A Further Perspective
Tough Time to Be a Woman
Where would we be without the Sinisterhood?
This is a tough time to be a woman. I watched in fear as Romney was down by double digits with women. I wondered, would women be the reason for an Obama victory? Then, came the magnificent debate performance by Romney and an anxious wait for the new polling results.
Relief! The Pew Poll released after the shellacking received by the President showed a 15 percentage point swing in Romney’s favor among women, with 51 percent supporting Obama and 48 percent supporting Romney. Then came a more recent poll showing the candidates tied, 47 to 47, among women. It’s been fun to read the hysteria sweeping the punditocracy, such as this from Andrew Sullivan, “Seriously: has that kind of swing ever happened this late in a campaign? Has any candidate lost 18 points among women voters in one night ever?”
Er, yes, apparently. Thank God for women who actually watched the debates! Now we sit on the eve of another debate, a real manicured nail-biter. With Ryan up to bat next in the Veep debate, can we get four more percentage points, in order to avoid four more years?
As a conservative who happens to be a woman, I stand in amazement at inane statements such as that issued by 51 percenter Stephanie Cutter, Deputy Campaign Manager for Obama, saying women don’t care about what happened the last four years, we’re just conveniently fixated on more hope and change to come in the next four years. Hmmm… so the lowest workforce participation in decades, downgrading of our credit rating as a nation, upgrading of the terrorist threat with a dead Ambassador and the black flag of al Qaeda flying on U.S. embassy soils throughout the Maghreb is not supposed to worry our pretty little heads? She fervently hopes! Even with the unemployment rate moving down to 7.8 percent, it’s still an anemic recovery at best, and the fiscal cliff and a future of austerity looms for women and men alike.
So what is it I’m supposed to be concerned about? What’s the sales pitch to women? The image that these people construct is Woman As Victim. That is, when it’s convenient. The women of the left accuse us of a conservative-led “War on Women.” From Elizabeth “The Fix Is In” Warren, to Kerry “Voter Suppression” Washington, to Sandra “Pay For My Damn Pills” Fluke, this narrative was on prime time display at the Democrat Convention, and was one that lefty women have reveled in for years. It is bad enough that popular culture from television drama to music videos feature the “woman as victim” and/or “woman as sexual vessel” narrative (think any Law and Order episode and most MTV videos), or that fashion magazines, those great exploiters of women imagery, opine on the so-called War on Women. It is hard for conservative women to endure the spectacle of those who purport to speak on our behalf, wearing it like last millennium’s “fashion don’t,” present us as victims, yet allow women of the right to be maligned and marginalized. I feel like I’m becoming a “hater of lefty women” and this concerns me. I went looking for the Latinization of this condition and discovered that “sinister” is the Latin word for “left.” Imagine that. So “sinister-misogyny” it is and I think I’m developing a case. The sisterhood, er, make that Sinisterhood, is making all women look bad.
In my case, this disease has a long incubation period. Imagine the harp music, indicating we’re going back, back through the mist of time… bah-ling, bah-ling, bah-linggg…
The Tailhook Scandal
I was on my way to
an appointment and heard a news report on the radio about a
horrific incident involving sexual harassment of female fighter
pilots. I figured someone had been raped, the way the story was
reported. When I finally slowed down long enough to read the full
story, it turned out a female helicopter pilot had gone to a
convention of the Tailhook Association, an independent, nonprofit
group of active duty and former Navy aviators, and unfortunately
went to the third floor hospitality suites, where the primary focus
was on drinking and socializing. The following is from Joslyn
Ogden, “Tailhook 91 and then U.S. Navy,” Duke University Kenan
Institute for Ethics:
One of the mainstays of the third-floor tradition was the formation of “the gauntlet” on Friday and Saturday nights. The gauntlet occurred when large numbers of men, often 22- to 26-year-old junior aviation officers, crowded the hallway waiting for women to walk through. Once a woman walked through she may have been grabbed, pinched, picked up, and groped inappropriately. One aviator commented that the gauntlet “looked like a pinball machine with each guy getting his shot in.” Some women willingly and knowingly entered the gauntlet. However, unsuspecting women were also lured in. As one witness described, “the men would quiet down and create an opening in the crowd that unsuspecting women might think to use as a passage way … [Then they would be] suddenly surrounded by the gauntlet participants who groped them and prevented their exit.” Some women fought back in response; others appeared too drunk to be fully cognizant of what was happening; and others seemed to enjoy it.
