Slog
News & ArtsThursday, October 4, 2012
News A Word About Brooms
Posted by Madeleine McKenna, proud daughter on Thu, Oct 4, 2012 at 10:30 AM
Madeleine McKenna didn't write this.
Hi, my name is Madeleine, I'm a proud Democrat and also the proud daughter of my dad, Rob McKenna. I'm also working on his campaign as his Coalitions Coordinator.
And I wanted to say a word about brooms. Some of you "people" in the comments are trying to call my dad out as sexist for saying that he wants to "be the Governor who hands you the broom to break through that glass ceiling." I want to address those comments because my dad's too busy hosting a breakfast for assault victims at the moment with my mom.
First off, I helped him write that blog post. So are you trying to tell me, a woman, that I'm sexist? Because,hello, how is that even possible?
Second, it was supposed to be a joke. I thought Stranger readers were supposed to have a sense of humor but instead you've twisted this into Chicks for Rob all over again. Obviously women don't use brooms at work, unless they're janitors or something. Still, there are *real* sexist people out there who associate brooms with women because they don't know any better. But I thought that you guys were supposed to know better. I thought you were supposed to be "progressive." Well, Republicans can have senses of humor, too. We—they—can get jokes. And they can even make them!
Third: So my dad used the word "broom" which I guess is a four-letter word around here. So what? Feminists are supposed to be strong enough to reclaim the tools that once oppressed them. That's why in the 60's we had women throwing down their brooms and burning all their bras. But, NEWSFLASH: Fifty years later, women still use brooms and they still wear bras. They're just feminist about it.
In conclusion, if my dad ever offers you a broom, ladies, you should feel flattered. Not offended.
8
Honey, haven't you learned, NEVER apologize for a "joke" if it falls flat. It just makes you look even more whiny and pathetic.
11
Now I see the stranger editors' strategy behind this stunt - gamble that McKenna and his people aren't skilled enough to spend a day on Slog without being baited by commenters into saying something stupid and then continuing to shoot themselves in the foot by trying explain themselves.
14
My partner and I want to get married.
Could you please ask your dad to stop dehumanizing and demonizing me and my family?
RepubliKKKans' lies and bigotry against gay people are truly vile, loathsome, and despicable.
Could you please ask your dad to stop dehumanizing and demonizing me and my family?
RepubliKKKans' lies and bigotry against gay people are truly vile, loathsome, and despicable.
16
HAHAHA the idea that a woman couldn't be sexist is hilarious! HA! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Ahem, sorry. I'm usually not like this.
17
Madeleine doesn't talk like that. You are better on your Rob parody. Which isn't that good either. Move on.
18
You may want to consider the journalistic ethics of this. A lot of people just pop into blogs and read a few things throughout the day, and may not get the joke, or be around to read when you reveal it to be a joke. They could honestly think that McKenna is approving of these words, and you are not doing much to explicitly make clear it is parody.
Really not becoming of a newspaper, even if it is just the blog of the newspaper. It is pretty funny though.
Really not becoming of a newspaper, even if it is just the blog of the newspaper. It is pretty funny though.
24
Am I supposed to be taking this seriously? On the off chance that this woman was serious, let me answer her question: YES, it is possible for a woman to be sexist. In order for the system to work, women have to internalize some of their oppression. That internalized oppression settles into our identities and then manifests itself in sexist attitudes and behavior. This internalized oppression can also lead to low self-esteem, which in turn results in higher levels of depression, cutting, and eating disorders among women. Having a vaj-jay-jay doesn't protect you from promoting sexism against other women or against yourself.
25
Hi Madeleine,
Politics is generally not pretty. Many Sloggers are having problems believing that Republicans have "invaded" what is usually a pretty safely Democratic space.
That having been said, I put my comments over on your dad's original post. I really want those questions answered. Forget the broom analogy. I have serious questions about his willingness to stand up for individual civil rights. He seems to be allowing his religious views to get in the way of secular civil rights. This is a serious problem for me. He also seems to be willing to follow the Republican Platform rather than the will of the people of Washington State. I am very concerned that if we vote him into office, no matter what he says, he will soon be trying to put that platform into place here. I have yet to vote for any Republican without regretting it.
I voted for him as Attorney General, and he went and sued to get rid of Obamacare. Serves me right. That really pissed me off. I just can't see myself trusting him again.
Politics is generally not pretty. Many Sloggers are having problems believing that Republicans have "invaded" what is usually a pretty safely Democratic space.
That having been said, I put my comments over on your dad's original post. I really want those questions answered. Forget the broom analogy. I have serious questions about his willingness to stand up for individual civil rights. He seems to be allowing his religious views to get in the way of secular civil rights. This is a serious problem for me. He also seems to be willing to follow the Republican Platform rather than the will of the people of Washington State. I am very concerned that if we vote him into office, no matter what he says, he will soon be trying to put that platform into place here. I have yet to vote for any Republican without regretting it.
I voted for him as Attorney General, and he went and sued to get rid of Obamacare. Serves me right. That really pissed me off. I just can't see myself trusting him again.
