This is going to be one of the most culturally divisive elections in history. Miss Sarcasim With A Smile 2008 scares me as well. A terrific piece by Judith Warner: http://warner.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/09/04/the-mirrored-ceiling/

“What a revolting development this is!”— William Bendix as Chester A. Riley Does the right wing of the Republican Party know any Black people? Were there any Black speakers? A macho, wealthy computer illiterate and a right wing beauty queen is not my idea of a good time in America. I’ll leave it Gloria Steinem to explain why: Gloria Steinem in the LA Times: http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-steinem4-2008sep04,…

Not only does Obama use speechwriters, but his speechwriters are proteges of Ted Sorensen who wrote JFK’s speeches. Nixon was a great writer but he also had guys like Bill Safire and Pat Buchanan help out. All politicians have ghosts and use teleprompters. http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Vote2008/story?id=4259093&page=1

What this choice represents to me is a culture so dumbed down by an American Idol/ Apprentice mentality that we now believe that achievement and success can happen overnight and Cinderella-style with the right marketing and pr. The idea that it actually takes time and life experience to develop the wisdom and strength to lead (or be a star) has no value it seems. Over one billion dollars has been spent on this election. This is the best we can do? Question for Sheila: Would someone having less than 2 years experience be hired at HBO for a top executive job? But then again, someone Hillary Clinton’s age with 30 years experience would not be hired either.

This just in from the Miss America organization. It is not a spoof. McCain picked Miss Congeniality 1984. We all know how much feminists love beauty contests!!!! :) http://newsblaze.com/story/2008082909530500005.pnw/topstory.html

I’m beginning to worry that the Obama team does not understand mass communciation that’s not internet related. Surely, there is a way to present a PDF booklet that is graphically pleasing, has visuals and is easy to read and understand. Also, with the exception of the Star Speeches, the convention is a snore. It seems like they are wasting all this free air time. There is no messaging, no entertainment value, nothing to keep even interested viewers interested.

NP, Conventions ain’t church. They’re noisy and social.. People wear cheese hats. The way we were 40 years ago this summer: 1968 Chicago Democratic Convention http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rt6gVO8MB30 I always find it ironic that Chicago still has a Mayor Richard Daley.

We still haven’t passed the ERA. And not a peep out of any politician’s mouth (including Hillary’s) about it. http://www.equalrightsamendment.org/

I love Biden. The fact that Obama picked such a strong personality says good things about his executive judgement. I’m feeling excited about politics again. Hillary will be just fine. She’s got her health, bucks,Bill, Chelsea and a good job. It’s the rest of us we have to take care of now.

LIz, I agree with you. Both conventions will be four-day infomercials with all the slickness and saccharine that a billion dollars can buy. Except Tim Russert won’t be there. http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/map/

Some links to AARP’s reruitment/HR pages on their website. None of these “employees” look old enough to need botox. Also check their job postings across all levels. This does not appear to be a company that is actively seeking mature, experienced workers. http://www.aarp.org/aarp/human_resources/culture/ http://www.aarp.org/aarp/human_resources/diversity/

Why is the staff at Wow so consistently surprised that older celebrity women still look hot? Are the writers 25 years old? Sometimes it feels that way. Older women usually are not that obsessed with their own looks or the looks of others. I don’t understand the constant focus on how older women LOOK. This is not empowering or even interesting. It is sexist and superficial.

Cougar is a degrading and tasteless term. It is not funny or hip. It is simply sexist and ageist. Many have expressed their displeasure with the term but the staff of wow just loves being on the “prowl” for examples. Ellen deserves better and so do we. Is there a connection between being crazy about cougars and turning Wow into a Madonna shrine for a couple of days? Similar taste level.

I too, would be happy with Biden or Hillary. I don’t see how this can be a valid poll when Hillary has not been included in the choices. Yes, the prevailing wisdom is that she will be not be chosen, but since none of us know for sure why exclude her?

I care that you are all so consistently rude to Liz Smith. Her writing has a wit and humanity (And yes, intelligence) that is kept her in the forefront at an age when her industry peers are in their 20’s. We should celebrate this woman and not censure her because of some boring intellectual pretensions about what is relevant. Contemporary pop culture is relevant. Get over it.