Thanks N.O.W.! You're helping Sarah Palin's career!!! Way to go!!!

[zulchzulu]

I posted this in another thread about N.O.W., Letterman, the jokes (which I didn't actually find all that funny), my reaction (which some found offensive) and wanted to interject how N.O.W. is actually backfiring in their media relations choice to go after Letterman.

NOW is doing Sarah Palin's work as an absolute disaster for women's rights. Remember that Palin doesn't think women have a right to choose on reproductive choices, including rape, incest and last I checked, even life of the mother. That's some serious, f*&ked up sh*t.

For NOW to give Palin ANY publicity is STUPID media relations. They could have sent Letterman a letter of reprimand and have discussed the jokes with him. But no... they had to broadcast their message out and give the Palin family something to nibble on.

That's apparently not as stupid as Letterman's oafish jokes. To some anyway...

The Palins, and namely Sarah Palin, are itching for free publicity. Their reactions via press releases show what Sarah Palin has been doing since she was chosen by John McCain as his VP choice:

• Sarah Palin uses her children like theatrical props for political gain
  
• Sarah Palin is a theocratic extremist who is hell-bent on making abortion illegal in all circumstances
  
• Sarah Palin needs media exposure to make her a viable candidate to run for President in 2012
  
• Sarah Palin is not qualified to be anywhere near the White House except for Governor's parties
  

So what has N.O.W. done with the Palin v. Letterman dust-up? Palin is now all over the airwaves and they are turning it into a Pity Party for her. Do these same media jackals bring up how Chelsea Clinton was made fun of by Republicans? Blink and you might miss the reference.

The point is that N.O.W.'s media relations division decided it would be a cool marketing tool for them to attack Letterman for some fectless jokes that would have hardly been a media event. Now, Sarah Palin, who is perhaps the WORST person N.O.W. would want to represent women, is getting airtime and perhaps interviews and other media exposure.

Palin is not stupid to see the obvious gift that N.O.W. has given for her career. These are simple, easy to remember talking points she can attain in her head. "Poor me..." "Letterman (and by miraculous conjecture, Obama) is a pervert, a pedophile..." and of course, the classic "Democrats are mean and evil sexual deviants trying to destroy America..." The shit practically writes itself.

So thanks N.O.W.! Sarah Palin is the hot news of the weekend and beyond. Who needs to discuss healthcare reform when you can have All Palin All The Time.

:crazy:

[fishwax]

1. this was getting plenty of press well before NOW got involved

[zulchzulu]

3. So then it's OK for N.O.W. to pour gasoline on the fire and help Palin's career?

If N.O.W. was slow on the dime with the story, that makes their media relations skills even more myopic in my view.

[fishwax]

4. it's okay for them to point out what they see as sexism in the mass media, even when it's directed

against a woman whose political opinions are antithetical to their agenda and whom they worked to defeat in last fall's elections.

[zulchzulu]

5. Well, it's a good thing they point out all sexism in the media on a daily basis...

...or... perhaps they don't?

Shit... I mean... go after South Park! Half of the stuff on Comedy Central is sexist. A lot of the characters on soap operas are sexist. Name one ESPN announcer who ISN'T sexist. It's endless if you want to be the Sexist Alert Police.

Sarah Palin should write them a thank you card.

[fishwax]

7. what they've done won't really help Palin at all

They've been consistently critical of her and her record from the moment McCain announced her as his running mate.

[zulchzulu]

9. Yeah... she's only on TV on every channel just about... nah, no help for Sarah at all...

I'm assuming you're kidding.

N.O.W. may have been critical of Sarah Palin in the past. Maybe that's when they had a GOOD media relations director. Now... not so much.

[fishwax]

11. that's not NOW's doing

:shrug:

[zulchzulu]

16. I understand that...but, giving Palin free airtime/interviews ad nauseum is bad for N.O.W.

I certainly don't blame N.O.W. for Letterman's comments. But their media relations press releases are actually not helping them. People who support N.O.W.'s causes (like me, for example) know who Sarah Palin is and her anti-woman agenda. But when Palin gets free press from the chain reaction N.O.W. is participating in, it HELPS her.

