Amanda Fortini: "Bitch and the Ditz"

November 18, 2008 (contains c-word as a quote)

MS AMANDA FORTINI writes about Senator Clinton and Governor Palin as the "Bitch and the Ditz: How the Year of the Woman reinforced the two most pernicious sexist stereotypes and actually set women back."

I feel for this poor unenlightened girl. My guess is she white, voted for obama (and doesn't know anything about him), is younger than 35, grew up in a privileged setting and the year she was born she couldn't have gotten into the university she went to and that prior to Title IX she wouldn't have been able to do the job she is now. I would even venture a guess that she took a class under the title "Women's Studies".

It's quite humorous in a way. What does she know about "setting women back"? She did so with her very title - she's the one connecting the stereotypes to the women. She has been afforded every opportunity because of Senator Clinton's generation, including the ability to rant about something she knows nothing of. It reminds me of the sadly delusional MS KLIFF, who wrote: "Sorry, Hillary - girls already rule."

If that were true, Senator Clinton would be ruling. It would not have even been close if they were both white men. And had she had a resume as thin as barry's, she wouldn't have even made it to Iowa. Yet she is "setting women back".

Ms Fortini, where do you think you are and how do you think you got there? On you're own merit? And what, exactly, are you doing to move women forward? You do realize that is up to your generation, don't you? You cannot speak of setting women back when you don't know or appreciate how far women have come. You have proven your ignorance by referring to Senator Clinton and Governor Palin without their hard-earned titles.

Senator Clinton's generation had to fight for whatever advancement they achieved. They fought so you could believe that gender equality is a birth right. So you could choose to work outside the home and own your own business. So you could take for granted your right to choose.

How many women do you know were made sterile or died because of back alley abortions? Had entrails thrown at them by Evangelicals? Had their reproduction decided for them by their husbands?

My guess is you weren't even born when Senator Clinton was a member of the Nixon impeachment inquiry staff, that you hadn't yet learned how to talk when Senator Clinton founded Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families, were still in grade school when she he was named one of the 100 most influential attorneys (twice) and were just entering college when she was taking on the Chinese like no American man or women had prior (or since), declaring in no uncertain terms women's rights are human rights. Rights you clearly have taken for granted - rights you ridicule in your article. And I am certain you know nothing of what Senator Clinton accomplished in Arkansas concerning children and education.

And yet, you feel comfortable declaring that Senator Clinton has "set women back".

You can no more write about Senator Clinton's generation than I can about ungrateful girls who think they got where they are on their own merit. Do you think you haven't filled a quota along the way? That your appearance and relative shrillness haven't influenced your grades, job opportunities and compensation? Are you so naive as to believe you are equal in the eyes of society to men?

You have attacked Senator Clinton on all fronts, Ms Fortini, without once thinking that she couldn't be a "bitch" unless she had been treated like one. And who is perpetuating it by writing such an article?

Where is positivity? Where is the acknowledgment and congratulations that Senator Clinton got further than anyone thought possible? Where is the perspective from wise women, who were born before they had the right to vote?

Women were no more included in the Constitution than black men - neither could vote. There is not a single black man alive who was born without the right to vote. But there are black women. Black men have been voting since 1870. More black men - former slaves - held office immediately after they got the right to vote than now. It took anther fifty years for women's suffrage.

No matter what barry considers himself - he is a man - and a man as always been president. He does resemble those presidents on the dollar bills - Senator Clinton does not.

The notion, Ms Fortini, that Senator Clinton is "setting women back" is as delusional as your belief that you are treated and given the same respect as men, including and especially by your male peers.

How, exactly, is your article meant to inspire younger girls to want to be like you? How is attacking two women of separate generations that preceded yours, women who had the courage to step forward on the national stage - qualified or not - working to advance women?

How are your words any different than those of misogynists Chris Matthews, Herr Olbermann or Jonjon Alter?

And this:

"The assumption was that these "18 million cracks in the highest glass ceiling," as Clinton put it, would advance the prospects of female achievement and gender equality. It hasn't exactly worked out that way."

"Many will say we’ve come a long way this year. The truth is we have a long way to go."

You do realize, Ms Fortini, that moving women forward is your job and that tearing other women down is not the way to get there.

"Never mind that it's impossible to imagine a male candidate mentioning fatherhood as the source of his readiness to be the nation's second-in-command."

It's not impossible to imagine when it has already been done. Vice presidential debate, Senator Biden: "But the notion that somehow, because I'm a man, I don't know what it's like to raise two kids alone, I don't know what it's like to have a child you're not sure is going to -- is going to make it -- I understand. I understand, as well as, with all due respect, the governor or anybody else, what it's like for those people sitting around that kitchen table. And guess what? They're looking for help. They're looking for help. They're not looking for more of the same."

