Carey Roberts: Do Female Politicians Represent an 'Ethical and Pure' Force?

she says, "Research shows the presence of women raises the standards of ethical behavior and lowers corruption"

The "reason" for that is simple, but we must note that it really just appears that way. When women assume political roles, they are in fact just as unethical and corrupt as men in such positions; but the media squelches most reporting of incidents involving bad behaviour by women. Then they do "research" which does not take this into account..and voila! A new fiction has been created!

(of course, they're reporting Clinton's behaviour here, but she's not in office yet. Besides, they're not raking her over the coals as much as they would a man in her position).

-ax

(of course, they're reporting Clinton's behaviour here, but she's not in office yet. Besides, they're not raking her over the coals as much as they would a man in her position).

The only reason she's still in the race is because the media over-exaggerates all of Obama's mistakes (the word "bitter" comes to mind) while downplays all of Hillary's constant lying and scheming. The media keeps telling us that Obama is damaged or hurt because of all this negative attention, but polls suggest otherwise. Who is telling who what reality is? By the way, how could Clinton, who makes way more money than Obama does, call him an elitist? Especially since she took her sweet-ass time releasing her tax papers only to show just how wealthy she is (are we trying to promote a fake image of ourselves?)

I could be taking it too far. After all, the longer the competition goes on, the higher the ratings for the news.

Anthony, it is a good thing you are not one of Obama's advisors!

"Under My Thumb" is one of my favorite mysogynist Stones' songs, but really -- you cannot survive a political campaign based on this: (lyrics) --

"Under my thumb
The girl who once had me down
Under my thumb
The girl who once pushed me around

Its down to me
The difference in the clothes she wears
Down to me, the change has come,
Shes under my thumb

Aint it the truth babe?

Under my thumb
The squirmin dog whos just had her day
Under my thumb
A girl who has just changed her ways

Its down to me, yes it is
The way she does just what shes told
Down to me, the change has come
Shes under my thumb
Ah, ah, say its alright

Under my thumb
A siamese cat of a girl
Under my thumb
Shes the sweetest, hmmm, pet in the world

Its down to me
The way she talks when shes spoken to
Down to me, the change has come,
Shes under my thumb
Ah, take it easy babe
Yeah

Its down to me, oh yeah
The way she talks when shes spoken to
Down to me, the change has come,
Shes under my thumb
Yeah, it feels alright

Under my thumb
Her eyes are just kept to herself
Under my thumb, well i
I can still look at someone else

Its down to me, oh thats what I said
The way she talks when shes spoken to
Down to me, the change has come,
Shes under my thumb
Say, its alright.

Say its all...
Say its all...

Take it easy babe
Take it easy babe
Feels alright
Take it, take it easy babe..."

(It is not possible to state these emotions and run for public office. Not even Mick in Mustique can get elected on that platform!)

This is true -- my very first high school rock band was named "Aftermath."

People thought it was a comment about hating math class. (I guess I was the only guy in town who owned the vinyl.)

Since I am a drummer, I did not so much like Charlie Watt's 1-3 cymbal/snare beat.

Too predictable. (And to his credit, he became a great jazz drummer.)

Much more admired Ginger Baker in Cream.

Endless fills and syncopatic beats.

You cannot defend "Stupid Girl" --

"The way she talks about someone else
That she don't even know herself
She's the sickest thing in this world
Well, look at that stupid girl.."

Even I cannot go that far today.

Too many unstupid girls catch my attention!

It's a song about one man and one woman. How is it implied that women in general are being referred to?

-ax

Complete lyrics below -- clearly the "stupid girl" is a metaphor for all women. Especially since the Stones were based in the delta blues tradition. Every thing is symbolic....

(M. Jagger/K. Richards)

I'm not talking about the kind of clothes she wears
Look at that stupid girl
I'm not talking about the way she combs her hair
Look at that stupid girl

The way she powders her nose
Her vanity shows and it shows
She's the worst thing in this world
Well, look at that stupid girl

I'm not talking about the way she digs for gold
Look at that stupid girl
Well, I'm talking about the way she grabs and holds
Look at that stupid girl

The way she talks about someone else
That she don't even know herself
She's the sickest thing in this world
Well, look at that stupid girl

Well, I'm sick and tired
And I really have my doubts
I've tried and tried
But it never really works out

Like a lady in waiting to a virgin queen
Look at that stupid girl
She bitches 'bout things that she's never seen
Look at that stupid girl

It doesn't matter if she dyes her hair
Or the color of the shoes she wears
She's the worst thing in this world
Well, look at that stupid girl

Shut-up, shut-up, shut-up, shut-up, shut-up
Shut-up, shut-up, shut-up, shut-up, shut-up
Shut-up, shut-up, shut-up

Like a lady in waiting to a virgin queen
Look at that stupid girl
She bitches 'bout things that she's never seen
Look at that stupid girl

She purrs like a pussycat
Then she turns 'round and hisses back
She's the sickest thing in this world
Look at that stupid girl

-------------

(Actually, I think "Stray Cat Blues" is a lot more misogynistic -- )

"I can see that you're fifteen years old
No I don't want your I.D.
And I can see that you're so far from home
But it's no hanging matter
It's no capital crime..."

Just my opinion.

Based on the words alone, I guess you could say he may be playing along with a stereotype. Possibly. Anyhow, interpretation is largely subjective, and besides I don't think that many people nowadays care about the Rolling Stones' background or symbolism. It's not as if they're the current hot stuff.

Also, just because the words in a song can be taken to apply to more than one woman, doesn't necessarily make it misogynistic on any large scale, which is basically what "misogyny" means: the hatred of all women. At most they're references to sub-groups or "types" of women.

-ax

Almost every Stones song is a rant against women.

And I would not quite yet dismiss their influence.

Seen "Shine a Light" flick just released?

Those old boys are still kicking.

First saw them in 1969.

Skipped school and got suspended for a week.

Big deal.

Best decision I ever made as an adolescent rebel.

"...cold diarrhea on a paper plate."

Ouch!

That is so cruel, and too honest!

Hillary is over. Nobody except for aging feminists wants a 60 year old mommy as Prez-o-dent.

And she is not sexy or feminine in any way.

That explains her husband's hobbies.

But Chelsea (the daughter) is starting to look kinda hot.

She's definetely worth tracking as she matures and grows into her moves...