If it HELPS Sarah Palin, it HURTS women's freedom.

[fishwax]

27. I don't think it hurts NOW at all

When there is a discussion of sexism in the media--even sexism directed towards a woman whom they oppose politically--it's perfectly appropriate for NOW to comment. I'm not sure why they should restrict themselves to criticizing sexism only when it's directed at women who agree with their political positions.

Two days into the dust up, NOW issued a brief comment about what they perceived as sexism in Letterman's jokes. They didn't say anything positive about Palin, simply suggested Letterman's jokes drew on typically sexist themes. I hardly think that will cause them any long-term damage.

[angee_is_mad]

57. How about the attacks on Michelle

not saying they didn't come out during the campaign, but for some reason I can't remember it. Ummmmmm.................

[blue cat]

2. I think it makes her into a bigger joke.

I laughed at his joke about her looking like a slutty flight attendant.

[leftofthedial]

6. Yeah!

I hope Alex Rodriguez knocks them up out of wedlock!

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

8. Where's Hillary when you need her?

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

10. I'm reminded of PETA hiring Michael Vick.

[JuniperLea]

15. Egad! Did they really?

If so, that's a perfect match to what's going on here.

[CitizenPatriot]

12. It's outrageous

I posted this elsewhere today, but I think if you listen to Palin laughing at a female opponent who is recovering from cancer as the dj calls her a "bitc-", "fat" and a "cancer", you'll see that Palin in no way deserves the help of NOW.

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=4a7_1220377291

Palin has been anti-woman from the moment she hit the scene. She is an egregious puppet of the white male patriarchy. She uses sex to sell herself as a politician -- a fact which drives women back years.

We (women) have enough problems without her -- and most of us know her for exactly who she is. The big sell out crying wolf.

[girl_interrupted]

17. CitizenPatriot yes, Palin thinks another woman having cancer is funny

Thank you so much for posting that link. And I agree with your post 100%. Imagine any woman laughing at another woman who has cancer? Some "joke".

Palin....charging for rape kits, cutting funding to unwed teens, children with disabilities, what kind of woman is Sarah Palin anyway? Not the kind I would defend.

And if the Palin's are so offended by "rape" (even though that wasn't what the joke was about) they should have charged Levi with statutory rape, when he got Bristol pregnant, instead of inviting him to the GOP convention and parading him around.

Palin is a hypocrite, too bad NOW doesn't see through her PR baloney.

[CitizenPatriot]

25. thanks, girlinterrupted:-)

I'm glad I'm not alone in my assessment of the situation. During the campaign, I called her Patriarchal Barbie.

She does not represent women anymore than certain African American chairman's of the GOP represent African Americans. It's a double whammy.

here's another link of her chiding Hilary to stop "whining" about the media. Have your puke bag handy.

http://beltwayblips.dailyradar.com/video/palin_on_clinton_s_perceived_whine/

[AlexanderProgressive]

26. So...is it ok to be racist against a black man who mocks cancer victims?

Because if NOW should not voice outrage against what they see as sexism, then it follows that we should only criticize people who are racist against nice black people, or nice hispanic people, etc.?

[CitizenPatriot]

30. Yeah, that's exactly what I meant. /s nt

[AlexanderProgressive]

50. Wow. I thought racism was always wrong n/t

[CitizenPatriot]

66. you missed the /s in my post.

of course I didn't meant that.

[Cha]

13. palin needs to apologize to Prez Obama

and his supporters for inciting hate at her rabid rallies. Why does she never get held accountable?

I think it was stupid of Letterman to go there but I never like those put down jokes especially sexual.

He said something last night on his show about palin.. "it was all okay now and she had invited him to go hunting."

[Sebastian Doyle]

14. Is this really the national NOW that's defending Moosealini?

or is it that same rogue PUMA infested offshoot that shilled for her last year?

