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IS
THE CHILD THE FATHER OF THE MAN?
There are things going around the celestial confines of T.V. and radio talking heads that can have profound effects on women.
Following the emergence of Elizabeth Dole as third place winner in the Iowa Straw Poll, the buzz was that since she had shown she was capable of bringing in WOMEN AND NEW VOTERS, W. would have to pick her for his VP.
It could be, if he yields to political advisors, but we rather doubt that he would want a woman, for any reason, to be that close to his chauvinistic throne and certainly not one that would bring Bob Dole along! But he would happily USE a woman to bring in more votes.
We did a piece awhile back [GenderGappers 1999-026] about how W. is becoming more Clintonesque every day and his seemingly consistent emulation of the president continues. There is now the eerie deja vu of the drug question. Did he or didn't he snort cocaine? A frustrated Bush supporter said of the present discussion, "It's Clintonesque. He was to be the anti-Clinton candidate but he's looking more like Clinton all the time."
W. tried ignoring the charges that he did drugs by refusing to answer questions and claiming it was all a game to discredit him. He has taken to parsing words instead of giving a yes or no answer -- Clintonesque.
Years ago, when Clinton was pinned down by reporters on Gennifer Flowers, he explained that, yes, it happened but now it was all over. Didn't turn out to be the case, did it? And how about how both men "wallpapered over" their draft / military service experiences?
W. has also refused to answer if he ever had been responsible for an abortion. He said that was PERSONAL. PERSONAL? He is already on the record as saying that abortion is NOT a PERSONAL question, it is a question for the government.
W. infers that it is O.K. to break the drug laws in your teens and twenties. No problem. You can still be president. If this is not a character issue than what is?
Now, here is the really interesting part of all of this. Despite all the years that the GOP and all its members decried Clinton's character, despite saying that character counts, they sweep aside all of the emerging character flaws of George, the younger. Even The Falwell claims he should be forgiven his past. Bill Bennett (THE KEEPER OF VIRTUES!) thinks so too. Arwkkkk!
In a recent OpEd piece, White Noise, discussing Bush's refusal to answer yes or no to the drug question, Maureen Dowd wrote, "So now W. is trying to say that the only behavior that's relevant is what happens AFTER you're sworn in as President. Fine -- except that he's already boasted that fidelity is relevant before you're sworn in."
Another criticism that was often heard against Clinton, when he was campaigning and early in his presidency was his lack of suitable decorum. Remember all the talk about his saxophone, and the questions on type of underpants he favored?
Even members of his own party criticize George W. for acting like a "frat boy." He has shown a lack of control of his temper equal to or greater than that of Clinton. Also. in an interview he gave for TALK Magazine, he was startlingly profane, many times using that naughty word that rhymes with luck.
Watching this campaign and its rhetoric unfold makes us yearn for the days when women walked with the Gods on Mount Olympus. Xena, where are you now when we need you?
Describing her role as Xena, Warrior Princess, Lucy Lawless said, " Xena is a woman who stands up against enemies and difficult situations in each and every episode. She's a woman who never gives up, who values friendship and who lives life without compromising. Those character traits fascinates my fans."
WOW!
Those character traits would fascinate anybody! When have we EVER
had a leader like that? What a dream ticket it would be for women,
to have Xena and Gabrielle in charge of this country. What role models
for women and girls!
The Demogrogs would love her because she fights for the oppressed, the poor and the disadvantaged.
The Repugnants would approve of her former military service. They could not help but feel that the country would be adequately defended with the Warrior Princess in the Oval Office (but they might object to her horse, Argo, clomping around in there).
Oh yes. Xena has a past too, but she left it behind and has even had the strength and courage AND CHARACTER to defy those GODS who are always trying to get her to return to it.
Well, in this country, the GODS are Money and Power and you know the presidential candidates who worship them have NO intention in the world of abandoning their Gods.
Xena for President! Gabrielle for Vice President! Get out those petitions, women and, "Make it so!" IT'S TIME AMERICA STOPPED SENDING BOYS IN TO DO A SHERO'S WORK.
1999-035
Copyright 1999 Renee T. Louise and Ruth M. Sprague, Ph.D. These articles may be republished for noncommercial use only, provided that they are copied intact, and that this copyright notice is attached. Address all queries to: twanda@ConnRiver.net.
G e n d e r G a p p e r s T M
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