Sarah Palin: Redefining Feminism
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Redefining Feminism
If the current pace continues, Sarah Palin’s Going Rogue is on track to become perhaps the best-selling nonfiction book ever. The extraordinary, record-breaking rollout and the throngs of fans who await Sarah at every stop of her nationwide bus tour is rivaled only by the endless succession of liberal talking heads who are willing to put aside years of carefully cultivated gender sensitivity in an attempt to finish off a job they had hoped they had taken care of last year – or at least in the last two months of granting Levi Johnston full access to the most coveted media outlets.
When Tina Brown laughs and defends Newsweek’s indefensible cover photo of the former governor in running shorts to Matt Lauer on The Today Show, and Naomi Wolfe on Larry King calls Palin “Evita” and a “Geisha” and accuses the fiercely independent Alaskan Governor of being the “muse” and “telegenic figurehead” of a Cheney/Rove/Haliburton cabal, you know there’s more fear than loathing in the liberal and feminist ranks.
So what exactly is the liberal feminist establishment afraid of? Back in the fall of 2008, many conservatives theorized that it all came down to abortion. That a baby-wielding, pro-life VP candidate would re-ignite a debate feminists prefer to believe is settled and that the very sight of baby Trig on the hip of the beautiful and confident Sarah Palin on the night of her pitch-perfect speech at the Republican National Convention caused an unsettling degree of national guilt and unwanted introspection for a society that aborts close to 90% of all babies diagnosed with Downs Syndrome. But I believe that the seething and obsession with all things Palin is bigger and deeper than even abortion.
What is really at the heart of the unrelenting vitriol and paranoia came to light rather innocuously in the celebrity style, soft-focus Oprah interview. In fact, the offending comment was so casually and organically delivered, that as far as I can tell, the chattering class, normally so quick to pounce on the slightest hint of mommy-war fodder, especially from someone as reviled by the left as Sarah Palin, did not picked up on the comment. Near the end of the interview, in a gracious moment of praise and admiration for her host, Sarah recalled the days when she watched the Oprah Show more regularly, “back when I was a stay-at-home mom in the 90s”. That’s right, back when I was a stay-at-home-mom. When have we ever heard those words come out of the mouth of a female politician, much less one who is a possible contender for the highest office in the land?
In that one innocent phrase, Sarah did more than endear herself to Oprah or to stay-at-home-moms across the country; together with her husband Todd, Sarah Palin, is radically, and perhaps irrevocably redefining feminism. Sarah’s biography is the very public proof of what many women have already confirmed in their own lives: that success and female empowerment are not necessarily incompatible with early marriage, unplanned pregnancies, stay-at-home motherhood, or a large family.
In comparison, to Sarah’s modern “take it as it comes” approach to life, feminist notions of success are rather rigid. They encourage, if not demand, that young women leave their stem families to pursue east-coast elite educations, urban experiences (goodbye pot roasts and Moose stew), six-figure salaries, and a respectable limit when it comes to children (less trouble, smaller carbon footprint!). Sarah’s family life, as colorful as it is, is an affirmation of the virtues of an all-American small town life; of big, close-knit Christian families and proximity to a supportive extended family. Sarah’s success is proof that conservatism and traditional family values are not incompatible with a modern woman’s dreams and ambitions and that with the blessing of a good partner like Todd, it may even be a superior, much more satisfying path to achieving it.
This is frightening enough to the Naomi Wolfes and Sally Quinn’s of the world, but that Wolfe’s third wave feminism would be followed up by a more potent and relevant fourth wave ushered in by a conservative pro-life, pro-gun, state-college educated, born-again evangelical Christian, former beauty-queen and stay-at-home Republican mom is quite simply more than they can stand.
Certainly one thing the feminist establishment never anticipated was Todd Palin. The new evolved husband was not supposed to be a blue-collar, snowmobiling commercial fisherman. He was supposed to be an ivy educated, New York Times-reading liberal. Their great hope was Bill Clinton, but he let them down. However, his stellar abortion rights creds granted him a pass after Monica and the feminists set the stage for him to redeem himself during Hillary’s long-awaited presidential campaign. But poor Bill couldn’t help upstaging Hillary and his narcissistic rantings cost her dearly in a razor thin primary. The “First Dude” of the most macho state in our union, on the other hand, coolly stands in the background supporting his successful wife without a trace of resentment or envy.
What women relate to in Sarah is precisely what separates her from old-guard feminist politicians like Hillary and Diane Feinstein – her easy, maternal style. Can you imagine Hillary bouncing a baby on her hip after accepting the VP nomination? Sarah embraces motherhood and authentic femininity with an unapologetic style that gives them their rightful power. It is something feminists have long rejected and continue to resist at their own peril. It is the source of their growing irrelevance and disconnect with a generation of women who are far too savvy and liberated to blindly accept feminist mantras and blueprints for ‘success’.
