Lipstick on a Pig

[Bob Juch]

Well, I'd sure like to see you or some other Republican try to prove that Biden's statement is wrong. I've looked at McCain's record and Palin's record and have seen that they're against everything that women have fought for since Seneca Falls.

Women's rights will be going backward under a McCain/Palin administration. Take that to the bank.

You have it on record somewhere that McCain and Palin want to revert back to the conditions that were listed in the Declaration of Sentiments?

These grievances reflected the severe limitations on women's legal rights in America at this time: women could not vote; they could not participate in the creation of laws that they had to obey; their property was taxed. Further, in the relatively unusual case of a divorce, custody of children was virtually automatically awarded to the father; access to the professions and higher education generally was closed to women; and most churches barred women from participating publicly in the ministry or other positions of authority.

Please provide evidence that these are the conditions McCain and Palin want women to have to endure again.

Not that I expect a response. You rarely, if ever, post back when your ridiculous over-the-top statements are called out.

BJ's remark may have been hyperbole, but Joe Biden is correct about Palin being a step backwards for women in this country.

I also agree with SSS that Obama has no real appreciation of or interest in women's rights, but at least he would bring people into office who do.

A presidency is much more than the individual we vote for.

That wasn't my remark.

[wbtravis007]

They've been sequestering Palin from any real interviews for a week now, almost certainly giving her intense training on major issues, down to how to raise an eyebrow at appropriate times, for every waking, non-speechifying moment right up to the time she enters the ABC studios for that interview with Charles Gibson.

Sarah Palin has been the most visible "sequestered" person in history the last two weeks.

If you want to see someone who's disappeared from sight, try finding Joe Biden in the news sometime.

Biden was on Meet The Press Sunday.

At the end of the interview, Brokaw mentioned that Palin has been invited to appear any Sunday.

My prediction is that they're gonna try to get her through this interview with Gibson and the debate and that'll be it.

[BackInTex]

They've been sequestering Palin from any real interviews for a week now, almost certainly giving her intense training on major issues, down to how to raise an eyebrow at appropriate times, for every waking, non-speechifying moment right up to the time she enters the ABC studios for that interview with Charles Gibson.

Sarah Palin has been the most visible "sequestered" person in history the last two weeks.

If you want to see someone who's disappeared from sight, try finding Joe Biden in the news sometime.

Biden was on Meet The Press Sunday.

At the end of the interview, Brokaw mentioned that Palin has been invited to appear any Sunday.

My prediction is that they're gonna try to get her through this interview with Gibson and the debate and that'll be it.

Is it just me or does anyone else smell kolaches?

[Political Carp]

Don Asmussen's "Bad Reporter" is usually spot-on with timing -- today, though, he's about a day late

[Jeemie]

BJ's remark may have been hyperbole, but Joe Biden is correct about Palin being a step backwards for women in this country.

In what ways?

Maybe you'd care to list them.

[gsabc]

They've been sequestering Palin from any real interviews for a week now, almost certainly giving her intense training on major issues, down to how to raise an eyebrow at appropriate times, for every waking, non-speechifying moment right up to the time she enters the ABC studios for that interview with Charles Gibson.

Following up on this, I found this AP article:
http://tinyurl.com/6znoga
It's all relevant, but this paragraph says it all.
"But none of the candidates in this race has been so shielded from the media, so protected from any spontaneous situation, and Palin's unvarying remarks give the impression that she and her message are being tightly controlled. As before her convention speech, McCain's campaign is briefing Palin for her first TV interview."

Interview prediction: Every question that addresses a documented part of her past that contradicts the party line about her will be met with a brief half-truth that doesn't really answer the question, followed by a non sequitur change to more of the same unvarying remarks.

[themanintheseersuckersuit]

They've been sequestering Palin from any real interviews for a week now, almost certainly giving her intense training on major issues, down to how to raise an eyebrow at appropriate times, for every waking, non-speechifying moment right up to the time she enters the ABC studios for that interview with Charles Gibson.

Before you invest too much in that Palin can't handle a debate theme, you might want to find the videos of the Alaska Governor's Race Debate from Alaska Public Television.

[gsabc]

They've been sequestering Palin from any real interviews for a week now, almost certainly giving her intense training on major issues, down to how to raise an eyebrow at appropriate times, for every waking, non-speechifying moment right up to the time she enters the ABC studios for that interview with Charles Gibson.

