Two Male Senators Block Women's History Museum

Sens. Tom Coburn and Jim DeMint are blocking the realization of the long-held dream of a National Women's History Museum.

The men's excuses include: 1) Women might someday in the future ask for money for the museum. 2) Some of the women involved in the project might be pro choice. 3) Women already have a Quilters Hall of Fame in Indiana and a National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame in Texas so what more do we want?

Anyone who knows even a glimmer of women's history is painfully aware that the U.S. Congress has a very long history of devaluing women and suppressing all recognition and knowledge of women's history.

In this must-see video clip, Meryl Streep summarizes the problem, donates a million dollars to the National Women's History Museum and doubts that "those two senators who have put a hold on our museum have the stomach for a war with the women of America."


via Jezebel

"If we want our girls to benefit from the courage and wisdom of the women before them, we have to share the stories." - Shireen Dodson

"Women, if the soul of the nation is to be saved, I believe that you must become its soul." - Coretta Scott King

Politics Feminist News Gender

Michigan's Gay-Stalking Assistant Attorney General Is Psychotic

Why are the people of Michigan putting up with this psychotic cyber-stalking public official?


Politics Gay News Andrew Shirvell

NOW to Deliver 1,500 Baby Bottle Nipples to Alan Simpson of Catfood Commission

The National Organization for Women (NOW) will be delivering 1,500 baby bottle nipples to big-mouthed former Sen. Alan Simpson of the Catfood Commission today. (See the petition for Simpson's removal from Obama's infamous Catfood Commission over there in the sidebar.)

NOW calls the project: "Tits for an Ass."

NOW announced Tuesday it will head to Capitol Hill to deliver 1,500 baby bottles nipples to Simpson on Wednesday, before the next meeting of the commission on which Simpson serves as co-chairman. . . Several liberal lawmakers and activist groups, including NOW, last month called on Obama to remove Simpson from his post after he wrote an e-mail to a leader of a women's group calling Social Security "a milk cow with 300 million tits."

Politics Feminist News Gender

Sarah Palin on "Dancing with the Stars" (Video)

Survey: Does Bristol Palin's appearance on "Dancing with the Stars" help or hurt her mother's political ambitions?

Survey: Was Sarah Palin booed on "Dancing With The Stars" last night?

Politics Feminist Sarah Palin News Gender

Quote of the Day

No surprise, lots of women haven't recovered from 2008:

If you read no other part of Traister’s book, read the chapter, The Boys on the Bus, about the shit liberal women had to listen to from their friends and boyfriends—the heretical nature of Hillary Clinton’s primary campaign and their implication in allowing their gender agenda to interfere with the world-altering candidacy of the man who was “the bomb.” As soon as Traister sent out an inquiry about bad behavior, her email inbox filled to capacity. Even the Obama supporters in her female cohort began “calling me out of earshot of their Obama-loving boyfriends,” to complain bitterly about the sexism of their significant others, to say nothing of the “hours” the women who even veered to neutral “spent... defending Clinton.” I was interested at the number of female reviewers who worried that Traister’s book would cause them to experience post-traumatic stress disorder and flash back to those gender-conflicted months.

. . . if the Gallup polls are right, the Democrats may get a chance to see what it’s like to run for office when women are staying home.

Politics Feminist News Gender Hillary Clinton

Jon Stewart: Stephen Colbert Ruins Congress (Video)

Like Colbert, Jon Stewart holds up a mirror to the culture. It ain't pretty, but it sure is funny.


Politics News

Biden Tells Democrats to 'Stop Whining'

In the latest apparent effort to piss off Democratic voters and lose the majority in Congress, Joe Biden adds his voice to Obama's in the sport of liberal bashing. Biden urges Democrats to "remind our base constituency to stop whining." It's really hard to believe these are the same doods that won back in 2008, unless, of course, their object is to lose.

Update: How a handful of liberal bloggers are bringing down the Obama presidency [Updated]

Politics Liberal News Obama

Alan Grayson's Scalding Attack Ad: 'Taliban Dan Webster' (Video)

In a TV ad titled “Taliban Dan Webster,” Democratic Rep. Grayson compares his far right Christian opponent's views on women to those of the Taliban. Mrs. Webster responds. (Update: File this one under all pols may be liars, there is some evidence that Grayson may be using the infamous Breitbart style of editing. Of course there's no guarantee that the 2nd video is legit either. Politics is sick, sick, sick . . . ) Update from Factcheck.org: Rep. Grayson Lowers the Bar.