I’m a 38 year-old Hispanic stay at-home mother of five expecting her sixth in April. I live in rural Wisconsin and I’m married to a Midwestern lumberjack competitor and District Attorney who is a true helpmate – he’s as comfortable changing diapers as he is in the courtroom or wielding an axe. I have a graduate education that I don’t consider “wasted” on my kids and family. I write and find creative ways to pursue my personal interests thanks to technology, a great husband and supportive parents who help me with the kids whenever I ask. I shop at Wal-Mart and go to Mass every week. I’m pro-life, love Reagan, attended tea parties this summer and vote Republican. If Sarah is redefining feminism, and female empowerment, then fourth wave feminism sure looks a lot more like my life and lot less like Gloria Steinem’s and Naomi Wolfe’s. And that, in a nutshell, is why they’re so afraid of Sarah Palin.
Rachel Campos-Duffy is a mother of six, author, blogger, and conservative pundit. Her book, “Stay Home, Stay Happy: 10 Secrets to Loving At-home Motherhood” can be found at Amazon and her website, www.rachelcamposduffy.com.
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Being a working woman Mom is not a bad thing. I believe it accents femininity to see strong, intelligent women in the workforce being creative, engaging in debates and brokering deals. I don’t have to parade my child around at every event I attend to be a proud Mom. And if I don’t, I shouldn’t be considered less of a Mom. Kudos to you for staying at home, your choice, now let me enjoy my choices. I’m also Hispanic, not quite your age, and I work full time and I’m a Mom. I’m a Reagan fan, shop at WalMart, support Tea Parties and many other organizations and I too am a Republican. Let’s join together and not create more unnecessary bickering or stereotypes.
Very impressive take on this whole Palin saga. Even though she is not my favorite for a GOP candidate, I respect her tremendously as a woman. And, I agree, she is the face of a whole new type of feminism. The type that doesn’t hide from being a woman, but embraces it.
Bravo on this article.
Wow. As a former stay-at-hom mom, entrepreneur with a graduate degree, I thank you for this beautifully written article. The media tries so desperately to paint us as redneck, bare-footed, imbeciles – thank you for helping get the new feminism word out there.
Rachel, I think this article will resonate as well.
http://www.americanthinker.com/2009/11/the_wilding_of_sarah_palin.html
Well-done Rachel… You captured so much of what I’ve been thinking ever since Sarah came on the scene. It’s exciting to see this “movement” springing up spontaneously across the country, to see so many smart, capable women speaking out. Sarah is just four years older than me, and I feel like she IS me. Our generation, I believe, is more pragmatic perhaps than generations past. Furthermore, we’ve seen firsthand the damage done by a a feminism that blamed men for every problem in the world. I grew up in a family where my mom always resented my father, despite the fact that he is one of the sweetest, most supporting men in the world. He was never what my mother “wanted.” She was the one with more ambition and more talent in business. But instead of just appreciating that my dad wanted to take a supporting role, she berated him for not being a stronger leader.
As she aged, she began to appreciate my dad more and more. As her health fails, she is grateful for his tender care. She has apologized for the way she disrespected him. And we have talked a LOT about feminism and the message it sent to women that men cannot be trusted, that they are incompetent, and basically, THE ENEMY.
What’s Sarah’s brand of feminism says is that all people are equal. Period. Women are not better than men or worse. It’s a feminism that doesn’t have to put men down to be considered on the same plain. Sarah just got to work and proved herself in the workplace. She didn’t go out and lobby for equal pay for equal work. She just proved her value. That’s the kind of feminism I can support – one that stays true to conservative principles.
That is one of the most tender comments I have ever seen to someone else putting their heart and feelings ‘out there’.
Praise to you.
Very well said. I think you’ve hit the nail on the head regarding Sarah Palin. Isn’t it grand to have someone who, as you said, proved herself in the workplace, rather than trying to get ahead by putting others down. It’s such a positive message.
It sounds like you got most of your ideas about feminism from female stand up comedians in the 80s. The majority of women who have considered themselves feminist for decades have kids, work hard and love men. My mother, for example, and my grandmother – I’m from a huge Catholic family consisting of women who went through school, worked full time, never divorced and never complained.
If women did not campaign for equal pay and the right to vote, where would the feminist movement be now? You have to first say what you want in order to get it. I live and work in a very fast paced city, in a very fast paced field… if I rely on work ethic alone to get ahead, I get buried in the work I’ve proven I can handle. I have to take initiative to take the next step, beyond just what I can handle. I have to take initiative to get the work I actually WANT. I have to always set meetings and make sure people know what I want. There was a time when women had to take initiative about basic things. They had to set, not just meetings, but protests to make sure their message was loud and clear – equality so that successful women were not the exception, but the norm. Don’t slight the women who lobbied as if somehow their lobbying was selfish or not worthy of respect. There was a time when women didn’t work in offices at all and now, though men were at first understandably threatened, women RUN offices. Past feminists have contributed a great deal to people like Sarah Palin – to make sure she can focus on the job at hand and not prejudice.
