Ladies, If Sarah Palin Ever Makes Sense Again on Issues Impacting Women, We Must Move More Quickly to Support Her
For the first time since she has been in the public spotlight, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin was able to talk her way into an issue that really resonated with the masses. I watched her interview with Today Show's Matt Lauer. She rambled on in her usual Palinesque I don't really make any sense I am just talking style. Like a "Bridge to Nowhere," she shocked me when she began to make sense about her problem with David Letterman attacking her daughters. Alas she was right! After one very stupid mocked apology, Letterman finally felt the heat and said sorry. And, of course true to her usual incoherent ways, she accepts his apology adding some disconnected statement at the end about men and women in the military and free speech. Oy, go figure!
While this battle raged between Palin and Letterman, it was a joy to watch women pundits from the left struggle to not go too far into Palin's court. They agreed Letterman was gravely wrong referring to a sexual act of A-Rod knocking up one of the Governor's daughters. However, liberal lady pundits quickly cited she was using this issue as a publicity stunt. They said things such as "Palin should know when she put her children in the spotlight this type of thing could happen" or "she is exploiting her children." Some horrifically agreed Palin should understand that this was just a joke! Wow, what a painful position to put oneself into avoid taking Palin's side on an issue that is cut and dry when it comes to women exploitation. Was this not being Catty?
The truth is mothers and the NOW organization and not Palin pushed this issue into Letterman's face for the apology. Otherwise, I really believe if groups like these did not come to the forefront, Letterman would have moved on without skipping a beat. I can only imagine the meeting NOW's leadership had in the office or via conference call discussing the strategy for putting out a statement reacting to Letterman's comments without appearing to be too close to Palin. I am sure many feminists cringed at the idea of being on the same side as the Republican Party's Right Winged Wonder Woman.
Women leaders were delayed in their response to Palin and many remained silent knowing that this is an issue women must unite on, but gosh why does it have to be Sarah Palin who brings it? Ladies from the feminist movement, Sarah Palin is not going away. Whether you like her or not, she is here to stay. So, whether you think or believe she should try and crack open a book about American and World History and perhaps do some real studying to at least give the impression she has intellectual prowess, she like the Ever Ready Bunny will keep going, going, going and going. Tina Brown, she is not going to shut up!
Deeper than Sarah Palin, women must be committed to speaking out immediately when someone goes too far over the line and says something that is offensive to women. We should not review the messenger and deliberate on who she is, her political position or even how smart she is, but rather how the message impacts us all. One thing I will say that when it comes to issues of race, African Americans do not have this problem at all.
When former WFAN/MSNBC television aired radio shock jock Don Imus referred to the Rutgers University basketball team; mostly African American women as "nappy headed hoes." Not even an hour past his show ended that day African Americans pounced all over Imus and MSNBC. Revs. Sharpton and Jackson (both whom many black folks are sharply divided about), called for Imus' dismissal. African Americans went on a national tirade calling Imus a hardcore racist. Suffice to say Imus was fired. He met with the Rutgers team and apologized for his remarks saying his comments were "insensitive and ill conceived." Although Imus has made a "comeback" on WABC radio, he paid a price for going way too far.
David Letterman won't pay any real price for his remarks about Alaska Governor Sarah Palin dressing like a slutty airline stewardess. His sorry was enough and women will accept it. It appears a number of women find it more fun to attack Sarah Palin's non-sensical comments and her agenda rather than making sure comments like Letterman are checked and acted upon.
I am not a Sarah Palin fan and I believe when the time comes (towards 2012), the group who will try and snatch Palin out of the spotlight, discredit and burn her politically will be her own Republican Party -- a group of chubby old white men who want the titular head of the party to be one of them.
Nevertheless, in the future, women ought to step it up more quickly on these types of issues and unite against statements that demean us no matter who says it or brings it to our attention.
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
Your position is that no matter the woman or our personal feelings, all women should gather in support when she feels that she/her family have been attacked on issues regarding women?
Have you considered that she's the one who put herself AND her children in the line of fire?
