Observations on Wednesday night’s RNC program behind the cut.

The following is an excerpt from the end of Senator Hilary Clinton’s speech at the Democratic National Convention. Her speech was truly unifying as she outlined what is at stake in this election. As she says, “we don’t have a moment to lose or a vote to spare.” Click here for the video and full text. Note the  poetry of the speech: the line breaks, metaphor, and the use of repetition. I know they must have teleprompters but they are amazingly invisible in the video.

“My mother was born before women could vote. But in this election my daughter got to vote for her mother for President.

This is the story of America. Of women and men who defy the odds and never give up.

How do we give this country back to them?

By following the example of a brave New Yorker , a woman who risked her life to shepherd slaves along the Underground Railroad.

And on that path to freedom, Harriett Tubman had one piece of advice.

If you hear the dogs, keep going.

If you see the torches in the woods, keep going.

If they’re shouting after you, keep going.

Don’t ever stop. Keep going.

If you want a taste of freedom, keep going.

Even in the darkest of moments, ordinary Americans have found the faith to keep going.

I’ve seen it in you. I’ve seen it in our teachers and firefighters, nurses and police officers, small business owners and union workers, the men and women of our military – you always keep going.

We are Americans. We’re not big on quitting.

But remember, before we can keep going, we have to get going by electing Barack Obama president.

We don’t have a moment to lose or a vote to spare.

Nothing less than the fate of our nation and the future of our children hang in the balance.

I want you to think about your children and grandchildren come election day. And think about the choices your parents and grandparents made that had such a big impact on your life and on the life of our nation.

We’ve got to ensure that the choice we make in this election honors the sacrifices of all who came before us, and will fill the lives of our children with possibility and hope.

That is our duty, to build that bright future, and to teach our children that in America there is no chasm too deep, no barrier too great – and no ceiling too high – for all who work hard, never back down, always keep going, have faith in God, in our country, and in each other.

Thank you so much. God bless America and Godspeed to you all.”

Well, friends. It’s a political post today, but I hope you’ll press on because it is really about FOX news and their constant focus on everything but the issues that matter to the American people. I hope you’ll watch the video and feel that something has to be done about the biased, racist, and sexist “news” that they report. I know there must be an audience for this because FOX is doing great, but I don’t think it is the same audience that reads my blog. So write a letter to the editor, sign a petition at moveon.org, contribute to the Obama for President campaign and let’s stand together for peace, education, and the environment.

PS: Listen to NPR instead.

 left me a reply to my Sexism and the Media post and I felt that I should respond. Sometimes when our writing comes from passion it needs a few revisions to get from the heart to the page. Perhaps I didn’t want to put too much out there as this is a blog about the children’s book industry and my attempts to enter it, rather than a political blog. I tried to be subtle but I think my attempts at subtlety were just fuzzy and confusing. Allow me to clarify.

I do not think that sexism doomed Hillary’s campaign. I think there were a lot of other things going against Hillary. Her husband’s history, her inability to rise above the politics-as-usual game, her “experience” brand (which at times seemed unfounded), her inability to connect with younger voters, her connection to the imperialism that would hold the white house if she were elected…Bush, Clinton, Bush, Clinton?

That said, I admire her tenacity, and her focus on domestic issues (health care specifically). I would have liked to hear more about children, education and peace.

The second part of the post (connected to the video link) was really about the decline of journalism and the false familiarity of journalist with their subjects. I do think

is right that Senator Clinton preferred “Hillary” in an attempt to distance herself from the Clinton name. But she is what she is. All of it. I actually think this false familiarity started with Bill Clinton going on MTV answering the boxers or briefs question, and jamming on the sax. Not that this was wrong, but I think it opened the flood gates.  

Most important, Democrats and others who are fed up with the current  administration must unify to elect O’bama, and change the direction and priorities of our country. Our economy, our supreme court, our health, our environment, our children and our international reputation is on the line.

I have been reading the novel “The Other Boleyn Girl.” In the novel, the author does a fabulous job of showing the oppression of women by their husbands and family without preaching. I always close the book for the night thankful that I have it so good and that I am so free. Upsetting then, to be sent this video link by my good friend Kim Simmons. If you can stomach it, watch this montage of sexism in the media. I do not watch network news so this was a lot to take in all at once and incredibly upsetting as I think of the 500, yes FIVE HUNDRED years that have passed since the novel’s setting. Surely we should have come farther by now.

Growing up in Washington, DC, I marched for the ERA and for pay equity and then to save Roe v. Wade. Here in Maine, I worked with NOW and ran for public office (myself a victim of a smear campaign) I am sick when I think of how Senator Clinton has been treated during this campaign. Where are journalists Peter Jennings, and Walter Cronkite when you need them? The teasing, belly laughing, thigh slapping boys club that is FOX “news” and MSNBC is disgusting and a far cry from journalism. But it seems to me that it is not just sexism at work. In addition to the sexism, there is also rampant disrespect of those in public office and authority. I support the media’s search for truth and to question authority. However, even the smallest things, calling Senator Clinton, Hilary, or Senator O’bama, Barack, is illustrative of our general disrespect for those in positions of authority. Oppose or support who you want but address them properly, argue your case thoughtfully, and use good vocabulary!

It is not just public office. This is true of how parents and students address teachers, and how children address the parents of their friends. I’m certainly not suggesting that we revert to the 1950’s or that we become obsequious in our use of titles. But a little common courtesy and goes a long way.

We will have a new president come January. (Whew.) But then there will be another election and another. And there will be a candidate who will stand with grace and dignity and represent my opinions about policy in this country. And I will vote for her. For now, I’m voting for Senator O’bama. I hope you will too.