Politics | 06/04/2008 9:35 am

At This Historic Moment ... A wOw Reader Quote That Says It All

Comment to Women on the Web Forum: Hillary Announcement Watch at wowOwow on June 3

Frank Peterson - 6/3/2008 5:09 PM

Stop a moment and think about this: a black man in the White House. When I voted for John Kennedy in my first vote for the presidency, the thought of a woman in the White House was so far in the future that few thought about it or even let the possibility into the mind. The same thing about a black man in the White House — unthinkable. Now, 40-plus years later we have both. I find that amazing and incredible and I’m so happy I lived to see this day. I don’t know about the rest of you but that makes my century. That gives me hope, finally, after 40 years of incompetents and snake-oil salesmen in the White House, that the impossible is coming true. That is so incredible that I am stunned and elated by it all. Finally.

207 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

It is not just you, M L. Those so-called jokes enrage me. I remember when I met Shirley Chisholm I made a remark about how beautiful she looked, which was probably out of place. But she was dressed impeccably, her skin was radiant, she was overwhelmingly well put together. She said that she had learned a long time ago that if she was going to be black and female and run for office, she had to have not a hair out of place every moment. Otherwise that is all anyone would want to talk about. One hopes we have progressed; she ran for President back in 1972. I also think that Hillary Clinton is a beautiful woman. I do not understand what is wrong with people who are looking for the physical flaw; maybe they do the same with their own mirrors.

By Elizabeth Bennett on 06/07/2008 2:35 am

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Mugsy - thanks again. You really are wonderfully insightful and eloquent. I am so disappointed and discouraged with Wowowow that I was only checking the sight to see if you posted, then I plan to give up.

By Roberta G on 06/07/2008 8:25 am

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Actually, before I toodle off I will try to express my discouragement and disappointment. I was excited about the sight - told many people about it and posted a few times. When I saw a post by a man, I just skipped it, because I thought this sight was for women. Therefore, I’ve really never read any of Frank’s post - except I seem to remember early on I did read one, and he said he was posting because he hoped to meet women. I realize I could be wrong and that wasn’t Frank, so if not, I apologize. if I’m right, it seems to be working out pretty well for him. there have been many posts praising Frank’s insights, and all round wonderfulness. Ladies, I have had years and years of opponities to avail myself of male insight and wonderfulness. Of women’s? Not so much. so I have very much enjoyed reading the posts by numerous intelligent, kind, funny and all round wonderful women. But I find much of the sight causes more stress than it give enjoyment - so I’m done. I have seen many posts that praise Frank’s

By Roberta G on 06/07/2008 8:51 am

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I for one am really encouraged by the way this thread is opening out. It may be messy and uncomfortable, but I welcome it. I have always hated fights and nar. But I have known people from less dysfunctional backgrounds than mine, who see it as a part of life. They have enabled me see that some arguments are worth having and are not the end of the world. It’s knowing the difference between speaking my truth and being a jerk, that makes it worthwhile or makes it senseless.

By Deni G on 06/07/2008 2:39 pm

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Too, Too right, Deni. I am with you on this.

By M L Staats on 06/07/2008 3:05 pm

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Thanks, Deni and ML … yeah, this thread is an open debate, and that is not a bad thing … and ML … I had commented on a question of yours earlier - here’s a quick copy: > ML and Mugsy … great conversation! [] as to the question of ‘monitoring’: I seriously don’t think there was anything in this thread that needed a moderator … but it seems they do monitor: I got that from a thread on (oh my) the Polanski article … there seems to have been a nasty post from a ‘Drew’ that was taken off, as became clear from the following comments … I am not on here often enough, so I didn’t see that post before it was gone … [] as to hearing from the wow management: I have certainly expressed my comments about this site (positive and negative, and yes, about the editorial choice on this particular thread), but aside from the automated answer .. so far nothing ..

By Ulla on 06/07/2008 7:13 pm

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Ulla, love that name, it’s so sensual, if I may say so. Thanks you for the answer to my question regarding hearing from management. I didn’t think that this particular thread required policing, I was just wondering if anyone was reading what we were writing. I didn’t check back on the Polanski thread after my initial swing through there but I can see now that someone named Drew must have disgusted people. Glad I missed it. I think it’s great how this thread has evolved, that shows fine minds progressing. Cheers to you!

