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Former MS Editor-in-chief Lafferty says "Palin is a Brainiac"

By
Real Estate Agent with Alain Pinel BRE 01367196

The former editor in chief of Ms. magazine (and a Democrat), Elaine Lafferty, on what she learned on a campaign plane with the would-be VP.

She writes that "Palin is a Brainiac".

In her article, she writes:

For all those old enough to remember Senator Sam Ervin, the brilliant strict constitutional constructionist and chairman of the Senate Watergate Committee whose patois included "I'm just a country lawyer"... Yup, Palin is that smart.

...Many of those-not all-who decried the sexist media treatment of Hillary Clinton have been silent as Palin has been skewered in the old ways that female public figures are skewered, as well as a host of sexualized new ways as well. Some feminists have weighed in; "Even the reportedly clear glasses she wears to play down her beauty queen credential and enhance her gravitas can't make up for experience," writes my heroine Suzanne Braun Levine, former editor of Ms. Oppose her on policy? Fine. But how sad for feminist leaders to sink this low, especially when Palin has worn glasses since she was 10 years old.

Last month a prominent feminist blogger, echoing that sensibility, declared that the media was wrongly buying into the false idea that Palin was a feminist. Why? Well, just because she said she was a feminist, because she supported women's rights and opportunities, equal pay, Title IV-that was just "empty rhetoric," they said.

At least the blogger didn't go as far as NOW's Kim Gandy and declare that Palin was not a woman. Bottom line: you are not a feminist until we say you are. And there you have the formula for diminishing what was once a great and important mass social change movement to an exclusionary club that rejects women who sincerely want to join and, God forbid, grow to lead.

Comments (30)

Shane OnullGorman
Eau Claire Realty, Inc. - Eau Claire, WI
Eau Claire Wisconsin, Real Estate Agent & Realtor- Buy or Sell

I know what a feminist is. I know that Palin is not.

You are talking about what she has achieved and there are few people, men or women that have the chance to run for office like she has. But just like anyone in a position of power she was given the chance to do something with this power. Instead she has done nothing except like I said earlier display bigoted views and try to use this power for what I would consider evil. If you can name any particular thing she has done for the womens movement I would be more than happy to look. All I have seen is her demonstrate over and over that she wants her cake and eat it too. She wants, as in the case of this article you mention, to demonstrate that she is in a position of power but then she has done absolutely nothing to dismiss remarks made about her in regards to her "good looks" I could care less how she looks but you cant have both. You cant be perceived as intelligent and a feminist and then go wink at the camera after you say it! You cant be a feminist and then promote how you are a "hottie" She had a chance here. She could have done something but she is not a feminist and like I said, will do nothing to help women.

The argument that because she is in power means she is a feminist is simply not true. That is like saying since J Edgar Hoover was in a position of power he was a gay rights activist. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Oct 27, 2008 01:53 PM
Pacita Dimacali
Alain Pinel - Oakland, CA
Alameda/Contra Costa Counties CA

Please don't put words in my mouth. I did not say she's in power and therefore she is a feminist.

I said she is a governor (and yes, that's something she accomplished in a male-dominated arena). That is not an argument,  it's a fact.

Feminist, per the most widely-accepted definition, is an advocate for the equality of the sexes. I disagree with some of her positions (including not allowing gay marriages -- but hey, Biden feels the same way, as a lot of others do, too).

But I won't argue the fact that she did, indeed, reach a level of equality with men.

Was her winking so offensive to you that you can't see other things she's accomplished? By answering people's comments about her being a "hottie" will only prolong that conversation. Best that she ignore it, because that's a sexist remark by itself. What was she supposed to say?

When someone calls you beautiful/handsome, do you immediately respond by saying "No, I'm not. I'm just smart." Do YOU really do that?

 

Oct 27, 2008 02:05 PM
Shane OnullGorman
Eau Claire Realty, Inc. - Eau Claire, WI
Eau Claire Wisconsin, Real Estate Agent & Realtor- Buy or Sell

The goal of feminism is to achieve equality yes. She has risen to power yes.

What I have said over and over is what is she going to do with this power? Has she done anything to help achieve equality for women? NO. She simply cannot because it does not fit into the ideology of the Republican party. There simply is no room and cant achieve a "room of ones own"

She had a chance like I keep saying. It was simple. She could have said she was a feminist in any speech. She could have come out and said she is fighting for womens rights. But there is an easy answer why they didnt do this. They had just spent the last few months destroying Hillary and consistently mocking her for being a strong woman. They mocked her and mocked feminism. For Palin to come out as a feminist simply would not and did not fit. Instead they played her off as the hockey mom. Its her life and her choice. She had a chance.

Oct 27, 2008 02:36 PM
Laura Monroe
Inman News - San Francisco, CA
Dir. of Industry Engagement & Social Media

Pacita- YOU got it going on, way more than Sarah, and your Executive Experience in your business will far, far far outweigh the Alaskan Governership, and I am almost postitive that you have dealth with more people, and more issues, more diversity...so in short..please replace Sarah and I might vote McCain. (fingers crossed behind my back);) YOU are the epitomy of successful womanhood, and I'm not endorsing you because I am a woman!

