I don't plan to be anyone's toast.
But my friend Bob maintains, "If McCain were to die in office, we would all be toast."
As the wild ride on Wall Street continues this week, I'm thinking we're toast already, without the help of John McCain and Sarah Palin.
Apparently Bush and his war in Iraq and the insane "leveraging" game played by major US banking and stock management firms will be taking a severe toll on the income and taxes of average Americans economically.
Bob writes on September 16, "I actually believe that potentially, McCain, by continuing fundamental Republican policies/philosophy in an extension of Bush/Cheney, could do much more harm to this country.
* McCain says that he will make the Bush tax cuts permanent.
* He is clearly in favor of appointing Clarence Thomas clones to the Supreme Court. He opposes Roe and will kill it.
* He does not believe in government regulation of the market.
* His concepts about health care and health insurance are positively draconian.
* McCain is indistinguishable from Bush/Cheney. His record clearly establishes that fact.
Don't get me started on that air-head named Palin. If McCain were to die in office, we would all be toast. She is Joe Stalin in pantyhose. You can quote me on that.
I really believe that the Republican goal for this country is to create another version of what Brazil was forty years ago....a tiny percentage of their population holding incomprehensible wealth, and the rest of their population living in squalor with no voice whatsoever.
It will be darn close to the end of the world if McCain wins....at least a world worth living in, here in the US."
Well, Bob, you may be right.
But even if all that comes to pass--if injustice prevails, poverty grows, and my own ability to buy food and keep a roof over my head is imperiled--I refuse to succumb emotionally and be toast.
I will continue to enjoy the sunrise and sunset, to appreciate the ocean and mountains, to praise God and work for justice.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Governors vs. Organizers
Bumper sticker:
JESUS WAS A COMMUNITY ORGANIZER,
PONTIUS PILATE WAS A GOVERNOR.
Sent to me by Marsha Fowler,
spoken a few days earlier by another friend.
JESUS WAS A COMMUNITY ORGANIZER,
PONTIUS PILATE WAS A GOVERNOR.
Sent to me by Marsha Fowler,
spoken a few days earlier by another friend.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Gender Politics
"This is quite a semester to be teaching a women's studies course," I commented to a friend at work today.
"I'm glad not to be teaching that this semester," she answered.
"Why?" I asked. "Last year the term 'gender politics' was just a concept my students had to try to remember and define, but this past weekend I've heard news commentators refer to it several times. It's almost a household phrase."
"I feel so strongly about this election--I couldn't talk about it in the classroom," she admitted. "It's so serious--just think what could happen if McCain & Palin win!"
She's definitely in the "end of the world" camp, but I stick to my guns (pardon the expression) that a McCain/Palin victory would be survivable.
"We've already seen the damage done by Bush & Cheney. It can't get any worse," I argued.
"But if she became president? Well, perhaps they could control her," my friend reflected.
I'm not sure Palin given the power of a vice presidency or presidency would be easy to rein in, but if I have to watch that show, I'm going to enjoy it a lot more than the George W. years or the Richard & Spiro years.
"I'm glad not to be teaching that this semester," she answered.
"Why?" I asked. "Last year the term 'gender politics' was just a concept my students had to try to remember and define, but this past weekend I've heard news commentators refer to it several times. It's almost a household phrase."
"I feel so strongly about this election--I couldn't talk about it in the classroom," she admitted. "It's so serious--just think what could happen if McCain & Palin win!"
She's definitely in the "end of the world" camp, but I stick to my guns (pardon the expression) that a McCain/Palin victory would be survivable.
"We've already seen the damage done by Bush & Cheney. It can't get any worse," I argued.
"But if she became president? Well, perhaps they could control her," my friend reflected.
I'm not sure Palin given the power of a vice presidency or presidency would be easy to rein in, but if I have to watch that show, I'm going to enjoy it a lot more than the George W. years or the Richard & Spiro years.