Politics Florida News Liberal

Defending Teachers: A Teacher Writes A Letter to Oprah

I'm sorry to say that this country's desperately needed education reform looks a whole lot like our healthcare reform -- a lot of high-salaried "experts" telling the 'little people' in the trenches what's good for them. In this case, teachers are almost universally women while reformers are invariably high-salaried men like Obama's good buddy Arne Duncan, a CEO who has never taught for even a day in his life.

Gee, I can hardly wait for childcare reform to begin.

A teacher writes a letter to Oprah:

I wish someone who knew even a little bit about real classrooms, the heart-breaking challenges teachers face daily (teachers spend an average of $400 annually, out of their own meager salaries, to equip their rooms), had a national forum. I wish one of your guests was a real teacher. John Legend? Really? Come on, Oprah, I don’t try to tell John Legend how to make music; he’s going to tell me about teaching? Or perhaps you’re stereotyping? Instead of John Legend, why don’t you have Pedro Noguera, who wrote a stunning book discussing the problems black males face in the system (The Trouble with Black Boys)? Or Mike Rose, who’s worked for decades with working class, side-lined students and schools of America? Or Diane Ravitch, who recanted her support of NCLB because it not only doesn’t work, it harms students?? And Race to the Top is simply an Obama-ised NCLB, I’m sorry to say. . .

If you want real change, invite real teachers to your show, Oprah. The irony is that the conversation seems to valourise teachers, saying that “good” teachers can change things for kids. So can smaller classrooms, food, adequate resources, the freedom to teach according to a child’s needs. But then, that’s not what the “experts” are saying, is it? Unfortunately, the “experts” have no real experience with students. Or teaching. Or classrooms. They only know how to tell the teachers in the trenches what to do?

Wondering how in the world education came to this pass,

Britton Gildersleeve

Politics Feminist News Gender

San Francisco Chronicle Endorses 'None of the Above'

The San Francisco Chronicle officially endorses none of the above in the U.S.Senate race between Carly Fiorina and Barbara Boxer.

Hopefully the newspaper will do the same in races that don't involve the very rare phenomenon of a woman running against a woman.

Like a whole lot of voters this year, the newspaper can't summon the energy to get out of bed to vote for Tweedle Dum or Tweedle Dee:

It is a dismal choice between an ineffective advocate for causes we generally support and a potentially strong advocate for positions we oppose. Neither merits our endorsement for the U.S. Senate.

Are you listening Congress? Maybe it's time to dismantle the rules that are locked in place solely to ensure that voters have no choice outside the miserable two-party winner-take-all system.

Politics Feminist News Gender

Christine O'Donnell: Evolution is a Myth (Video)

Bill Maher kept his promise this week and produced another clip of Christine O'Donnell talking like a far right conservative. Ho-hum. I sure wish O'Donnell would give in and make an appearance on Real Time because Maher's conservative guests of late are too much like Maher. They are loud, obnoxious, and exceedingly talented at interrupting and dominating the conversation. O'Donnell would likely be an improvement.


Politics Bill Maher News Liberal

Stephen Colbert Testifies in Congress, in Character (Video)

Everyone didn't appreciate the in-character testimony of Stephen Colbert, but as Colbert noted on a recent show, if Republican-controlled Congresses can summon Elmo, the Sesame Street character, to testify before Congress, Democrats can certainly call on the King of Sarcasm.


"My great-grandfather did not travel across four thousand miles of the Atlantic Ocean to see this nation overrun by immigrants."

“Republicans are concerned that I will make light of the responsibility of governance? That I will someway impede the smooth flow of the governing of this country?" -- Stephen Colbert

Politics News Immigrants

Liberal Blogger Susie Madrak Accuses White House Of “Hippie Punching” (During Conference Call With Axelrod)

Thank you, Susie Madrak!

Greg Sargent reports:

Top Obama adviser David Axelrod got an earful of the liberal blogosphere's anger at the White House moments ago, when a blogger on a conference call directly called out Axelrod over White House criticism of the left, accusing the administration of "hippie punching."

"We're the girl you'll take under the bleachers but you won't be seen with in the light of day," the blogger, Susan Madrak of Crooks and Liars, pointedly told Axelrod on the call, which was organzied for liberal bloggers and progressive media.

The call seemed to perfectly capture the tense dynamic that exists between the White House and the online and organized left. . . That tension burst out into the open when Madrak directly asked Axelrod: "Have you ever heard of hippie punching?" That prompted a long silence from Axelrod.

Susie Madrak:

Basically, after Axelrod told us how wonderful we were and how much they needed us to close the enthusiasm gap in this election, I called him on it. Like, yo Dave, here we are, liberal activists who give money and GOTV, and the White House needs to punch us in public so no one thinks they take us seriously?

