Great comment and thanks for sharing your experience.

Yes, liberal women need to get with the program.

I think the degree of lesbian focus varied from chapter to chapter in NOW.

I broke away and co-founded a separate feminist organization focused more on equality in the workplace, the abysmal laws around rape, airline policies, credit policies, etc. Lesbians were about a quarter of our membership and we had a task force which dealt with lesbian issues – but it was one of over 20 task forces.

I think we had an excellent handle on how to integrate all the issues without being hung-up on one or two. We were in a large metro city and completely overshadowed the local NOW chapter due mainly to the balance we maintained on issues.

In fact, in 1974 we helped found a coalition of 17 women’s groups to fight for the ERA. This coalition included BPW, Junior League, League of Women’s Voters, etc. This diverse coalition was unique in the country. We could never have pulled these mainstream women into the fight for the ERA if we had been heavily focused on lesbianism, pro-choice, etc. to the exclusion of other important issues to mainstream women.

I do not mean to minimize the more controversial issues of abortion and lesbianism. But I never saw why it was beneficial to defame or shun mainstream women who fought the good fight for less controversial issues of women’s equality but could not embrace all of the more controversial issues.

Some of my best friends and strongest allies turned out to be from the more “mainstream” organizations. We respected and celebrated the feminist in each other while accepting that we were not aligned on every single aspect of women’s rights.

This is what works. This is how I can be supportive of Sarah Palin while disavowing her rigid stand on many conservative issues. I really admire the woman for her accomplishments and find great solace in her ability to go at the good ole boys with such comfort and courage.

Liberal feminists either need to get with the more tolerant, more inclusive program that works or continue to fade into obscurity.

And it pains me to say that. These icons and leaders who seem to be flipping out are long-time icons for me and despite their current misguided-ness, I have incredible respect for what they have accomplished for women.

There is a very valuable lesson being learned by many in this election – that liberals can be too liberal, conservatives can be too conservative and most of the country is not on either margin. We better take back the middle right now before it gets worse no matter how loud the liberal/conservative fringes howl.

Apathy and complacency have delivered us into a fight-to-the-death between the loonies on both sides.

All us in the middle will pay the price if we don’t get a little passion of our own into the mix.

You certainly are right about pointing out some of the accomplishments. I’m being excessive because of exactly what you pointed out: you walked away and many women simply stayed away for all the reasons I outlined. And then the next generation didn’t even want to be aligned with feminist thinking. Hence, a lot of young women joined in and are joining in the sexist attacks. They take for granted the advantages that women like you worked for. So although there were victories, the Movement became stagnant.

When you see what happened to Hillary, and now Palin, in many was we are back to square one. Maybe saying it was a failure will get their attention.

When I got involved with NOW in the 70s, there was heavy lesbian focus.

Sarah Palin and I both enjoyed HS sports due to the women’s movement.

A theme which is a major problem is this hair-trigger blame placed on lesbians. The woman’s movement ought not compartmentalize and treat all who fight for the common good like Balkan States. That is one thing the republicans do right!

Sutton discloses that Obama had already been promised the Editorship of the Law Review, before Obama had even applied to Harvard.

CBS 2 Political Editor Mike Flannery reports the only glimpse of McCain the public got came as his motorcade departed. Like every Republican presidential nominee since 1984, McCain appears to regard campaigning in heavily Democratic Illinois a waste of time.

Raising Money is why national Republicans come here. McCain took away an astounding $5 million. Several dozen of the biggest contributors who had dinner told CBS 2 McCain’s elated by new voter opinion surveys showing that, for the first time, he’s ahead of Obama.

“Everybody in the room said ‘wow.’ This was even beyond what many expected. He is wonderfully self-confident but not cocky,” said McCain contributor Craig Duchossois.

“The senator is clearly ecstatic about the polls,” said Ronald Gidwitz. “He’s very comfortable right now in his own skin. He sees the momentum going in his favor. He is the man who looks like a winner.”

As McCain visited Obama’s hometown, the Illinois senator’s campaign unveiled in battleground states a tough new TV ad. It mocks McCain’s claim that he and running mate Sarah Palin are political mavericks.
http://cbs2chicago.com/linksnumbers

I also relate to the family thing. My kids are all for BO and my sister just sent me an e-mail about some supposed nasty thing that Palin said about Hillary in a restaurant that someone overheard. I mean, what is this world coming to? Nice to have some kindred souls in this Blog. I suspect there are a whole lot more of us out there too.

Bill Ayers being shown standing on the American flag. His words after 9/11 “We didn’t do enough”. “Kill your parents.”

Show The World Trade Centers coming down, show the destruction of Oklahoma City bombing, show McVie’s face next to Ayers, show the destruction caused by Ayers Weathermen. Then the voice over asking do you want this man to have access to the White House.

Show the 3am call and then Bill Ayers face, again ask this. Do you want this person anywhere around that red button?

Someone here is capable of making this video. I know Paul V is. “A picture paints a thousand words
Let’s paint the picture and send it around the world.

Another video show all the above and his connections with Education. Ask parents if is this who they would want in charge of their children? It would quite possible be him put in as Secretary of Education.

Ayers is Obama’s biggest problem. People don’t believe his connections to the Arab/Muslims. They have bought into his smear charge. However lots of people remember the Weathermen and Oklahoma City and 9/11.

We’ve been through debates with loved ones who failed to take a critical look at The One or accept any argument.

On Thanksgiving, post election, I am sure I will have a hard time refraining from standing up and asking:

“Would anybody like a nice glass of Koolade now?”

May classy snark live forever, as America will. “They” have taken away the media, and we make it with the internet, “they” take away the internet we will make signs and stand by the road. Like IronMan says Hammer meet Nail.

You are US John and Sarah
Put US back in the USA vote

McCain/Palin 2008

America before Party

Amazing. What a fabulous recap.

Sometimes, I think I need to pinch myself because I cannot believe the lunacy that is going on in my own country.

Reading this, I am reminded of every foul thing Obama and the DNC have done to game this primary and the American people. Those supporting him are truly suffering under some sort of delusion. This needs to get out far and wide.

Great job.