[zulchzulu]

19. Want to see some PUMAs dissing N.O.W. and Obama?

http://www.hillarysvillage.net/grand-central/16999-n-o-w-silent-about-david-lettermans-comments.html

Careful driving through that sludge...

[AtomicKitten]

32. Jeez what a pathetic carwreck.

One today actually suggested people voted for Obama to feel good about themselves: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=8466149&mesg_id=8466225

Sounds exactly like Geraldine Ferraro: “If Obama was a white man, he would not be in this position," Ferraro told the newspaper. "And if he was a woman (of any color) he would not be in this position. He happens to be very lucky to be who he is. And the country is caught up in the concept."

:puke:

[zulchzulu]

55. AK!

Always on the ball... hope all is groovy.

[mkultra]

34. sites like that are just idiot magnets.

[kiva]

18. I think you are conflating NOW's goals with those of DU.

It's the National Organization for Women, and their focus is "to take action to bring women into full participation in society — sharing equal rights, responsibilities and opportunities with men, while living free from discrimination." Much of the time that goal is in harmony with progressive politics but, as you've noted above, there are more than a few on the left who are as sexist as any right-winger.

Just as the ACLU has defended the free-speech rights of neo-Nazi groups and white supremacists, NOW stands by its principles to defend women, even women like Sarah Palin. I don't like anything about Palin, from her politics to her religious views to her bizarre attitude toward women's rights, but I agree with NOW than when we cheer the sexist comments made about someone we don't like, it only reinforces the idea that sexism is an acceptable prejudice.

[Beacool]

21. Hear, hear!!!

:applause:

[zulchzulu]

22. Is N.O.W. going to go after 80% of the content Comedy Central broadcasts?

Let's take it all the way.

Half of the "reality" shows have sexist content. More than a majority of the content in soap operas have sexist content. What about cheerleaders? Subservient Vanna White? The women on those asshat gameshows that are there to show their "moneymaker"? 90% of music videos?

Let's Get Puritanical!

By Lisa Bennett (Communications Director with N.O.W. since 2000) aiming at Letterman's dumb jokes and driving anti-women's rights Sarah Palin into free airtime and interviews, she shot N.O.W.'s agenda in the foot.

If you don't see the obviousness of this chicanery, good for you.

[kiva]

31. Several women's groups, including NOW, have been critical

of the sexism present in popular culture.

What I find disturbing is that you equate attacks on sexism with "Let's Get Puritanical!" You acknowledge that there is a large amount of sexist content in TV shows and music videos, but seem to think there is something wrong with opposing the trend...so, do you think that this 'sexist content' you point out is a good thing, or do you just like to throw mud at people who oppose sexist garbage?

[kiva]

47. Crickets?

[kiva]

65. So is my question so difficult to answer? n/t

[AlexanderProgressive]

20. NOW thought there was sexism against a woman, regardless of her party identity

And acted accordingly.

[Beacool]

23. Exactly!!

I guess some people here expect NOW to stand up only for liberal women and not all women as a whole. I'm glad that they finally spoke up. Sexism is not acceptable, no matter who's the intended target.

:-)

[zulchzulu]

24. Well, they need to get busy then. Letterman's jokes aren't the only sexist stuff on TV

Filling up Sarah Palin's coffers with cash and donations is something N.O.W. must support as well.

She will make a lot of money from this.