And while we’re talking about proving worth, how has Sarah Palin worked her way up in the workplace? By quitting not even half way through her first term? By not bothering to learn any of the facts she needs to know before conducting high profile interviews? How has Sarah Palin proved that somehow she’s above hating men? By allowing people to believe that when Obama used a common analogy on the campaign trail, he was doing it in a sexist way against her? How has Sarah Palin proven she’s a good mother? By dragging her pregnant teen out on the campaign trail during what must have been a very traumatizing ordeal for the kid? Sarah Palin is very boring to me… just a talking head with no real substance. What makes her contributions to feminism more notable than Hilary Clinton or Nancy Pelosi? Both working moms who have proven their worth in their field. Substantially more worth than Sarah Palin.
It is funny that liberals in the comments resort to name calling. I wonder if they understand how stupid and childish they sound.
Great article and I think you hit it on the head. But your idea can be taken for all liberals not just feminists. Palin shows liberals that they are wrong. Her state’s clean drilling record and the proven reserves and the state’s renewable energy proves the environmentalists wrong. Her views on forgien policy shows the “let’s enmbrace the dictators” liberals how wrong their ideas are. Her views on snakeoil science shows the globalwarming idiots how wrong they are. ETC ETC. She tells liberals they are wrong without any PC crap to soften the blow. Her belief in God and the fact that it appears He has blessed her because of that believe drives them crazy also.
Global warming is a fact. It’s not up for debate. It’s dangerous to perpetuate the notion that it is.
Rachel, great article! I am glad I discovered this website. I am glad I am not the only Hispanic conservative in this country. Sara Palin speaks for all women and liberals will have to find a more intelligent way of talking about issues and stop the personal attacks.
We have to get this country back on track and back to the great principles of the Constitution that have created and guided this country since its beginning.
I suppose making up “Death-Panels,” which were never actually mentioned in the Heath Care Bill, was Sarah’s “intelligent way of talking about the issues?” I had assumed she was trying to take attention away from meaningful debate about the issues by using scare tactics and catchy terminology with no basis in fact.
Great article Rachel! From one rural WI girl to another, I absolutely love Sarah Palin. She is who I want to be when I grow up. You hit the nail right on the head, she is the new look of feminism and I love it because it looks like me. I found it refreshing how many men thought she was great also. She is small town and you can just see the fear in the liberals eyes as they grasp for anything they can to get rid of her. If the liberals can still support Bill Clinton after what he did, I am sure there is nothing on Sarah Palin they can even come close with! You go girl!
[...] behind this. Is this a short-lived moment or the beginnings of a fourth wave of feminism as Rachel Campus Duffy writes (H/T Republican Women of the North)? Will conservative women take a more prominenent role in [...]
I definitely agree. Palin is giving the Dems a run for their money. Their antics of humiliation have been working thus far, but I think the world is looking at Palin with different eyes now. I think articles such as this- that bring the TRUE reasons for all this circus around Palin- are making people think for themselves instead of letting themselves be ruled by mainstream media. nice job!
Great article! It really seems like all the rising stars in the GOP are women, regardless of whom the media try to anoint (Jindal-Pawlenty-Romney-Daniels? Seriously?). Conservative women are the new growth area for feminism, and the less gender equality is considered synonymous with liberalism the better off we will be. Even better, maybe Palin can help find a truce in the mommy wars, since she has been both a stay-at-home mom and a working mom. As have most of us at some point, I think.
This is one of the most thoughtful pieces I have read and dead-on accurate. Kudos!
Well said, Rachel! Bravo Palin!
Well done, Rachel. I too am a big fan of Sarah’s, but I worry a little about her tendency to be too quick to answer interviewers who are trying desperately to trap her. She needs to pause and think about her answers and where the questions are coming from before she answers; otherwise she sometimes appears to be a too-loose cannon. But developing smoothness and savy in interviews is certainly something she can refine in the next couple of years. And, besides, she more than makes up for her lack smoothness by her unabashed and unapologetic firmness of conviction. Sarah Palin 2012.
Sarah is only 3 points behind Obama in polling. By the end of 2010, assuming Obama does not pull back to the middle, Sarah will pass him up. She will continue to slowly and gradually convince American women and Hispanic women will start to track her story. I have a brother who is married to a Mexicana and has lived there off and on for some years. He is fluent in spanish too. He says that hispanics will vote for Sarah because she will be perceived as the underdog and she will be like a Mexican soap opera heroine who rises from such humble origins and journeys all the way to the top.
Her views are feminist but conservative and libertarian. She sees how the government is growing and gradually taking away our freedoms and I’m sure she feels that she MUST do something to stop the madness.
Convictions, Charisma and Courage. This is Sarah Palin.
What polls are these? Is she the President of the United States and people are rating her job performance? Is this Bizzaro land? A lot of people approve of a variety of pop culture icons… it doesn’t mean we should compare them to the President. Quitting your job so you can run the press circuit and be a celebrity is very different from running the country and making tough decisions in the midst of a war and an economic crisis. Apples and Oranges. Sarah Palin will never be president. She’s a sideshow.
And where is this Hispanic support of Palin idea coming from? She cancelled an interview she was supposed to have on Univision because she, by her own admission, knows nothing about issues regarding HIspanics in America. So you know one woman from Mexico who will support Palin over Obama because Palin is more of an underdog than a black man named Barrack Obama? huh? Please revise all of your arguments. They are based in really flimsy logic. I guess it makes sense that you identify with a woman like Sarah Palin.
Great article!!!! Thank you!
I was losing my mind thinking that something is wrong with ME.
According to the liberal media, I suppose to hate Sarah. But I like her and support her.
I successfully combine family and busy career. I got married young, but have managed finishing grad school while taking care of my family. I am blessed with loving husband of 26 years, great children, supportive parents and family. Once I was a stay-at-home mom to take care of my growing family. Never regret it.
Instead of hating our guts, the liberal women should learn from us, the conservative. Hey, it is possible to be happily married with children, finishing school, have a great career, and… smile.
Interesting perspective, Rachel. Sarah Palin isn’t such a novelty though – take a look at Nancy Pelosi’s biography and you’ll see she also has five children and worked her way up through politics to high office. Once upon a time she was stay at home mom, and now it’s not uncommon to see her bounce her grandkids and grandnieces and nephews on her hip in public! I still hold that the point of feminism is that we have the right to choose what we women want to do without preconceived mandate. Sarah Palin strikes me as charming and scrappy, both endearing qualities for a leader and a female. But as a liberal leaning Democrat, I’m afraid of Sarah Palin not because she might be the fourth wave of feminism, but because she hasn’t had enough foreign policy to make big decisions for our country, she represents too conservative a vantagepoint of domestic issues, and she tends to be a bit naive if you ask me. Btw, I saw the Oprah interview and I though it was laughable that she thought the Katie Couric interview was going to be about two working moms friendly banter. Hello?! Katie Couric is just as able to ask hard questions as any man – and certainly has in the past – but it was Sarah’s lowered expectations of the female reporter that ultimately shot her in the foot. If Sarah Palin is redfining feminism, I think it’s a few steps back for the ladies, scrappy and charming or not.
As much as some people would like to think that we “liberals” dislike Sarah Palin because of her ability to embrace her years as a stay-at-home mom when it suits her, nothing could be further from the truth,
I have written quite a bit about certain sexist media treatment of Palin, just as I have when it’s happened to Hillary Clinton and others. In my book, there is no excuse to belittle any woman based on her looks, her family status or the clothes she’s wearing.
My problem with Sarah Palin is that it is clear when she speaks that she lacks the deep understanding of important issues that would be necessary for her to have a national leadership role.
As for redefining feminism, I’m not sure what needs to be redefined — don’t we agree that women should be able to make whatever work/home decisions they deem fit? And, if so, then we have a responsibility to defend the decisions other women make — regardless of their political affiliation.
But that doesn’t mean I have to believe that each woman is as qualified as the next to run for elective office or be in a position of power that would endanger us.
As for the Newsweek cover, while I think it was inappropriate for Newsweek to use it, I think it was shortsighted and naive for Palin to allow it to be shot for any magazine. If she’s as savvy as everyone says, she knew there was a big chance it would leak it’s way into the MSM someday. She’s the one who chose to have the photo taken, who chose to stand in that pose that reminds us yet again of her beauty queen background. On some level, Palin has to accept some responsibility for that photo seeing the light of day.
That’s not liberal or conservative. That’s just common sense.
[...] have just by reading the words “Sarah Palin,” so when I saw an article called “Sarah Palin: Redefining Feminism,” I feel the need to bring it to everyone’s attention for no other reason than to piss [...]
Sarah Palin is an embarrassment to women the world over. She capitulates to men while giving lip service to women. And believe me, I’m no militant feminist but this woman is dumb as a brick. Taking her seriously only shows how stupid a person is. We fought for years for equality and she wants to take it away.
Incidentally, this has nothing to do with her being a working mother. Most woman nowadays are working mothers and they have my respect. This has to do with her showing us how stupid she is. And yes she DID say that she could see Russia from her house so that makes her an expert in foreign policy, she just didn’t say it to Katie Couric, but on an ABC interview instead.
Ditto. If Palin is redefining Feminism, we’re all in trouble. And I’m a Conservative Independent.
Nobody is afraid of her. They just wonder how someone with a single-digit IQ got this far.
It seems an experiment by the McCain campaign that failed is the answer.
You are ridiculous. You did not in this entire article say anything about Palin’s policies or her inability to articulate anything of substance. You make it sound like ALL she is is a lady with baby on her hip and a husband. If you want to show that she should be respected, then tell us what she’s done to deserve respect–other than get PREGNANT and have a baby! If you want to promote her, tell us something she did of value. Your complaint seems to be that we’re afraid of women with babies or something utterly stupid like that. If that is the case, then tell us what you admire about her OTHER THAN HER BABIES!!! And her ridiculous stupid husband.
She is a MORON! That’s why we hate her. She is a vacuous barbi doll of a candidate. She is an insult.