One woman who fought back was Lt. Paula Coughlin, a Navy helicopter pilot and aide to Rear Adm. John B. Snyder, commander of the Naval Air Test Center in Patuxent River, Maryland. As soon as she entered the gauntlet, the participants began to chant tauntingly, “admiral’s aide, admiral’s aide.” Against her will, the men picked her up, touched her breasts, and pulled at her underwear. She later stated, “I felt as though the group was trying to rape me.”
I am not excusing the behavior, but Lt. Coughlin weakened her own claim of sexual harassment by allowing a male lieutenant to shave her legs in public at this event. Okay, now try to visualize the potential thought bubbles over the heads: Woman — “shave my legs, but don’t think of me as a sexual object”; Man- “leg to thigh to heaven…” As described by Elaine Donnelly in a National Review article, “The Tailhook Scandals,” excerpted below:
Lieutenant Rolando Diaz, who shaved women’s legs in public, was prosecuted for conduct unbecoming an officer, but three female officers whose legs he shaved were not disciplined on an equal basis. Indeed, one of those three customers, according to Diaz, was none other than Paula Coughlin, who showed her appreciation by signing a banner with “You made me see God. The Paulster.”
Then there’s this from the New York Times’ October 16, 1993 article, “Tailhook Affair Brings Censure of Three Admirals”:
The best-known case, involving an assault on Lieut. Paula Coughlin, appears to be falling apart. The man charged in the case, Capt. Gregory J. Bonam, a 29-year-old Marine aviator, denies he ever saw her, and he has strong evidence to support his claim that she is confusing him with someone else. As a result, the Pentagon has focused on punishing senior officers who are not charged with any personal involvement but rather a broad concept of being negligent or tolerant of the Tailhook offenses.
This was an off-duty, off-base event. I should think that Lt. Coughlin would have an understanding of the culture of aircraft carrier pilots. Am I setting too high a standard for Lt. Coughlin, who, if she wanted to be respected as an equal, shouldn’t have engaged in leg shaving? Women want to be viewed as tough enough to fly a million dollar piece of equipment and participate in combat missions, yet a real lack of judgment was on display here that undermines our case.
This wasn’t like the sexual harassment at the Aberdeen Proving Grounds, where a superior/subordinate situation existed between a male drill sergeant and a recruit and the harassment was on the site of the base (and illustrates the challenges of the integrated combat unit). At the time, Cokie Roberts and Senator Olympia Snowe discussed it in a news segment and one of them said we didn’t have this problem in mixed sex dorms on university campuses, so therefore, ipso facto we shouldn’t have it on our military bases. I don’t remember which one of them made the bone-headed comment but it was met with agreement by the other. I sat there in stunned amazement. As if there is an equivalency to civilians in a dorm and recruits in the military, who can’t just leave the base in the event of a threatening situation (AWOL, anyone?). It is embarrassing for me as a woman to see how the military has lowered standards to allow women to achieve passing scores. I want to be a 6’4” Swedish model, but it ain’t in the cards. Likewise, if a woman can pass the same tests as a man, put her in the Amazonian Squadron and let women have their own path to top brass rank. If a woman can meet the standard for the mission, then by all means allow her to do so. But mission success should be the focus for military selections and promotions. Don’t play the victim card and expect special treatment to achieve the same rank, which seems to be the Sinisterhood SOP.
