When it comes to campaigning against HRC in the primaries, don't use the "s word"

[Ken Burch]

The term "shrill" is a right-wing Republican term for strong female politicians, or for that matter, openly female human beings.

It's not a word anybody on OUR side of the spectrum should be using.

I hope HRC is stopped, but that's because I think she's wrong on the issues(too right-wing), too much the "Beltway" candidate, and too hawkish on foreign policy.

Those are valid enough reasons.

But the word "shrill" should never be used by non-sexist men when speaking of any woman.

(note, I said "any WOMAN", so the word can be used for Ann Coulter or Phyllis Schlafly.)


Final point:

If WE use it and HRC still get nominated, all the GOP attack ads will have a line something like "even the Democrat Party says she's shrill".

[Greyhound]

1. Not shrill, shill. n/t

[cali]

4. that's just a cutsie way of using shrill without using it.

but whatever. Some of us aren't so limited as to have to rely on stock words and phrases.

[Bongo Prophet]

7. Respectfully disagree - a "shill" is different than "shrill"

A "shill" is the person in old patent medicine shows or healing preacher who is "cured" - i.e. a fake testimonial.
In political terms, one who "shills" is selling you a bill of goods (a policy that will help the lobbyists instead of the purported constituents)

"Shrill" on the other hand is a harsh, high frequency sound. Originally not sexist, it has been increasingly used that way, and yes, to put down women.


I don't like the use of shrill OR cackle with regard to Hillary or any other person when it is meant to demean their position with a simple putdown. Argue the policy or the content, or even the style of a speaker - but don't just use it as a way of avoiding the content altogether.

It is a cheap ploy and it pisses me off. :mad:

[Greyhound]

9. Not at all, she is not IMO, shrill at all.

But I won't ever support her because she is a shill. Far more concerned about her major campaign donors than the suckers she is supposed to represent.

[bluestateguy]

2. Oh brother

Look, I don't use that word to describe her, but I don't hesitate to use it against politicians who I find befitting that description. Condoleezza Rice comes to mind.

Folks, this is politics, not titily winks. If you get all into a tizzy over this one slightly offensive word, then I would suggest that you folks are not ready for what the other side has coming when we get into the real election campaign.

[Ken Burch]

8. Er...was "titly winks" a Freudian slip?

:eyes:

And I agree that what the other side is gonna say in the fall will be much worse. I'm just saying let's not use any of THEIR phraseology. And "shrill" is basically reserved for attacking women who speak forcefully and with conviction. It's right-wing for "she has no right to talk as tough as a man does".

It's about not carrying THEIR water, not about hypersensitivity.

[MonkeyFunk]

3. Thank you!

That one rankles me, too, when used to describe Clinton. That and "cackle".

[blogslut]

5. I won't use the word because it is inaccurate

Shrill means high-pitched. Hillary is totally an alto. :)

[fujiyama]

6. I find her voice shrill and grating

but then again, I'll say the same thing about many talking heads on TV. Pat Buchanan is VERY shrill IMO.

[earthlover]

10. Being shrill would not be effective for a male candidate either....

So should we also avoid calling a male candidate shrill?

I don't know if "shrill" is the proper word. I will leave that for Webster.

But any candidate, male or female, is worthy of examination for any personality traits that might make him/her hard to elect in november.

Obama during debates sometimes says "uh" a lot and he often looks away from the camera. This is worthy of discussion because the way he comes off in a debate is relevant to electability. By the same token, if Hillary comes of as shrill or cold or calculating or whatever, this is also subject to discussion. She shouldn't be given a pass just because she is a woman. She should be treated the same as any other candidate, male or female, who comes off as shrill.

[Bitwit1234]

11. Wonder if you can use the word empty headed against Obama

all he does is stand on stage an repeat what ever is convenient at the moment. He doesn't ever bother to vote he just lets the rest of his colleagues to the job.