumental decision making.
September 4th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
So…no possibility at all that Palin independently reviewed the facts and came to her own conclusions?
Remember class: groupthink on our side of the aisle is more gooder.
September 4th, 2008 at 1:25 pm
Vince – too true…watch now, as the racist attacks on Palin from the liberal elitists have started. Apparently, anyone who dares disagree with the annoited one or the one with the annoited ovaries has to be biased or racist or both.
September 4th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
Because Sarah Palin is a woman I’m hearing a lot of media buzz that Joe Biden will have to be “careful” in the debates so as not to appear too forceful, etc. etc.
This is outrageous! Hillary Clinton held her own with the men. Just as when I look at Barack Obama I do not see a black man, I did not look at Hillary and see a woman. To their credit, both managed to raise their platforms above the issues of race and gender.
I strongly suspect now that John McCain’s choice of a woman for the VP ticket may not have been what it seemed to be at first glance: a tactical move to swing Hillary voters(who disagree with Palin’s beliefs and wouldn’t vote for her solely based on gender anyway). Now I believe the Palin pick might have been a calculated move by the McCain campaign to undermine the strength of Biden’s record on foreign policy and Washinton experience. The McCain camp also must have known that there would be issues raised and questions asked about Palin that no one would ever have asked a male running mate. An underhanded but very slick move on the McCain campaign’s part.
Unfortunately now it seems that the world will be watching the VP debates to see if Biden “mistreats” Palin more than listening to the stark contrast of their platforms and levels of governmental experience. This is the kind of thing that sickens me about our political process.
If Palin and the McCain camp have the audacity to play the gender card in the VP debates it will set women back one hundred years instead of putting us on equal footing with men in the political arena.
September 4th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
As a black male in the military I would like to say that I have had to stand up to individual opposition by some lower level supervisors and some peers. Not once have I blamed my short coming or my failures on those who have made it difficult for me to succeed in school, life, or the military. I refuse to give my advisories that type of power over me; to do that also gives them power of my success. For if they were the cause of my failure then those same people are the cause of my success; that must never be the case. Palin is deserving of her position, just as much as Senator Clinton and every other woman that has rolled up their sleeves and put the heads down and drove through opposition to tare down barriers. Belittling Governor Palin claiming she is anti woman’s progress is short sighted and very ignorant to say the very least. If you took time to look at the demographics of Alaska you would find that she is a beacon to women and overcoming adversity. She says what she means and means what she says, it is that reason she was voted in to office and her approval rating is reflective of her actions to produce the progress she promised to work towards. Progress is made step by step, it would not seem to be advantageous to chop down a “next step” in progress simply for the fact that she doesn’t fit in with every cog and view point you and some others hold. Its okay to be proud of her and to disagree strongly with some or most of her view points. Thank you for listing to an opposite prospective.
September 4th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
I agree with you, Elena. Attached is an article which states McCain cancelled an interview on CNN because Campbell Brown asked Tucker Bounds about Palin’s lack of qualifications.
http://newsbusters.org/blogs/matthew-sheffield/2008/09/03/campbell-brown-interview-leads-mccain-cancel-cnn-appearance
In other words, nobody is allowed to ask Palin anything related to politics.
September 4th, 2008 at 2:13 pm
Read the next article after Gloria’s; Palin is scary-her church and her views make Rev. Wright sound even better-”Pit Bull” is not what I want as a VP-and read the first post after the article from someone from the Alaska town Palin was Mayor-(I am sure this person and the comments she made can be varified)-I have never been a big fan of Gloria’s-but her comments are right on in this case-Go Omama/Biden.
September 4th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
Elena,
Oh, do you mean like Hillary did vs. Rick Lazio?
September 4th, 2008 at 2:17 pm
Gloria Steinem is obviously still unclear about what it means to be a conservative and a woman. Contrary to Gloria’s misinformed statement, Sarah Palin does NOT agree with McCain on all the issues (ANWR and immigration anybody?). Even if Gloria doesn’t agree with Palin ideologically, she should be proud to know that women are starting to rise to prominence across the entire political spectrum. John McCain is trying to dupe women on this one and I’m pretty sure he was concentrating on attributes other than Palin’s X chromosome.
And this one really got me, “she opposes gun control but supports government control of women’s wombs”. She wants to uphold our second ammendment rights AND protect innocent, unborn children? Gosh, where does this Palin woman get off? Also, Gloria, you should have specified that that Palin doesn’t necessarily advocate teaching creationism, but believes that it should be allowed for discussion in the classroom.
MCCAIN/PALIN O8!!!!
September 4th, 2008 at 2:17 pm
Aaron:
Thanks for your service man. I appreciate it.
September 4th, 2008 at 2:22 pm
Aaron, Alaska is a red state. Naturally she’ll be popular. You’d like getting $1,000 a month from the gov’t, right? (Oh, wait. You’re in the military. You already do. And you’d probably like a raise, maybe, and one way to get it is to vote for a hawk Republican.)
I’ll agree with you, it’s nice to know Republicans are entertaining the novelty of having a woman on the ticket — inexperienced though she may be. But really, she’s little better than a prop. A token woman.
That tends to take the edge off my excitement.
And you’re right, progress is made step by step. Unfortunately, the Republicans are notoriously against progress and progressives. So merely propping a well-spoken pretty-girl doesn’t mean much at all.
Your point is taken in good spirit– It’s nice to have someone with boobs (who’s supposed to have boobs) on the ticket.
But as a woman, I’ve worked for plenty of incompetent women who’d just as soon stick a shiv in their fellow female coworkers, as look at ‘em.
