Rampant Sexism.

[The Doctor.]

As we all know, this race between our two Democratic candidates has been truly blistering. I don't remember this level of tenacity and combativeness even from back in '04. There has been an unprecedented level of heated discourse here, the result of which has been a high level of coarse, rude, and even ugly language. Even the candidates have engaged in questionable, if not highly inconsiderate characterizations of one-another. But there's one thing, one heinous specter that has reared it's gruesome and painful visage high above the quibbling fray.

That beast is Sexism

I have not seen it myself, but I have been told, many, many times that it is everywhere. People. we simply can't have that. I've been told that Obama has been sexist, that Obama supporters are sexist, and when I ask for some of the ugly examples, I'm told that all I need to do is 'open my eyes'. Well, I can certainly type with my eyes closed, but I'd have a great deal of difficulty trying to get around the GUI (Graphic User Interface) without at least peeking. So I'm pretty sure I'm looking, therefore it must be some other failing of mine. But be certain, it's THERE! Just as I was assured several times in a thread with over 400 posts... I couldn't miss it! So many people telling me it was there, and then, when I asked, I was led to another poster who also told me it was there.

For a moment, I imagined going to buy a new car. I pictured the salesman telling me all about this particular car that he assured me was on the lot before asking me to get out my checkbook and 'buy' it. I could picture asking him if I could see it, at which point another salesman walked up and said sure you can, it's right on the lot out there. "Where", I'd ask. "Why just look around. This is a dealership after all, so it must be out there!"

So you see - That's how we know about all this rampant sexism, and why the Obama campaign should be ashamed of spewing all of it.

So people PLEASE stop with the sexist attacks, it's very unbecoming!

(Oh, and if you see it, please let me know.)

[DevonRex]

1. It's over there with the Big White Rabbit. :) nt

[polpilot]

26. Rampant 'liarism'..Snipergate, NAFTA-gate, Race-gate, 'Fairytale-gate'

'he can't win-gate', bizarre, truly bizarre

[TheDoorbellRang]

61. Rabbits are a symbol of fertility. You Sexist!11!!11!

And why must it be white? You racist!11!!!!
And why must it be big? Why do you hate short people!111!!!11!

:spray:

[ecdab]

70. kick

[Diamond Dog]

2. Bullshit.

Hillary Clinton has been allowed to engage in de facto racism throughout this entire race, first by bringing up the Reverend Wright 'controversy' as a reason to continue her Quixotic campaign, and then through underhandedly suggesting a black male is unelectable in the United States. Whatever sexism comes down to her can only be lain at her own feet.

[The Doctor.]

4. Hehehe... gosh.

:evilgrin:

[Crunchy Frog]

3. Well frankly, I'm just not sure that a lady can handle the presidency.

I mean, what if she develops a female problem or something?

[The Doctor.]

9. Ah HA!!!! I knew it!

[mac2]

18. Like a man?

[mac2]

5. Yes..and while we debate this...Bush is giving away what's left of America.

http://www.nowpacs.org/2008/hillary/videos/player/index.html?featured=17
Women for Hillary. There are complaints about sexism with this race.

While we argue about the "selection" for President, Bush is in New Orleans giving away the rest of our democracy. The three leaders are meeting to make Pappy Bush's dream of an American Union come true before he dies. Forget we have a country which belongs to us not to the Bush family. It is not our goal.

Call your representatives today and demand his be removed from office along with Cheney. We are in danger of losing everything. The Congress may become just figure heads in the new Americas Union (Fascism).

http://www.gregpalast.com/section/articles/

[NJmaverick]

6. Those that have falsely claimed sexism have sold out the women's movement

for a few cheap votes for Hillary. It's a shameful act, in my opinion.

[Lerkfish]

8. agreed. decades of progress wiped out in a single primary.

[mac2]

14. Ya...it's true and I'm not sure I'm voting for either of them.

Bush is going to NO to give away our country and open our borders (blatant Fascism)but neither candidate even mentions it.

They are Senators who aren't doing their job. Impeachment is what we want and they ignore it. Arrest him!!

[The Doctor.]

46. Ok... with the decaf coffee... may I also recommend

a mild tranquilizer.

[Lerkfish]

7. ok, which part of the kitchen sink is this? the drain?

LOL!

[The Doctor.]

10. No...

It's the sprayer nozzle.

