women politicians cannot cry, or even tear up, without being criticized. yet, tanman can cry openly

[niyad]

constantly, without a word from the reichwingnuts about the waterworks. absolutely disgusting double standard here (anybody remember thomas eagleton?)

[Bonobo]

1. Ironic since in the larger society, it is men who are forced to suppress tears.

Maybe its payback for hundreds of years of emotional suppression of men?

[niyad]

4. how payback, since the cultural taboo against men crying WAS INSTITUTED BY MEN?

[Bonobo]

10. Hmmm...

If men suppress showing emotional weakness, it is most likely because they fear it will reduce their chance of finding a woman and/or competing with other men.

I would say that it is the culture created by both men and women that has resulted in the suppression of men's emotions.

[HEyHEY]

15. Absolutely. I know tons of women who make fun of men who cry.

[niyad]

17. really?? because I don't know any. and, I repeat, this is a culture created by men.

[Bonobo]

21. If you think a "culture" is only created by one gender...

Then you don't deserve to use the word.

Culture is something which is created by everyone in it.

I was an anthropology major and you don't seem to grasp the real meaning of what culture is or how it is created.

[niyad]

23. women didn't create patriarchy, which is the dominant culture.

women are not the dominant force anywhere in the world, and haven't been for several thousand years.

nice try at intimidation and insult, though.

[Bonobo]

25. Sorry, you don't understand 'culture'.

Please do some more reading.

It isn't about intimidation OR insults.

You tried to blame men for the fact that women politicians aren't allowed to cry, but it is a pretty silly premise.

[Bonobo]

26. "women are not the dominant force anywhere in the world."

Just to show how misguided this sentence is:


In the home, it is PRECISELY women that ARE the dominant force in creating culture.

If boys grow up thinking they are not allowed to cry, where do YOU think it comes from, eh?

You still think women play no role in creating culture?

Hilarious.

[HEyHEY]

30. There is a whole matriachical society in southern China, you shold do research before

making broad suggestions.

[HEyHEY]

29. Well, I've never seen a man hit a woman, but I'm pretty sure domestic abuse exists

[niyad]

16. the CULTURE was created by men

[Bonobo]

22. See above reply. nt

[niyad]

24. see above reply

[HEyHEY]

32. Can you actually back that up in a significant way?

[Book Lover]

34. Calling it payback implies women are behind the arrangement

And since we can't even organize ourselves enough to get the goddamn ERA passed, enshrine and enforce equal pay for equal work in law, or get our BC easily, I can say with confidence this ain't one of ours. Maybe men should say to hell with the consequences and cry out loud.

[Bonobo]

35. It was a poor word choice. I guess I meant in a karmic way. nt

[virgogal]

2. I remember Eagleton.

[Art_from_Ark]

31. Eagleton? You mean Muskie?

Thomas Eagleton was the Missouri Senator who was booted as George McGovern's running mate in 1972 after it was revealed that he had been seeing a psychologist. Edmund Muskie was a 1972 presidential candidate who lost his chance for the nomination when it appeared he had been crying about a scathing editorial that some New Hampshire newspaper had printed about his wife.

[virgogal]

38. I remember them both---I was responding to the OP's question.

[Art_from_Ark]

39. I see that now

I guess I just skipped right over that part in the OP :hi:

[dkf]

3. Crying probably helps someone seen as an unfeeling jerk.

It doesn't help for someone without a powerful personality.

I think Hillary has enough steel that she could get away with being slightly teary.

[niyad]

7. you apparently don't remember the screaming hysteria when she teared up in NH (I think) during the

primaries?

unfeeling jerks who tear up as a political stunt are still unfeeling jerks.

[dkf]

12. Nah she did just fine.

Actually some of the stuff she said scared me. I definitely have never ever seen her as weak.

[gateley]

8. Agree -- she could carry it off. nt

[gateley]

5. And he often doesn't just cry -- he BLUBBERS. nt

[dkf]

14. His blubbering made me feel for him.

Sometimes people seem pathetic, like who was that preacher going on about how he sinned? Thank goodness Boehner didn't go there.

[Rincewind]

6. Only repubs

can cry publicly, if a Democrat does it, it's a sign of weakness.

[Jennicut]

9. Boner is insincere and quite possibly an alcoholic. It is frankly disturbing.

Biden choked up during the VP debate against Palin in 2008 but that was when discussing his children who had been in a terrible car accident. WTF does Boner have to cry about?

[Exilednight]

11. The real question is:

Did his spray on tan begin to run as he teared up?

[spanone]

13. the media would have crucified Ms Pelosi had she wept

[Stevenmarc]

18. It's different for Republicans, they are tears of Patriotism

that will be the spin to their base and God help the Liberals that attack it

[niyad]

20. "patriotism is the last refuge of fools and scoundrels"

[DavidDvorkin]

19. He's a Republican. That's the important point, not his sex.

Rules only apply to Democrats.

[Bonobo]

27. Yes, I think you are correct. nt

[Swamp Rat]

28. Aw! Leave Little Boner alone!!

:cry:

[niyad]

33. as usual, swampy, you have outdone yourself

[Monk06]

36. Never mind openly, Boner cries every time he steps in front of a microphone. The boy needs to

be sent to a home. He's emotionally unstable.

[jobycom]

37. I think fewer Republicans are happy with it than it seems.

I've talked to a few Republicans who also are bothered by it. I don't mind seeing a public figure tear up over emotional issues--I remember being touched watching Sonny Bono try to hide tears during the Branch Davidian hearings, for instance. But Boehner does it so often he comes across as weak and unstable, and he does it over nothing, or over issues that are clearly internal. It's more than a little troubling.

Most people are just starting to see his act, and I think within a short while it will not only become the butt of late night jokes and water cooler conversations, but it will wind up making people ask about his stability. Even Republicans.