-
-
Lazy as men?
Have you noticed advertisements for cleaning products and appliances feature almost exclusively women? if you pay attention to commercials you'll see that it shows society that women are more likely to actually be the cleaners while the men in the commercials are doing nothing. Doesn't this show society that men are preferred to be lazier while the women do all the work? Bad influence ... why don't we make things equal?! Have you noticed advertisements for cleaning products and appliances feature almost exclusively women? if you pay attention to commerc... more
-
How Sarah Palin blew it
Friday October 3, 2008 10:03 EDT
How Sarah Palin blew it
Joe Biden and Sarah Palin were talking to two different Americas Thursday night. Actually, that's unfair to Joe Biden; he was trying to talk to everyone. I can say for certain, though, that Sarah Palin was talking to -- and winking at -- her own private Idaho, and for long stretches of the debate, it was an unnerving experience.
We could be in for a few days of pro-Palin commentary, since her subjects and verbs corresponded. For at least the first hour, she held her own; she was funny sometimes, occasionally charming. Still, the Obama-Biden ticket will survive it. Biden was stronger on every single substantive point, and that's the impression that will last.
But the pit bull in lipstick was back. After her disarming "Hey, can I call you Joe?" Palin was vicious, with a winning smile. After a passionate Biden plea to "walk with me in my neighborhood," in Delaware and Scranton, where "the middle class has gotten the short end," she ridiculed him: "Say it ain't so, Joe, there you go again! Pointing backwards again!"
There were two key moments for me when Sarah Palin blew it badly. One was substantive, one was symbolic. The substantive was her bizarre statement about being happy that Dick Cheney had expanded the powers of the vice-presidency, and wanting to expand the powers more. I think that's what she said, it was one of many moments I didn't entirely understand her point, but I got her overall meaning. Biden came back with a decisive: "Vice President Cheney has been the most dangerous vice president in American history," and he defended the existing limits on vice-presidential power. Point: Biden. Big time.
The symbolic moment Palin flubbed was subjective, of course. But I instant-messaged a friend that she lost the debate when Biden choked up over losing his wife and child in a car accident in which his sons were critically injured -- and she went straight back into "John McCain is a maverick." I truly expected her to express human sympathy with Biden, and her failure to do so showed me something deeply wrong with her. But maybe that's just me.
She made other mistakes that others have already caught: She called the top commander in Afghanistan "General McClellan"; his name is David McKiernan. She said the troop levels in Iraq are down to pre-surge levels; they're not. She simply didn't answer a lot of the questions. Moderator Gwen Ifill tried to pull her back, but Palin is stubborn; she had her talking points, and she stuck to them.
I thought Biden and Palin tied for the first third of the debate, that Palin actually won the second third on moxie and charisma, not policy (Biden looked visibly angry at a few points, and that's never good), but Biden cleaned her clock in the last third. He quoted his dad telling him, "Champ, when you get knocked down, get up!" -- and he listened to his father. Biden got up, and he won the debate.
We'll see how it plays out in the days to com Friday October 3, 2008 10:03 EDT How Sarah Palin blew it ... more -
Sarah Palin vs the Press
Palin continues to botch the very limited interviews she participates in. Some argue the campaign has limited access to Palin to avoid further emberassments.
Recently she was interviewed by Katie Kouric.
http://newsone.com/elections/article/katie-kouric-stump... Palin continues to botch the very limited interviews she participates in. Some argue the campaign has limited access to Palin to avoi... more -
Catholics and first born daughters to be allowed on UK throne
Downing Street is planning to end the 300-year-old exclusion of Catholics from the British throne. The requirement that the succession automatically pass to a male would also be reformed, making it possible for a first born daughter of Prince William to become his heir.
The 1688 Bill of Rights , the Act of Settlement in 1701 and Act of Union in 1707 - reinforced by the provisions of the Coronation Oath Act 1688 - effectively excluded Catholics or their spouses from the succession and provided for the exclusively Protestant succession. Neither Catholics nor those who marry them nor those born to them out of wedlock may be in the line of succession. The law also requires the monarch on accession to make before parliament a declaration rejecting Catholicism.
Critics have long argued about the law's relevance in the 21st century, saying it institutionalises religious discrimination and male primogeniture. Downing Street is planning to end the 300-year-old exclusion of Catholics from the British throne. The requirement that the succession... more -
Stop the Sexist Treatment of Palin!
Campbell Brown really slams McCain hard for how Sarah Palin is being treated.
-
Exceptionally sexist advertising - Che Men's Magazine outrages women
“Lets Keep Dreaming Of A Better World”, says Che Men’s Magazine's latest ad slogan...
See link for gallery of (I think worse) offenders.