[AlexanderProgressive]

28. NOW denounced Gordon Liddy when he made fun of Sotomayor's menstruation

"Right-wing talking heads are using everything in their arsenal to demonize Sotomayor, and Liddy is on the front lines with his bag full of this dusty old muskets."

http://www.now.org/issues/media/hall-of-shame/index.php/radio/liddy-worried-about-sotomayor

[AlexanderProgressive]

29. NOW denounced Gordon Liddy when he made fun of Sotomayor's menstruation

"Right-wing talking heads are using everything in their arsenal to demonize Sotomayor, and Liddy is on the front lines with his bag full of this dusty old muskets."

http://www.now.org/issues/media/hall-of-shame/index.php/radio/liddy-worried-about-sotomayor

They also slammed Glen Beck for calling Sotomayor "this hispanic chick lady".
http://www.now.org/issues/media/hall-of-shame/index.php/radio/glenn-beck-hispanic-chick-lady

and Bill O'reilly for calling Helen Thomas "The Wicked Witch of the West."
http://www.now.org/issues/media/hall-of-shame/index.php/television/host-o-reilly-compares-legendary-journal

[Fleshdancer]

45. NOW comments on just about everything sexist from what I've seen.

Which is why they would have been hypocritical to remain silent this time.

[mkultra]

36. So are Palin's policies sexist?

[mkultra]

33. I guess Palin is a woman so they are helping her out.

[kiva]

38. Helping her out? No, they are criticizing sexist behaviour,

and they aren't doing it because Palin will thanks them or because they agree with her politics. I seriously doubt that this will 'help' Palin, considering who her supporters are and what they respect.

[mkultra]

48. well, it will certainly help Palin

whether that's the intended outcome or not. With the press, shes is a victim, without it, shes nothing.

[kiva]

49. Two comments:

1. NOW is not a popular organization with her supporters, and I have a difficult time believing they will pay any attention to what NOW does or doesn't say--the organization has criticized Palin in the past and will probably do so in the future.

2. The press was talking about this before NOW weighed in, and most of the coverage I've seen doesn't even mention NOW--the MSM prefers the showbiz slant and spend most of their time with Letterman's comments and Palin's whining.

[mkultra]

62. good points, in response

I believe that she and her supporters will use any tactic to criticize the "left". That being given , they will cast Letterman as a symbol for the hypocrisy of the left and will keep the issue in the news in whatever way possible.

Although i don't think that NOWs statement will have a big impact on this issue, it will be just another log for the fire. Doesn't really matter though. NOW shouldn't really worry about Letterman's image so their statement is appropriate for their mission.

[AlexanderProgressive]

51. NOW endorsed Obama-Biden, not McCain-Palin

If they had wanted to help her out, they would have endorsed her, don't you think?

[zulchzulu]

56. Um...

At this time in our history, this country needs strong, experienced and principled leadership to restore faith in our government and repair its credibility at home and abroad, and to end the destructive policies that have eroded our civil liberties and increased injustice and inequality in our society.

Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton is just such a leader. She has a long history of support for women's empowerment, and her public record is a testimony to her leadership on issues important to women in the U.S. and around the globe. She has eloquently articulated the need for full economic, political and social equality for women in every institution of society, taking action throughout her career — as a lawyer, community leader, First Lady, Senator and candidate for the presidency — to advance the civil and human rights of women and girls.

That is why I am proud, on behalf of over 500,000 contributing members of the National Organization for Women, to announce the NOW PAC's enthusiastic endorsement of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton for president of the United States.

http://www.now.org/press/03-07/03-28.html

That was March 7, 2008. Yeah, they endorsed Obama/Biden... in the middle of September...

September 16, 2008

It is with great enthusiasm that I announce today, on behalf of the nation's oldest and largest women's rights organization, that the National Organization for Women Political Action Committee (NOW PAC) proudly endorses Sen. Barack Obama for President of the United States.

http://www.now.org/press/09-08/09-16.html

Better late than never, I guess...

Then, of course, there is this...

A group of Hillary Clinton supporters condemned the National Organization for Women's endorsement of Sens. Barack Obama and Joe Biden earlier this week.

"The New Agenda is concerned that NOW's recent endorsement of Barack Obama leaves many women in this country out in the cold," the nonpartisan nonprofit group said in a release Friday. "The endorsement seems all the more puzzling given the fact that the Republican Party is running its first female candidate for Vice-President, Gov. Sarah Palin, and the Green Party is fielding its first all-woman presidential ticket with Cynthia McKinney and Rosa Clemente."