And you are a moron if you think feminism is about stopping women from having babies and being mothers. This article is so insulting I can’t even stand thinking of you sitting in front of your computer writing it. It makes me want to throw up!
Oh for God’s sake. Sarah Palin is redefining nothing, and NO ONE is ‘afraid’ of her. We are appalled that otherwise intelligent people in this country have fallen for this person who cannot put 2 sentences together and knows nothing about anything national or international. She quit her job–ran out on her state–to go on the celebrity circuit: that ought to alarm you right there. We have McCain’s ridiculous campaign to thank for her even being on anyone’s radar. Republicans are in so much trouble, they will not field her in 2012. And if they do, the rest of America is too savvy to elect a winkin’, grinnin’, lyin’ travesty. You Betcha!
It was a very well written article that attests to your ability to capture an audience and draw them in. The responses alone prove that.
While I don’t commit to any particular views concerning Sarah Palin and feminism, I will say that I appreciate your perspective. I tend to have a negative view of Sarah Palin, mainly because she remains me of the girl in Legally Blonde (who, ironically, managed to accomplish quite a bit despite her lack of common sense).
One thing we tend to forget is that sometimes great leaders aren’t presented to us in the perfect form. Some people we think will perform poorly based on their intelligence level or their knowledge of certain things actually become great leaders while on the job. A truly great leader may be dumb as a doornail but rise to the occassion of a crisis and show great wisdom.
I’m hesitant to think Sarah Palin would make a great leader for these United States, but people can and do surprise us.
It’s ok that she’s clueless? The responses prove many women are tired of bubbleheads trying to dictate our values and aiming for leadership positions they are not qualified for.
I love your words, and believe that you hit the nail on the head. People speak of a revolution coming in our country; I believe it will be lead by women on opposing sides. I am a single mother of four, own three growing companies, and wouldn’t trade any of the challenges I face consistently for ease. My daily challenges force me to think harder, work smarter and be more creative to affect positive solutions.
I applaud Sarah Palin, and her husband, for marching to their own beat, not allowing the bureaucrazy to dictate what their family, life and career should look like, and being the poster woman for us. If every mother- stay at home, self-employed, or traditionally employed- would stand together and speak as one voice, perhaps Sarah wouldn’t look so curious.
They should be afraid; there is nothing more powerful than a woman who understands her power as a mother, wife, sister, daughter, friend, child advocate, parishioner, entrepreneur, lover, teacher, community contributor, etc. and knows that the sky is truly the limit. Our reach is vast and our numbers are great.
Thank you Rachel.
A friend of mine sent me a link to this article; we’re both Conservatives. She called it the most embarrassing rubbish of all time and I have to agree. As others have mentioned not once did you bring up anything valid. She gets pregnant, has babies and holds them and she’s redefining feminism? How insulting and ridiculous. You didn’t mention any of her political experience in foreign policy, homeland security, healthcare, social security or other vital areas. Do you even know her stances on these issues or do you just support her because of a single issue like abortion and because she likes to have kids and hold them? I’m assuming it’s because you yourself are not educated in the mentioned areas and you know she doesn’t have the experience or education to really be a role model or leader for educated, strong women and you are sadly trying to convince us otherwise. This is degrading especially coming from a woman who is only INfamous for kissing a booger eater named Puck.
What have we come to in our society when Sarah Palin and Rachel Campos, with all their baggage, claim to be the poster mothers and moral authorities for the rest of us. I’m not saying I’m perfect but I also know I have never lost my integrity and abandoned my values on national television living with strangers for kicks. I have never sounded dumber than a fifth grader when asked simple questions about government or books I’ve read. If this trips her up imagine if our country was in a real crisis and she was in charge to handle it! People defend Palin and say she was tricked, and baited. Ha! About her book choices? Good grief what is wrong with some of you. How can you support Sarah Palin and consider yourselves even remotely intelligent.
This site should be ashamed of itself. You allow this stay at home to preach feminism to us via Sarah Palin yet you have no women writers but Rachel on your site? I checked the entire front page and this is it? Your shining female star? How pathetic. It doesn’t suprise me though. Republicans always have simple-minded women trying to preach to the rest of us. Get some accomplished, intelligent female writers before you embarrass yourselves again with garbage like this!
Just like Sarah, this article only received attention because it’s so insulting and in need of oxygen to the brain. To the women praising Rachel for this pile of steaming manure you should really take a look in the mirror and get a clue.
I’ve heard it said before… but it needs said again. This article highlights the reasons Palin is likable… this article is like someone saying, “other girls don’t like me because I’m too pretty.” Come off it. The reason feminist women don’t like Sarah Palin is because her opinions are all based in her need to be famous. She does whatever it takes to get attention, like pick on David Letterman for a run of the mill late night joke about a daughter that Sarah Palin herself thrust into the spotlight to get herself good press a year ago. She’s not a politician, she wants attention – otherwise she would still actually be an employed politician. She’s uneducated on the issues she choses to run her mouth about. She uses terminology that insights fear in her followers – terminology not based in truth, like “death-panels.” Feminists hate her because she’s running around perpetuating a stereotype that women are uninformed and are compromised professionally by emotion. I think if you watch her hasty, rambling, paranoid resignation speech, you’ll understand. She’s no better than Heidi Montag.
