Do they really think we're that stupid? (1000th post)

You've heard it all before, but I feel the need to vent)


I have been feeling angry, infuriated and insulted ever since the GOP VP pick was announced on Friday. My first reaction: does McCain really think we're dumb enough to think women are interchangeable? Of course he does! And so are most in control of the Republican party these days. The comparisons to Harriet Myers were apt: she was clearly named to fill the "woman's spot" on the Supreme Court; Palin was picked to fill a "woman's spot" on the ticket. Mentioning Hillary Clinton added to the insult: she was not my first choice, but she has worked hard for the past eight years, not just on her campaign but actually working for her state (did you know she spent more time in western New York in her first 2 years in office than her predecessor did in 24?) For many older women like myself, picking Palin was an very familiar scenario: Clinton laid the groundwork, and the young, perky woman takes advantage. Yes, men do it to, but we're still on the uphill fight.

My second reaction: is this how McCain makes decisions? On Thursday night, after The Speech of the Century (tm), he was floating rumors of postponing his convention "because of concerns over Gustav". He's scared, I thought: he can't compete on popularity, or on vision, or on inspiration. So, desperate, grabbing at the nearest straw, he reacts apparently without thinking and picks someone guaranteed to get him headlines. She may help him get elected, but she can't help him run the country.

I suppose once you sell your soul to be president you better get that job. But what does it mean for the rest of us? Shoot first and ask questions later works in some situations, but is this the man whose finger we want on the nuclear button?

Third impression: ideology is more important than competence to the GOP. Governor Palin may be a bright person, and she may very well love her country and want the best for it, but being the mayor of a small town and leader of a small state - with some unique institutions, such as payments for residents - is not good preparation for the world stage. Learning at the feet of the master? Sorry, Sarah, but the master hasn't shown he has anything constructive to teach. You need time to learn what's going on? What are you going to say when McCain's incapacitated and Ahmadinijad's on the phone?

Then there's baby-gate. I'm not a mother. I don't see why women can't hold high office - even the highest - and have a family. Maria Theresa had 16 children while Empress of Austria (and not just a figurehead): she supposedly read state papers during labor. Palin has a husband to help, and VPs do have staffs at their disposal. She may get pregnant while in office: a competent executive should be able to delegate business when she's not available to attend to it. But she seems to be using her children as props: announcing her son's unit is leaving on 9/11 (shades of Guiliani!), toting the baby around...all this reinforces my opinion that she was chosen to appeal to emotion.

Now her eldest daughter is pregnant. It happens to a lot of people, especially (statistically) for teens whose only sex education has been abstinence. Yes, many politicians have family scandals. But they don't hold themselves up as holier-than-thou. McCain claims Palin was thoroughly vetted: he seems to be surprised by this. Did he make his decision while on Ambien? Who's running the show? (So, who's the father? What does he think of all this attention? What if he doesn't want to marry Ms Palin?)

Now it's Monday and the Republican convention's started. Yesterday we heard over and over about how the compassionate conservatives are scaling back things to "raise money for hurricane relief". Yeah, that's the current excuse for the low attendance and low enthusiasm. If the affected states and FEMA actually had good emergency preparedness measures, and if infrastructures were adequately maintained would this be necessary? Hurricanes have only been happening along the Gulf Coast ever since before recorded history. What can Bush really do on the scene that he can't do from Minneapolis (other than clear brush)? The USA is a big place, and there are floods, droughts, tornadoes, hurricanes and volcano eruptions occur regularly: is McCain going to shut down every time one of these happens?

Unprepared nominees that insult women who worked hard to get where they are, using storms to divert attention from a faltering candidate: do they really think we're that stupid?

I'm feeling better now that Gustav seems to be spluttering out: I'm hoping Palin stands up and says, yes, this is the situation, deal with it instead of covering up something else. But I'm not holding my breath.

I find this entire fiasco an insult to the entire country...not just women. Anyone who is not insulted is not paying attention. I sort of feel like the country has been thrown-up on. It's beyond bizarre...it's obscene and revolting. Gad, what new monstrosity will tomorrow bring???

I've been venting to Mr. Retrograde all weekend. I've lived through Nixon, Reagan and both Bushes, and I've never seen such blatant, in-your-face, cynical maneuvering as these past few days.

:toast:

well, yes Virginia, they do think we are that stupid, lol.


and congrats on the 1000th post...I just hit the big 1000 the other day after being here for about 5 years. It's a great feeling isn't it! :hug: