[Guardian Unlimited, U.K.]
So what is that very special something that makes Republicans near Sarah Palin behave as though they’ve eaten catnip? Patrik Etschmayer of Switzerland’s Nachrichten newspaper thinks he has the answer – an answer that will no doubt create some controversy.
Of women in politics, Etschmayer writes in part:
“A man who criticizes a female politician quickly draws accusations of sexism and chauvinism. … But – as painful as this may be for feminists – incompetence and unethical behavior are by no means limited to the male gender. And the generally better social skills of women also results in a superior ability – if they see fit – to lie better than most men. In politics, this is a core-competence. … Therefore when a female politician is attacked, one should look very carefully at what the criticism is and who is screaming, ‘Sexism!'”
After Debunking Palin as a defender of woman’s rights, Etschmayer touches on his key thesis:
“If one removes the two X-chromosomes and regards Palin as a non-gendered entity, only one thing is left: a power-hungry politician, inhabiting a universe of yes-men [and women], unable or unwilling to see any wrongdoing in herself and regarding all people who hold dissenting opinions as political enemies, not least because she sees herself on a mission from God on her way to changing the world. … And here’s the solution to the puzzle – of why Palin was chosen, the source of her popularity among conservatives and what makes her so dangerous: She is the female version of George W. Bush, a W with two X chromosomes.”
By Patrik Etschmayer
Translated By Patrik Etschmayer
September 15, 2008
Switzerland – Nachrichten – Original Article (German)
A man who criticizes a female politician quickly draws accusations of sexism and chauvinism.
And why not? – If the criticism that was so long directed at women had been applied to men, it would have led to a call for mass-resignations.
But – as painful as this may be for feminists – incompetence and unethical behavior are by no means limited to the male gender. And the generally better social skills of women also results in a superior ability – if they see fit – to lie better than most men. In politics, this is a core-competence.
Therefore when a female politician is attacked, one should look very carefully at what the criticism is and who is screaming, “Sexism!”
READ ON AT WORLDMEETS.US, along with continuing translated foreign and English-language press coverage of the U.S. election.