By M L Staats on 06/07/2008 8:42 pm

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Thanks for the cheers, M L , and that you like my name (it’s actually Ursula, but nobody calls me that … and a funny btw. re. something in your earlier post: I was called Twiggy when I was a very young stick figure and hated it, didn’t know it was supposed to be glamorous, I just wanted boobs … always two sides to everything …) Anyway, the word is that wow is revising and reorganizing the site, to be revealed next week … this according to an e-mail note from the wow staff in response to someone who contacted them … should be interesting And I do agree, these discussion threads are evolving in astonishing ways - (just tried to make my way thru all the hundreds of comments on the Liz Smith Obama/Clinton conversation … oh my) I have read, but not posted on the political threads so far - (am a resident, i.e. tax payer, but got no vote … ) - but of course I have a political view, and am very interested to hear/read all these voices of the people on sites like this in addition to ‘the media’ … I have learned a lot from this diverse group of women here!

By Ulla on 06/08/2008 1:11 am

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Ulla, thanks for the update on the site; I’m looking forward to what transpires, being the curious soul that I am. I’m still trying to get my pic/avatar to load. I want everyone to know it’s me, after all, LOL. About glamour and all that stuff: You are so right, there are always two sides to it. I would have given anything to be a Twiggy. Heck, I would have shared some of my boobs with you as they have always come into the room ahead of me. I often think with sadness how much energy we ladies waste feeling what we have isn’t just perfect for us. I would want for all young girls growing up to feel they are beautiful with no if, ands or worries about their butts, if you will. Or boobs. I know what you mean about learning from the women here. Most of us would never have crossed paths and it’s exciting to me how much we really do have in common, despite the diversity. Enjoy your Sunday and I’ll look for you as we roam around the cyber halls here. Always glad to see when you’ve been here. BTW, where are you from originally, if I may ask?

By M L Staats on 06/08/2008 1:52 am

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Hi again M L … hope you find this (was tired and double clicked last night..) … YES , all girls should grow up feeling beautiful … still a long way to go for that … but hey, we are here and we are fabulous role models, no?!!! and sure you may ask - I am from Germany … 18 yrs small town northern Germany, 18 yrs Berlin, 20 yrs New York … 4th quarter of my life … I am not so sure where the ball game will continue … maybe that’s why I am on this site (looking for inspiration, I guess)

By Ulla on 06/08/2008 11:43 am

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Ulla, you wrote: I am not so sure where the ball game will continue … maybe that’s why I am on this site (looking for inspiration, I guess) And I reply that this ties in with why I think now is the best time to be a woman. In my mother’s day, by the time they were in their 30s, married and with kids, they sort of caved in and lived their lives through their families; there wasn’t a 4th quarter even in the imagination. Now we re-invent ourselves, we have 4th quarters and we keep living instead of enduring/waiting. I love this. I’m in the process of becoming the next me at 56 and it’s really an exciting, glorious time. I think that’s why I enjoy coming here. I thrive on all the thoughts and opinions of other women in the same stages as I am. I can hold an opinion(s) and then I get new information that helps to mold and shape me as I progress. None of us can do this alone, we NEED each other’s input. This is such a great time to be a woman and nothing can stop us now.

