Barroso wades in to veil row – Archive – Al Jazeera English

Barroso wades in to veil row – Archive – Al Jazeera English

And a little history…

There are matters of common sense,” (Barroso) said. “I give you an example: a teacher who presents herself to students with a completely veiled face is not doing something reasonable in our society. …And in general, if a person wants to communicate she can’t present herself with a veil that covers her entire face, except for a small opening for the eyes. It’s clear that that’s an obstacle.”

“Tony Blair, the British prime minister, called veils a “mark of separation”, while Romano Prodi, the Italian prime minister said it was a matter of common sense that people show their faces in public.”

Hmmmmmmmm

Canada bans veil at citizenship ceremonies – Americas – Al Jazeera English

Canada bans veil at citizenship ceremonies – Americas – Al Jazeera English

…new Canadians should take the oath in view of their fellow citizens. …(Politicians and citizenship judges) said it was difficult to ensure that individuals whose faces were covered were actually reciting the oath.

“Most Muslim Canadian women I know find the practice of face covering in our society disturbing, indicative of an approach to women that is not consistent with our democratic values,” Kenney said.

“We shouldn’t have the state using its power to dictate what people choose to wear in their private lives, but when there are important points of intersection with the state in obtaining state services I think it’s entirely reasonable for people to show who they are,” Kenney said.

hmmmmmmm.

For and against the face-veil – Focus – Al Jazeera English

For and against the face-veil – Focus – Al Jazeera English

The latter author makes many good points.

“The burqa or the niqab …allows one person to remain anonymous during face-to-face communication, thus depriving the right of the other to reciprocate whilst registering the changes in facial expressions, which is vital in such communication. …Whether in public offices, educational institutions or out on the streets, the disadvantage to those who are required to deal with women covered under a niqab or burqa is immense.

Furthermore, to all the men out there, it is insulting since it implies that every man on the street would somehow get aroused by the sight of a woman’s face and in therefore to protect these women, they must be put behind a suffocating layer of thick clothing.”

I can’t agree more.

Female Lawmaker Banned ‘Indefinitely’ From Speaking For Saying ‘Vagina’ (Video) | The New Civil Rights Movement

Female Lawmaker Banned ‘Indefinitely’ From Speaking For Saying ‘Vagina’ (Video) | The New Civil Rights Movement

I wish she hadn’t muddied the water by pointing out that she is Jewish (that’s nice dear, but what the hell does it have to do with you having a vagina?) but props to her and and eternal hellfire bondage to women for her colleagues.

Michelle Obama: "I Have Seen the Very Best of the American Spirit" | Campaign 2012 | C-SPAN

Michelle Obama: “I Have Seen the Very Best of the American Spirit” | Campaign 2012 | C-SPAN

First impressions speak volumes so without even pressing play: Wow, Michelle looks so pretty! She’s an attractive lady but she usually has that no-nonsense suburban mom aura to her. She is all softened and sparkly tonight. Formal but not fussy. Nailed it! Go, go gadget Team Barack.

I like the focus on the good in people right out of the gate. Makes her sounds very humble. Strikes a good note.

Following up with the Mom stuff she skips right over the career she had built while she’s taking about the life she and the President shared prior to the White House. I know it is calculated and well considered. I know it is the right play but the omission still irks me. What is this? The fucking fifties? She was hugely successful! That’s cool! Bad ass chicks are cool. Self-empowered successful women are cool. Not to mention good role models. Arghhh. *foreheadpalm, repeat*

Into the Barack as Every-Joe-College student with the beat up car and the coffee table from the dumpster. We came from nothing and the importance of family stories. Yada, Yada. Dad works hards, suffers through. I do like the tie-ins to fatherhood, the importance of education and the American Dream of providing a better life for your kids.

Jobs you can raise a family on. Mmmmm, tell me more Michelle.