[mac2]

15. Poor Obama the dishes and pasta are coming at him!

"You know over the last several weeks since she fell behind, she's resorted to what's called 'kitchen sink' strategies," Obama said, per ABC News' Sunlen Miller. "She's got the kitchen sink flying, and the china flying, and the, you know, the buffet is coming at me."

Is this sexist or not? Implying she's just a house wife running against him.

I'd say he's fearful of all the information people are getting about his friends and past coming to light before he wins.

[mamalone]

21. The kitchen sink analogy...

originated with someone on Hillary's own staff! If it is sexist then blame her own staff not Obama...

[mac2]

23. You know that for sure? There's a mole?

Did they send Obama that quote so he could keep the debate going and we would ignore what Bush is doing in New Orleans?

[mamalone]

28. That was a comment...

that a Hillary staffer made to a reporter early on in the campaign. Maybe someone else can help me out with a specific link...

[mac2]

33. Oh a comment that a Hillary staffer said.

There is more than that one comment. Go to the NOW web link about all the sexism they see in this campaign.

"You know over the last several weeks since she fell behind, she's resorted to what's called 'kitchen sink' strategies," Obama said, per ABC News' Sunlen Miller. "She's got the kitchen sink flying, and the china flying, and the, you know, the buffet is coming at me."

Guess the ABC reporter is a Hillary staffer?

[mamalone]

35. I'm sorry...

I don't have the origin of it. Apparently, one of her staffers was asked what their strategy against Obama was going to be and she/he said "kitchen sink" meaning they were going to throw everything they had at him... in reference to the saying "everything but the kitchen sink." It has been widely quoted since then. When Obama said this comment lately he was taking that original comment and adding to it. I suppose you could say that the things he added to it were sexist, but her staff was the one that first used the imagery of cookery/kitchen, and IMO that is where the sexism (if indeed there is any) lies.

I know it stinks that I don't have the links to substantiate the claim that it came from a Hillary staffer... if you like I can do an OP on it... I'm positive there are many on here who would have that info.

[mac2]

38. Are you new and from Obama headquarters?

How about asking Obama about what Bush is doing in NO and why he won't impeach or investigate 911 properly? Our country is in grave danger. No candidate for President will have power under the Fascists.

I really don't care who you vote for. Sexism is wrong if it comes from from him. He should have known better.

[mamalone]

39. Not new....

I've been at DU for 6 years, and a member for 4 years:) and not from Obama headquarters either, although I have come to be a supporter of him.

I agree that sexism is wrong... but in this instance it didn't come from him. I'll do an OP and see if someone else can help me with the substantiation on my assertion.

[The Doctor.]

42. One word;

'Decaf'

[mamalone]

50. Substantiation.....

From a NYT article (thanks to futureliveshere for this info:))


http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/26/us/politics/26clinton...

snip

After struggling for months to dent Senator Barack Obama’s candidacy, the campaign of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton is now unleashing what one Clinton aide called a “kitchen sink” fusillade against Mr. Obama, pursuing five lines of attack since Saturday in hopes of stopping his political momentum.

Candidate Topic PagesMore Politics NewsThe effort underscores not only Mrs. Clinton’s recognition that the next round of primaries — in Ohio and Texas on March 4 — are must-win contests for her. It also reflects her advisers’ belief that they can persuade many undecided voters to embrace her at the last minute by finally drawing sharply worded, attention-grabbing contrasts with Mr. Obama

end of snip

[TheDoorbellRang]

63. Hellooo. Used by Hillary staffer back at end of February

as quoted from this article in the NYT

And please don't tell me you haven't heard that expression ad nauseam this whole past month.

[susankh4]

11. Oppressors never recognize oppression.

That's the way it goes.

Nothing new here.

[The Doctor.]

29. Thank you for opening my eyes....

and proving that it's there beyond a shadow of a doubt with that statement.

So... where it 'there'?

:scratchhead:

[Hugabear]

36. Basically, if you're a man and you support Obama, then you're a sexist

Because, as we know, oppressors rarely recognize oppression. Therefore, they can claim we're sexist all they want. Then when we ask them for an example, they can just claim "well you're sexist, so you're not going to understand it".

[The Doctor.]

45. Such infallible logic... how could I not have seen it before?

Oh... Right! Of course I couldn't see it... because I'm guilty of it!!

My God! I just realized!

I must be a Nazi! - Because I can't see the Swaztika tatooed on my head! Obviously, if I could see it, then I wouldn't be a Nazi!