Poor taste or not, the joke was clearly about the adult daughter, not the younger one. As an adult -- one who has stepped into the limelight of her own accord -- she is subject to being the target of a late-night comedian's jokes. She's fair game. Her propensity for promiscuous behavior only makes her fair-er game.
As for Palin, perhaps many were so reluctant to come to her 'aid' because besides drawing out this controversy for her own gain, we know that she lacks character and honesty. I like a good performance (its why I watch lots of movies), but Palin's performance was just that -- a performance. AND her 'poor me' routine was simply her own FURTHER exploitation of her daughter. Ridiculous! I wouldn't choose to support a hy. po. cr. ite. no matter what the cause.
And to the African-American community coming to the aid of another AA who is attacked -- yes, we will. However I do resent your analogy, particularly your choice to include AA citizens. But I will say the Rutgers girls did absolutely NOTHING to deserve Imus' disrespect. They did nothing to make themselves a target. Sarah and her brood cannot say the same.
Finally someone who is willing to state the truth instead of tip-toeing-around the subject of Palin, on this particular blog. I do agree with everything you have said and your points are excellent.
Hey mychagal- I'm not "tip-toeing"-- bring it. ;)
See Yvonne R. Davis's Profile
Mychagal,
While I understand Ithadtobesaid's viewpoints, the above writer's logic and reasoning arguments do not completely add up. Please read it carefully and see the points.
So ItHadToBeSaid, *what* praytell did Sarah Palin do to put herself and her children in the line of fire? Did she do something that makes comments like these suddenly OK? What could Sarah, or any woman ever do, that suddenly makes comments like these acceptable? I think you're missing the point-- Sarah has gone after that very culture that holds it's OK to make jokes of this nature. Regardless of who she is, what she's done, or the precise age of the woman. So the fact that she stands up for her convictions makes her "fair game" to these sort of dehumanizing comments?
And I'd like to understand where this perception that Palin's character and honesty is lacking. Feel free to provide any instance you perceive as "dishonest" or lacking in character, and I wil be pleased to address and discuss any and all.
And somebody explain to me when aggressively defending your daughter's dignity and respect became "exploitation." Please. It's not a "poor me" routine. It's standing up for your loved ones and what you beieve.
See Yvonne R. Davis's Profile
ItHadtoBeSaid,
We should support the person based upon the issue alone - NOT becuase of her. I made it quite clear about what my thoughts and feelings are about Sarah Palin, but I am able to make a distinction when someone like her makes a point; even to my own chagrin.
I am not at all arguing the same argument everyone gives - "she put herself in that position with her children." The argument is too easy and overplayed. It does not matter who the joke was about in the end; would you want a comedian to make a joke about your legally aged daughter getting knocked up by A-Rod? I don't think so; even if you were a public figure of questionable support. Or if he referred to your clothes similar to a slutty stewardess. That is okay because it is a joke. I guess so.
You are right. She is fair game and jumped into the fray, but it does not support the logic that it is right that anyone can say anything about a person or their family; even if we do not like them or hold them in high regard.
Define "promiscuous" behavior please? Perhaps we should be careful about how we throw that word around since so many of us have not waited until we got married (perhaps a few) have or so many have had pre-marital sex and fornicated as adults and continue to do so.
ItHadToBeSaid,
Great comment! Much better than the article and yes it had to be said.
The Mickey Mouse way that Palin runs Alaska (I am not referring to the legislature. They seem to be doing a superb job under difficult circumstances), her lack of ethics or integrity, her corruption and hypocrisy, her lack of education, her non-support of women and their health issues, using her office as a personal travel agency, her inability to stop lying and cheating is truly appalling. She started this feud so she could get the limelight in order to raise money for her mounting legal fees.
She is the lowest of the low.
Perhaps you would be so good as to produce some evidence to support these preposterous assetions. Well? Yeah! I thought not.
I think while you're floating around in your republican bubble, you don't seem to be aware of what is actually going around you.