Harmless fun or shameful sexism? “Lets Keep Dreaming Of A Better World”, says Che Men’s Magazine's latest ad slogan... ... more -
Is this cover sexist?
I used this cover for a post yesterday and it started an interesting discussion I would like to continue. http://current.com/items/89324856_significant_drop_in_p...
The picture comes from the "Seattle Weekly". (One of Seattle's free weeklies.)
You can imagine this cover displayed in newspaper boxes throughout the city for an entire week (last week to be specific). The cover brought up similar issues here, that are probably making you uncomfortable about the cover. Is this sexist? Has Palin opened herself to be objectified because of her past as a beauty queen? Is Palin an idiot as the cover suggests, "Teach Me Something"? (Of course there is the double innuendo suggesting Palin is interested in a more sexual lesson.) Is Palin anti-feminist? Does this picture tell that story? Why does this cover make you uncomfortable? Is that a bad thing to make people uncomfortable?
Is it art? I used this cover for a post yesterday and it started an interesting discussion I would like to continue. http://current.com/items/89... more -
Political Radar: Bill Clinton: Hillary Never Wanted to be Obama's VP
ABC News' Russell Goldman Reports: Despite saying she would accept the offer to be vice president, Hillary Clinton never really wanted to be Barack Obama's running mate, her husband former President Bill Clinton told ABC's The View.
"Not really, she didn't," Clinton said in response to a question from host Barbara Walters about whether Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y. wanted to join her one-time opponent on the Democratic ticket ABC News' Russell Goldman Reports: Despite saying she would accept the offer to be vice president, Hillary Clinton never really w... more -
Iran’s Women’s Rights Activists Are Being Smeared
Women’s rights activists recently succeeded in stalling a bill to ease polygamy, temporary marriage and male-bias in divorce. But Nayereh Tohidi says a nasty smear campaign and continuous arrest show the adversity they are up against.In Iran, the government of hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad recently proposed a bill and, in Orwellian fashion, named it the "Family Protection Law."
If passed it would have threatened the stability, equilibrium, and mental health of families by reinforcing and facilitating polygamy, temporary marriage, and men’s privileged position with regard to divorce.
The good news: A diverse coalition of women’s rights activists and even some moderate clerics and politicians persuaded a judicial commission to drop some of the most contested articles and Majles, the Parliament, passed an amended version on Sept. 9. This version makes second marriage contingent upon the first wife’s consent and does not attach any tax on the amount of dowry to be paid to wife in case of divorce.
The bad news: The amended family law and many other laws pertaining to personal status are still very male biased. Temporary marriage (muta), for example, remains a prerogative for married and unmarried men without even requiring its registration. Activists campaigning to change that those laws are still under attack, with five women recently sentenced to prison terms of between six months and four years.
A major sign of the negative climate is a wave of smear campaigns recently waged against those activists, chief among them Shirin Ebadi, the leading human rights lawyer. Similar campaigns in the 1990s were harbingers of homicides.
A series of articles published in early August by the official Islamic Republic News Agency made dangerous allegations against Ebadi, her family, and the Center for the Defense of Human Rights that she founded and chairs.
The articles charged Ebadi, a Women’s eNews 21 Leader, with supporting sexual license, promiscuity, and prostitution. They called her a Zionist agent and alleged that the international Zionist Lobby was behind her winning the 2003 Nobel Prize.
The articles also claimed that Ebadi’s daughter has converted to the Bahai faith, a dangerous accusation because Iran does not recognize Bahaism as a religion and its followers have faced severe discrimination and persecution.
Trumped-Up Charges Several human rights groups, including the Nobel Women Initiative (founded by six female Nobel Peace Prize winners) have compared the accusations to trumped-up charges brought up by the same media against dissident intellectuals in the 1990s that led to several mysterious assassinations now known as "the serial killings."
Women’s status in Iran is paradoxical and complex. Many rural women and those living in small towns suffer from old restrictions and practices such as domestic violence and "honor killing."
As for urban women: While economic necessity compels many to work outside the home, their employment opportunities are limited and often face discrimination and harassment. According to official records, in the course of the past year alone, more than 20,000 women have been attacked by "moral squads" and put under temporary police arrest for breaking Islamic dress code.
********CONTINUES Women’s rights activists recently succeeded in stalling a bill to ease polygamy, temporary marriage and male-bias in divorce. But Naye... more -
Men with sexist views 'earn more'
Men who grow up thinking women should stay at home may be labelled "old-fashioned" - but could end up well ahead in the salary stakes.
A US study, published in the Journal of Applied Psychology, suggests that they will consistently out-earn more "modern-thinking" men.
On average, this meant an extra $8,500 (£4,722) a year.
