Comments on: A different kind of glass ceiling? http://www.afreeman.org/2008/08/26/a-different-kind-of-glass-ceiling/ An American Expatriate - Stepping Up From Down Under Wed, 07 Jan 2009 20:26:02 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: headbang8 http://www.afreeman.org/2008/08/26/a-different-kind-of-glass-ceiling/#comment-4669 headbang8 Sun, 31 Aug 2008 07:24:11 +0000 http://www.afreeman.org/2008/08/26/a-different-kind-of-glass-ceiling/#comment-4669 And Palin as McCain's VP? Many people assume this is to court the female vote. Rather, I think, it's to court the working-class vote. (Both, by the way, Clinton strongholds). She's not a Dan Quayle. Palin can't be dismissed that easily. Any criticism of her will be written off by many as elitist, and coincidentally, sexist. Even if that criticism may be valid. We can make fun of the Quayles, the Bushes, and even the Reagans, for being less than qualified to lead. That's OK, they're rich white males. No harm done. But to say that Palin doesn't deserve the VP role, is to dash the American dream. It would say that there is no longer any hope to get to the White House from a log cabin. That good-old common sense, of the kind she used to clean up Juneau, has no place in Washington. She makes Barak Obama look like a Washington insider, rather than a fresh voice from the outside. Though her resume is shorter, Palin actually has a better record of <i>change than Obama. The Republicans may very well have stolen the Democrat's trump card. Her social class, frankly, is more important than her gender. Classism and sexism blend in contemporary America. Let's not forget that women are now breadwinners for many working families. While upper class women complain of the glass ceiling, working women protect their families from falling through the brittle linoleum floor. Working class voters may be less sexist than many imagine, because gender equality has been demonstrated, with brutal economic force, right under their noses. I have not yet heard Palin speak, nor have any idea how she will perform in debate. She may earn public disdain, or she may not. But don't dismiss her. The NY Times is brimming with op-ed pieces which brush her off as a lightweight. Wrong. headbang8s last blog post..<a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/DeutschlandberElvis/~3/377168265/bourgeoisie-in-key-of-e.html" rel="nofollow">Bourgeoisie in the Key of E</a> And Palin as McCain’s VP? Many people assume this is to court the female vote. Rather, I think, it’s to court the working-class vote. (Both, by the way, Clinton strongholds).

She’s not a Dan Quayle. Palin can’t be dismissed that easily. Any criticism of her will be written off by many as elitist, and coincidentally, sexist. Even if that criticism may be valid.

We can make fun of the Quayles, the Bushes, and even the Reagans, for being less than qualified to lead. That’s OK, they’re rich white males. No harm done.

But to say that Palin doesn’t deserve the VP role, is to dash the American dream. It would say that there is no longer any hope to get to the White House from a log cabin. That good-old common sense, of the kind she used to clean up Juneau, has no place in Washington.

She makes Barak Obama look like a Washington insider, rather than a fresh voice from the outside. Though her resume is shorter, Palin actually has a better record of change than Obama. The Republicans may very well have stolen the Democrat’s trump card.

Her social class, frankly, is more important than her gender. Classism and sexism blend in contemporary America.

Let’s not forget that women are now breadwinners for many working families. While upper class women complain of the glass ceiling, working women protect their families from falling through the brittle linoleum floor. Working class voters may be less sexist than many imagine, because gender equality has been demonstrated, with brutal economic force, right under their noses.

I have not yet heard Palin speak, nor have any idea how she will perform in debate. She may earn public disdain, or she may not.