And he did it while tearing up. Had it been Governor Palin tearing up, Jesse Jackson, Jr. have demanded another investigation. Instead, Governor Palin was ripped apart for not having shown some empathy. And had she? Did anyone question barry for not showing empathy towards Senator McCain's torture-inflicted injuries when he made and approved the ad mocking Senator McCain's inability to use a computer?

Ms Fortini, what did you think as a woman when Senator Clinton was referred to as "It"? Have you written an article on how little society has advanced when a Glenn Beck can call a former first lady and presidential candidate "It" and not be fired?

Were you even aware of it?

Have you written about The Double Standard as pertains barry and his opponents? About Bill Maher speculating how much Hillary's cunt was worth? Would you have written something had he said it in reference to Mrs Obama's cunt?

Ask yourself, Ms Fortini, who is moving women forward by remaining silent and selectively speaking up only when the issue involves race. An injustice to one woman is an injustice to all women. Prejudice is prejudice and there should be no degree to how they are tolerated or addressed.

Who is displaying ignorance by blaming the women attacked for their stereotypes? Who is "setting women back" by not addressing these issues and choosing instead to focus blame and assign cliches?

Women cannot be "set back" if they haven't moved forward in the first place. And women will never move forward unless the next generation chooses to understand and respect the struggles of the women who went before them.

Have you pondered what Mrs Rosa Parks would have felt about this election? What her thoughts would have been on how the female candidates were treated and how they were branded racists by the self-proclaimed Transcender of Race? Would Mrs Parks have believed America has take a full step forward towards achieving a More Perfect Union? Or just a sidestep?

Perhaps in your next article, Ms Fortini, you can demonstrate an understanding of sexism and misogyny as regards the treatment of Senator Clinton and Governor Palin. Maybe even comment on The Double Standard both of them faced and the hierarchy of prejudice in America. Perhaps then your pronouncement would have basis and meaning.

Larry Summers

November 7, 2008

Al Gore look-alike, Larry Summers; barry commemorative foreign donor $1000K Bill.

There are a few people barry's going to have to talk to before he appoints Larry Summer as Treasury Secretary. Larry's signature is already next to the presidents on the dollar bills barry likes to point out he doesn't resemble. Wonder if he'll have him make up a faux dollar the way he had a faux presidential seal made.

Summers exhibits poor emotional intelligence, does not like to be challenged and is used to being in a position of power, where he ruled over people he considered innately inferior to him: women, and perhaps African Americans. Maybe that is not disturbing to barry, since he tolerated a pastor of 20 years - comfortable enough to have him baptize his children - who practiced bigotry of all varieties: Catholics, Jews, rich women, rich white men, former President and First Lady of the USA (wonder how he'll react when folks do that to barry), white America, US Government, US Military, Italians...

The nomination will show whether barry puts his ego and need to rule first. Whether he is willing to admit he isn't the expert on something. Whether he acts with characteristic obamanator political expedience. What else has he? Or whether he does the right thing for the The American People, who he said should trust him without him having done anything with consequences.

He didn't have any concrete plans on the economy during the primaries, except spreading the wealth around: "And as our economy changes, let's be the generation that ensures our nation's workers are sharing in our prosperity." Senator Clinton did from day one, (The View 10/07 said she had an economic plan that she "I will start working on that IMMEDIATLY with Congress," which is why she came on strong, as barry limped home and was carried over the goal line. He didn't have the economy in his top three at the end of March on The View and probably wouldn't have mentioned it if Elizabeth hadn't brought it up, even as he dismissively flipped his hand at her. Seems the viewbots forgot that show.

That was March 08 - Remember the promise (speech) when he announced his bid for the presidency in Feb 07? "That's why I have a plan that will bring our combat troops home by March of 2008." He announced he would have them home five months before his coronation and 10 months before his ascendency. Even the obamessiah couldn't pull that off. And people voted for him because of his politically expedient speech on Iraq. He did not have a say - in any fashion - and admitted in 2004 he wouldn't have known how he would have VOTED - as in when he finally had to act.

His Iraq "judgment" was a complete fairy tale and the obamerized still believe it even after he has continues to "refine his position" (lie). One day the obamerized are going to be very embarrassed they fell for it. Just like those Nigerian internet schemes. I understand those people who get sucked in now - they're barry democrats...including the Nigerians. Wonder what size t-shirts they ordered?

