Is It Just About Boobs?

Is it just about boobs? I’m beginning to think it may be -- which leaves those of us who have some piece of our boobs missing, feeling a little second class. However, the question of the day, asked by mostly men is; “do you think the people who were supporting Hillary will vote for McCain because of his Vice-Presidential choice?” I find that this or any question that implies women will not think about the issues and the consequences of their vote, insulting. After a lifetime of commitment to providing more opportunities for women, I am insulted that John McCain thinks anyone who supported the Clinton candidacy will vote for him because he put a woman, (who has a little over a year of national governing, was a professional fisherman, is not only anti-choice but anti-contraceptives, and is a role model for the Phyllis Schlafly constituents), on the ticket. Does the Senator think we don’t care about the health care, the economy, or the war. Clearly he thinks we don’t care about the environment or the effects of drill, drill, drill – because she is all about oil dependency.

A heartbeat away. A heartbeat away. A heartbeat away, from a 72 year old guy who has fought two bouts of cancer. McCain has made a big deal about how Obama is inexperienced. And maybe he does not have a resume that reads 30 years in the Senate or 12 years as Governor, but he has traveled, served his community, proven himself intellectually, has a vision for the future of this country, and he has shown good judgment about issues that will impact on the future. I’m not sure what Governor Palin has other than boobs, and, as a consequence of the last eight years, it’s too late for breastfeeding the nation.

The first thing I thought when I heard about the selection was, McCain doesn’t want to be President. He and Cindy have decided that they don’t want to change their lives and this was the easiest path to an honorable defeat. You know, like he made a courageous gender selection for a party which has no respect or understanding for the problems or magnitude of the issues which confront women every day of their lives. But when you turn on TV and listen to the crap that is spewing forth declaring the Palin decision a fabulous choice because she is a Conservative and Conservatives are good for women, these people have not spent the last eight years dealing with any reality I know. John McCain voted against support for insurance companies paying for contraceptives – so she’s right there. Oh, but he did vote to have them pay for Viagra. John McCain voted No on a bill which would have provided support for children who suffered the consequences of family abuse. And I guess there is no abuse in Conservative families so why provide any support for that. There are many more examples of the lack of any concern for women and what they call women’s issues. I have breaking news, there are no women’s issues. There are issues that affect women and families and those impact on men and on how we want our future to look.

Then there are the pundits that say; “she a good choice because her kid is going to Iraq or she is a good choice because she has five kids or she is a good choice because her husband loves her and all this demonstrates her commitment to family values. What a load. Michelle Obama said it best in a speech I heard her give at the women’s caucus, when she said “we had to stop talking about family values and valuing families”.

But on a lighter note, what does any of this have to do with understanding how to actually Govern this United States. Do you think she even knows how many Independent agencies exist? How many boards and commissions need to be filled? Do you think she has ever looked at a Plum Book. Do you think she has ever looked at the Pentagon budget and understands the level of spending and corruption, and cronyism. How does she feel about separation of church and state? What does she want to do about “no child left behind”— and you know there are so many. I guess she might know about Fisheries – because that’s on her resume, but what about the FDA, the FCC, the FEC? Can she even keep track of the acronyms? Has she traveled abroad? Which countries does she want to befriend, and how will she deal with immigration. Has she read “So You Think You Can Be President?”

I feel confident you know where I’m going with this. A heartbeat away is not a joke. Joe Biden was a thoughtful, respectful selection. Sarah Palin is just about boobs. We're just sayin'... Iris