And then he said, like, your feelings don’t really amount to a hill of beans in this crazy mixed-up world when we’re TRYING TO SAVE THE COUNTRY, and then I said excuse ME, we’re not talking about my feelings here, how am I supposed to motivate my readers when you treat them like the town ho?

Politics Liberal News Gender

Bank of America Forecloses on a Man Who Has No Mortgage

Bank of America, aka Monsters-R-Us, can't control the greed:

Jason Grodensky, a Fort Lauderdale man who bought his house with cash last December was surprised to discover that Bank of America had foreclosed on him, though he has no mortgage.

Politics News

Arkansas Gays to Sen. Blanche Lincoln: Don't Ask For Our Money or Votes

The Stonewall Democrats of Arkansas say there are no plans to reschedule a fundraiser for Blanche Lincoln after the traitor voted with all 40 senate Republicans to block a bill that would repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell. Senator Lincoln had to miss the Stonewall Dems' planned fundraiser because she had to go to Washington to vote against the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell.

The masterful politician says she is disappointed that folks don't understand that she really supports equality. Blanche Lincoln only voted with the Republicans because she doesn't support the idea of the senate actually debating equality or doing anything that might actually make equality happen.

Politics LGBT News Gender

Killer Ad: Barbara Boxer v. Carly Fiorina (Video)

via

Politics Feminist News Gender

Sexist Quote of the Day

"We in the Senate refer to Sen. Gillibrand as the hottest member."

-- Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid

The "hottest" Senator was seated just a few feet away from dirty old man Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid when he made the remark at a fundraiser hosted by Mayor Bloomberg. Reportedly Sen. Gillibrand turned red.

Politics Feminist News Gender

Obama Supporter: Mr. President, I'm Deeply Disappointed in You (Video)

via Daily Beast

Politics News Gender

Christine O'Donnell: "If I Were A Witch . . " (Video)

Quote of the Day

"[I]f I were a witch, Rove would be a supporter. I would have turned him into a 'Newt', because Gingrich says we win."

-- Christine O'Donnell

Christine O'Donnell's long-ago comment about dabbling in witchcraft was THE topic of conversation on the cable news channels all weekend long. (Who can doubt that Andrew Sullivan has found a new mission in life?) If women were having this same conversation, it would be called silly gossip. Alas, important men lead the discussion.


Politics Feminist News Gender

Poll: Women May Stay Home On Election Day

A recent New York Times/CBS News poll finds a striking gender gap which suggests that angry men will likely vote Republican. And, while despairing women are more inclined to vote Democratic, we may stay home this year:

Men say they are going to vote for the Republican candidate rather than the Democratic candidate in their district by a margin of 45 percent to 32 percent. The numbers are nearly reversed for women with 36 percent saying they will vote Republican and 43 percent saying they will vote Democratic. . . Even though women are still more likely to vote Democratic, the poll suggests they may stay home this year.

Politics Feminist News Gender

Rachel Maddow Exposed As Lesbian Vampire (Video)

If you need a laugh:


"MSNBC -- the Socialist Nazi Bolshevik channel -- hired a lesbian vampire and put her on when little kids can see her. We are lettin' a lesbian vampire comment on America." via Raw Story

Politics Feminist News Gender

Elizabeth Warren: 'If I'm Going to be Loud and Unwelcome, So Be It'

Quote of the Day

"The first thing I'm going to promise is that I'm going to be a voice in the room on behalf of middle class families and if that means I'm going to be loud or unwelcome at any point, so be it.

This is what I've worked on, this is what I've studied, this is the family I come from. This system is broken now and it's crushing families all across this country. I'm just here to try and do what I can to help on behalf of those families and to think about my own little granddaughters and the upcoming little grandson to try to make things work better, a middle class that is strong and vital and hearty for them."

--Elizabeth Warren

Politics Feminist News Gender

Liberals & Conservatives Call for Fair Elections (Video)

via Fair Elections Now

Politics Feminist News Gender

Obama Mocks Liberals

Sounding just like the jeering Robert Gibbs, Obama continues the apparent effort to persuade the Democratic base to stay home come election day. Mocking the people who worked hard to get you elected -- because they actually believed the many campaign promises made by the alleged fierce advocate -- is one way to throw an election.

The President was fishing for laughs at a $30,000 per plate DNC fundraiser. . . via Jane Hamsher:

OBAMA: Democrats, just congenitally, tend to get — to see the glass as half empty. (Laughter.) If we get an historic health care bill passed — oh, well, the public option wasn’t there. If you get the financial reform bill passed — then, well, I don’t know about this particularly derivatives rule, I’m not sure that I’m satisfied with that. And gosh, we haven’t yet brought about world peace and — (laughter.) I thought that was going to happen quicker. (Laughter.) You know who you are. (Laughter.) We have had the most productive, progressive legislative session in at least a generation.

