fickle | Link of the Day: Is America Ready For A Woman President?

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Link of the Day: Is America Ready For A Woman President?

Link of the Day: Is America Ready For A Woman President?

Finally, someone speaks about exactly how stupid a question that is, and even backs it up with statistics about which countries have already had female presidents or prime ministers. Read her article.

...Or watch me froth like fresh-whipped milk.

Sri Lanka's already had a female president. And guess what she did? Nearly turned Sri Lanka into a police state, complete with the right to detain people with trial if they were thought to be members of the Tamil Tigers, a terrorist organization in Sri Lanka that we've been having a civil war with for decades.

Not exactly the fluff-and-cookies that everyone keeps thinking that will happen if a *gasp* woman gets elected.

Women can make bad leaders.

Men can make bad leaders.

No gender has a monopoly on being reactionary idiots and I really don't get why people are acting like Hilary's going to paint the White House pink if she gets in.

If you don't want to vote for Hilary, that's fine. Your vote, your choice, and I respect that. But I don't want you to be thinking 'Is America Ready For A Woman President?' America doesn't need to put out the good plates or tidy up the house. America is not a frat boy trying to get laid by the President, debating if the house is clean enough to invite her over. In fact, if anything, the President should be someone that you trust to clean up the house for you and I don't mean that in the sense of women should be doing domestic work or that you should vote for Hilary because she's got the magical double-X that'll let her tidy up Bush's mess. What I mean is that you don't pick whom you think America is 'ready' for. You pick whom you think will do the best job of running the country.

Would I like a female president of the USA? Sure! I'd love it.

But do you know what I want more? A president that's pro-gay rights, pro-choice, pro-gun control, pro-UN, pro-women's rights -- a president who can handle international affairs without making America look like the country of idiots, and a president that I'll be proud to say that I voted for. I want a president that's intelligent and diplomatic, who'll remind me that it's possible to be interested in politics without cringing everytime you read an article on what 'your' country is doing.

I want a president who'll make me proud to be American again.

And you know what? If it turns out that Hilary fills all of those wishes, fantastic. If it turns out she fills more of those than the other candidates, still fantastic. Both those situations mean that she'll get my vote, because -- and here's the kicker -- she'll be giving me what I want, because the changes she could theoretically make would last well beyond the four years that she's in the White House. Vote a women for President just because you want a woman in the White House? Fine, but at the most, that'll last for four years -- or possibly eight, if she gets re-elected. Vote someone into the White House because they agree with your stances? You might just get the type of social change that lasts.

Policies matter more than gender, race or favorite flavor of jam. That's why it's called politics, not gendertics, racetics or jamtics.

This isn't a question of what America is 'ready' for; this is about what America needs.

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So true, the political families have held the stage too long. Bring on a Woman president n' that'd be suburb, I have nothing against it ^^. Hellen Clark has been an awesome Prime Minister for New Zealand over the last few years, she's done allot better than the others. Bleh.

America is overdue for a Female president, or for that matter, a non-white non-balding president would be good too. They're all clones of each other.

Hm, the beer thing is new to me xD

When people write, "Is America ready for a female president?" they need to know how insulting that is to women. These are the doubt planters. Tell 'em to go to hell. They're not asking, they're undermining. If you want to make someone feel unwell, don't say, "You look terrible", because he'll immediately bounce back with, "I feel fine!" But if you ASK, if you say, "Do you feel all right?" the doubt sets right in. "Why? Why do you ask? What's wrong?" That's what they're doing. "Is America READY for a woman president?" "Why? What's going to happen??"

I think that's a rather interesting comparison - a good one, at that.

I like what you had to say. Interesting.

But do you know what I want more? A president that's pro-gay rights, pro-choice, pro-gun control, pro-UN, pro-women's rights -- a president who can handle international affairs without making America look like the country of idiots, and a president that I'll be proud to say that I voted for. I want a president that's intelligent and diplomatic, who'll remind me that it's possible to be interested in politics without cringing everytime you read an article on what 'your' country is doing.

Do you think we'll ever get that? Or rather, when? Or at least one that's at least most of what you believe in -- in America? And if so, how long do you think it will take - you pay more attention to certain things that I do and I am interested in your opinion; even if it sounds like a rather silly question.

All it takes is someone people are willing to vote for. It will happen, its silly to say that the only person in charge of a country can be male. I think the question is would it be likely that the only two parties you guys vote for would put forward a female for office?