Alameda huh? I used to live in Pleasanton and have many clients there:)

Oct 27, 2008 02:42 PM
Pacita Dimacali
Alain Pinel - Oakland, CA
Alameda/Contra Costa Counties CA

Oh gosh, Shane....

"Has she done anything to help achieve equality for women? NO." By working her way to achieve and be elected as governor is one BIG step towards helping achieve equality for women.

By proclaiming her own freedom of choice (keeping a Downs Syndrome baby, continuing to work and raise 5 kids) is another. Does, and should she always say she's a feminist before she speaks? Is that enough of a qualification to become one? Actions, not words, make a statement.

By standing her ground, like men who think and believe the way she does, is no reason to think she is less of a feminist than say, Hillary.

"...Could have said she was a feminist in any speech." Does someone have to introduce herself as a feminist before she speaks? Is that enough of a qualification to become one?

You're a realtor. You meet people all the time. Do you tell them that you're a feminist so that you can help fight for women's rights? I must not be a feminist either, because I don't say it or tell people all the time. If YOU say I'm not a feminist, then we would be in extreme and total disagreement.

Oct 27, 2008 02:51 PM
Hugh Krone
Weichert Referral Associates - Hamburg, NJ
Realtor, Sussex County NJ

Compared to the other three Knuckleheads I would rather have Sarah as president.

Oct 27, 2008 02:51 PM
Tchaka Owen
Galleria International Realty - Hollywood, FL

The issue isn't whether or not Palin is intelligent, it's that she doesn't really know all that much beyond her realm.  There are many like that.  Instead of learning about the world, she was raising her family and running her little town.  There's nothing wrong with that and she's not stupid for it. 

When I watch an interview and find myself able to answer ME political questions (way) better than her, I know she hasn't been around.  Sorry but you can't get an in-depth knowledge of all the issues that affect our country in a mere 5 weeks.  McCain had better options and he went for her, a bad move that will likely cost him the election. 

Oct 27, 2008 05:28 PM
Linda Mae Croom
Topock, AZ
(928) 768-3040

Tchaka, very well said.

I commented from the beginning that if she had known six months ago she would be the VP pick and had time to study the Issues and McCain's Record she would never have appeared so unqualified. She is smart in her own surroundings and comfort zone and yes McCain was playing upon the emotions of women thinking she would secure the Hillary voters for him. That thought may certainly cost him the election but it isn't over til Nov 4th (or 5th)

Oct 27, 2008 05:47 PM
Pacita Dimacali
Alain Pinel - Oakland, CA
Alameda/Contra Costa Counties CA

With just weeks to prepare to be on the national ticket, it certainly is not possible to build a treasure chest of knowledge and information as compared to two years of campaigning (as in the case of Obama). But as Lafferty observed, Palin is a quick study.

If she doesn't become the next VP, it will be interesting how she grows as a politician on the national arena.

Oct 27, 2008 06:26 PM
Pacita Dimacali
Alain Pinel - Oakland, CA
Alameda/Contra Costa Counties CA

Laura

I can't believe I'm getting so wrapped up in these political blogs...so addicting.

You said "please replace Sarah and I might vote McCain." I say, please replace Obama with Hillary, and I will vote for Hillary. If the media hadn't been so rough on her and so in love with Obama, and if they focused on her record and accomplishments before and after she became a senator, they would see the breadth of her experience and knowledge is superior to Obama's. To me, it's between Obama and McCain, not Obama against Palin. As bright as Obama is, I am not convinced he has the right stuff.

People talk about McCain's age --- like he's going to die soon and Palin is just a heartbeat away....

...Then I see people like T. Boone Pickens, 82, still going fast and furious, criss-crossing the country to promote his energy plan, and Cloris Leachman (okay, I watched "Dancing with the Stars")who is also 82 showing a lot of energy....

...Then I think of my parents, 84, who are so engaged in all kinds of activities...

I wonder, what's wrong with being 71?

Oct 27, 2008 07:26 PM
Inna Hardison
ha media group - Orlando, FL
Wordpress for Real Estate & Design, Print HaMedia Group

Sarah Palin - the feminist, who makes women in Wassila pay for their rape kits... (tell me how Simone de Beauvoir must be rolling in her grave).  The feminist who is adamantly anti-choice.  The feminist, who was a freaking beauty queen, for god's sake.  As for her brains, how many more stupid utterances do we need to know that the woman's IQ is right there with Joe the Plumber, Tricia the Hair Dresser, and Scott the Butcher.  None of it would be a bad thing, in and of itself, if it wasn't so scary...

She is niether a bainiac nor a feminist - she is just a power hungry, corrupt and corruptible broad who likes the limelight.

Oct 28, 2008 12:55 AM
Pacita Dimacali
Alain Pinel - Oakland, CA
Alameda/Contra Costa Counties CA

Inna, thanks for dropping in...but why such rage? Why is "beauty queen" pejorative? Can't women be beautiful and smart at the same time? After all, she would be in good company with Diane Sawyer (Ms Jr Kentucky) and Oprah Winfrey (Miss Black Tennessee).

