It was not my intention to write a political post, as I generally find politics to be a rather hateful topic. (Literally, full of hate.) However, tomorrow I am supposed to go to go on Anderson Cooper Live and tweet about their “Morning After the Election” show. So, you all get to suffer through a few slightly political posts. Kidding. Mostly.
My first thought? Oh, no… I hope people realize I’m actually smarter than that chick who plays me on the internet. Yikes… I fully anticipate folks coming out of the woodwork to inform me that I’m “just a mommy blogger” and therefore entirely unqualified to write about politics. One of the hazards of being a mom who blogs is just how easy it is for people to write you off. You have to write often enough about your kids that you don’t feel guilty, but not so often that people write you off as having nothing valuable to say.
I thought about all the celebrities who love to wear shirts telling people how to vote, and I cringed. I tried to think of a single celebrity who went to my alma mater. Then I thought about whether or not education even matters, since I know plenty of people who are highly intelligent and don’t have degrees…
You will vote, and you will vote for the Emperor. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Lastly, I remembered that other pesky thing, the pesky thing I rarely talk about… the dual degree in English and Communications and the original plan to become a journalist. (I’m pretty sure unpaid blogging doesn’t count.) That meant lots of classes in literature, creative writing, the media, and journalism, including…
Wait for it.
JOURNALISM AND THE SUPREME COURT
What might one learn in such a class? I’m so glad you asked.
1. There is more than one side to every story. (This is always something to think about while writing.)
2. In order for a story to be complete, there should be answers to the questions of who, what, when, where, why, and how. If you finish a story, and these questions weren’t answered, that’s shoddy journalism. Most of the short news blips we read and see on television fall into the category of shoddy journalism. Just because it makes a good soundbite doesn’t mean it’s accurate.
3. The Supreme Court does NOT make laws. The Supreme Court sets PRECEDENTS. Congress makes laws. States make laws. The Supreme Court does not. That does NOT mean the Supreme Court is not important. The Supreme Court is still the highest court in the land, but they are not the be-all, end-all. We have a system of checks and balances.
Over and over again, I keep reading that the rights to my uterus are going to be rescinded. Any minute the Uterus Police is going to come take away my IUD, and I will be forced to breed. Clearly I should be very angry about this.
Here’s the thing. I happen to be pro-choice, but I’m not buying this at all. It’s a distraction, more political kabuki. The President of the United States doesn’t stamp his feet loudly, fire a gun, and whatever he says becomes law. That’s how fascist governments and toddlers operate.
Thankfully, it is not that easy to change legal policy here in America.
President Bush was able to pass a law banning third trimester abortions because most reasonable people can agree that at some point a mass of cells does become a baby. We can debate the exact point ad nauseum. However, if I gave birth at 6-7 months, hit the child on the head with a blunt object, and then proceeded to drop the baby in a dumpster, I would be prosecuted for infanticide, and rightly so. If it’s wrong for me to do it, then it follows that it’s also illegal for a doctor to do it.
Otherwise, I am not opposed to reproductive rights. However, I honestly believe it’s a decided issue. Done. Finished. Full Stop.
Presidents who identify themselves as pro-life have tried to appoint Supreme Court Justices who are pro-life. And for the most part, they have failed, with many conservative Justices becoming far less conservative once appointed. (Souter, Kennedy, and O’Connor were all “conservative” picks.) It’s a firebrand issue, and most people know EXACTLY what would happen if abortion rights were infringed upon, formerly peaceful citizens rioting in the streets. It actually would revert to state laws, but that wouldn’t prevent people from rioting in the streets.
Most politicians are far more pragmatic than idealistic, and aren’t really prepared for that. Right now, with the military still in the Middle East, hurricane damages, fear about running out of natural resources, jobs being shipped overseas, high unemployment, and the economy in the tank… Seriously, where would one even find the time to wage a war on women?
I truly believe the “binders full of women” comment was a gaffe. The nineteenth amendment is not going anywhere. Reproductive rights aren’t going anywhere. If anything, women are gaining more and more ground in every field; it just takes time. I don’t believe the Republican Party wants to send women back to the 19th Century.
And I vote with my brain. Now, can we please stop talking about my uterus?
Fair Warning: If any comments mention rape, I WILL start talking about Bill Clinton and/or the Kennedies and all the allegations waged against them, which were never rescinded. You’ve been warned. There are plenty of despicable people on both sides of the fence. Let’s just all agree that rape is terrible, and leave it at that. Seriously. Anyone who says otherwise is despicable, and certainly NOT someone I would endorse, but I’m guessing most reasonable minded people wouldn’t endorse Jeremiah Wright either…
Lastly, I will approve all comments as long as they are respectful. You certainly don’t need to agree with me.
Although I don’t feel exactly the same way, I respect you for trying to clarify some points. And you’re right, it’s not necessarily easy to change legal policy here. And thank goodness for that!
Yeah, it is a very good thing. We’ve really come up with some crazy ideas over the years, but luckily those ideas are almost always shut down by someone somewhere along the line. And I’m definitely curious about how people will feel about Obamacare in 10-15 years when it’s really kicked in. Believe me, for everyone’s sake, I hope it works better than my own (cynical) vision of it.
I also don’t necessarily agree with you make some great points too. See this is my point to people, we don’t have to be hateful to disagree. Abortion, I see both sides of the issue. I feel life starts at conception. That said, I (uhoh I am going to say I don’t care if you bring the other two presidents up because I am not attached to them) I don’t believe in rape. How is forcing a penis in worse than forcing a baby out of the same hole? I am very pro life but I think I might be a prolife-pro choice. Though I know not one person that is pro choice that is pro abortion. Everyone that I know that stand on that side of the issue abhor abortion but it is a rights issue. Then again the issue is a done deal. We can all try to see more moderate ground because, well extream thinking in anyway isn’t healthy.
My husband is absolutely convinced that most states probably already have (state) laws regarding rape victims and abortion. I honestly don’t know, but I do feel that everyone should have the choice, because what kind of life is a child who is unwanted going to have? And not everyone wants to give birth and then promptly give their child up for adoption. Also, the sad truth is, if it were outlawed (AND I REALLY DON’T THINK THAT’S ON THE TABLE), women would find the cheapest provider willing to do it, which probably means more woman would die. I know a lot of women who are pro-choice, but who wouldn’t necessarily choose it for themselves.
What’s saddest is that so many people don’t educate their children on the front end. We say we’re not prudes, but then somehow, when it comes to our kids, we are. And yet I’m as guilty as anyone. My own daughter is 3, and I’ve already thought about simply locking her up in her room until she turns 25. Speaking of extremes…
LOL you know I have always been open about bodies since mine were born. So the talk wasn’t difficult. I think when it is difficult is when you get shy. Now my daughter’s body is changing and I do want to lock her up…sigh.
Two things:
(1) If Darth Vader wore a “Vote now!” t-shirt I think it could actually have a positive impact. More than seeing Paris Hilton wearing one, that’s for sure.
(2) I completely agree that these things don’t happen overnight, and it take more than the POTUS waving his wand to make it happen. For me, I just don’t want a president who is distracted by backing these things when he (or she!) should be focused on more critical matters.
I will admit, this election was hard because I really didn’t care for either nominee.
I wrote a letter to the Dean asking for James Earl Jones to speak at our graduation. I never heard back, but it would have been awesome.
I had the same problem with this election. I was a big fan of John McCain and changed party affiliations (I used to be reg Ind) in order to be able to vote in the Rep primary. This year I didn’t really care. Terrible but true. However, with the economy where it currently is, I still feel like Mitt is the better man for the job.
And I can’t help but feel like it would be great for the Republican party to get some new blood into the party, people who are young and energetic, and truly believe in a much smaller, and truly hands off government.
Then again, you never know, maybe a third party will gain ground given just how many people are exasperated with the current system.
I love the idea of new blood coming into the Republican party. Some of these people (on both sides) are a bit out of touch.
And yeah, after this election, I believe the the idea of being Independent will gain momentum. I hope it does.
Two words. Meghan McCain. I actually don’t agree with her on legalizing pot, but otherwise she is surprisingly cool. Now, if only she could be cloned as the Republican party desperately needs young people, and desperately needs people who represent our current social climate.
Not a bad thought! Are you sure YOU don’t want to run the country?
I totally do. Sadly, my past is riddled with far too much tequila, condom pranks, and dead possums. Also, no law degree. Any chance you’re up for the task?
