Change your name
Published Monday, June 9, 2008
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Stumble It!June 6, 2008
To the editor:
Many people have chalked up the defeat of Hillary Clinton to sexism, or even a media infatuation with Barack Obama. But as his historic win underscores, the country is more than willing to support a “non-traditional” candidate for president.
On top of that, we have many capable women in high levels of state and U.S. government. The Speaker of the House is a woman, we have had two female secretaries of State under both Republican and Democratic administrations, and many major states are represented by women in the Senate and House. The problem was this particular woman, not women in general.
Many people, especially strong women, recoiled at the thought of Hillary Clinton becoming president. It is hard to think of her as strong when she has remained in an emotionally abusive relationship for decades. If Hillary Rodham had run for president a dozen or so years after divorcing the former president, there likely would have been a very different outcome. Had she been honest and forthright about her experience, she would have been praised and not ridiculed.
My suggestion to feminists and Democrats in the future is to promote the candidacies of strong, accomplished women and not pin hopes on coattails and last names.
Community Discussion
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Whenever I get accused of being a sexist because I can't stand Hilary Clinton, I casually mention how happy I am that I voted for Sarah Palin. Usually leaves my accuser stammering for a response.
Obama's skin color and Clinton being a woman are not what I take issue with.
Sorry, but Hillary did not lose the primary because of her gender or her name. Instead, she had the misfortune of having to run against Obama, the most energizing politician in a generation. According to some analysts, it is questionable is even Bill Clinton could have won a primary against Obama. Personally, I did not support Hillary because she can not be trusted, as was demonstrated by her attempts to change party election rules when the current rules did not work in her favor.
Obama may be young and inexperianced on the global level but at least he has not shown the true colors that finally came through for Hillary. Do I put my trust in someone that I think may have the potential to lie to me in the future or someone that has told several lies (badly, I might add) one right after the other to cover short comings? Hummmm....
It's our fault politicians lie. Most the time the right thing isn't popular. Plus, we judge people on totally irrelevant things (Clinton impeached for lying about an affair, Bush not impeached, but there are SOOOOOO many reasons...). I think most people are past the whole Monicagate thing. Hillary and Obama cancelled themselves out. Hillary barely lost. I'll take anyone, but Bush.
I do not think that the way Hillary handled her husbands infidelity had any merit when I was choosing who I wanted to be the next Democratic Nomination. I am curious about how she felt and all the details surrounding that incident, but she is a strong woman. Her choices are her choices. Maybe in your eyes this holds merit. It could be one of your priorities, living in marital bliss or discord, when choosing who should lead the free world.
Just because she chose to stay with Bill after he cheated on her does not mean she stayed in an emotionally abusive relationship. I like how you diagnosed their martial problems. I am not trying to defend this situation, just trying say that there is more to this story that we may never know.
Also, I did not view her campaign in any way 'pin hopes on coattails and last names'. She ran her campaign, she's out. She did get caught in lies, alot of them. That is my personal reason for not wanting her in office. Not because of the way she handled her personal, however, very publicized, tragedy.
politics is a dog and pony show. no matter how much people will say they want a quality candidate for presidency, the candidates will always do or say anything to get that blue ribbon prize.
The old guard of the Democratic party has begun to shift to the new. We saw this with JFK. The Clintons never thought of themselves as the old guard. This was their biggest political mistake. For a couple who are not use to losing, it must have really rocked their boat.
akmommie---
Lying is not telling the truth. Lying is legal. Perjury is lying UNDER OATH. Perjury is illegal. 2 completely different situations. As for impeaching Bush, why do you think that the House of Reps has not? Perhaps, because there are no legal grounds for impeachment. The loonies in the House hate Bush so very much that they would impeach him on the flimsiest of charges. What is one of your "SOOOOO many reasons". Policy disagreement does not count, as people are still allowed that freedom.
But I completely agree with you that the truth is not often popular in politics. The voters often reward the biggest liar. Like telling people that they will have free medical care for all, free college education for the young, free housing for the poor, free money and drugs for the aged, and free ice cream for everybody. These pols are often rewarded with election. And heralded for their generosity and kindness.
BLAH BLAH BLAH! The tone of your letter is offensive to democrates and women in general, although you try and sugarcoat your opinions by a brief mention of other strong women. What would you personally know about being a "strong accomplished women" you are a man aren't you??? Before you go slamming Hilary ask yourself what have YOU done? There is both good and bad in all parties and candidates.
