Random Thoughts

June 18, 2003

Hats off to Hillary and Martha
Did you ever wonder why Hillary Rodham Clinton is hated so much? With the possible exception of her husband, only Hillary could write a book that has the capacity to be savaged before it even hits the bookstores.
Many Americans will not accept that her book might be successful. People who will never read a word of it are charging that the book is a pack of lies. Right wing pundits are even accusing her publisher, Simon & Schuster, of intentionally misstating high sales figures in order to attract more buyers.
This kind of rabid criticism often comes from the same people who believe the Clintons killed Vince Foster and assorted others during an alleged Clinton murder spree over the years. Ironically, these unwitting critics may have helped spur sales for a book that has been reviewed by experts as relatively mundane.
Why is Ms. Clinton hated so much? On the surface, she should command respect for her immense talents and achievements. Highly educated, on the staff of the Senate Watergate Committee in her 20‘s, author of several best-selling books, and a successful attorney, the current Senator from New York is infinitely more accomplished than any other former first lady - and she ain‘t done yet.
The answer is obvious: Hillary Rodham Clinton is disliked because she is a woman. First Ladies have rarely had the background to advise the President on national policy issues. Most are neither smart nor ambitious enough for professional careers of their own. And of course, women are never, never to aspire to the presidency.

The public‘s reaction to Hillary Clinton might give some insight into why Martha Stewart is despised so much.
The CEO of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia is about to face significant jail if the 7-year sentence and millions charged in fines received by her friend and financial associate Sam Waksal are any indication. Stewart is charged with violation of insider trading rules when she earned $47,000 by selling stock from Waksal‘s company Imclone.
The public seems riveted with fascination at Stewart‘s freefall in worth and image. Many are downright gleeful that billions of dollars in her stock holdings of Martha Stewart Living have become a mere fraction of the original value after charges were filed.
Why do we fixate on Martha when criminal CEO‘s of World Com, Enron and other corporations are still walking free among us after bilking stockholders and pensioners out of billions? Somehow, we can‘t bring ourselves to hate them. After all, guys who play high stake financial games at the expense of others for a shot at immeasurable wealth are as American as the robber barons and Kennedys.
A woman in the same position, on the other hand, is not the same thing. Oh no. While being stridently blunt on issues is considered a refreshing quality in someone like Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, the outspokenness of Hillary Clinton on national affairs makes her seem like a bitch. The high-roller activities of Donald Trump is admirable as healthy ambition, the same quality in Martha Stewart makes her greedy. Let‘s face it, on some level we still want all women quietly subservient to men - if they are allowed to leave the home at all.
While it is unimaginable to see myself voting for Hillary Rodham Clinton as president or ever viewing Martha Stewart‘s TV show, I can‘t help but respect their moxie. Both women have stood up to their critics and refused to blink. As such, Clinton and Stewart have helped blaze the trail to allow women to compete equally in professions traditionally dominated by men.
Don‘t you think it is about time we all joined the 21st century and got used to it?