Our pasts look exactly alike. I’m out as well.
Correct me if I’m wrong but I think one of the main points you are making here is that despite a bunch of loons and pandering on both side of the political fence, most politicians are much to practical to enact laws that would so drastically and negatively effect their constituency. They are much more focused on big, practical issues than these weird social issues.
In America, I would totally agree with you (though Canadian municipal issues are another breed altogether). I also think this is something that foreign spectators would do better to remember. Not every hair brained idea that an outfielder politician broadcasts is widely supported or accepted and probably won’t become a law. We are, usually, quite civilized, if a little ignorant. Our awesome constitution was framed like it exactly for this reason.
I think this post rocks and I hope it gets attention outside of America too.
Sadly, the media LOVES the loons. Yellow journalism at its very best… but the sad part is it crowds out the real issues. I think there are some Republicans who’d love to try to overturn Roe Vs. Wade, I just think it’s way more complicated than that, and EXTREMELY unlikely. It’s just hard to allow something, and then ban it, not unlike Prohibition.
“Not every hair brained idea that an outfielder politician broadcasts is widely supported or accepted and probably won’t become a law. We are, usually, quite civilized, if a little ignorant. Our awesome constitution was framed like it exactly for this reason.”
I couldn’t agree with this more, and thanks Peaches!
I really enjoy how you express yourself. Your journalism degree is showing…
I didn’t have journalism at my school, which is why I went with the combination degree, but thanks so much!
VERY well said. So very well said I capitalized the entire word.
Remember though, people in their 20s are so incredibly stupid. Everyone I know who was worried about having their rights taken away if Romney was president really were overreacting. I tried explaining it in the way that you can’t really take away a person’s rights anymore so much as you can deny them new ones. Once something becomes legal it’s harder to take away because people will notice. Great job here!
Yeah, I actually did realize I might publish this and end up with just you and Lily as blog friends. But… I couldn’t even begin to write something political without saying this first. I definitely think people were overreacting, but man it is hard to get a complicated topic into a blog post in less than 2000 words…
Next time, say, “Remember how well Prohibition worked?” I win most arguments the minute I mention alcohol; after that my friends are too distracted to think clearly anyway.
As a 20-something who was scared…I was NOT scared of Romney. I didn’t give two hoots about him really. Didn’t love him, but didn’t think the world would end if he was elected. I try to differentiate between republicans and tea partiers. It was the tea-partiers running for office that did and still do give me nightmares and if somebody is part of that political crowd, yes, I judge them for it.
Ha! Yeah, I think we’ve all been there. I loved John McCain, believe it or not… and hated Sarah Palin. It was the constant bringing her infant on stage that drove me crazy. Will someone please let that poor child sleep at night rather than using him for political purposes?
And I wanted to be excited for a female candidate too. I just wanted her to stop politicking with her special needs kid.
Lily’s probably much more conservative from me anyway, I grew up in an extremely liberal household and my dad voted communist in the 70s at one point. Economicaly I agree more with the Right and human rights I agree more with the Left. Since money has never made me happy (although it could) I lean more left. Politics in a way is dumb to even argue. No one will ever get everything they want. Sad in a way. Even in an average election 48% of the country is extremely pissed off at who the new president is.
This is so true. A 60% approval rating is considered awesome in politics. Congrats!! 40% thinks you’re doing badly… but it is really hard to translate issues from the micro-level (where things usually make sense) to the macro-level.
I just read in a paper here that Romney is like really opposed to abortion and that kind of stuff.
It’s one of the things that pisses me off. Like ‘hey dude, without birth control we’ll have troubles, right? Just accept it’. I’m not able to understand what’s wrong with it. Of course – we should respect life, everyone’s life and right to live. But sometimes, we’d better look at the already existing people and at their lives… Right?
Am I really off topic, or is it acceptable? :p
That is absolutely how I feel. That said, it doesn’t stop me from voting Republican, as I really don’t feel reproductive rights are back on the table. It’s very very hard to grant a right, and then rescind it without having riots in the street.
Romney is personally very conservative, but it would be difficult to impossible to try to take away reproductive rights from the population at large. And the other branches of government would NOT approve it.