I do wonder where all these women were when Carol Moseley Braun was campaigning for the Democratic nomination for president in 2004. Ms.Braun was articulate, thoughtful and a black women with experience as a senator and ambassador.
divorce bill would make her stronger? would this have made her kids and family stronger? divorce is one of the worst things that could happen to a child. divorces is more than likely the number one reason family structures are falling apart in the world today. couples are too worried about themselves being happy and not their children's well being. it seems hillary stayed strong and worked it out, she even ran for president.
no moooore pantsuits!!!yeah
Though I personally do not "like" (persay) Hilary Clinton, I do understand that her personal business is just that. She, like the rest of us, had every right to do whatever it was that she felt was right for her and her family. Secondly, my lack of support for her stems from the fact that she lacks a genuineness and a strong conviction in her stances that is necessary for MY vote.
As a "strong woman" myself, I would love to see a woman as Commander in Chief someday but I would prefer it be someone that I feel confident in leading this country in the state that it is in. So, regardless of party affiliations, I think the American people have a duty to choose the candidates based on their abilities not on gender, race or religion. And anything less than that is a shame on us as society.
AKNATUFF-
Why do you call Obama 'Sadam'?
It's NOT because he's a racist!
LOL
I guess it's just a clever 'name has a couple of the same letters' association?
I don't know about anyone else, but when "what the terrorists want" factors into MY decisions about MY country and MY vote, I'll certainly let you all know as soon as possible.
I love the "He's who the terrorists want!" argument.
LOL
Glacierles--
The legalities of lying are not what should be considered. It is the ethical perception that should be honored. Obama set his campaign on the fact that he was going to take the moral high ground and not succumb to the cheap tactics of Rovian policies much like Hilary did. This is what we need to see from more politicians.
You hear so much that Barrack Obama is too inexperienced to be a great leader for this nation but I believe that this is exactly what we need. Because he is somewhat new to politics, he would also be new to the corruption that politics tempts people with as well.
As far as Lil' Bush being impeached....I don't think that it would happen but to support akmommie's laundry list of complaints the biggest one that I would put at the top of the list would be the unjustified invasion of Iraq. I believe that we are still looking for those WMD......
Here is a link that has some information on the movement to impeach George W.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Movement_to...
Exactly, slates. A green politician is less bound by the cronyism and back-scratching than older, more seasoned politicians who already 'owe' plenty of favors. That might be what appeals to me most about Senator Obama.
I was not saying Clinton was right, however we did not even need to KNOW if he was monica'd to get to that point. But where is the big inquisition on Bush? We just HAD to prove Clinton was cheating, but since Bush still slaps his wifes bottom it's okay to go to war, stack judges that will vote how we tell them etc...Society cares about stupid stuff like charisma, hair and outfits, gay people and pot as opposed to Health Care, economy, global relations and education.
First of all, slates, there's a reason teachers do not accept Wikipedia as a reliable source from 14 year olds (let alone you). Second of all, the president does not have the Constitutional authority to go to war. **Congress gave him that authority**. Third of all, I like the "L'il Bush" reference...good to know your interest in cartoons drives your opinions.
OK, I posted this one once before, but the article didn't get much traffic. Sorry for the repeat, but it's for all you Hilary Haters and Beatlemaniacs out there.
Dr. C.
The Ballad of Bill and Hillary
(To the tune of “The Ballad of John and Yoko,” with apologies to no one.)
Standing on a dock in Seattle
Trying to win in Texas or Maine.
The man with the Mac said
I wish you’d go back
You know two of you are really a pain
Well, you know it ain’t easy,
You know how hard it can be.
The way things are going,
They may not nominate me.
Finally made the plane into Nashville
Honeymooning on the campaign
Al Gore called to say
“That doesn’t make it OK,
You know that everyone still laughs at the stain.”
Well, you know it ain’t easy,
You know how hard it can be.
The way things are going,
They may not nominate me.
Drove from Vegas to the Hollywood Hilton
Hadn’t slept together for years.
The newspapers said
Say what’re you doing in bed
I said we’re only trying to cry us some tears.
Well, you know it ain’t easy,
You know how hard it can be.
The way things are going,
They may not nominate me.
Spending all you money on a primary
Losing all your super-delegates
Last night Bill said,
If you’re not elected,
I won’t have to be seen with you no more
Think!
Made a lightning trip to Florida
Eating caviar from a bag
The newspapers said
It’s gone to her head
She looks just like a campaigning nag.
Well you know it ain’t easy,
You know how hard it can be.
The way things are going,
They may not nominate me.
Caught the early plane back to D.C.
Bill and Gina caught in the sack
The men from the press said
We don’t wish you success
We don’t really want the two of you back.
Well you know it ain’t easy,
You know how hard it can be.
The way things are going,
They may not nominate me.
outoftowner--
Where to begin? Ok first off the wikipedia jab. I could of rattled off several dozen websites that have the same references and listed that Bush was out of order to invade Iraq. But if you are so inclined to research it yourself I will help you. Just google "top reasons to impeach bush.", and see what comes up. To add to your self claimed fact that wikipedia is not a valid source of information, I think you need to take a look at this article http://news.cnet.com/Study-Wikipedia-as-...