About the Author
Melissa O’Sullivan writes from a conservative woman’s perspective on a myriad of topics from Decatur, Alabama.
Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 10.11.12 @ 7:25AM
I see your point. Being forced to pay for contraceptives for unforced sex is more than a soul can bear in this society.
Also, I was reading about a female Senate candidate who stole some Indian recipes and wrote a book called Pow Wow Chow. Her name is Elizabeth Warren and she's also claimed native American status so she could gain hiring and other job benefits. Turns out she's also been practicing law without a license.
Personally, there's nothing I hate worse than a recipe stealing fake Indian who also happens to be a fake attorney. Think of the workload this has created for journalists and other average Americans. Do you write the headline "Fake Indian may be Fake Attorney," or "Fake Attorney may be Fake Indian?"
It's difficult to grapple with the issues caused by the quest for gender equality. For instance, try being a man, it's even more difficult, for real men are not welcome anywhere, anymore.
Men with real values are disdained and openly ridiculed. However, I don't mean to diminish the burdens of being a "modern" woman.
Look at Hillary Clinton. There was a photo making the rounds of her eyeing Christine Aguilera's boobs.
In a society like ours women go mad, demanding free contraceptives not realizing that could make them open to allegations of being a slut. Other pressures lead to women stealing recipes, claiming to be fake Indians or attorneys, or on a clear day, screwing up the Middle East.
The Avenger| 10.11.12 @ 7:50AM
Real women should seriously consider which party is the one which demeans them. On the one side we have a party which wants and values strong independent women like Condi Rice, on the other side we have one who sees women as talking vaginas. Make your choice ladies.
spike59| 10.11.12 @ 4:15PM
The Republicans are encouraging women to vote with their brains; the Democrats urge them to vote with their 'lady parts'
Cobalt| 10.11.12 @ 8:39AM
Real women should understand that misogyny is alive and well in the Democratic Party.
Joellen| 10.11.12 @ 9:37AM
Tim, I am placing my entry now for the contest. The Book "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn". A great classic depicting an American family of Irish/Scottish Descent. The heroine is Katie who is a strong, independent and determined wife/mother who makes no excuses and just gets the job done. Her husband is weak and depends on the Democrat party and Union to help him alone. He never succeeds, she does. Even then (written in 1943; story line takes place in 1912) she understands how the Democrat party uses people like her husband to gain power. Recommend this book to all especially todays youth to show how many have struggled to get out of their lot by hard work and determination.
One more thing - Abortion kills woman in the womb and out (mentally, spirtually and even physcially). When people can honestly admit that is a fact, we will be on the right track to remove this evil blight from our civilization, as we did rightly so, the evil act of slavery.
KyMouse| 10.11.12 @ 11:00AM
Joellen, as someone who works part-time in a pro-life organization, I always marvel at the fact that few, if any, people who support "a woman's right to choose" provide financial help, or volunteer their time and talents, to mothers who choose to let their babies keep living.
There are approximately 4,000 pregnancy resource centers in our country, and all of them need funds and volunteers. Some volunteers lead Bible studies, prepare meals or mow the lawn -- whatever needs doing.
I've tried asking my "pro-choice" acquaintances to donate to such centers and maternity homes, but apparently, THAT isn't the choice they want to support.
One would think that women would claim to want to help other women would support pregnancy resource centers, in which pregnant women find a wide range of assistance.
I guess they just don't choose to help women who choose life.
So much for "sisterhood."
Pecos Pete| 10.11.12 @ 10:22AM
Recommendation: Melissa O'Sullivan for Secretary of HHS in the Romney Administration.
Melissa, thank you for an intelligent discussion.
irish19| 10.11.12 @ 11:15AM
I'll second that recommendation.