Sexist Acronyms Hit Bigtime
"Wasn't Tina Fey great!" my boss laughed.
"I missed it," I admitted--the opening moments of the season premiere of Saturday Night Live two days ago.
"Oh, you've got to see it," she answered.
Despite my protests of not wanting to take her away from her work, she pulled the show onto her computer screen right then and there for my benefit: Tina Fey as Sarah Palin and Amy Poehler as Hillary Clinton.
Each was right on target with the voice and mannerisms of her look-alike; together they were a great spoof.
"Sarah" begins by addressing the "now very ugly role sexism is playing in the campaign."
"An issue which I'm frankly surprised people suddenly care about," "Hillary" comments ironically.
I loved the performance until "Sarah" complains about being called a "MILF" and "Hillary" laments the acronym "FLIRGE."
"I had to google 'FLIRGE'" my boss admitted.
I didn't ask--she didn't tell, but my daughter supplied me with the words behind "MILF" and I googled the other one.
In each acronym, the "I" speaking is a young sexist male whose entire world view consists of which women he would or would not like to have sex with.
Both candidates are reduced to a vagina.
Thanks, SNL, for bringing millions of viewers this bottom-feeder grunge.
"I missed it," I admitted--the opening moments of the season premiere of Saturday Night Live two days ago.
"Oh, you've got to see it," she answered.
Despite my protests of not wanting to take her away from her work, she pulled the show onto her computer screen right then and there for my benefit: Tina Fey as Sarah Palin and Amy Poehler as Hillary Clinton.
Each was right on target with the voice and mannerisms of her look-alike; together they were a great spoof.
"Sarah" begins by addressing the "now very ugly role sexism is playing in the campaign."
"An issue which I'm frankly surprised people suddenly care about," "Hillary" comments ironically.
I loved the performance until "Sarah" complains about being called a "MILF" and "Hillary" laments the acronym "FLIRGE."
"I had to google 'FLIRGE'" my boss admitted.
I didn't ask--she didn't tell, but my daughter supplied me with the words behind "MILF" and I googled the other one.
In each acronym, the "I" speaking is a young sexist male whose entire world view consists of which women he would or would not like to have sex with.
Both candidates are reduced to a vagina.
Thanks, SNL, for bringing millions of viewers this bottom-feeder grunge.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Not the End of the World
A friend in Santa Monica writes to me, "McCain is now ahead in the polls. If he wins this election, we are truly screwed. We being the USA."
Whoa there--it's not the end of the world if McCain & Palin win.
After all, look who we've had for eight years: Bush and Cheney.
I mean, the worst that can happen has already happened. An election was stolen from the voters, a war of aggression was waged on a nation that had not attacked us, many innocent lives have been lost, our economy has taken a big hit, and our children will be paying for this war for years to come.
We already have been screwed. Nobody--even McCain and Palin--can screw up more than this.
"Anybody but Bush" is still my motto.
Of course, I don't want the right wing to win, but I've already lived through the Richard Nixon & Spiro Agnew Show, which played in what should have been the best years of my life, 1968-73.
I mean really, let's get some perspective on McCain & Palin. At least they would provide the interesting spectacle of a woman VP, and she couldn't be any worse than Cheney or Agnew, even if she became president.
As I watch developments in the remaining weeks prior to November 4, I refuse to go into panic mode.
Whoa there--it's not the end of the world if McCain & Palin win.
After all, look who we've had for eight years: Bush and Cheney.
I mean, the worst that can happen has already happened. An election was stolen from the voters, a war of aggression was waged on a nation that had not attacked us, many innocent lives have been lost, our economy has taken a big hit, and our children will be paying for this war for years to come.
We already have been screwed. Nobody--even McCain and Palin--can screw up more than this.
"Anybody but Bush" is still my motto.
Of course, I don't want the right wing to win, but I've already lived through the Richard Nixon & Spiro Agnew Show, which played in what should have been the best years of my life, 1968-73.
