Her Daily News

Many of us learned back in our school days that the first to retort “Well, you’re fat!” in most any argument has run out of ideas. This lesson appears to be lost on conservative commentator Laura Ingraham, who in a recent radio show went for the cheap shot in disputing political blogger Meghan McCain’s views on the future of the Republican party.

Ms. McCain, pictured above with her father Senator John McCain, recently criticized controversial pundit Ann Coulter for the disservice her radical views have done to public opinion of Republicans and stated that such extremism would dissuade younger voters from associating themselves with the party. In a subsequent radio broadcast, Ms. Ingraham criticized Ms. McCain on rather different grounds, calling her “too plus-sized to be a cast member on the television show The Real World” - and with that, the gloves are off.

In her latest piece, Ms. McCain raises that age-old question - why does image precede message? She cites a certain treatment of women in the media that is often taken as the status quo, where a woman’s appearance is the first order of business, particularly when the aspect of appearance in question is the woman’s weight. Not only has Ms. McCain come under criticism for being “too heavy” at all of a size 8, but her mother, Cindy McCain, has been the target of unkind remarks for her thin frame. What is this elusive “perfect size” that we must aspire to, then? That ideal proportion that won’t distract fickle audiences from our words and ideas? I’d like to think that the size of my brain matters more than the size of my dress, but I’m sure that there are many who would say that it’s all in my head.

Today, President Barack Obama signed an executive order creating a government-wide council designed to address women’s rights - and in doing so, he cited the women and girls close to his heart. According to the Associated Press, the president and his administration created the panel as an effort to mark Women’s History Month, and his roles other than Commander In Chief were not far from his mind. He told all assembled, “I sign this order not just as a president, but as a son, a grandson, a husband and a father because, growing up, I saw my mother put herself through school and follow her passion for helping others.” He also told of his grandmother, who became a bank vice president, despite the gender bias that she faced along the way.

The order was signed with an eye towards the future, as well. The father of 10-year-old Malia and 7-year-old Sasha cited the hopes and dreams of the younger generation, telling guests, “So now it’s up to us to carry that work forward, to ensure that our daughters and granddaughters have no limits on their dreams, no obstacles to their achievements — and that they have opportunities their mothers and grandmothers and great-grandmothers never dreamed of.” He also cited First Lady Michelle’s skill at balancing career and family as an inspiration. By creating this council, with senior adviser Valerie Jarrett as its head, our president has made it clear that his administration prioritizes women’s rights, as equality is not only good for women, but for the country as a whole.

During the 2008 presidential campaign, GOP vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin drew criticism and controversy when it was found out that her teenage daughter Bristol was pregnant, especially in light of the Alaska Governor’s well-publicized views favoring abstinence-only education. More recently, though, Bristol, now 18, has spoken to the media about the birth of her son Tripp - and she faced some tough questions about the media attention that she had to deal with during her pregnancy.

People reports on Bristol’s recent segment on Fox News in which she told Greta Van Susteren about her hope that her experience will serve as a lesson for others - she hopes that teens will wait longer than she did. She told Van Susteren that her situation was not the easiest one to raise a child in: “I hope people learn from my story … It’s so much easier if you’re married, have a house and career.” Nevertheless, she insists that the choice that she made to keep her child was not dictated by her mother’s staunch anti-abortion stance, stating emphatically, “It was my choice to have the baby.”

Her views do differ from her mom’s on the issue of abstinence-only education. While Governor Palin strongly favors teaching abstinence, her daughter feels that this stance is not realistic. Indeed, telling her parents of her own pregnancy was difficult for the teen - she says that the conversation was “harder than labor.” Nevertheless, she enjoys being a mother - she said, “I love it, just seeing him smile and stuff. It’s awesome.” And Tripp’s grandmother made an appearance during the interview as well - of all her family has been through in recent months, she says, “Hey, life happens.”

