I don't like to talk politics on my blog. I leave the political discussions to my blog buddies who can lead and mediate excellent commentaries on their blogs like Stephen Parrish and Smart like a Streetcar and Erica Orloff to name a few. For me, politics can be dangerous ground, one that is a huge bone of contention within my own family. So why then am I hosting a picture of Hilary Clinton on my blog? My mother, who is a staunch Republican and who forced me to join the Republican party when I was 18 on threat of losing my car, would kill me if she even knew what I was doing. But I don't care, I'm a big girl now, she can't tell me what to do. And besides she doesn't know anything about this blog so I'm safe. However, I will leave the politics behind, as strange as that sounds, and state only one reason why Ms. Clinton's picture is on my blog. I have three daughters and everyday, I remind them that they can do anything they want in life and that there is nothing that a boy can do that they can't do. And in a world where sex kittens bombard our girls with negative images of sexuality and stupidity, I would love to counteract all of that negative imagery with a powerful image of a strong woman as the first female President of the United States of America. This is not about being a sexist and everything to do with being a feminist. Empowering our girls with positive imagery should start from the most important and highest job of this country. For all the girls of America, my vote this coming election, will go to Hilary.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
It should come as no surprise...
I don't like to talk politics on my blog. I leave the political discussions to my blog buddies who can lead and mediate excellent commentaries on their blogs like Stephen Parrish and Smart like a Streetcar and Erica Orloff to name a few. For me, politics can be dangerous ground, one that is a huge bone of contention within my own family. So why then am I hosting a picture of Hilary Clinton on my blog? My mother, who is a staunch Republican and who forced me to join the Republican party when I was 18 on threat of losing my car, would kill me if she even knew what I was doing. But I don't care, I'm a big girl now, she can't tell me what to do. And besides she doesn't know anything about this blog so I'm safe. However, I will leave the politics behind, as strange as that sounds, and state only one reason why Ms. Clinton's picture is on my blog. I have three daughters and everyday, I remind them that they can do anything they want in life and that there is nothing that a boy can do that they can't do. And in a world where sex kittens bombard our girls with negative images of sexuality and stupidity, I would love to counteract all of that negative imagery with a powerful image of a strong woman as the first female President of the United States of America. This is not about being a sexist and everything to do with being a feminist. Empowering our girls with positive imagery should start from the most important and highest job of this country. For all the girls of America, my vote this coming election, will go to Hilary.
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25 comments:
haha! my dad was part of the republican task force and had a foto of reagan up in his office. he made donations. one time, i sent the envelope back empty saying we had no money. haha!
I respect your decision, though I can't say I agree with it. My daughter was at first dismayed that Hilary Clinton was running. Why? Because, darn it, she wanted to be the first girl president... after that catty streak wore off she went on a mini tirade about why it was that it's taking so long for a girl to get to be president... probably the same reason we don't get to play major league baseball - some stupid boy (no offense, boys)... and then we came around to the point where she wanted Hilary because she is a girl... and I said to her what I will say here:
A vote is a serious thing, regardless of how our political parties have bastardized the system - you can't pick a candidate because they are the right race or religion or sex or because they root for the right baseball team... You have to pick the candidate whose ideals beliefs and platform most speaks to you as what's best for this country... more than that, you have to pick the candidate who's most likely to put their own beliefs and agenda aside to do what's in the best interest of this country, what is in the best interest of all of the people here, what we want... not what the candidate wants...
I applaud Hilary for breaking that ceiling wide open. I respect her for moving forward... but none of that is enough to garner my vote.
I too would love to see a woman president. Whether Hillary is the right one or not, I'm not sure yet. I like what I see so far, but November is a long time away and I'll make up my mind when closer to then.
don't know if she'll get my vote (still undecided...), but i LOVE your reasons for her getting yours!!!!!
It's hard to pick the right president. I just hope the next one won't give so much of US money away while taxes are always rising in the US. With all those billions of dollar a year in 'aids' we could have lower federal taxes a year.
I like strong women too.
(God, I love my avatar)
Seriously, I like Hillary. But I love Obama. Either one is better than McStupid.
I really like how both Clinton and Obama would represent milestones if elected President. Like a win-win situation.
Just further to your last few excellent posts, about body image, media transgressions, and now, the possibility of a female president...
Kristina came across this anecdote from the UK's Independent on Sunday... I was appalled. I simply can't believe that Senator Hilary Clinton would ever make a joke as horrible and cruel as the one made by Republican frontrunner Senator John McCain in the 1990s.
From The Independent:
"Nothing, surely, was more shocking than an episode in 1998 that actually says a good deal more about another person potentially bound for the presidency than about Chelsea Clinton. John McCain told a joke in such astonishing bad taste that most of the American media, though they were aware of it, refused even to report it. Maureen Dowd of The New York Times found herself writing at the time that Senator McCain "is so revered by the press that his disgusting jape was largely nudged under the rug". But his words did leak out.