No, let's review you're lofty assertions here. First of all, the legislature-- if you view the reach around to get what they can out of the stimulus cookie jar, then fine. That's a matter of philosophy of government. Lack of ethics? Let's actually think about this for a second-- every single "ethics" complaint to date, like wearing her husband's jacket and bringing her family for travel-- has been dismissed as groundless. So whih side is lacking ethics here? The nature of all these frivolous charges cross the line from holding her accountable, to pure political harassment. FYI, both Clintons have legal defense funds of their own. For what she makes, it's not exactly close to possible for her to deal with these legal fees out of that budget. Feel free to point out a single ethics charge that carries any sort of validity. Whatever she does, she's in the limelight, by the way. She issued a statement-- the media took it and ran with it.
See Yvonne R. Davis's Profile
Patrick8,
Although I am not a Sarah Palin supporter, you are quite right that comparatively speaking she does not appear to have any real or serious ethical issues; nor has there been any truth that she "lied" about anything publicly. I would say that the investigation of her brother-in-law was the most evidence of an ethical twist, but not enough to amount to anything. She has done well for her citizens in Alaska by all accounts. Again, I like to deal with the facts rather than just opinions and feelings alone.
Gov. Palin has proven her attackers wrong on every issue. Throughout the campaign we were told she was unethical. We now see all the complaints being dismissed. Then we were told she only seeks the "spotlight" yet she has never done Oprah, The View, or any of the late night talk shows. There was always a disconnect between what the media was telling us about Gov. Palin and what we could see for ourselves. She had gives plenty of interviews to local media and C-SPAN before the VP announcemen in which she was knowledgeable about Alaskan issues. Is she a foreign policy wonk? No, of course not. Which Governors are? That was John McCains strength. Her attackers need to learn she always proves them wrong
There's not one single thing Palin has been correct on. Go back and look at the record and read some Shannyn Moore pieces. She reports directly from Alaska, some in Palin's presence. All her statements are supported by facts.
Shannyn Moore's "pieces" are the last place I would look in order to gain any acurate or truthful account of Governor Palin's performance as Governor of Alaska.
See Yvonne R. Davis's Profile
Mychagal,
It would really help if you would post the links to support your claims regarding unethical behavior and blatant dishonesty. I would like to read them too.
Good for you Yvonne. Notwithstanding Palin's (or anyone else for that matter) simplistic, dare I say pathetic, political acumen and geo-political perspective, she and her family need to be protected from prejudice and public degradation. All of us suffer when one woman is abused. People like David Letterman, who are inescapably role models, need to be censured for their insensitivity. Unless they change their mindsets, our society will continue to find degradation of others legitimate humor, which is actually abusive conduct and not funny.
Keep up your good work!
See Yvonne R. Davis's Profile
Ianb,
Thank you so much for your kind words and what you wrote. You understood my point exactly. Happy Father's Day.
I would argue, Ian, that the perception that Palin's acumen and perspective is simplistic and pathetic, by and large stems from the fact that she is a woman. Sarah Palin has made the very same case as you do here, but aside from blatantly obvious instances of degradation, I think the reception of Sarah Palin as a successful and *self-made* governor and politician speaks volumes about where we are as a society in terms of cultural perception, and certainly has strong underlying implications of that very same thread in our culture. Misogyny is fine, so long as it's directed towards someone like Palin, right? It's important to acknowledge that Palin is leading this fight, by the way, not simply a bystander who needs protection. She is the one that brought this issue to attention to begin with.
Gov. Palin has learned a lot in the last nine months. She has learned how to apply the same tactics that has been used against her to Letterman and hopefully to the good old boys in Washington. Pick your target and marginalize it the Alinsky way.
Yvonne,
I wish you all the best. Just remember, we won.
See Yvonne R. Davis's Profile
Mychagal,
I am not sure what you referencing in terms of "we won." Do you mean the Election of President Obama or Sarah Palin's battle against Letterman? Thank you for your kind wishes.
It scares me to death to read the comments here, guys. Exploiting her kids, huh? Would it be better then, to allow comments like these-- as Sarah emphasizes *regardless* of whether it's directed at a 14 year old, or 18 old, or even one of Sarah's daghters at all-- would it be better to let that slip by unnoticed, and facilitate the prevalance of that "thread" in our culture-- that says it's acceptable to so casually make such comments and jokes about young women, and women in general? Not to mention her duty as a mother to fight and protect her children-- the statemet she made with her reaction is worth that in itself. Do you not think both Willow and Bristol feel blessed and comforted to know they have a mother who will *not* accept that kind of comment directed toward her daughters? Or women in general? Anyway, my thoughts on the matter.
