By Lauren Mayer, on Tue Aug 28, 2012 at 11:00 AM ET
I realized long ago that I was way too thin-skinned for politics (having spent a college semester in DC as an intern for a liberal lobby – yeah, I am probably the only intern who never got hit on by anyone, much less politicans!)
But every now and then something happens to raise my hackles, so to speak. For a pro-choice, pro-marriage-equality, Jewish-mother-who-secretly-yearns-for-a-gay-son, the GOP platform is a real hackle-raiser. (And for a California resident, it’s also extremely frustrating – California is a reliably blue state so we’re totally written off in any major election, so without hundreds of millions of dollars to contribute, there’s not much I can do.)
But instead of developing an ulcer, I’ve channeled my energies into the following ditty:
I’ll be doing a new one every week during the run-up to the election, so I hope you enjoy!
By Nancy Slotnick, on Tue Aug 28, 2012 at 8:30 AM ET
Senator Akin’s comments last week beg the question: Is there such a thing as illegitimate rape? Does the double negative somehow imply a positive? That just seems wrong. How do we identify rape in dating? Obviously the use of force is a dealbreaker. But the dance of saying no but meaning yes is one in which both genders participate. And managing expectations is very difficult when you’re dealing with a stranger.
All that being said, there’s something empowering and exciting about a one-night stand, even for the girl. Sometimes especially for the girl. Maybe it is the danger. The idea that you can live on the edge and brush with a dangerous situation but yet have good enough judgment not to choose a rapist or an axe murderer.
Or is it the prowess that you can be just like a man—i.e. have a sexual adventure without getting emotionally attached? Or can you? I don’t believe that most women can. Well, yes, if there’s some “legitimate” reason (there’s that word again!) that a guy would never be husband material then we can remain detached. (If he’s really good in bed.) And it can be a lot of fun! Like if he’s 15 years younger or the wrong religion, or both. Or an axe murderer. Ok, well, that might not be fun.
Read the rest of… Nancy Slotnick: Illegitimate Rape
By John Y. Brown III, on Fri Aug 24, 2012 at 12:00 PM ET
What do you believe is the most significant exchange in a TV political debate show over the last 25 years?
As for me, there are a whole lot of answers that come to mind. Serious–in fact, grave–points being made by serous leaders. Important policy being heatedly debated by brilliant minds, new ideas breaking through and the like.
But I would select a very different moment that called out the most popular debate show of this period for what it –and copycat shows like it —really are: much more tv theater playing for ratings than genuine debate seeking out the truth. And the guest did so in a very human and effective way.
I spent a good chunk of my young life voraciously absorbing these tv political debate battles. But eventually I began to tire of them and feel a similar disappointment to when my grandmother explained to me at age 7 that tv wrestling wasn’t all real. I didn’t feel deceived. But did feel disappointed that I was manipulated and didn’t know it.
Give me Firing Line with William F Buckley, Jr. Give me Charlie Rose. Give me Dick Cavett. Give me—a conversation with a friend or family member over coffee that isn’t measured in decibels but is instead an honest exploring of an idea without fear of it leading to a conclusion that is inconsistent with the political narrative I embrace. Give me a conversation in which I learn something new rather than reinforce a comfortable but mundane position I don’t even fully embrace if I were honest with myself.
Give me, in short, an honest moment. Like the video clip below.
And please don’t let Jon Stewart’s politics cause you to miss the non-partisan point he makes. Yes, he does revert to some low brow tactics, but he brilliantly and successfully makes as important a point as any that face our citizenry today, in my view.
We are a divided nation today in part for substantive political policy ideas we disagree on– but also, I believe, in part because we all mimic what we see and have adopted the belief that to engage in political dialogue means we musta eviscerate our “opponents” arguments at all costs–including personal insults and clever debating tactics in order to “win” at any cost. But I can’t help believe that we are all really losing something more valuable as we engage in this corrosive pastime.
This is my choice for most important tv political debate moment in the past 25 years:
Lisa Miller…yes, Mrs. RP herself…has launched a new health and wellness Web site for women called LisaMillerBeautifulDay.com.
Her mission?
As a Women’s Mind/Body Health Specialist, I’ve learned that several ingredients contribute to a dazzling recipe for optimum health, happiness, and balance. Each of us feel nourished by a different combination of those ingredients in the form of practices, or lifestyle habits, that nourish our bodies, spiritual core, our emotions and intellect. This custom-tailored medley is the unique prescription for vitality and wellness, for each of us.
