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In defense of feminism
It is a witches' brew of elitism (from liberal, coastal journalists), jealousy from ugly women, and bitterness that she dares go against the liberal orthodoxy.And this from the oh so tolerant left who prides themselves on their acceptance of diversity---diversity of skin color, not of thought.
A liberal's idea of diversity? On a college campus, being in class with a liberal Black, a liberal Caucasian, a liberal transgender, a liberal vegan, and a liberal Asian.
My response was:
Let me put it this way: when people like Dobson and Hagee, who spout off on "traditional" family values and how women's primary responsibility is to serve their husbands and raise children, are telling me that someone is the right candidate, I have my doubts.I don't think the state has the power to tell me whether I can have an abortion. Or use birth control - don't forget that Griswold was the predecessor to Roe and that things like the CO Personhood Amendment throw things like IUDs and hormonal BC into question. I don't think the federal government should impose a strict 6-month statute of limitations that begins running from the start of any employment discrimination I might face, even if it's impossible for me to discover it. I don't think that a rape victim should EVER have to pay for a rape kit. As far as keeping more of what they earn, far far more working women would keep more of what they earn under Obama's tax proposal, not that I think anybody's getting a tax cut any time soon. McCain's healthcare proposal would likely amount to a tax increase for women with children, and women shoulder the burden of providing healthcare for children far more than men do.
It's not bitterness that she goes against the "liberal orthodoxy," whatever the hell that is. It's not bitterness from ugly women. (I seriously can't believe you said that. Talk about sexist!) It's about a genuine belief in what is best for women. You may disagree with me about what is best for women, but please don't insult the thoughtful feminists who truly believe that progressive policies are better for women than the right-wing policies that people like Palin support.
I wanted to add that I think that blanket statements criticizing all feminism as being just a cover for liberalism are unproductive and annoying. It really shows a lack of understanding of the diversity within feminism. Just one example: there is really quite a variety of opinion on porn among feminists. Some think that porn is fine; some focus on the availability of "feminist" porn; some think that there is no such thing as feminist porn and that it's necessarily exploitive. I just don't appreciate being called bitter and ugly simply because I think that progressive policies are better for women than conservative ones.
Re: In defense of feminism
I'm really not into the C&P of Julie's words over here because it never ends well. I know you haven't been here long, so I'll give you a pass, but just keep it in mind for future reference.
That aside, she makes a point that I just read in this article and it pissed me off to no end.
http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1846832,00.html
Fenton just posted it over on E08.
http://community.thenest.com/cs/ks/forums/thread/3399804.aspx
I spelled out my outrage over there and I'll spare some people here from having to read them, as I know some people won't be pleased.
But, suffice it to say, I'm so insanely offended by the idea that I hate Palin because I'm jealous of how pretty she is that I think I'm going to be in a really bad mood all night.
I don't really intend to make a regular practice of C&Ping things she posts on the other board. But the board has been moving so fast today that what I posted last night has already moved to the third page. I figured she would be more likely to read it an actually respond over here.
Chelle, I understand that there are pro-choice people who value other things above abortion rights and therefore vote Republican. Again, I think a big problem is the level of discourse. I think that some people feel so passionately about abortion rights and they perceive the erosion of them as such a huge threat to women's rights that they feel anyone who will vote for someone who isn't pro-choice is threatening their rights. This attitude doesn't necessarily lend itself to a great level of discourse, but I understand the visceral reaction.
my read shelf:
Wow. I like to think I'm immune to JulieF's nuttery, but this one shocked me. Anti-woman comments from a woman never fails to amaze me.
I wish people would point out that Palin is more anti-woman than just being pro-life. There are issues about fair pay, poverty issues, supporting working mothers are also part of women's issues, and Palin is either silent on them or else holds a stance that does not benefit women.
I am soooooo offended! I MUST be the most articulate poster you've ever encountered! I will not tolerate this insolence!
Thanks jenni! That article really, really annoyed me. The assertion is, in itself, sexist. That women can't make educated decisions so we vote based on jealousy and looks? Ugh.
Bridey - I sent you a PM.
can I make this real simple? ignore Julie_F. otherwise you'll looooose your mind.
People keep bringing the abortion issue up when arguing that feminists are narrow-minded when it comes to Palin, but I have to say that nearly all of the intelligent arguments I've heard or read against Palin have nothing to do with her position on abortion.
Instead, they deal with her apparent lack of knowledge, her reliance upon charm and folksiness to get around her lack of knowledge, her allowance of claims of "sexism" to be thrown around when legitimate questions were being asked about her political leanings and experience, her refusal to deal with the press and then her failure to take personal responsibility for the things she said when she finally did deal with the press, etc.
Personally, I can't be bothered to care about her position on abortion at this point because for me, the issues I listed above are the threshold issues that must be resolved before even getting into her political beliefs.