National Organization for Women President Endorses Palin

Hannah Tennant-Moore — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 16:10:00 GMT

Remember that video of Sarah Palin misquoting Madeline Albright at a rally in California? Well, the faux feminism gets more and more outrageous. Guess who introduced Palin? Shelly Mandell, the president of L.A. National Organization for Women, who has endorsed the McCain/Palin ticket.

I attended the March for Women’s Lives in Washington, D.C. back in 2004, which Mandell organized. It was one of the most unifying, uplifting experiences of my life, to be surrounded by thousands of women peacefully demanding reproductive freedom. The fact that Mandell would go on to endorse a staunchly anti-choice presidential ticket is not the only reason her judgment should be seriously questioned. Jezebel has done some digging on Mandell and it turns out that she’s got some skeletons in her closet, including helping to get a fellow NOW rising star arrested.

In her introduction for Palin, Mandell pointed out that Palin will be a champion for Title IX because she plays sports. I'm all for Title IX, but will having an athletic woman in office help other women when her running mate opposes equal pay, as McCain has already done? Will the fact that Palin played basketball in college help women when she fights to make abortion illegal even in the case of incest or rape?

If it were up to Mandell, the National Organization for Women would need to change its name to the National Organization for Powerful People with Female Genitalia. Fortunately, it’s not up to Mandell. The California NOW president has issued a statement that says, in part, “I can assure you that there is no local or state affiliate of NOW, including LA NOW, which endorses or supports the McCain/Palin ticket.”

Photo: Jezebel

Palin: Women Who Don't Support Other Women Go to Hell

'Ira Sleeps Over' and Other 70's Faves

Rachael Brownell (Redsy) — Tue, 13 May 2008 19:01:00 GMT

The best part about reading children's books from the 70s is how authors manage to sneak in messages about girls' lib, divorce, and alternative lifestyles amid a sea of harvest gold and avocado green. And if you've never appreciated the lovely comforts of a shag-rug nap, while contemplating your parents' EST circle, then I venture you're probably not yet looking up the nosehairs at 40, you sly boots, nor have you likely heard of children's books like "Ira Sleeps Over," about a boy who goes for a slumber party and finally admits to still needing his teddy bear for a good night's sleep.

Children's books in the 70s weren't just about girl firefighters and boy ballerinas, though. They brought us grand vistas and adventures far greater than career choices and "Billy has Two Mommies":

Harriet the Spy - She's a girl. She's a spy. I can't fathom a more wonderful adventure for an 8-year old than imagining her explorations on a secret dumbwaiter.

Are You There God? It's Me Margaret? - Judy Blume taught us so much about puberty, sex, and other blushful things in the 70s, but this book is the best of the best.

Free to Be You and Me - "There's a land that I see, where the children are free..." Less book than manifesto/cultural zeitgeist, FtBYaM defined a generation of free kids, playing records while sitting on brown corduroy couches, while Mom hosted her NOW meetings, or macramed.

J ulie of the Wolves - Another power-girl story...

Other decades have wonderful children's books as well, but the books we read when young hold a special place in your heart. And it's a joy to share these same books with our own kids.

Strollerderby : NOW

National Organization for Women President Endorses Palin

'Ira Sleeps Over' and Other 70's Faves