Crap! I also just realized I'm a racist, a homophobe, a fascist and a

"One-eyed, one-horned, flying purple people-eater..."

[mac2]

72. What!

[Umbram]

41. Insane people don't recognize their insanity.

That's the way it goes.

Nothing new here.

[Bonobo]

12. Their confusion between a message board and the Obama campaign is evident.

You spell it out yourself here:

"So you see - That's how we know about all this rampant sexism, and why the Obama campaign should be ashamed of spewing all of it. So people PLEASE stop with the sexist attacks, it's very unbecoming!"

What has the Obama campaign SPEWED and what have you read on DU? You see, they are two DIFFERENT things. Wake up from your slumber!

[mac2]

16. I did and don't demand that woman make you breakfast.

[Political Heretic]

17. lol you have been busted for failure to read. :)

Read the OP again.... slowly :) You'll enjoy it.

[Bonobo]

20. OK, I'm busted.

[Coexist]

13. PA NTSUIT!!1!

made you look!

There was a little sexism in some "Joe Voter" remarks -but the constant gnashing of teeth and screaming 'sexism' has made us all a little numb to the word.

[Buzz Clik]

19. If the definition of being sexist is supporting Obama, then I am a proud (albeit bitter) sexist.

[mac2]

22. You're for sexism and the end justifies the means?

Doesn't matter who you vote for sexism is wrong and supporting it is backward.

[Buzz Clik]

27. LOL! Exactly! You nailed it right on the head. You are fucking brilliant.

Yes, yes, yes.

That is exactly what I said. I said clearly and unmistakably that I support sexism and I will vote for it.

You are truly the greatest genius of our generation. Are you selling autographs?

Quoting mac2:

You're for sexism and the end justifies the means?

Doesn't matter who you vote for sexism is wrong and supporting it is backward.

I simply had to immortalize this as a quote because it so epitomizes everything that Hillary Clinton and her campaign embodies.

Thank you. Truly, I cannot thank you enough for providing this shining moment.

[mac2]

31. Bye to Obama poster who thinks himself a judge.

[The Doctor.]

56. Hey... with that coffee and tranquilizer....

Go with anasthetic too.

[The Doctor.]

47. ....

[Growler]

49. Ignored really does say some pretty stupid things...

Thanks for diving into the muck for me. :P

[Buzz Clik]

53. I have no recollection of an interaction with that poster before.

However, this one has been more than enough.

[Sinistrous]

30. An utterly mind-numbing non sequitur.

If the stakes were not so high in this election, your lack of comprehension would be precious, like a newborn kitten.

[Buzz Clik]

32. I see this as a philosophical moment about the glass and water:

Is the glass simply empty, or is it incapable of holding water?

[Fox Mulder]

24. It really annoys me when people see things that aren't there.

Gods, this crap gets more annoying as each day passes.

[The Doctor.]

25. Let's get the message out about all this sexism! K+R people!

;)

[Skinner]

34. Self-deleted.

I'll save that text for an OP someday.

[The Doctor.]

40. After this primary is resolved?

I so dissappointed... I was out and missed what you wrote.

:cry:

[stillcool]

37. I saw this a while back...

Did Hillary "Play The Gender Card"?
By Greg Sargent - November 2, 2007, 3:51PM

So what really happened here, anyway?
http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2007/11/did_hillary_play_the_gender_card.php
After the debate, Hillary's campaign sent out an email describing her as "one tough woman" and deriding the nature of the "piling on" that had ensued. And the next day, AFSCME president Gerald McEntee endorsed Hillary with remarks that almost certainly had plenty of input from the Hillary campaign: "Six guys against Hillary. I’d call that a fair fight. This is one strong woman.:
So just after the debate the campaign didn't argue that she was being attacked because she's a woman. But the campaign clearly did try to strongly emphasize the gender picture here.
--------------------

Hillary pollster Mark Penn subsequently said in a conference call that the image of six men beating up on Hillary would play well with female voters. And anonymous Clinton advisers told the Associated Press that "there is a clear and long-planned strategy to fend off attacks by accusing her male rivals of
gathering against her." Though one should approach anonymous stuff with caution, this doesn't seem especially difficult to believe.
---------------------------------------------------------
Bottom line: As best as we can determine, Hillary never explicitly made the accusation that the men were piling up on her because she's a woman. But you'd have to be very credulous indeed not to believe that the campaign is explicitly trying to emphasize, for various political reasons, the fact that she's a woman getting hammered by a bunch of men. I don't know if that constitutes "playing the gender card" or not -- the exact meaning of the term is unclear, at least to me -- but that's obviously what's going on.

Sunday, November 4, 2007
CLINTON PLANNED TO USE GENDER CARD ALL ALONG

RON FOURNIER, AP - Clinton's advisers, speaking on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to discuss internal matters, said there is a clear and long-planned strategy to fend off attacks by accusing her male rivals of gathering against her. The idea is to change the subject while making Clinton a sympathetic figure, especially among female voters who often feel outnumbered and bullied on the job. As one adviser put it, Clinton is not the first presidential candidate to play the "woe-is-me card" but she's the first major female presidential candidate to do it.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071101/ap_po/on_deadline_c...

[L0oniX]

43. Yes I am voting for Obama ...so I am a sexist. Now go **** yourself.

:sarcasm:

[The Doctor.]

48. Are you calling Dick Cheney a sexist?!?!?

Nothing could be farther from the truth... he lets his wife do all kinds of things... even write! ;)

[redqueen]

44. Hahahahahahahaha

:thumbsup:

[EFerrari]

51. One of these geniuses told me that I couldn't discuss feminism unless

I was a woman.

lol

[The Doctor.]

52. Little do they know.

That's hilarious.

Hey, you're a bigger expert than I am... how bad is the election set up in PA right now?

[EFerrari]

54. It's not good. We'll have to take their word for it. DUer demodonkey,

who is a 'way bigger expert than I'll ever be, is not happy at all.

[The Doctor.]

55. Lovely.

On more than one other site (that would be 'two'), A couple of right-wing hammerheads who always called me 'nuts' for talking about the massive election fraud (without ever directly addressing the MOUNTAIN of evidence I presented), turned around and called the anomaly in New York, with the precincts that registered '0' votes for Obama, "fraudulent".

:nuke: :nuke: :nuke: :nuke: :nuke: :nuke: :nuke: :nuke: :nuke: :nuke: :nuke: :nuke: :nuke::nuke: :nuke: :nuke: :nuke: :nuke: :nuke: :nuke:

Morons.

Now we're looking at a situation where right-wingers who favor Obama are going to get a clue that something isn't right. I have to wonder how many election fraud experts who support Hillary are going to shut down their cognition if the exit polls show a significantly smaller victory margin than the 'official' results.

If Hillary wins, so be it, I just want it to be legitimate.

[EFerrari]

57. That's how I feel, too. At least, let it be a real election.

demodonkey is very active in PA and has been in several documentaries about election fraud issues.

One good place to watch, aside from our own Election Reform forum, is Mark Crispin Miller's list. He's on top of a lot of things, and especially voting issues:

http://www.markcrispinmiller.blogspot.com/

:hi:

[The Doctor.]

58. Thanks!

:patriot:

[2rth2pwr]

59. The Blonde Leading The Blind

[The Doctor.]

60. Uhhh... Ok.

:shrug:

[cornermouse]

71. I thought it was somewhat sexist

and will be finding other things to read from now on.

[crankychatter]

62. I found the sexism

On the same day of the Clinton Camp's protest of NBC...

The Tenth Anniversary of the Battle to End Violence Against Women was beginning in New Orleans....

Thousands of credible Feminists and Activists were there...

Those that protested at NBC were blissfully oblivious

THERE, is the "sexism"

[barack the house]

64. Yep, let's get this in context here, it's about the candidates & Barack has been more than

a gentleman considering the racial slant his opponents campaign ahs taken. Everything else is just Ameircan citizens able to be pursuded one way or another but not if labelled sexist. If every 5 minutes Obama was using the b word or saying "the woman vote didn't count" you would have a point, but general sexism in society is not Sen. Obama's fault.

[The Doctor.]

65. Hehehe.... read it again.

[Kurovski]

66. All you dames just shaddap 'n one 'a ya's go get me a beer.

[mmonk]

67. As soon as the Clinton campaign stops the race baiting

and lies through insinuation about Obama. If you think what is being doine to him is legitimate you're in the wrong party and should keep listening and watching Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaigh, and Fox News. This is 2008, not 1965. eom.

[The Doctor.]

69. LOL!

Read the OP again... slowly.

:patriot:

[ecdab]

68. That was funny - and true, like all good comedy. I find myself perplexed

by the same enigma.