September 4th, 2008 at 2:31 pm
She wants to uphold our second ammendment rights AND protect innocent, unborn children?
Posted by Erin
……………………………………..
That’s YOUR opinion.
It implies that EVERYONE considers an embryo a child, and that the embryo has more rights than a rape or incest victim.
Although she DOES uphold the right to kill innocent children with Shock and Awe and cluster bombs in Iraq.
I guess it’s OK if you call them “collateral damage”
And I guess she would uphold the rights of the Columbine kids to get their weapons at gun shows and kill other kids, (but they were already born, so it doesn’t matter.)
OBAMA/Biden 08!
September 4th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
AD REM: If you watch the video of the Clinton-Lazio “debate”, it had nothing to do with gender. Lazio invaded Clinton’s space but it would have been just as offensive if he had behaved the way he did with a male candidate. It is just one more example of how the media got involved and stirred the pot, playing the gender card by implying that Lazio was sexist; that he “threatened” a woman with his posture and gesturing, attempt to physically dominate, etc. etc.
Any political pundit would tell you Lazio just blew it because he himself made a colassal blunder and a poor judgment call. It had nothing to do with the fact that Hillary was a woman. A man would have backed away from Lazio, too, if he had come toward him like that. Or who knows….maybe someone else would have pushed Lazio away. Hillary actually showed a lot of class by not rising to his bait. Lazio shot himself in the foot.
The bottom line is, just as now with Sarah Palin, the media is chomping at the bit to create controversy or stir up something similar when Biden and Palin debate. That’s what they’ll be watching for, instead of focusing on the issues at hand.
I happen to believe that Biden is wise enough to do battle with his words. Lazio (by his own admission) knew he blew it big time by pulling that stunt.
September 4th, 2008 at 2:37 pm
Sarah,
What’s with the “supposed to have boobs” crack? You sound like the kind of back-stabbing woman you refer to yourself!
September 4th, 2008 at 2:37 pm
Elena,
The correct phrase if “champing” at the bit, look it up!!!
September 4th, 2008 at 2:40 pm
“is”, excuse the mis-type…
September 4th, 2008 at 2:40 pm
“She wants to uphold our second ammendment rights AND protect innocent, unborn children?”
No, Erin, she wants to make sure women give birth, so eventually they, their families, and friends can be shot to death thanks to limited gun control.
Another reason I’m no longer ultra-conservative. The moral disparity is ridiculous.
“Even if Gloria doesn’t agree with Palin ideologically, she should be proud to know that women are starting to rise to prominence across the entire political spectrum.”
Where have you been for the last 30 years, Erin? Gloria Steinem helped make that happen. There have been women in power for the last 80 or so years in this country, but this is the first one you recognize?
I should think that YOU should be proud to know that we can start being choosy about the women we put in power, rather than just applauding the fact that a skirt can be voted into office.
Don’t insult American women by demanding they shelve their brains and vote for a woman, just because she’s a woman.
September 4th, 2008 at 2:41 pm
Hillary gladly played the role of the “victim”, and accepted the manipulations of the press. Agreed, when Gore did the same thing to Bush, the reaction was similar.
September 4th, 2008 at 2:42 pm
Ad Rem, I was referring to the man-boobs on V.P. Cheney. But, nice try! Pretty amusing.
September 4th, 2008 at 2:44 pm
Sarah wants to be “choosy”……..? Yeah, you’ve got to be a “liberal” woman, or it doesn’t count! Is that a liberal woman with, or without the “boobs” Sarah?
September 4th, 2008 at 2:46 pm
I am laughing out loud, AD REM. That was priceless. And FYI:
Q. Is there a preference for “champing at the bit,” or should a person “chomp at the bit”?
A. The earlier verb was champ, making its written debut in the 16th century and meaning “to bite, to gnash, to grind with one’s teeth.” It’s still in use, though nowadays it appears almost exclusively in the phrase “champ at the bit.” The verb chomp made its appearance in the late 16th century, and was clearly an alteration of “champ,” sharing almost all of champ’s meanings.
“Champ at the bit” was used before “chomp at the bit” and it has enjoyed a nice, long reign. However, popular usage has been swinging towards “chomp at the bit” since it first began being used in the phrase, sometime around the beginning of the 20th century. In fact, our evidence indicates that “chomping at the bit” is used in recent print sources more frequently than “champ at the bit,” so we can’t possibly ignore it.
September 4th, 2008 at 2:51 pm
Joe: The radical right imposes a range of acceptable behavior and ideology and if you fail to conform, then you are the enemy and George Bush may toss you in prison too.
It’s like with Islam…
September 4th, 2008 at 2:52 pm
Elena,
The subject of the phrase is “bits”. Horses use bits, not people! Excitable horses “champ” at their bits. People do “chomp”, however not on bits….hopefully.
September 4th, 2008 at 2:57 pm
My goodness, AD REM, it’s a very commonly used expression. If it makes you feel better to think you’re right, fine, but most language experts would not agree with you. What’s “grammatically correct” is not always 100% “correct” in common usage.
Now, please, let’s bury this and get back on topic.
September 4th, 2008 at 3:14 pm
Elena,
No problem…be as “common” as you like! ;-}
September 4th, 2008 at 3:27 pm
She doesn’t understand Iraq?
She said it’s a war about oil. Isn’t that what you and yours have been saying since it started?
She visited Kuwait before Obama visited Iraq. Who lacks foreign policy experience?
September 4th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
Alan, do you come on here and on your radio show and Hannity and Colmes just to spout off the same load of crap day after day? Just because she’s a woman, it doesn’t mean that Gov. Palin should have to be forced to be “pro-choice” like you and the extremists in your party are.