All of that said, I really wish politicians would be a LOT more careful what they say, because we live in a world where anything and everything can become a soundbite. Pause. Think. Then talk.
Haha, yes. Just curious, but why republican? I’m always been pro Obama, but I don’t know enough about it, and I don’t live in America.
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So teach me something new please
Well, most of what you hear in the media involves social conservatism, which is a different animal from fiscal conservatism. Our debt is abominable, and when you owe other people tons of money, they essentially own you. We have no current plans to balance the budget, and our costs continue to skyrocket, especially with Obamacare. I really don’t think socialized medicine works. It’s slow and cumbersome, and the service is actually better when you pay for it through private insurance. Also, emergency rooms have always taken people regardless of insurance, and there are other social programs in place for those without. Disability, Medicare/Medicaid, and even charities designed to help families. (St Jude, the Ronald McDonald Foundation…) It’s not a perfect system, but people in other countries travel here for surgeries. I fear the system being so bogged down in financial issues and years of paperwork that we lose that.
And we had HIP for a while through the state of NY. It was horrible and inefficient, and my own children suffered from it at the hands of doctors who were over-worked and underpaid. Sorry for such a long description.
Like I didn’t ask for that
.
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I’m being raised in this system of health care andit always seemed so logic and natural to me, but your situation is different of course. Hard to judge.
Thanks for the explanation, it did teach me something new
Our situation actually is unusual. Our son (WHO DEFINITELY NEEDED SERVICES) didn’t receive services until he was three, in part because his pediatrician was constantly writing me off when I would ask her questions. The really sad part is, he has global low muscle tone, which should have been obvious to any medical professional who was actually doing her job, and not just rushing us in and out the door. Now that I know, even I can spot low muscle tone, but at the time I didn’t.
I do think when it comes to services, you get what you pay for.
Maybe that’s right, but over here, I think it’s a bit different. There will always be stories like yours, very frustrating and sad, but this system has been running here for so long, I do believe I can trust it.
But then again, we’ve been growing into this for ages. It’s totally different.
I hope your son is well now!
Legal policy can be changed by writing new laws to change legal definitions.
In several states, legislatures have already imposed limits on womens reproductive rights.
I hear so little about state’s laws anymore, unless it is gay marriage or marijuana… I am going to have to research that.
Laws regulating pills, or who pays for them, or how they are sold? I’m actually not opposed to telling women more about the physical process of abortion, as like any medical procedure, it can have other health impacts. (Rising infertility and cancer rates, mainly, and infertility can get awfully expensive.) That’s not to say I think the old days of botched abortions were better; just each expensive in a different way.
Yes, informed consent is definitely important. But requiring a transvaginal ultrasound seems a bit steep. And I get the impression that many that are writing legislation are doing it from a religious/socially conservative perspective, and not a medical one.
Yes, I agree. I just glanced at the states and the legislation itself. Of course, some is there to prevent doctors from being sued. (I cannot believe people sue doctors because they have special need kids, but… common sense is not always common.) And some of it just reads like thinly veiled propoganda. The transvag ultrasounds are just… ack.
I actually worry that the Republican Party and the concept of conservatism is to the point that it will die off like the Whigs if it doesn’t stop and re-examine the whys of conservatism, especially as someone who firmly believes in fiscal conservatism and many basic tenets of conservatism and limited government.
They certainly aren’t doing it from a personal perspective.
I love this blog! I love what you have to say, but wish you would address communism more often!
Next time, just for you, I will write about someone legally marrying a tree… but also pays his taxes and is a productive citizen.
I agree that policy is unlikely to change, or at any great pace anyway. And as outlandish as some of the GOP candidates can be, I agree that most of them are pragmatic enough not to attempt a widespread attack on reproductive rights. However, I do find the general tone worrying from that side of the political spectrum. I find it uncomfortable at best to have to overlook the vitriolic rhetoric to vote for economic policy, but I also understand that the economy is the biggest looming issue in the US at the moment. I just wish that the GOP could stick to true conservative principles like you say: fiscal responsibility and less government. I was relieved to see that Akin and the other guy didn’t get away with talking about legitimate rape though, that was heartening.
Also, Anderson Cooper live? I KNOW A CELEBRITY! I wish I would have had you sign something! How cool is that?
