What's the point of bashing somebody's appearance?

[MoonRiver]

This has nothing to do with job performance and/or character, and usually backfires. I remember how :mad: I was at the Reichwing's vicious attacks against child Chelsea. It's like, when in doubt about how, when, and where to attack, aim as low as possible. Please, let's not go there.

[i_c_a_White_Ghost]

1. human nature I guess

It must be a strong human urge since childhood. Who hasn't been teased about something?

[longship]

2. No point at all. It sucks.

Unless it's Marilyn Quayle, that is.
:evilgrin:

[MoonRiver]

4. I think we all occasionally slip in this regard. And sometimes its funny

to make silly comments about really stupid * et. al photo ops. But I hope we don't just singularly focus on this when discussing people.

[gratuitous]

3. I follow Mr. Lincoln

Presented with a slate of folks for appointment, Mr. Lincoln crossed a name off one of the lists. His assistant is said to have asked him why, and Lincoln replied, "Because I don't like his looks." The assistant said that wasn't really a fair measure, and Lincoln said, "Every man over 40 is responsible for how he looks," implying that a pinched face or beady eyes or some other aspect of physical appearance was an indicator of character.

And, though it might be politically incorrect to say so, I would say that picking on a 60-year-old professional woman in the public arena for her looks is qualitatively and quantitavely different from picking on a 13-year-old girl as a way of getting at her old man, as Rush Limbaugh infamously did with his "White House dog" imbroglio.

[MoonRiver]

5. Understood. But I don't think it's a good argument for or against

somebody.

[Igel]

22. Such was the state of science at the time.

Phrenology wasn't a great innovation, just systematizing and tweaking the conclusions accepted by many.

Hair style, excessive makeup, all the things that mark women (and mostly just women) as gauche ... if judged from the right American subculture ... those you can pick on.

But it's like the kids I went to high school with when they made fun of blacks that picked their hair (I think that was the '70s term) to make afros. Cool and acceptable in one subculture, outrageously ridiculous and indicative of bad genes, in the other.

Style can be reflective of character, but you have to know the culture well enough ... and even then, isn't proof.

[CatWoman]

25. this was made to be picked on

[RaleighNCDUer]

6. Going after Chelsea was uncalled for, as she was an innocent

bystander.

But sniping (figuratively) at Kindasleazy and the Chimp does have a point. It reduces stress, and is beneficial to my blood pressure.

Besides, it's fun.

[MoonRiver]

8. Yes, and I do it myself. But we do it because we despise *'s

actions. We've talked for 5 years about how much we hate him, and his looks are secondary. I really don't know enough about Miers to hate her (yet?). So it feels like we're focusing on external features before we have a handle on who she really is. jm2c.

[Stephanie]

7. What is the point of telling other posters what they can post?

And if looks are irrelevant please tell me why consultants are paid a fortune to dress and groom these candidates? Just asking.

[MoonRiver]

10. They're not irrelevant, but I'd like to be focusing more on her positions.

I think it's funny to read threads about somebody's looks, but maybe we could just concentrate first on issues about her becoming a SCJ that will really affect this country.

[Stephanie]

14. Are they mutually exclusive?

I see dozens of threads discussing her roles as WH counsel & Bush fixer.

[MoonRiver]

15. It's a personal choice.

I don't see the point right now to indulge in appearance bashing. It's time to concentrate on how she'll affect the country.

[Toucano]

18. You may have latent guilt about this issue.

No where is the the original post "telling other posters what they can post."

The original post said, "please, let's not go there," which is a suggestion or a plea. Not a command or an instruction. It doesn't tell you what you can post. It asked a question and followed with a suggestion.

Your reaction is indicative that you know the behavior is wrong and beneath you, so you substitute some misapplied claim of "free speech" in a bogus attemt to reclaim the high road.

Just because people are paid a fortune to do something doesn't mean it's right, especially for people who are self-professed progressives with high standards of conduct.

[Stephanie]

31. It's "not right" for consultants to tell candidates how to dress?

Maybe you should tell it to John Kerry. You need to get a grip on the modern era. Time has passed you by. Do you think there's a reason, perhaps, that George Bush wears his fancy costumes to his expensive photo-ops with the painted backdrops and spectacular settings? Politics is TV and TV is a visual medium. Radio days are over.

I will bet you any money that Ms. Mier appears for her confirmation hearings in new clothes, new makeup, new hairstyle. THAT's how irrelevant it all is.

Now rudeness to fellow DUers is another matter. I suggest we all refrain from that. But I'm not expecting compliance. :evilgrin:

[Toucano]

33. Ruth Bader Ginsberg.

She had an image consultant?

