Not Every Woman Supports Women's Rights
August 29, 2008
Statement of NOW PAC Chair Kim Gandy on the Selection of Sarah Palin as John McCain's Vice Presidential Pick
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.
The fact that Palin is a mother of five who has a 4-month-old baby, a woman who is juggling work and family responsibilities, will speak to many women. But will Palin speak FOR women? Based on her record and her stated positions, the answer is clearly No.
In a gubernatorial debate, Palin stated emphatically that her opposition to abortion was so great, so total, that even if her teenage daughter was impregnated by a rapist, she would "choose life" -- meaning apparently that she would not permit her daughter to have an abortion.
Palin also had to withdraw her appointment of a top public safety commissioner who had been reprimanded for sexual harassment, although Palin had been warned about his background through letters by the sexual harassment complainant.
What McCain does not understand is that women supported Hillary Clinton not just because she was a woman, but because she was a champion on their issues. They will surely not find Sarah Palin to be an advocate for women.
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.
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Sarah Palin is riding around on her high red horse claiming to be just like us. Ladies we can not stand for this. Her disdain towards Obama's role as a community organizer made my blood boil. It was community organizers like Susan B. Anthony and Alice Paul that lead the suffrage movement. Had it not been for these community organizers, she would not be the VP candidate, the Governor of Alaska, or even a registered voter. So, while she may share a role similar to ours as mothers and hockey moms, her elitist conservative views mock the struggles of women all over the world to gain equality. How many real sexist remarks were made across the country during this parade of accusations at Obama? The McCain camp is using Palin and all her femininity to create a smoke screen. And ladies, it's our job to clear it out. Obama and Biden have to be cautious where they tread with this female candidate, but we surely don't. So let's take the gloves off. We have fought too long and too hard to be treated as equals to allow Palin to make her sex the most important issue in this election. Ladies the glass ceiling is still shattered and yes we need women in Washington, but Sarah Palin is not the right woman. I challenge you to tell media, that is takes more than someone who wears lipstick to sway our votes!!!
Call them, email them, write letters!!!
Let your voice be heard! Talk back to the media.
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Who is Sarah Palin? Here's some basic background:
This is information the American people need to see. Please take a moment to forward this email to your friends and family.
We also asked Alaska MoveOn members what the rest of us should know about their governor. The response was striking. Here's a sample:
She is really just a mayor from a small town outside Anchorage who has been a governor for only 1.5 years, and has ZERO national and international experience. I shudder to think that she could be the person taking that 3AM call on the White House hotline, and the one who could potentially be charged with leading the US in the volatile international scene that exists today. —Rose M., Fairbanks, AK
She is VERY, VERY conservative, and far from perfect. She's a hunter and fisherwoman, but votes against the environment again and again. She ran on ethics reform, but is currently under investigation for several charges involving hiring and firing of state officials. She has NO experience beyond Alaska. —Christine B., Denali Park, AK
As an Alaskan and a feminist, I am beyond words at this announcement. Palin is not a feminist, and she is not the reformer she claims to be. —Karen L., Anchorage, AK
Alaskans, collectively, are just as stunned as the rest of the nation. She is doing well running our State, but is totally inexperienced on the national level, and very much unequipped to run the nation, if it came to that. She is as far right as one can get, which has already been communicated on the news. In our office of thirty employees (dems, republicans, and nonpartisans), not one person feels she is ready for the V.P. position.—Sherry C., Anchorage, AK
She's vehemently anti-choice and doesn't care about protecting our natural resources, even though she has worked as a fisherman. McCain chose her to pick up the Hillary voters, but Palin is no Hillary. —Marina L., Juneau, AK
I think she's far too inexperienced to be in this position. I'm all for a woman in the White House, but not one who hasn't done anything to deserve it. There are far many other women who have worked their way up and have much more experience that would have been better choices. This is a patronizing decision on John McCain's part- and insulting to females everywhere that he would assume he'll get our vote by putting "A Woman" in that position.—Jennifer M., Anchorage, AK
So Governor Palin is a staunch anti-choice religious conservative. She's a global warming denier who shares John McCain's commitment to Big Oil. And she's dramatically inexperienced.
