Palin, Media Bias, Bigotry and Granddaughters

This writer was a child of the 1950’s, reaching adulthood in the turbulent days of the late 1960’s and early 1970’s. A cursory glance may leave the impression that the world has changed dramatically. Recent events leave me questioning just how illusory that change may be.

As a young adult I was fascinated with a ground breaking comedic TV program. The program aired on CBS in 1971. “ALL IN THE FAMILY“  was a huge critical success, ranking as the number 1 show in America from 1971 to 1976, the first show ever to hold a number 1 ranking for 5 straight years.

The show was brillantly cast and written. Carroll O’Conner and Jean Stapleton, both lifelong liberal Democrats, were cast as the lead characters, Archie and Edith Bunker. The Bunker’s were meant to represent white, working class Americans of that day. The critics of the day referred to Archie as a “LOVABLE BIGOT”, two words rarely associated with each other today.

Archie, the bigot, was prejudiced against everything and everyone not in agreement with his view of the world. He was a sexist and a racist.  

Fans of the the show will remember how frequently Archie told Edith to “stifle herself”. Whenever Edith expressed a view contrary to one held by Archie she was told to “stifle yourself”. Archie regularly reminded Edith that ” a woman’s place was in the home”. Edith knew she would  ”vote for” political candidates selected by Archie. Edith – as a woman – was assumed to be of lesser intelligence.  Edith played a very differential role to the “Man of the House”.  If it were not for the fact that Archie clearly loved Edith very much, it would have been impossible to find the “bigot” lovable.  

After 50 years of positive cultural change, I though we might be living in a better world.

When my mother left home in the 1960’s to go to work, it was not because she wanted a career. She needed to feed and support her family. Her alcoholic husband could not keep a job.

I won’t forget that the work place of that day was dominated by men. Woman were denied access to jobs or equal pay solely because of gender.  Despite the hurdles my Mother came to enjoy her “career” as a cleaning woman and later as a bus driver. She always loved being a Mother best of all.  

I’m proud of my Mother and her generation. Without her sacrifice and the sacrifice of millions of other woman we would not have had a Hiliary Clinton running as a Presidential Candidate nor would we have Sarah Palin as a Vice-Presidential candidate today. These woman were clearly raised to believe in themselves and their unlimited potential – that a woman can do anything and aspire to any position. 

It is maddening, that at this historical moment, sexism, bigotry and intolerance return in the form of the Democratic party and its minions. A party that claims to a champion of all human rights, including those of woman, is really the Party of intolerance. 

Only a bigot would suggest that since Governor Palin is a mother of 5, she should know her “place is in the home” and not in public service. That she should “go home and care for her kids”. I’m shocked to hear purported liberals and leading members of the Democratic Party denigrating the Governor’s accomplishments and dismissing her intelligence because of her gender.  I hear Archie yelling ”stifle yourself Edith” echoing from a darker past.

This sexism and bigotry, like Archie’s, is rooted in intolerance. Intolerance not just of gender and race but of beliefs. An intolerance or prejudice against anyone who fails to share the bigots view of the world. 

This cannot be allowed to stand. Intolerance and bigotry are evil. They must be beaten down and cannot be tolerated.

My granddaughters will not grow up in a world where they are told their place is in the home, that they must decide between family and career, or that they are less qualified because of their gender. My granddaughters will not be shouted down because they hold either conservative or liberal views. I do not want a world where those with opposing views are shouted down and denied a chance to speak, where personal attacks, lies and innuendo are used to mask bigotry.

Media Bias – Experience

GOVERNOR PALIN’S EXPERIENCE

The current discussion of Governor’s Palin’s level of experiencce is disturbing. I’ve heard liberal commentators state a thousand times that  “SHE” has no Foreign Policy experience, that “SHE” was only the Governor of Alaska. That “HER” length of service is inconsequential position  “SHE” is unqualified to seek higher office.

These comments are followed by denigrating remarks about the Governor’s accomplishments and personal attacks on her family. 

I can’t help wondering what these bigots would they say if she were running for President.  I guess I can imagine it, look what happened to Senator Clinton. This bigoted critism seems so much worse for Governor Palin.

The facts are these, the current President (Bush) served as Govenor of Texas. The prior President, Clinton, served as Governor of Arkansas. Prior to Clinton, Bush, who had been a VP under President Regan. Regan served as Governor of California, President Carter – the Governor of Georgia, Prior to Carter, Nixon a former VP. Prior to Nixon, President Johnson, a prior VP. Prior to Johnson – President Kenedy, who served as a US Senator. Prior to Kennedy – General Eisenhower, prior to Eisenhower was President Truman a former VP. Prior to Truman was Franklyn D Roosevelt who served as Governor of New York.  

The Citizens of the United States have elected 11 Presidents in the last 75 years.  Five were Republicans and six Democrats. The group is exclusively male and white. Of the 11 Presidential office holders, 3 previously served as Vice President, 6 had served as Governors, only 1 was elected President directly from the US Senate and 1, Eisenhower, a General. Nine of the 11 had EXECUTIVE office experience either as Governors or Vice President. Only one came from the US Senate, the legislative branch.

The American people and political parties have indicated a clear preference in nominating and electing Governors and Vice Presidents to the Office of President. To dismiss this candidate derisively noting “SHE” was only a Governor speaks to the resurgence of bigotry and intolerance on the Left. 

The elitist, east coast, old boy, liberal establishment club –  STILL DOESN’T GET IT. They need to be sent a new message.

Bigotry is prejudice against everything and everyone not in agreement with the bigot’s view of the world  – America is entitled to hear Gov Palin’s view of the world – she is entitled to express it.

Length of Service / Drug Use

It appears that Governor Palin has served only two years as Governor. President Carter had only served two years as Governor of Georgia prior to starting his bid for the Presidency. Senator Obama had only served 150 days in the US Senate prior to starting this campaign for the Presidency. 

It has been reported that Governor Palin’s husband was ticked 20 or so years ago, when he was 21, for DUI. Governor Palin admits to trying “pot” while it was legal in Alaska.  Senator Obama, while not being very specific, admits to extreme cocaine use less than 20 years ago. Read his book.

How are we to comprehend the demand from the press that Governor Palin step down as a Vice Presidential candidate. Where is the request for Senator Obama to step down?

The liberal press has abandoned any pretense of Journalism  – they are now campaigning for Candidate Obama. A free press requires a fair presentation of both sides of an issue. The actions being undertaken to attack Governor Palin are reprehensible.