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Maybe It's Not Sexist, But Let's Leave It Alone Anyway
I don't disagree with Stephanie often, but I guess there's always a first time, and I really don't think it's any of our business how long Sarah Palin chose to take off after giving birth. Who knows what the circumstances were? Whether she was able to bring the baby to the office? What other reasons there might have been for why she felt compelled to do what she did? Can't we hold more than one idea in our heads at the same time: Disagree with Palin's choices in politics (including the ironic choice to deny women a choice... but I digress), without taking issue with her decisions as a person? Can't we fight for every woman's and every man's right to family leave (and flex time, and job-sharing, and the whole work-life agenda that dropped out of the national discourse sometime in the 80s thanks in large part to GOP culture warriors--but I digress again) without worrying that one very prominent working mother's choices will undercut our whole argument? (If our argument is that weak, we have other problems.) For an example of how to do all this better, let's see how France's Minister of Justice works it out--as a single mom, no less.
Oh, and while we're at it: When Emily Bazelon and Dahlia Lithwick wonder, in their otherwise excellent Slate piece: "Is it passing judgment to observe that for most mothers, a pregnant teenager is a sign of parenting gone awry?" all I can say is, um, my first assumption would be birth control gone awry. I know it's not going to happen, but I really, really wish we'd just focus on stuff like Palin's global-warming denialism.
Palin's baggage really has brought down the quality of the news that journalists' have provided in the past couple of days. Quality news resources such as this one have really suffered in the past couple of days as they tried get too much out too fast. In part, I attribute this decline in quality to the fact that she is an unknown and there was a rush to fill in that gap in negativity. However, that really is not an excuse for blog posts that tried to attack her on shaky ground.
What is called for is a return to a position of strength. This magazine's strength is making astute, well reasoned, and well researched observations. Making crass comments about whether or not someone will bring a "breast pump" on the campaign trail, or questioning her ability as a parent are examples of a low caliber journalism that seeks to be critical without establishing a strong base from which to critique. Please, go back to establishing a strong base from which to critique her and John McCain from. Start questioning her reforms she did in Alaska, start questioning the Republican party's act of propping up her experience--do not focus on her lack of it but focus on how the Republican's are propping her up and making incorrect statements about her. The fact that the Republican's are lying about her is something you cannot say about the Democrats. It is a desperate act from people who have something to hide--the Democrats have not been that desperate, I want that observation made. What about her position to stand up to oil companies, yet, she wants to drill ANWAR. This is confusing and I want to start understanding this position.
So please, get out of the mud and back onto solid ground.
You're right Derek, Democrats should tell the truth. The whole, ugly truth, such as the fact that Joe Biden wasn't bright enough to see the harm that America would suffer by imposing the Patriot ACT on her citizens, and the harm that many nations would suffer due to Congress facilitating Bush's invasion of Iraq.
Those are two very bad judgements.
Just as bad as the ones McCain made on those issues, and like bullets, those decisions can't be called back after they've been fired off.
It's also worth noting that Senator Obama voted in favor of the Patriot ACT extension, though he wasn't around for the initial enactment of the atrocity, and he has yet to vote against one red cent of funding for Bush's war, after running a Senate campaign that touted the need to stand up and say 'No' to George Bush on his war funding.
The 'Change' ticket looks so much like the 'McSame' ticket on so many critical issues, the only REAL 'Change' vote will be one cast for a 3rd party or independent candidate.
Right, AYD.
We offered a choice between "same" and "same". Sure, McCain would be a disaster. But I see Obama/Biden as firm right-wing establishmentarians. What's progressive about them?
Why is the concern that questions about Sarah Palin might be considered sexist more important than the fact the Amy Goodman and other reporters were arrested at the RNC for covering the protests?