One UK psychologist said men inclined to wield power in their relationships might also do this at work.
The study, carried out by researchers at the University of Florida, was conducted on a large scale, with 12,686 men and women interviewed in 1979, when they were aged between 14 and 22, and three times in the following two decades, the last time in 2005.
The researchers asked them whether they believed a woman's place was in the home, or whether the employment of women was likely to lead to higher rates of juvenile delinquency.
Predictably, more men tended to hold these views than women, although the gap has narrowed significantly over time.
However, when the men were asked about their salaries, another gap emerged, with those holding "traditional" views earning significantly more.
Conversely, women who held the opposite view did earn slightly more, on average $1,500 (£833) more than women with "traditional" views.
Dr Timothy Judge, one of the researchers, said: "More traditional people may be seeking to preserve the historical separation of work and domestic roles - our results prove that is, in fact, the case." Men who grow up thinking women should stay at home may be labelled "old-fashioned" - but could end up well ahead in the sala... more -
Palin sexism watch: Bernhard's 'gang rape' warning to Palin
Sandra Bernhard issued a blistering warning to Sarah Palin during a performance of her new one-woman show.
The Republican V.P. nom would be "gang-raped by my big black brothers" if she enters Manhattan, Bernhard said. Palin is said to be making a campaign stop in New York next week.
"[The gang rape comment] is part of a much larger, nuanced, and yes, provocative (that's what I do) piece from my show about racism, freedom, women's rights and the extreme views of Governor Sarah Palin, a woman who doesn't believe that other women should have the right to choose," Bernhard told the Daily News today.
"Women deserve better," she continued. "I certainly wish Governor Palin no harm. I'd just like her to explain to me how she can hold such outrageous views - and then go back to Alaska."
More at link... Sandra Bernhard issued a blistering warning to Sarah Palin during a performance of her new one-woman show. ... more -
Top 10 Sexiest Female Politicians
It seems this year in politics is all about women. We had one who nearly became the Democratic nominee, one who is the Republican VP nominee and possibly a heartbeat away from the presidency. Women are the hot topic in politics, but are they hot? Earlier in the primaries, Jack Nicholson recorded a commercial in favor Hillary Clinton and used a quote from one of his movies where he said “There is nothing on this earth sexier, believe me gentleman, than a woman that you have to salute in the morning.” With that, here are 10 of the world's sexiest female politicians. It seems this year in politics is all about women. We had one who nearly became the Democratic nominee, one who is the Republican VP n... more
-
McDonald's is making lattes so women can stop pretending to be intelligent?
Woman 1: You know I heard McDonalds is making lattes now.
Woman 2: McDonalds? Well that's just...fantastic!
W1: Isn't it?! Now we don't have to listen to jazz all day long!
W2: I can start wearing heels again.
W1: Read gossip magazines! (tosses book away)
W2: Watch reality TV shows...
W1: I like television!
W2: I can't really speak French.
W1: I don't know where Paraguay is!
W2: Paraguay? Woman 1: You know I heard McDonalds is making lattes now. Woman 2: McDonalds? Well that's just...fantastic! ... more -
Fey Shines ... Phelps Wobbles on 'SNL'
Brilliant imitation of Palin by Tina Fey.
-
Europe takes aim at sexual stereotyping in ads
Women as (Only) Sex Objects
In Madison Avenue's mind's eye, women are still preternaturally obsessed with the cleanliness of their kitchen floors, while men ruminate constantly about which shaving products will render them more attractive to the opposite sex. The European Parliament has set out to change this. Last week, the legislature voted 504 to 110 to scold advertisers for 'sexual stereotyping,' adopting a nonbinding report that seeks to prod the industry to change the way it depicts men and women. Women as (Only) Sex Objects ... more -
Obama on Letterman: 'McCain policy Is The Pig'
Presidential hopeful Barack Obama appeared on the "Late Show with David Letterman" in New York on Wednesday after a day of heated debate by media and political pundits over comments some took as a slam against Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin.
Obama spent much of his visit talking about Palin and clarifying his earlier comments.
"This is sort of silly season in politics, not that there's a non-silly season, but it gets sillier," Obama said. "And it's a common expression in at least Illinois. I don't know about New York City. I don't know what you put lipstick on here."
Obama told Letterman the expression "lipstick on a pig" in this case applies to having a bad idea and trying to pass it off as change.
"Just calling [ideas] change, calling them different doesn't make it better, hence lipstick on a pig," Obama said.
He then clarified his statements even more.
"Keep in mind, technically, had I meant it this way, [Palin] would be the lipstick. The failed policies of John McCain would be the pig, just following the logic of this illogical situation," Obama said...
