Just an observation really.

[cold_nostalgia]

I've kept half an eye on the U.S elections of late.  Out of morbid curiosity, I suppose.

So this Sarah Palin is anti-environment, pro-big oil, pro-life (including in cases of rape and incest), a creationist.  And the first thing that people think to attack is her motherhood credentials.  Seriously?

Huh.  Maybe it's just me, and maybe I'll get flamed for saying it, but I think that's incredibly messed up.

Comments

[daggerpen.livejournal.com]

Can't see why you'd be flamed for it. I have my issues with that woman, but attacking her motherhood credentials is just below the belt. Shame on anyone who would.

[cold-nostalgia.livejournal.com]

Well, I'm mostly seeing a hell of a lot of comments on political sites regarding her supposed lack of attention to her newishborn/the fact that she's using said child as a prop.

Don't most politicans do that? If this was a man would it have even come up? It just doesn't sit right with me.

[sharkbites.livejournal.com]

Yep, that's the media for you. She and McCain aren't my favorite and I will be voting Democrat this year (I look at the people and not the party and I admit I did vote Georgie in the last election) *hides*

[cold-nostalgia.livejournal.com]

I haven't had a lot of time to look at the coverage over here. It's been mostly U.S political sites, but I'm sure the media have covered that angle.

It's not like the issues are important, eh?

And yes, you should hide *slaps wrist* :)

[sharkbites.livejournal.com]

You are right, the issues are secondary IMHO. The media is really obsessed with these new faces. Even Hilary doesn't agree with some of the laws her husband implemented (she's for civil marriage and yet her hubby enacted the Defense of Marriage Act in 1996). I like Obama because he's articulate, well informed and suave (yes, I admit). There are a few things I am not crazy about him but I like him.

[cold-nostalgia.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it's all about the ratings.

From what I've seen of Obama I've liked, but I don't really know the ins and outs. But either way, he can only be an improvement. *touch wood*

[stinglikeabee.livejournal.com]

Thankfully most of the commentary I've been hearing about Palin is her lack of experience, not about her motherhood. In regards to her appointment, quite a bit of the talk on LJ comms is cynical. This comment on blackfolk made me laugh loads:

Just because McCain added a va-jay-jay to his ticket doesn't mean he gives a shit about yours.

WORD. Pro-life is anti-choice, so as someone else pointed out when this was metaquoted, Palin doesn't care about your va-jay-jay either. Unfortunately, I've also heard comments from people IRL who were former strong Hillary supporters, and will now vote for McCain because of Palin -- not because they agree with McCain/Palin's ideology, but because McCain picked a woman. And not just female Hillary supporters, but male ones too. It's all very spiteful.

[cold-nostalgia.livejournal.com]

Sounds like I've been going to the wrong sites. I'm glad some people are sticking to the actual issues, I'm even happier that this women would be completely un-electable over here. She would be lucky if she saw the inside of a city council chambers. I'm hoping that a fair few Americans will feel likewise.

And that is sad that there is some Hillary supporters doing that. From what I saw of the primaries it did get rather nasty, so I'm not really surprised by it. Maybe common sense will kick in when they go to the polls.

[stinglikeabee.livejournal.com]

I'm even happier that this woman would be completely un-electable over here.

*grins* It's exactly why I've been enjoying the UK press's attention on Palin. There's a lot of head-shaking and general tut-tutting going on.

I have to doubt about common sense kicking in, though. Last time round many voters saw the election as a popularity contest, asking themselves 'who would I rather have a beer with?'.

This time it's race. Now I'm not saying anyone who doesn't agree with Obama is racist, but his race is definitely a factor with undecided voters who make snap decisions at the polls. I wish I could say I have confidence that Americans will concentrate solely on the issues that matter, but after Bush was reelected, I'm afraid I don't :(

[cold-nostalgia.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I remember the 'who would I rather have a beer with?' coming up, but look what happened there. There's always a danger that's going to happen again, but I'd like to give the U.S some credit in hoping that they won't do that again.

I can see race being an issue, sadly. That's why I do see this being quite a close election and not the landslide that so many people are saying it's going to be. I do think that Obama is going to take it though, from what I've seen and heard, it seems like the republicans are spent force - as long as the machines are working this time around that is. *coughFloridacough*

[cutmanmetal.livejournal.com]

I agree, that is pretty messed up. Of all the problems with her people could have, what a pitiful thing to attempt to focus on. Oi.