27
Hi Madeleine,
A lot of these comments are certainly not fair to you, and whether a woman can be sexist or not is definitely an age-old, complicated question. It's important for women to respect other women, but giving all women a free pass on attitudes that encourage sexist/heteronormative/damaging behavior is dangerous.
I probably won't feel flattered if your dad hands me a broom, but I also understand being a daughter, and being a daughter in the political landscape. Your dad certainly isn't as bad as a lot of his fellow partymembers (party people? heyooo).
But I have felt discouraged with your dad's policies toward women in the past, particularly in regard to my healthcare, and in regard to other issues regarding gender like gay marriage, which, in my feminisms, I consider to be a big, fat, feminist issue.
I do very much respect your dad for saying that he'll take the voters' votes for it if R-74 is approved, and for helping, in his own, politico, luncheony way, survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.
But what would encourage me to know your dad cared a little bit more about women would be a little more humility: examining how some latent sexism (which we all harbor! All of us!) may have led to him telling that woman to get a job. Listening to prominent members of the feminist community -- not just the luncheon community -- when they give criticism, and taking that into account, publicly. And recognizing media outside the mainstream as still important media, as this, in this age of media, is such an important ways for underprivileged voices to be heard.
Yours in ladyhood,
Sarah Lloyd
Daughter, Feminist
A lot of these comments are certainly not fair to you, and whether a woman can be sexist or not is definitely an age-old, complicated question. It's important for women to respect other women, but giving all women a free pass on attitudes that encourage sexist/heteronormative/damaging behavior is dangerous.
I probably won't feel flattered if your dad hands me a broom, but I also understand being a daughter, and being a daughter in the political landscape. Your dad certainly isn't as bad as a lot of his fellow partymembers (party people? heyooo).
But I have felt discouraged with your dad's policies toward women in the past, particularly in regard to my healthcare, and in regard to other issues regarding gender like gay marriage, which, in my feminisms, I consider to be a big, fat, feminist issue.
I do very much respect your dad for saying that he'll take the voters' votes for it if R-74 is approved, and for helping, in his own, politico, luncheony way, survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.
But what would encourage me to know your dad cared a little bit more about women would be a little more humility: examining how some latent sexism (which we all harbor! All of us!) may have led to him telling that woman to get a job. Listening to prominent members of the feminist community -- not just the luncheon community -- when they give criticism, and taking that into account, publicly. And recognizing media outside the mainstream as still important media, as this, in this age of media, is such an important ways for underprivileged voices to be heard.
Yours in ladyhood,
Sarah Lloyd
Daughter, Feminist
28
@18 - Seriously? If parody and/or satire is lost on a reader, then that is because they are too fucking stoopiddd. Ethics, schmethics. Long live parody.
29
In future, if Mr. McKenna wants to hand people something to use to break a glass ceiling, a hammer would probably be a better choice than a broom. It's the right tool for the job.
That said, how about we don't de-value the things that have traditionally been done by women? How about we don't buy into the idea that because sweeping is done by women it is therefore deserving of low status and held to be of low value? How about we don't get insulted when someone hands us a broom - regardless of our gender identity?
That said, how about we don't de-value the things that have traditionally been done by women? How about we don't buy into the idea that because sweeping is done by women it is therefore deserving of low status and held to be of low value? How about we don't get insulted when someone hands us a broom - regardless of our gender identity?
30
I love the argument that women can't possibly be sexist. It's like saying a gay politician can't possibly be a self-hating homophobe.
31
Ughhhh I was hoping this was real because this seemed like there was a real teaching moment here. Whatever. INSLEE 2012 EVERYONE.
32
@26: beautiful day off, and also means the Sloggers don't have to post about last night's disastrous debate.
33
Stranger say Rob McKenna will post, and me believe you! But silly Stranger only making joke! Ha ha!
Maybe next we play peek-a-boo! That really make me laugh.
Maybe next we play peek-a-boo! That really make me laugh.
34
OK this is no way real- right? Please put me/us out of our misery. I really want to have more faith in modern young women than this. Today is a day I could really have used my Slog lolly.
38
@23: I just looked again and they totally changed the blog posting. When I saw it at 10:37 am, it was clear that the PI blogger was fooled. The question mark was not in the headline, and the five boldfaced sentences at the top have been added.
39
@28: I am not saying that parody is necessarily unethical, or that it is not the responsibility of the reader to note it.
However, the rules are a bit different when it involves a newspaper or other forms of journalism. This is why newspapers have a section that is clearly marked "Editorial" or "Opinion," and those sections do not mingle with the rest of the news.
It is really quite the same thing here, that's all.
However, the rules are a bit different when it involves a newspaper or other forms of journalism. This is why newspapers have a section that is clearly marked "Editorial" or "Opinion," and those sections do not mingle with the rest of the news.
It is really quite the same thing here, that's all.
40
"First off, I helped him write that blog post. So are you trying to tell me, a woman, that I'm sexist? Because,hello, how is that even possible?"