But don’t dismiss her. The NY Times is brimming with op-ed pieces which brush her off as a lightweight. Wrong.

headbang8s last blog post..Bourgeoisie in the Key of E

]]> By: Gypsy http://www.afreeman.org/2008/08/26/a-different-kind-of-glass-ceiling/#comment-4583 Gypsy Thu, 28 Aug 2008 14:45:12 +0000 http://www.afreeman.org/2008/08/26/a-different-kind-of-glass-ceiling/#comment-4583 I think that Obama has gone a lot farther than he would have if he were darker. This country might be ready for a black president, but not too black, I'm sad to say. I was so energized when Obama started campaigning. I'm still a supporter, but I'll be interested to see how the debates go. I think that, with proper support (hello, Biden), Obama could be an excellent leader, he could revitalize our nation. McCain just seems old and out of touch to me, and I despise most of his social stances. I shudder to think of the religious right gaining more of a toe-hold in American politics, and I think they have a much better shot of that with McCain than Obama, obviously. All that said, Bush is out, and that goes a long way toward bolstering my confidence. I think that Obama has gone a lot farther than he would have if he were darker. This country might be ready for a black president, but not too black, I’m sad to say.

I was so energized when Obama started campaigning. I’m still a supporter, but I’ll be interested to see how the debates go. I think that, with proper support (hello, Biden), Obama could be an excellent leader, he could revitalize our nation. McCain just seems old and out of touch to me, and I despise most of his social stances. I shudder to think of the religious right gaining more of a toe-hold in American politics, and I think they have a much better shot of that with McCain than Obama, obviously.

All that said, Bush is out, and that goes a long way toward bolstering my confidence.

]]> By: courtney http://www.afreeman.org/2008/08/26/a-different-kind-of-glass-ceiling/#comment-4564 courtney Wed, 27 Aug 2008 15:16:40 +0000 http://www.afreeman.org/2008/08/26/a-different-kind-of-glass-ceiling/#comment-4564 Wow, you've sparked quite the discussion in the comments here. Good posts do that. I think everything is going to depend on who shows up to vote in November. Polls still show it's going to be a close one, as the last two have been. Unfortunately for Obama, his go-to supporters -- black Americans and college students -- are notorious for showing support but not showing up to vote. He needs them badly to counteract those toothless, racist West Virginians (who also may not show up to vote, in all fairness.) I wouldn't listen to the polls right now if I were you. It's still early in the game, and believe it or not, there are plenty of swing voters out there who haven't made up their minds yet. Yes, the idea of voting based on the candidate's skin color is disturbing, but we really have come a long way by nominating the guy in the first place. Besides, I think a lot of people who freely admit they are racist won't be voting Democrat anyway. courtneys last blog post..<a href="http://malfeasance-courtney.blogspot.com/2008/08/london-2012-here-i-come.html" rel="nofollow">London 2012, Here I Come</a> Wow, you’ve sparked quite the discussion in the comments here. Good posts do that.

I think everything is going to depend on who shows up to vote in November. Polls still show it’s going to be a close one, as the last two have been. Unfortunately for Obama, his go-to supporters — black Americans and college students — are notorious for showing support but not showing up to vote. He needs them badly to counteract those toothless, racist West Virginians (who also may not show up to vote, in all fairness.)

I wouldn’t listen to the polls right now if I were you. It’s still early in the game, and believe it or not, there are plenty of swing voters out there who haven’t made up their minds yet. Yes, the idea of voting based on the candidate’s skin color is disturbing, but we really have come a long way by nominating the guy in the first place. Besides, I think a lot of people who freely admit they are racist won’t be voting Democrat anyway.

courtneys last blog post..London 2012, Here I Come

]]> By: That girl http://www.afreeman.org/2008/08/26/a-different-kind-of-glass-ceiling/#comment-4562 That girl Wed, 27 Aug 2008 13:31:51 +0000 http://www.afreeman.org/2008/08/26/a-different-kind-of-glass-ceiling/#comment-4562 Amen, to all of this. I live in the rural south and get these stupid forwards all the time slamming Obama..and usually it has NOTHING to do with issues. I was shocked to learn that intelligent, educated, women that I know personally and professionallly actually believe Obama is a secret terrorist or something. It's so stupid. And it's hypocritical when the next forward has something to do with his old CHRISTIAN preacher. Or his WIFE! I'm so disheartened that we can't sway the public with issues. I'm so disheartened that politicians would rather play on our ignorance than on our intelligence. Also, in the deep south republican = patriotism. And I'm sick of that too. If you are a democrat, there are automatic assumptions that you don't love America or our troops. I don't know how to change it..but I sincerely hope some of those old ways will die with the older population. That girls last blog post..<a href="http://heyyourememberme.blogspot.com/2008/08/road-block.html" rel="nofollow">Road Block</a> Amen, to all of this. I live in the rural south and get these stupid forwards all the time slamming Obama..and usually it has NOTHING to do with issues. I was shocked to learn that intelligent, educated, women that I know personally and professionallly actually believe Obama is a secret terrorist or something. It’s so stupid. And it’s hypocritical when the next forward has something to do with his old CHRISTIAN preacher. Or his WIFE! I’m so disheartened that we can’t sway the public with issues. I’m so disheartened that politicians would rather play on our ignorance than on our intelligence.

