Feb 25
There, much better. Where was I? Oh yes, the Great Dilemma.
As 50ish white Texas males go, I am semi-typical. I played high school football. I have killed and eaten wild animals. I bemoan the death of real country music. Whiskey, you are a friend of mine.
Yet, I am also atypical. I’m a liberal Democrat and pro-choice, pro-gay rights, pro-labor, pro-most anything on the litmus test. I view Republicans as greedy overlords who exploit the decency of working people and ignore the needs of poor folks. “Trickle Down Economics” — as practiced first by Reagan and now The Idiot — is just a long p*ss on ordinary Americans. And powerwashing nannies.
In this election, there’s Hillary, who’s backed by many women because she’s a woman, and Barack, who’s backed by many African Americans because he is black. This time, there’s no white boy for this white boy, and I’m okay with that.
But, and it’s a big but, I’m a little put out with the gender and racial identification in this race. If you support someone because of his or her gender or his or her skin color, I wonder if that is so different from someone who opposes candidates because of their gender or skin color. Didn’t Dr. King say to judge folks on the content of their character?
At the same time, I also understand that African Americans and women have suffered and continue to suffer discrimination. The election of Hillary or Barack would go a long way toward righting the wrong, and I can see why many women and African Americans would want to get behind that deal.
Still, I’m put out with it a little. Maybe, it’s really because there is no white guy, and us dudes aren’t used to being off the stage. Hmmm.
So who’s it gonna be for me?
First, let’s get one thang straight: Hillary ain’t all that more experienced than Barack. Granted, she conducted some negotiations of some sort and stood on the world stage as the wife of the president, but it’s not like she did the heavy lifting. Meanwhile, Barack ain’t no orphan baby in the woods — he served in a state legislator and in the U.S. Senate. I just don’t see this as a race in which the one with the longest resume — as memorized by Kirk Watson — wins.
For me, it’s about what kind of judgment they’ve shown in making big decisions. Like, you know, wars and stuff. This is where old Hil goes down the sh*tter.
I simply cannot get past her stupid, cowardly vote to invade Iraq. It was stupid because, for starters, Al Qaeda was headquartered in Afghanistan, and we weren’t done there yet (and still aren’t). It was cowardly because, at the time, she said it was important to support the President and give him the flexibility to defend the country.
Horsesh*t. She f*cking ducked because Bush was popular at the time. Even on a question of war, she was thinking about her presidential prospects instead of what was the right thing to do.
If the pump, as it were, were on another foot, I’d say the same thing. I’d lay down the same harsh criticism against a man, particularly that slithering bastard-eel Lieberman.
Lucky for Barack, he had the good sense to oppose the war from the get-go. I think he amounts to more than just a great speech; he has become a powerful symbol for real change. Plus, if you’ve been to any of his rallies, you’d know he’s a real magnet for something every political party needs: young p*ssy.
Sorry PL, it’s Barack, all the way.
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Great post, WD!
Frank Rich said it really well, too.
http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSN2255471720080225?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews&rpc=69
It’s easy to be whiskeydent or Barack in hindsight - but refresh my memory how many times has Barack backed up his claim by voting against the War appropriations?
Or does he vote for the funding because he wants to support the troops and that’s ok? Somehow there is a difference when he has to run for election and the American voters would give him 2% of the vote if he did vote against the war but Hillary cannot make a similar decision on giving the President the authority (and by the why, the responsibility to use good judgment) because 90% of the voters supported that?
http://www.inthepinktexas.com
“Plus, if you’ve been to any of his rallies, you’d know he’s a real magnet for something every political party needs: young p*ssy.”
Like sexism isn’t alive and well…
“Old Hil.”
“Young p*ssy.”
You know, I’m not an HRC fan either, but you’re not doing BO any favors with that kind of talk. You say you’re “pro-choice, pro-gay rights, pro-labor, pro-most anything on the litmus test,” but you’re clearly not pro-woman.
Words matter.
http://www.showlush.com
So much for you being all PC and shi*t. ;)
I was attempting to poke fun at myself and guys in general. I guess II failed miserably, and I apologize to anyone offended. I shoulda listened to Molly Ivins, who said: “The three most overrated things are Mack trucks, the FBI, and young p*ssy.”
As for old Hil, jeesh.
It seems everybody’s getting pretty thin-skinned around here. whiskeydent’s been around long enough, you have to recognize the p*ssy comment as satire. Not very funny satire (sorry wd — I hate that word and it grates), but satire. You know, he supports Obama, so of course he must be a sexist ass. That kind.
And it’s not just the Clinton supporters. Everybody’s doing it.
Lighten up, folks. No matter who the nominee is, it’s a good thing! These are two great candidates, whose supporters all basically have the same values. Have some fun. Please?
Re: 7. Don’t Mess w/ Pink
Speaking of which, we haven’t heard from Mr. PL lately. Will someone please check on him? Are we sure he’s alive? I mean, really, have you SEEN the size of the daggers Eileen is capable of launching from her eyes when she’s PO’d? She’s a ninja, you know. Can kill a man with one glance.
