Posted by
Katy Grimes on Monday, October 06, 2008 2:52:09 PM
I used to cherish the American tradition of going to my local poling station on Election Day and voting in my neighborhood. Each election, I took my son with me; I even brought him into the booth and together we voted. I always gave him the “I Voted” sticker.
However, the past two years I have voted by absentee ballot. I grew tired of the volunteers at the polling station loudly asking “Democrat or Republican?” and having people in line behind me hiss when I stated “Republican.” I even asked the volunteers why they took such pleasure demanding identification of a “traitor” in our vastly liberal neighborhood, but only received stares back.
However, it is far worse being a “red” writer in a “blue” state. Conservative women, in particular, are as publicly abused as minorities who identify with social and economic conservatives. Conservative blacks are labeled “race traitors”; Jews are “Zionist neo-conservatives loyal to Israel first”; and conservative women are pole-dancing “Stepford Wives,” who should stay at home and shut their lipstick’d snouts.
Attack of the Left
The assaults from the liberal left come in many forms. The public insults are just the tip of the iceberg; most of the attacks are behind-the-scenes manipulations and sneak attacks—and coming from the local neighborhood association as well as difficult city employees. Daring to speak out as a conservative woman elicits a violent, irrational reaction from the left.
My husband has been a target of the attacks because I am a conservative female political columnist. My son was the victim of retaliation by a few high school teachers—all irrational and sick behavior by the loony left, and unfortunately because I am a conservative female columnist.
The left has a creepy, Stalin-esque approach to conservatism and writers. The intimidation tactics and sneak attacks are an attempt to silence conservative writers and the conservative voice.
But why the attacks on conservatives—particularly conservative women and minorities? Because the liberal monopoly over journalism and public policy is being eroded by conservative writers, radio talk show hosts, the Fox News network and a few brave newspapers. These media outlets provide a voice for many hard-working Americans. Conservative journalists have proven that many Americans do not share in liberal doctrine and prejudices—issues such as arms control, tax increases, welfare, affirmative action, nationalized health care and communism are subjects that conservative Americans are not in lockstep with liberals, by any means.
Two-Left-Feet Politics
Consequently, liberals are consumed with hatred and vitriol for the conservative voice—particularly a conservative female. The vicious liberal attacks on high-profile conservative women are notorious, most recently with the attempted character assassination of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, referring to her as a “hick,” a “dominatrix,” a “bubble-headed beauty queen” and attacking her special needs child. Condoleezza Rice was depicted in a cartoon as a “mammy” armed with her “hair straightener.” Add to that list author Ann Coulter, who has been physically attacked at college campuses and called unspeakable names; first lady Laura Bush, who was called a “docile doormat” amongst other unflattering names; and commentator Michelle Malkin, who has been physically accosted by protestors and has been threatened with murder. When conservatives disagree, we discuss and argue our issues using such dangerous weapons as facts, research and humor. But when liberals disagree, they use the most vile, debased methods of showing their dissent.
Liberal media outlets have spent the last eight years trying to discredit President Bush on any number of issues, the least of which is the Iraq war. While conservative expression is correctly identified as opinion, the “news” we see on network television and read in periodicals like the Sacramento Bee and the New York Times is supposed to be devoid of political prejudice, but is not. Supposed “news” stories are wrought with opinion, snarky liberal comments and censored of relevant details.
Liberals know that conservative columnists and journalists are dangerous to the liberal cause because we are challenging their liberal status quo—something sacrosanct among members of the left.
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From my column in The Sacramento Union Friday October 3, 2008