Sexistentialist, Genderista or Thoughtful Voter?

I've been dismayed by female voices decrying my and other women's opposition to Hillary Clinton's presidential aspirations. From the '60s forward, I've identified with "second-wave feminism" because justice demands women be evaluated on merit, not physiology. My mind has not changed. Senator Clinton does not make the cut on my overriding issue -- Iraq -- the issue which underscores and underlies so many others. Senator Clinton's gender neither gives her a pass nor does it distract me, any more than it excuses the ugliness Ann Coulter and other wrong-wing women smear across the nation. That would be sexist. Feminism calls us all to do better.

Middle East scholar Stephen Zunes sheds light (instead of heat) on "Why Hillary Clinton's Iraq Vote Does Matter." Professor Zunes' thoughtful articulation supports and reinforces my objections on this central issue. His well-crafted presentation begins with how devastating -- and unequivocally un-Constitutional -- it is to be contemptuous of treaties to which the nation is committed and to international law itself. (See Article 6: in part "...all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding.") No one, and no office, is above the law. Accountability is essential. Professor Zunes then carefully examines all the other flaws Senator Clinton's 2003 position on Iraq reveals.

Senator Clinton's current reality is insider-politics, business-as-usual. As the ever-prescient Paul Simon sings it, "Everything's different but nothing has changed." The essential "feminist" invitation to America -- to grow into a genuine democracy -- has yet to be fulfilled. The good news is that we're a lot closer, as Senator Clinton's candidacy itself demonstrates.

Perhaps Senator Clinton's craving for the presidency can be transformed. Perhaps she can use her insider position and her Senate seat to become what she might have been, had she not assimilated into "how we've always done it" or yielded to power's evil twin, arrogance. The door to redemption is always open.

You will find a variety of wide wonderfully articulate people, guests on "The Paula Gordon Show: Conversations with People at the Leading Edge"(sm), at our website.

Comments

[hopeless277]

If her Iraq position was not enough to disqualify her, just look at her campaign. Not prepared, not disiplined, not organized, relies on spin, lobbyists and spinners all around her. I really don't think she thought she would even have to campaign during the primaries. We cannot afford another unprepared president. Hillary is not a bad person, she is just a corrupt person.