I appreciate your post and thoughts here, Yvonne. Apparently, it takes a lot just to see past ideological divides and find the common ground. :/ I just want to point out a couple of things though, fom my perspective. Sarah's interview on the Today Show was great. In presentation, she levels herself, for one. She communicates directly, and cuts to the point in all regards, from her principle that we can't put all our cards in one hand in regards to access to energy, as well as her response to the question about her being a potential "face" of the party. I would think even the most left of liberals could identif with those sentiments. And is there something wrong with emphasizing and highlighting the fact that our very freedom (freedom of speech as relevant in this tit for tat, note her hope for the prevalance of constructive criticism and positive result) is a result of our willingness to fight for and defend our country? That doesn't make sense? And on one last note, you think this would have become an issue with groups across the country had Sarah not made an issue of it? You think in this instance, out of the many, people would finally notice? Give Sarah a little credit here.
See Yvonne R. Davis's Profile
Patrick8,
I really appreciate your comments. I will respond to a few things you wrote. I do agree this became an issue when Governor Palin responded; afterall it was directed at she and her family. However, I do believe that other forces helped to drive it; particularly now that Olive Garden has jumped into the battle and canceled their advertisements for the rest of the year.
It was a confluences of forces that aided her. Alone, Letterman I strongly feel would have kept the fight going because it would have benefited him. Remember the spat between John Stewart and that crazy guy in CNBC who screams a lot. I forgot his name. That back and forth worked so well for Stewart that when this other guy came on his show he annihilated him (Stewart that is) and made him look pretty stupid and worse yet hypocritical. Of course the issues are completely different.
Part II is coming to this post.
Right, we agree there. But what I'm trying to point out here, is that it was in fact Sarah Palin that set this movement in motion. Had she not made a big deal of it, it would have slipped by unnoticed. Regardless of what you think of her ideology, when she talks, people listen. So yes, the groups that carried the torch ultimately had a more personal impact toward Letterman most likely, especially since I cannot imagine that Letterman, like many, is so conflicted with a personal streak against Palin that no matter what she says it'd be hard for him to acknowledge its importance. But without Palin, it wouldn't have made those radars. Anyway, I just want to emphasize that these groups and Sarah are woking together on this one, and we all have Sarah to thank for it. :)
See Yvonne R. Davis's Profile
IPatrick8,
In terms of the Freedom of Speech, here are the issues I have about her adding the military men and women at the end of her apology.
1. As a media and public affairs expert, that key message just did not fit.
2. That message came across too transparent about where she really wanted to go with this issue.
3. It would have been better for her to say what she said at the top regarding the rights of women and girls and leave it at that; than thanking all women in America for supporting; even if they did not. It is a high road position.
4. If she is saying that the troops are defending our right to free speech, then in essence the rights to express are really David Letterman's.
5. She has a right to respond, but her last statement shows she actually is in some ways negating the fight by saying, "oh Letterman our troops sacrifice for us and you and you have the right to say what you want."
Finally, I do give Palin credit on this issue hence the reason I wrote the article. When an issue is right and just we should stand for it; even if we don't support or like the messenger. Her point became deeper and bigger than she and her girls.
What I want to see is how she facilitates this for her efforts to women and girls nationally; or is this it? Happy Father's Day.
So essentially, you were disappointed in the focus of her comments toward the end. Which is fine, I can undersand that. I think And on points 4 and 5...well, that *is* what she's saying. She's acknowledging that he has a right to say what he said, and that she in turn has a right to criticize (which rights come rom our dedication as a people to fight for those rights... it is kinda an important philosophical point). It's not negating the fight, she made her point and quite obviously, it resounded. That's the other point she makes in her Today Show interview, that hopefully in this style of debate, the most well-received point of view will be reflected in the will of the people. But anyway, so long as we can acknowledge that Palin is fighting for the right cause here, that's what's important.