In picking Sarah Palin, John McCain has made the religious right very happy. And he's made a very dangerous decision for our country.
In the next few days, many Americans will be wondering what McCain's vice-presidential choice means. Please pass this information along to your friends and family.
Thanks for all you do.
–Ilyse, Noah, Justin, Karin and the rest of the team
Sources:
1. "Sarah Palin," Wikipedia, Accessed August 29, 2008 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarah_Palin
2. "McCain Selects Anti-Choice Sarah Palin as Running Mate," NARAL Pro-Choice America, August 29, 2008 http://www.naral.org/elections/election-pr/pr08292008_palin.html
3. "Sarah Palin, Buchananite," The Nation, August 29, 2008 http://www.thenation.com/blogs/jstreet/350730/sarah_palin_buchananite
4. "'Creation science' enters the race," Anchorage Daily News, October 27, 2006 http://dwb.adn.com/news/politics/elections/story/8347904p-8243554c.html
5. "Palin buys climate denial PR spin—ignores science," Huffington Post, August 29, 2008 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kevin-grandia/palin-buys-climate-denial_b_122428.html
6. "McCain VP Pick Completes Shift to Bush Energy Policy," Sierra Club, August 29, 2008 http://yubanet.com/opinions/Sierra-Club-McCain-VP-Pick-Completes-Shift-to-Bush-Energy-Policy.php
"Choice of Palin Promises Failed Energy Policies of the Past," League of Conservation Voters, August 29, 2008 http://www.lcv.org/newsroom/press-releases/choice-of-palin-promises-failed-energy-policies-of-the-past.html
"Protecting polar bears gets in way of drilling for oil, says governor," The Times of London, May 23, 2008 http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/environment/article3987891.ece
Oprah can have or not have who ever she wants on her show. Sarah Palin has basically avoided all other forms of media interviews. The McCain camp has kept her close and has only allowed her to speak in controlled audiences where they can dictate each word that comes out of her mouth. So why are Republicans making a big deal about Oprah not wanting to put her on the show? It's because they know without crossover trailblazers like Oprah, the candidacy of Barack Obama would not even be possible. Oprah is one of the most powerful women in the world when it comes to public opinion. They want to parade Sarah Palin on her stage and use it as a platform to further promote the dishonesty of who she really is: a pro life conservative who thinks the fact that she has a uterus will sway undecided women in her direction. She doesn't believe that a woman should have the right to abort a pregnancy even if she has been raped and at the same time she doesn't believe that youth should be educated about safe sex. She happily parades around talking about the value of life at conception, but she gave birth to a son who may face demise in a war she supports as the work of God. Her conservative views have even led her to request that books be removed from a public library due to their content. This sounds like 1984, only this time Big Sister is watching. Why would Oprah want her show to a vehicle for this outrageous attempt of the Republican party to hoodwink the American people.
So now they are calling her a racist and threatening to boycott her show. It is funny how despite the racism shown by the New Yorker and Fox News, Oprah is being criticized for making a choice.
Read the article posted by Republican Commentator (try not to vomit from her use of imagination)
http://foxforum.blogs.foxnews.com/2008/09/08/atantaros0908/#comment-42011
Hey,
Want a free Obama/Biden sticker? MoveOn's giving them away totally free--even the shipping's free. I just got mine, and wanted to share the opportunity with you.
Click this link to get a free Obama/Biden sticker:
http://pol.moveon.org/barackstickers/?id=-9461945-QThaNmx&rc=manual_forward
Thanks!
ANOTHER BIG OIL PUPPET IN THE WHITE HOUSE!!!
Gas was $1.46 when George Bush got in office. Now the the national average is more than double that. McCain supports offshore drilling and like the Bush Administration he will make minimal attempts to wean our country off oil dependence. We need a government that is going to fully commit to implementing alternative energy sources, not a President who is going to be an advocate for the oil industry.
GET FIRED UP...TALK TO YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY ABOUT THIS ISSUE!!
From Moveon.org....