And.. as for rape kits. Why not be outraged not only about this one small town in Wasilla, but about states who charge for them? We'd have a broader reach by having legislators everywhere mandate that no victims should ever have to pay for these kits. Not any town, city, state.

Yes, Rape victims can be hurt financially, per U.S. News & World Report article that mentions where victims are charged in states like John Edwards' North Carolina. Barack Obama's Illinois, Georgia, Arkansas. There are probably more.

Seems so convenient to rage at Wasilla only because it's Palin's hometown, but not at Illinois. Oh wait. Obama is from Illinois.

Oct 28, 2008 08:35 AM
Inna Hardison
ha media group - Orlando, FL
Wordpress for Real Estate & Design, Print HaMedia Group

No rage at all. I wasn't referencing Wassila simply because it's where she hails from, but rather because Wassila's charging for rape kits was actually responsible for the Alaska legislation to make it illegal for any municipality in that state to do so.  Palin appointed police commissioner for the town was the only one actually fighting the new state law, so Palin is not an innocent bystander in all this.

Never mind her blatant demand that young girls raped by their fathers should carry the babies to term, or any of the number of her fundamental beliefs that she undoubtedly would like to see as part of our brand new Palin approved constitution. None of them are pro-women.

The beauty queen reference was not to underscore her pretty-ness, if you find her attractive. It was about a personality type.  I believe as of late the GOP refers to that same type as DIVA - though I doubt palin sings.

Hope this makes sense.

Peace-

Oct 28, 2008 08:57 AM
Pacita Dimacali
Alain Pinel - Oakland, CA
Alameda/Contra Costa Counties CA

Inna

The good thing about the attention on the rape kits is that this has now caught national attention, and should incite action. Yes?

As for her position on carrying babies to term....is that a demand? It's her belief. I don't think it's something she can mandate. Nor do I think she could even remotely come close to changing the constitution. She is just as free to think her way as we who are pro-choice.

As for her "pretty-ness"....nope, she's not my type :)

And as for "diva" ...it's sad that this word has changed to mean something not quite so positive. I've always thought of diva as an opera singer like Callas, not pop singers, or bratty, pampered ill-tempered "stars". And you're probably right about Palin not being able to sing. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

Namaste.

Oct 28, 2008 09:15 AM
Inna Hardison
ha media group - Orlando, FL
Wordpress for Real Estate & Design, Print HaMedia Group

If she becomes VP, given McCain's age and health, she is indeed one bad cancer cell away from Presidency, and which point Sarah Palin will be able to nominate a few Supreme Court Justices, so yeas, her ability to change the Constitution of the US is not that far-fetched. Sadly.

Oct 28, 2008 09:41 AM
Pacita Dimacali
Alain Pinel - Oakland, CA
Alameda/Contra Costa Counties CA

Hi, Inna

Yes, the sitting president can nominate justices, but that doesn't mean their nominees will sail through. We've seen enough examples of that. That's what I like about this country --- so many checks and balances. I really don't want one party to dominate both houses and the presidency. When that happens, there is less room for debate and dissent.

One of my favorite quotations is "If we all think alike, then someone is not thinking."

Take care.

Oct 28, 2008 10:53 AM
Leslie Prest
Leslie Prest, Prest Realty, Sales and Rentals in Payson, AZ - Payson, AZ
Owner, Assoc. Broker, Prest Realty, Payson,

She is NOT very intelligent. All one has to do, to figure that out is to watch her interviews. Even w/o any prepping (and you know she must have gotten a lot) I could have FAKED better answers than she gave to many of the questions.

Oct 29, 2008 05:59 AM
delete account
Clayton, MO

Hi Pacita. I don't dislike Sarah Palin, but she does not represent me or any women I know at all. I have issues with someone who would even ask about how a librarian would feel about books being banned. I also see that Inna has touched on some other topics that bother me. As far as Sarah Palins education....I know some brilliant people who haven't been to college at all and I know some people who have impressive degrees that aren't half as smart as the ones I know with very little education so thats never been a deciding factor for me, but she doesn't strike me as very informed or diplomatic and I think those are both necessary qualities in a VP.  :)

Oct 30, 2008 12:09 PM
Pacita Dimacali
Alain Pinel - Oakland, CA
Alameda/Contra Costa Counties CA

Leslie and Pamela

There will always be differing opinions. And it's good that one can freely express them, as Ms. Lafferty has done with  her article. Since she has interacted with Palin in action up close and in other ways, she knows more about what Palin is like, than some of us who have only read about her, and watched her on TV.

We may watch and read the same things, but we may still reach different conclusions on everything.

And, as Voltaire says (maybe not verbatim)...."I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it."

Take care.

Oct 30, 2008 12:41 PM
delete account
Clayton, MO

I completely agree Pacita....with the quote you referenced. :)

Beatrice Hall

I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.
-- The Friends of Voltaire, 1906

 

Think for yourselves and let others enjoy the privilege to do so too.''---Voltaire

Both amount to the same thing we should all be able to express our opinions openly and agree to disagree. :)
Oct 30, 2008 03:35 PM