Lopez & Palin: Making Liberal Feminists "Go Wild"

Oh, the joys of being back in a small town. This morning I was just minding my own business, standing in the kitchen eating some strawberries, when I glanced at our Courier Times paper on the counter. There it was, right at the top of the page:

OPINION: PALIN IS A THREAT TO LIBERAL WOMEN - A6

Oh, she is, is she? Yep, according to my favorite person in the whole world, Kathryn Jean Lopez, she is!

You might remember my rant about Ms. Lopez after she deigned to talk smack about the love of my life, Judy Blume. And, in true Lopez form, her argument against "liberal feminists" is ridiculous as ever. So silly and unfounded, as a matter of fact, that it hardly warrants a response. But hey, I'm kinda bored here in small town Indiana, so why not?

It's really the start of her fun little op-ed I'd like to focus on, but you can read it in full here. Lopez's focus is on Palin's recent speech at a Susan B. Anthony List fundraiser, and how it's been a "recent source of feminist madness."

She writes:

"When Sarah Palin speaks, liberal feminists go wild. The woman is like a stilettoed catalyst for backlash from the professional political sisterhood. 

Much of the bitterness that gushes forth from the lefty ladies has very little to do with Palin herself. It's about many of the things she represents: She's a happy mom, surrounded by a big family and husband; she's pro-life, religious and conservative; and, lest we forget, a political powerhouse the likes of which has not been seen for decades. Depending on who you are and the nature of your gripe, you can add and subtract to this list."

Oh, boy. First of all. Love that descriptor: Liberal feminists go wild! You're damn right, Lopez. I get so effing riled up when Sarah Palin speaks, I rip my bra off, light it on fire, and start throwing contraceptives in the air! Go wild, feminists! Attack of the Stilettoed Political Powerhouse!

Now, to be honest, now that I'm not up all night with visions of Sarah Palin in the White House, I usually save myself the headache of listening to her speak. But let's get something straight, Lopez. First off, to speak for myself and my fellow "lefty ladies," we're not "bitter" about Palin. That, frankly, gives the woman too much credit. You say that Palin talked about empowering women, "and in her worldview that translates into making sure they have options when they are pregnant." Uhh, WHAT? How about giving young women some options BEFORE they become pregnant? Like good, extensive sex education? Affordable access to birth control?

What grates me most about this, though, is how completely absurd Lopez's notions are about what it is that upsets feminists regarding Palin.  

"It's about many of the things she represents: She's a happy mom, surrounded by a big family and husband; she's pro-life, religious and conservative; and, lest we forget, a political powerhouse the likes of which has not been seen for decades."

Give me a break. Do I need to start rattling off all of the happy moms I know who are also pro-choice?  Do I need to point out how ridiculous and insulting it is to assume that feminists are bitter about women with a family and husbands? Do I need to explain that "pro-choice" and "religious" are not  necessarily mutually exclusive?

I really don't know where to begin. Mostly I want to stay away from whatever Kool-Aid Lopez drank as a child. But something simply must be said about her last ridiculous claim: "lest we forget, a political powerhouse the likes of which has not been seen for decades."

Um? Her name is Hillary Rodham Clinton, and she is our Secretary of State. Look her up, Lopez.