McCain's hoping to use gas prices as a wedge issue to win the election. That's why it's so critical that we keep spreading the message that McCain's been heavily influenced by the oil companies—and so we can't count on him to solve the energy crisis. When people think of Bush, they think "oil," but that's not true of McCain yet—even though his energy policy is almost identical to Bush's and his campaign is literally run by oil lobbyists!4
Here's a video that makes the case, from our friends at Progressive Accountability. Please check it out, then forward it to a few friends, post it on a blog, or stick it on your Facebook page.
McCain's hoping to use gas prices as a wedge issue to win the election. That's why it's so critical that we keep spreading the message that McCain's been heavily influenced by the oil companies.
When people think of Bush, they think "oil," but that's not true of McCain yet—even though his energy policy is almost identical to Bush's and his campaign is literally run by oil lobbyists! Check out this video from our friends at Progressive Accountability. Once you've watched, pass it on! And then please consider a donation (below) to help us spread the word.
MoveOn members in action In response to the news of John McCain's big influx of oil company cash, MoveOn members posted "For Sale" signs on McCain headquarters in 10 battleground states yesterday. Here are a few photos.
The energy crisis is shaping up to be a decisive issue in the election. MoveOn's ongoing campaign on the energy crisis has two goals: 1) highlight the progressive solution—a huge plan to shift our economy to clean energy, prevent climate change, and create millions of jobs, and 2) work together to block McCain and the Republicans from pushing gimmicks like drilling to win votes.
Please forward this email to your friends and family to spread the word about John McCain's ties to big oil companies.
–Noah, Daniel, Tanya, Karin and the rest of the team
Sources: 1. "Industry Gushed Money After Reversal on Drilling," Washington Post, July 27, 2008 http://www.moveon.org/r?r=3985&id=13351-9656676-jcNuFIx&t=3
2. "Activist group protests at McCain headquarters," WHP CBS 21 Harrisburg, July 28, 2008 http://www.moveon.org/r?r=3986&id=13351-9656676-jcNuFIx&t=4
3. "Offshore Drilling is Something We Have to Do," Time Magazine, July 28, 2008 http://thepage.time.com/2008/07/28/oil/
4. "Oil Money: John McCain's Close Ties to the Petroleum Industry," Campaign Money Watch, July 11, 2008 http://www.campaignmoney.org/mccainoil
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"We must use time creatively - and forever realize that the time is always hope to do great things." Dr. Martin Luther King Jr
"People of Berlin – and people of the world – the scale of our challenge is great. The road ahead will be long. But I come before you to say that we are heirs to a struggle for freedom. We are a people of improbable hope. With an eye toward the future, with resolve in our hearts, let us remember this history, and answer our destiny, and remake the world once again."
-Barack Obama, July 24, 2008
Obama's speech from Berlin was a battle cry for change in the world: the resotration of diplomacy and the power of the United Nations to protect human rights all over the world. He challenged the world to tear down the walls that divide us today. One of the most significant events of my lifetime was the day I watched the people of Berlin climb up and reach across that wall. Now I feel a moment like that is upon us again. The world is at a crossroads. We must unite or perish. As an American I will "live free or die." I will not allow terrorist to control me with fear. And I will not support a govenrment that will stand on the coattails of that fear to justify a war. More now than ever I believe for the security of our nation and the world, Barack Obama must be the next president of the United States. I believe that with his leadership I will have the oppurtunity to feel that way I did when I watched the fall of the Berlin Wall: Full of hope for the future and pride for my country's role in the world.
Originally published in Esquire and in the International Worker Order pamphlet A New Song (1938)
Let America be America again. Let it be the dream it used to be. Let it be the pioneer on the plain Seeking a home where he himself is free.
(America never was America to me.)
Let America be the dream the dreamers dreamed-- Let it be that great strong land of love Where never kings connive nor tyrants scheme That any man be crushed by one above.
(It never was America to me.)
O, let my land be a land where Liberty Is crowned with no false patriotic wreath, But opportunity is real, and life is free, Equality is in the air we breathe.
(There's never been equality for me, Nor freedom in this "homeland of the free.")
Say, who are you that mumbles in the dark? And who are you that draws your veil across the stars?
