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3 Reasons Sarah Palin Was Good — And Bad — For Women In Politics
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Little Green Frog (Wise Latina)
07/07/09

In reply to 3 Reasons Sarah Palin Was Good — And Bad — For Women In Politics
The #3 is certainly a "good" to me because it's gotten to some ridiculous levels in this era of 24 hour news cycles that need to be filled with stuff.

However, calling this a post-mortem might be premature. I mean did you see this?

"Palin tells @abckatesnow "department of law at the White House" would protect her as president. @GMA [tinyurl.com]"

[twitter.com]

Argh!

Sarah dearie, just don't talk to the press for a while, please, pretty pleas with sugar on top. It will be a win-win situation.
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Little Green Frog (Wise Latina)
07/07/09

@Little Green Frog: here is the clip from the article:

"Asked whether she'd be subjected to the same "political bloodsport" if she went for national office, Palin told Snow she's confident that the "department of law at the White House" would protect her from baseless allegations."
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allyzay
07/07/09

In reply to 3 Reasons Sarah Palin Was Good — And Bad — For Women In Politics
re: #3 in the "bad" column...putting aside the fact that "zero validity" claim is actually patently false (someone else already addressed this? i think?), i was kind of more expecting you to point out that sarah palin was basically speak-and-say of hateful, bigoted nonsense 24/7 during the entire campaign against other women and minorities and basically anyone else she could think of, rather than say that women might not want to get into office because someone might pull an ethics complaint against them...? which, btw, IS relevant to someone's qualifications for office, no matter how irrelevant you think the candidate's appearance is (btw, palin would disagree with that last bit).

i mean, the reason why sarah palin isn't "good" for women is because she's "bad" for everyone. people who are on a national platform spewing hateful garbage are bad for everyone, no questions asked, male or female. i wish we could just drop this subject of palin as feminist and the constant defense of her and move on to actually discussing the shit she says and does. or just ignore her! either would be okey dokey.
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Devonna
07/06/09

In reply to 3 Reasons Sarah Palin Was Good — And Bad — For Women In Politics
I mentally separate myself so much from conservative Republicans that it's difficult for me to see that the miniature hurdle of Republicans talking about sexism IN REGARD TO SARAH PALIN is better than Republicans not talking about sexism at all. Even if it's in terms of 'poor widdle Sarah' context. As someone who feels like she came out of the chute as a progressive liberal and was basically raised in an aging hippie family, it's weird that something this small is progress.

but it is and thanks for reminding me.
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krismry
07/06/09

In reply to 3 Reasons Sarah Palin Was Good — And Bad — For Women In Politics
Megan just wrote the best post possible about Sarah Palin. A complicated subject handled with fairness and grace.
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Lymed
07/06/09

In reply to 3 Reasons Sarah Palin Was Good — And Bad — For Women In Politics
I looked up into the sky and there was Sarah Palin's political career in the clouds. It smiled, waved to me, and then grew wings and flew away.

Later that day, my friend called me to tell me she saw the likeness of Sarah Palin's politial career in a tree.
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sybann
07/06/09

In reply to 3 Reasons Sarah Palin Was Good — And Bad — For Women In Politics
Such as!
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ArtfulSlinger
07/06/09

In reply to 3 Reasons Sarah Palin Was Good — And Bad — For Women In Politics
Unfortunately, conservatives were only talking about "their version" of sexism. And used it to attack Obama, discredit the informed Democratic party and take advantage of Hillary losing the primary.

I find nothing positive in the fact that this woman was able to be mediocre at best at her job, miles away from intelligent and was given a national and trans atlantic podium to discuss her lack of insights. Her rise is the purest example of sexism. If she was ugly, NO WAY would should have gotten ANYWHERE. She makes people like Elisabeth Hasselbeck think they are credible and fans the flames for all people against women running for public office.
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thegogglesdonothing
07/06/09

In reply to 3 Reasons Sarah Palin Was Good — And Bad — For Women In Politics
I found this heartening: a (presumably conservative) female commentator on FNC calling Palin out for her constant playing of the "unfair media" card:

_embedded
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mmstk101
07/06/09

@thegogglesdonothing: That was actually kind of heartening. Not something I'd expect on Fox News!
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Penny
07/06/09

In reply to 3 Reasons Sarah Palin Was Good — And Bad — For Women In Politics
You know, I have been traveling and have only seen a few snippets of her speech, but I am curious about your comment around her departure playing into female stereotypes. Not that I disagree, per se, but I am just wondering if anyone else thought about that? Because the thought never crossed my mind.
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PaintedTrollop
07/06/09

In reply to 3 Reasons Sarah Palin Was Good — And Bad — For Women In Politics
I have to disagree with #1. Conservatives now define sexism as asking serious questions of one of their female candidates. Questions about Palin's ethics problems, her inexperience, etc. were not sexist - but the conservatives and the corporate media will tell you that they are.
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Penny
07/06/09

In reply to 3 Reasons Sarah Palin Was Good — And Bad — For Women In Politics
See, I think number 3 in the "good" pile is kind of discounted by number 1 in the "bad" pile.
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Laulau
07/06/09

In reply to 3 Reasons Sarah Palin Was Good — And Bad — For Women In Politics
I have to respectfully disagree that "Feminism is supposed to be about empowering all women, and not just those with whom we agree politically" ... I truly do not think feminism involves empowering women like Palin, like Coulter, like Schlessinger, etc. They share my biological sex, and they also face discrimination, but they put back the cause of feminism, and they happily advance on the necks of other women.
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Penny
07/06/09

@Laulau: Feminism, to me, is about ensuring equality and rights to all, and she made pretty damn clear that she only cares about the rights of select groups of people.

