2012 conventions 2012 election 2013 session arts arts and culture author ballot measures basketball bomb books boy scouts budget bullying business charlie hales children clackamas climate change coal college courts crime culture culture club democrats drugs economy education environment family film fluoride food gay rights guns handguns health health care health insurance high school history housing immigration internet kitzhaber law legislature lgbt literary arts living marijuana marriage media medicine mental health military minor parties mohamed mohamud movies music native americans news newspaper obama olympics oregon our town parenting pers photography police politcs politics port portland portland business journal president prevention public safety religion republicans rnc romney rural salem sam adams sandy hook schools science shooting sports suicide supreme court taxes technology television terrorism theater third parties transportation union university of oregon washington wildfire women

Those who follow pioneers in most forms of endeavor - such as the liberation of women in the U.S. - are usually impatient of, and lack understanding of the trials of those who have achieved what the younger are taking advantage of. This is frustating to the older folks, but are natural.

They are totally unaware of the idea that girls do not study math, science, etc. They cannot become lawyers, doctors, vets, whatever. On a more humorous side, they do not understand that girls cannot run the length of a basketball court, so in a girl's basket ball game, there were 3 forwards and 3 guards, neither of which could cross the center line. As a girl who grew up on a farm and was considered to be my father's oldest son, I frequently found these ideas ridiculous and frustrating - but I sort of did my thing (athletics, math major, etc.) and survived.

Women's Lib, as it was caused, does have one large area where the current and future generations may lose out. That is the area of abortion. While I never considered an abortion (even when becoming pregnant a bit early - no pills yet), I definitely consider having the choice to be critical. No one else's religious beliefs should infringe on the rights of my daughters, granddaughters or anyone else's.

As far as Hillary is concerned, the U.S. has never had a woman as president or vice-president. Other countries - Germany, United Kingdom, Liberia, Chile, New Zealand, India even Pakistan have had female leaders. I am probably missing some. The U.S. has not achieved that objective. Isn't it time?

It is unfortunate that this election has the possibility of two earth shattering possibilies - a woman or a black. Either would be amazing achievements.

Another real problem I have with the 2008 elections is the number of Hillary or Obama backers who say if their candidate doesn't obtain the nomination, they will either not vote or will vote for McCain. I cannot think of anything more immature and self defeating.

This election is not about Hillary or Obama. It is about the future of the United States. Our country and its democracy has been terribly damaged by the last 7 years of conservative control - not leadership. It is problematical that we can survive another 4 - 8 years of conservative control and may easily end up being being just another very large banana republic. McCain doesn't even believe in birth control, for God's sake.

Personally, even though I was formerly a Republican, I will vote for which ever Democrat is nominated. That is how anyone who truly cares about the U.S. should behave. There should not be any of this "take my marbles and go home" attitude.

posted 5 years, 1 month ago
view in context