Love to read your posts! I’m figuring there’s a lot of focus on Obama now because 1) he’s about to be sworn in as our next President, and 2) there’s a lot of left over anger about how things went down with the Democratic party this year. But, I hope that once Inuaguration Day has passed, and while we will of course need to follow what any President is doing as far as women’s issues go, that we will broaden what we’re paying attention to AND focus on what TNA has stated to be a specific goal for 2009, which is domestic violence.

it’s true all eyes will be on Obama–he’s president. but one creative way of moving forward in addition to watching what the President does in regard to women’s issues would be to also pay close attention to our state and local government, who’s running for (and being elected) to those positions, and what are those people saying and doing about women’s issues.

sexism is pervasive, stubbornly rooted in our history, and growing like a weed in our immediate neighborhoods–domestic violence, for example. then there are our places of business, our local schools and how attitudes towards women (including girls’ attitudes about themselves) are being shaped from the get-go.

I agree. there’s plenty we can do, and should do. but that does include watchdogging the POTUS, regardless of who’s in that position and whether or not we voted for him. and the people who did vote for him have to be realistic about that. the President of the United States is just about the last person who’s ever going to get a pass on scrutiny, regardless of issue.

one other perspective about the POTUS. every four years anywhere from approximately 41 to 49.5% of the population is unhappy with who’s occupying the WH. the country always survives without 100% needing to achieve lockstep.

the public figure under the microscope in a discussion doesn’t have to be the POTUS, either. I’d feel the same way if I made a comment about Rick Warren and sexism, and one of the conservative members took it as a signal that I needed to be reconciled with Jesus.

imo the people Americans need to be reconciling with are other Americans. this country has been polarized by wingnut control of both major parties for too long, and we can’t keep letting ourselves be torn apart by politicians, or their supporters.

I did not support Obama. And I distain much about him. But if we don’t get past what I see as an obsession about Obama, Clinton and Palin I fear we will remain stuck and flailing in the wind.

Women’s issues can be tackled on many fronts.

What groups is TNA collaborating with at this point? How can we start to move forward in creative ways in addition to responding to Obama’s decisions?

goesh – I wouldn’t assume this position is “fluff” because it’s new. I’m a super anxious, worrier, glass-is-half empty, skeptical, critical sort of person, but even I have a sense of let’s see what happens! If I can do that, anyone can!

enter the scalpel

I hope this works out, it’s really encouraging, but one key will be how well she’s supported when she locates government excess/corruption.