The thing I have always hated about being a woman in this society is

[efhmc]

having to water down one thoughts and comments to fit in. As an older woman, I do not do this any more since I do not care what anyone thinks of me. However, I see this concept as so much a part of the campaign for pres. Even the most honest blokes (unfortunately only blokes so far) water down their real thoughts and ideas to get elected. WE Americans do not like real and honest and think that all need to be lovely and light and simple. This approach keeps us stupid and vulnerable. Do you think we will ever grow beyond this?

[Demit]

1. hey! maybe with Teresa as First Lady speaking freely will be ok again

[efhmc]

3. Love Teresa but I am hoping that we all can speak freely. Wouldn't

that be amazing???

[Cleita]

9. Well, with the Steppford wives out of public view,

maybe we can start a new wave of feminism, the right for women to speak freely.

[sr_pacifica]

6. I think Teresa is going to be one of the prime targets of the right wing

Any strong intelligent woman becomes their target of ridicule, double-standards, well, really...hate. Every thing she says will be scrutinized and twisted by them.

But, I will be looking forward to hearing this honest, intelligent woman speak her mind.

[Arugula Latte]

8. Yep. She'll be Hillary Two to them.

They just can't stand them smart broads, ya know? Keep 'em dumb and compliant, that's the Repuke way.

[Cleita]

10. The advantage that Teresa has that Hillary didn't

is plenty of money and time for lawyers to sue the pants off of all them for defamation of character, slander and anything else that will stick. I say, go for it Teresa. It's time to put these people on trial.

[NV Whino]

2. No.

Everything is geared to the lowest common denominator. Good students are slowed down because of mediocre students. Good politicians are held back because the mediocre majority cannot fathom progessive thinking.

And it is fun being an older woman, isn't it?

[efhmc]

5. With a feminist mom and a dad and husband that adored me it was

always fun being a woman but that was at home, I am talking about the really strange world around us in the usa. That daily life that we all must face and which hasn't really changed that much since the 50's.

[Cerridwen]

4. I used to allow my internal speech editor

to take a vacation every so often and something truly "outrageous" used to "slip out."

As I become older, my internal speech editor is on an extended sabbatical and only seems to appear when my job is on the line. Even then sometimes, the old codger just sort of cat naps through my verbal "faux pas" episodes.

[efhmc]

7. I have enough trouble getting time to sleep at the regular times.

Somehow you folks are MISSING my point. I am talking about being able to be honest in America. I fought for this concept in the 70's but now we are falling further and further behind and no one CARES!!! In order to be elected you must spin and weave and deceive the public even if you do not want to, otherwise you are TOAST in the political scene.

[Kanary]

11. Being honest and upfront and true to oneself is NOT acceptable

in the US.

As I've said before, when we feel pain, we're told "Get over it", "Don't dwell on it", "Put it behind you".

When we see problems looming, we're told "You're such a pessimist!"

If we feel angry about some injustice, we're told "Your anger is going to make you sick".

So, how could it be any different in politics?

This is a culture of great denial, and it exists throughout.... it's certainly not the exclusive province of either party. But, Dems don't want to look at that, either.

I care, but can't fight the tide alone.

Kanary, just tired........

[jhain]

13. never be obedient

count me in!

We have some catching back up to do- these creeps have really , really hurt us.

My daughters will NOT live in their world if I can help it.

[bloom]

14. It's a buying into of the "Marketing Mentality"

I also don't like milk-toasty political speech.


Certain groups are probably more free to speak their minds - like artists, for instance. Celebrity actors.

Some people would be worried about losing business, losing friends...

I've thought about that with letters to the editor. I've become rather vocal in that area - but a lot of people are not.

And actually - if I knew then what I know now - what the local orthodontist thinks (pro-Bush) because of letters to the editor... he would not have gotten our business.

[cally]

12. I'm very good at selling my point

I can be the best at seeming moderate. I've made my living that way.

Well, I volunteered for this campaign and I refuse to play that roll. Yeah, I've annoyed many. I entered this deciding I'll just be honest. It's been an amazing experience. I've gotten into several disagreements but now I'm someone they trust (well, for now) I don't lie, I argue, and I'm loyal. We have infuriated each other. Because I was honest they feel they can talk to me. It turns out that I have made no enemies, instead I've made lifelong friends.

I know what you are saying, but I think all of us are making a mistake to water down our comments. I'm hearing that way too many times. I like you better when you are honest.