And I find the idea that ex-Hillary supporters are turning to McCain over this to be unsettling. What's wrong with people? Sure, she's a she, and I wanted to see a woman in the white house, too... But not THIS woman, this tells me they'd vote for Bush if he was female just to get a woman in. How shallow... ._. Whatever happened to the issues?

Also, uh, Palin doesn't even know what the VP does. HOLY COW, warning signs, anyone? XD;;

Also, pardon the icon, I thought it seemed oddly funny in this context somehow... XD; (Obscure Xena quote, that it is, by the way.)

[cold-nostalgia.livejournal.com]

I'm hoping that once their anger resides, common sense will kick in. If not, then maybe they'll stay away from the polling stations on election day. To vote for McCain because he has this woman on the ticket, is like cutting off your nose to spite your face. From what I can see, she's almost like the anti-Hillary.

Maybe people will pick up on that. At the very least she won't be another Dick Cheney.

Was that quote from the episode where Gabrielle buys the breast dagger? It's been years since I've seen that show.

[cutmanmetal.livejournal.com]

I'm still holding out that people will realize that, yes. I refuse to believe people are so shallow as to mess this up because of such a... well, picking her is basically a marketing ploy, isn't it?

And... I believe it was from season one... And, yes. XD *looks up* Double-yes, and it was "Dreamworker". Great show. *another Gabrielle quote icon is employed for this comment*

[cold-nostalgia.livejournal.com]

Utterly, and such a random one at that, unless they're reaching for the fundy vote and that doesn't make sense since they're more likely want a man in all likelihood. I'm sure the Republican party had more qualified women to choose from.

Ah, go me. But I don't remember that quote at all. :(

[cutmanmetal.livejournal.com]

I was completely floored by how random the choice seemed. Er, well, SEEMS. It's still strange. *pauses* *looks up a few articles to check the reactions of people in general* ....Shiz, I'm genuinely a little scared, here. I'm not liking all the positivity- I'm hoping these are just republicans crawling out of the woodwork to say the stuff I'm reading, and not people who have been convinced...

Ah, it's from "A Comedy of Eros". Gabby had just commented on how it must be hard to be a Hestian virgin.

G: “No, it’s the virgins I’m talking about. Think of the faith it takes to be one of them.”
X:“Yeah, not to mention the other requirement.”
G:“Just between you and me, being chaste can be real hard.”
X:“Chaste?”
G:“Hmm.”
X:“No, I was talking about having to answer to that stupid bell
your whole life.”
G: “That too-- yeah.”
*yes, I went and found an episode transcript. XD*

[cold-nostalgia.livejournal.com]

It'll be republicans, surely. Or maybe it's just a very subtle form of sarcasm?

Ah, yes I remember that one. It was one of the better farce episodes, as I recall.

[cutmanmetal.livejournal.com]

Oh, man, I hope it's very, very, very subtle sarcasm. Otherwise, I'm seeing Hillary supporters turn, and mothers wanting to support her because they're offended at the attacks on Palin's motherhood... ._.;

And, hee, it really was. It was highly entertaining. And lovestruck Draco was both scary and funny- though he was more on the scary side way later in that battle-of-the-bands episode where he was STILL after Gabrielle...

[cold-nostalgia.livejournal.com]

So do I. As for Hillary supporters turning, I reckon they'll be few and far between. There won't be enough of them to turn the election.

I think I missed the battle of the bands ep, I only remember Draco from the first few eps.

[pervyficgirl.livejournal.com]

It's not just you -that is crazy.

[cold-nostalgia.livejournal.com]

And I'm very glad to hear it too. :)

[sapphistscot.livejournal.com]

I actually laughed out loud when I read that McCain had picked Palin as his running mate. To me it just reads completely transparently as "Okay, the Democrats might have a black guy, BUT I HAVE A WOMAN!" Seriously, why the hell else would you pick someone with no experience? Let's just hope she gets torn to shreds in the debates.

I also read that one of her kids has Downs Syndrome. Fifty quid says she uses that as a lever in her pro-life arguments. ("well I didn't have an abortion, neither will you! I mean should you!")

ETA: Oh, and now it seems that her teenage daughter is pregnant, but keeping the baby and marrying the father. Clearly that's what every pregnant teen should be doing, isn't it?

[cold-nostalgia.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it just screams tokenism, doesn't it?

[roguecatwoman.livejournal.com]

Yes, there are definitely bigger problems with that ticket.

[cold-nostalgia.livejournal.com]

Much bigger, I agree.