BUBBLES IN THE AIR

Some remarkable women head the list:

Ambassador Carol Moseley-Braun, Democratic candidate for president, was questioned for an hour on MSNBC's "Hard Ball" before Harvard students. Previously, she's been seen in the short sound bites of the debates which reveal so little of a person's ability and experiences.

This hour was different and much more demanding. She came through the gauntlet as calm and self possessed as anyone we've seen. Not only that, but she showed a dignity, a knowledge of world affairs and a command of the English language that was presidential -- a stark contrast to the present holder of that office.

Could she win? No. Even with all her credentials and obvious mental superiority over the present occupant of the White House. Lack of funding always puts women at the bottom of the pack, of course, but she is faced with the twin prejudicial devils of being a woman and being not white.

Governor-elect Kathleen Blanco took the office away from the Republicans in the Southern state of Louisiana. This was a remarkable feat in light of the Cons' stranglehold on the South. She will be Louisiana's first WOMAN governor.

This grandmother defeated a popular male Conservative who had plenty of monetary support. Her successful campaign enlisted the aid of women's groups and minority groups.

Despite the hoopla the media made recently when two Republicans were chosen as governors in Southern states, there was barely a mention of Blanco's great achievement in turning the political tide in the South.

Pfc. Jessica Lynch is another woman who got very little media play for being courageous enough to call the administration and its military liars. DOD did its best to make a liar out of Jennifer counting on her to be dishonest and accept the title of hero instead of being honest and giving credit to others.

The Pentagon's agenda was seen by many as propaganda. It was hyping the American public to hate the enemy for raping a woman soldier who was injured. With the staged for TV "rescue," the Pentagon showed brave American men risking their lives to save her.

The truth that was ignored was that Jessica received care and consideration from her captives who tried to return her to the American military but were shot at by our troops. Her "rescue" put no one in danger as it was filmed for TV.

We believe the Pentagon had another agenda. It has long wanted to eliminate all women from the military. Their argument is essentially that women would be raped. Also, males could not be as effective soldiers if they had to rescue women.

In "sexing up" the Lynch story, they used this as propaganda to bolster their claims of why women should not be in the military. True, some men may be inclined toward chivalry but basic training makes soldiers of both men and women. They are trained to obey orders.

The rape story was also shot down but who is faulting the Pentagon for this massive lie? Just Jessica. Has she put herself in line for reprisal from the Bush administration similar to the outing of a CIA agent?

For true grace under fire, we commend Queen Elizabeth II, who gave new meaning to the phrase, "stiff upper lip" as she stoically endured the time she had to spend with Bush, his syntax and his arrogance.

The State of Massachusetts set the country on edge with their Supremes demanding that the state must afford the same marriage rights to gays. Already, the Con talking heads are spinning it as a political bomb that will blow up the Libs.

No way this happens. They will only hoist themselves on their own petard. The court's decision is based on the principal of "equal rights." Do the Cons really want to appear to be once again denying Constitutional rights after the heat they are taking with the Patriot Act?

Then there was the unforgettable picture of man of God, Bush, signing the anti-late term abortion bill surrounded by ALL MALE, self-congratulatory, religious zealots. This was a gender specific bill signed without a single woman to witness and mourn another step in the extinction of women's reproductive rights.

It was reminiscent of similar past acts of men of God such as those wearing the peaked white hoods, burning crosses and celebrating the hangings of blacks.

It recalled the Witch trials of Salem where men of God, with pious satisfaction, condemned women to be burned at the stake.

twanda@sover.net

2003-047

Copyright 2003 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@sover.net.