Bending the Third Rail
Because We Should, We Can, We Do
Sunday, January 07, 2007
Serious
Oh so serious.

This is what passes for important, trenchant and serious journalism in America today:
Rep. Nancy Pelosi’s (D-CA) "carefully crafted introduction to the American people last week seemed to reinforce some stereotypes of the so-called mommy party," writes Ryan Lizza in the New York Times. "On the day she made history as the first woman to be elected speaker, she appeared on the House floor, surrounded by children and bedecked in pearls."

"But even as this nurturing image dominated the news, the swearing-in ceremony on Thursday was notable for another milestone in gender politics: the return of the Alpha Male Democrat. The members of this new faction, which helped the Democrats expand into majority status, stand out not for their ideology or racial background but for their carefully cultivated masculinity."

These new Democrats include Sens. Jon Tester (D-MT) and Jim Webb (D-VA), as well as Reps. Brad Ellsworth (D-IN), Heath Shuler (D-NC), Patrick Murphy (D-PA), Chris Carney (D-PA), Joe Sestak (D-PA), and Tim Walz (D-MN).
God forbide that Pelosi should want her family by her side at a key moment in her life. And pearls! Wowsers, stop the presses! To think that a woman would actually wear pearls! Isn't is SOP for all politicians to wear gender appropriate clothes and to have their family at swearing in?

Besides perhaps being totally wrong, this so-called analysis is demeaning to all of those discussed. By pigeon-holing these leaders into stereotypes, the NYT continues to promote GOP talking points. What exactly are the stereotypes included to describe GOP leaders? Let me propose a few. Tight-assed? War mongers? How about inflexible obsessive compulsive bible carrying gun toting assholes?

Sheeesh.
Written at 9:37 AM by Greyhair.
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