That’s Stupid (Not Just Sexism)
If Joe Biden shows up and asks us to raise our hands, well, I can’t say how many would actually go up. But it’s clear that trust in the November election is shaky, and Biden’s back in the limelight to clarify what went wrong.
During an interview on ABC this Thursday, the former president took some responsibility for the chaotic state we find ourselves in, stating, “I was in charge. [Trump] I won. So, you know, I’m responsible.”
But then, he added something about believing he would have beaten Trump if circumstances had been different. I’m not sure what evidence he has for that, and the polls certainly don’t back it up. But hey, self-belief can be a good thing!
Biden also suggested that Kamala Harris lost her election bid because of sexism, expressing disappointment, though not surprise, over her defeat. “They [Trump supporters] went on a sexist route,” he remarked.
Now, Trump’s campaign was rife with sexist and racist attacks directed at Harris. So yes, bigotry played its role in her losing.
However, to attribute her defeat solely to sexism feels like a cop-out. Harris, as a woman of mixed race, faced unique challenges, but she didn’t lose just because of prejudice. Let’s not forget, Biden’s overconfidence left little room for a solid campaign. Plus, Harris didn’t distinctly separate herself from Biden’s less popular policies when she entered the race. A reminder, when asked last October if she would do anything differently from Biden, she reportedly stated, “I can’t think of a problem.” A book by reporters Jonathan Allen and Amy Perns claims that Biden pressured her to maintain distance in public appearances. Biden even denied it when questioned, but honestly, whoever came up with that strategy is probably regretting it now.
I really think it’s not beneficial for Biden to keep pushing this narrative that Harris lost because of sexism. It almost reinforces the idea that America isn’t ready to elect a woman president, which is troubling in itself. A preference seems to favor white male candidates as the safer choice.
Sure, there is significant misogyny in the US, but the real takeaway from the scenario in 2024 shouldn’t be about electing a woman. It should reflect the urgent need for change. Recent polls show that half of Democrats want the party to become more progressive, and around 58% of them believe a major overhaul is necessary. Instead of dwelling on past failures, it’s time for Democrats to rethink their strategies moving forward.
Forget the New American Pope – Check Out Mexican “Weed Nuns”
This is an older piece, but religion is making headlines this week, so I’m bringing it back because the visuals are fantastic.
Has Dora from Explorer Joined the Manosphere?
Even beloved cartoon characters are being dragged into strange discussions. A recent video on the official Dora account featured her explaining the term “sigma,” which has morphed in meaning, especially in the context of extreme masculinity. It feels off for Dora to be involved in this conversation. One commentator quipped, “Dra, you’re not even Spanish, you’re missing the plot.” The video appears to be taken down now, and perhaps Dora is exploring new topics.
Israeli Soldiers Blow Up Gaza Buildings and Joke “Gender Reveal”
“It’s a boy!” they quipped, referencing the blue smoke rising from the rubble of a neighborhood where children were playing.
Does Donald Trump Think Stockholm is Part of the United States?
Officials in Stockholm received a request from the US to abandon their diversity initiatives. One city representative described the situation as “very unique,” a gentle way of saying Trump’s team has clearly missed the mark.
Melania is So Mia that Donald Trump Took on First Lady Duties
It seems women’s work never ceases. Unless you’re Melania Trump, who, according to the New York Times, spent less than two weeks in the White House during Trump’s second term. Consequently, Trump has stepped in to handle the traditional First Lady responsibilities.
A Trip to the Restroom Now Involves “Proof” of Your Gender
A male guard entered the women’s restroom at a Boston hotel and demanded that a short-haired woman leave, claiming she was “a man.” This serves as yet another reminder of the anti-trans rhetoric and policies that perpetuate rigidity and regression, harming everyone involved.
US Customs and Border Patrol Withdraws Protections for Vulnerable Groups
“It’s frightening and just part of the culture of cruelty this administration seems to embody,” stated the ACLU in response to recent policy changes.
Who Killed Palestinian-American Journalist Shireen Abu Akleh?
This remains a tragic and crucial inquiry.
Medical Exams Still Have Unsettling Gender Differences
An analysis of clinical trial data in the UK revealed that male-only trials (6.1%) were nearly twice as frequent as female-only studies (3.7%). As an expert pointed out, this gap means many medical interventions lack evidence on how they perform for women.
Pawtriarchy Week
Move over, cocaine bear; hello, meth raccoon! Ohio police recently encountered a pet raccoon nicknamed Chewy, found with a meth pipe in its mouth during a traffic stop. While the owners are in serious trouble, the raccoon seems to have come through just fine. Police assured the public, “In this case, no raccoon was harmed,” leaving us to wonder if these viral moments might turn into lucrative opportunities for animal influencers.
