I’ve got my own thoughts on the nomination, and they’ll be up later. But for now, WOC PhD (as usual–she’s one of the best bloggers out there and I’m so glad she’s returned to regular posting!) has an excellent rundown of Sarah Palin, plus some bonus analysis of Hillary Clinton’s misplaced comments.

Posted: August 30th, 2008 under Feminism, Politics.
Comments: none

Why would anyone want elections not to be free, and fair, and independently verifiable?

Oh yeah, because they plan on stealing them again this year.

Posted: April 27th, 2008 under Bullshit, Politics.
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I’m sort of fascinated by what’s going on in Zimbabwe right now. I wish I knew more about it, enough to have a more intelligent analysis of the situation (but I have no clue).

It reminds me of how little awareness we have in the U.S. about the goings-on in other parts of the world, and particularly in Africa.

We tend to write things off as “another disputed election in Africa” and the coverage is pretty limited. Anyone heard much about Kenya lately? Didn’t think so. I doubt everything is peachy keen there, but we’ve got another election story to follow.

From what I’ve read on the BBC and heard on NPR, it seems that Mugabe went from revolutionary hero to dictator in a series of power-consolidating years, and is willing to use violence to maintain his grip.

The cult of personality that builds around any popular national hero is kind of amazing. Just this morning, I was reading Jack and Jill Politics about Colin Powell. And I must say I feel much the same way. I’ll never forgive Powell for making that damn speech on Iraq, and I’m even angry at him for waiting to resign until after Bush’s reelection. He obviously knew he wasn’t going to serve another term, and the residual respect for him could’ve swung the election if he’d resigned before the election.

But despite plenty of evidence to the contrary (like the commenter on that blog who mentioned Powell’s party in the My Lai cover-up), I still carry some respect for Powell.

And he’s just a guy who led a war that I was too young to really understand.

Imagine if George Washington, instead of stepping down, had decided to consolidate his own power and stay president. Nothing was stopping him. Who would’ve argued with the hero of the Revolution?

Even FDR, if he had lived longer, could’ve kept running. Wasn’t until 1952 that the 22nd Amendment limited the president to two terms.

So instead of writing Zimbabwe off as another African country with a disputed election, I prefer to think about the ideas of loyalty and admiration and what happens when a politician you used to respect becomes one that embodies everything you fear.

Posted: April 10th, 2008 under Politics.
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Leave it to a man to point this out: the costs of primping and appearance.

Remember the John Edwards “I feel pretty” video? (It’s on YouTube if you missed it.) Women are expected to spend a certain amount of time on their appearance, and even Hillary Clinton’s monochrome pantsuits and short, swept-back hair require more work than Obama’s basic lack of hair and monochrome suits.

Honestly, with all the talk of sexism around this election, this was one  thing I hadn’t thought of.

Posted: April 5th, 2008 under Feminism, Politics.
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