Before you invest too much in that Palin can't handle a debate theme, you might want to find the videos of the Alaska Governor's Race Debate from Alaska Public Television.

Did you see anything in my earlier posts about the VP debate, or any other debate? I've only been talking about interviews, and the up-until-now separation of Palin from any serious questioning about the issues.

Debating Alaskan issues is one thing. Debating national and worldwide issues is another. I have no doubt she'll be well-briefed and prepared on the subjects. She will also, as most politicians do, ignore the question asked as much as possible and turn it into an attack on the opponent or to a subject that's part of the party's "message". And all we'll see afterwards will be the sound bites from both sides. Does anyone remember the actual issues discussed during the Bentsen-Quayle debate?

[silverscreenselect]

Obama campaigning today:

Some of you may have -- I'm assuming you guys have heard this, watching the news. I'm talking about John McCain's economic politics, I say, "This is more of the same, you can put lipstick on a pig but it's still a pig."
And suddenly they say, "Oh, you must be talking about the governor of Alaska."

[Laughter from audience]

See it would be funny, it would be funny except -- of course the news media all decided that that was the lead story yesterday. They'd much rather have the story -- this is the McCain campaign -- would much rather have the story about phony and foolish diversions than about the future.

This happens every election cycle. Every four years. This is what we do. We've got an energy crisis. We have an education system that is not working for too many of our children and making us less competitive. We have an economy that is creating hardship for families all across America. We've got two wars going on, veterans coming home not being cared for -- and this is what they want to talk about! this is what they want to spend two of the last 55 days talking about.

You know who ends up losing at the end of the day? It's not the Democratic candidate, It's not the republican candidate. It's you, the American people. because then we go another year or another four years or another eight years without addressing the issues that matter to you. Enough.

I don't care what they say about me, but I love this country too much to let them take over another election with lies and phony outrage and swift-boat politics. Enough is enough.

If on day two of a story, you lead off your stump speech with six paragraphs blaming the media for yesterday's controversy, then you're not solving your problems, you're adding to them.

Palin has managed to get under Obama's skin so that he doesn't know how to handle it, so he flails around and blames the media for causing distractions. And this is the guy you'd trust dealing with the Iranians.

McCain's new commercial about the lipstick controversy is terrific and on point and Obama knows it.

[Weyoun]

Given that one of Obama's flunkies used it in another speech that same day, plus the "old fish" presumably referring to McCain, plus the clumsy pause/audience laugh that followed it, it's pretty clear that Obama DID mean for it to refer to Palin.

Now, is this the worst thing ever? No, but Obama will waste about two days dealing with it.

[Weyoun]

They've been sequestering Palin from any real interviews for a week now, almost certainly giving her intense training on major issues, down to how to raise an eyebrow at appropriate times, for every waking, non-speechifying moment right up to the time she enters the ABC studios for that interview with Charles Gibson.

Following up on this, I found this AP article:
http://tinyurl.com/6znoga
It's all relevant, but this paragraph says it all.
"But none of the candidates in this race has been so shielded from the media, so protected from any spontaneous situation, and Palin's unvarying remarks give the impression that she and her message are being tightly controlled. As before her convention speech, McCain's campaign is briefing Palin for her first TV interview."

Interview prediction: Every question that addresses a documented part of her past that contradicts the party line about her will be met with a brief half-truth that doesn't really answer the question, followed by a non sequitur change to more of the same unvarying remarks.

Obama was totally AWOL when the Wright and Resko controversies broke.

Can you blame McCain? First, why wouldn't he keep her close? She's been great as it is.

Second, this is her first national campaign. Since when is it required that she be tossed to the dogs immediately? We have two months still.

Third, the media has spent the last two weeks coming up with every hamhanded charge that can dig it, the lastest being that she takes a food per diem as governor that translates into about $7 per day per member of her family. Until the media gets its act together, why justify their complaints?

Finally, by holding off, you set up the same low expectations as were set up last time, before the big speech. And that worked well, didn't it?

[ne1410s]

Town meeting.

Audience member: "How do we beat the bitch? (Hillary)

McCain: "Good question!"

the end

[Weyoun]

Well, I'd sure like to see you or some other Republican try to prove that Biden's statement is wrong. I've looked at McCain's record and Palin's record and have seen that they're against everything that women have fought for since Seneca Falls.