September 4th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
Do the right wingers come on THEIR shows just to spout off the same load of crap day after day?
Just because Gov. Palin has the means to promote ‘abstinence ONLY, (as opposed to abstinence BASED), education, AND care for her daughter when she falters, doesn’t mean she should slash funds for other pregnant teens who are less fortunate.
And just because she made a choice for HER family, does it mean she has the right to make the choice for other families?
September 4th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
Sara, after your description of Governor Palin I would categorize you, as your own definition would imply one of those, “incompetent women who’d just as soon stick a shiv in their fellow female coworkers, as look at ‘em.” Governor Palin in all of her speeches made promises to work on a plan for supplying the gas line that has been promised by two different Governors, she has lowered taxes about promoted jobs in the state of Alaska, been an advocate for education and actual change in corruption and needless spending AS Governor. I perceive your assumption in this way: because I am Military that I only vote Republican. I find it cereous that there are many amongst your ranks that believe that my kind, military, are uneducated, simple minded, and unable to from their own intelligent opinion. It is because of my believes that I joined the military, it is because I believe in the IDEA of America that I VOLUNTEERED to protect the freedom of those that twist freedom into ridiculing the military for Senator Kerry to call the military terrorist, so that others that hope America fails, and the Freedom that others misuse to riot and call it freedom of speech, to walk into schools and TEACH children that America is an evil empire. My brother bleed so that other can be bias and call us baby killers, we choose to walk that line. I also have always found it interesting that when Republicans make real actual progress we are always viewed as entertaining an idea, or pandering to the hopeful. Republicans make General Powel Sec of state, but he’s not really black, Condi Rice, not woman enough or black enough, why because they don’t blame people for their hard times, they didn’t sit around and wait for hand outs, and mainly that don’t fit the statues quo. I grow weary of this fake perception that Democrats are about progress when they are really about social dependency which is a nice word for social slavery. I am very proud of Obama’s accomplishments, yet I disagree with his big spending and big government plans to rape states of their sovereignty, I disagree with his plan to address the illegal immigration epidemic which McCain’s plan closely reflects. And just for your information I have not received one single red cent of PFD money for the six years I have served this Great Country.
September 4th, 2008 at 3:57 pm
Aaron,
Thank you for your service, and for your “eloquence”.
September 4th, 2008 at 4:11 pm
Rem
Thank you for your service, and for your “eloquence”. “Elowuence”, sarcasm or in earnest.
September 4th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
Aaron,
Earnestly, I believed your writing to be strong and forceful. I in no way meant to be sarcastic…..as I admittedly had been in prior postings. Please accept my family’s appreciation for your service as well.
September 4th, 2008 at 4:31 pm
” I grow weary of this fake perception that Democrats are about progress when they are really about social dependency which is a nice word for social slavery”
That’s exactly what they’re about.
September 4th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
Gloria Steinham is a shrivled up old women’s libber who in her decling years is suffering terribly from uterus envy. In defeminizing herself in her prime years in order to promote the feminist agenda of bringing home the bacon and frying it up in the pan, her ticking clock ran out. Now that it is too late, she sees in Sarah Palin the fruits of her labors……… What irony that the woman who can do it all is a pro life conservative.
Ouch!
September 4th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
Elena, good luck debating “chomp” vs. “champ.” The chump Ad Nauseator doesn’t know what man-boobs are, either.
September 4th, 2008 at 4:49 pm
@OLDLEFTY
I’m not going to get into argument about what constitutes “life”. I was never exactly sure what an embryo is other than the very beginnings of a life. Rape and incest are difficult situations but I never said that an embryo has more rights than a rape victim. I just believe that we all, no matter how small, have a right to life.
Simply because people are going to misuse guns does not mean that making them completely illegal is going solve your problems. Those who are going to misuse guns will find ways to obtain them. Unfortunately, the rest of us won’t be able to protect ourselves. Maybe since some people misuse their reproductive organs, we should just take those away from everybody. Besides, it would be so much better for the environment if humans stopped reproducing.
@Sarah
“Where have you been for the last 30 years, Erin? Gloria Steinem helped make that happen. There have been women in power for the last 80 or so years in this country, but this is the first one you recognize?”
Where in the world would you get off with that? I was simply responding to Gloria’s statement: “Palin’s value to those patriarchs is clear”. Gloria simply can’t seem to swallow the fact that conservatives can choose a female candidate for her moral and political ideals.
Also, I AM proud that we can be choosy about the women that we can put into office. I have no concern for gender one way or the other. I would not have voted for Hillary Clinton and I cried a little when Nancy Pelosi became Speaker of the House. Please, don’t assume things about me. I am very choosy about everybody who might be elected to office, thank you very much.
Also, I think Gloria Steinem is the one who is asking women to shelve their brains. According to her, any woman who is not on the liberal side of things is clearly being brainwashed and used by conservative chauvinists for a cheap female vote.
@AARON, thank you so much for you service. Major props to you for dedicating yourself to this great country; I know it’s not always easy. P.S. You mentioned in your comment some people view the military as a group of brainwashed or uneducated folk but it couldn’t be farther from the truth. Those I know in the military are some of the most intelligent and best critical thinkers I know.
September 4th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
Erin,
My problem is this, when time is ticking away, for the rape or incest victim, the abortion provider is NOT the one who can decide if she is for real or not.
A few promiscous women MAY slip through. I’ll take my chance, rather that let the most vulnerable suffer.
September 4th, 2008 at 5:01 pm
“Sara, after your description of Governor Palin I would categorize you, as your own definition would imply one of those, ‘incompetent women who’d just as soon stick a shiv in their fellow female coworkers, as look at ‘em.’”
