Intellectually and even as a point about how people debate and win arguments, I understand. But the thing is, having lived a life as someone who has been the object of subtle sexism in all its glory in a variety of settings, and seeing that it's far from extinguished, it is a cause I just cannot give up.

As a sociologist and a social worker, it is my conviction that if we do not point out even these slightest things, they will only continue.

I will work hard to try to be prudent – esp for a larger audience. But I cannot give up fighting to get rid of that acceptance of the subtle sexism – it is so powerful, and so easy to tell people to just let it go, when I feel so strongly that we cannot.

But again – I do appreciate what you're saying. Thank you.

For what it's worth I don't think you came across as shrill on that, or any other issue for that matter. You always have great ideas to contribute. Thanks!

You seem to be very binary – you can't imagine that ALL these things go on at the same time – discussion about sexism, discussion about substance – and why, don't you tell me, you don't think sexism in society isn't substantive? You check out who is losing jobs, losting health care, raising kids, unable to afford education?

You wrote, “Palin will match Obama tit for tat all the way to November. When it comes to the real issues that are choking people to death, the GOP is absolutely helpless to defend itself.”

Fine – when do we get to see that?

You're saying, “let's focus time and emotions on issues that won't win the campaign for Obama” instead of “let's zero in on some stuff that will really tip the scales in dems favor”.

Palin will match Obama tit for tat all the way to November. When it comes to the real issues that are choking people to death, the GOP is absolutely helpless to defend itself.

Adjust your agendas accordingly.

The McCain campaign must be happy that the issue being discussed is sexism and not Palin's positions (or judgement).

I've always disliked Cheney's Kremlinesque attitude toward the outside world and especially the media. But as so many have reminded me personally, it's far too kind merely to refer to the media as dirtbag Mongols that the Russians have faced…

However, if you really want to emphasize the sexist angle, put this clip in every one of your posts.

So for the record – I agree – Obama should be focused on issues like jobs, etc. But for others, such as myself, to focus on this sexism by no means has a thing to do with the Obama campaign.

I said a while back that my take-home impression of the GOP convention was one of schizophrenia. The predominant theme of the first two days was non-stop vitriol — criticism to the point of belittling of liberals, the Democrats, and particularly Obama. Then McCain gets up on the third and preaches bipartisanism. Even the convention audience got a case of virtual whiplash. They criticized Obama for not being ready to lead and they come up with Palin. And now they're keeping her cloistered. Not only that but, as Jill pointed out, McCain staffers like Charlie Black indicate that she'll be learning national security at the foot of the master for the next four years.

Palin's speech was peppered with half truths and less. She proclaimed herself to be a reformer, a proponent of small government and a tax-cutter, but the facts belie that message. Her ethics are cloudy on several fronts. As mayor she brought in a city administrator to help her do her job, hired a lobbyist to bring in the pork, and raised sales taxes (while lowering property taxes). As governor she did an Obama on oil companies — raised their taxes and distributed some of the proceeds to the people. She was for the bridge to nowhere before she was against it. She enriched herself as chairman of Ted Steven's (the granddaddy of pork) PAC.

I guess it's little wonder why they're keeping her cloistered. And IMO it has very little to do with the fact that she's a woman.

And yet..

You're still putting the focus on Palin/McCain and taking it away from Obama and his one real recourse against the GOP: the issues most people care about.

And one of those issues is not the tabloid crapola that keeps getting kicked around about both parties.

You're still bashing your head against the concrete bunker while the rice paper shack goes untouched.. I really thought democrats were smarter than that? Just because people read tabloids out of morbid curiosity, doesn't mean in the end that they believe them… When times get tough, people's muddied and wandering focus, the type that tabloid diversions depend on, suddenly gets razor sharp and focuses on keen issues threatening their very subsitance.

That's the political climate today in case it had somehow escaped your attention. And these will be the issues that determine how people vote in the Fall. All else will blow away in the wind like scattered leaves of the National Enquirer in a hurricane.

What I think they're most struggling with is the fact that there is a 24/7 demand for information on this person they've put out there and to expect anything less than a voter wanting to be informed – they way they kept demanding that no one knows Obama and voters need to be informed, is absolute patriarchy and anti-democratic.