Ugly up
I try to be a reasonable person. I’m a registered Independent, simply because I don’t like being pegged for one position or another.
In Oregon, I’m considered a Jesus-loving conservative. In Georgia, I’m considered a pinko-liberal.
I’ve walked out of churches when preachers took it upon themselves to tell their congregants how to vote.
I want to do my own thinking, and I respect people who do the same. I can’t stand him but a few times a year I’ll tune into Rush Limbaugh just to hear what he’s hating on now. I read the viewpoints of people I don’t agree with, just on the off-chance that I might be wrong on an issue. I’ve read Ann Coulter’s books, though I’ve never bought one. I do this in part so that I know better who I am, what I believe and why.
That’s why I watched the entire Sarah Palin interview with Oprah today. I wanted to hear her, unfiltered. A week ago I was visiting a church in Spokane, Washington. The woman sitting next to me was a business woman. She also happened to be from Alaska. I asked her what she thought of Palin and this very thoughtful gal said she really respected Palin. I asked her why and she said, “She cares about the same things I do — God and family.”
I am a journalist, so in some ways that has made me a cynic. Truth is, I’d probably be a cynic anyway. When you grow up the way I did, you approach life with one eyebrow raised. I had a conversation with a Yale graduate about Palin the other day in which I suggested that Palin’s charm was a certain “bedroom appeal.”
If Sarah Palin looked like most women do after birthing five children — meaning overweight and haggard – she’d be about as welcome as Hilary Clinton among Republicans. I suspect they never would have tagged such a woman for such a high-profile role.
Sex sells, folks.
Do you think that’s unfair of me to say?
Some do.
Why should women “ugly up” to be considered a viable candidate asked one popular conservative candidate.
Why do liberals resent the fact that’s she pretty? asked a friend of mine.
I don’t resent that she’s pretty, I replied. Nor do I think people ought to “ugly up” to be taken seriously. What I resent, what bothers me is knowing that sometimes people — men and women but more so women — are afforded credibility and respect and all sorts of advantages just because they are good-looking.
We don’t elect overweight or unattractive people to the presidency. Not since every household got a TV set, we don’t.
Part of what makes Palin appealing to the masses is her looks. Anyone who says differently needs to be whacked 10 times with the ugly stick.
That said, there are times when a pretty woman is marginalized because of her looks. I don’t know this from personal experience but as the mother of three pretty girls, I’ve observed it. There have been times when my girls haven’t been afforded the respect due them, simply because they look too pretty to be that serious. Coworkers will talk to them inappropriately, or in patronizing ways. Potential employers treat them dismissively.
It’s annoying to a mama.
That’s why I’m so aggravated with Newsweek. They ran this photo of Palin on their cover this week, part of their coverage on her new memoir.
Yes. Palin posed for the photo.
But she didn’t pose for this for Newsweek. She posed for this shot for a feature in a runner’s magazine. I’m sure if asked Palin would gladly have posed for an acceptable Newsweek cover. Or provided them with a suitable substitute.
I hate it when the media feels the need to “ugly up”. No I’m not talking photos. I mean when media decides to take the low road and act ugly, which is what I think Newsweek is doing by choosing this photo for their cover. They are saying that Palin shouldn’t be taken seriously. By choosing this photo, they have marginalized her.
It would be no different than if they had run the photo of Barack Obama without his shirt on for the release of his Audacity of Hope book, which, of course, they never would have done.
I don’t care what side of the political spectrum you fall on, it’s wrong.
It plays to the worst behavior in all of us.
For the record, I thought Palin handled the O interview with wit and humor and grace. But I’m with political pundit James Carville on the potential Palin presidency bid. If she runs, I won’t be voting for her because I don’t think she’s capable or qualified to be president. I don’t feel the need to take my country back. I don’t feel like it’s gone anywhere.
But as a woman, I have a newfound respect for Palin and as a journalist, I have less respect for the folks at Newsweek.
Good points, Karen. Thanks.
Are those fluffy slippers in the background what she really wears in the office? Ha!
Good blog Karen, very insightful.