Women's rights will be going backward under a McCain/Palin administration. Take that to the bank.

You have it on record somewhere that McCain and Palin want to revert back to the conditions that were listed in the Declaration of Sentiments?

These grievances reflected the severe limitations on women's legal rights in America at this time: women could not vote; they could not participate in the creation of laws that they had to obey; their property was taxed. Further, in the relatively unusual case of a divorce, custody of children was virtually automatically awarded to the father; access to the professions and higher education generally was closed to women; and most churches barred women from participating publicly in the ministry or other positions of authority.

Please provide evidence that these are the conditions McCain and Palin want women to have to endure again.

Not that I expect a response. You rarely, if ever, post back when your ridiculous over-the-top statements are called out.

BJ's remark may have been hyperbole, but Joe Biden is correct about Palin being a step backwards for women in this country.

I also agree with SSS that Obama has no real appreciation of or interest in women's rights, but at least he would bring people into office who do.

A presidency is much more than the individual we vote for.

From what I can tell, the only issue "feminists" care about is abortion on demand. Other issues, such as equal pay, never seem to inspire the same activism. So, perhaps we should make "women's rights" = "abortion rights," to clarify the debate.

[NellyLunatic1980]

If on day two of a story, you lead off your stump speech with six paragraphs blaming the media for yesterday's controversy, then you're not solving your problems, you're adding to them.

Palin has managed to get under Obama's skin so that he doesn't know how to handle it, so he flails around and blames the media for causing distractions. And this is the guy you'd trust dealing with the Iranians.

Ohhhhhhh!

So it's OK for McCain and Palin to play the blame game on the media over their controversies instead of solving their problems... but whenever Obama goes after the media, you get your panties in a bunch.

Give me a freakin' break.

[hf_jai]

From what I can tell, the only issue "feminists" care about is abortion on demand. Other issues, such as equal pay, never seem to inspire the same activism. So, perhaps we should make "women's rights" = "abortion rights," to clarify the debate.

Piffle. The right to control one's body if fairly fundamental, but if you think that's the only issue, or even the most important issue, you haven't been paying attention.

[Weyoun]

From what I can tell, the only issue "feminists" care about is abortion on demand. Other issues, such as equal pay, never seem to inspire the same activism. So, perhaps we should make "women's rights" = "abortion rights," to clarify the debate.

Piffle. The right to control one's body if fairly fundamental, but if you think that's the only issue, or even the most important issue, you haven't been paying attention.

In terms of feminism, sure. Feminism's done. The leading feminist in America today is a pro-life moose-hunting Alaskan. The movement has become a victim of its own sucess - women can do whatever they want, and that's fine. But when those women vote Republican...

[hf_jai]

From what I can tell, the only issue "feminists" care about is abortion on demand. Other issues, such as equal pay, never seem to inspire the same activism. So, perhaps we should make "women's rights" = "abortion rights," to clarify the debate.

Piffle. The right to control one's body if fairly fundamental, but if you think that's the only issue, or even the most important issue, you haven't been paying attention.

In terms of feminism, sure. Feminism's done. The leading feminist in America today is a pro-life moose-hunting Alaskan. The movement has become a victim of its own sucess - women can do whatever they want, and that's fine. But when those women vote Republican...

Oh, feminism is far from done. Feminism has picked up a new load of steam just this election cycle as many many women were shocked to find out how much sexism is out there, just under the surface, that it could bubble up with only a small provocation, even among those who claim they believe in human rights. A whole new generaltion of feminists has been born.

Palin is a woman, and an accomplished and capable woman I'm sure, but she is no feminist. She wants to do what she wants to do, but she doesn't give a damn if I and millions of other women are allowed to do what we want to do. She is probably the quintessential gen-x'er, man or woman, in that sense.

But they are learning. We have a long way to go, baby.

[Jeemie]

Piffle. The right to control one's body if fairly fundamental, but if you think that's the only issue, or even the most important issue, you haven't been paying attention.

In terms of feminism, sure. Feminism's done. The leading feminist in America today is a pro-life moose-hunting Alaskan. The movement has become a victim of its own sucess - women can do whatever they want, and that's fine. But when those women vote Republican...

Oh, feminism is far from done. Feminism has picked up a new load of steam just this election cycle as many many women were shocked to find out how much sexism is out there, just under the surface, that it could bubble up with only a small provocation, even among those who claim they believe in human rights. A whole new generaltion of feminists has been born.

