Senseless Double Standards

At first, when reading and watching the news over the past few days, I wondered if I was the only one with the feeling that our nation is suffering from what I refer to as a "Political Double-Standard". Apparently not...it seems to have become the buzz across the U.S., and I, for one, am glad it's getting the attention it deserves! Last week's announcement that John McCain has chosen Sarah Palin as his running mate certainly created a stir.... and the media (as well as the opposing camp) appeared to be jumping through their hind-ends to see who could come up with the fastest negative spin. Looks like the best they could come up with was to question whether or not Sarah Palin could effectively serve as our Vice President while carrying out the duties and responsibilities that go along with being the mother of 5 children. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?

Certainly, the goal was to plant seeds of doubt in the minds of the American people. Expecting expressions of utter shock and dismay by millions of citizens
across the country following the announcement that young Bristol Palin is pregnant, out-of-wedlock. Predicting mothers from Tallahassee to Seattle would "rise up and take a stand", as a protest to the fact that Mrs. Palin would even consider accepting the position of VP, due to the fact she has a special-needs child. If Barack Obama had a special-needs child, would the media try to force him out of the race? If Joe Biden had an unwed pregnant daughter, would it be construed as despicable, his notion of running for the Vice Presidency? Where were all the trash-talkers when party girls, Jenna and Barbara Bush started making news? On numerous occasions, the twins were arrested for UNDERAGE DRINKING! Was Dubya bullied into stepping down as President so he could spend more time corralling his daughters and focus on being a better father? Nope! So, why the double-standard? Because Sarah Palin is a woman? Who says she can't handle it all? I'm betting she can...and am ready to see the naysayers eat crow. Shame on those Democrats and all of the media outlets for creating such a frenzy over piddly nonsense!

While it's true our country has, historically, been governed by wealthy Caucasian men, and is split into two distinct parties (the Dems and the Repubs) change is upon us in 2008! History will be made in November, and regardless of the past, we Americans will elect either an African-American man as our new leader or we'll have a female Vice President! Whichever way the cookie crumbles, the evening of November 4th will be a nail-biter and we'll surely all be on the edge of our seats as we anxiously await results of the election. Already we're seeing party lines being crossed- in both directions- as those Republicans who can't bring themselves to vote for a female VP say they're voting for Obama, and hoards of "Hillary" supporters whose biggest wish is to see a woman in office (regardless on their stance concerning the issues) are jumping the Democratic ship and swimming over to the Republican shore. The next few months are bound to be interesting! Let's just hope our politicians can keep the mud-slinging down to a minimum and focus on the real issues.

On a lighter note....Mom asked me last night if Sarah Palin reminded me of anyone. I thought about it for a bit, but when I couldn't come up with anyone in particular, she said, "She looks like Elaine Benes from Seinfeld!" You know what, Mom? You're right!


Cupcake, anyone?