By M L Staats on 06/09/2008 4:08 pm

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ML .. what a wonderful response, thank you so much ! … (btw: I am also 56 yrs old/young…) … I was just getting a bit exasperated with this site … the new design seems even harder to navigate (and harder to read for 56yr old eyes…) … so finding your message was very nice!!! If you don’t mind I’ll copy a post that I posted and somehow ‘lost’ on that 1000+ comment thread … partially meant as a calming voice, partially meant to summarize the experience … >>> all you dear ladies, and gentlemen, … these discussions made me remember why I have lived in the USA these past 20 years … Americans! you may call yourselves somewhere up there in the thread “We are a naïve and trusting bunch, after all”, but you are also and foremost a pretty amazing bunch! just reading thru this long long thread (900+ comments, on 60+ pages - my battery went down several times, the site dropped repeatedly … and I have to admit to some scrolling thru, sorry R., S., - and others - how can you type so much, I can’t even read that fast… ) —- all the diversity (even if some shades are surely missing on this site) and the resilience of this country, and its people … not that I’ve not also “gotten crabby” many times, sometimes even cynical (that’s what we Euros are supposed to be, right?) —- sticking it out thru the Clinton miseries, the Bush disasters, the terror attacks, the senseless wars, racism, sexism, isolationism (not to mention the ups and downs of life as an immigrant, btw w/out a vote about where my taxes go or which candidate I might want to see in the WH …) … and yes, people telling me NY is not the US … still, I like it here, not just because NYC is so fabulous (mostly…) but because of you Americans, … and particularly women ‘of a certain age’, as represented on this site: people veering off (some times way off…) but always coming back to converse … informed commentary, combative controversy … gentle voices, strident voices, passionate voices, funny voices (oh, the funny voices!!!) … name calling and name dropping … along the way some real-time witty repartee, intriguing conspiracy theories, little meditation sessions, a glimpse of a beautiful hot flash garden, info on going-ons on other threads, an ilk/cabal/cartel and a new universal church to join, an on-site baseball team forming (may I join in on the left field then … my ‘socialist’ German up-bringing should qualify… but I still have no clue to the rules… baseball, I mean… basketball on the other hand …) So, I ‘ll just salute you all - and appreciate all the information and perspectives I could ponder on this thread … great additions to the vast amount of “media” I have been trying to digest recently … valuable input for consolidating and refining my own stand on the candidates and the issues and, if I may, to close with quoting from Maurine: ” quoting … Dr.Kathleen Reardon : … Maya Angelou. Her intelligence, beauty, depth and fondness for both Clinton and Obama gave me the hope about which Barack Obama has been speaking - the hope that hatred will not win, that all the disparaging, gratuitous, despicable speech might dissipate - melt in the hands of those whose primary interest is the future of this country.” <<<

By Ulla on 06/10/2008 1:15 am

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Ulla! What a gracious, insightful post you have made from the perspective of someone who lives with us but didn’t grow up here. Often times it’s very easy to point out all the faults of this country but we have much going for us and you have succinctly summed it up. I’m glad you’re here, there in NYC and here on this site. I’m glad I’ve crossed paths with you. In so many ways, 56 is as exciting as being 16. We’re mature women, armed with experience, wisdom and intelligence, embarking on a new journey. The path is strengthened by what we do know about ourselves and the world. Wouldn’t trade it for anything. If you listen, the wind carries the sounds of our voices and we all have much to say. I will look for you around these WoW halls, Ulla, and once again, I’m glad you’re here!

By M L Staats on 06/10/2008 1:13 pm

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hi again ML . .., thanks so much for liking my post … I am also glad we are crossing paths here, and do enjoy your kind words … oh yeah, “56 as exciting as being 16” … actually wouldn’t really want to be 16 again (just for the energy maybe ?, I can still get pretty excited about life though … ) And you got you picture up,yeah! Who is that cutey? I’ve been on the ‘new design’ thread, struggling with all the changes, but getting the hang of it - and honestly, wondering about how some people are still beating the ‘we are so up-set about the fighting’ drum’ and asking for more ‘control’ of the site, am having a hard time with staying pc and civil about that… oh well Oh, and, if I may suggest and you can bear it, check out Ashley Judd’s Speech at the UN … I can’t believe that not more people are responding to that (just as to the Burma articles …) … well, I guess those are just my interests … See you around here again somewhere … with the new ‘home’ function, where one can go back to one’s own posts, it’s also easer to find the way back to any exchange on a thread, yeah!

By Ulla on 06/11/2008 12:50 am

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Ulla, you found me again! I’m about to check out Ashley Judd’s speech. I’m still freaking out over the Burma situation. I look at the pictures on the news and ache with sadness. The pic is of my Tibetan Terrier, BelBien’s Remarkable Boy. I had his mommy dog for many years and held her while she gave birth to Remy. I cut the cord, rubbed him down with a washcloth and he’s been my best friend since. He was on his way to being a top show dog until he grew four inches over the standard in the past two years. Now he’s my Home Boy. He gardens with me, lies all over me while I knit and struggles to see what I’m typing when I’m at the computer. And I know what you mean about staying pc and civil. If you are so inclined, my email address is word-princess@hotmail.com

By M L Staats on 06/11/2008 1:27 am