Also, in the deep south republican = patriotism. And I’m sick of that too. If you are a democrat, there are automatic assumptions that you don’t love America or our troops. I don’t know how to change it..but I sincerely hope some of those old ways will die with the older population.

That girls last blog post..Road Block

]]> By: Angel http://www.afreeman.org/2008/08/26/a-different-kind-of-glass-ceiling/#comment-4559 Angel Wed, 27 Aug 2008 10:02:09 +0000 http://www.afreeman.org/2008/08/26/a-different-kind-of-glass-ceiling/#comment-4559 OH and JOE, I'm thinking you've read the article about the recent rise in cases of measles linked directly to parents refusing vaccinations for their children? Pisses me off. And Gore? Whenever I hear his name, all I can think is, "Bless his heart". If you have any sort of southern background, you know that's code for, "What a total dumbass". OH and JOE, I’m thinking you’ve read the article about the recent rise in cases of measles linked directly to parents refusing vaccinations for their children? Pisses me off.

And Gore? Whenever I hear his name, all I can think is, “Bless his heart”. If you have any sort of southern background, you know that’s code for, “What a total dumbass”.

]]> By: Angel http://www.afreeman.org/2008/08/26/a-different-kind-of-glass-ceiling/#comment-4558 Angel Wed, 27 Aug 2008 09:59:00 +0000 http://www.afreeman.org/2008/08/26/a-different-kind-of-glass-ceiling/#comment-4558 Hey dude, didn't we actually agree, though? I mean, I said I LIKE Obama! I just said I think he needs to go back to what he began his campaign with. I also said I didn't vote for Bush 4 years ago, and I think we need change. Doesn't that sort of sound like what you said? I think you just like getting me all riled up about it! Oh ok, it's OUR country. I'm just happy to find another person who still claims it. For all our faults, it really pisses me off when American citizens do nothing but bitch and moan and talk about what a horrible lot of people we are. I didn't mean that to sound the way it must have when I said "my country", by the way. Hey dude, didn’t we actually agree, though? I mean, I said I LIKE Obama! I just said I think he needs to go back to what he began his campaign with. I also said I didn’t vote for Bush 4 years ago, and I think we need change. Doesn’t that sort of sound like what you said?

I think you just like getting me all riled up about it!

Oh ok, it’s OUR country. I’m just happy to find another person who still claims it. For all our faults, it really pisses me off when American citizens do nothing but bitch and moan and talk about what a horrible lot of people we are. I didn’t mean that to sound the way it must have when I said “my country”, by the way.

]]> By: SSG http://www.afreeman.org/2008/08/26/a-different-kind-of-glass-ceiling/#comment-4557 SSG Wed, 27 Aug 2008 08:49:16 +0000 http://www.afreeman.org/2008/08/26/a-different-kind-of-glass-ceiling/#comment-4557 man, can't a politician's private life and therefore religion and how they practise be separate from their working life, or is that not allowed in the US? why does it matter who he chose as his 'pastor' - coming from the UK I really dont get why it matters so much, if you're free to practise a religion or no religion in any much way the hell you want, why are people influnced on voting that much? Usually politicians here don't talk about their religion- that would put voters off here (cept the abjectly religious ones) and also people that talk openly about their religion in general are seen as weird, is that not the case in the US? man, can’t a politician’s private life and therefore religion and how they practise be separate from their working life, or is that not allowed in the US? why does it matter who he chose as his ‘pastor’ - coming from the UK I really dont get why it matters so much, if you’re free to practise a religion or no religion in any much way the hell you want, why are people influnced on voting that much? Usually politicians here don’t talk about their religion- that would put voters off here (cept the abjectly religious ones) and also people that talk openly about their religion in general are seen as weird, is that not the case in the US?