Sarah Palin IS likable.
Shes cute and cuddly and “Momish”
BUT!
She is NOT Presidential material!
You Repubs are stunned and dazzled by her likability and are not paying attention to the fact that she says very little of substance. The whole Oprah show was nothing but cutesy speak and diversion and afterwards everything she said was fact checked and proven to be lies.
As for Rachels statement that LIBERALS are scared by Sarah saying she was a stay at home mom?
How ridiculous!
OMG when will you Conservatives get it thru your thick skulls that YOU DO NOT HOLD THE MARKET ON FAMILY VALUES!?
“Family Values” and “Military Might” are the only things you have left to argue.
Guess what?
NO ONE LOVES ABORTION!
Guess What?
Abortion rates are EQUAL between the Dems and Reps.
Guess What?
Liberal women are stay at home moms too.
Guess What?
If it wasnt for FEMINISM you wouldnt be allowed to vote!
Guess What?
Feminism has NEVER meant that you cant be a STAY AT HOME MOM!
Guess What?
Feminism means that you no longer are defined as JUST a SAHM. That as the GREAT LIBERAL FEMINIST Maria Kennedy Shriver said, “You can have it all, just not all at the same time!”
Feminism means you are no longer JUST Mrs John Smith, you are Mrs KAREN Smith with thoughts, interests, ideas, opinions and RIGHTS of your own and MR John Smith cannot abuse you.
Guess What?
Conservatives arent any more moral than Liberals.
Guess What?
IMMORALITY is homelessness and not caring about others healthcare.
As for MILITARY MIGHT. You get more bees with honey.
You cannot go “Shock and Awe” innocent countries and expect them not to be mad as hell.
What we have done in the middle east is BREEDING extremism by FORCING people to become DEFENSIVE!
Rachel go back to MTV…
Preesi, you seem to have no clue of what feminism is. If you did, you would not write these comments. Guess what?… Talking points from a seminar blogger. Good luck!
Sorry John but its YOU who has no clue.
Here http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/feminism
Re-familiarize yourself with the word feminism and its true meaning.
Preesi… going to the Webster dictionary shows does not address the issue at hand. You write about feminism as if this would be an homogeneous concept. Thus, you repeat the stereotypical wrong ideas about feminism. Beyond your rudimentary use of a Webster dictionary, I hope you will agree with me that feminism as a philosophy has good things to offer both men and women. Your post simply repeats the stereotypical feminist myths that make your arguments very weak. Following your rationale, you put Olympe de Gouges or Mary Wollstonecraft under the same umbrella with Betty Friedan and others. I guess you know better than that. So, what do you think of Helene Cixous feminist approach? Would you agree with her or would you rather take the stand of Gloria Steinem? Or perhaps you prefer Ellen Willis? When you speak of feminism, what type of feminism do you refer to? Liberal feminism? Socialist Feminism? Radical Feminism? First, Second or Third Wave Feminism? Ecofeminism? Your talking points against Palin and your primitive use of the one-line definition from the Webster to define feminism speaks volumes. Preesi for President! Way to go muchacha!
There is only ONE feminism…
You can say and name all kinds of “types” of feminism that you think exist. But the fact remains that feminism is very simple. Its all about equality and choice.
All those different TYPES of feminism you list are women exercising their feminist choice. Differing degrees of what each woman wants IN HER LIFE! Do you not get that?
Feminists run the gamut from SAHMs to Hillary Clinton.
You Conservatives DO NOT get it!
You seem to think that to be a FEMINIST that you have to put your kids in day care and go to work and you cannot STAY HOME!
But thats ridiculous.
Feminism is all about not being LIMITED to just one thing.
Feminism is all about RESPECT, APPRECIATION, CHOICE amd FREEDOM.
If one woman wants to stay at home MORE power to her. But if she doesnt want to she no longer has to because the feminist movement has given her that RIGHT.
No longer do women have 1 single choice of what to do after High School. They now have MILLIONS. And laws to protect them and now with Obama EQUAL PAY FOR EQUAL WORK!
As for Rachel thinking Sarah Palin was REVOLUTIONARY by saying she was a SAHM as if that makes her NEW and a Novelty.
I suggest you read Maria Shriver’s (for ONE example) College Commencement Speech from a few years ago (and again in her book) where she said that “WOMEN CAN BE AND HAVE IT ALL, JUST NOT ALL AT THE SAME TIME” meaning that you can be a business woman and a mom but not at the same time and once you start a family Children become the priority and being a full time mom (if just for a few years) is best.
Also, now that Sarah Palin has a Downs Syndrome child she should NOT be doing this book tour. She SHOULD be home and focusingon his unique needs.