In building bridges, one must take down a few walls, and as Secreatary of State Hillary Clinton knows, one of the toughest walls to break sown is misconception - so she sought to set one straight. “If you want to know if democracy, Islam, modernity, and women’s rights can coexist, go to Indonesia,” she told other attendees at a dinner during her visit to Indonesia, chronicled in a recent New York Times article. Indonesia holds a special meaning for the current administration - President Obama lived there for part of his childhood. However, the country has also undergone what Mrs. Clinton referred to as a “great transfomation” - after the Asian financial crisis in the late ’90’s, Indonesia has bounced back as a democracy after escaping the autocratic rule of Suharto.

The Obama administration is reaching out to other countries in an effort to establish diplomatic relations, and it seems that Islamic countries are at the top of the list. However, Mrs. Clinton emphasized that this effort is not at the expense of worldwide diplomacy. She said to reporters, “There is no pigeonholing; there is no exclusivity. We are reaching out to the entire world.” Nevertheless, Indonesia does hold special interest for the Obama administration - the country’s counterterrorism efforts, along with environmental factors, give the administration particular motivation to increase relations. The global economic crisis is a factor as well - and as it is a global crisis, the administration is making an effort to guard against protectionism. As the world economy recovers, no nation is an island.

This time of year brings to mind romance, but women can give themselves the biggest Valentine of all by banding together to end domestic violence. On Friday, a bevy of big Hollywood names assembled to mark V-Day, playwright Eve Ensler’s event meant to bring an end to violence against women. The luncheon brought together stars of the screen, including Rosario Dawson (far right), who most recently appeared in Seven Pounds. According to People, Dawson reminded the crowd that violence against women and their families touches those in all walks of life. She said of Jennifer Hudson, who lost three family members in a triple homicide last October, and Rihanna, whose boyfriend Chris Brown is under investigation for domestic violence, that “these women are our sisters.” She also encouraged serious discussion of domestic violence rather than the treatment of the subject as gossip.

The event also featured the reading of accounts of violence against women overseas - in particular, attendees listened to accounts of the rape and mutilation of women in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Actress Jessica Alba (second from right) read the story of one woman, and found herself brought to tears as she did so. The stories hit close to home for some stars in attendance. South African actress Charlize Theron (not pictured) recalled similar occurrences in her home country - the Oscar winner said, “I was born and raised in a country with similar turmoil. People want to help, but don’t know how.” Hopefully, efforts like V-Day will bring violence against women closer to an end.

Yesterday afternoon, Hillary Rodham Clinton was sworn in as Secretary of State, joining President Obama’s foreign policy and national security team and resigning her post as a New York Senator. The official start of her duties began after the Senate confirmed her in a 94-2 vote, along with a day-long debate on the potential consequences of her husband’s overseas fundraising.

Prior to the vote to confirm Clinton as Secretary of State, Senator Jim Cornyn, a Republican from Texas, expressed concern over foreign donations to the Clinton foundation, and urged the Clintons to fully disclose all foreign donations, including those from individuals. Ultimately, though, Clinton was confirmed by a 94-2 margin, with Cornyn among the votes for her confirmation. Only Jim DeMint and David Vitter voted against her.

According to New York Newsday, Clinton resigned her Senate post immediately after she was sworn in - it is now up to New York Governor David Patterson to appoint her successor. While Caroline Kennedy was previously a contender to fill the vacancy, she recently withdrew her name from consideration; according to Newsday, Patterson has not made his selection yet, but hopes to make an announcement by Friday or Saturday. Ms. Kennedy has cited personal reasons for her decision to withdraw - as many of us already know, her uncle, Senator Edward Kennedy, has been diagnosed with brain cancer and suffered a seizure on Tuesday during an inaugural luncheon. Newsday’s Dan Janison reports on the consequences of Kennedy’s withdrawal. He reports that Andrew Cuomo, Thomas Suozzi, and Steve Israel are among the remaining contenders.

President Elect Barack and Michelle Obama have choosen Harvard MBA Desiree Rogers, currently a prominent Chicago businesswoman to be their personal social secretary. Rogers, 49, will be the first African American White House social secretary. Rogers will be leaving her current position as an executive at Allstate Financial in Chicago to come to Washington later this winter.