[Also wow, I must've beaten you only by a few seconds @.@, you reply fast ^^]

I just wonder if because of the constant "Is America ready" will put doubt in people's minds and then, well... just continue the cycle. I would like to see a President that makes me proud and interested to learn about...

I do agree with that, "its silly to say that the only person in charge of a country can be male."

Though, I (will get flames for this!) am not registered to vote. Heh. But, all in all, it would be nice to see/have a President that is more... open-minded on things and will push for those things? ^^; I don't have a very good way with words, forgive me.

[ xD Yeah, when I clicked 'reply' no one had commented and BAM there you were ;P It LOOKS like I'm on livejournal 24/7, but I'm not! It's just... ironic timing that I tend to reply fairly quickly! XD ^^; ]

Btw, I've wanted to say this for a while, I like your icon!

"Is America ready" is a typical line that the media use just to draw peoples eyes out of their heads though. I'm sure that if there was a Woman running for president, she wouldn't be labeled with "The Woman Candidate" instead of "The Candidate". Plus I believe that, given a good candidate, allot of people would base their vote off wanting to see a change.

And why not? I registered to vote in New Zealand when I was living in the states. Its really easy and there are always supportive people out there. You're in the country, if you can vote, then go for it :). They're the people who represent you.

[I'm on the computer 24/7, or at least close by. Ironic timing ^^, pretty cool. We posted within a minute of each other too, surprised me somewhat]

Cheers, its fan art themed around Zelda methinks. I played around with it from a larger picture. I've got to get more though, have used this one allot ^^.

That's very true. Though, I'm uncertain about some places - as I find the news up here tend to sometimes brush closely to saying things that isn't the most intelligent. Still, good point. I do hope so!

I've pondered it, but have a few reasons for not yet doing so, I'm sure one day I will *sweatdrop*

[LoL! I ... can be xD Not always, but yes. LoL. After you said that, I looked at the timing and was pretty amazed myself. xD ]

^^ It does look like fanart... I think? I've not actually played through any Zelda games yet (oops), but I do know Link well enough to catch notice of the elf ^^' LoL It's a good one, I say! :D

Fox news is the funniest thing. A friend of mine just sit down and laugh at some of the more stupid headlines.

Its up to you, part of voting is choice. By not voting you're choosing which is also fine.

<_< Really good fan art but can't say much about the game play. I never was into Zelda but I grabbed this one while talking to an avid Zelda fan who said I could use it for whatever end. Think I submitted it as an icon to mess.be as well. Bleh. *blush* I've got a really small friends list, and you sound pretty cool. Would you mind me adding you?

Isn't it? I mean, in Texas, I didn't mind it so much. Most of the time, actually, ABC news was pretty good and didn't show so much... hmm... bias? No, that's not right. But, they did the news, made it entertaining, and that was that. Now? In Maryland? I constantly see things that just make me snarl.

Good point!

^^; I think it LOOKS good xD But, I'm not the most loving to such puzzle games. I enjoy puzzles, up to a point, but when I put the game down for "too long", I no longer remember my task or how I got to "point B". I love video games, but I prefer other kinds ^^; But yes, I like it xD

^^ I don't mind - fair warning I sometimes post up to 4 or 5 times a day! And include nearly everything on the scale - ask Fickle xD But I won't mind a mutual add if you don't? ^^; And yay for me sounding cool ^.^'

Now? In Maryland? I constantly see things that just make me snarl.

Want to see worse? Live in Kentucky for a month. Specifically Winchester, KY. Really, the attitude towards women in general there - even in the school system - is quite literally, after high school, you find yourself a man, you get pregnant and you be the doting little woman. To the point where, a high school teacher actually said to the girls in his class, "You girls are only filling in the gap until you can get married."

I found it very sad, that during my son's kindergarten graduation, (Yes, I lived in this town for 5 years - I'm so glad I'm not ther anymore) every single girl wanted to be a nurse, a teacher or - you got it - a mom. Not any other job was said.

... Ouch. That's just... very sad and uncool.

That's very disappointing and unsettling that it's like that there - or anywhere, for that matter. If a female wants to have that career, fine! No objections, but... to feel like there's no other option? So uncool.

At least you're not there anymore...

Gah, that really puts me on edge. It sucks that kind of attitude prevails. At my university in engineering we've got lots of scholarships for women (I've seen at least 10) interested in a carrier as a positive incentive to get more to join, yet our classes are still filled with guys.