Preesi, the “types” of feminism is not a conservative invention. You can find all the information about this types of feminism in the universities around the US, controlled by liberals, not by conservatives. Please take a look at books on feminism and learn a little bit. And please, stop telling Palin and others what they have to do and how they have to live. You are acting as a liberal authoritarian feminist when you say “Sarah Palin has a Downs Syndrome child she should NOT be doing this book tour. She SHOULD be home and focusingon his unique needs.”. Who are you to say what she should or should not do. And please stop using capital letters. No need to be so emphatic and authoritarian.
For example, The History of U.S. Feminism is a good book you could read on feminism. It will provide you with a historical context of all the major events and players since the late nineteenth century through today: first-wave feminism, a period of feminist activity during the nineteenth and early twentieth century which focused primarily on gaining women’s suffrage; second-wave feminism, which started in the ’60s and lasted through the ’80s and is best understood as emphasizing the connection between the personal and the political; and third-wave feminism, which started in the early ’90s and arose in part from a backlash against the movements propagated by the second wave.
A good read for people who think there is only one feminism. Good luck Preesi!
John feminism is not rocket science…Its common sense.
You are trying hard to tear it apart and make it different things, but its not different things nor types.
Its simply equality and choice.
But you as a man cannot tell a woman about feminism and what it is about.
Again, it is clear that you have no clue about what feminism is. So you hide in your gender while insulting a woman like Sarah Palin.
I did not insult Sarah Palin. I stated that she WAS indeed likeable.
But she was NOT Presidential material.
[...] What women relate to in Sarah is precisely what separates her from old-guard feminist politicians like Hillary and Diane Feinstein – her easy, maternal style. Can you imagine Hillary bouncing a baby on her hip after accepting the VP nomination? Sarah embraces motherhood and authentic femininity with an unapologetic style that gives them their rightful power. It is something feminists have long rejected and continue to resist at their own peril. It is the source of their growing irrelevance and disconnect with a generation of women who are far too savvy and liberated to blindly accept feminist mantras and blueprints for ‘success’. I saw this Rachel Campos-Duffy at the Milwaukee Tea Party, She was really impressive. Her husband is running against Dave Obey for Congress. Read more:http://theamericano.com/2009/11/24/sarah-palin-redefining-femenism/ [...]
Preesi, you basically called Palin a liar…: “everything she said was fact checked and proven to be lies” and your entire post was condescending and absolutely full of stereotypes on feminism. Once again, you simply do not know what feminism is. Read the article again and then you will see that Rachel Campos-Duffy´s article was excellent, unlike your post.
John It was fact checked and she was found to have lied. Especially on the Katie Couric interview. That isnt an insult its truth. Dont lie and make up stories if you want to be taken seriously.
Thank you. So you called her a liar and you insulted her. Your other comment:” But you as a man cannot tell a woman about feminism and what it is about” is really a joke. Go and talk to scholars on feminism who happen to be men and tell them that thedy cannot tell a women about feminism…. You are something Preesi. The men in your family must be proud of you.
Preesi, you should not speak so much. I find it funny that someone who posts naked videos and photos of herself that no one really asked for is putting down a woman who came from out of nowhere (a contrast to may elected officials who got there because of family connections or social standing) who became governor of a state, won the interest (be it positive or negative, it still opens up an interesting dialogue about non-nazi women as political leaders) of the entire country and has a great family to boot.
Wow my stalker is back!
And get it right there were NEVER any videos only 2 pictures.
Wow! Dont tell me you are scared of womens sexuality? Dont make me bring up Carrie Prejean ‘kay?
As for your statement of Palin being an unknown who got into the Governors office without connections or nepotism I can say the same for President Obama. However Palin was in charge of only 500,000 people (Alaskas 2006 pop) and Obama was in charge of aprx 3 million! And Palin is dumb as a box of rocks and is a quitter and Obama, with all his intellect, education and multicultural background is endlessly a better fit to steer the country.
Remember the zucchini? There’s still an archive file for that link online.
I think sex is great. I just think a lonely middle-aged woman with a son should be posting in online for all the world to see.
I’d love to see you go head to head in some intellectual challenge with Palin. No, wait… I wouldn’t. It would be too sad and embarrassing for you.
Obama has made some strides, but he’s heading into Carter territory at this point. I don’t think McCain would have been much better in the same situation.
And no one can consider it being “stalked” when you’ve posted your stuff all over the internet. You’re kind of easy. To find, I mean.
HAHAHA! there was NEVER any zucchini thing! that was the entire point, it was a JOKE!
I guess you just arent capable of HUMOR!
HAHAHAHAHA!!!
So do you think that women should wither away and die after having kids? Are they NEVER again allowed to be sexy and sexual and be proud of themselves?
Be careful how you answer! you will look awfully sexist and anti woman and perhaps AGEIST too.
Thats okay though, most Conservatives are scared to death of SEXUAL WOMEN and especially womens POWER.
So lets get this straight, Julie Andrews after having her 3 kids, and Sophia Loren and Demi Moore should NEVER again show off their bodies nor be sexy or sensual after having kids and reaching their 40s?
HAHAHAHA! Cougars rule!
