Not That Stupid: Erica Jong's Dear John Letter
Dear John McCain:
We're not that stupid. Sure it would be nice if the women of America believed that everyone with breasts and a vagina believed in equality. But it ain't so. Women have differing views -- just like men.
Some like beer; some like chardonnay. And some prefer AA. Some like automatic weapons; some don't. Some think every pregnancy is sanctified; some don't. Some think presidents should be qualified for office; some don't care.
But to take the struggle for equal rights that has gone on for two centuries and embody it in the person of Sarah Palin is not just misleading but abusive. Charging rape victims for rape kits is a travesty of equal rights. Insisting that government impose your own views of abortion on others is anti-equality. Cutting funding for black teenage mothers is anti-feminist and racist. Lying to the electorate about your record is insolent. Do you think we're too stupid or indolent to check?
We have checked. You are lying and so is she. But you must think that a big lie repeated over and over becomes the truth. And it seems that many Americans are with you on that.
You are so good at the bold-faced lie that you even seem to believe it yourself. When Barbara Walters and Joy Behar accused you of lying on "The View," you claimed you weren't.
I guess your handlers have decided that after eight years of Cheney-Bush saying one thing and doing another, truth no longer has any meaning. Say it often enough and we'll believe anything -- like the good commercial-watchers we are. So, prep Sarah to sound like Hillary -- and we'll be fooled.
It remains to be seen how many will.
But one thing is clear. You have reached a new low in your regard for the public. You have blown your credibility. Usually politicians wait to be elected to do that.
It's fascinating to watch you and your party try to co-opt the idea of change, the idea of equal rights after eight years of being in total control and trashing the country for women, for workers, for taxpayers and for anyone who earns dollars.
Do you really think we're that stupid? Apparently you do.
Tax cuts for the rich have produced trickle-down unemployment. You want to try that again? We don't. The private sector has not policed itself. Failing banks and mortgage companies prove that. The deficit has swelled. Insurance rates for health care have swelled. Women are joining the ranks of the poor faster than ever.
Play it again, John?
As Sarah Palin said, lying about her lust for earmarks, "Thanks but no thanks."
Sincerely,
Erica Jong
Loading comments…
Want to reply to a comment? Hint: Click "Reply" at the bottom of the comment; after being approved your comment will appear directly underneath the comment you replied to
"The act of following the crowd into an investment that will inevitably head for disaster."
lemming. (n.d.). Investoped
Many of us were divided during the Democratic primaries, principally over whether Hillary's refusal to back down off of her vote to authorize George Bush's war should prevent us from voting for her. However, it is undeniable that Hillary's campaign shone new light on sexism and had women once again proudly proclaiming themselves to be feminists. The opportunistic effort to claim Hillary voters with the assignment of Sarah Palin to the Republican ticket gives feminists a chance to come back together over shared beliefs. Now is the time to reassert our principles in the American political arena. Here are a just a few of those principles and the ways in which Palin's beliefs and actions violate them.
Feminists are not in favor of war as the preferred solution to international conflict. Sarah Palin sees war as God's will.
Feminists understand that humanity caused global warming poses a threat to our very existence. Sarah Palin remains unconvinced that humans cause global warming and invokes "drill, baby drill" as a personal mantra.
Feminists see sexual assault as crimes while Mayor Palin demanded that rape victims in essence pay for the investigation of their assaults by charging them for the administration of rape kits.
Feminists know that reproductive choice is a core personal liberty while Palin advocates criminalizing abortion even for victims of incest or rape.
Let's first work to defeat the oppresive McCain/Palin ticket and second recommit ourselves to the struggle to achieve equal rights for American women.
Palin makes Hillary look really good, and I hope she (Hillary) continues to be on the national radar and speak out.
Well stated. Succinct and to the point. By the way I love your books!
LIARS MAKE LOUSY LEADERS
I can't think of a better blogger to take on Palin...Gr
Been a wife (age19) , mother (age20), feminist (age0), college graduate (age 44), grandmother(age47), widow (age 59).. oh, did I mention feminist?? (60 years). Thank you Erica for Fear of Flying, and thank you all the strong, working, stay-at-home, moms, dads, extended families and free-thinkers who continue to express the views of us who are constantly struggling to juggle our worlds, and still stay focused on the truth and what makes our country grand, but, not grandest!! We can and should overcome, sexism, racism, and have the ability to regain the status and respect of our country... and, please, Repubs, do not ever insult me again with Sarah Palin. Admire you Erica.. keep on keeping on
Politicians having difficulties with the truth and in some cases avoiding it has been known for ages.
In our modern time, especially in the last couple of decades, politicians gained more ground in fooling the public because the media, the so called free press lost its way and many of its members became partisan. Also many media members gave up on reporting and turned to opinionating in columns, radio, TV and the internet.
I am glad there are enough watchdogs in the blogosphere to countervail the traditional media's drift from its Constitutional mandate.
A handful of individuals in the Media have called McCain-Palin & their Campaign out on most of the Lies that they have been spreading, however; even when some People in the Media does what is right; in-order too make sure that We the American People are honestly being inform as a Nation of People of the Truth & Lies that People speak while being spoken to & with by the Media, those same People within the Media that try to be objectivel
I use to wonder why this was, then I looked at it as if I was looking at My own Life; I Myself would get frustrated & tired of being confrontational with the same People and others every Day & Night of My own Life!