I'm curious though...how you expect anyone to facilitate these efforts? I mean, I think that's it. Our problems lie with cultural expectations and perceptions, more than anything. I think she's doing the best she can. Thanks for the discussion Yvonne! :) And thank you, hope you're having a great weekend.
NOW reacted to a poor joke, which is good. But what makes me angry is that this is now exploited by S. Palin who believes she is championing women's rights. She will never represent me, she is everything a progressive woman abhores, winking her way through politics and setting us back 50 years. I am sad NOW did not foresee the manipulation, and mark my word, she is going to use this as a shield, while promoting her very integrist political agenda. I hope NOW and others will keep a close eye on her actions so as not to be used in the same way in the future.
Vilcabamba,
You are exactly the type of person I've wanted to talk to about Palin.... I don't mean any disrespect... but a woman who comes from no-where with no connections and makes it in a "man's world" on her own... and she is setting women back 50 years for winking? I'm sure your pro-choice and I realize you'd never vote for her.. but I don't see how ANY woman who comes that far on her own sets women back...... does the hatred for her come from the fact that she is good looking? Or is it all about abortion....... Thanks so much....
vilcabamba,
Thank you! I too had the same reaction to NOW's response. I was appalled that they allowed themselves to be manipulated by Palin.. To stand behind the most despicable, corrupt, lying, cheating, hypocritical politician in our country today, sounds pretty hypocritical to me.
I also don't agree that Palin is here to stay. This is nonsense. It's just a matter of time before she crashes and burns.. It just reminds me of "The Picture of Dorian Gray", by Oscar Wild. Dorian Gray had someone do his portrait and sold his soul to the devil in a sense. He was allowed to stay young forever, while the portrait of himself kept looking more and more monstrous with every horrible thing he did. It become so distorted that he eventually looked like a mangled monster. His guilt was so powerful, he could stand it no more, found the portrait locked away in a room and took a knife to it and sliced it. When he did that his body took on the monstrous self and died. The portrait went back to its original form as a young,dashing and beautiful man. It's a wonderful classic.
I really don't care if the joke was in poor taste or not... Palin has not and will never be an advocate for the rights of the modern woman, and I could care less what anyone says about her or her family - I really don't care.
I have been a member of NOW for the last 20 years and I am disgusted that they chose to make any statements in regard to this matter. Silence would have been much better...
I feel no sense of obligation or concern in regard to Palin, as a human being or as a woman. If she were about to be hit by a train, and I was the only person who could save her, I wouldn't.
See Yvonne R. Davis's Profile
Poenophile,
You might be upset with NOW issuing a formal statement to Letterman, but your anger towards the Governor is a bit over the top. How are these comments any different than the extreme right or the person who wrote below your comment about Dave Letterman palling around with Comedic terrorists?
To not have any regard for any one's life because you really don't support or subscribe to their philosophy or belief; no matter how inane or insane it is tells me something deeper may be at work here.
Many African Americans don't like Jesse Jackson, but when he is right on an issue they support him. I know the similarities are not completely the same, but I want to make that analogy a little be. Yes, however it is true Palin is no Jesse Jackson.
"If she were about to be hit by a train, and I was the only person who could save her, I wouldn't."
OMG! That kind of hate will eat you alive! Please give yourself a break and try to let that thought go. Sure, the thought of Palin as POTUS scares the blank out of me... But when it gets down to the nitty gritty, most of us, even right wingers, are just human beings doing the best we can... When someone is in trouble, the vast majority of us help and the hell with politics...
See Yvonne R. Davis's Profile
BBbear,
I agree with you. The one responder was going over board. This is the level of emotional imbalance and rage we have in our country. I am sure you saw that Olive Garden has canceled all of this advertisements for the rest of the year on David Letterman. So, there was an impact and if this continues then you might see Letterman getting more squeamish.
POenophile,
Thank you utterly and completely! I feel exactly as you do on every point you have made.
Shame on Dave for palling around with comedic terrorists!
In the meantime:
“Alaska is the # 1 state in the country for Rape and has been for 23 out of the last 30 years (FBI’s Uniform Crime Report, http://www.fbi.gov/ucr/ucr.htm).