Glad you got out of there. That filling the gap bullshit, a teacher is supposed to be a positive role model, on the side of education, not against it.

Headlines: "How an ordinary Escalator could KILL YOU!!, but before we go to the break, lets watch these puppies playing Grid-iron." Well, those headlines admittedly were time shifted. The first one was the first time I ever watched Fox news, and the second was the last. And yeah, I know what you mean. I used to be in Virginia (and never figured out why people couldn't mention it without putting "North" in front of it) so it might be that we got similar headlines ^^. I blame MTV (hehe).

I don't play games at all these days unless someone thrusts a controller into my hand. They all look like better graphical versions of older games these days anyway. Only ones I've really liked that came out in the last 2 years were Katamari and Loco Roco. Those games are really fun if you ever get your hands on them :).

Its okay, I'd rather procrastinate on something more interactive than comic strips, books, chocolate and programing. Friended yah last night thanks XD.

Though, I (will get flames for this!) am not registered to vote.

*flames you* DANI! Go register to vote! *prods you* It's very important that you have your say, especially since your say agrees with me :P

You do know I like playing with fire, right? YAY FLAMES! >P!

Heh ^^;; Yes yes, if I so knew enough to actually yada yada :P!

HA HA. You brainwasher! (I Kid). Yes, I do believe I either agree or mostly agree with things that you believe! Me thinks o.o

I don't wholly agree with you, because sexism isn't entirely gone yet. I think that whether she wins or loses, as long as she runs, it serves a good purpose. It'll make people face a lot of things. ... stuff.

I could elucidate this much better if I were not tired. I agree with you in the ways in which you'll choose who to vote for, but I also think that a female candidate is going to make a lot of people jerk. All of that said, yeah. I don't care if the president is a frog (the amphibian, not the slur for French people. We have to have some standards) as long as we fix the problems the previous regime created. >.>

All I can do is give you an emphatic: AMEN.

You know for all the shit we tout ourselves to be so progressive and advanced in...culturally we're so fucking stunted. Asking if we're "ready for a woman president?" That just makes me laugh so hard. We're so fucking backwards here, its embarassing. We claim to be the biggest, baddest most sophisticated nation and we show just how juvenile, repressed and backwards we are.

We claim to be the biggest, baddest most sophisticated nation

I think that's probably Amsterdam. Liberal paradise, anyway. XD

The question should be why does America wonder if we're ready? We have to look at how America treats women in all media outlets and how they're socalized and maybe we can start to fix what's wrong.

*nods* Very good point. Though I think that America also needs to look outside of itself, at other countries with female leaders, and wonder why it seems to be so behind.

You're missing the point. The real question is: Is America ready for a black President? /kidding

<.< >.>

I think it's not. There are still enough radical racists that I think said president wouldn't survive long. >.

*dies* You're so unPC, you're practically Linux. *kidding*

I'd rather be a mac, kthxbai.

Look at how women were viewed when they landed the first boats here. Women were expected to dote on her husband, cook, clean, raise the kids and get pregnant.

Look at the way women are still being viewed. We're paid less in the workforce, there are /still/ men that think we should just be barefoot, pregnant, in the kitchen, and raising the kids. Our houses should always /be/ immaculate, no matter what's going on and we should always be completely loyal and trusting to the male in our lives.

We are still looked upon as second class citizens.

Not by all, mind you, but but quite a few. Working tech support, you wouldn't believe how many times I got "Isn't there a man I can speak to? I'm pretty sure /you're/ not going to be able to fix my problem."

So really, the question should be, "Is the conservative idiology of the male gender ready for a female president?"

The answer then should be, "Who the hell cares?"

Who cares- the people putting forward millions to help her in a national campaign- when that money might be directed towards the campaign of a progressive candidate- even if that candidate is a man. It's a matter of electability and pursuing equality. What are our priorities- attempting to get a woman in the position, or advancing the cause? (why do we need to choose?)

my meaning was, who cares if it's a female as long as she can do the job right?

Look at how women were viewed when they landed the first boats here.

That was hundred of years ago. Why haven't things changed?!

And heh. I'd love to see anyone capable of working tech support in the White House. Imagine how cool a geek president would be!

Silly rabbit, of course they've changed! To say they haven't would be to completely ignore the efforts of all the feminists who have come before us. Of course there's still a lot of shit out there, but we've progressed an extremely laudable amount.

Except that I am still not Queen of All.

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Link of the Day: Is America Ready For A Woman President?

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