The Obama’s have selected a highly-educated woman who has a great social stature and understanding of the demands on the office. It is clear that they are very focused on ensuring they are introduced to the country and the world with great attention to detail and no stone left unturned. Rogers knows the Obama family well and this puts her in a great position to get down to work immediately as she already knows their preferences, ethics and tastes.

The position is far-reaching. The job entails being involved in every event or ceremony that occurs at the White House on or the grounds. Beginning the moment after inauguration, Rogers will be responsible for organizing the swearing-in of Obama’s new Cabinet.

Her vision will be to make the White House more accessible and more inclusive. She is also committed to developing events featuring children because the Obama’s have two school-aged daughters, Sasha and Malia who will be the first young kids in the White House in over 30 years.

Ann Stock, a social secretary under the Clinton White House was once responsible for organizing the historic signing of the Mideast peace agreement, for 4,000 guests, on four days notice.

Prior to joining Allstate, Rogers headed a $2 billion utility.

SOURCE: WASHINGTON POST

Birth control becomes a campaign issue - an article by Cristina Page

The East African nation of Rwanda is trying something new. Historically dominated by men, women are driving the economy by working on construction sites, in factories, as truck and taxi drivers and also holding seats in the government.  With a population of 10 million, 55percent are women.

Rwanda is integrating women into government far more aggressively than any other African nation and this is putting them at odds within the continent.

Women currently hold a third of all cabinet positions. The foreign minister, education minister, police commissioner general, and Supreme Court chief are all women. Rwanda’s parliament is the first in the world where women are in the majority.

The countries of Africa have historically been ruled and governed by archaic patriarchal laws, including one that prohibits women from inheriting land. The legislature, now ruled by women is passing bills aimed at ending domestic violence and child abuse. There is hope that discriminatory laws will be purged from the legal code now that women are in charge and looking out for the greater good of the country, particularly one that requires a women to get her husband’s signature on a bank loan.

While the scars of recent genocide run deep, there exists a strong sense of national purpose among these women.

The capital of Rwanda is Kigali. Rwanda is bordered by Congo to the west, Burundi to the south Tanzania to the Southeast and Uganda to the northeast. It rests just south of the Equator and just west of Lake Victoria.

Source: The Washington Post, Print Edition, Monday October 27, 2008

Karen Hughes spoke on Larry King Live tonight (CNN) about Sarah Palin’s wardrobe and she was wearing a leopard print silk blouse.  And as I type this I am wearing unmatching pajamas and old ratty stained slippers.  So who has a better leg to stand on?  I don’t know, actually.

Within moments of being chosen as John McCain’s running mate the Republican National Convention had shoppers at Neiman Marcus and Saks shopping for new clothes for Alaska Governor Sarah Palin.  They have spent over $150,000 so far on clothing, make-up and accessories.  It was also reported by the Huffington Post and the Politico that the RNC also purchased clothing for her husband Todd Palin and her infant son.

Did you donate money to the RNC?  Do you mind that your money was spent on such adornments? I have heard that they plan to donate the clothes to charity but I do not have a source to back up that claim.

With all the crisis going on in this country right now it is shameful that we are discussing this issue.  Shameful that thirteen days before the most crucial and pivotal Presidential election in our nation’s history we are discussing a state governor/Vice Presidential candidate’s clothing as the headline story on Larry King Live.

McCain headquarters has said this is a trivial issue.

I think I agree.

Be careful what you say Democrats, it wasn’t too long ago that Republicans jumped on John Edwards for getting a $400 haircut with his own campaign funds.  He later paid the campaign back with his own money.  It isn’t unheard of for candidates running for a major office to treat themselves to some fancy tailoring and primping.   It really just gives us something to talk about on a slow news day, or when the DOW drops yet another 500 points.

More evidence of what RNC donors paid for:

…. at least she wears it well?

I think Michelle Obama would make an excellent First Lady and I hope and dare to say, I think she will get that chance in just a few short weeks from now.

