Dear Michelle......Not This Time!
Submitted by Betsy Muse on Fri, 06/27/2008 - 9:38am
Dear Michelle Obama,
I was recently nudged out of my wait-and-see state after reading an opinion piece written by Mary C. Curtis of The Charlotte Observer. I found it in The Washington Post. I've waited to hear what the response will be from the well-known feminists and all I hear are crickets.
I may not have a name in the feminist movement and I may not have a big national platform, but let me be among the first to respond to Mary's piece. Michelle, it's not going to happen this time. We aren't going to let Republicans and the right wing media get away with labeling you as anything other than the accomplished, intelligent, compassionate mother and wife that you are. We won't let them portray you as anything other than a strong, loyal, patriotic American. We won't let them demonize you like we let them demonize Hillary Clinton.
Yes, we let them do it. Too many of us waited for her to respond. Too many of us just left it up to the Clintons. Too many of us simply had no idea what was happening under our very noses. Too many of us bought into it.
Not this time!
Fortunately, I'm not the only one out there who plans to point out the lies and the liars. I'm just one more voice, but if you add us all together in our quest to highlight the small-minded, hateful bigots, we might just equal one of those nationally known feminists.
Michelle, I'm sorry that it has taken so long for me to get over the fact that Elizabeth Edwards isn't in your place, but I'm over it now. Going forward, remember, while you're out on the front lines we'll be getting your back.
Peace,
Betsy
There are almost too many lies to point out
and my Michelle Obama Google alert is so active I can't keep up. Who wants to help keep track of these and help counter them with the truth? The Michelle Obama Watch site I linked to above is a great resource. The real challenge is countering them without stooping to their level. I'm prepared to stoop if I have to, though.
Robin Hayes lied. Nobody died, but thousands of folks lost their jobs.
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Vote Democratic, the ass you save may be your own.
You are on target
however I would encourage you to extend your reach to within the democratic party and the progressive media. After all, it could be debated that democrats and the so-called progressive media are as responsible for the demonization of Clinton as the right wing. As the race continues I think the bigotry within the party will come more to light as the sexism did during the primary. After all, don't most people know someone that calls themselves a democrat yet is appalled at the possibility of a woman or black family in the white house?
Plus, I would encourage men to involves themselves in combating this problem. It will benefit them and the women in their lives.
You're right
My Google alert covers them all, so nothing will escape scrutiny.
Robin Hayes lied. Nobody died, but thousands of folks lost their jobs.
***************************
Vote Democratic, the ass you save may be your own.
It is absolutely critical that men
become deeply involved in women's rights, just as it is critical that white people become involved in racial equality.
These issues affect us all, not just those who are directly suffering from inequality and prejudice.
Good for you, good for all women who stand up against the lies.
I would hope that all men would stand up against the lies that are being thrown at Barack Obama, whether they be white men or black men or brown men or green men. More so, I wish that all Americans would stand up against the lies of the Republicans about Barack Obama.
Jesus Swept ticked me off. Too short. I loved the characters and then POOF it was over.
-me
It's going to take all of us standing up
against the lies. We're more aware than ever of what the right wing media is up to, so there is no excuse for letting the lies stand. I just didn't realize what a full-time job it was going to be.
Robin Hayes lied. Nobody died, but thousands of folks lost their jobs.
***************************
Vote Democratic, the ass you save may be your own.
In responding to craptacular accusations
that we've all seen in emails and heard in general conversations of late, I tend to refute a couple points with fact, then I just fall back on a broad motherly admonishment straight out of the Old Testament ... i.e., "Stop the false-witnessing, please."
Stops 'em cold. Seems to work for others, too.
Last night a long time Democratic activist stated that she had taken to responding to those emails --especially those from people who should know better -- with this:
Said she hadn't heard from that emailer again. :)
"It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit." - Harry Truman
"They took all the trees and put them in a tree museum Then they charged the people a dollar 'n a half just to see 'em. Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you've got till it's gone? They paved paradise and put up a parking lot."
That is beautiful, Leslie
.....and it is perfect.
Robin Hayes lied. Nobody died, but thousands of folks lost their jobs.
***************************
Vote Democratic, the ass you save may be your own.
Popping in with another response that seems to work as well.
And then follow up with "for your information...". One of my favorites in our county party did this - replied to all. It was followed up with several "great idea!" from the others who had been bombarded by the original emailer.
It is crucial that we all stand up against the lies and smears, even if it's something as stupid as "Michele wears too many sleeveless dresses." If I had arms like that, I'd be wearing sleeveless dresses all the time, too - especially in the summer. It actually hurt my feelings to see Michele wearing a sweater over a sleeveless dress on a hot summer day. Maybe it was her choice, maybe it was not. But because of the idiots on the right, I will forever see that as a symbol of another woman forced to change her style because of "them".
Great post, Betsy.
Be the change you wish to see in the world. --Gandhi
Pointing at Naked Emperors
Another great idea!
Yes, the latest is a question over whether an AP photo showing Michelle's legs is intentional. Again, if I had legs like that I'd show them too.
***************************
Vote Democratic, the ass you save may be your own.
Amen, sister.
I can't tell you how happy I am to read this commitment to defiance against the Republican Lie Machine, known in North Carolina as Republicans for a Legislative Majority.
Do good. Be nice. Have fun.
Great tool against the smears
Don't forget to use this excellent tool from the Obama campaign to fight all those lies and smears you run into:
www.fightthesmears.com
Great New York Times Article about Michelle
There was a great article about Michelle Obama in the June 18 New York Times. I just checked and you can still pull it up. I made copies of the article and plan to give it to people I hear who don't "trust" her. I also went to Snopes.com and copied some of the "rumors and truth" about Obama so I can give them to folks who ask what I think about whatever the current rumor is.
Thanks, Betsy, for bringing this up.
Sweet Union Dem
Excellent idea
It's always good to have the facts ready when someone regurgitates one of those "email" lies. I continue to be amazed at how many people - Democrats included - actually believe the mess spread through those email campaigns.
Robin Hayes lied. Nobody died, but thousands of folks lost their jobs.
***************************
Vote Democratic, the ass you save may be your own.