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/44/2008/09/20/womens_group_condemns_now_endo.html

Yeesh... anyway, as the saying goes... bygones.

[fishwax]

58. they released a press release denouncing Palin and her politics on the day McCain announced her

as his running mate.

http://www.now.org/press/08-08/08-29.html

Sen. John McCain's choice of Alaska governor Sarah Palin as his running mate is a cynical effort to appeal to disappointed Hillary Clinton voters and get them to vote, ultimately, against their own self-interest.

Gov. Palin may be the second woman vice-presidential candidate on a major party ticket, but she is not the right woman. Sadly, she is a woman who opposes women's rights, just like John McCain.

(snip)

Sen. Joe Biden is the VP candidate who appeals to women, with his authorship and championing of landmark domestic violence legislation, support for pay equity, and advocacy for women around the world.

Finally, as the chair of NOW's Political Action Committee, I am frequently asked whether NOW supports women candidates just because they are women. This gives me an opportunity to once again answer that question with an emphatic 'No.' We recognize the importance of having women's rights supporters at every level but, like Sarah Palin, not every woman supports women's rights.

"That was March 7, 2008. Yeah, they endorsed Obama/Biden... in the middle of September..."

IOW, though they supported Clinton during the primaries, they endorsed Obama within a week or two of the end of the conventions, and their support of the presumptive nominee/opposition to McCain was clear even before that.

The folks in your last quote are just :crazy: Fortunately NOW had more wisdom :)

[AlexanderProgressive]

69. I thought you were going to contradict my statement that NOW endorsed Palin's opponents

But you didn't. You simply quoted an opinion piece that STRENGTHENED N.O.W.'s endorsement. The Washington Post piece simpmly said that it was puzzling that they didn't endorse the woman. But N.O.W.'s action of actually endorsing Obama-Biden carry all the weight here.

[aaaaaa5a]

35. Sometimes N.O.W. can't see the forest because there are too many trees in the way! nt

[RoadRage]

37. NOW represents Women...

Not just Liberal Women. Not just women who agree with their political and/or Religious ideology.

I don't have a problem with NOW defending Palin from these couple of statements.. just like I don't have a problem with a comedian like Letterman actually MAKING these jokes, because that's what he does.

Both are doing what they're suppose to be doing.. NOW, defending a woman.. Letterman, making jokes that some find offensible.

NOW isn't required to pick & choose which Women it wants to defend, or Women of only certain backgrounds or platforms which to defend. They can defend any woman of their choosing.. and in this case have picked Palin, and in some ways Willow.

Being upset that NOW is choosing to defend Palin just makes liberals look hypocritical. "We only want NOW to defend liberal women, not all women". Not good IMO.

[pecwae]

59. Bravo!

Blaming NOW for giving Palin media exposure is asinine, hyperbolic and hypocritical. They're doing what they are meant to do.

[Blasphemer]

39. I don't have a problem (in theory) with N.O.W. defending Palin against sexism

There sure was a good deal of it during the election cycle (I'm thinking of immediately after her nomination, before she proved herself to be a dim bulb). However, in this case, I don't think their argument holds any water which makes their decision to insert themselves suspect.

[camera obscura]

40. Wrong. If NOW had not denounced Letterman, it would have made it a bigger story.

Palin could have pointed out that liberals are faux feminists who don't really care about women and fed into the Republican party's sympathy toward her.

What does she complain about now? "He was mean" will only last so long. The best thing feminists can do is acknowledge the joke was in bad taste and move on, leaving her to stew on it.

[zulchzulu]

53. Why isn't N.O.W. going after Limbot, South Park, General Hospital, MTV, Fox News...

Why the calculated (and in my opinion) half-assed and shooting in the foot "strategy"?

Sarah Palin is the winner in this "battle". N.O.W. is punked.

N.O.W. could have been SMART and reprimanded Letterman in back channels if they wanted to play that card. But no... they had to give the Reich Wing and Sarah Palin something to then bring on their agenda... FOR FREE!