(See Video and rest at link...) Presidential hopeful Barack Obama appeared on the "Late Show with David Letterman" in New York on Wednesday after a day of h... more -
Poll shows big shift to McCain among white women
Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama on Tuesday brushed aside a survey that showed him losing support among white women voters to John McCain since the Republican standard-bearer named Sarah Palin as his running mate.
A Washington Post/ABC News survey published on Tuesday found...
(Read The Rest at Link...)
Photo:
A delegate cries while listening to Senator John McCain (R-AZ) during McCain's acceptance speech at the 2008 Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minnesota, September 4, 2008.
(Damir Sagolj/Reuters) Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama on Tuesday brushed aside a survey that showed him losing support among white women vote... more -
Analysis: Palin Smears Intensify ....Hillary may have the last laugh !
This doesn't help! Obama needs his good intention surrogates to stop!
After selecting Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate, Sen. John McCain has soared in the polls -- taking a 10-point lead over Sen. Barack Obama in the Gallup daily tracking poll among likely voters.
The development has shaken many in the major media who are strongly backing Obama, a Democrat. His allies have now launched an all-out offensive against the first GOP female vice presidential candidate.
Worrisome for the Obama camp is the momentous effect Palin has had on women. Before her selection, Obama led McCain among white women, 55 percent to 37 percent.
The most recent poll data out last week shows 53 percent to 41 percent in favor of McCain. ABC News called it "one of the single biggest post-convention changes in voter preference.''
Such political attacks have been backed up by vicious personal smears.
Comedian Bill Maher cracked a tasteless “joke” involving Palin’s Down syndrome child -- and referred to her as a “stewardess.” In the monologue of a recent HBO show, Maher noted that Palin has five children, including an infant “that has Down syndrome. She had it when she was 43 years old. And it looks a lot like John Edwards.”
Also notable was US Weekly magazine, whose cover story featured Palin and the headline “Babies, Lies & Scandal.”
Asked by Fox News Megyn Kelly to identify any “lies” Palin had uttered, US Weekly Senior Editor Bradley Jacobs could not offer any.
Just months ago, the same weekly had published Barack and Michelle Obama on the cover with the headline “Why Barack Loves Her.”
Meanwhile, the media has been elevating minor controversies in Palin’s home state of Alaska to national “scandals.” For example, the firing of a state trooper who allegedly Tasered his own 10-year-old son has been elevated to an international human-rights case.
The latest line of attack on Palin is focused on her strong Christian beliefs. She has been labeled a wacko fundamentalist who doesn’t believe in evolution. (Interestingly, several polls show most Americans don’t believe in it, either. A 2006 CBS poll found that just 13 percent of Americans believe in scientific evolution, and most Americans believe life was created and guided by God.)
The pro-Obama bias has not only affected Palin and the GOP. During one Democrat debate earlier this year, Sen. Hillary Clinton referenced a “Saturday Night Live” sketch that showed CNN moderators bending over backwards to help Obama.
Hillary may have the last laugh as the Republicans, with Palin leading the charge, are stealing the women vote – a bloc Hillary solidly owned and one she could have brought home to the Democratic Party on Election Day. This doesn't help! Obama needs his good intention surrogates to stop! ... more -
A BRILLIANT TRAP MAKES DEMS THE MALE CHAUVINISTS feminist Kirsten Powers claims
SHE'S just a beauty queen.
She's another Dan Quayle.
And ironically, the biggest criticism of Sarah Palin, John McCain's veep choice, is she has no experience. Funny, coming from the Barack Obama camp.
Following McCain's announcement of Palin - the first female to be put on a GOP ticket for the White House, and only the second in US history - the Obama campaign skipped the niceties and blasted her as the "former mayor of a town of 9,000 with zero foreign policy experience." She's also a governor of Alaska (my home state), the first woman in that office and the youngest elected in state history. She has an 80-plus percent approval rating. She has turned the state upside down with her reformist zeal and has made enemies of the Republican establishment.
And she can talk energy policy, one of the biggest issues facing this country.
Is she a gamble? Definitely. But so is Barack Obama, who has himself dismissed experience as a prerequisite for leadership, despite his spot atop the Democratic ticket.
At this point, Palin is so unknown, there's no way to make a clear judgment about her. But listening to Obama supporters take to the airwaves to shriek with indignation about her lack of experience is just a little too rich. Where were they when Obama, two years into the Senate, announced his candidacy for president?
One Obama supporter and political operative blogged, "In picking an unknown, untested half-a-term governor from Alaska . . . John McCain is following in a long line of reckless men who have rolled the dice for a beauty queen."
Do we really have to do this again? SHE'S just a beauty queen. She's another Dan Quayle. ... more
-