Do you understand that these nominees don't face a popular vote? You actually think her physical appearance will be a factor in whether she's confirmed or not? Senators will ask her about her make-up and skirt length?

That would be very unusual.

[stopbush]

9. Because it can lead to an endearing name...

like "Chimpy!"

[HappyMoonBat]

11. Just letting off a little steam, mostly.

x

[devilgrrl]

12. I'm not much to look at so I don't bother.

Remember how Janet Reno was treated?

[jackstraw45]

13. Well, I think the Chimp is fair game....

I mean, he thinks he's KING. Anything to bust him down a step or two in the public eye is a PUBLIC SERVICE as far as I'm concerned.

Juvenile? Yes.

Effective in this day? YES.

[MoonRiver]

17. I like to poke fun at what fundies especially chimpy say.

I do enjoy a good laugh at his expense when he poses for a stupid photo op.

[cynatnite]

16. There is so much more to go after other than looks...

I don't see the point, but sometimes it's fun. I'm guilty of doing it a time or two.

Janet Reno was put through the meat grinder over her looks which I thought was completely unfair.

[Double T]

19. When you are this angry about bush, cheney et al decisions.......

and conduct,the vicious side of human nature kicks in and we act like 5 year old brats.

[yurbud]

20. your right. pointless, juvenile and tacky. Who started that thread?

[leetrisck]

21. After what was done to Janet Reno???? You're kidding!

I didn't like Reno because I always thought she was a Republican - think I still think that.

[Toucano]

23. So much for that "be the change you want to see" concept. n/t

[jane_pippin]

24. I think it's partly just human nature. If you see someone "goofy lookin"

or hear a voice that's got an unusual quality it's not strange for your first reaction to be one of "what's goin' on there?"
I don't think it should be the focus of unrelenting criticism, but I don't have a problem with noticing how someone looks, "good" or "bad," and moving on.
(I'm about the same age as Chelsea and was in the awkward stage right along with her, and even I said to myself, "wow, she's kinda goofy looking." But then, I didn't call her names or have a tv show or talk radio show when I said it either.)

[me b zola]

26. My thoughts; only slightly off topic

I have always had a different view of beauty than what is prevalent in our culture. Physical beauty, for me, has always been influenced by the beauty of the spirit of the person that shines through. Although this has been the subconscious filter in which I view the world long before I became involved in politics, this is why I get all soft inside when I see pictures of Dems. Pictures of Camp Casey and indeed while I was marching on DC have brought me to tears. I see such beauty in the faces of people who so passionately believe in other people and want to make the world a better place.


Conversely, a person who has aesthetically pleasing features can appear to be quite ugly to me because their face is contorted & twisted with hate. Examples of this would be Monica Crowley, Michelle Malkin, and the rw radio hate personality who lead the anti-Cindy bus tour.


That's just me, that is how I literally see someone. For the record, up until two years ago I was considered quite a hottie. Since my mother passed I have gained weight that has left me less than physically attractive. I would hope, though, when I do meet my fellow DUers they will see the beauty of my love for others shine through my exterior, as I do when I see pics of them.

[Graf Orlok]

27. What's the big deal if we do?

[smbolisnch]

29. It's tacky and rude?

For starters. Not to mention, it makes us look like a bunch of back-biting teenagers.

I guess anyone that is willing to publicly ridicule someone based on appearance should post their picture along with their comments.

Since it's no big deal.

[tx_dem41]

28. Mean-spirited people do mean-spirited things. It doesn't matter..

what side of the aisle they're on.

[MoonRiver]

30. Sometimes. But often I think it's frustration about how to express anger

and or confusion. Miers, for example, is pretty much an unknown, although DU is educating me greatly. She's not very attractive, I GUESS. But a lot of people haven't been blessed with rockstar looks. I'd rather focus on her behavior, not appearance. But we all hate the Repukes, so sometimes the fastest and easiest route to take is also the most superficial and petty. Doesn't really work for me though. Once I know and hate a politician I don't mind lmao at stupid pictures of them. I'd like to appraise the person behind the mask first.

[tx_dem41]

32. I appreciate your response and agree on it re: substance.

I do think that most people that engage in appearance-bashing incessantly are just mean-spirited in general. I'm sure it transcends from politics into the rest of their lives. If you ever read the "other side's" forums, you will find the EXACT same behavior.

[slackmaster]

34. It makes inadequate people feel like they have some power

It's no different than cliquish teenagers making catty remarks about each other's choice of attire.

[RebelOne]

35. Actually, all those who are bashing her appearance are putting

themselves in the same class as the Freepers who were criticizing Cindy Sheehan.

[pitohui]

36. it's fun

the woman in question is a mature adult, not a child

she's fair game

why is it only our side is asked to handicap ourselves?