Ah, the “What you say is what you are!” tactic. I remember this was popular when I was in elementary school, projecting concerns about another on the person who’s expressing those concerns. I guess you’re fortunate I’m not running for VP, Aaron. Sorry you’re taking my observations on Sarah Palin so personally.
“Governor Palin in all of her speeches made promises to work on a plan for supplying the gas line that has been promised by two different Governors, she has lowered taxes about promoted jobs in the state of Alaska, been an advocate for education and actual change in corruption and needless spending AS Governor.”
She can talk all she likes, it doesn’t mean anything will happen. As I said, she’s good at making speeches, and she’s easy on the eyes. She might make promises, but she also has been less than truthful about other things she’s said (pork, energy, etc.). I’m not sure I understand your 2nd sentence “lowered taxes about promoted jobs?” But I’ll observe that anyone can lower taxes and increase spending, although it’s lucky she’s put the screws to the oil companies. As far as Alaskan education, don’t they have the lowest graduating rate in the union?
“I perceive your assumption in this way: because I am Military that I only vote Republican. I find it cereous that there are many amongst your ranks that believe that my kind, military, are uneducated, simple minded, and unable to from their own intelligent opinion.”
First, I didn’t assume you’d vote “only” Republican (although you claim to be Republican later in your post). I assumed, if you were pro-military, you’d vote Republican, because that party is deemed more military-friendly. And whoa! I said nothing about your intelligence or education. Frankly, I was pretty civil and kind about your observations. You’re the one getting hot under the collar because I disagreed with you. But I will say this, it’s one thing to make an occasional typo, and it’s another to misspell words like “curious.”
“It is because of my believes that I joined the military, it is because I believe in the IDEA of America that I VOLUNTEERED to protect the freedom of those that twist freedom into ridiculing the military for Senator Kerry to call the military terrorist, so that others that hope America fails, and the Freedom that others misuse to riot and call it freedom of speech, to walk into schools and TEACH children that America is an evil empire. My brother bleed so that other can be bias and call us baby killers, we choose to walk that line.”
I can’t understand your sentence, but I think the gist is this– You volunteered to join the military, and in return, you want to be paid for your voluntarism by requiring all U.S. citizens to owe allegiance to the Republican party. Bollocks. If you don’t like fighting for America’s freedom of speech and right to protest, if you think killing civilians can’t be questioned, if you think U.S. citizens questioning their country’s policies, laws, and conduct is unpatriotic, then just get out of the military NOW. Because I don’t want your complaints about fighting for these freedoms. And I don’t want any “aw shucks, the persecuted military” nobility from you either.
“I also have always found it interesting that when Republicans make real actual progress we are always viewed as entertaining an idea, or pandering to the hopeful.”
Because aside from things like NAFTA, they haven’t come up with much else.
“Republicans make General Powel Sec of state, but he’s not really black, Condi Rice, not woman enough or black enough, why because they don’t blame people for their hard times, they didn’t sit around and wait for hand outs, and mainly that don’t fit the statues quo.”
Excuse me?! Rice, Powell and Thomas benefitted from Affirmative Action, which Republicans want to strike down. And I’m not sure what you mean about “black enough.” Is this what other African-Americans think? And frankly, most of the black people I know are all middle-class, proud of their heritage, have worked hard to get where they are — because they support the Democratic Party that supported them.
“I grow weary of this fake perception that Democrats are about progress when they are really about social dependency which is a nice word for social slavery.”
Um, like keeping minimum wage at $5.50/hr.? Like raising the retirement age? What sort of social dependency are we talking about here, since Bush got rid of Clinton’s welfare reform? Do you think keeping people’s wages low is a great thing for America? Is this economy doing anyone any favors? Oh, that’s right. You’re not in our economy, you’re in the military. Which is supported by our tax dollars.
“I am very proud of Obama’s accomplishments, yet I disagree with his big spending and big government plans to rape states of their sovereignty, I disagree with his plan to address the illegal immigration epidemic which McCain’s plan closely reflects. And just for your information I have not received one single red cent of PFD money for the six years I have served this Great Country.”
It’s nice to hear more about the issues you’re interested in. What’s PFD money? Are you talking about the Alaskan money, or is this some military thing you’re referring to?
September 4th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
Why this is this “Human life or not” thing even a debate? This abortion thing has me puzzled, why woman would choose this as their champion issue is beyond me. How human beings can cry “Save the trees, the whales, and all the other fuzzy creatures” and then with the same mouth rise against the establishment ranting for a woman’s right to choose life over death is beyond comprehension. How can those same people attempt to save the lives of the ruthless cold hearted murders, torturers, and child molesters, then do a complete about-face and demand that a woman has the right to extinguish the life of a child of which can not defend itself? How can those same people describe themselves as Champions of the voiceless, defenseless animals and then champion the right to abort? These ladies and gentle men are our Advocates of life and companion the dehumanizing elites.
Life is defined as: The property or quality that distinguishes living organisms from dead organisms and inanimate matter, manifested in functions such as metabolism, growth, reproduction, and response to stimuli or adaptation to the environment originating from within the organism.
A human is defined as: A member of the genus Homo and especially of the species H. sapiens, also humans are 23 pairs of chromosomes, for a total of 46.
Thus concluding from the undeniable that those unborn are human lives, and because these children are humans in America “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.–That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.—” In this case the absolute Despotism is characterized by the unwavering view that woman’s right to choose life or death trumps the individual rights of Life Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
September 4th, 2008 at 5:40 pm
Great headline! You must admit though, it was a pretty well rehearsed speech!