I do wonder where and how Palin got Trig if she was supposed to die sexually after reaching 40! HAHAHA!
Conservatives kill me with their anti sex, anti women hatred!
A gnat can debate Sarah Palin.
So let me get this straight, Sarah says we have to lower taxes? Is that right? So how are we going to support this country or pay for things or reduce the deficit if we KEEP reducing taxes? How are we going to pay China back?
Why not quit the personal and sexual attacks and debate like an adult. They make you look very immature as well as sexist.
Obama did not come “out of nowhere,” btw. He’s been groomed for this position by the powerful Chicago thuggery that has quite comfortably found its way into the White House.
Riiiiiight. Deny. deny, deny. The link is still there.
You seem to believe your enthusiasm for sex makes you special. I’ve got news for you. Lots of grown women with significant accomplishments also reeeeaaaaally enjoy sex. They work out, they look good, they have great relationships and great sex lives. It’s healthy to want to play and enjoy one’s sexuality. It’s inspiring to see healthy-looking women of all ages enjoying themselves and proud of the way they’ve taken care of themselves. I’m not sure where you get this idea that you are the only person in the world who believes that; I guess it just helps you to feel like you’re special. Which you are, but in a totally different way.
The deficit will never be paid off. Tax stuctures need to change. And you need a job.
Preesi, cjane99´s comments are right on and to the point. You need a job. You insulted Palin and you have no arguments, just as John Thunow clearly showed. Get a life!
Preesi,… you are something… I have the feeling you belong to a different kind of website…
http://preesi.lefora.com/members/preesi/
Absolutely clueless about feminism, just as John Thunow pointed out, and a big talker, just like cjane99 rightly tells you… Please stop insulting our intelligence.
Huh? If I gave your article to my college-level students to analyze, they’d demand evidence for this sort of claim: “[Feminists] encourage, if not demand, that young women leave their stem families to pursue east-coast elite educations, urban experiences (goodbye pot roasts and Moose stew), six-figure salaries, and a respectable limit when it comes to children (less trouble, smaller carbon footprint!).” If this claim is correct, it shouldn’t be difficult to offer supporting evidence that proves it to be true. Unless you’re just preaching to the choir that already agrees with you here…
Regina, you have taken one month to respond… By now, several indivuals are recommending this article: http://johnbrodigan.com/2009/11/27/sarah-palin-the-gloria-steinem-of-the-new-millenium/ You should be the one checking the facts if you are so incredulous about this piece. What can I say? Merry Crhistmas?
Please make this woman your presidential candidate. I think she is ahead in the Republican straw polls, isn’t she? Not to mention, Hucka is not what he used to be.
Now let me see – who would I like to produce offspring with and share my life with:
- A beautiful, charming woman who does not murder the unborn, who can handle herself even in the hunting field, who can look after a family of five, who loves her husband and her children and who do not spit vitriolic comment at everyone who disagrees with her
or
- A man-hating abortionist who spends her time on fashion magazines, has lesbian tendencies, hates children, can’t even cook for herself, looks down on everyone else asif she is a gift to mankind and spits the most disgusting degrading bile at someone who dares disagree with their theories of liberal doctrines of faith and thinks that their ivy league qualifications somehow made them better than others, and who would rather have my daughters be the same kind of hateful spinsters rather than provide me with grand children
Easy to see why the liberal feminazi’s hate Sarah Palin. She is the real deal. Her very existence next to them makes them scared that everyone will see them for they really are. And their reactions confirms it.
Feminism is a scam. It is an attack on a set of values and belief system, not a single struggle for the so-called equality of women. That is why so many issues keeps on being dragged into the debate that has absolutely nothing to do with the so-called liberation of women. It is a secular humanist ideology tied in with belief systems such as Evolution and Atheism. Its purpose is the destruction of the traditional family. It is at war with morals as defined in classical religious views. It pretends to have a monopoly on fight for the rights of women, and use it at every and any opportunity to drag the rest of the ideology in as a package deal. It pretends that to be a Bible believer makes you automatically an enemy of women. It is the blatant exploitation of women to further a secular humanist ideology with no moral foundation in its war against a competing ideology under the auspices of fighting for women’s rights.
Sarah Palin is everything that this ideology fights against. She makes the other competing ideology look good – and exposes that you don’t need the sum total of their ideology to be a successful woman. In fact – she makes them look blatantly false – and the realization that what she stands for is so much more pure and true than what their ideology proposes sets of the alarm bells. She could sink the whole ideological package that is being towed in under the cover of so-called women’s rights.
For these feminazis it is the whole deal or nothing. You must be a liberal atheist with no moral values and a man hater to qualify as a feminist – or to be allowed to benefit from the scam. Sarah Palin is a Christian. She has a family. She is moral. She does not murder her unborn. Everything that they fight against. It has nothing to do with fighting for women. That is why they can not tolerate any of the other issues on its own even when it has to do with the service interval of your vehicle and nothing to do with the rights of a woman. See the scam for what it is and the real target that they are after. You have been hoodwinked.