I mean really, let's get some perspective on McCain & Palin. At least they would provide the interesting spectacle of a woman VP, and she couldn't be any worse than Cheney or Agnew, even if she became president.
As I watch developments in the remaining weeks prior to November 4, I refuse to go into panic mode.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
End of the Women's Auxiliary
A two-page color photo in Time magazine, Sept. 15, says it all.
Two men and two women are sitting around a table: Republican presidential nomineee John McCain, his wife Cindy, his campaign manager Steve Schmidt, and vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin, holding her baby.
They're not eating or relaxing but at work on the campaign bus.
Two women and two men. And a baby.
For the first time in GOP campaign history, women are not relegated to the kitchen or poolside while men strategize--and a baby is part of the picture.
Reproduction is not a conveniently forgotten fact of life but a noisy reality.
I have to applaud this change in the national landscape.
Even if Democrats lose along with Roe v. Wade and the chance to "make peace not war" internationally, continents are shifting.
Gender roles frozen for millennia are thawing and reshaping.
The political cartoon in today's Los Angles Times shows a man in 1920 asking a suffragist, "Shouldn't you be at home, taking care of your family?" while a female critic in 2008 asks Palin the same question (drawn by Steve Breen of the San Diego Union-Tribune).
It's delightful to see social conservatives confused over whether to support Palin as a right-wing anti-abortionist or condemn her for not staying home with her children.
To the extent that they go for those single issues, they are dragged kicking and screaming into the feminist revolution.
Values voters now have values looming up on all sides.
To vote against women, they have to vote for one woman.
What a hoot!
Two men and two women are sitting around a table: Republican presidential nomineee John McCain, his wife Cindy, his campaign manager Steve Schmidt, and vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin, holding her baby.
They're not eating or relaxing but at work on the campaign bus.
Two women and two men. And a baby.
For the first time in GOP campaign history, women are not relegated to the kitchen or poolside while men strategize--and a baby is part of the picture.
Reproduction is not a conveniently forgotten fact of life but a noisy reality.
I have to applaud this change in the national landscape.
Even if Democrats lose along with Roe v. Wade and the chance to "make peace not war" internationally, continents are shifting.
Gender roles frozen for millennia are thawing and reshaping.
The political cartoon in today's Los Angles Times shows a man in 1920 asking a suffragist, "Shouldn't you be at home, taking care of your family?" while a female critic in 2008 asks Palin the same question (drawn by Steve Breen of the San Diego Union-Tribune).
It's delightful to see social conservatives confused over whether to support Palin as a right-wing anti-abortionist or condemn her for not staying home with her children.
To the extent that they go for those single issues, they are dragged kicking and screaming into the feminist revolution.
Values voters now have values looming up on all sides.
To vote against women, they have to vote for one woman.
What a hoot!
Sisters in Conversation
Commentary from my sister on antiwomanist attacks:
While we may disagree by degrees, I just love it that an everywoman is in the debate.
Some hate Sarah Palin for her views but express it in their antiwomanist attacks.
Maybe actions are louder than words. If we really are for women's inclusion in the conversation, then we must be willing to
1)have 'other' points of view and not just one view for all women to sign onto and
2) stay in the conversation ourselves.
As a moderate or even moderate/conservative woman, I have women friends who don't respect me enough to let me share my opinions. They assume I agree with them since I am career- and degree-gifted.
If I speak up, I am silenced with putdowns or accusations of betrayal to the sisterhood.
I liked Hilary. Though I disagreed with some of her platform, I felt she and I could talk.
Now I have a similar model in SP. I disagree with some of her platform, though less than Hilary's, and I think we can talk.
More importantly, she is like me in experience, in presence, and in humor.
McCain and Palin have, like, totally, got my vote. My party has finally kicked the door in on the good ol' boys.
