Feminist ferment

[Ellen Forradalom]

Lest anyone think feminism is dead, it's gotten a bit of a kick-start lately, for reasons obvious to anyone who has been awake lately.

I invite you all the check out the site of The New Agenda: http://www.thenewagenda.net
and the site of Violet Socks, the woman who is its editor: http://www.reclusiveleftist.com/

[ismnotwasm]

1. I agree with those bloggers to a point

About the sexism Palin is facing, as well as the distortion about her views. While the racism Obama faces is just as prevalent, overt racism not socially acceptable in the broader media, so it tends to be nastily subtle while overt, covert and every whichaway sexism is practically a norm.

I've done my own research. Palin is a forced birther, and whatever milder qualities she has, I don't give a shit about. That, right there, makes her anti-woman in my view. She has not bothered to support or introduce pro-woman views or laws. I also don't give a shit if she left that crazy ass church of hers, she was there in June 2008 with the pastor calling Alaska a "refuge state" Fundamentalism is also anti-woman.

Palin is choosing to use the media by presenting herself as a victim of sexism---as she is-- but she's a victim who won't stand up together with other women and say, enough. She hasn't fought the good old boys, she's acquiesced and became a part of them. Their leader, by their rules. What ever she ends up representing, it won't be for the greater good of women, unless she grows the fuck up, looks the fuck out of the window and sees that the world isn't full of only white middle class women who think that white middle class women are the only ones that count.

The standpoint view of educated white women is the biggest mistake western feminism has made. Palin, while benefiting from the hard work of feminists, personifies that mistake. I refuse to defend it, or her, and I can do that and still call bullshit on the sexism she faces.

[bliss_eternal]

2. Brava--very well said!

:applaud:

Much of what I've read about Palin is from the feminist blogs, but I've also read from various news sources. Suffice to say.....:scared:

[Ellen Forradalom]

3. I have been drawing a sharp distinction

between the record and views of Sarah Palin and screaming Palin hysteria. It is enough to look at the facts to decide whether to vote for that ticket. Running around shrieking about how she teh evil is only helping that ticket.

[bliss_eternal]

4. Read about this issue on twisty's blog...

...link provided below:

Palin Had DIRECT ROLE in Charging Rape Victims for Evidence-Collecting Exams
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x3994677
(provides link to huffington post).

http://www.salon.com/mwt/broadsheet/2008/09/10/palin_rape/index.html#
(prior to huffpo's article).

http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/2008/09/11/spinster-aunt-suffers-from-bridge-to-nowhere-fatigue/#comments


Sorry, but I can't think of anything to call this, other than anti-woman, and yes....evil.

[Ellen Forradalom]

6. Agreed.

That's part of the record.

[ismnotwasm]

9. I don't know Ellen

The problem being politics-as-usual *is* apparently about distortion. While I agree feminists need to be vigilant against sexism, and Palin doesn't "deserve" it directed toward her any more than I do, or my daughters do, or any granddaughters I may have do, the larger political picture which is a part of institutionalized sexism doesn't seem to be aware of it. Or flat out considers it as a relatively benign political tool, when it's anything BUT benign.

That's what I mean by sexism being the norm (I'm preaching to the choir I know, I'm just trying to clarify my thought here)

So I plan to identify and deplore sexism (I'm more effective in real life than I am on line, mostly because I start as many discussions about it as I can and identify myself as a strong feminist. In my world, I'm in contact with all kinds of folks) while maintaining Palin is anti-woman. I'm not going to rush and correct misconceptions about her record, and quite honestly when I read between the lines, I'm not at all convinced she isn't as bad as they say, just far more politic than she's given credit for. But that's personal speculation.

I do stress that she is a terrifing prospect for the white house. I asked a female friend of mind last night (older than me, a parole officer and a "I'm not a feminist but" type) what she thought of Palin, and I liked her answer --"She's a brute"

[Ellen Forradalom]

10. I appreciate your clearly articulated position

I too reserve my objections to her to her actual record, not bogus objections like "she can't run for VP because she has a newborn" or some of the other mind-boggling crap I've read.

[bliss_eternal]

5. meant to do this...

:applause:

...(in above post). Sorry, ismnotwasm. I was distracted while posting (again). I didn't return and see the error until the editing period was over. :hi:

[ismnotwasm]

7. Thanks for the links!

I was waiting for Twisty to weigh in. Camilla fucking Pagilla calls Palin a feminist? That right there sends loud warning signs that all is not well with Palin and women's rights. Lord.

[bliss_eternal]

8. Camille Pagilla...

...I haven't decided if she's mentally ill, evil or a combination of the two--but she's definitely a piece of work.

[Ellen Forradalom]

11. I think of her as like David Horowitz

She never got in with the feminist "cool kids" so switched sides. Horowitz was a far-left political hack until he had a falling-out and became a far-right political hack. There is a sense of deep grudge with both of them.

How I wish these folks could go do something useful for a living, like wash dishes.

[bliss_eternal]

12. That's a cool synonym (or metaphor)....

...for them both, actually. I hadn't considered it prior to now, but you are absolutely right. I'd wondered what happened to revert Horowitz, I remember his liberal days. What a tool.

...and lmao on their being more useful--washing dishes!
:rofl: :spray::rofl:

[Captain Hilts]

13. She's batshit crazy. nt