BlogHer - Election 2008 - Comments

Misinterpreted

Paddycake — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 04:43:26 -0500

I'm disappointed that you misinterpreted my comment as trying to redirect the conversation. However, I do believe you've made it clear to me that I need to redirect what blogs I read.

Wanna hear something almost as weird?

mothercrone — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 23:06:10 -0500

I asked for sterilization and was denied it. Truth here.

Our daughter had hydranencephaly. I was at huge risk of uterine rupture and she was "nonviable" as they so bluntly term it, so cesarean was scheduled four days after we found out there was a problem. Testing showed that I have a genetic mutation that caused her birth defect, likely caused my son's medical condition, and likely caused the miscarriage. I requested tubal ligation at the time of surgery.

I was told I had to wait at least six months to be sterilized. Now I'm being "counseled" to reconsider the possibility of pregnancy in the future since "it's highly manageable" with heparin and nutritional support (heavy, heavy doses of folic acid). But here's the thing - I know I'd be passing these crap genes on. However, since I'm 26, (to the eye) white (always remember you can't tell someone's race by looking at their skin), and married, with an insurance plan, it's assumed I should want to have more kids, others know my mind better than I do.

Six months out from my daughter's birth and death, I still don't feel a strong desire to have another child, and I'm still being told I should wait and see. I am getting pressure from all sides to procreate, my family included. How long can I hold out? Well, probably as long as my OB/GYN can keep the Depo coming. Is this because our local hospital is a Catholic institution, or is this just because everyone thinks I can replace my daughter and that will make it all ok? If we've got reproductive choices, why aren't women allowed to make those choices without undue pressure that's dependent on their situation?

John Lewis

Maria Niles — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 22:07:02 -0500

And I forgot to add that, personally, I found McCain's call for Obama to apologize ludicrous. It is rather hypocritical given that McCain has hired one of the political operatives who slimed he and his daughter with racist false rumors during the 2000 South Carolina primary.

However, I do understand why the Obama campaign asked Rep. Lewis to withdraw his Wallace comment, which he did. Obama does not need the distraction of the complaint to distract from his focus on issues and the economy in which voters are most interested. Although I understand Lewis' deeply personal reaction, Obama's campaign has never focused on the racial aspects of the campaign as it is not in Obama's interest to do so.

Campbell Brown

Maria Niles — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 21:59:46 -0500

is the CNN journalist and BlogHer CE Lainad wrote about her comments here.

I agree that the vocalization of calls for violence are far worse than nasty T-shirts, especially given that a man was shot simply for wearing an ordinary one in support of Obama. I pray that no more actual violence will be committed and that the rhetoric will be toned down. I believe that Senator McCain has received the message and will hopefully direct his campaign to back off.

I have to disagree with you a bit, Nordette

Maria Niles — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 21:53:10 -0500

Your post is extremely thorough and well linked. It is also, as always, thoughtful and insightful and you cover well another aspect of the implications of the recent campaign. Thank you for sharing it.

But yes, imagine my head swirling when I opened up the folder of links I'd bookmarked over the past two weeks and found 75 in there. On the radio, I heard the angry mob of voices from one recent rally and I teared up - it sounded like what I imagine did lynch mobs - so full of anger, hate and violence. It's hard but it is rays of hope like Kristof's that keep me going along with the deep, painful and very necessary discussions of race we are having as a country.

Horrible direction

cooper — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 21:49:52 -0500

Thanks for this post. It is with great disappointment I've seen what is happening to this country over the last few weeks, but in some ways it is exposing an ugly truth.

The hate inciting rallies are a far cry from derogatory sexist or racist tee-shirts worn by supporters of both candidates. Both are telling of our society, but one is far more dangerous to our country as a whole.

I've been happy to finally see some journalist comeing out against this thing. It took a few days too long on my opinion.

I have to note that the first real television journalists to call McCain on this were female. While the males were commenting on this in a way which would give anyone the impresson it was just another day in election park Rachael Maddow , and a female news journalist from CNN ( I am sorry I've momentarily lost her name in my grey cells), were the first telly pundits to actually call it what it was.

cooper

Thank you for posting this, Maria

Nordette — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 21:48:41 -0500

Coincidentally I posted partly on the same concerns at my own blog today, at least the invocation of "otherness," but I did not have the bevy of sources to which you've linked. My post moves on to a different but related concern.

I may have to go back and add an update note at my blog with a link to your post here.

You may have heard that John McCain has asked Obama to apologize for John Lewis comparing McCain to George Wallace. Hmm.

Scarier than the people in the crowds shouting violent ideas is that McCain and Palin have been slow to speak against it. Actually, I don't think Palin's even whispered against it yet.

I don't know that I could do the research you've done and read these reports/posts because it turns my stomach, which is why I didn't get around to writing more about the nature of the McCain campaign rally rhetoric until now.

I especially thank you for ending with the ray of hope from Kristoff's article.

That's a great picture, btw, from Time.

Nordette is a Contributing Editor with BlogHer.com whose personal blog is hosted on another site at this link, Six Degrees of a Nasty Nation.

My beat

Maria Niles — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 20:16:03 -0500

Thank you for your kind words. However, I hope you'll comment further if you have any specific thoughts on the issues raised in the post vs. attempting to redirect the discussion.

Just a note - my weekly column is on race and politics - I do not specifically cover gender at BlogHer. Several of the other Contributing Editors as well as BlogHer members have, however, written about Palin and sexism. I'd encourage you to check out the politics and news link at the end of my post, from the sidebar or from the drop down box on the home page or you can use the search box to find posts here at BlogHer or within the BlogHer network. I also invite you to consider writing your own post on the issue here on BlogHer. Just click on the create the a post button at the top of the page.

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why is it not the same for ALL women, including repub. women?

abeck — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 19:32:52 -0500

THANK you for this wonderful post. You said exactly what I was thinking, especially regarding Ms Steinem's words. Of course, you also remained calmer than I was and am when I read and re-read what Ms. Steinem has had to say.

As a Mom and a mom who worked up until both of my children were born, and went back to work within 3 days of their birth(s), leaving my dear husband to care for the children as I brought home the "bacon", I find what has been said by all supposed feminists absolutely awful. What would they think of me? After all, my "chidren" are now 23 and 25, so it's been a long time since I had to have care for them... I am disgusted by the double-standard Ms Steinem and MANY Obama suporters seemingly hold dear to; this is the 21st century and I thought that what Sarah Palin is doing would certainly be something that the feminists would be proud to point to for their daughters education of what women CAN do; I suppose not. And, I find it disheartening.

In this election season, we seem to have gone back by decades regarding race and sex and I find it distressing. Hearing what was said by Gloria Steinem is worse because of her supposed stance when it comes to women,, she is talking out of both sides of her mouth, surely! Women cannot sit idly by while this sort of thing is proffered. Women MUST always support other women in their good deeds.

Someone needed to say it; I am glad you did and that you did so very eloquently! Good for you. Thank you, again, for your thoughts; I enjoyed reading.

Anne

Any woman getting ahead is good for ALL women, regardless of party affiliation!

Great blog

Paddycake — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 19:13:08 -0500

I hope to see what you will write about on the sexism.

Here is a little sample.

Calling Palin a “c***”…and no one bats an eye.

http://hillbuzz.wordpress.com/2008/10/12/obama-supporters-wearing-sarah-palin-is-a-c-tee-shirts/#comment-7019

Shameful

Paddycake — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 18:57:28 -0500

Calling Palin a “c***”…and no one bats an eye.

http://hillbuzz.wordpress.com/2008/10/12/obama-supporters-wearing-sarah-palin-is-a-c-tee-shirts/#comment-7019

All women should stand up against this kind of garbage.

yes yes yes!

zurika — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 14:43:39 -0500

Well put!

About a year ago I caught a movie on TV about the sufragettes. By the end of it I was bawling (and I am usually the last person to cry during a movie). I think that was the first time I ever really thought about how grateful I was, to those women and in general, that I live in a world where at least legally my opinion is valued. And that's why I will make sure never to disenfranchise myself!

-Jul

This non-American Life

And Here I Thought...

Michellesamom — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 23:12:11 -0500

...that this has been one of the most exciting elections I've seen since becoming a voter! I think that you're absolutely right when you say that no one really wanted yet another election. The last one wasn't that long ago. However, I do think that from the debate controversy to the economic crisis, this election has been quite the opposite of dull.

Bravo!!

Toto — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 22:55:22 -0500

You are not alone, there are many Hillary Democrats supporting McCain/Palin. I met a woman who is a member of the group PUMA Pac, you may want to check their site out.

Thank you!

kellenvh — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 22:54:57 -0500

I am ashamed to be a Democrat for the first time in my life. Your description of the way Hillary Clinton was handled by the Democratic party leaders, and yes, Obama as well, is deplorable. If they had handled Obama in this way the cry of "Racism" would have been heard loud and long. But do it to a woman and no one blinks - except Elton John, who called it correctly - misogyny. What amazed me was not that people didn't like her. You have that in politics. What amazed me was the vitriol directed toward her. I understand if people do not like her politics. But the hatred that was directed at her left me stunned. And these same people couldn't even tell me why they didn't like her. They just hated her.

Thank you for saying the "S" word. It needed to be said. And if Palin gets elected because she stepped in to fill the gaping hole Hillary left because the Democrats ousted her so ungraciously, well, then we deserve another eight years like the last eight years.