If this is a joke, it's a really bad one. I'll wait for tomorrow to have the veil thrown off of this things, but there are two possibilities.
This is either a post written by Rob McKenna's daughter--and his having raised such a dimwit should keep him out of office. Or this post was written by Goldy. In which case, it's still a pretty stupid joke--because it doesn't hold a candle to Megan McCain's racist luggage.
But one thing that's true in either case. Madeleine? Really Rob, you named your daughter Madeleine? You don't even have to Google this poor girl to know EXACTLY how old she is. You are just the WORST kind of person.
And sweetie, get a really short hair cut and start calling yourself Madie, STAT! You and you're younger sister, Bella (I'm just making the obvious assumption) have been treated very poorly.
If this is a joke, it's a really bad one. I'll wait for tomorrow to have the veil thrown off of this things, but there are two possibilities.
This is either a post written by Rob McKenna's daughter--and his having raised such a dimwit should keep him out of office. Or this post was written by Goldy. In which case, it's still a pretty stupid joke--because it doesn't hold a candle to Megan McCain's racist luggage.
But one thing that's true in either case. Madeleine? Really Rob, you named your daughter Madeleine? You don't even have to Google this poor girl to know EXACTLY how old she is. You are just the WORST kind of person.
And sweetie, get a really short hair cut and start calling yourself Madie, STAT! You and you're younger sister, Bella (I'm just making the obvious assumption) have been treated very poorly.
42
1/04/2012 - April Fool's Day in European and Canadian date format.
10/4/2012 - Fool's Day for Yankland's The Stranger.
One slash of difference. I don't see a problem with this parody. Lynne Varner comes up with ridiculous shit in the Seattle Times editorial pages much more frequently and nobody has sued her yet.
10/4/2012 - Fool's Day for Yankland's The Stranger.
One slash of difference. I don't see a problem with this parody. Lynne Varner comes up with ridiculous shit in the Seattle Times editorial pages much more frequently and nobody has sued her yet.
43
Pretty cheap to involve McKenna's daughter in on your parody/trollfest. Especially since it really misses the mark - I knew Madeline in college and she was smart and passionate about a number of social justice issues. While her father is a public figure, and to that extent I suppose he makes himself a legitimate target, this just feels malicious.
44
@ 43 McKenna's wife and daughters agreed to be in his lousy TV ads, as if having the support of three women makes him pro-women in general. By not saying, "Leave me out of this, Dad", they agreed to be part of it and are therefore fair game.
45
@43. Exactly. Ms. McKenna probably would have taken The Stranger up on a guest post.
@44. That's her dad. Don't be an asshole.
@44. That's her dad. Don't be an asshole.
46
@4 awesome! Thanks for the link.
I happen to be enjoying the posts. And if it confuses people, well they deserve to be confused.
I happen to be enjoying the posts. And if it confuses people, well they deserve to be confused.
47
"People?"
"First off, I helped him write that blog post. So are you trying to tell me, a woman, that I'm sexist? Because,hello, how is that even possible?"
WHAT?! Of course, it's possible. Just because you have ladyparts doesn't make you a feminist. Sorry to burst that bubble for you, but, hello? What?
Fuckin' hell, this can't be real. Thanks for the joke, Stranger!
The best thing would be if we all think this is a joke and turns out it's real. It's SO HARD to tell this parody from the actual stances these people take.
It's been fun. Wink-wank, Stranger, wink-wank.
"First off, I helped him write that blog post. So are you trying to tell me, a woman, that I'm sexist? Because,hello, how is that even possible?"
WHAT?! Of course, it's possible. Just because you have ladyparts doesn't make you a feminist. Sorry to burst that bubble for you, but, hello? What?
Fuckin' hell, this can't be real. Thanks for the joke, Stranger!
The best thing would be if we all think this is a joke and turns out it's real. It's SO HARD to tell this parody from the actual stances these people take.
It's been fun. Wink-wank, Stranger, wink-wank.
50
friend of a friend worked with the supposed McKenna daughter- apparently she actually is that stupid.
52
Sweetie dear,
Run along and ask your daddy what his position is on voter suppression going on in Washington state by his friend REPUBLICAN Secretary of State Sam Reed. Is he for or against? Or do we have to wait until after the elections to find out the details of where he stands? I am just SO THRILLED that these new and improved Republicans in our state, who are nothing at all like the Republicans in other states, somehow still managed to figure out how to suppress minority, youth, poor, and elderly voters all on their own. That's just smart thinking on the part of your dad, if you ask me.
Run along and ask your daddy what his position is on voter suppression going on in Washington state by his friend REPUBLICAN Secretary of State Sam Reed. Is he for or against? Or do we have to wait until after the elections to find out the details of where he stands? I am just SO THRILLED that these new and improved Republicans in our state, who are nothing at all like the Republicans in other states, somehow still managed to figure out how to suppress minority, youth, poor, and elderly voters all on their own. That's just smart thinking on the part of your dad, if you ask me.
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