Attitude
by Miss Mae
“I don’t want to see no attitude!”
That order was given countless times by Mom when I grew up. We kids displayed our attitudes toward being disciplined with either a scowl, pouty lip, or—though, rarely–tears of repentance. But the one in particular that Mom meant was when we sassed back. That kind of attitude usually produced a ready switch in her hand that she swatted against our fannies.
As I’ve matured, I’ve often reflected on attitudes. People with a smile on their face or laughter in their voice is the kind of folks that can brighten my day. I enjoy their company and want to share time with them. Likewise, the persons who can engage me in a calm, intelligent conversation are the ones who help to keep me mentally alert.
Just like Mom, I find I don’t care for, nor do I even bother to tolerate a belligerent attitude. That’s not to say that each and every one of us is always on Cloud Nine and we don’t have a bad day that might turn us into a bit of a sour puss. Sure, that happens. But when the argumentative, confrontational behavior is so ingrained in someone’s character you can see it etched on their face like it’d been stamped with a cookie cutter, then in an instant my hackles will rise and my palm itches for that switch Mom carried.
So, what am I leading up to?
Now there are two things I don’t discuss: religion and politics. My reason is simple: they’re firecracker issues. Wars have been, and now are, fought over the conflicting opinions of the populaces. Because these subjects are so explosive, I make it a habit to steer clear of them. However…
Yep, there’s come an however.
Enter Sarah Palin. The running mate of presidential hopeful, John McCain, and the self-described hockey mom and lipsticked pit-bull.
I watched that clip where she mentioned the pit-bull. She applied it to herself like it was an asset, trying to “wow” her audience with the reference that she was a true aggressive fighter, one of the traits known to this breed by those who make merchandise off them in illegal dog fights.
And she also wanted it firmly understood that she was just as brave and courageous as any of those dogs. She has no fear about going to Washington and butting heads with the bureaucracy there because, hey, she’s a roaring, growling, snarling pit-bull.
Plus, she’s a woman. If the nation isn’t already aware of it, then she’s more than eager to announce that’s the prominent quality which makes her—oh, I don’t know, how about a hundred?–times tougher than any man that’s gone before. Yep, Sarah Palin’s ready to take on the world. You didn’t need to see the sparring gloves to get the message.
You know, I like pit-bulls. I’m an animal lover and dogs have shadowed me all my life. While I know pit-bulls are trained to be vicious, I also know they aren’t that way naturally. They yearn to be treated like a regular canine — fed regularly, romp in the yard, and cuddle beside you on the front porch swing. They don’t ask for the life so many are forced to endure.
But here is a woman who is chomping at the bit to step inside a dogfight ring. She says things like, “Bring it on!” Ms. Palin boasts of her fierceness and her strength and her position is clear: get out of the way, you wimpy men. This hulk of a pit-bull is gonna chew you up and spit out your bones. Growl. Snarl.
So now I have a question.
If she’s so courageous, if she doesn’t blink (as she stressed to Charlie Gibson), if she’s made of sterner stuff than a whacking hockey stick and she swears she’s ready to don the mantel of Fearless Leader…Why does she hide behind the coat tails of—dare I say it?–mere men?
If it weren’t so two-faced, it’d be downright laughable. Why is John McCain and his cronies circling around her in a protective gesture? Why won’t they allow her—and better yet, why doesn’t she insist—on talking head-on with the media? Why are they pressuring the Alaskan body (regarding Troopergate) to halt the investigation?
And now this is exactly the kind of smug and arrogant attitude that annoyed Mom in the past and annoys me to no end today. Because Sarah Palin has a chip on her shoulder. More than that, she wants the public to believe she’s the very thing she’s proving not to be. Where’s her courage? Where’s her willingness to face down opposition? Where’s strength???
She doesn’t need men—gasp!–protecting her, does she? Don’t they remember she’s a pit-bull? She can fight her own fights, right?
I don’t see her taking charge. Sure, she spouts off a lot of hot air, but when you get right down to it, she’s being babied and coddled like a prima-donna. If she claims she’s so ready to take on a vice-president/president’s job—which traditionally has always belonged to a man—then why can’t she stand up and act like a man?
You’d think it’d be so obvious. I’m sure the last time she looked in a mirror she didn’t see a man wearing her lipstick.
She didn’t see a pit-bull either.
Copyright 2008 by L.M. Thomas
Last 5 posts by Miss_Mae
- The Star Trek Movie...Not Quite the Old - June 10th, 2009
- Attitude - September 18th, 2008
- Spam, Anyone? - July 17th, 2008
- Writing Exercise in Second Person - July 14th, 2008
- In Tribute of My Own Mother - July 11th, 2008
Tags: campaign, candidate, chip, courage, dogs, hypocrit, politics, president, race, Sarah Palin, slander