Graduation Stoles
September 4th, 2008 at 6:05 pm
Aaron,
Seriously, have you considered running for some kind of office or public service? I find your clarity of thought and emotion quite compelling. No rants, insults, just pure and simple logic…..
September 4th, 2008 at 6:08 pm
Aaron: Do people in the military ever contemplate if they ever had to do a coup to save the nation from self-desturction?
September 4th, 2008 at 6:25 pm
Sara,
as usual you missed that she has done those things as governor, i added it again so that you can maybe get it this time.
“She says what she means and means what she says, it is that reason she was voted in to office and her approval rating is reflective of her actions to produce the progress she promised to work towards.”
yeah your right about the spelling thing, i hate when i jack up simple words like that. it kind of defeats the, “I be smart” argument. :(
“I can’t understand your sentence, but I think the gist is this– You volunteered to join the military, and in return, you want to be paid for your voluntarism by requiring all U.S. citizens to owe allegiance to the Republican party. Bollocks. If you don’t like fighting for America’s freedom of speech and right to protest, if you think killing civilians can’t be questioned, if you think U.S. citizens questioning their country’s policies, laws, and conduct is unpatriotic, then just get out of the military NOW. Because I don’t want your complaints about fighting for these freedoms. And I don’t want any “aw shucks, the persecuted military” nobility from you either.”
Well if you want to see the greatness of America just look at the way Russia is handling Georgia vs the US and Iraq. That is killing civilians, were we try not to. it is a tactic of our enemy to charge armed personnel with women and children in them to create discontent from peace mongers. How did you gather that I “don’t like fighting for America’s freedom of speech and right to protest,” our of “protect the freedom of those that twist freedom into ridiculing the military for Senator Kerry to call the military terrorist, so that others can hope that America fails,” The key word being Twist. I watch civil disorder as people broke windows, kicked police, and there are those that call that protesting, and freedom of speech. Thank you for letting me know that I wasn’t clear, I can kind of see what you mean.
“Because aside from things like NAFTA, they haven’t come up with much else.”
So sending money to Africa for AIDS prevention is nothing, sending money to aid orphan children in Africa is nothing. The steps towards Homeland Security are nothing, and many other domestic issues are nothing. I am not saying that republicans have all the answers and we don’t pretend to unlike another party.
“Excuse me?! Rice, Powell and Thomas benefitted from Affirmative Action, which Republicans want to strike down. And I’m not sure what you mean about “black enough.” Is this what other African-Americans think? And frankly, proud of their heritage, have worked hard to get where they are — because they support the Democratic Party that supported them.”
I like the phase “most of the black people I know…” I wonder how many of us you know. Black People can not thrive on idealism that says we’ll hand you welfare, people grow off of get up and do it yourself. Was there help us because there needed to be. BUT it there was powerful blacks, black business owners, black writers, and thinkers in the day of Lincoln and before. what excuses do we as black men and women have today when slaves learned to read and write in the south were it meant harsh punishment, death? I need not the charity of others to succeed but the respect as a mutual human being.
“You’re not in our economy, you’re in the military. Which is supported by our tax dollars.”
I guess I don’t buy, homes, or goods, my family doesn’t go to school, and I guess that I don’t pay taxes, and make more the $45,000 year. Man that sucks.
“Um, like keeping minimum wage at $5.50/hr.? Like raising the retirement age? What sort of social dependency are we talking about here, since Bush got rid of Clinton’s welfare reform?”
Government dependency is BAD, welfare should be abolished to a tiny percentage. I am speaking to the social dependency that Obama plans to bring.
PFD is the money that Alaskans get from the some of the profits of the oil company. Higher min wage breeds higher cost of goods, and layoffs.
September 4th, 2008 at 6:31 pm
Rem
yes i am planning some day after i retire from the military to step into politics.
Vince P
It is the job of the military to defend the nation for foreign enemies, and to protect the American people. it is your job to ensure that the country doesn’t get to that point.
September 4th, 2008 at 6:35 pm
“Was there help us because there needed to be.”
What the heck was i trying to say there? LOL
Affirmative action as posed because certain people couldn’t look passed the color of our skin and see the content of our character.
September 4th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
as = WAS
September 4th, 2008 at 6:49 pm
[...] Corrente, Dr. Melissa Clouthier, Hot Air, Opinion L.A., BlogHer, American Street, TownHall Blog, Alan Colmes’ Liberaland, Anchor Rising, JammieWearingFool, Argghhh! and [...]
September 4th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
Do people in the military ever contemplate if they ever had to do a coup to save the nation from self-desturction?
……………………………………….
Queen Liluokalani of Hawaii, 1893
Jose Marti and Cuban independence, 1898
Emilio Aquinaldo of the Philippines, 1898
Jose Santos Zelaya of Nicaragua 1909
Miguel Davila of Honduras 1911
Mossadegh of Iran 1953
Jocobo Arbenz of Guatemala 1954
Salvador Allende of Chile 1972
ALL overthrown by the US to prevent their programs to develop their own countries that US corporations considered interference with THEIR profits.
The last five were ALL democratically elected and loved by their people.
Cuba and the Philippines never had the chance to elect their own leaders.
We are STILL suffering the consequences of interfering in other countries for the sake of the coprorate elite, AND we are STILL interfering.
September 4th, 2008 at 6:56 pm
Oldlefty
I think the question was: does the US Military think about overthroughing the US Government in order to save the US people?
September 4th, 2008 at 7:25 pm
Palin lowered taxes alright. but only on the corporations and businesses.
She raised the taxes on the middle and lower income folks.
Also left the small city with a huge debt, a crapped out sewer system (from neglect) and a host of her own ‘good old boys’ running the city.
