America: More Sexist than Racist?

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If the lawyer described above had been just as charismatic but named, say, Achola Obama instead of Barack Obama, her goose would have been cooked long ago. Indeed, neither she nor Hillary Clinton could have used Mr. Obama’s public style — or Bill Clinton’s either — without being considered too emotional by Washington pundits.

So why is the sex barrier not taken as seriously as the racial one? The reasons are as pervasive as the air we breathe: because sexism is still confused with nature as racism once was; because anything that affects males is seen as more serious than anything that affects “only” the female half of the human race; because children are still raised mostly by women (to put it mildly) so men especially tend to feel they are regressing to childhood when dealing with a powerful woman; because racism stereotyped black men as more “masculine” for so long that some white men find their presence to be masculinity-affirming (as long as there aren’t too many of them); and because there is still no “right” way to be a woman in public power without being considered a you-know-what.

-- Gloria Steinem for The New York Times

Yesterday, Billy Kristol; today, Gloria Steinem. It looks like the Times is more self-conscious about hosting a diversity of viewpoints. I like it.

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America: More Sexist than Racist?

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If the lawyer described above had been just as charismatic but named, say, Achola Obama instead of Barack Obama, her goose would have been cooked long ago. Indeed, neither she nor Hillary Clinton could have used Mr. Obama’s public style — or Bill Clinton’s either — without being considered too emotional by Washington pundits.

So why is the sex barrier not taken as seriously as the racial one? The reasons are as pervasive as the air we breathe: because sexism is still confused with nature as racism once was; because anything that affects males is seen as more serious than anything that affects “only” the female half of the human race; because children are still raised mostly by women (to put it mildly) so men especially tend to feel they are regressing to childhood when dealing with a powerful woman; because racism stereotyped black men as more “masculine” for so long that some white men find their presence to be masculinity-affirming (as long as there aren’t too many of them); and because there is still no “right” way to be a woman in public power without being considered a you-know-what.

-- Gloria Steinem for The New York Times

Yesterday, Billy Kristol; today, Gloria Steinem. It looks like the Times is more self-conscious about hosting a diversity of viewpoints. I like it.

xXx

Male Territory

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Pluto made it in this morning.

Poor guy. I think another tomcat beat his time. A big grey male. He was here yesterday, and he was clearly keeping his paw on Mother Grey, making her his bitch.

We don't need more kittens, which would perhaps start creating a problem. But if we had to have more kittens, it is too bad that Pluto didn't win, because that's how I think we get black and white in our kittens, and if the Male Grey won, then I'm afraid that not only are we going to be struggling with a growing gaggle of cats, but more of them promise to be rat grey.

And I think Pluto could win against Male Grey. Pluto seems to be stronger and more deft. It is sad looking upon him today, as he actually appears shrunken and beaten, like he knows.

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Male Territory

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Pluto made it in this morning.

Poor guy. I think another tomcat beat his time. A big grey male. He was here yesterday, and he was clearly keeping his paw on Mother Grey, making her his bitch.

We don't need more kittens, which would perhaps start creating a problem. But if we had to have more kittens, it is too bad that Pluto didn't win, because that's how I think we get black and white in our kittens, and if the Male Grey won, then I'm afraid that not only are we going to be struggling with a growing gaggle of cats, but more of them promise to be rat grey.

And I think Pluto could win against Male Grey. Pluto seems to be stronger and more deft. It is sad looking upon him today, as he actually appears shrunken and beaten, like he knows.

xXx

Thomas Sowell Is Not Going To Vote Democrat

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By far the best presentation as a candidate, among all the candidates in both parties, is that of Barack Obama. But if he actually believes even half of the irresponsible nonsense he talks, he would be an utter disaster in the White House.

Among the Democrats, the choice between John Edwards and Barack Obama depends on whether you prefer glib demagoguery in its plain vanilla form or spiced with a little style and color.

The choice between both of them and Hillary Clinton depends on whether you prefer male or female demagoguery.

-- Thomas Sowell at RealClearPolitics.com

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Thomas Sowell Is Not Going To Vote Democrat

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By far the best presentation as a candidate, among all the candidates in both parties, is that of Barack Obama. But if he actually believes even half of the irresponsible nonsense he talks, he would be an utter disaster in the White House.

Among the Democrats, the choice between John Edwards and Barack Obama depends on whether you prefer glib demagoguery in its plain vanilla form or spiced with a little style and color.

The choice between both of them and Hillary Clinton depends on whether you prefer male or female demagoguery.

-- Thomas Sowell at RealClearPolitics.com

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Hillary Still Here

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Wow, Hillary pulled off New Hampshire.

You really do have to be wary about following the pundits and the commentariat. Hillary was once inevitable; then she was written off as past history after Iowa; and now this comeback.

Wild time in the ol' democracy. Go U.S.A.!

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Hillary Still Here

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Wow, Hillary pulled off New Hampshire.

You really do have to be wary about following the pundits and the commentariat. Hillary was once inevitable; then she was written off as past history after Iowa; and now this comeback.

Wild time in the ol' democracy. Go U.S.A.!

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