It’s this multi-faceted approach to health and happiness that serves as the foundation for all of the women’s workshops and retreats I lead. They are designed to be explorative and educational, lighthearted, deeply relaxing, soulful gatherings for women that deepen intuitive abilities and foster personal transformation. And I have found that the support and laughter from these women’s circles is profoundly healing in itself!
And don’t miss learning about her Women’s Circle Retreat in Costa Rica, from February 17-23, 2013. An incredible experience for our female readers, and a perfect gift from husbands in the RP Nation!
By Jordan Stivers, on Mon Aug 13, 2012 at 12:30 PM ET
Mitt Romney’s choice of Paul Ryan for a running mate reminds me of John McCain’s choice of Sarah Palin to appease the far right of the Republican party that has become increasingly influential since 2008.
While Paul Ryan has far more substantive experience and ability to lead than Palin, I believe his views are just as extreme.
McCain and Romney were both considered moderates based on their records, and felt pressured to pick someone to the far right instead of someone who shares their ability to act in a bipartisan manner.
It makes me realize how warped the political arena must be that being a moderate is a bad thing.
By Ronald J. Granieri, on Mon Aug 13, 2012 at 11:00 AM ET
I agree with Tom that it is a shame that Romney feels the need to tack further to the right.
I would go even further to say I am sorry that two smart people such as Romney and Ryan have so little regard for logic and good sense (and for the public’s intelligence) that they think no one will notice as they try simultaneously to decry debt and push plans that will only make it worse.
Meanwhile the President claims to care about entitlement reform but offers no plan.
Both sides are banking on the ignorance and biases of their most fervent supporters.
Memo to the mayors – hold your horses! I’m just as outraged as you are by Dan Cathy’s comments about same-sex marriage, and I certainly chose NOT to patronize one of his establishments on Wednesday (which wasn’t a hard choice, because I live in the San Francisco area, and there aren’t any Chick-Fil-A restaurants around here since everyone knows liberals only eat endive and tofu). But threatening to bar him from opening an outlet in your cities is an over-reaction, turning him into a free speech martyr and distracting us from the deeper issue here.
Mr. Cathy’s comments aren’t “just a citizen expressing an opinion” – his company has spent millions promoting the view that our country should be operated along conservative Christian beliefs, and claiming we’re going to hell in a handbasket because we disagree with the divine definition of marriage. First, there’s the hypocrisy of the biblical directives Cathy & his cohorts selectively ignore. I remember learning in Hebrew school about how the Torah included laws like getting stoned to death for mixing crops or disrespecting parents – who says G-d isn’t just as pissed off at us for doing any of those things as for redefining marriage?
But more importantly, wasn’t this a country founded on religious tolerance and freedom? When did we become a solely Christian nation, and why wasn’t I consulted? I thought it was just in December that I felt like an alien because I didn’t have inflated reindeer on my lawn, and people accused me of killing Christmas because I actually would prefer to hear ‘happy holidays’. Now guys like Dan Cathy are telling me I’m a pariah year-round – and it’s getting to me!
A lot has changed since my last post, people met, places seen, experiences had, and lives lost. Despite how young I am, I have lost a lot of loved ones be it family or friends. As I find others who also suffer loss in the most recent weeks, most recently being the families in Aurora, CO, I reflect on those that I have lost. All those adages we share “time will heal”, “they are in a better place”, “at least they did not suffer”, may be the first thing that comes to our minds, but only hold some truth.
My grandmother passed away after a prolonged hospitalization following a coronary artery bypass surgery about 10 years ago. In those years immediately following, the pain of her loss was the first thing that came to our minds. The painful memory made it difficult to make our peace with it, along with seeing my grandfather’s pain of missing her. Our peace with the it came after my grandfather passed away. Now, the memories that come back are happy ones, but there is still the constant reminder that you will never hear their voice again, see them laugh, or just experience that wonderful hug filled with love as you wrap your arms around your grandparents. With those memories those adages that are supposed to make you feel better really do not make any difference at all.
How do you take that and talk to other people who you realize are also going through the pain of losing a loved one? Well, you cannot tell them you know what they are going through. You have an idea of what loss is, but you do not know what they are going through. Their situation with that loved one is different, how that loved one was lost is different, and how they are dealing with the loss of a loved one is different from you. All you can do is be there to listen, be a shoulder to lean on, and just always remind them that you will be there for them.
Read the rest of… Mona Tailor: Dealing with Tragedy