Palin is a woman, and an accomplished and capable woman I'm sure, but she is no feminist. She wants to do what she wants to do, but she doesn't give a damn if I and millions of other women are allowed to do what we want to do. She is probably the quintessential gen-x'er, man or woman, in that sense.

But they are learning. We have a long way to go, baby.

Sure she wants you to be allowed to do what you want to do.

But with freedom comes responsibility.

On the abortion issue, for example- you don't want a baby? Fine- then don't pursue the actions that cause said baby to be conceived.

Simple as that.

You may call that "sexist" if you wish, but it is not, for it takes two to tango- I hold the man in such an affair as equally culpable.

[silverscreenselect]

Town meeting.

Audience member: "How do we beat the bitch? (Hillary)

McCain: "Good question!"

the end

January 3... Obama enters the auditorium for his victory speech after the Iowa caucus. The theme music that's playing is Jay-Z's "I got 99 problems, but a bitch ain't one."

In February, he talked about attacks by Hillary Clinton, saying "you challenge the status quo and suddenly the claws come out."

And let's not forget the line that Obama said after the lipstick on a pig comment. "You can wrap an old fish in a piece of paper called 'change,' it's still gonna stink after eight years."

Obama's little stunt shows a level of maturity on the par with ten-year-olds in a school yard who "accidentally" mouth thinly veiled versions of dirty words and think that is hilariously funny. His equally emotionally stunted fans may appreciate it, but no one else does.

You expect better conduct from a politician and a party that are supposedly dedicated to women's rights than you do from the party that's going to "abolish Roe vs. Wade."

the end

[Rexer25]

the end

Can we count on that?

[ToLiveIsToFly]

On the abortion issue, for example- you don't want a baby? Fine- then don't pursue the actions that cause said baby to be conceived.

Don't have ovaries or don't ever do anything that might cause the possibility of being raped?

[ToLiveIsToFly]

Someone I was just interviewing made what seemed to me an interesting idea - maybe it was a deliberate-but-deniable thing, to say something that was going to piss people off, and cause them to spend a few news cycles getting THEIR underwear in a knot. To change the current momentum to a different story. If so, I'd have to say it worked.

[Jeemie]

On the abortion issue, for example- you don't want a baby? Fine- then don't pursue the actions that cause said baby to be conceived.

Don't have ovaries or don't ever do anything that might cause the possibility of being raped?

I am sensitive to that issue. No laws should ever be absolute. We could judge on a case-by-case basis.

However...rapes are the cause of very few pregnancies, and most abortions do not come from pregnancies caused by rape or incest.

Most pregnancies are the result of actions that the person "with ovaries" can avoid doing in the first place.

So your freedoms aren't limited...but, as I said, with freedoms come responsibility.

You make choices...you accept the responsibility.

And, of the above...is it the fault of the child that he/she was conceived in such a manner?

I am very much a social liberal- except on the issue of abortion.

It cheapens life...and causes strife where none need exist.

[TheCalvinator24]

Piffle. The right to control one's body if fairly fundamental, but if you think that's the only issue, or even the most important issue, you haven't been paying attention.

In terms of feminism, sure. Feminism's done. The leading feminist in America today is a pro-life moose-hunting Alaskan. The movement has become a victim of its own sucess - women can do whatever they want, and that's fine. But when those women vote Republican...

Oh, feminism is far from done. Feminism has picked up a new load of steam just this election cycle as many many women were shocked to find out how much sexism is out there, just under the surface, that it could bubble up with only a small provocation, even among those who claim they believe in human rights. A whole new generaltion of feminists has been born.

Palin is a woman, and an accomplished and capable woman I'm sure, but she is no feminist. She wants to do what she wants to do, but she doesn't give a damn if I and millions of other women are allowed to do what we want to do. She is probably the quintessential gen-x'er, man or woman, in that sense.

But they are learning. We have a long way to go, baby.

Governor Palin is not a Gen-Xer. By accepted parameters, she is a Baby Boomer.

[VAdame]

Lipstick on a Pig (& calling it Monique!) Explained.

BTW, my Wild Sow gots lipstick and a nice new Silk Purse! Sadly, my PhotoDeluxe was killed in a recent 'puter crash -- if Karen gets it back for me, I'll fix her up a little better

And I think I'll start calling her "Monique."