I am the poor white, fooled and pushed apart, I am the Negro bearing slavery's scars. I am the red man driven from the land, I am the immigrant clutching the hope I seek-- And finding only the same old stupid plan Of dog eat dog, of mighty crush the weak.
I am the young man, full of strength and hope, Tangled in that ancient endless chain Of profit, power, gain, of grab the land! Of grab the gold! Of grab the ways of satisfying need! Of work the men! Of take the pay! Of owning everything for one's own greed!
I am the farmer, bondsman to the soil. I am the worker sold to the machine. I am the Negro, servant to you all. I am the people, humble, hungry, mean-- Hungry yet today despite the dream. Beaten yet today--O, Pioneers! I am the man who never got ahead, The poorest worker bartered through the years.
Yet I'm the one who dreamt our basic dream In the Old World while still a serf of kings, Who dreamt a dream so strong, so brave, so true, That even yet its mighty daring sings In every brick and stone, in every furrow turned That's made America the land it has become. O, I'm the man who sailed those early seas In search of what I meant to be my home-- For I'm the one who left dark Ireland's shore, And Poland's plain, and England's grassy lea, And torn from Black Africa's strand I came To build a "homeland of the free."
The free?
Who said the free? Not me? Surely not me? The millions on relief today? The millions shot down when we strike? The millions who have nothing for our pay? For all the dreams we've dreamed And all the songs we've sung And all the hopes we've held And all the flags we've hung, The millions who have nothing for our pay-- Except the dream that's almost dead today.
O, let America be America again-- The land that never has been yet-- And yet must be--the land where every man is free. The land that's mine--the poor man's, Indian's, Negro's, ME-- Who made America, Whose sweat and blood, whose faith and pain, Whose hand at the foundry, whose plow in the rain, Must bring back our mighty dream again.
Sure, call me any ugly name you choose-- The steel of freedom does not stain. From those who live like leeches on the people's lives, We must take back our land again, America!
O, yes, I say it plain, America never was America to me, And yet I swear this oath-- America will be!
Out of the rack and ruin of our gangster death, The rape and rot of graft, and stealth, and lies, We, the people, must redeem The land, the mines, the plants, the rivers. The mountains and the endless plain-- All, all the stretch of these great green states-- And make America again!
Mindfully.org note: Please view the Flash animation created by Eric Blumrich centered on Hughes' powerful poem of America
( from http://www.povertyprogram.com/little.html)
Shaping the Democratic Platform (my discussion)
Improving Education = A Strong Community + A Strong Growing Economy
Many may disagree with me on making education my number one priority. Yet, I feel that by educating people properly we can dissolve many of the problems that plague our country including poverty, crime, and economic stability. As a single mother of a 7 year old son, I feel that my child successes are dependent on that of his generation. Even my child receives the best education money can buy; the lack of education in his peers would stifle the potential of our country's future. I believe that the achievement gap between the upper-class, the middle class and the lower class only serves to further divide our nation and water down the strength of democracy. How can expect our children to be able to effectively participate in a government that doesn't facilitate their understanding of its infrastructure? The people who live in America have the responsibility to participate in its government so our children should have access to an education system that enables them to become successful in this democracy. It is a known fact the education level of the parents is a key factor in the amount of income that comes into a household. With the alarming rate of young parents, we can not afford as a nation to bear the burden of a generation that lacks education and therefore the means to provide for their families. My parents did not go to college. They married young and though they worked hard, we would be considered with that lower boundary of the middle class population called the “working poor”. This was intensified by the fact that they insisted on living in a middle class suburb, so that my sister and I could get a good education. My sister and I both went to college and are continuing our studies at this moment and I do appreciate my parents' sacrifices. However, in the United States of America, parents should not have to financially overextend themselves to obtain a proper education for their children. We always had food to eat and a place to live, but my parents were not able to save money, invest money, or even purchase a house while we were young. Despite the Bush Administration’s attempt to level the playing fields with the No Child Left Behind Act, many children are being left behind. The achievement gap is overflowing into the economic stability and strength of our communities. And while the wealthy, tend to believe that it doesn't affect them because their children attend private schools, they need to allow themselves to examine the correlations. The larger the achievement gap becomes the smaller the percentage of successful individuals. What happens to a nation of underachievers? What happens when the desperation of poverty evolves into to crime? An effective education system is essential to the future success of our nation. Our public school systems should adequately prepare our students for college and college should not be a financial burden. The facts:
Source: http://www.povertyprogram.com/usapov.html
WHERE IS THE MONEY GOING...OR SHOULD I SAY WHO IS IT GOING TO?