September 4th, 2008 at 7:32 pm
Aaron,
Gen Smedley Butler wrote:
War Is A Racket, in which he says that youg men go to war to make old men rich…,they just don’t realize it when they are young.
He writes:
In his 1935 book, War Is a Racket, Butler presented an exposé and trenchant condemnation of the profit motive behind warfare. His views on the subject are well summarized in the following passage:
“I spent 33 years and four months in active military service and during that period I spent most of my time as a high class muscle man for Big Business, for Wall Street and the bankers. In short, I was a racketeer, a gangster for capitalism. I helped make Mexico and especially Tampico safe for American oil interests in 1914. I helped make Haiti and Cuba a decent place for the National City Bank boys to collect revenues in. I helped in the raping of half a dozen Central American republics for the benefit of Wall Street. I helped purify Nicaragua for the International Banking House of Brown Brothers in 1902-1912. I brought light to the Dominican Republic for the American sugar interests in 1916. I helped make Honduras right for the American fruit companies in 1903. In China in 1927 I helped see to it that Standard Oil went on its way unmolested. Looking back on it, I might have given Al Capone a few hints. The best he could do was to operate his racket in three districts. I operated on three continents.”
September 4th, 2008 at 8:02 pm
Move aside Britney and Paris, America has a new female role model; Sarah Palin–the anti-Carrie Bradshaw
For too long America has not had a great American female role model to which young girls can aspire to emulate. During the past ten years, Hollywood’s version of the good next door was a real life incarnation of the Bratz dolls: Britney, Paris and a slew of other chain smoking, anorexic, starlets who were more likely to show up on the police blotter than deliver a great commencement speech. Today’s girls next door are not the wholesome American girl that reflects our nation’s ideals, instead they are a realtiy show on E and have to date an 85 year old man in order to get famous.
But now, thanks to the Maverick pick of John McCain, Sarah Palin is riding to the rescue of popular culture, offering America’s daughters a true role model who is confident, cool and Conservative. Someone who is as good looking as any of the vapid stick figures in Hollywood, yet has real substance and charisma.
She is the 21st Century, female version of John Wayne–pro American, good person, who can get the job done.
Now, fathers everywhere, whether liberal or conservative, have a national figure who will set a great example for the youth of America. She personifies Girl Power and is the antithesis of the type of woman put forward by Hollywood as a Star. She is the opposite of the urbane sophisticated character of Carrie Bradshaw who Hollywood wanted to be the role model for America’s young women.
Liberals are going to despise Palin because she has done it her way. Liberal women had their hopes dashed when Obama retreated in fear and picked Biden over Hillary. Now, a Maverick has ridden to the rescue of the feminist cause, picking a woman who is going to bust through the glass ceiling and enter the White House as Vice President.
Sarah is the anti-Carrie Bradshaw. A devoted family woman who finds happiness through marriage and family and spends time serving the public not a self-centered, lonely woman who finds superficial happiness thru fancy shoes and snarky comments. Women like Carrie Bradshaw read the Rules, Sarah Palin makes the rules.
Her life isn’t spent on an endless quest to find meaning and happiness through a string of shallow relationships. Sarah Palin found happiness through achievement, monogamy, and being true to herself and her Conservative beliefs!
What a welcome change for American pop culture. In all the great moves made by John McCain, this is the one that will have the most staying power because he has picked a woman who is going to fundamentally improve the American culture. I am a conservative today because of Ronald Reagan. MIllions of girls will be conservatives in twenty years because of Sarah Palin. This pick doesn’t change only the election, it changes the path of our popular culture. Instead of moving down the path towards more coarseness and vulgarity in our society, Palin will light the culture’s way to one based more upon respect and American ideals.
For too long our popular culture has failed to live up to our national character. Now, we have a chance to bring our culture back in line with our national character.
Liberal writers control Hollywood and they have created the perfect template for a female President in their minds. But now, that template has been come to life in the form of a Conservative. That is why the convention is so excited. That is why our base is fired up. Because we know Sarah’s selection will transcend this election and will change the direction of our culture.
September 4th, 2008 at 11:54 pm
Aaron -
You ask why is the “Human life or not” thing even a debate. I’ll tell you.
Conservatives are obsessed with fetuses, but ironically once that baby is born – they don’t give a sh** about it.
Born to some crack-addicted prostitute who won’t / can’t take care of you: “tough sh**, stop your whining”.
Born disbaled to a working class family who’s health insurance doesn’t even cover the cost of your care: “tough sh**, survival of the fittest”.
September 5th, 2008 at 1:47 am
Following Danielle:
A shelter for unwed mothers?
You’ve got to be kidding-the rich need another tax break.
Make contraception redily availabe?
NO NO NO-teenagers will be encouraged to have sex.
Health care for pregnant women?
NO NO NO that’s socialism
Better contraception choices?
NO NO NO not with taxpayers (read ‘MY’ money).
September 5th, 2008 at 2:13 am
Hillary should have been VP pick…years ago the losing candidate was the VP.
September 5th, 2008 at 6:48 am
“This abortion thing has me puzzled, why woman would choose this as their champion issue is beyond me.”
Aaron, it’s because MEN LEAVE. And women are left to raise the child or children by themselves, in the face of angry Republicans who urge her to have children she can’t (or won’t!) care for, and who have every intention of abolishing the very welfare that might help her keep her family afloat. Abortion needs to be there, because IT’S there, when Republicans and their churches are not.
Frankly, I always find it grossly incongruous that Republicans purport to embrace life, but they fight against any and all forms of gun control that would prevent more death of the ALREADY-BORN.