Hi Karen. Just a couple of points. If you only listen to Rush a few times a year, you don’t really understand him or his stand. I listen when I can and that’s usually 2 to 4 times a week as I travel. I’ve done that for several years now. Rush is a Patriot and not a hater. You may not like his delivery but if you listen regularly and really listen, you will look at him differently. I think you will agree that the main stream media tries to destroy him.
One other point, if James Carver (did you mean Carville) doesn’t see that his country has gone anywhere, then he was a leftist to begin with. Our country definately has gone somewhere and it’s very scary where it’s going.
Hope you are doing well, I’m proud of your career and writing (and of your daughters). I’ve watched “We Were Soldiers” probably 50 times, please say hello to Joe Galloway for me when you see him. Also (I’m rambling now), I got to spend two hours with Ed Freeman two summers ago, he was an awesome man. He died last year on my birthday. He was wonderful.
Larry Willis
Hey Larry:
Good to hear from you. How are things in Tifton? Thanks for the catch on Carville. Yes, that’s who I meant.
RE: Limbaugh, let me state that there was a time when my son was growing up that he & his father subjected me to a daily diet of Rush Limbaugh, so I have heard him, really heard him and I have to tell you, Larry, I don’t care for that kind of broadcast journalism. I find it builds fear and hate and distrust, all things I think contrary to the Word.
And while I agree that there are thinks that are pretty scary about our country right now — take the news story on the little girl out of Fayetteville for instance — I am probably more worried by the trend in churches toward nationalism and/or toward crafting themselves after corporate America than I am about America needing to be taken back. I honestly don’t feel like it’s been hijacked. I still live in a country where I can say and write what I want. I can attend any church I like. I am free to travel between New York and California without permission from some governing body. Shoot, I could hop a plane and fly to Belize for the weekend, if I could afford it.
What I see everyday are the ways in which 20 and 30 somethings are raising funds to build schools in impoverished communities, where they are challenging Christians of our generation to step up (something we haven’t done nearly so well as they are doing). I witness the remarkable in the way they build community, mentor fatherless children, minister to the homeless, help the wounded soldier, care for the dying. Honestly, Larry, I am humbled everyday by the youth that love Jesus and see a huge connection between that and how they treat others. They aren’t trusting the government to care for the wounded among us. They see it as their job.
So, no. I don’t see us as a country needing to be taken back. I see us as a country of really remarkable people.
Thank you for your kind words about my career. Doesn’t feel like much of a career when you go years between book deals, or when the newspaper job you had is eliminated. But it makes me teary-eyed to hear you say that anyway.
Joe is doing great. Retired, living in Texas, still traveling and speaking and he’s got contracts and books to write. I met Ed the year before he died. Great man.
“I don’t think she’s capable or qualified to be president”
That would rule out a good many of the folks who have been President, I suspect… whether proven before or during their term.
Personally I am open. I think she has 3 years to make her case, and I’m not going to go by the media rush of the last campaign. I think she’s made good strides and so I’m curious if she can step up to the role this time. She has a lot to prove, I think, however it seems like she is someone who would take on the challenge.
I definitely agree with you about the looks. That’s just a reality for elected office, I suppose. Going back to high school.
Even G. Washington was raised to his highest level because of his looks and bearing. Sure, he was a capable general and leader, but he had that look that kept pushing him forward.
We’re just not used to assessing women’s looks as Presidential looks like we are men, so it’s a new phase for society.
I guess I am really out of it; I never heard of you until I saw the link to this post on Scot McKnight’s JesusCreed blog and clicked. I am not as old as Lillian but I am 68 already, have a blog and a facebook page, but I do not twitter or tweet. After all, I do have some standards.
I live in Cherokee County, Georgia, a place where sweet flatlanders morph into mean mountain folk ever so gradually and Democrats are presumed to have “666″ tattooed on their nasty bodies.
Good thing William Howard Taft (350 lbs.) an Abraham Lincoln (unforgiveably ugly) came along before television, huh?
And I think those fluffy slippers are called mukluks, Debbie.
Good post. It inspired me to cancel my Newsweek subscription and like you I have no intention of ever voting for Palin. Over the last few years Newsweek has lost its credibility with me. Too far to the left.
Thanks Bob – they look ever so comfy.