We need our leaders to reevaluate the spending on education. Right now, the current strategy is not yielding a sufficient return. As the world power that we are, we should be leading the world in education, not trailing slowly behind.
LET'S PUT IT ON BLAST.
Al Gore took a big risk when he called on us to get 100% of our electricity from cheap, clean sources within 10 years.
It's an achievable goal, but it's already under attack from the oil and coal companies. They're calling his plan unrealistic, impossible, and crazy.1
We're in a crisis. If this is the fate of any new idea to get us out of this crisis alive, we're toast. Gore's challenge will live or die on the reaction of people like us.
We can turn back Big Oil's attack if hundreds of thousands of us personally endorse Gore's challenge to power our country with 100% cheap, clean energy within 10 years—and then we urge Obama, McCain, and Congress to get on board.
Clicking here will add your support to Gore's challenge:
http://pol.moveon.org/gorechallenge/o.pl?id=13289-9461945-jHBonWx&t=3
In Gore's words:
Crisis brings opportunity.
Solar, wind, and other clean energy sources are ready to replace oil and coal. And these abundant energy sources promise lower costs at a time when getting to work is getting too expensive for too many.
Such a simple, elegant solution. Can you make sure our country embraces change—100% renewable power in 10 years? Sign the petition to Obama, McCain, and Congress by clicking here:
–Noah, Joan, Eli, Patrick S. and the rest of the team
Sources: 1. "Statement Regarding Former Vice President Al Gore's Speech on Climate Change," American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity, July 17, 2008 http://www.moveon.org/r?r=3951&id=13289-9461945-jHBonWx&t=5
"Voinovich Finds Gore's Energy Speech 'Ridiculous,'" The Hill, July 17, 2008 http://www.moveon.org/r?r=3952&id=13289-9461945-jHBonWx&t=6
"Thinking green," Baltimore Sun, July 21, 2008 http://www.moveon.org/r?r=3953&id=13289-9461945-jHBonWx&t=7
2. "Appealing to Bloggers' Influence, Gore Asks for Help in Promoting Energy Challenge," New York Times, July 20, 2008 http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/20/us/politics/20netroot.html
3. "Al Gore's Challenge to Repower America," July 17, 2008 http://www.moveon.org/r?r=3945&id=13289-9461945-jHBonWx&t=8
Leadership consists not in degrees of technique but in traits of character; it requires moral rather than athletic or intellectual effort, and it imposes on both leader and follower alike the burdens of self-restraint. ~ Lewis H. Lapham
The media is trying to turn us from a million voices calling out for change to an angry mob crying discrimination. Refuse to let them succeed. For every negative post on Obama let's post 10 positive ones. All of us have friends and family who are going to vote for Obama but have yet to become actual supporters. Throw a BBQ, get them together and talk about the issues. Educate them, get them fired up and ready to march for change. In Prince William County, VA, where I live, Obama received 66% of the vote in the primary. Yet when I drive around, I don't see yard signs or bumper stickers. So I know that I have to get my neighbors excited enough about this campaign to openly support Obama. How do I do that? Well as I stated before I did not see Obama signs but what I did see was cause for alarm: Foreclosure signs, gas prices over $4, and children who deserve a bright future. So my fellow Obama supporters, I challenge you to buy 100 Obama bumperstickers or buttons and turn your neighbors into supporters. Let's show the media that their efforts are in vain because these 1 million voices calling out for change will not be silenced or divided.
Thanks
Hope, peace, and change!
Charlene
Free bumperstickers:
https://pol.moveon.org/obamastickers/?fb_id=61712&rc=fb.ads.youth.obama
Barack Obama has challenged us to believe in our ability to bring about change. We are all looking forward to change in D.C. and politics. What I would like to know is what else are you looking to change? Let's make a commitment to start now.