I'd have fired Lisa Bennett (N.O.W. communications director) if I was in charge. The only peeps who were really pressuring her were the PUMA assbots who hate N.O.W. anyway. Bennett is a friggin' newbie. She is sticking up for Palin? Is she on fucking crack?

[CitizenPatriot]

67. actually, the right is railing againtst liberals for this

and denouncing NOW's hypocrisy for not defending Palin.

See, that's the beauty of having your very own news network. You can just make up reality.

[Justitia]

41. What does NOW say about Palin's treatment of rape victims in Alaska?

Isn't it sexist enough that only female crime victims have to pay for their own evidence collection?

The state she is governor of has the highest rate of rape in the country.

I guess that just isn't "sexy enough" for NOW to complain about.

They'd rather go after a late night comedian who has ZERO effect on public policy written against women.

[kiva]

42. This:

September 18, 2008

She's been on the covers of publications from Time and Newsweek to Us Weekly. Alaska Governor and Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin could be a heartbeat away from the highest office in the country. There could be a woman in the White House, and the nation's a-buzz over this rising star.

So why aren't I more excited about this?

*snip*

Her heartlessness doesn't end there. While she was mayor of Wasilla, rape victims were required to pay up to $1,200 for the cost of processing the police evidence (called "rape kits") in their cases. Just imagine - during perhaps the most traumatic moments of their lives, Sarah Palin made women pay, before the law would protect them. And it didn't stop until Democratic governor Tony Knowles signed statewide legislation prohibiting the practice.

How does this demonstrate respect for women and girls? How is this feminism?

[Justitia]

44. link please

[kiva]

46. Sorry, here:

http://www.now.org/news/note/091808.html

[Fleshdancer]

43. NOW isn't going to back down from their purpose just because of Sarah Palin

Not liking Palin isn't reason enough to remain silent on the issue of targeting a young woman's sexuality as a way to insult her. In fact, wouldn't it be hypocritical of NOW to not issue a statement?

[DatManFromNawlins]

52. There's an old saying: what's wrong is wrong

And don't forget who brought up Palin in the first place: Letterman. If Letterman hadn't been such a gigantic douche, then Palin wouldn't have gotten the media attention.

[zulchzulu]

54. Another old saying: Don't Give Your Enemies Free Airtime and Pity Party Interviews

N.O.W. got punked on this. Palin is the winner.

Dumb. Ass. Move.

[opihimoimoi]

60. No Choice Palin is nuts....forcing women to bear flawed kids like she did is SICK

If a woman finds out the fetus is flawed...she should have the right to choose options...

If she decides to carry full term as Sarah did...thats her decision..

But for women having a fetus deformed, challenged....? They don't have a choice? WTF is that?

She and her friends are nuts....

Those 40 million abortions since ROE? supposed they lived....40 million more people to our population today would be devastating.....

[Canuckistanian]

61. I doubt that anybody's opinion is being changed by this

If you generally respect NOW's opinions, you're probably a liberal or progressive. NOW has been demonized for decades as some kind of radical organization by the RW media.

And if you generally respect Palin's opinions, you're definitely NOT a liberal. Palin's positions on women's rights issues are CLEARLY regressive.

I don't see either of these demographics being swayed by NOW's denouncement of Letterman's joke.

[jasmeel]

63. NOW got this WAY wrong! The only good thing is Palin probably

wouldn't want to mention NOW b/c of the whole abortion thing.

[bvar22]

64. Like the ACLU defending Limbaugh's right to privacy.

Thankfully, some people are guided by Principle and not Party.

NOW is not "helping Sarah Palin".
NOW is standing up for ALL women.

[marshall]

68. NOW is in a catch 22 situation like the ACLU often is

Both are progressive organizations but they are NOT party afflicated. They don't pick and choose who they defend based on R or D after the name. As th ACLU has defended Nazis, Klansmen, and NAMBLA alongside more likable organizations and individuals, NOW must defend where it sees fit.