We are in the treehouse, and the view is great. Now can we sit down with our peanutbutter sandwiches and talk nice?
Sister
While we may disagree by degrees, I just love it that an everywoman is in the debate.
Some hate Sarah Palin for her views but express it in their antiwomanist attacks.
Maybe actions are louder than words. If we really are for women's inclusion in the conversation, then we must be willing to
1)have 'other' points of view and not just one view for all women to sign onto and
2) stay in the conversation ourselves.
As a moderate or even moderate/conservative woman, I have women friends who don't respect me enough to let me share my opinions. They assume I agree with them since I am career- and degree-gifted.
If I speak up, I am silenced with putdowns or accusations of betrayal to the sisterhood.
I liked Hilary. Though I disagreed with some of her platform, I felt she and I could talk.
Now I have a similar model in SP. I disagree with some of her platform, though less than Hilary's, and I think we can talk.
More importantly, she is like me in experience, in presence, and in humor.
McCain and Palin have, like, totally, got my vote. My party has finally kicked the door in on the good ol' boys.
We are in the treehouse, and the view is great. Now can we sit down with our peanutbutter sandwiches and talk nice?
Sister
The Prius Speaks
On an LA freeway, Roz A.E. reports seeing a Prius with the following bumper sticker:
At least the war against the environment is going well.
At least the war against the environment is going well.
Friday, September 5, 2008
Code Pink
Thank you to Jeanne Sales for calling my attention to anti-war protests by Code Pink at the Democratic and Republican national conventions.
Recently retired from Amtrak, Jeanne volunteered at the Democratic convention and then moved on to St. Paul with some Code Pink friends to join in the protests there. What a journey!
The Women's eNews report on Code Pink at the convention can be read at
www.womensenews.com.
Recently retired from Amtrak, Jeanne volunteered at the Democratic convention and then moved on to St. Paul with some Code Pink friends to join in the protests there. What a journey!
The Women's eNews report on Code Pink at the convention can be read at
www.womensenews.com.
The Palins & Child Care
Thank you to Women's eNews for an excellent reflection by Tanya Melich on child-care issues raised by Palin's candidacy.
Read it at www.womensenews.org
"This child care issue was hot long before the 1973 Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion," comments Melich, remembering when President Nixon vetoed the Comprehensive Child Development bill in late 1971, "... a genuine attempt to help the nearly 12 million mothers with children who were entering the work force."
By selecting a female running mate who has five children, some of them young, John McCain has raised the issue of who takes care of the kids and who pays to have them taken care of.
"The central question is about money," says Melich, wondering "...how do the Palins manage to pay for child care on a governor's salary of $125,000 and on her husband's lesser reported income."
She reminds us that Marilyn Quayle, "the social conservative who was also a hardworking lawyer," turned her party in the direction of accepting paid child care.
Whether private and public child care services should be federally aided is still an issue among Republicans.
Tanya Melich is author of The Republican War Against Women: An Insider's Report From Behind The Lines (Bantam, paper, revised, 1998; hardcover, 1996).
Read it at www.womensenews.org
"This child care issue was hot long before the 1973 Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion," comments Melich, remembering when President Nixon vetoed the Comprehensive Child Development bill in late 1971, "... a genuine attempt to help the nearly 12 million mothers with children who were entering the work force."
By selecting a female running mate who has five children, some of them young, John McCain has raised the issue of who takes care of the kids and who pays to have them taken care of.
"The central question is about money," says Melich, wondering "...how do the Palins manage to pay for child care on a governor's salary of $125,000 and on her husband's lesser reported income."
She reminds us that Marilyn Quayle, "the social conservative who was also a hardworking lawyer," turned her party in the direction of accepting paid child care.
Whether private and public child care services should be federally aided is still an issue among Republicans.
Tanya Melich is author of The Republican War Against Women: An Insider's Report From Behind The Lines (Bantam, paper, revised, 1998; hardcover, 1996).
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