Just because she's a woman does NOT mean she's a feminist, nor do I look to her as one.
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cwisto moweina has got yer goat
07/06/09

@Laulau: exactly. some people, women or men, need to not have power. Feminism is about equality and rights, but that doesn't mean stupid people should have political power just because they are women.
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bluebears
07/06/09

@Laulau: well, I think its about empowering women in the aggregate. True, its not the responsibility of "feminism" or feminists to empower individual women they disagree with politically, but I do think you can't say I believe in equality for all women except the ones on this list we've compiled. you know?
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Laulau
07/06/09

@bluebears: Yeah, I realized after reading other comments that obviously I should clarify - I think (as I think really anyone must) that feminism entails equal rights for everybody. I mean, being a decent human being means believing in equal rights for everyone, whether or not you think they suck - hence "rights" rather than "privileges". I don't think, however, that Palin's run did anything to advance women (other than, perhaps, helping to put a Dem in office), nor do I have a single nice thing to say about her. I find her seriously vile, and I think despite the fact that she herself has gotten ahead, that she and her ilk (such as those I mentioned before) are only hurting other women. And I would really like to give them and Bill O'Reilly their own damn country so they would leave me the hell alone.

Phew, sorry about the anger.
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allyzay
07/07/09

@Laulau: they're not just hurting other women but just about anyone they can get their hands on, figuratively. i mean, there is no place, at all, to be celebrating the "good" done by hateful bigots inspiring other hateful bigots to follow in their footsteps. because, i'm sorry, but -- what kind of person is going to be "inspired" by palin's behavior and appearance on the national scene? unless we're talking about, as upthread, women who are so pissed off by palin that they enter politics? but that isn't what the piece said.
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Dodgergirl
07/06/09

In reply to 3 Reasons Sarah Palin Was Good — And Bad — For Women In Politics
Also, while I can appreciate your first three points, I still think the bad outweighed the good. Her perpetuation of certain stereotypes about women in power has really been harmful. And, I think the discussion of sexism surrounding Palin was often counterproductive, because it often grouped in her dumbass complaints with her valid ones, and gave some people another reason to dismiss all claims of sexism as baseless. And the discussion of sexism by the Right was largely about playing the victim-of-a-left-wing-media-conspiracy card, not actually diving into what sexism is or how it plays out in public life.

Re: No. 3 of the bads, I still say, when she gets accused of pimping out a virgin to the czar of Russia, she can call up John Quincy Adams and they can have a little chat about how dirty politics can be.
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Maritsa
07/06/09

@Dodgergirl: Maybe they can conference in Andrew Jackson? O rly, Sarah, you thought your family was being attacked because people correctly pointed out your husband belonged to a party that advocates secession? My wife was basically called a whore and it may or may not have contributed to her death. Take that!!
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MarissaExplainsItAll
07/06/09

In reply to 3 Reasons Sarah Palin Was Good — And Bad — For Women In Politics
Conservatives never really talked about sexism, they only talked about people criticizing Palin. They really have no idea what sexism is.
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Penny
07/06/09

@MarissaExplainsItAll: Exactly. If anything, I think Liberals showed their true sexist colors. To be frank, I was far more disappointed by that.
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MarissaExplainsItAll
07/06/09

@Penny: Yeah, a lot of prominent Liberal figures showed their asshat side. It was disappointing and only showed us that we have a lot to work on as a society.
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Where The Mild Things Are
07/06/09

@Penny: Yes, that's been tremendously disappointing - but (and I know this sounds trite), I hope it's been a bit of an opportunity for growth, by showing us how much is left to be done.

Still sucks, though.
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embarcadero13
07/06/09

@MarissaExplainsItAll: Right. Where were those same cries of sexism when similar comments were pointed at Michelle Obama? Where were conservative feminists then?
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Ipomoea
07/07/09

@embarcadero13: Duh, it's only sexism if it's aimed at white ladies! *headdesk*
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greengrey
07/06/09

In reply to 3 Reasons Sarah Palin Was Good — And Bad — For Women In Politics
inspired conservative women to see themselves taking the reins of political power - and there's nothing wrong with that.

There's nothing wrong with it unless the conservative women want to use said political power to limit choice, limit birth control options, and make rape victims pay for their own rape kits.
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cwisto moweina has got yer goat
07/06/09

@greengrey (raidersofthelostSTAR): I see a problem with women* who draw inspiration from Palin taking the reins of political power

*or men
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Jezemale*
07/06/09

@greengrey (raidersofthelostSTAR): You are just closed minded. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and anti choice is a valid one. This is America.

Note: Ive been trying to teach myself how to be civil and recognize the other sides point of view. My mom says I can't be a credible leader unless I do so.
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onestrawplz
07/06/09

@Jezemale*: Everyone is entitled to their opinion. And some people hold the opinion that black people are inferior to whites, women are inferior to men, and gays inferior to heterosexuals. I'm sorry, but I do not tolerate hateful opinions like that; I don't think any of us should, frankly.
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allyzay
07/07/09

@greengrey (raidersofthelostSTAR): right -- the idea that we should just be delighted, for feminism, that a woman, any woman, is inspired to do something, no matter how hateful or stupid, is just...irresponsible, at best, in my opinion.
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