I digress. Summers supports bigotry, free trade, globalization and exporting pollution to undeveloped countries. I wonder if he's behind sending old computers to China? Sure hope he has a plan to increase jobs at home, at the same time outsourcing them to pollution dumping countries because poisoning the environment and inhabitants has less impact in poor countries.

Here are a few people who can vouch for Summers' bigotry and elitism. I'm sure barry will justify it as CHANGE! and UNITY!

1- Dr Phyllis Kanki
2 - Cornel West
3 - Conrad Harper
4 - Al Sharpton
5 - Jesse Jackson
6 - NAACP
7 - Liberal intellectuals he accused of being Anti-Semite
8 - Women, especially Hillary Clinton supporters
9 - Doctors and Professors in Science and Mathematics and their daughters
10 - Mrs Obama - to see where she really stands on women's rights and whether she really will pick up the fight as was promised to Clinton supporters. (Don't hold your breath.)

It all comes down to money and political expediency...just like barry's entire political career. Obamanating: the only CHANGE! we can be sure of.

Sexist comment of the day: "Palin reaches end of campaign catwalk"

October 23, 2008
Irish Independent "Palin reaches end of campaign catwalk"

In regards to the ridiculous story about the clothing expenditures for Gov Palin. How much brain power are these men using? Campaign catwalk? Alma Brown surprised me for once. She actually sided with Palin on this one. One wonders her clothing stipend. I'm sure she's spent more than $150K on clothing since she came to CNN.

DAVID USBORNE: "Ms Palin, of course, has attracted a lot of favourable comment for her dress sense. It has certainly helped her get into the pages of magazines."

In his Toronto Star: "Lipstick and Armani on a hockey mom sounds fine, but at that kind of cost?"

Magazines? These men have no idea what to call powerful women with titles. Like Tucker it's "emascualating". Can't emasculate something that was never masculine.

Quote of the day: "Why, thank you!"

October 22, 22008
At a rally in Ohio, Gov Palin spots Gretchen Wilson, a country singer who won a Grammy for her song, "Redneck Woman". "I see Gretchen Wilson over there and I need to get your autograph before we leave. Hello! Yes."

Then: "Someone called me a redneck woman once and do you know what I said back? I said: Why, thank you!'

Quote of the day: "This is what feminism looks like!"

October 4, 2008
Carson, CA
Palin stump at Home Depot Center
In a curious twist of all that is feminism, and in LA no less, President of the LA Chapter of NOW, Shelly Mandell endorses Gov Palin. And yes, Mandell is/was a Democrat.

Video courtesy of toaster005
MANDELL: "I know Sarah Palin cares about womens rights. As vice president, she will fight for you. She cares about our children and she cares about womens lives." And then, as she handed over the microphone to Sarah Palin: "this is what a feminist looks like."

Sexist quote of the day: "Doesn't that take some hubris?"

September 11, 2008

Charlie misogynist Gibson interviews Gov Palin. His condescension oozes over the top of his glasses as he looks down his nose at her. Listen to the intonation of his voice when he says *YOU*. It's barely contained. His socks and shoes make him look like he just stumbled up from the basement to get a beer. Did his button pop off? I couldn't bear to watch. He was bound and determined to make up for the ABC debate where SHRC made barry into a whimpering fool and Chuck Todd had the insanity to say Barry won. If he had - why were there no more?

Hubris can't be used in reference to barry because it's a racial code word for uppity.

Gaffe of the day: "It's over!"

September 3, 2008
Afternoon before Gov Palin's speech at the RNC Convention

Noonan: Yeah.

Murphy: You know, because I come out of the blue swing state governor work. Engler, Whitman, Thompson, Mitt Romney, Jeb Bush. And these guys, this is all like how you want to (inaudible) this race. You know, just run it up. And it's not gonna work.

Noonan: It's over. [Listen to her intonation. There is no doubting how she intended it.]

Murphy: Still, McCain can give a version of the Lieberman speech to do himself some good. [Because this is how he responded to her meaning.]

Todd: Don't you think the Palin pick was insulting to Kay Bailey Hutchinson, too.

Noonan: I saw Kay this morning.

Todd: She's never been comfortable about it.

Murphy: They're all bummed out.

Todd: Yeah, I mean is she really the most qualified woman they could have turned to?

Noonan: The most qualified? No. I think they went for this, excuse me, political bullshit about narratives and the picture.

Todd: Yeah, but what's the narrative?

Noonan: Every time the Republicans do that because that's not where they live and it's not what they're good at, they blow it.

