Political Mishmash
I’ve actually given my husband grief before about how he described Hillary Clinton. To his credit, normally, he attacks her methods and character, not her gender!
Zuzu at Feministe does a fabulous job of explaining why it is harmful to women for people to launch misogynistic attacks on Senator Clinton. Well said. As one commenter on the post also said, I dislike Ann Coulter, but that doesn’t mean I don’t cringe when someone’s argument against her is calling her a “tranny.”
I participate in an online forum related to T-Tapp, and I’ve gotten accustomed (okay, acclimated) to the fairly high percentage of people who somehow think it’s absolutely necessary to wear their religion on their sleeve (in a signature line that is; religion-related posts are verboten). Yesterday, a couple folks on a thread where I’ve participated for a long time got onto politics — specifically singing from the FAUXNoise songsheet. After reading one final post that seemed to imply that the poster had swallowed the “Obama is a Muslim” koolaid (and what if he were? So fucking what?…anyway), I’d had enough and posted a brief request to cease and desist the political talk.
Okay, I wasn’t entirely innocent. I also asked one person to kindly clarify what she’d meant by “the whole ‘Hussein’ thing” (as in, the terrorists will be thrilled if BHO wins…wha???).
Anyway, a moderator posted next, more firmly insisting on NO POLITICAL TALK. She also cleaned up my post (dang, that’s embarrassing, especially since I almost deleted that part myself, duh), along with the one I quoted. She missed the ones on the previous page, but eh…whatever. In response to this verbal spanking, one of the original political-talk people replied thusly:
Allison & (other person who thanked the moderator for stepping in) -
My humble apologies if you have been offended by discussion on this thread of current issues in our country. While I don’t apologize for WHAT I said – I am sorry you and possibly others were offended at the personal opinions that leaked into our thread. I actually had thought during my typing “you know I wonder if we shouldn’t just use personal email for our thoughts on this issue to each other”To the moderators – my bad…it won’t happen again. Please don’t lock this thread on account of some of us who are passionately opinionated/concerned about the current issues of our times.
As I did say in my last post…enough said.(emphasis added)
A couple points:
- Dude, if you’re not actually going to apologize, please don’t pretend. “I apologize for your being a sensitive wussy” is NOT an apology. Just STFU instead, and you’ll come across as having just a leeeeetle bit more integrity.
- Just because you don’t have the netiquette to realize that posting political views (as if they’re *obviously* what *any* sensible person should believe) on a non-political forum is a rude thing to do, that doesn’t mean you’re the only person who’s passionate about what’s going on in our society. It just means you’re the socially stunted and rude person who cares.
I’d love to flame this person, but you know, I like the FITNESS-RELATED info I get on this forum. She’s not worth it.
.
You mean Ann Coulter isn’t a tranny?
Why is it that the people who make their decisions based on a 30 second sound bite also seem to be the ones that shout their opinions the loudest?
I loved that Feministe post.
And you are so right… I can’t stand people who apologize without apologizing… wtf?
I so completely agree with your interpretation of what popped up on the Tinis thread. I don’t post on the Tinis thread, but I followed it to monitor your baby progress. (we bootcamped together about a year ago). And congratulations, by the way. Anyhoo, this really irked me when someone started the whole political discussion and it just cycled downward from there. I find it fascinating that those who typically enjoy sharing (pushing) some blatantly inappropriate political viewpoint are nearly always leaning (strongly) to the right. I wished I had gotten to read your rebuttal before it was edited by Michele. But thanks for (subtly) trying to set them straight. And, yes, I thought her apology absolutely laughable. . .even more laughable than her original line of “reason.” I just had to tell you I was in your corner, here.
The non-apology is such an entrenched form of social exchange that I’m not even sure that people realize they aren’t really apologizing.
“I’m sorry if you were offended” is NOT the same thing as saying “I’m sorry for being offensive”, or even just plain old “I’m sorry.” It would be even better if it were followed by “please accept my apology, and it won’t happen again.”
None of which were remotely evident in what that woman said. What she said, as you so aptly noted, was “I’m sorry you’re such a wuss.”
Well, thanks so much. I bet you feel so validated now, right? Yeesh.