Fresh meat

I had intended to write about con-artistry in language, which rises to fever pitch in election years. But, political savagery and the ease with which we allow passion to replace reason has bumped language to a topic for another day.

Sarah Palin: wife, mother, novice player in the political minor leagues, former beauty pageant contestant, wearer of fur, firearm enthusiast, anti-choice crusader and now candidate for Vice President of the United States. Other than gender, marital and motherhood status, I have little if anything in common with Mrs. Palin. While there’s undoubtedly much more to investigate and learn about this political newcomer, her publicized positions on the issues are at odds with my own. Other than confronting some thorny problems in Alaska, the only quantifiable history of success that’s been presented for assessment is her ability to reproduce and parent. While nurturing children is a tremendously challenging, worthwhile and undervalued endeavor, it’s irrelevant when determining one’s preparedness to assume the office of President of the United States. Today, my opinion of her as a qualified candidate for such a lofty position, particularly in light of John McCain’s age and health concerns, couldn’t be much more negative. While I consider her ill-suited to the position she seeks, as well as my ideological opposite, she is a human being and woman deserving respect by virtue of her membership in the human race.

As a candidate for public office, her background, qualifications or lack thereof, beauty pageant past, pistol packin’, fur-wearing and everything else that’s considered to have a bearing on her suitability is fair game for evaluation, discussion and criticism – or praise, as the case may be. But, the savage misogyny being engaged in by the Obama camp, including women and those seemingly so sensitive to bigotry that they used groundless allegations of racism in an attempt to discredit anyone not enthusiastically supporting their candidate, is not only offensive and glaringly hypocritical, but counter-productive to their cause.

The passion with which the Left endorses change in our society is admirable. But, the understandable rage brought about by nearly a decade of disastrous Republican policies and the determination to see much needed change seems to have replaced common sense and basic human decency. I have always been a proud progressive Liberal because I consider the philosophy a humane one that acknowledges our commonality while respecting individuality. Today, I am embarrassed by and ashamed of the actions of many of my ideological brethren – and most particularly women who denounce misogyny and profess to champion gender equality, while gleefully eating one of their own.

Mrs. Palin, I consider you to be woefully ignorant, misguided, unqualified and a dangerous menace to women and our society as a whole, should you become Vice President, and will endeavor to provide evidence of such to voters. Nonetheless, as a woman and fellow human being, I sincerely regret what you’re experiencing, which bears resemblance to the shameful and unjust character assassinations relentlessly visited upon President and First Lady Clinton by the Right, and offer my apologies.