Murphy: You know what's really the worst thing about it? The greatness of McCain is no cynicism and this is cynical.

Todd: This is cynical. And as you call it gimmicky. Thanks, guys.

And of course the mea culpa. You said it - you meant it. Deal.
Peg: "Well, I just got mugged by the nature of modern media, and I wish it weren't my fault, but it is."

Mugged? Who attacked her? She opened her own nasty mouth. Maybe if you gagged yourself there wouldn't be a chance for a mugging. And what's your fascination with the word 'forebearance'?

An audio tape of that conversation was sent, how or by whom I don't know, onto the internet. And within three hours I was receiving it from friends far and wide, asking me why I thought the McCain campaign is "over", as it says in the transcript of the conversation. Here I must plead some confusion.

Waa waa waa and get real. Confusion in a woman whose life revolves around words?

In fact, at an on-the-record press symposium on the campaign on Monday, when all of those on the panel were pressed to predict who would win, I said that I didn't know, but that we just might find "This IS a country for old men." That is, McCain may well win. I do not think the campaign is over, I do not think this is settled, and did not suggest, back to the Todd-Murphy conversation, that "It's over."

However, I did say two things that I haven't said in public, either in speaking or in my writing. One is a vulgar epithet that I wish I could blame on the mood of the moment but cannot. No one else, to my memory, swore. I just blurted. The other, more seriously, is a real criticism that I had not previously made, but only because I hadn't thought of it.

You blurt what you mean. And the last para...all she needed to say:

But, bottom line, I am certainly sorry I blurted my barnyard ephithet (sic), I am certainly sorry that someone abused my meaning in the use of the words, "It's over," and I'm sorry I didn't have the Kay Bailey Hutchison thought before this morning, because I could have written of it.

Someone abused your words? We heard them loud and clear, Peg. And then blaming your words on your thoughts? Hello? And doesn't the WSJ have spell check?

Michelle Bernard (44) on feminism

March 21, 2008
PBS to the Contrary spliced video
Michelle Bernard on SHRC's foreign policy experience
A curious thought. If your ancestors hail from Jamaica, why are you African American? Is every black person on this planet considered African whatever? Do natives of Jamaica refer to themselves as African Jamaicans? It's crazy.

She is married to CNN correspondent, Joe Johns - who used to work under Tim Russert.

Found this interesting (6-28-08) article on TOY SOLDIER by TS:

Discussing Bernard's idea of "feminism". She's not one who hates men or thinks they're all rapists. What kind of feminists are these? And if one were to say I like black women but not those angry black bitches? Anyway read the whole article. There's a video link of her but it's no longer there. I have to wonder why.

TS: "However, apparently doing counts as anti-feminist, or at least that is the claim made on Feministing. Jessica Valenti linked to an interview Michelle Bernard recently gave while promoting her new book. What is interesting is not that Jessica and the majority of the posters on Feministing consider Michelle Bernard anti-feminist. What is interesting is what Bernard says in the interview about what she thinks feminism is. One can view the video here, but I have taken the time to transcribe her comments (minus the "uhs" and "ums"):

Q: Do you consider yourself a feminist?

MB : I do… sort of. It depends on how you use the term. I am, I would say I would be the sort of feminist that you would've seen in a much — in a bygone era that was fighting for equality for women, that was fighting for women's suffrage, and that was fighting for the abolition of slavery.

I am not the type of feminist or the type of woman who sees every man walking down the street as a potential rapist. I am not the type of feminist that dislikes men. I am the type of women that just wants an equal society. There are some people that get locked into that camp where everything is anti-men. Well, I have a son and I have a daughter and I love them equally and I want them to have equal opportunity. So if that's how you define feminism, that's me!

In contrast, note Jessica's response:

In the clip above, Bernard explains that she's a "real" feminist - you know not like those nasty hairy man-hating kinds that want women to excel at the expense of men.

She also notes that women who call IWF anti-feminist just "think it's cute to throw bombs." I'd hardly say that calling IWF anti-feminist - an organization that exists to bash feminism and convince women that sexism is actually fantastic for them - is throwing bombs. It's more like…lobbing marshmallows.

Just take this description of Bernard's book:

Though many influential groups feed on the prevailing myth that women are oppressed, most women are healthier, wealthier, and better educated than ever before. Michelle Bernard, the president of the Independent Women s Forum, lays out the facts in a new book that will make life harder for radical feminism's ideological hucksters.

Oh you caught us! We're such hucksters…trying to peddle the myth of equality! For shame.

Here's the curious thing - she thinks because BO became president her daughter can be too. How naive is that.