Put this in GD with no responses. Should have put it here.

[efhmc]

"And how will we know when women have really become an equal part
of the governing bodies of the U.S.? When one becomes a Senator? No. When one becomes a member of Congress? No. When one becomes a Supreme Court Judge? No. When one becomes a Speaker of the House, Uh, no. Will how about when one becomes a President. Again No. We will know women have become equal in our higher levels of government when she can be on TV or in public without her HAIR and Clothes being critiqued as though they are of monumental importance to what is going on in the world."

[Branjor]

1. And without her status

as a mother or grandmother being mentioned.

[Katherine Brengle]

2. I disagree with this one -

I have seen the parental status of male political figures mentioned just as often. Pol's children are usually an important part of the campaign process - hair/clothes/makeup/etc are not.

[efhmc]

11. Sorry but I cry bs.

[Katherine Brengle]

12. Do so if you wish, I disagree.

[ThomCat]

3. Hmmm.

I remember seeing this and responding to it. Did that thread die?

I absolutely agree with you. I'm sick of hearing about what designer suit or shoes a woman is wearing, rumors of facelifts, what colors complement her, etc. I want to know about policy choices and legislative votes.
x(

[atommom]

4. I agree. I'm sick of hearing women's appearance being critiqued

as if it has anything at all to do with the political issues at hand. Men's families may be mentioned too, but in a somewhat different way. It's considered good for a male politician to have a family, but there is never any discussion about whether his job is shortchanging that family.

[omega minimo]

5. link to GD thread

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x23734

[Jamastiene]

6. People barely noticed Chimpy's looks when

he stands there looking like a deer caught in headlights or when he stands there dumbfounded by the simplest of questions, yet women have to be stunning to be noticed in the first place only to find that the focus remains on their appearance instead of the issues at hand. That is really sad. Women have plenty of important things to say to be ignored in that way.

[ismnotwasm]

7. Yup

I knew, WE knew, as soon as Speaker Pelosi was in power, what she wore, hair styles ala Hillary Clinton. (I remember reading and entire article on that) what kind of 'work' she's had done, how good (or not) a breeder she is- was going to be brought up. Not just brought up, but brought up over, and over and over and over.

In other words, is she hot? Is she fuckable? Or not? (A MILF in army terms my daughters tells me, a Mom You'd Love to Fuck) "They" may not come right out and say it but it's there. It's always there.

There is a huge difference in discussing a Man's appearance, (remember the fuss over Bill Clinton's haircut? It was the COST)Or family status. A man has a different status being a "family man," and sad to say, in our politically world, if he DOESN'T have a family or is single they'll be lots of speculation if he's gay--like that's a bad thing. Women may find a particular politically male attractive, but it's not discussed endlessly on the general media.

A women of power gets "accused" of being gay just for being a women in power. I'm waiting for the rumors to come out about Pelosi. Just waiting.

[SemperEadem]

9. I call it the 'hard-on' factor

if you can give the guy who greenlights a hard-on, you've got it your in. If you can't, you're toast.

someone on DU a while back said something crass about Queen Elizabeth II---about her being old, ugly and frumpy and not hot at all. I was like "she's the friggin' head of the Church of England, for God's sake!!! How sexy is she supposed to look and act at the age of 80+?" It was a stupid, incipid remark and the smell of feces eminating from his ears was a marvel to the ages.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

8. Imagine how much women would accomplish

If we didn't have to worry about how we look. Calculate how many minutes and hours the average American women devotes to her appearance. What if she could channel some of that valuable time into other activities, like social or political agitation? Sure, some of us are doing it but think about most of the women in your circle of family, friends, and acquaintances.

How much time and resources are wasted on being attractive, desirable, fuckable, etc.? It's really sad and I'm not disparaging women at all for it. For a lot of women, it's not much of a stretch to believe that your very life depends upon being visually pleasing.

But goddamnit, it takes so much EFFORT and time and expense to acheive it nowadays! Can you really blame a middle aged female politician, or a businesswoman (or any woman for that matter) for succumbing to the facelift or Botox?

Frankly, I'm in awe of women like Pelosi, Clinton, and hell even Condoleeza Rice, for managing to do their demanding jobs while living up to the expectation of being thin, attractive, youthful-looking, and put together. I'm in awe of every woman, including myself, who struggles to make a living and make a mark in the world, while contending with the constant pressure to be Pretty! Hot! Sexy! Slim! Fit! Stylish! Manicured! Pedicured! Highlighted! Good Housekeeper! Gourmet cook! Etc etc...!

Ugh. :(

[efhmc]

10. Does anyone here remember an exhibit back in the meaningful

years (before the rw takeover)that had (among many other things) a woman sitting in front of a mirror putting on and taking off makeup again and again and again. I am sure that this was in Cal. somewhere. I saw it on the TV in Texas and was blown away and have never forgotten it. Does anyone here remember this and if so, refresh my memory.

[Morgana LaFey]

13. Or when we no longer

even think of the question.

Or when little boys (and big) are no longer insulted by calling them ANYthing to do with women -- when, in fact, that would be something of a compliment.