Nina in MA| 10.11.12 @ 10:24AM
These same women who demand respect and equality are the ones who walked around the DNC dressed as vaginas! Hey, don't look at me as a sex object...We're supposed to believe that they are smarter than the average person and yet put themselves in situations that are to say the least, risky and then scream sexual harrassment. The men/boys get punished and the women smirk....and then wonder when men DO NOT respect them...men get angry at the crossed signals...sexy dress, provocative costumes, swearing like a long shorman, hopping from bed to bed...but delicate little flowers? Uh...okay...
I find it hard to believe that the Lt. from Tailhook didn't have an idea of what she was up against when she entered that hallway...if she was going to be so upset, why did she go? Seems like she was setting the stage....
fmm| 10.11.12 @ 11:12AM
Cah anyone say "legitimate rape"?
Nina in MA| 10.11.12 @ 11:51AM
Is that what I said? Hmmm...or are you trying to be funny? No where did I say a thing about rape...no where did I say men have a "right" to assume a woman is willing just because she does the things I mentioned...I did however state that men are getting mixed messages and are angry because they are always being called dogs and yet women expect to be respected!....These "women" claim to want to be respected but walk around dressed like vaginas...gee, where do men get these ideas from? Why on earth would a Lt knowingly enter a hallway, and do not tell me she didn't have a clue what was going on in that hallway, and wow...she got groped by a bunch of drunken men! Why did she go there in the first place if not to cause trouble? and I mean claiming sexual harrassment by a bunch of drunks! It's called common sense...and if she's on the front lines, flying helicoptors and doesn't have enough sense to know what was going on in there, then maybe women shouldn't be in the military! Equality matters, eh? like she said, don't play the victim card and then expect special treatment!
JP| 10.11.12 @ 2:09PM
Nina,
There used to a type of female that loved to be groupies to the likes of the Tailhook pilots. They hung out at their watering hoes, and attended their conventions, etc... I don't believe they ever desired to be assaulted. But, they were naturally attracted to the testosterone. I think you can see the same thing outside of many Spec Ops watering holes. Of course, this is very un-PC. Most of these women litterally have bedded half of the USN pilots. Doesn't do much for marriages. But, such is the life of our military aviators -well used it used to be, anyway.
Nina in MA| 10.12.12 @ 11:44AM
If you can't hang with the big dogs, stay on the porch!
PolishKnight| 10.11.12 @ 11:25AM
What Melissa and other conservative women realize is that feminism was a movement that made women into (exploited) dupes of the left and undermined their actual independence and well being.
Before feminism in the days of chivalry, there were many empowered career women and women's history month reminds us of it. The reason why many women earned less was due less to discrimination but rather most women's desire for strong, masculine men to support them. Women can't have "equality" and also marry up. And even "equality" is an unsustainable situation where if a career woman is promoted at work, she emasculates her husband and if he's promoted ahead of her, he's "oppressing" women. And if neither of them go anywhere, their careers are stagnant.
As feminists forced millions of women into professional employment, they deflated wages (and their standard of living) and undermined the success of the serious career women previously who were there by choice. It's ironic that due to the expense of the welfare state and the expense of faux equality, career women probably earn less in take home pay than 50 years ago. But at least their men are earning less too! Whoo hoo! Those gals are smart!
Slacker| 10.11.12 @ 11:35AM
I find the idea of an Amazonian Squadron simply fascinating.
JP| 10.11.12 @ 2:04PM
As do our Muslim enemies. Can you imagine what awaits our Amazons if captured by Achmed the Fedayeen?
spike59| 10.11.12 @ 4:17PM
it's Achmed who needs to worry; in case you haven't noticed, the "achmeds" of the world absolutely SUCK at actual combat; which is why they prefer to blow up children
JP| 10.11.12 @ 6:49PM
Their doing pretty damn good job in Afghanistan, Iraq and the Philippines.
C. Vernon Crisler | 10.11.12 @ 12:33PM
Excellent article Melissa, but I think you have the same problem that Jeffrey Lord does.
Cobalt| 10.11.12 @ 3:47PM
To paraphrase an old saying, "less can be more."