– By the way, no worries on the spelling. Typos are eazy to mek. It’s cool. :)
The whole “Meant what she said, and said what she meant (teen pregnancy’s great, 100 percent…Sorry, I just had to add that. Abject apologies to Dr. Seuss)? I don’t doubt she does. But actions speak louder than words. Like every politician under the sun, she flip-flops. And now, a word about flip-flopping. I’m not totally against it. In fact, on policy, I think it’s better to change one’s mind than staunchly reject better solutions just out of stubbornness. But in matters of principle, I’m not so jazzed about it. Pork’s one of those things.
“I also have always found it interesting that when Republicans make real actual progress we are always viewed as entertaining an idea, or pandering to the hopeful,” was your original thought. I opined that outside of NAFTA, there was little to point to as progress. Well, they did work with Clinton on welfare reform, which was needed.
You cited an example of foreign aid. While I appreciate the intention, Africa, unfortunately, is quite difficult to help, since many of the continent’s countries turn on their own people in practically every region. Colonialism created a huge number of Africa’s problems, and I think we have a duty to do what we can…But I think our own country needs to be strengthened first.
Homeland Security…Yeah…That’s always a thinker for me, especially when I’m watching my white-haired mother being patted down by men with guns. And wondering, if I send money to the NAACP, the ACLU and Americans United, are they going to start tapping my phones (which, ironically, is why I joined ACLU in the first place– something I never thought I’d do, but have now learned they fight for both Reps. and Dems., and every other facet of society)?
The higher minimum wage, under Clinton, did no such thing. Our economy was going well. To be fair, some of that credit should go to GHW Bush, who manned-up, went back on “no new taxes,” and cleaned up the mess that Reagan’s voodoo economics and Star Wars had left.
Unfortunately, none of that rubbed off on his son. Rest assured, we ARE paying for the Iraq War, as others noted.
I’m not high on drilling, but oil independence has GOT to be achieved in 20 years.
September 5th, 2008 at 10:35 am
Oh, I forgot the Affirmative Action thing. You made me think of this last night.
You seem to welcome state sovereignty, but it was a Republican president who struck down state sovereignty when states wanted to keep their slaves and form their own nation. It’s imperative that state sovereignty be kept in check. We need to consider ourselves Americans first, then state citizens, in my opinion.
By the way, I live in Honkyville, so I only know about 10-12 African Americans. But you know what? That’s about 8 more than I saw in the RNC stadium, clapping for McCain and Palin.
Here’s a thought. When you said, “what excuses do we as black men and women have today when slaves learned to read and write in the south were it meant harsh punishment, death?”
I totally agree with you to an extent, but I’ll say this– they have MORE excuse than the illiterate, racist white trash I’ve seen whose ancestors can be traced back to the American Revolution.
I wholeheartedly agree with you– education has gotten short-shrifted by black AND white AND latino parents in this country, and it is suffering for it.
September 5th, 2008 at 10:45 am
Please take note all those that commented on my abortion comment. I find it interesting that every single person addressed my questions of understanding and why yet no one saw it pudint to address “How can those same people attempt to save the lives of the ruthless cold hearted murders, torturers, and child molesters, then do a complete about-face and demand that a woman has the right to extinguish the life of a child of which can not defend itself? How can those same people describe themselves as Champions of the voiceless, defenseless animals and then champion the right to abort?”
Life is defined as: The property or quality that distinguishes living organisms from dead organisms and inanimate matter, manifested in functions such as metabolism, growth, reproduction, and response to stimuli or adaptation to the environment originating from within the organism.
A human is defined as: A member of the genus Homo and especially of the species H. sapiens, also humans are 23 pairs of chromosomes, for a total of 46.
Thus concluding from the undeniable that those unborn are human lives, and because these children are humans in America “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.–That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.—” In this case the absolute Despotism is characterized by the unwavering view that woman’s right to choose life or death trumps the individual rights of Life Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
And so the reasons that the right of choice over the unalienable rights of the living are:
“Conservatives are obsessed with fetuses, but ironically once that baby is born – they don’t give a sh** about it.”
“Born to some crack-addicted prostitute who won’t / can’t take care of you: “tough sh**, stop your whining”.”
“Born disbaled to a working class family who’s health insurance doesn’t even cover the cost of your care: “tough sh**, survival of the fittest”.”
“…because MEN LEAVE. And women are left to raise the child or children by themselves…”
These are your reasons, my fellow Americans. This is the extent of our humanity, and for these reasons we deny Life, we deny Liberty, and we deny the PURSUIT of Happiness. How are we to deny the innocent these rights?
Sara, Sara,
“Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes;” The south separated due to their “long train of abuses and usurpations,” on Black Man, under a constitution that which states “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness”. The north denied the spread of an evil, Slavery. The north attempted to allow slavery to dissolve through taxation, law and reason, but because slavery was so integrated in the Southern economy, and the south didn’t want to advance to a higher state of humanity they decided to act as children and run away from home. The south was practicing the very system of unjust servitude that they fight and bled to separate from, that was an unlawful separation and that is why Lincoln entered into war with the South.
September 5th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
Sara,
“But actions speak louder than words.” Maybe i am not explaining it right. Gov. Palin, has accomplished what she has set out to do. Lowing taxes, she worked with the democratic legestlative branch to accomplish that, she worked with both the oil companies and the legeslative branch to make it happen in the intrest of the people. Becuase of the lower taxes people have spent more money, and more money spent is stimulating more jobs. She went after corruption asked for the resignation of a person in her own cabnite for excepting “gifts”. she has and will continue to be that Government who is instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.
September 5th, 2008 at 1:14 pm
BOOGIEMAN
Following Danielle:
A shelter for unwed mothers?
You’ve got to be kidding-the rich need another tax break.
