Jennifer Hunter
Posted on 05/03/2006 5:56:58 AM PDT by Chi-townChief
The art of political conversation in this country is disappearing. As journalist and wise man Russell Baker notes in the May 11 New York Review of Books, the polarized nature of our politics has led to a situation where "sensible folk scarcely dare speak on any subject more arresting than food and weather for fear of igniting some human powder keg in a conversation-ending spew of rage."
I felt that spew of rage after my column last week on the plight of Muslim women abroad who are routinely beaten by their husbands and denied basic freedoms such as the right to drive a car. I mentioned at the end of my column that President Bush, the putative champion of democracy, has failed to address the issue of women's rights with our Saudi and Pakistani allies -- and he didn't talk about it last week when the president of Azerbaijan visited, either. Bush feels no compunction about lecturing Chinese President Hu Jintao on religious freedoms and human rights. He can decry Russia's withdrawal from democracy, but take to task the oil-rich Saudis -- heck no.
Did many of my readers try and have a polite conversation with me about it? A few; most spewed. Here are some of the more polite responses:
As much as the left/progressives/socialists/communists (or whatever you want to call yourselves) scream, it comes down to this ... either you fight the Islamofascists or go buy yourself a burka.
Toni
Your article claimed Bush wasn't vocal in lobbying for women's rights. From what I can tell, no women's rights groups came forward either. Maybe that is because they are leftist groups instead of women's groups.
Rosey
I agreed with everything in your column until the gratuitous jab at President Bush. Please name a politician who's had the courage to criticize our Islamic oil suppliers for their treatment of women? This isn't a Bush trait but a world malady.
Ron
While we live in a country that still has freedom of the press and the right to petition our government, maybe you should forward your article to the White House and see what the response would be. I am quite sure they wouldn't come for you and cut out your tongue, because after all, we all are entitled to our opinions. In fact I am certain you would get a speedy response.
Sue
This article without a doubt is one of the best that I have read to fearlessly address, head-on, the manner in which the oppression of women is ignored not only by male leaders in the Arab world, but the manner in which the majority of male leaders in the United States have chosen to generally remain silent. ...
Mary
He [President Bush] owes his allegiance to the religious right of this country. He couldn't care less about the rights of women in Saudi Arabia or anywhere else in the Middle East. He is this moral and just man ordained by God to make sure that women are put in their proper place in this world. ...
Mike
So instead of going after Islam, you "bravely" take on President Bush. Hey Jennifer -- put your burka on.
Bob
What sense would that make, Bob? Would my donning a burka give freedoms to Muslim women? It would merely imprison me. Unless that's your goal -- to shut me up. To that I say, never!
Here's the original thread:
Saudi official ignores women's issues (SO, OF COURSE, COLUMNIST BLAMES PRESIDENT BUSH)
CHICAGOLAND PING
Clinton didn't respect woman at all, no matter where they lived, so what's this lefties point?
What a stupid column. She clearly mistakes "polite disagreement" with "rage." If she wants to make a point about "rage," she ought to show some inflammatory responses.
Well Ms. Hunter, Bush, through American blood and treasure gave Iraqi women the right to vote.
Something no other Arab women have ever had. Giving them political power gives them the power to change their lives in the way they see fit.
What more has any American president ever done to free Arab women?
"So instead of going after Islam, you "bravely" take on President Bush. Hey Jennifer -- put your burka on.
Bob
What sense would that make, Bob? Would my donning a burka give freedoms to Muslim women? It would merely imprison me. Unless that's your goal -- to shut me up. To that I say, never!"
What Bob had to say went completely over Ms. Hunter's head.
I've been saying it for years: when it comes to real harm or repression for women....the feminists shrink back into the baseboards.
Bush bashing is just as automatic as breathing for ladies like Ms. Hunter.
Not only that, she combined two separate responses to set up a strawman to try to knock down.
Some burkhas are of the psychological variety.
If only President Bush could be more like Hillary and Nancy Pelosi....
Maybe she should commission a political cartoon with mohammed dressed in burka while he is being stoned for being raped to highlight the oppression experienced by the female followers of islam. I am sure that her male friends in the media will see to it that it is printed. Writing articles condeming Bush because islamomites are sexual deviants is in her view a brave and intelligent pursuit. Shoosh, where are the real intellectuals. The absence of brain power on the left is what has cast their entire movement on the rocks.
Where's the rage? All those responses were pretty polite.
Jennifer Hunter
Hey, guess who has her own column now at the Sun-Times?
S. Jennifer Hunter.
Guess who S. Jennifer Hunter is?
Michael Miner at the Chicago Reader told us last year when Hunter joined the Sun-Times editorial board:
Jennifer Hunter, the former editor of North Shore magazine, has just been named to the Sun-Times editorial board. "It's a step down for her, having run the magazine successfully for almost three years," says her husband, John Cruickshank, publisher of the Sun-Time
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/ericzorn/weblog/archives/2005/03/keeping_it_in_t.html
Thanks girlfriend.
You are still on the wrong side tho. Come on over to the light. :)
Silly wench. Why doesn't she complain about Iran instead of our allies?
It wasn't a mistake, it was a common leftist trick. She labels the comments rage, when they are mere challenges or disagreements to her position.
Liberals project a lot and this is an example. I'd be willing to bet that the one in a rage is actually Miss Jennifer.
A reminder to Ms. Hunter....stupid is as stupid does, and it looks like you are really stuck on stupid. Hope you grow up sometime soon.
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