"Be outraged, and be loud about it."
That line and the following came from a female friend mine. She is very active in politics and in the community. She also works in a law office as a legal aid. She is smart, she is feminine and she is tough!
Pelosi and Clinton and Palin ... women currently have a MANDATE to go get aggressive and make sure we're taken seriously as contenders who won't back down from our demands, from our outrage.
Obama can't get out there and swing - he can't be seen as scary. Biden might do it - but he's pretty courtly...
It's up to women this year. I strongly believe this. We are in a cycle right now that might be hard to see, but it must culminate in a change in women's forcefulness and place in politics and ownership of our society. We don't have the luxury of remaining moderately involved and passively concerned. Things are screwed up, and you-know-who typically does clean up, right?
Continued below...
Last Saturday at a favorite watering hole, I sat by some nice liberal guy having a moderately heated debate with 3 less-than-liberal guys at the counter. I tried to stay out of it, I really did. But as he did his typical logical liberal thing, I watched these 3 guys clearly get more and more aggressive, and less and less interested in his opinion, and more and more condescending. They'd heard it, and they'd heard it just like this, before. All he was doing was reinforcing an old argument that they have never had to give up. Everybody knew their lines.
Because you see, nice Western Washingtonians, most Americans find that sort of communication boring, weak, non-convicted, and unconvincing. We are a country of chest beaters.
So, when this guy resorted to "America, love it or leave it," I almost leapt across the bar at him. (Seriously.) I scolded this guy, loudly. I didn't let him retort. I wasn't trying to debate. I blamed him. I castigated him. I didn't tell him I "think" he's an idiot. I told him in no uncertain terms that he IS an idiot and that he was an embarrassment to human beings and to shut his polluting mouth. I did what THEY do - offense as defense. I went for the kill. It got ugly. Oh, the humanity.
This guy - after telling ME that this great country can only offer two options to its citizens - was really only left with two options his damn self. He had to come over and punch me in the face for aggressively and publicly insulting his brain cells, evolution, and lineage - or leave. They left, and they didn't have anything else to say. Not that I would have let them get a word in.
Now this watering hole I speak of is not a mecca for progressives or brainiacs. But I got its equivalent of a standing ovation. Not because they necessarily like my politics. But because, in the opinion of the masses, I had WON.
Undignified? These people speak in tongues and play with snakes and watch Jerry Springer - they're not impressed with dignity. Not pretty? I don't care. Not playing fair? I don't care. Resorting to their playbook? I don't care. This is WAR. Go fight, women - we're finally ready for it, and I frankly think they're expecting us. And it's about time, too.
Elizabeth - do not be discouraged and do not be scared. Be outraged, and be loud about it.
... She was replying to one person in particular and a group of other people in an email.
She was responding to this:
Well, I am staying home from work and school today and low and behold, the first issue presented to me on the television this morning was "lipstick" politics. All the hoopla over a stupid, albeit funny comment regarding Barack Obama's lipstick on a pig comment.
With all the issues facing our country today, this is what we get from McCain - sexism, like he should talk choosing the "Blessed, I am soooo cute, how great I art (we heard how great she thinks she is from her convention speech) and I deserve this Barbie" for a Vice Presidential candidate.
I guess my mind can go to some strange places when refer to local colloquistic phrases like one from my farm upbringing "You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear." That is how I feel when thinking about that woman for Vice President.
A governor who has less than two years experience governing and before she was a mayor (part-time) of a small town. I have been president of the PTA back home and the school district there had more students than Alaska has residents.
It is just insane that McCain would choose this woman thinking he was doing good for the country - did he not accuse Barack Obama of playing politics over the good of our country?
Hypocrite! It scares me to no end that McCain could win.
I hope everyone registers and decides ENOUGH! Thanks for listening.....
Which was a response to this
I was listening to Air America KPTK1090am coming home from a PTO meeting and learned some disturbing news...namely the Presidential Debate is probably going to be boring as usual. I am paraphrasing you can check this out for yourself by looking at:
http://www.opendebates.org/
We thought this year was going to be so interesting and that Obama and Biden could really make strong arguments in favor of the progressive position....and the democratic platform. Especially with Palin, Bible Thumping, Baby Making, Gun Toting, Mooserack, Caribou Barbie... (love writing that)
Not so....
Here's why. (Name Deleted) this is right up your alley. Please comment on this. (Name Deleted - League of Women Voters)
The League of Women Voters used to be in charge of debates but it was decided that things got out of hand and that basically the organizers of the debate did not like "women" in charge of the content. So a commission was formed called The Presidential Debate Commission, supposedly a non-partisan committee that "agrees, on content, format and participation." There is a Republican and Democrat Chair, only guess what? Both of these people work on behalf of the largest pharmaceutical companies. So basically you have two Republicans in charge, one is just flying under the Democratic label. These people "negotiate" and sign a contract...on content. Hopefully this contract was signed BEFORE Palin came aboard this love train and McCain is on Valium. I am sure you all heard that they are limiting commentary...as a policy at the moment..."yes because every time thy open their damn mouths they just sound so stupid."
Is this pretty sickening? So we do not get a real debate just one that makes sure corporate interests are served and intact. Hope this year at least one of them will be in favor of birth control and let Palin take some heat for her positions. Kinda could put a crimp on the questions related to health care though.
I had no idea. Open Debate.Org is trying to get this practice stopped so we can have debates for the people. AirAmerica KPTK1090 of course is airing this show to get the word out. This debate is going to be watched around the globe...too bad it will be canned. I say give it back to League Of Women Voters!
I am in absolute agreement that the League Of Women Voters NEEDS to be put back in charge of all Presidential and Vice presidential debates.
I am not sure if the statement about the make up of the The Presidential Debate Commission is correct, but if it is, then this is BS!
One last thing, all of what written above, was written by women (well... except my part). Politically active, smart, feminine, strong, tough women! I believe they are all in their late 30's to mid 40's. (Hopefully I am not offending any of them).