Then there is your comment to defend our commander and chief. You are one of the small percentile that agrees with what he has done with this country and how he is running it into the groung. You are a dying breed..... but I applaud your sticktoitiveness (look it up). And finally.....
Apparently there is a show called lil' bush that I am missing. Thanks for the update. I take it that you are a fan of this show if you knew about it then? I simply named him that because he acts and looks up to his daddy.
The sad thing is that Bush's actions in this Presidency has paved the way for someone as far-left and frighteningly inexperienced POLITICIAN as Obama to get elected to the position (make no mistake folks, he's as much a politician as any of the rest of them). I'm terrified of what "change" he thinks is best for this country. Bush-hatred has given a whole pile of people blinders that they prefer to keep on, but so be it.
I just hope it's a short 4 years, no matter which of these politicians get into office.
Right on Dana VanDam. But it'll take less than 4 years to ruin Amerika if it's run by a guy who's somewhat to the left of Vladimir Putin.
"Exactly, slates. A green politician is less bound by the cronyism and back-scratching than older, more seasoned politicians who already 'owe' plenty of favors. That might be what appeals to me most about Senator Obama."
Wow - nice to see all it takes is rhetoric and no substance to win you over...All I hear is Change this and Change that ... but no SOLUTIONS!!!!
I will vote for any party now that has actual SOLUTIONS. Solutions that don't turn America into one of the smelly little third world countries I have previously been forced to serve in....
Oh - and on Obama's higher moral ground and aversion to taking 'bribes' - do a little digging into his relationship with Tony Rezko and tell me that real estate deal doesn't smell fishy...kinda like Hillary's winning options trades....
They are all dirty - Dems and Repubs...I would just be happy with one without the bs rhetoric and with SOLUTIONS!!!!
AK guy-
I'm going to have to live with your disappointment that you don't approve of the reasons I like Senator Obama. I'd be happy to outline the reasons I like Senator McCain, but I would hope you would have the same thing to say since he has yet to offer any SOLUTIONS either.
Politics IS rhetoric, so let's not all pretend that the candidacies we are presented - by the candidates themselves and the media - are anything "substantive" in the first place. It's 2 years worth of sound bites and "ideas". "Substance" can only be proven IN OFFICE, so from where I'm sitting there has never been a candidate "of substance". Only "of rhetoric". And since we've had a substance-less president for the past 8 years, I'm willing to give another dude a shot and I like Obama.
"Forced to serve" in smelly little countries? Wow. Nice sentiment. Xenophobia, aisle three. No worries - most everyone thinks their own country and culture are "better" than anyone else's. You aren't alone.
As for Senator Obama's "inexperience" - I'll have to head back to that pesky Constitution (you know, the one that counted the senator as 3/5 of one person when it was originally drafted) that only requires a person be 35 years of age (oh! the experience!), a resident of the U.S. for 14 years, and a natural-born citizen. After those three requirements are met, I'm open to whatever a candidate has to say.
Joe:
"Amerika"
LOL
I love it.
OK, Slates, you win on the first and third parts (though I really don't watch that ridiculous show). But you're a little off on the second. The president was given permission to invade Iraq by Congress. That's just the way it is. You can say they were tricked into doing it by Dick Cheney and the false CIA information if you'd like, but then you'd be overlooking all the information from the 9/11 commission that they had on hand (to name one resource). My support or distaste for Bush is irrelevent in this comment, because whether I like the man or not doesn't change what Congress did, nor does it change the bonehead way the President has been running this war.
bottom line.. hillary RodDamn clinton is OUT , obama is in.. now hillary can go back to d.c, shave her legs and put on a skirt. ! and support obama and do what she needs to do,, i am soo tired of her..
and those damn pant-suits.. see ya hillary
Mark my words - we are going to see some scarey/disappointing things about Obama come through. He is just as much of a political game player as anyone - probably even the best at it. If he would only claim that, then maybe I could trust him. Change - what a joke.
I can't imagine what I'm going to do come November.
beam me up Scotty, no intelligent life forms here.
this forum is lame, i have not heard one single fact, just shabby opinions. so (dana van?) you will just hide your head in the sand for four years? and you (outofwhere-ever), you are still beating the dead horse because YOU think that is the patriotic duty of all of us?
Bush and his cabinet destroyed our country, but wait, what about Bill and Hillary, thats right they kicked our teeth in and we didnt feel a thing because we were swimming in the novacaine(dont know how to spell it) of a fabricated Bull Market. so we can continue to go back to the "good old days"; here it comes, the Carter administration, total idiots, maybe you just had to be there? In short there has not been a good pres. since Harry.
but please, continue on with your childish Dems vrs. Reps. rhetoric.
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