I heard her really speak for the first time when she gave her introductory speech for Barack Obama at the recent 2008 Democratic Convention in Denver, Colorado.  A video and transcripts are available on this New York Times website.

I think she a classy, educated, balanced, ambitious and incredibly poised woman, wife and mother.  I think she truly understands the hardships that average women face on a daily basis.  She also speaks candidly about how she and Barack make their daughters a priority and check in with them on a daily basis at an absolute minimum.  She is working tirelessly to help Barack get elected next month which is only the beginning of some excellent change for this nation.

She recently said on Larry King Live and in other news outlets that she is not mad at Sarah Palin for the negative campaigning and that she isn’t angry at John McCain for refering to her husband as “that one” during the debate last night.  She speaks articulately about her life as a mother and wife and how she is listening to and identifying with other women across this nation who are struggling each day with the juggling act of motherhood.

If you Google her name the results are endless.  Among the media clips and news articles is a site designated to keeping track of all of her appearances and media mentions, Michelle Obama Watch is a repository of photos and media captions.

Alaska Governor and Republican Vice Presidential candidate, Sarah Palin has been woefully and shamefully absent from the media in this presidential election.

“MomsRising is working to bring together millions of people who share a common concern about the need to build a more family-friendly America. Started in May of 2006, MomsRising has gained over 140,000 citizen members and is rapidly growing. More than 85 national and state organizations have signed on to be aligned with MomsRising.”

The group organized a petition of over 21,000 signatures, mostly mothers, to deliver this letter to Sarah Palin. The letter emphasizes that they are pleased that a woman, rather, a mother is on the forefront of this election and may very well become the next Vice President of this country. More to the point, this letter lays out specific issues of crisis level importance facing women, rather, mothers and children right now in this country. It asks Palin what she will do to support women and children. It doesn’t challenge her beliefs, her family or any of her personal or past issues. This letter asks Sarah Palin to list her goals for helping mothers and children.

MomsRising intended to hand deliver the petition of signatures asking that she read a letter, which was attached. Palin’s office wouldn’t accept the letter. They claimed that they had no process to receive letters like that and they were not able to accept it.

This story was written about on DC Metro Moms by Devra Renner who also writes here.

The story was also covered on the local evening news.

The reason I don’t particularly like politics, (same goes for religion) is that it has a tendency to be rather DIVISIVE.

There is a blog I have read on and off for years and just today she wrote about Joy Bahar’s comments last night on Larry King Live. I was excited to read her comments but my excitment was short-lived when I saw that she had the exact opposite reaction that I did. I was all, “Oh! So you LIKE her!” and then I closed the window and wondered how I would ever relate to her again. I don’t need to have all like-minded friends, quite the opposite, I just want people to wise-up and realize that I am right. that not everyone is as they seem and perhaps they should inform themselves as voters, not just vote by party or by appearance.

Joy mentioned in a rather off-color way that perhaps Sarah Palin brought a certain sex-appeal to the Presidential election. Okay. Let’s take a step back and look at that. Sex-appeal + Presidential Election? Hum.

Marketing and media attention have taken a very unfortunate front seat in recent elections and it diverts out attention from the actual issues and actual debates of whether or not a candidate is qualified to really deliver and lead in office.

Back to my original point of Palin’s sex-appeal: Of course there’s sex appeal! Look back a mere two decades, Ronald Reagan? George Bush? Bill Clinton? George Bush again? Al Gore? None of those men are any more attractive than the other. Going bald. Going Grey. Physicalities just are not an issue for those men. But BAM! Throw a woman into the mix and suddenly appearance matters or at least, it get noticed. I think as a nation, as a species, we perceive men and women differently and we are much more apt to judge a woman and make comments about her appearance than we are a man. Right or wrong that is human nature.