Re: 8. Don’t Mess w/ Pink
And one well-placed, knobby-kneed blow.
http://www.inthepinktexas.com
Re: 6. whiskeydent
Come on. I’m not really mad.
You had me at powerwashing nannies.
Re: 7. Don’t Mess w/ Pink
All right, all right. Sorry, WD. I can certainly appreciate a wiseass, I just didn’t get the joke. I’m voting for Obama, so I agree with you on most counts, but I felt defensive when reading your post.
WD, I got the joke and the reference and thought it was hilarious. You’re right, of course. The YP has been defecting to the Republican Party for years.
You know, I’d add that the Barack/black vote breaks a lot when it comes to minority women - i dont have numbers to back this up, but i’ve heard lots of stories about black women who are voting Hillary because they identify with the woman thing more, at least in this context.
Anyone seen any documentation, polls, etc.?
How can you say there is no sexism in play??? When Hillary gets aggressive, the press is all over and use the “b–ch” word. There is no comparable world for the male candidates. YOU know, she is the best candidate for ALL PEOPLE. Obama has not been there for ALL PEOPLE.
HILLARYSPEAKSFORME.COM
Re: 13. maria
There’s a GREAT word for AGGRESSIVE MEN (God, I love using caps, DON’T YOU?):
D*CK
Try using it in context:
“George Bush, Dick Cheney and Karl Rumsfeld are such D*CKS.”
Re: 13. maria
What do you mean he hasn’t been there for ALL PEOPLE? Who hasn’t he been there for? Could you be more specific? I’m interested to know.
Actually, modern culture has allowed for men to be referred to as bitch without much regard for the original meaning of the word.
You do make a point, though. There is a higher burden on women, which I think is unfair, but men aren’t the only ones who apply it.
Hillary is losing because she ran a poor campaign. She’s a great leader for our country and will be very important in the U.S. Senate moving forward.
What it comes down to is this. Women have to rally around Hillary and get her on the November ballot.
Women in Texas. Get on the phone and call everyone you know and tell them not to let them take this away from us. There are many, many liberal males who will vote Republican before they will vote for a woman. WE have to do this.
Don’t believe the snippets of information you’re getting on CNN about Hillary. They focus on every emotional moment she has and disregard what she has to say about the issues. I saw her speak on Sunday and that one moment of sarcasm was a four second piece of a 30 minute speech where she was poised, strong. and laid out her plan to start working for us on day one. She covered all of the issues; education, health care, the war in Iraq, poverty, environment. She has a plan.
Obama has great, great IDEAS and no plan. If he can’t get things done, if he can’t deal with the special interest groups he will have a failed presidency.
Look at the full text of Hillary’s speeches. Don’t let them tell you what to think and feel. Please, go on Hillaryclinton.com and read where she stands on the issues.
Come on women. We can do this!
Yes we can
I still don’t understand how people can use the vote for Iraq as a way to weigh one dem candidate against the other. They were both not in the same position. Off to the side, in a state far away Barack opposed the invasion, but….wait for it….didn’t have to vote. Now if they were both senators at the time then I could guarantee that I would pay much more attention to this argument but seeing as how they were not then think it is petty and moot to argue this. This was definitely not the deciding reason why I voted for Obama yesterday, simply put after the hundreds of times I went back and forth it was because I think he can beat McCain. I would never be able to forgive myself if another Republican got elected.
http://shenanigans2008.blogspot.com
I think Hillary is a fine senator. I do not think she is the person to lead our country. We have been deeply divided and distracted for a long time, and it is long overdue that we be lead by someone who can bring the country together.
I still don’t buy the against the war thing. BO ave a speech against the war whilst a state Senator. Other states and municipalities have gone far further than he managed to in Illinois. He has already said that he does not know which way he would have voted had he been in the US Senate at that time and he has since voted pretty much the same way as Hillary for war appropriations. It’s a red herring for me and an example of why I don’t believe he wants to change the way our political system works.
Great post X2
It feels weird reading it in pink.
http://www.inthepinktexas.com
Re: 21. Tom Collins
Why, because pink is too feminine?!
/sexist
Re: 17. Susan
I find this argument that women have to rally together and “not let them take this away from us” ridiculous. Senator Clinton is a fine politician and would probably make a fine President (there, I said it). But let’s not pretend that there is some vast left wing, media-led conspiracy or inherent sexism at play here.
We are fortunate to have two great candidates (three, in fact, if you count McCain) and depending on your perspective there are very valid reasons for choosing one over the other.
No one is taking anything away from HRC’s ability and experience. She is where she is due to a deadly combination of a poorly executed campaign and being on the wrong side of history.
Re: 17. Susan
“There are many, many liberal males who will vote Republican before they will vote for a woman”
Words fail me…does anyone really believe that? “Liberal” males would vote republican before they would vote for a woman? I’ve got news for you,those males? they aren’t really liberals.
Re: 17. Susan
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003071.htm
http://www.showlush.com
Re: 25. whiskeydent
I say this with love. Jack*ass.