]]> By: Toasty http://www.afreeman.org/2008/08/26/a-different-kind-of-glass-ceiling/#comment-4552 Toasty Wed, 27 Aug 2008 03:46:32 +0000 http://www.afreeman.org/2008/08/26/a-different-kind-of-glass-ceiling/#comment-4552 I wish you were local and could come to our "Yes We Can" party on Thursday night... to watch the big speech! Just got through watching Hillary's speech at the convention and she did me proud! It was definitely a call to arms for the Democrats. Go Obama!!! Toastys last blog post..<a href="http://myinnerteen.blogspot.com/2008/08/unscented.html" rel="nofollow">Unscented?</a> I wish you were local and could come to our “Yes We Can” party on Thursday night… to watch the big speech! Just got through watching Hillary’s speech at the convention and she did me proud! It was definitely a call to arms for the Democrats. Go Obama!!!

Toastys last blog post..Unscented?

]]> By: Joe http://www.afreeman.org/2008/08/26/a-different-kind-of-glass-ceiling/#comment-4551 Joe Wed, 27 Aug 2008 02:10:55 +0000 http://www.afreeman.org/2008/08/26/a-different-kind-of-glass-ceiling/#comment-4551 A politics post?!?!?!?! Can't we talk about something less controversial, like vaccinations? I've never been impressed enough with a repub to actually vote for them, although it was VERY hard for me to vote for Gore all those years ago. Joes last blog post..<a href="http://joegearhart.blogspot.com/2008/08/alphabet-soup.html" rel="nofollow">Alphabet Soup</a> A politics post?!?!?!?! Can’t we talk about something less controversial, like vaccinations?

I’ve never been impressed enough with a repub to actually vote for them, although it was VERY hard for me to vote for Gore all those years ago.

Joes last blog post..Alphabet Soup

]]> By: Dr O'C http://www.afreeman.org/2008/08/26/a-different-kind-of-glass-ceiling/#comment-4548 Dr O'C Tue, 26 Aug 2008 23:00:52 +0000 http://www.afreeman.org/2008/08/26/a-different-kind-of-glass-ceiling/#comment-4548 Personally I think the Democratic party fucked up. All the talk about the country being ready for a black candidate to become President was a bit premature. Really all the country was ready for was the liberal Democratic voters being ready to nominate a black candidate. The rest of the country still has to be prepared to vote for a well educated black man. They maybe got caught up in the momentum of the idea, but failed to think about the reality of the general electorate. Also, what does everyone have against Michelle Obama and does it really bloody matter? She wont be running the country. Chances are she wont even be as involved as First Lady as Hillary Clinton was. Should a Presidential candidate really be judged by his choice of mate? Surely there are more important characteristics, policy issues etc. Grow up people! Next you will be questioning whether or not his two girls are cute and polite enough! Personally I think the Democratic party fucked up. All the talk about the country being ready for a black candidate to become President was a bit premature. Really all the country was ready for was the liberal Democratic voters being ready to nominate a black candidate. The rest of the country still has to be prepared to vote for a well educated black man. They maybe got caught up in the momentum of the idea, but failed to think about the reality of the general electorate.

Also, what does everyone have against Michelle Obama and does it really bloody matter? She wont be running the country. Chances are she wont even be as involved as First Lady as Hillary Clinton was. Should a Presidential candidate really be judged by his choice of mate? Surely there are more important characteristics, policy issues etc. Grow up people! Next you will be questioning whether or not his two girls are cute and polite enough!

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