UPDATE: Glenn Greenwald has a list (a long list) of liberal criticisms of Obama and, big surprise, none involve unreasonable expectations. UPDATE #2: Another list.

Politics Feminist News Gender

Jon Stewart Announces Long-Awaited Rally to Restore Sanity: Oct. 30 (Video)

One of Stewart's suggested signs: I DISAGREE WITH YOU, BUT I'M PRETTY SURE YOU'RE NOT HITLER.


We'd like you to join us in Washington, DC on October 30 -- a date of no significance whatsoever -- at the Daily Show's "Rally to Restore Sanity." Ours is a rally for the people who've been too busy to go to rallies, who actually have lives and families and jobs (or are looking for jobs) -- not so much the Silent Majority as the Busy Majority. If we had to sum up the political view of our participants in a single sentence... we couldn't. That's sort of the point.

The Hill: Comedians Stewart and Colbert plan Oct. 30 rally on the Mall

Politics Liberal News Gender

Obama Acts Like A Liberal & Picks Elizabeth Warren

Amazingly, Obama has made a decision that makes liberals and even feminists happy. Elizabeth Warren will be the one to set up the desperately needed Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. On the other hand . . .

Besides her obvious talents, the woman has more charisma before her morning cup of coffee than Tim Geithner could summon if his career depended on it. After this gig, someone needs to persuade Warren to run for office.

Here's hoping the President doesn't silence her. What a pleasant change it would be to hear the voice of a woman as notoriously authentic as Warren on the national political stage, a woman who is not a Republican.


"The woman most capable of counteracting a Palin bounce for Democrats - Secretary of State Clinton- is not available to campaign." -- Anne E. Kornblut

Politics Feminist News Gender

A Look At Christine O’Donnell On Bill Maher's Politically Incorrect Show (Video)

In a 1998 episode of Bill Maher's Politically Incorrect, Christine O’Donnell opines on lying, other sins, prayer and shooting up schools.


Politics Feminist News Gender

Carli Bruni: Michelle Obama Says Being First Wife is 'Hell'

This brings back memories of those long gone days when Michelle Obama was free to speak her mind:

In an authorized biography written by French journalists Michael Darmon and Yves Derai, Bruni recalls that during her March visit to the White House with French President Nicholas Sarkozy, she asked the first lady about her post.

“Don’t ask,” Obama said, according to Bruni. “It’s hell. I can’t stand it.”

The book, "Carla and the Ambitious," is due out Friday.

Politics Feminist News Gender

Victorious Delaware Tea Party Nominee Christine O'Donnell Says Karl Rove Is A Liar

Karl Rove criticizes the character of Delaware's new GOP senate nominee Christine O'Donnell for not being flawless and filthy rich like Rove's former good-old-boy lunatic protégé. Stating the obvious, O'Donnell says Rove's political-guru days are ancient history, and the man has a problem separating fact from fiction. Some say O'Donnell loathes Karl Rove merely because she has a profound distaste for masturbation.


Politics Feminist News Gender

Another Book About Hillary 2008 & What Happens at Lunches About Hillary

I'm always on the lookout for women-centered books about the 2008 election. Rebecca Traister has a brand new one: Big Girls Don't Cry: The Election that Changed Everything for American Women.

From Jezebel:

As often happened at lunches about Hillary, within moments there was a furious conflagration about how young women didn't know anything about feminism. I found that the election offered a sort of match that lit what was already pretty dry tinder. It wasn't so much that Hillary made different generations of women angry at each other. It's that Hillary gave them the excuse to have the fight they'd been spoiling to have for a very long time.

Politics Feminist News Gender

Sexually Harassed Reporter Ines Sainz Accused of "Asking for It" (Video)

Reporter Ines Sainz's allegations of sexual harassment by the New York Jets have led to the same old same old accusation that the woman was "asking for it." Instead of the out-of-control frat boy behavior of the New York Jets, the topic of conversation has been steered to the woman's clothes. Or what was she doing out of her house anyway?


Jezebel: ". . what's so depressing about this particular round of media fuckery is that with a very few exceptions, female reporters pretty much have to be conventionally attractive to get on television. But if they dress or act in such a way as to make themselves too attractive (Sainz has also been criticized for "flirting" with players and calling herself "hot"), then they obviously deserve to be harassed. It's almost as though the system is set up to keep women from being taken seriously, and to maintain their status as objects for public sexual scrutiny rather than actual professional people. One thing's for sure: this is about more than tight jeans, no matter what the guy from Law & Order says."
Politics Feminist News Gender