Reply #24: Being a woman who both in and out of the military has dealt with ingrained sexism, I

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

have tremendous admiration for her. Politics is still very much a man's world, as is supported by the minimal numbers of women, who make up more than half the population of the country, in high governmental or business positions.

Sen. Clinton is extremely smart and articulate, her voting record is solidly liberal, she was an integral part of the most successful presidency, on many levels, of the last quarter century, she is a tireless worker, she has a great sense of humor and has proven to be someone who can be self deprecating and she is not intimidated by the men around her who are threatened by her strong persona.

I personally believe that she knows perfectly well what she wants to accomplish were she to become POTUS and I also believe it is much closer to what we progressives would like to see than she is given credit for.

However, she is in the almost untenable position of being the first woman who potentially could assume the presidency of this country and any indication to the braying RW'ers and corporomedia that she might lean left in her governance will be pounced on in ways that one won't see with a man who might espouse those same principles.

In my years as an American woman, I have seen great strides made for women, and have experienced it for myself, although personally I have also been at receiving end of domestic violence, sexual assault by an NCO in my company, passed over for a promotion and told it was specifically because the director wanted an all male workforce in his department, I've been told by male patients for whom I've cared that they could hit me and I would have no recourse, I've been at the receiving end of a date rape drug in my drink, I've been told by a landlord that he didn't rent to "single women", implying I was a prostitute and what's remarkable is that my stories are completely unremarkable, especially for the times in which I came of age.

Ask any woman my age if they've experienced one or more of these situations and they'll probably respond to at least one in the affirmative. I'm also proud that in each instance I stood my ground and when necessary, fought back, sometimes successfully, sometimes not.

These experiences have certainly shaped my views. I look at all of them as moments to learn, to grow and move on. I have told my daughter, as have my friends with daughters of their own, being a female in this world today isn't easy. One is expected to look good, (but not too "slutty"), speak well (but don't have "attitude"), be assertive but feminine, tough but ladylike.

The balancing act, Skinner, of which you speak.

And, sadly, quite a few men and not a few women, will discount whatever our girls may say or do, merely because of their gender.

So, thank you for your recognition of the complexity of the issue and I hope if Sen. Clinton is our nominee she receives the consideration and respect that the other two front runners would receive, as well.

P.S. I still like Edwards of the three, so far.

:kick:

MKJ

2nd edit, nevermind...:kick: