Quick note on Joe Biden & VAWA

Like the majority of Americans (and world citizens) I had never heard of Sarah Palin until she was announced as John McCain’s running mate. Never. When Barack Obama announced Joe Biden as his choice for VP, I wasn’t scratching my head thinking, “WHO?” I had heard of Joe Biden. A lot.

In my last full time job before law school, I worked at a domestic violence organization. There, I heard Senator Biden’s name many times in association with legislation and activism against domestic violence. People in my agency would talk about Biden like he was the greatest man ever. Whatever his faults, Biden was known to pay more than lip service when it came to violence against women. I had heard of Joe Biden again as I worked on a research paper for a class in law school. I wrote about the Violence Against Women Act and immigrant battered women. I got an A, by the way.

Peep this video from the Obama campaign highlighting Biden’s contribution to VAWA.

I think the young woman’s story in the video is particularly powerful because it shows how a woman can go for help, after being repeatedly terrorized, and still not be safe. No matter how many times I say it, people always think it’s so easy for a woman to just leave. Maybe coming from a victim/survivor’s mouth, it’ll sound a little different.

I already had my seat in hell reserved

but Sarah Palin just told me that I’ve got VIP access now. Sweet! Ta-Nehisi Coates suggested bloggers should post this around the web. Guess he was flabbergasted Palin would basically use religion and the fear of eternal hell-fire to guilt believers into voting for her.

I think the clip is ridiculous, partly because she sounds funny and partly because she takes Madeline Albright’s quote out of context. She even misquotes it by using the word “support” instead of “help”. I have to agree wholeheartedly with a commenter on Coates’ blog who goes by the name Cynic:

[…] It’s a stupid comment, and a cheap throw-away line. But it’s fairly clear that Sarah Palin doesn’t have a theology, as religious scholars might use that term – no systematic understanding of the world or God’s role in it, that seeks to grapple with the paradoxes and profundities of faith. She isn’t speaking a religious truth – support her or burn – so much as giving voice to her twisted brand of feminism, in which opposing an unqualified woman running for office is an act of sexism.

I don’t blog politics

Mainly because there are a grillion bloggers out there who do and, frankly, who’ll do a better job. I just don’t have the time to stay as updated on the issues and updates to write in such a way that would really do anything new or different. If you want some good coverage (better than that on CNN, MSNBC, FOX), head to Jack & Jill, Black Snob, Ta-Nehisi, Post Bourgie or some others scattered in my blog roll.

I will just jot down a few thoughts on the “issues”:

Taxes: I know we’re in a “financial crisis” or whatever. Still, and I’ve always felt this way, I am not all anti-taxation. I believe we need MORE taxes. Americans are so afraid of being taxed. I get it, ya know. When I was working I didn’t like seeing that money coming out of my check. I don’t like to pay local tax, state tax, federal tax. Tolls all up and thru the northeast. Tax on goods. We work hard for our money and guard it dearly. I get it. But as much as I like to hold on to ALL of my money, I realize that taxes go toward the greater good. We are so selfish in this country and I attribute that to our sense of independence and the idea that you take care of yourself and your family, that’s it. In other countries, they put more money into the pot and everyone benefits. I know I’m willing to give more if more of us will benefit as opposed to keeping more of my own money where only I benefit. I don’t think there will be any change in people’s feelings toward this. You get to talking about social programs and more taxation and people will accuse you of being a socialist or a *gasp* communist. Sarah Palin said that taxes are not patriotic. She’s a nitwit.

VP Debates!

That’s all I’ve got to say about that. Tune in tonight!

Oh, let me be clear: Palin

I do not condone any disrespect or straight up bashing of Sarah Palin as a woman, a person, a human being, a mass of cells and energy, whatever.

Her politics, hair and clothing choices, however, are totally up for criticism, hateration and straight up comedy.

I’m being a bit silly but also serious. I think the race to become Democratic Party nominee was dirty enough with the attacks on Barack Obama and rHillary R. Clinton which had nothing to do with their politics or ability to lead, but with racist, sexist and classist arguments based in ignorance.

I found it terribly disgusting and I want to just sound off on that now. It has already begun with Palin and I’m cringing at it even though I think she’s an anti-feminist, shoddy choice for VP.

Things Bourgie says are okay for which to clown Sarah Palin:

1. She attended Wasilla High School where she played point guard on the state champion basketball team. Her nickname was “Sarah Barracuda.” Man, is that a lame nickname or what?

2. Palin graduated in 1987 from the University of Idaho with a degree in journalism. She worked briefly as a sports reporter in Anchorage. Well, that’s no UNC. 2 Points deducted.

3. She refers to her husband, Todd, as the “First Dude.” Who is she? Michelle Tanner?

4. Palin and her husband have five children, Bristol, Piper, Track, Willow, and Trig. I hope Trig’s name has nothing to do with #6.

5. Her favorite meal is moose stew.

6. She’s a lifetime NRA member.

7. She admits she has “inhaled” marijuana. However, she says that she won’t legalize the drug.

8. Palin filed suit against the US Government for putting polar bears on the endangered species list. What kind of cold-hearted person wants cute cuddly Coca-Cola drinking polar bears OFF of an endangered list? A lifetime NRA member and hunting enthusiast, I guess.

9. She’s all for teacher-led prayer in public schools. As if that Pledge of Allegiance wasn’t enough!?! We do separate church and state, right (well, that’s debatable)?

Feel free to add on.

Source: US News

real quick: Palin

Briefly: I really hope that America is not fooled by this Palin for VP mess. I REALLY hope that those sensitive to feminist issues and women’s concerns are not fooled by this. I REALLY REALLY hope that those who were supporters of Hillary Clinton are not fooled by this.

Sarah Palin may be a woman (can we get verification on this?), but she is all Republican. She is not in favor of the policies that women like myself believe are important. She doesn’t even think you should be able to have an abortion if you were raped! Not even if your daddy did it! She totally thinks that Daddy/Grandads are good American/Christian values.

What a crock of shit. What a silly decision. Whatever you think of Biden, you gotta admit he’d be a decent candidate second to Barack Obama. Hell, at least Joe Biden has championed legislation favoring women such as the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). I admit that I don’t know much about this Palin lady (doesn’t that say something?) but I don’t think she’s “experienced.” Familiar accusation isn’t it? They said the same thing about Barack Obama, but I guess inexperience is okay for the Vice President. A VP who could very likely become President if old man McCain kicks the bucket.

How long are American men living nowadays?

Fin.