Election 2008
If you've read any of my journal entries or know me at all, you probably realize that I'm voting for Obama/Biden. I've gotten much more involved in the political process this election than I've allowed myself to be in a long time. (The risk of closely following the actions of the current administration being that I would have to learn to live with fierce feelings of rage, disgust, horror, and mortification - or any combination thereof - on a daily basis. No thanks.)
I have read The Audacity of Hope, followed the debates, and even watched the Daily Show/Saturday Night Live spoofs (which are questionably as valid a news source as the majority of American networks). I've begun to feel hopeful about the future of America. I've realized that the strange, mushy feeling in my heart at the sight of an American flag is the long-absent emotion of pride. I no longer cringe when I have to teach American Social Studies to my South Korean students; the most common word in these lectures is no longer "sorry." (The ability of Obama to speak eloquently and inspiringly about the kind of REAL values on which America was founded - freedom, equality, opportunity, excellence, etc. - so that our collective spirit can again surge with devotion and hope is one of the many things I admire about him.)
One of my friends who has always impressed me with her thoughtful opinions (as JFK said, "So many people enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought.") sent me a link to the following article, which does a pretty good job of saying what I haven't managed to articulate about why I am so uncomfortable about Sarah Palin's candidacy.
It's such a shame that an important milestone in women's neverending quest to prove themselves capable of meaningfully participating in traditionally male arenas (and yes, I deliberately phrased that so as not to say "women's quest to prove themselves equal" or even "equally capable"... because I think the great benefit of having two sexes is that we have complementary and not identical strengths) has to be besmirched by what can only be called a shameful political ploy.
I'm not saying that I don't think Sarah Palin has some merit as a political figure - she does - but I AM saying that she's not fit to be Vice President. At least not yet. It's as insulting to women to say that we can't or shouldn't compete on the national level as it is to nominate an underqualified candidate just because she's a woman. My respect for Hillary Clinton - who has held her own in the political world for a long time, despite personal scandal, public mistakes/misjudgements, fierce scrutiny, and the thickheaded American tendency to vote for candidates merely on account of charisma/approachability - is renewed.
I have read The Audacity of Hope, followed the debates, and even watched the Daily Show/Saturday Night Live spoofs (which are questionably as valid a news source as the majority of American networks). I've begun to feel hopeful about the future of America. I've realized that the strange, mushy feeling in my heart at the sight of an American flag is the long-absent emotion of pride. I no longer cringe when I have to teach American Social Studies to my South Korean students; the most common word in these lectures is no longer "sorry." (The ability of Obama to speak eloquently and inspiringly about the kind of REAL values on which America was founded - freedom, equality, opportunity, excellence, etc. - so that our collective spirit can again surge with devotion and hope is one of the many things I admire about him.)
One of my friends who has always impressed me with her thoughtful opinions (as JFK said, "So many people enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought.") sent me a link to the following article, which does a pretty good job of saying what I haven't managed to articulate about why I am so uncomfortable about Sarah Palin's candidacy.
It's such a shame that an important milestone in women's neverending quest to prove themselves capable of meaningfully participating in traditionally male arenas (and yes, I deliberately phrased that so as not to say "women's quest to prove themselves equal" or even "equally capable"... because I think the great benefit of having two sexes is that we have complementary and not identical strengths) has to be besmirched by what can only be called a shameful political ploy.
I'm not saying that I don't think Sarah Palin has some merit as a political figure - she does - but I AM saying that she's not fit to be Vice President. At least not yet. It's as insulting to women to say that we can't or shouldn't compete on the national level as it is to nominate an underqualified candidate just because she's a woman. My respect for Hillary Clinton - who has held her own in the political world for a long time, despite personal scandal, public mistakes/misjudgements, fierce scrutiny, and the thickheaded American tendency to vote for candidates merely on account of charisma/approachability - is renewed.