However I would say this to the People in the Media that do believe in being objectivel
G.E.D
That stupid? I'm afraid so. The energy and distraction produced by this fortunate 5th stringer have permitted the GOP to continue lying without regard for exposure and with little fear of having to face real issues. When Bush was re-elected in 2004, The London Times front page cried, "How can 55,000,000 People Be So Stupid?". This time, the number may well be higher and the rest of the world even more incredulous.
As the Famous Forrest Gump once Opined that , "Stupid is as Stupid Dpes", and how Stupid can a Democratic Party be, to Fund and Nominate a Presidential Candidate that Doesn't meet the Eligibility Requirements to be PRESIDENT?
As the Evidence unfolds as to the Forged Birth Certificate that Barack Hussein Soetoro Obama has put forth as proof of American Citizenship, is going to prove just how Stupid the American People Truly are, So Much so as to the fact that they cannot even Vet their own Candidate!!!
For your perusal:
http://atl
Barack has been served and must respond by Sept 24th, whereas I suspect more deceit and obvuscation will be forthcoming, which will in turn, cause the bottom to fall out of His campaign!!!
I hope that Hillary is Ready to Take over and Rescue what will be left of the Democratic Party!!!
And Palin is what?
Ayn Rand would not approve the drivel Pamela Geller is promoting.
or... could we say.. "Stupid is..." TellingTruth2Kooks commenting on issues he/she has no factual reference too.
Instead of just blabbing nonsense, and spreading false rumors... you should consider actually doing research. You now fall in to the pool of stupidity you asserted of the "Democratic Party".. But truth be told, they would never be as stupid as you. They know who Barack Obama is. Unlike McCain.. who only met Palin 1 day before she was chosen. Now THATs stupid.
Read, Research, Learn! http://www
Erica,
Beautifully put. I wish you could be one of the interviewers during the debate. Your post should be used as a television commercial
The methodology of repeating a lie over and ove again is right out of the Joseph Goebbels propaganda playbook to manipulate the masses. This is very disturbing and does not bode well for our Democracy.
Excellent letter Erica!! Unfortunately, the republicantt's have it all figured out. Divide and conquer. Divide the voters by parading a woman so the less educated and the scorned Hillary supporters will abandon the Democratic ship. Just like here in AZ where, we defeated a bill to make marriage between a man and a woman 4 years ago. Now, thanks to Tim Bee, there is another bill on the ballot to do the same thing(even though the state constitution already defines marriage as being a man and a woman!). Bee didn't have the votes to pass the bill so, had a late night meeting with a majority of Repugs present and passed it without discussion. And WHY? So the radical right groups could get extra funding to help pass the law AND, to increase voter turn out with those who don't see the whole picture. Discrimination is alive and prospering in the US of A. It doesn't take even a high school diploma to know the world is TOTALLY diverse including, sexual orientation. Until the rednecks and bigots of the great land realize that, we will always be a second rate country and not the leader of the free world that we promote ourselves to be. Until there is a Federal Constitutional amendment to outlaw discrimination for everyone, there will never be a chance for equality in this country.
I have been a fan of the outspoken Erica Jong and her writing since the early seventies, when I went to Howard University. She has hit the nail on t
A crucial step in equality is realizing the group in question is not a uniform mass, but a diverse collection.
http://www
Wow Erica Your truth telling was awesome. When I was resigned to the fact that we who blog would be the real revolutionaries of truth it appears the the Media is starting to grow one. A spine that is.
Wow that is what I really needed. Keep up the good work and remember truth is not without it's
Heavey muscle and distractors, but be encouraged and don't be afraid of their fear tactics to silence the truth.
Great letter.
While I am a fan of "breasts and a vagina," it is essential that they are connected to a brain.
Ed Graham
Well said.
"Vote issues, not tissues!"
In the Republican mindset, the only things needed to qualify for the office of president is a heartbeat and a willingness to follow. thus, Sarah is qualified.
I have never responded to a post before, but you really blew me away with this one, Erica. Thank you for saying what I have been thinking so simply and gracefully.
You know, I just came up with this idea this morning. Sarah Palin is visiting Colorado today and so is Barack Obama. She will be in Jefferson County, near Denver, and he will be in Grand Junction, on the Western Slope. It seems everyone I know is so excited about Obama's visit and is traveling to Grand Junction to see him. But, all our local news station, which is coming out of Denver, could talk about was Sarah Palin and how she had "shaken up and energized the McCain ticket"!!!! So, it came to me. After reading all weekend about how the McCain campaign has been *lying* about the numbers of people who are attending their events, then apparently, they are not so "energized and shaken up" as they claim.
Our news station was soooooo excited about the "hundreds" of people lined up to see her already. I imagine Barack will draw 'thousands'. And keep in mind, she is in 'Denver, proper', which has thousands and thousands of people to draw from and he will be in western Colorado, which is scattered and sparsely populated.
MY POINT?: The media is driving this whole "shaken up and energized" meme, as well as the "Popular" meme, too.
You must be logged in to comment. Log in or connect with