Bill8472| 10.11.12 @ 1:42PM
When you consider the double standard of feminists regarding some thing being not OK in one context and then being OK somewhere else, just remember that "wherever you find a double standard, there's a single standard."
Feminism, like many another scam, seeks to obtain something for nothing. The answer to that is to "Just Say No" in the words of one well-known woman who made that remark some years ago.
JP| 10.11.12 @ 2:03PM
If Progressive American women think they have it so bad now, they should wait until Sharia Law kicks in. Come to think of it, if Sharia means that the likes of Sandra Fluke must wear burqas perhaps I will convert. You must admit it is tempting. But, then again I love bacon. Ah the choices: give up bacon and Pork Rinds, or clothing our Progressive ladies in tents?
Bill8472| 10.11.12 @ 3:50PM
For feminists, freedom and equality for women are secondary to the "right" political figure occupying the White House. For the past couple of generations, that person has been the person most likely to support women murdering unborn children for the sake of contraception.
nightsfire7| 10.23.12 @ 4:03PM
Feminism is chauvanism with a vagina. Women and men are equal....but women need to realize that we ARE different and be humble.
loosman| 10.11.12 @ 2:19PM
Welcome to AmSpec. A wise and witty voice from the heartland is always a treat.
Ed in CT| 10.11.12 @ 4:12PM
Nina is well spoken and makes a lot of sense.
megalass| 10.11.12 @ 5:54PM
Paula was not even a Tailhook member. Helo drivers had their own organization( and annual bacchanal). She did not attend in any official capacity. She crashed the party, agenda in tow. While there, she spent the night with a married man. She knew darn well what the gauntlet was. Everybody in Navy aviation did. She was on a political mission. Greg Bonam had to fight her lies and cancer at the same time. Everyone who knew him knew he was innocent...as it was later proved. I'm a woman. I despise chicks who play the Helen Reddy song one minute and then collapse into a puddle of tears the next. They make us all look bad. Unlike the Sinisterhood, I admire women of real accomplishment like Thatcher and Palin. Great piece Melissa.
Nina in MA| 10.12.12 @ 11:57AM
These women shriek for equality in all things and when they get it, shriek that they are "women". Mixed messages anyone? Who feels more threatened from an accomplished, smart, feminine woman...lib/dem/progs or men? I have to say it's probably lib/dems/progs.
nightsfire7| 10.23.12 @ 4:02PM
I've been saying this for years. I wish women near my age (26) understood this.
JD| 10.11.12 @ 6:27PM
Regarding the Fluke/Clayton comparison in the article, the key overriding point is that there's this powerful idea in American politics today that the litmus test for qualifying for other people's money should be proof of sufficient "need".
Since when do rational people think that resources must exist by virtue of there being "need"? Of course we know the answer - it's a world full of demand-side economists who think that need drives everything. But woe be unto anyone who accuses them of aligning with he who said "From each according to his ability, to each according to his need!"
Who Knows?| 10.11.12 @ 7:02PM
The elephant in the 2012 political room is race, not gender, although the latter has been maybe a baby elephant.
If Romney is tied at 47 to 47 with BHO with women, then I wonder what the rating is for non-black women.
Let’s do some rough math. About 17% of the population is black. Supposedly, Obama gets 95% of their approval.
That tells me that about 15% of the black women are for Obama, which leaves around 32% non-black. I wonder how many of THEM are Hispanic.
Yeah---taking into account the extreme percentage of blacks who favor Obama when all these polls bother us is NOT politically correct.
Why, can you imagine the charges of racism, if even a Rush Limbaugh or Sean Hannity went there?
Just to point this out would bring death threats, maybe.
nightsfire7| 10.23.12 @ 4:00PM
I am a native NYer, dietitian with a MS degree working in a hospital, wife, published writer, researcher, future mom and CONSERVATIVE. I am a woman and I vote with my brain. The democratic party is bad for women.