10 Things That Make Me Joyful: Number 10
I know, I know, I still have seven left on my "angry" list, but I thought I'd balance it out with some joy and gratitude, OK?
10. Wow. That was the one word going through my head when I read the news about John McCain choosing young Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his running mate this morning... I was in shock for the first few minutes and found myself wondering throughout the day whether this was a good choice or bad. The more I think about it, though, one other word comes to mind: brilliant. Absolutely brilliant. Woman. Firebrand conservative. Principled. Smart. Attractive. Tough. From the West Coast, which gets angry about being left out of national elections time after time anyway. I have to say, I noticed the looks of pride and excitement on the faces of some young women on campus today who were talking about J-Mac’s pick. I talked to a few of them I know and realized how historic, indeed how potentially energizing, this decision was and will continue to be until November and beyond. I have to say, I’m proud of my party, my candidate, my country today. If you know me, you know I’m not a feminist per se, but I do believe women have taken a back seat to the political foreground for far too long.
Let the neoliberals say what they want; they’ll bash her, abuse her, claim to be women's rights activists but then say horrible things about her (e.g. Facebook group called "I would have sex with, but not vote for, Sarah Palin"--wow, Democrats, so progressive of you), drag her name through the mud. Oh well, nothing new. She'll make it. She’s handled five children, including one headed to Iraq and one with Down’s syndrome (a poster lady for the pro-life movement if ever one lived); she’s been a beauty pageant contestant, a city mayor, a governor (a darn good one at that), and a thorough professional, so she should be able to handle a few loser twentysomething bloggers living in their parents’ basements who have no idea what real life for real women entails. I can see a “love at first sight” reaction beginning to form between the Republican Party (and many non-Republicans) and Governor Palin. She should help soften our image a bit and show people that we do value women for the wonderful, beautiful, priceless creatures that they are. Where would the conservative movement, or indeed this country, be without them? Go Sarah, Go Mac, let’s pull an upset.
10. Wow. That was the one word going through my head when I read the news about John McCain choosing young Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his running mate this morning... I was in shock for the first few minutes and found myself wondering throughout the day whether this was a good choice or bad. The more I think about it, though, one other word comes to mind: brilliant. Absolutely brilliant. Woman. Firebrand conservative. Principled. Smart. Attractive. Tough. From the West Coast, which gets angry about being left out of national elections time after time anyway. I have to say, I noticed the looks of pride and excitement on the faces of some young women on campus today who were talking about J-Mac’s pick. I talked to a few of them I know and realized how historic, indeed how potentially energizing, this decision was and will continue to be until November and beyond. I have to say, I’m proud of my party, my candidate, my country today. If you know me, you know I’m not a feminist per se, but I do believe women have taken a back seat to the political foreground for far too long.
Let the neoliberals say what they want; they’ll bash her, abuse her, claim to be women's rights activists but then say horrible things about her (e.g. Facebook group called "I would have sex with, but not vote for, Sarah Palin"--wow, Democrats, so progressive of you), drag her name through the mud. Oh well, nothing new. She'll make it. She’s handled five children, including one headed to Iraq and one with Down’s syndrome (a poster lady for the pro-life movement if ever one lived); she’s been a beauty pageant contestant, a city mayor, a governor (a darn good one at that), and a thorough professional, so she should be able to handle a few loser twentysomething bloggers living in their parents’ basements who have no idea what real life for real women entails. I can see a “love at first sight” reaction beginning to form between the Republican Party (and many non-Republicans) and Governor Palin. She should help soften our image a bit and show people that we do value women for the wonderful, beautiful, priceless creatures that they are. Where would the conservative movement, or indeed this country, be without them? Go Sarah, Go Mac, let’s pull an upset.
posted by Douglas Schrock at 9:24 PM
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