Critical of girl power?

Recently, I was criticised by Ruby Hamad (see On Line Opinion article) for writing a positive essay on Governor Sarah Palin, a great woman. Here is my response:

Silly argument No1

That the article is to be riddled with blatant sexism is immediately apparent in the title; “Girl power is back” … We are not even into the actual article yet and already the female subject is belittled before our eyes.

According to Ruby Hamad, politically incorrect boys, cannot praise politically incorrect girls because …?

Perhaps, the “thought police” can send me a list of all the words I can and can’t use in public. I’d love to see that list, by the way. I’d post it on my regrigerator.

(Fact check: in any case, I’m not responsible for the title. But, just for the record, I do love the editor’s choice!)

Silly argument No2

Palin is 44-years old. Hardly a “girl”. Furthermore, this woman is running for the second highest office in the world’s leading power. And yet Terpstra, who claims to be supportive of her, has right off the bat dismissed her as a girl and likened her to a frivolous, has-been girl band of the 90s. Is this what passes for an endorsement of a female politician on the conservative side of politics?

I don’t think Governor Palin is a little girl, but if Leftists have an issue with colloquial speech, then they can pile on Clinton. Truth is, many of her supporters use the above “devil words” all the time. Why single out conservatives? Why the double-standards?

The Longman Dictionary of English associates the noun “girl power” with (1) “the idea that women should take control of their lives or situations” and (2) “the social or political influence that women have” in the West. Hardy sexist.

It isn’t surprising to learn, then, that Clinton’s male and female fans love to watch the “Hillary Clinton - Girl Power!” show on YouTube - and sing with the Spice Girls. Still, Hamad singles me out me for “overt sexism” and other thought crimes.

But, above all, Hamad’s attacks on the allegedly “frivolous” Spice Girls border on the unforgivable. Is this what passes as feminism in leftwing Melbourne? Spice Girls rule!

Silly argument No3

Terpstra once again states that the tapping of Palin “may make a strong case that the Republican Party isn’t running from change, but building on change”. What change Peter [sic] (for the umpteenth time)?

Clearly, Hamad likes to both misread and skip my paragraphs and lists. But, given that Hillary “Shame on you, Barack Obama” Clinton likens Governor Palin’s change to “a great accomplishment” I think we can all agree that the United States can teach the world a lesson. Or two.