Letters to the Editor
Tema Dunne
Published Letters: 30 Editor's Choice: 2
-
False Memories of Old Bosnia
[Read the article: Hillary Clinton's difficult week ]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I think you’re being a bit soft on Hillary with your analysis. If Obama had made such a grossly inaccurate statement (notice I’m very politely cutting short of calling it a lie), there would be no end to the videos played over and over and the rage against him as a straight up liar. He’d never be able to claim the “false memory” defense. Are we seriously supposed to believe that the stresses of being First Lady---you know, the sleep deprivation, the all-night negotiations, the incessant ribbon cuttings, the strains of trying to keep tabs on your philandering husband, caused her to misremember that she had come under sniper fire?
The juxtaposition of Hillary’s statements alongside the actual video of her arrival with Chelsea at the airport in Bosnia is right up there with the image of GW landing on that aircraft carrier in his macho-man jumpsuit (Stupidman arrives to save the day!) as a tragicomic attempt at myth-making.
I’m an OWW (older white woman) who’s done a bit of work in the women’s movement in my younger days. I’d love to support a woman for President-----but not enough that I’m willing to lower my standards. I certainly wouldn’t have felt like a traitor for not supporting Margaret Thatcher. I just don’t understand why so many retired "feminists" have felt the call to come out of retirement to support this woman who, in so many ways, represents everything we fought against as an attitude and lifestyle imposed on women.
Yes, she’s super smart and, yes, she’s as ruthless and power hungry as any man politician. BUT, she’s also totally tied to the coattails of her man; she’s never called him on any of his exploitive relationships with women; she’s now attempting to represent her tenure as First Lady as if she were Vice President; and she’s politically opportunist as all get out.
Was all the work in the women’s movement about having the freedom to become a stereotype of manhood? I’m fine with supporting her right to accomplish what men have already accomplished over and over ad nauseam, but I’m also fine with passing on her as a choice for President and waiting to have my cake AND be able to eat it. I've never been able to figure out why anyone would want a cake they couldn't eat anyway. As the Yoko Ono song says: “give me something better---more, more, more.”
-
Joan, you ignorant slut.
[Read the article: Americans more ready for a black president than a woman?]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]This is just a joke! Sorry. I couldn't help myself.
I don't think I could write a better response to your narrow, pinched little ideological viewpoint than did idollies in her response.
So, I will just ditto her letter.
-
The High Price of Not Winning
[Read the article: How Hillary Clinton botched the black vote]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I agree that the Clintons probably did assume that they would unquestionably have the support of African Americans, just as they assumed they would probably win against any challenger to the nomination. Initially, because of Bill's personal relationships with many black political leaders, they likely assumed that a young upstart like Obama, even as a black man, would not be able to put a dent their base of support with this demographic. They were wrong. But few people saw the potential of this young politician from Illinois----not even African Americans themselves. How could such an innocent navigate the shark infested waters that have become our nation's political landscape, let alone manage to get this far? But whether one supports Obama or not, certainly we must recognize his acumen as nothing less than remarkable. His achievements mark an impressive milestone for this country and its history of slavery and discrimination----because even if Obama doesn't win the Presidency or the nomination of the Democratic Pary---the notion that white people in American will not support a black person running for President is dead. Do I want to label the underhanded political maneuvering of the Clintons as racist? Absolutely not. They are dishing out nothing different to Obama than they would dish out to anyone else challenging their ascent. In fact, they are probably holding back a bit because of the potential for such tactics to backfire and ruin Hillary's long shot for the White House. This is political pragmatism and dirty politics as usual---not racism. A failed effort to win the White House using these tactics could end up costing her plenty.
I believe that the emphasis here should not be on how Hillary lost the black vote or failed to develop her African American base, or failed in other ways, but rather in acknowledging that Barack Obama is a surprisingly gifted and capable young statesman. Whether he will win the nomination or the Presidency is uncertain---but even if he does not, his achievements to date should be plainly and unequivocally acknowledged.
-
Bird in Hand
[Read the article: Neocons and the truth: Bitter enemies to the end]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Thank you for writing this article. I too have had a foreboding that Bush, under the spell of these scheming, power hungry neocons, is in the process of setting up some kind of pretext for attacking Iran before the end of his tenure. While the neocons would smuggly delight in the prospect of either a John McCain or Hillary Clinton presidency---since both have been signaling their "commitment" to the neocon agenda by beating the drums of annihilation of Iran---Bush is still their best bet. He's the bird in their hand.