How can Republican and Democratic moms learn to get along, work together, and most importantly, set an example for our children and others?
Stop calling each other names, and for Pete’s sake, stop excusing those who do.
Unfortunately, this phenomenon of calling women with differing political views horrible names comes almost exclusively from the left side of the aisle. Women on the right have been called traitors, bitches, and meat bags with lipstick (just to name a few of the more charming barbs).
How is anyone supposed to have a rational conversation with all of that vitriol being flung about? Do liberals really think that Republican women are going to want to sit down and have a friendly chat about policy when they know that they’re eventually going to be called c*nts?
But, but, but ... Rush Limbaugh! Slut! Ok, that happened. The king of conservative talk radio called a woman wanting the government to subsidize her sex life a slut to make a point or a cause a media stir or for whatever reason he did, and I don’t believe he should have. But it’s hardly comparable to comments Republican women get on every day ending in ‘y.’
South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley was recently called a traitor to her gender. Less than two months later, she had her face plastered to a piñata before it was between with a stick by a union group. Commentator S.E. Cupp had her face photo shopped in a lewd act that was published in Hustler.
Potential First Lady Ann Romney, one of the sweetest, most motherly women married to a politician that still calls her his soul mate, has not escaped the attacks. If people are going to call a woman with MS that has survived cancer and raising five boys into upstanding men nasty names, what hope is there for the rest of us conservative mamas?
The list goes on and on.
This practice of bashing conservative females has gotten so out of hand that one GOP spokesperson snapped in an online rant that we should “hurl some acid at those female democratic Senators who won’t abide the mandates they want to impose on the private sector."
By the left’s own rules according to Bill Maher, this shouldn’t bother anyone, because he excused his own attacks on Sarah Palin by pointing out that as a public figure, she’s fair game. Last time I checked, Senators were public figures. So either the left is going to have to condemn Maher calling Palin the grodiest name in American insults, or calm down about the right potentially doing the same thing.
Republicans and Democrats will never see eye to eye on everything, but one thing I hope we can agree on is to stop needlessly insulting each other. Capishe?
This post is part of a weekly conversation with our Moms Matter 2012 political bloggers. To see the original question and see what all the bloggers had to say, read Can Moms Set a Higher Standard When It Comes to Talking Politics?
Image via Cristian_RH7/Flickr


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Comments 52
"Bill Maher, he is a COMEDIAN". So? "people have to pay to hear him" So?
"Unlike Rush Limbaugh, he is not trying to be taken seriously as a pundit, and that is why Limbaugh's language was so unacceptable." Sorry don't follow your line of reasoning here, it's a bit blurry. Anyway, Limbaugh is a self-described "entertainer" & it's obviously true; so who cares, both Maher & Limbaugh are "entertainers". And just as people can decide not to subscribe to HBO, they can certainly switch the radio dial when Limbaugh comes on.
"Obama should give Maher back his money? Ridiculous." No, not really. Obama is the leader of the party that loudly claims to be womens' champion. It makes him and the party look ridiculous.
" I guess every politician should vet every donor to their campaigns, even those who just give $20, to make sure none of them has ever said or done something offensive, ever, and then reject their donations if they have." Nah. $10 or 20 bucks from some poor tax-paying bitter-clinger doesn't compare to the high-profile, media-hyped million-dollar donation from a well-known, very wealthy "entertainer".
Maybe you should watch some Bill Maher YouTube clips; it doesn't sound like you're familiar with the words and imagery he uses. None of it is funny. It's aggressive though, and disturbing. Some "comedian". (*hollow laugh*)
Perhaps if you want people to stop insulting each other, you shouldn't insult people.
I'm pretty liberal, and I don't behave that way. I see it on BOTH sides and have taken some nasty bashing from conservatives - but I'm not sitting here moping that we can't get along because those mean conservative ladies are picking on me.
You aren't going to stop it until you OWN that and stop whining about the poor, poor conservative women and those awful nasty liberals.
Take the blinders off, lady.
Guest: "It is rather amusing to watch the amazing contortions that have been employed to excuse Bill Maher. Give it up, they all boil down to "It's OK when the liberals do it."
True.
--------------------------------------------------
guest from Canada: "Sorry but maybe it's time to reevaluate your stances on things such as . . . taxes . . . if you don't want to be called names." Ack! LOL -- we have our own fiscal mess! no thanks for more which would attributable to Canadian-style Socialist policies. And I still don't see the justification for name-calling, guest from Canada.
guest from Canada: "The women who are republicans sometimes put themselves in these positions" Hmm, guest. Would that be akin to the rape victim "just asking for it?" I'm afraid this is a weak argument and itself reeks of sexism. Really sorry you feel/think that way.
("Put themselves in these positions" -- do you mean running for or obtaining public office?)
Since you think it's okay for such women to be treated in abusive, misogynist ways, I'm curious: is it then okay for the offenders to attack these women's children as well? Because they do. Do you have an opinion on that?
*crickets*
Nunya: "Wrong Texasmamma. I am quite familiar with Maher.. Whille as a woman, It makes me cringe when he uses the C word or other similar terms toward women, I am able to look past it and find him quite funny"
Uh huh. Do tell. You vote Democrat, right?
"Ann Romney has never gotten her ass out of the house to work."
"Sarah Palin is a cu*t."
"Sarah Palin and Michelle Bachmann are bimbos".
"Michelle Malkin named her dildo after Barack Obama."
"Sarah Palin is a dumb tw*t."
"It's not because they have breasts, it's because they are boobs."
And he routinely mocks Trig Palin, Sarah Palin's special needs child.
Yup, Bill Maher is "quite funny" -- to you Nunya, and others on the Left.
His brand of "humor" sickens many others.
"As a woman", what is it that's so special about his attacks & makes you "look past" Maher's spiteful, hate-filled words against women and children?
I guess you're also a Letterman fan? Remember he said Willow Palin got "knocked up" by Derek Jeter?
I'll just have to say that your brand of "humor" is probably somewhat out of the mainstream. I hope.
Some of Maher's "greatest hits!" Hilarious? http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=5ISKQD7ytSk Probably funny to you, Nunya. To others? NO CHANCE.
Nunya: " I don't take myself so seriously as you. "
Very good point, Nun!
Just going by your statements, I don't think you take yourself seriously at all -- which is a shame, by the way. This country needs people [and moms :-) ] who are willing to stand together and call out wrong-doing for what it is!
Correct me if I'm wrong, but you seem to be one who is satisfied to go along with the "party line", even if it hurts you and other women (and children). I feel sorry for you and hope you are able to one day develop some independent thoughts of your own.
Praising Bill Maher and his ilk and their misogynist outlook is a bad sign and a step in the wrong direction. Good luck in the future!
See? Case in point. You all make yourselves and each other look like fools. There you go. I just called EVERYONE a name and you don't know what side I lean on...
We're all pathetic. Look at us. Spending our free time on the internet arguing with strangers we will never meet, taking offence to what someone miles away types. Getting all pissed off and huffy. OK and if you do not meet that description then apologies but really, I think we suck. Myself included. Lefties, righties and the writer of the article as well. We ought to get a life. There has got to be a better way, no?