Someday I really hope I sign a book, and ya know, not a prison jumpsuit or anything…
Some of the GOP candidates are way too far right, although some of the Dem candidates have also been pretty far left recently. True moderates seem to be in short supply these days. The GOP would be really wise to find some, as well as a younger demographic and people who are better representatives of the current social climate. It’s so frustrating to watch them dig a hole for themselves, instead of trying to move toward the middle, which is where most of America really is. Gay marriage doesn’t cost a penny, which should make it the least. complicated. issue. ever.
Gah. Akin. It was a relief, but I would have liked to see a single digit number next to his name. If you don’t like the other candidate, just leave it blank, and let the message speak for itself.
I agree that the GOP needs moderates. I wonder why they keep moving further right.. is it because that’s where the donors are? It’s kind of an awkward position to be in if they can’t get the money to win the vote, but they can’t win the vote because they have the fringe lunatics making everyone nervous.
I was wondering that too, and I think you’re right. It must be where the money is. Mitt actually did go a bit further right in the last 5-6 years. It’s not like Massachusetts is going out of its way to elect uber-conservatives…
At any rate, I hope they figure out after this last round that the religious stuff is not getting them anywhere. Although I am all fancy dancy liberal elitist (as my relatives like to call me) I do see value in having both parties move closer to the middle, and having government change hands between them as circumstances require.
I am terrified by the concept of Uterus Police.
It IS a scary concept.
I’m with Goldfish up there. And you are really smart. You were totally qualified to speak at the show yesterday. I would have said, “Um, I like Obama.”
As it was, by about ten minutes into the show, even if we said nothing, it was obvious they only had 60 minutes to fill, and had several hours of potential material. Thank you though, and it was really great meeting you! Looking forward to the reunion.
No wacky response here. Just that your take on politics is just as smart and common-sense-driven as I wish actual politicians could be.
Thanks Tori. You never know. Oftentimes if you’re in the middle, you’re not liberal enough for Dems and not conservative enough for Rep… but people have actually been really nice, and all comments have been reasonable and gracious.
We just became best friends forever after this post. The “uterus police” concept is similar to the idea if a Republican wins we’ll all be forced to wear guns. (Mine would be vermillion because vermilion brings out my eyes). Loved this:
“Most politicians are far more pragmatic than idealistic, and aren’t really prepared for that. Right now, with the military still in the Middle East, hurricane damages, fear about running out of natural resources, jobs being shipped overseas, high unemployment, and the economy in the tank… Seriously, where would one even find the time to wage a war on women?”
And holy heck I loved this, too:
“Fair Warning: If any comments mention rape, I WILL start talking about Bill Clinton and/or the Kennedies and all the allegations waged against them, which were never rescinded. You’ve been warned. There are plenty of despicable people on both sides of the fence. Let’s just all agree that rape is terrible, and leave it at that. Seriously. Anyone who says otherwise is despicable, and certainly NOT someone I would endorse, but I’m guessing most reasonable minded people wouldn’t endorse Jeremiah Wright either…”
So please, let me know when you’re running for president. You certainly have my vote.
Oh no, you would have been forced to wear a vermillion gun. (Actually, that does sound kinda cool…) No, the media just takes stuff, and really runs with it. Obviously, Todd Akin is a moron, but Republicans saying “Todd Akin needs to step down as Congressman” didn’t get enough noise or airtime.
There really are jerks on both side of the political fence, but I have no desire to go into politics. I’d be perpetually clammy, and tripping over my own words. I am starting to think about whether or not I’d enjoy working in grassroots politics or speechwriting. It’s definitely time for me to get a job.
Brilliant, brilliant blog. Love this. Love it so much!
Thanks so much Rose. I wasn’t going to write about politics. And then at the last possible minute just had to write this post. I always say I hate politics, but once I get started it’s difficult to get me to shut up…
Catching up on my blog reading . . . this is just outstanding. I practiced law, and often try to explain everything you explained to folks arguing about abortion. I too am pro-choice but this is pretty much a dead issue. Good on you for outlining logical and persuasive arguments.
Thanks El. I wasn’t going to write anything ANYTHING about politics… And then I figured I might as well get a little practice. And then I wished I’d written it sooner, even though my blog is tiny…