I would like to help my community change the following:
1. EDUCATION- All public schools should be able to effectively prepare students for college. as a parent I will join the PTA, volunteer to aide teachers in crowed classrooms, and attend school board meeting to ensure teacher get the adminstrative and financial support they need to be successful.
2. DIVERSITY- I will make a commitment to expose my child to diverse populations and teach him to appreciate people for who they are and not judge them by their ethnic background or skin color. I will teach him this by practicing it first.
3. DEMOCRACY- I will help to restore trust in the democratic process by exercising my right to vote and encouraging others to do the same. I do my best to ensure that every voice is heard in Novemeber by participating in voter registration drives and making sure that all my family and friends are registered to vote. On election day I will take my child with me to the polls so he understands that the process and eagerly awaits his turn to participate. I will make sure that everyone in my neighborhood who needs assistance at the polls (ie a ride or a translator) gets that help. I will hold those in public office accountable for the actions by writing letters and participating in committees that relate to the issues that are most important to me.
4. ECONOMY- I will make my best effort to conserve my resources. I will also try to consume products that are made in the USA or by companies that employ Americans. I will make others aware of any programs that will aide their situations. I will volunteer my time and talent to help the less fortunate.
5. BARACK THE VOTE!! I WILL SUPPORT BARACK OBAMA'S CAMPAIGN. I WILL SPEAK OUT TO OTHERS ABOUT HIS PLATFORM FOR CHANGE. I WILL VOLUNTEER AT CAMPAIGN OFFICE AND CANVASS LOCAL NEIGHBORHOODS TO GAIN SUPPORT. I WILL KEEP UP TO DATE ON THE ISSUES AND BE READY TO DISCUSS THEM WITH UNDECIDED VOTERS.
YES WE CAN!!!
Although I am disappointed at Tavis and Jesse, I believe that there is a positive side. America is realizing that this is not a black thing! But I must say that it always seems that when a community does rally together for a cause, there are elitist who feel the need to separate themselves with disdain. Furthermore instead of the racists assassinating our leaders, it seems to be one of us that pulls the trigger (Martin Luther King Jr, Malcom X). And now as we stand on edge of electing the first black president, he is being assassinated (or castrated) by them in the media. Well I have a challenge for them, listen to what Barack Obama is actually saying to the black community and find the falsehoods. The man is speaking the truth, the same truth that Bill Cosby was scorned for not so long ago. I look back to our great civil right leaders and all the sacrifices they made so we could see today through these eyes. And I am ashamed that the people who walked beside and are still carrying their torches have let those flames die and re-lit them with complacency. You see these so called leaders would not have such a loyal flock if things were equal or if someone empowered the individuals themselves to make a change. So as a granddaughter of the Civil Rights movement, I'm looking at my grandparents and my parents and begging them to change!! The change begins now, not when Obama reaches office. Look at your life, look at your community, and commit your self to the challenge of making a difference each day. Martin Luther King Jr, Malcolm X, and many others died for us all to have that opportunity. So Tavis, Jesse, and all you other naysayers in the black community, your support for Obama is not essential. But you do owe it to those that came before you to make a difference. We all do. So if you don't agree with Obama's platform so be it. But if you are not voting for McCain, let the criticism be constructive. Build the man up and instead of knocking him down.
Hope, peace, and change,
Dear Mr Remnick,
As a writer I believe that free speech is fundamental to the democratic process. However extreme an artist's view may be, editors have the duty of ensuring that they do not publish material that violates the integrity of the organization as whole. As a satirical cartoon inside the magazine, this image would be offensive but merely counted as tasteless. As the cover of the magazine it is an outrage that obviously reflects the poor judgment and character of this organization's leadership. The worst part is that the so called misconceptions that you are claiming to champion against aren't even discussed in the article about Obama. You may think that those of us offended by this so called art are mainly the poor minority women who tend to vote for democrats. Let me inform you that you are sadly mistaken. We are the readers of Vogue, Vanity Fair, and formerly the New Yorker. We are a significant part of society and you will here our voice echo for a long time to come. So congratulations for being infamous and my condolences for your lack of judgment.
