Skin deep

Posted Tuesday, May 12, 2009, at 9:23 AM

An acquaintance on Facebook posted one of those "five" lists and this one was called "5 things I want to punch in the face." Since this person was a die-hard Republican, I wasn't surprised to see Obama there, and Nancy Pelosi - THREE times.

What did surprise me were his comments about Pelosi. He mentioned that he thought she was stupid, but then he ranted on and on about how "ugly" she was, that she looked like she had a cabbage for a head, and wondered why any man would want to marry a woman who looked like her.

It totally ticked me off. I don't care if he hates her on a political basis -- that's understandable based on his own political grounding. But to viciously attack this woman on the basis of her physical appearance was juvenile, petty, insulting and sexist. He didn't make cruel remarks about Obama's physical appearance ...

And it's not just men bashing women. It's women bashing women. Another friend of mine, with whom I don't talk politics, is also a conservative Republican and foams at the mouth when Hillary Clinton's name is brought up. Her primary complaint about Hillary? She can't stand the woman's ugly pant suits.

Oh, yeah, that's voting criteria for you ...

Pelosi was not elected to be Miss America. She was not hire to turn letters on the Wheel of Fortune.. Judge her all you want to on her politics, like 'em or hate 'em, but leave her looks out of it -- they are irrelevant.

Just a note -- Mother Teresa was probably one of the homeliest women to ever live and Elizabeth Bathory was stunning. Mother Teresa helped hundreds of thousands of people and devoted her life to God and Bathory mutilated and killed hundreds of teenage girls.

I wonder which one's portrait would have passed this man's beauty-approval meter?

Comments
Showing most recent comments first
[Show in chronological order instead]

people can be so petty. They look on outward appearances most of the time, and not the heart. I loved Mother Teresa.. she was no beauty queen but her heart was 1000% beautiful.

-- Posted by 4fabfelines on Tue, May 12, 2009, at 5:12 PM

When a person's argument turns to personal looks, they really do not have anything left to discuss, so I usually turn the dial. If I want people to listen to my argument, I do all I can to keep my emotions in check. Sometimes that means not saying anything more, but....

-- Posted by stevemills on Tue, May 12, 2009, at 2:42 PM

It depends in part on how you define the term "personality." It certainly is the truth that temperament can be legitimately taken into account as a factor (not _the_ factor, _a_ factor) when you are choosing a president.

There were people, for example, who agreed with some of Ross Perot's ideas and policies but who simply felt that he was too accustomed from his experience in the business world to getting his own way. Those people believed (rightly or wrongly) that he wouldn't be able to work with Congress or have the flexibility necessary to bring about any real and profound change. If you feel that someone is too polarizing to be able to accomplish their agenda, that's something to consider.

That having been said, there's no doubt that gender stereotypes sometimes play out in an unfair way when it comes to this issue. Behavior that would be seen as forceful in a male candidate is sometimes criticized as strident in a female candidate. I'm as guilty of this as anyone.

Then again, it's even more true that behavior that would be seen as forceful coming from _my_ preferred candidate is strident when it comes from _your_ preferred candidate, regardless of gender. I think political prejudice trumps gender prejudice in this particular area.

-- Posted by Jicarney on Tue, May 12, 2009, at 1:06 PM

I didn't miss any point . . . I stated about the same thing you did?

I really could care less if she looked like a supermodel . . . her policies and position on issues is what makes me dislike her so much and what makes her so ugly to me.

-- Posted by jaxspike on Tue, May 12, 2009, at 11:28 AM

I see this every day at my high school. It is such an integral part of their lives. On one hand I hate it, and on the other, I understand it. So many people are biased towards looks. It is such a shame that society lays so much importance on looks. I think a healthy amount of grooming and hygiene goes a long way, but so many times jobs are landed by 'the pretty people'.

-- Posted by Jacks4me on Tue, May 12, 2009, at 11:15 AM

I do disagree with almost everything Pelosi does, but I have to agree that looks have nothing to do with her politics. I have found that when someone cant defend there position they usually turn to name calling and personal attacks.

-- Posted by greasemonkey on Tue, May 12, 2009, at 10:11 AM

You missed the point. Argue about her voting record, not her looks, personality or choice of cosmetic surgeons.

-- Posted by MotherMayhem on Tue, May 12, 2009, at 10:11 AM

Well, considering Pelosi is the queen of Botox maybe she thinks she is running for Miss America.

But really, who can stand that woman anyway. Her personality alone makes you want to hate her without even needing to use her looks as an excuse. LOL! She is definitely someone we can do without in government.

-- Posted by jaxspike on Tue, May 12, 2009, at 10:03 AM

I think woman bash other because because of pure jealousy. They feel so insecure about themselves that they have to find something wrong with another woman because it makes them feel better. I personally beleive that everyone has something beautiful about them.

-- Posted by honda14 on Tue, May 12, 2009, at 9:39 AM

Mother Mayhem

Mary Reeves

- Recent posts
- Archives
- Blog RSS feed

- Comments RSS feed

- Login

Mary Reeves is a staff writer for the Times-Gazette.

Hot topics

ooops, she did it again ...
(4 ~ 9:36 PM, Aug 10)

We all scream for ice cream!
(7 ~ 10:37 PM, Jul 17)

Everybody, quick, catch a cold and spread it!
(3 ~ 6:31 PM, May 28)

I'm baaaack....
(5 ~ 1:48 PM, May 20)

No more track at Central?
(4 ~ 1:13 PM, Mar 27)

Home