Jeeezus, healthcare may have been the right thing to do but it was completely the wrong fucking way to do it. I was rolling my eyes way back into my head but she brought me back with the comment about women making their own healthcare decisions.

The student aid bit was well written and well delivered. That just-between-us tone about their debt when they first got married was perfect. Humanizing and engaging.

Talking about how in love she is in Barack. Nice note to strike.

“For Barack, success isn’t about how much money you make; it’s about the difference you make in people’s lives.”

OK, I almost gagged on that line but it is a great bit. The part about explaining the news and strategizing about middle school friendships was a nice touch too.

Loving the husband,. She paints them as a family middle America can relate to. She does it well too. She’s a great speaker and sets just the right tone. Even when the puff she is saying is making me want to throw up. That’s saying something.

Um, Michelle? Those people in that room aren’t the ones you need to convince to vote. You’ve got them already.

“That story of this country; the story of unwavering hope grounded in unyielding struggle.”

OK, I see where the writers are going and all but seriously, you couldn’t find another word than “Hope?” Not loving the word choice. Sounds a little a desperate even thre wasn’t the whole aren’t we avoiding using that word and a certain other one this time around? Reminds people of dashed hopes and disappointment? Meh.

“Mom-in-Chief” Awww, Christ. There goes my gag reflex again. Why the hell do we have to cooperate with this fundie, right-wingbat, backwards idea that women are mothers first? Why? What the fuck? It is humiliating that a strong, self-made, successful woman would seek to solely define herself as a mother. When did any father ever do that? Ever? In the history of herstory? When? If a man’s fatherhood is emphasized it is always shown as an important part of a balanced picture of who they are. Yes, I know it makes her easier to relate to and emotional accessible or whatever but for the love of all that is holy it sucks ebola infested goat’s ass. It just makes her less of a role model. Play it out to the logical conclusion. Why go to college if you are just going to end up sticking around the home and taking care of your family? If being a mother is what makes her who she is, why shouldn’t teenage girls who can’t wait to grow up drop out of high school and raise lots of illiterate babies? OK, I’m done splitting idealistic hairs that exist in a world without poll numbers now.

Great speech. Very well done, down to every detail. It pisses me off that BHO & the D-powers-that-be seemed to lose their ability frame the message for the first 3 years of his Presidency but they seem to be on it here. It’s reassuring me.

Tammy Duckworth at the 2012 Democratic National Convention | Campaign 2012 | C-SPAN

Tammy Duckworth at the 2012 Democratic National Convention | Campaign 2012 | C-SPAN

“Thank God for the food stamps, public education and Pell Grants that helped me finish college.”

Nice!

Hmmmm. Assault helicopter pilot, turn commander of a blackhawk helicopter company, turn advocate for veterans? Her opponent needs to shut up. Of course she talks about it.

Shout out to women’s ability to serve as equals. Nice.
A lot of God all over it but whatever. That seems to be the theme tonight. She’d be great in Congress.

Deval Patrick at the 2012 Democratic National Convention | Campaign 2012 | C-SPAN

Deval Patrick at the 2012 Democratic National Convention | Campaign 2012 | C-SPAN

Starts with some musings on fiscal responsibility aimed at the upper middle class. He’s actually a good choice for that.

“It’s time for Democrats to grow a backbone and stand up for what we believe,” brought down the house. Take note Powers-That-Be.

“This is the President who brought Osama bin Laden to justice, who ended the war in Iraq, who is ending the war in Afghanistan. This is the President who ended Don’t Ask Don’t Tell so that love of country, not love of another, determines fitness for service; who made Equal Pay For Equal Work the law of the land.”

Hmmmm.

Education gets another shout out. Elementary schools in disadvantaged neighborhoods even. You’re flirting with me again DNC.

“That champion is Barack Obama. That cause is the American Dream.Let’s fight for that. …When the American Dream is on the line, we want Barack Obama in charge.”

I’ve never really though of Deval as charismatic. Dang, he was almost lyrical at times. Preach on Governor!