Comments on: Getting bit by the hand that feeds you http://blog.kathrynhoughton.com/2010/02/getting-bit-by-the-hand-that-feeds-you/ a blog of reading, writing, and popular culture Wed, 11 Jan 2012 15:02:16 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Kathryn http://blog.kathrynhoughton.com/2010/02/getting-bit-by-the-hand-that-feeds-you/comment-page-1/#comment-4500 Kathryn Sat, 27 Feb 2010 03:04:43 +0000 http://blog.kathrynhoughton.com/?p=123#comment-4500 Oh yeah, I agree that she went over the top with her reaction to Emanuel. And to some extent, I believe that she does use her children for political gain, and that because they're hers, somehow she has that right while no one else does. She does need to be less worried about what the public will think, but I believe that going down that path would lead to the end of her career as a strong member of the Republican party, and while I would love that, I'm not sure that's a choice I believe politicians should have to make. Would we have a better company if more people on both sides of the aisle acted in that way? Without a doubt. We'd have health care, for one thing... Oh yeah, I agree that she went over the top with her reaction to Emanuel. And to some extent, I believe that she does use her children for political gain, and that because they’re hers, somehow she has that right while no one else does.

She does need to be less worried about what the public will think, but I believe that going down that path would lead to the end of her career as a strong member of the Republican party, and while I would love that, I’m not sure that’s a choice I believe politicians should have to make. Would we have a better company if more people on both sides of the aisle acted in that way? Without a doubt. We’d have health care, for one thing…

]]> By: Gavin http://blog.kathrynhoughton.com/2010/02/getting-bit-by-the-hand-that-feeds-you/comment-page-1/#comment-4499 Gavin Sat, 27 Feb 2010 02:58:30 +0000 http://blog.kathrynhoughton.com/?p=123#comment-4499 There's a part of me that wants to be with you, but I can't quite do it. I think that you're right that Palin can't afford to offend Limbaugh, but that doesn't excuse the tactic of not just criticizing Emanuel, but calling for his job. In effect, not just saying that his use of a term was a mistake and hurtful, and something that he should apologize for and change, but that his usage somehow reflects his inner being in a way that demonstrates him as unfit to participate in public discussion. Limbaugh's usage, while in a nearly identical context (and discussing some of the same people--Emanuel was criticizing Democrats and not Republicans) is somehow "satire," and not offensive at all. I could respect Palin if she owned the issue, which on some level, part of me wants to believe she actually cares about. And she could even do it if she just said "this is unacceptable, because it touches and hurts many innocent people and strengthens reinforces a perception that makes their lives harder," rather than calling for unreasonable consequences for a member of the opposite political party and ignoring the same behavior from a member of her own. Palin's problem isn't that she chooses to be a Republican. Palin's problem is that she continues to choose to try to score political points in the easiest possible manner, and cheapens an issue that may really mean something to her. She shouldn't be worried about whether the public will forgive her for it. She should spend a bit more time worrying about whether, if she really cares about people who face challenges similar to those her son will face, she will be able to forgive herself. There’s a part of me that wants to be with you, but I can’t quite do it. I think that you’re right that Palin can’t afford to offend Limbaugh, but that doesn’t excuse the tactic of not just criticizing Emanuel, but calling for his job. In effect, not just saying that his use of a term was a mistake and hurtful, and something that he should apologize for and change, but that his usage somehow reflects his inner being in a way that demonstrates him as unfit to participate in public discussion. Limbaugh’s usage, while in a nearly identical context (and discussing some of the same people–Emanuel was criticizing Democrats and not Republicans) is somehow “satire,” and not offensive at all.

I could respect Palin if she owned the issue, which on some level, part of me wants to believe she actually cares about. And she could even do it if she just said “this is unacceptable, because it touches and hurts many innocent people and strengthens reinforces a perception that makes their lives harder,” rather than calling for unreasonable consequences for a member of the opposite political party and ignoring the same behavior from a member of her own. Palin’s problem isn’t that she chooses to be a Republican. Palin’s problem is that she continues to choose to try to score political points in the easiest possible manner, and cheapens an issue that may really mean something to her. She shouldn’t be worried about whether the public will forgive her for it. She should spend a bit more time worrying about whether, if she really cares about people who face challenges similar to those her son will face, she will be able to forgive herself.

]]>