"Though this may not be verbatim, he said: "Why is Chelsea Clinton so ugly? Because her father is Janet Reno." (Ms Reno, of course, was Mr Clinton's attorney general.)"
Thanks to everyone for commenting.
Merry - I do have many other political reasons for wanting to endorse Hilary, but they are reasons I don't really want to go into here because they can be all polarizing reasons. But I am aligned with her on many hot topic issues from abortion and the death penalty to the environment. I didn't want to raise them and only focused on that one issue because it was in keeping with my previous posts on girls and the media. It seemed a perfect time to state one of the reasons for why I liked Hilary. And I truly believe she will make a great President.
I like Obama alot. And I am so proud of him and his success. And as a female minority, I do feel like Jason that this is a win win situation. But for now, I am hoping for a Hilary win. And Richard, don't even get me started on how appalling I find that McCain comment. McCain is my biggest fear. Because I worry and fear that middle America is not ready for a woman or black President. It keeps me up at night.
Hooray Ellen! Get political all you want. See what it does for the adrenaline?
I respect everything Merry said. However, we need a woman (or minority) in the Oval Office ASAP to break the goddamn mold. There are still many, many women in the U.S. who won't vote for a woman merely because she is a woman. I heard my own mother say it: "Who does she think she is?" Something's gotta give.
As for McCain, thankfully he's the most tolerable of the lot. But I don't want someone tolerable as president. I want a Clinton/Obama or Obama/Clinton ticket and to enjoy what would then become the most exciting presidential race in U.S. history.
Danica McKellar, actress, mathmatician & author is another good role model.
Hi Ello:
I'm an Oabama girl, but if Hil gets the nod, she'll have my vote.
What really galls me with this whole gender thing in politics . . . do you remember when Bill was running the first time? The press ripped into her for headbands, hairstyles, and outfits. Other wives not so much. Why? Because they fit the dutiful campaign wife mold. She didn't. It was like when Martha Stewart was on trial, the press reported the cost of her handbag. Why? Do I know how much any man's attache costs? The double standard--and the comments about ugliness, appearance, and so on . . . it's sickening. So I applaud Hil. I really do. And I'd like to see the race fought without ONCE reading what she's wearing.
E
I also might vote differently than you have indicated, depending on the choices and timing, but I think it's really beneficial for people such as yourself to do posts like this periodically. Politics has become such an extreme sport with most people not understanding or despising people with whom they disagree politically. I think every time someone we like steps up and expresses a political view politely, later, even if we disagree, we might be a bit more open to others points of view, because we know that, "hey, that Ello's a smart one and she thinks this thing I don't agree with. Maybe that other party isn't as dumb as I sometimes think."
I'm not expressing myself well, but I hope you get the idea. We are more open to respectful disagreement as opposed to disdain when we hear opposing views expressed by people we like.
Good for you for joining the discussion!! You know I'm an Obama girl, but I definitely think the Dems are in wonderful shape.
I was making pretty much the same point just yesterday. I don't have daughters, I have four sons, and you gotta believe the message is just as important for them.
I hope Obama gets the nomination, but I would be fine if Hilary wins the nomination too. Either one would be leaps and bounds better than McCain and the guy we have now.
Paul
I'm with Merry. And I've been considering posting a political rant on my own blog so I'll try to keep my comments here under restraint. I'm a feminist through and through. And while I love the idea of a woman as president (to join the 12 other nations that currently have a female head of state), why does it have to be this one?
There are many political positions I share with Senator Hillary Clinton, but I completely agree with Merry that I have to vote for the candidate (regardless of gender or race or religious affiliation) that I believe will do what's in the best interest of the nation. And I don't believe that's her.
Ello,
As a woman of color, I was at first torn between Hillary and Obama. People always say you shouldn't vote based on color and race, but it's about two very strong candidates who want to change the state of Washington.
They are both really good candidates and I agree with them on several issues. Like Jason commented, it's a win-win situation for me. I think them on the same ticket would be golden. :*)
"I like strong women too.
(God, I love my avatar)
Seriously, I like Hillary. But I love Obama. Either one is better than McStupid."
My thoughts, exactly.
(Thanks for saving me from typing, Christine!!)
:)
amen.
Lana is a good role model
"there is nothing that a boy can do that they can't do"
You forgot to add one thing, Most of the time they do it better.
Charles; Awwwwwwwwwww...and you're a sweetie pie! :)
I'm for Obama.
But I'm not against Hillary.
Great post, Ello.
I see the logic with your reasoning and it is always to set a good example for our kids.
I don't know if Hilary is a good example, though.
And I'm saying so b/c I really dont know anything about her views and efforts and such.
I leave it to you, American people.
The thing is: if she's doing the wrong thing, she'll be a bad example. It's not a matter of gender.
It's the matter of views, and ACTIONS.
Gender comes third.
Thanks for listening.
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