Alaska’s reported rate of rape per capita is 2.6 times the national average (FBI’s Uniform Crime Report, http://www.fbi.gov/ucr/ucr.htm).
Anchorage has the ninth highest sexual assault rate of any city in the United States, and Fairbanks is ranked first (FBI’s Uniform Crime Report, http://www.fbi.gov/ucr/ucr.htm).
Fairbanks’ rape rate is 4.7 times the national average (FBI’s Uniform Crime Report, http://www.fbi.gov/ucr/ucr.htm).
AK’s Child abuse rate is SIX TIMES HIGHER than the national average. (Department of Public Safety/ AK CDVSA)”
In addition to the fact that under Mayor Palin, the town of Wasilla, Alaska charged rape victims for their own sexual assault kits. So much for caring about rape, or the self esteem of women of any age.
Governor Palin has been governor of Alaska for three years and is not responsible for every wrong doing in that state. She has increased funding in every area for abused women and children care in her three budgets.
But quite amazing no mention how Illinois charge rape victims or that we have a POTUS that believes a baby that survives an abortion should be left to die in an utility room or thrown in the garbage.
http://www.gov.state.ak.us/archive.php?id=206&type=1 Governor Palin also signed House Bill 120 into law. The legislation, sponsored by Representative Anna Fairclough, extends the Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault for another five years. The Council was first created in 1981 to reduce the causes and incidents of domestic violence and sexual assault. It also distributes grants to programs that help victims of those crimes.
http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=ODA1YWM5ZjM2ZTU5ODliZTY2NTczMGUwZWYwNTVlMTQ
http://campaignspot.nationalreview.com/post/?q=MTM2ZWYwOTI5ZWUzZGVlMDEwNjVlOTM3ZDk5ZGEwZDk
Here is the crime rpt for Wasilla http://www.disastercenter.com/alaska/crime/35.htm
Yvonne, I would like to thank you for posting my comments. Others on this site delete my comments.
The joke was in poor taste, and as such, must now takes its place among the bazillion other jokes somebody doesn't much like, and sometimes for good reason. The worst thing about the joke, however, was the wrong Palin daughter got in the punchline-- and this the firestorm could begin. Because otherwise, a girl who became pregnant as a teenager, who had her pregnancy paraded before us all by her ambitious mother and who now acts as a spokesmodel for abstinence education, despite its obvious lack of influence in here own l life, seems but obvious fodder for our late-night laughmakers. Leno has made jokes about this particular daughter before, without the Palin outrage-- but Leno is a congenial Republican who helped hoist the Terminator into position to terminate Gollyfornia-- and thus gets a pass from the lady from Alaska. And as for what women should do in response to such stuff generally, women are likely to do whatever they want, without reference to or regard for their leaders, who are mostly as strategically passionate as they are self-appointed.
See Yvonne R. Davis's Profile
JhNY,
I appreciate your comments. They were well written and you made your point. Thank you.
I don't think Palin should be encouraged at all. Especially not to think of herself as the champion of women. It is frankly absurd that Palin repeatedly exploits her children and then grandstands with faux outrage when a comedian makes a joke about one of them. It would have gone virtually unnoticed had she not used it to draw attention to herself. She is a pathetic, moronic attention seeker who will seize any opportunity to self promote - even it means focusing national attention, unfavorably, on one of her kids. She is just too stupid and backwards, too greedy and grasping, to comprehend that the election is over. She is still blowing propaganda about "our troops" like she's on the campaign trail. She belongs on Radaronline with all the other sleazy, talentless, wannabe celebrities, who will have no shame and will use anyone, ( a handicapped child or a young girl ) to feed their shallow ambitions and feather their nest.
the joke was willfully misinterpreted as being about her 14 year old and not Bristol. so right off the bat it was obvious to anyone that Palin was once again exploiting her children for political gain, just like she did during the convention and subsequent campaign. so thats reason number 1 for not backing her up. reason number 2 is that shes a national laughingstock and only cares about womens issues when its convenient or solely about her. so who wants to be associated with that?
You must be logged in to comment. Log in or connect with