But! We must move on. FAST. It doesn’t matter what side you are on or how you have voted in the past. While we are busy talking about Palin’s sexy-librarian-style we aren’t discussing how to end the war in Iraq and bring a lot of young men home. While we are discussing her decision to birth a baby with Down’s Syndrome we aren’t talking about how to provide affordable health care for Americans, equal and high quality education for children born in inner-cities, revamping the Social Security system so that it will be there for our children.

We are a nation saturated with media-sensations. It’s time to grow up and stop looking at the book’s cover and actually read the book.

More from Larry King last night:

For more reader opinions about Joy Bahar visit Watching The View.

Republican Senator and Presidential Candidate John McCain has selected a female state governor as his running mate in the upcoming 2008 election. Alaska Governor Sarah Palin has agreed to be his Vice President.

Palin is the mother of five children and most recently gave birth to her second son on April 18 of this year and returned to work three days later. … I have a problem with this. If nothing more than from the standpoint of a mother, why isn’t she home caring for herself and her newborn. When you choose to have children you commit yourself to them, commit to putting their needs ahead of your own, commit to being THERE. I am not saying that a mother needs to put her own needs, goals and aspirations in the deep freezer, but actually, sometimes you do have to shelve them temporarily. And one of those temporary times is when you have a newborn. You owe it to that baby to be there, not to pawn him off on his father or siblings or family members. It is possible to have a career and be a good mother but I think Palin has reached too far. It seems ironic to me that she would be accepted by the Republican party being such an ambitious woman.

When the mother of a newborn baby (4 months) leaves her family to go out on the presidential campaign trail she isn’t going to garner support from other women. Other women will say, “what are you thinking?” and “If you are THAT SUPER MOM then I cannot relate to you.”

It is particularly odd to me that a party (The Republicans) that believes women should not have the right to choose to terminate a pregnancy or that a war deserves more funding than education and that working class people should be taxed in a higher bracket than families making over $200,000 would choose a woman who has so clearly chosen to have a career at the disgrace and sacrifice of her family. She may have a working class background and her husband may be a commercial fisherman but that doesn’t mean she can relate to the greater population of soccer-moms nationwide. In fact, I find her to be untouchable, unreachable and most importantly, unrelatable.

I also have a problem with a WOMAN who is a LIFETIME member of the National Rifle Association. Just sayin’.

Source: Wikipedia
Photo Source: People Magazine

A recent article on CNN reports that Elizabeth Edwards is now being criticized for keeping her husband’s affair secret so that his political ambitions could continue and so that she could advance her own agenda.

Um. Wait. BACK UP. Did I read that right? The wife of a man with a wandering eye and hand (and … oh, nevermind, you know!) is now being put on the chopping block because when she found out about her husband’s indiscretions, she choose NOT to tell the media and the entire nation? Seriously!?

John Edwards may have had an affair and tried to hide it but where do we get off telling his wife, his cheated on wife that she did anything wrong? I get that they are political figures and that makes, by some crazy and quite arguable twist of fate, their lives public information. But I don’t buy into that.

Maybe I’m just a stupid old staunch liberal who doesn’t care who her President sleeps with at night. I prefer it be his or her spouse, but I could honestly care less if our political leaders are black or white or gay or straight. Call me old fashioned or stupid or lame but I really don’t care what my politicians do behind closed doors. I get that people think a man who will commit adultery is not strong enough and not valued enough to be our nation’s leader, but, I tend to see a larger picture, not forgiving the affair or the lack of values or moral judgment, but I guess, I just feel that a private life is just that, not really any of my business. And, it doesn’t really have any bearing on the ability to govern. Just sayin’.

I also feel pretty strongly that Elizabeth doesn’t deserve any crap from us. She was the wife who was cheated ON, she is managing terminal cancer (metastatic breast cancer), and she is a mother and a wife, she has plenty going on in her life and no doubt feels an immense amount of guilt over her husband’s poor choices and over the fact that her health is worsening (albeit slowly, but, she is terminal). I think she kept quiet on this because it was her PRIVATE life and she doesn’t deserve to be judged based on John’s actions and she certainly doesn’t deserve to be judged by us.

SOURCE: CNN