Make contraception redily availabe?
NO NO NO-teenagers will be encouraged to have sex.
Health care for pregnant women?
NO NO NO that’s socialism
Better contraception choices?
NO NO NO not with taxpayers (read ‘MY’ money).
All of these things are the people’s resopsiblity at city county and state level, not the responsiblity of the federal Government. With the broad blanket of the Federal government the programs fail and the places that need the money more then others just don’t get the money.
September 5th, 2008 at 2:06 pm
for you liberals your pick of women have been geraldine ferraro, whose ass was kicked by reagan-bush, hillary, who finished second to obama [''what happened hillary supporters''] and nancy pelosi who heads a 20 percent approval rating for a democratic congress which, by the way, is lower than your whipping boy bush. ferraro, clinton and pelosi. pretty pitiful. you liberals only wish you had a sarah palin.
September 5th, 2008 at 2:24 pm
hey alan. with your radical liberal veiws why dont you try to get at job at msnbc alongside fellow radical keith olberman or better yet, try to get in at nbc, they would love you. the audience that watches fox news, although we enjoy seeing you get your ass kicked by hannity and others,we just wish you would take your radical left position and just go away.
September 5th, 2008 at 2:33 pm
Not that Hannity actually kicks Alan’s ass– unless you count the smarmy interruption and shouting-down factors “kicking ass”– but have you ever noticed that Hannity feels the need to outnumber conservatives to liberals during the show?
I think Alan holds his own against the rudeness.
September 5th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
Sara,
Ever of heard of self-control and responsibility for your actions! Guess not if you’re a democarat. The CHOICE is NOT to have sex if you don’t want a beating heart in your abdomen.
And Aaron, Thank you, We need more of you!
Oh and Sara I see, Obama’s “community organizing” was rallying and monopolizing on the black population. Registering them to vote by the thousands to better himself (oh sorry, I meant themselves). How about going out and making them finish school and go to college (for free)? Because they can, thanks to all the benefits they get as minorities! It is their choice! Wake up Black America, you are being used. Democrats are keeping you poor, sick and uneducated so you can’t figure out whats going on. Go to Larry Elder’s web-site and please investigate what the Left has REALLY done for your culture. (Or better yet get with Bill Cosby). Obama is no Martin Luther King (what an insult to Martin). You will get more of the same with him. Poverty, unwed mothers at an all time high, and over 70% high school drop out rate for your young black males. Sounds like nothing is getting better! The more free stuff you give people, the more invaluable it becomes no matter the color of skin. Don’t be a victim!
September 5th, 2008 at 3:23 pm
Marine Mom, abstinence-only education is not practical. Sarah Palin’s daughter is a walking testament.
In cases of rape and incest, I suppose you’d support abortion? Since your so-called “choice to have sex” would be lacking in this instance.
You have something against registering African-Americans to vote? Well, that’s your own problem. I can’t personally do anything about your racism.
Incidentally, I know you don’t like to hear it about your Republican cult, but they’re pretty much responsible for the economy contributing to our nation’s poverty. And Palin’s daughter is yet unmarried. And 5 months pregnant.
September 5th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
Sara
What a low blow there is nothing that Marine Mom said that could even be slightly translated into racist. She was saying that Obama’s campaign people were basically telling them to vote for him. The democrats have this idea about helping the people by blanketing money out over a whole country for one problem, then standing back and looking at what a good job they did. Republicans want to work with the people to teach them how to fish so that they can become self-sufficient. The problem with not just Black America, but Latino America, Poor America, and even some White America, our leaders, Mothers, Fathers, our communities no longer tell us, “… in your life’s blueprint you must have as the basic principle the determination to achieve excellence in your various fields of endeavor. You’re going to be deciding as the days, as the years unfold what you will do in life — what your life’s work will be. Set out to do it well.
And I say to you, my young friends, doors are opening to you–doors of opportunities that were not open to your mothers and your fathers — and the great challenge facing you is to be ready to face these doors as they open.
Ralph Waldo Emerson, the great essayist, said in a lecture in 1871, “If a man can write a better book or preach a better sermon or make a better mousetrap than his neighbor, even if he builds his house in the woods, the world will make a beaten path to his door.”" Yet we as Americans can not forget that there are still barriers that are out there for our Black men and women, Latino children, and the poor. We must encourage our new generation, not look down on them and judge. We must be there when they fail to help them back up and mold them into a hard and noble people. For it isn’t until we fail that we find our character; it isn’t until we have lost sight we find out who our friends are, and it is not until we fall down, do we learn to get back up look forward and journey on.
September 5th, 2008 at 5:11 pm
Don -
No, trust me – we defintely do not want “a Sarah Palin” on our ticket. She’s all yours!
September 5th, 2008 at 5:33 pm
Aaron, if you can’t see the racist, one-sided slant of Marine Mom’s:
“Obama’s ‘community organizing’ was rallying and monopolizing on the black population. Registering them to vote by the thousands to better himself (oh sorry, I meant themselves). How about going out and making them finish school and go to college (for free)?”
She was dead-set against anyone (but a Republican?) registering African-Americans to vote. And the idea that she wants government to “make” African-Americans educated, and take advantage of all the programs that DEMOCRATS preserve for minorities…
Well, it was just an interesting missive. About as interesting as you characterizing my question to her as a “low-blow.”
I find it difficult to see how a Republican could distinguish what a low-blow was, as desensitized to them as they’ve become.
September 8th, 2008 at 4:58 pm
and not getting pregnant out of wedlock.
September 8th, 2008 at 5:00 pm
registering black people and poor people to vote is a bad thing?
September 8th, 2008 at 5:01 pm