Your Choice: Laura Bush Or Teresa Heintz-Kerry
By Sharon Hughes (10/25/04)
How important is the First Lady? Well, how important is a wife? How important is grace and wisdom? How important is your attitude towards people?
Can I just say it like it is?
When I wrote my article on "America Looks at the Wives" I received alot of feedback, pro and con, when I said, "Did you catch Bill O'Reilly's interview with Laura Bush last night? How about Teresa Heintz-Kerry's response to Bush supporters chanting "4 more years"? Her response - "4 more years of hell!" America is evaluating the choices, not just for President, or Vice President, but for First Lady also. One democrat interviewed on the news said, "Can we have John Kerry for President and Laura Bush for First Lady?" That says a bunch. Laura has class and was very gracious about Teresa's remarks. Quite a contrast between the two. I'm afraid John Kerry will continue to have to make excuses for his wife's responses. You can only say 'she's just outspoken' so many times."
On Tuesday when I heard Teresa Heintz-Kerry's answer in response to the question, if she would be different from Mrs. Bush as First Lady, "Well, you know, I don't know Laura Bush. But she seems to be calm, and she has a sparkle in her eye, which is good, but I don't know that she's ever had a real job -- I mean, since she's been grown up. So her experience and her validation comes from important things, but different things," I thought about one of the responses I got to the article mentioned above. Drew wrote: "I think you missed some things in your article. Let me fill you in. Teresa Heinz is fluent in five languages. Teresa Heinz is very smart. Laura Bush is a house wife. Laura Bush isn't in the public eye because she doesn't have anything to say. "
Wow! some perspectives and attitudes are very revealing, aren't they? Do we even need to say what the implications of these two statements are?
Sure, I know Teresa apologized saying she didn't remember Laura Bush had been a librarian and school teacher. hmmmmm. But all that aside, is this the kind of thing a potential first lady says? No. But, once again Laura Bush was very gracious saying, "It didn't matter to me. It didn't hurt my feelings. It was perfectly all right that she apologized. She didn't have to apologize. I know how tough it is. And actually I know those trick questions."
For the record, what is a lady? Let's look at the dictionary definition:(Encarta/Dictionary.com) Refined woman; a woman who behaves very politely and with dignity; a well-mannered and considerate woman with high standards of proper behavior; a woman regarded as virtuous; a woman who is the head of a household; lady is normally used as a parallel to gentleman to emphasize norms expected in polite society or in situations requiring courtesies.
So, I ask you, would a lady say "scum-bags" et al, publically, and especially when her husband is running for President? And what do you do with statements like the one John Kerry made himself during the 3rd debate in answer to the question, "All three of us are surrounded by very strong women. We're all married to strong women. Each of us have two daughters that make us very proud...what is the most important thing you've learned from these strong women?" Kerry said, "...my daughters and my wife are people who just are filled with that sense of what's right, what's wrong. They also kick me around."
Following the President's remarks, which basically praised Laura, saying he thought he was the luckiest man on earth, Kerry also said, "Well, I guess the President and you and I are three examples of lucky people who married up. And some would say maybe me more so than others." hmmmmm. What does this say about Kerry?
First Ladies go on diplomatic trips, host leaders and their wives from countries around the world. How important is it that they respect the First Lady? Or will they be gracious and say, "Oh, she's just outspoken?" Many nations already think America is arrogant.
Now, Laura Bush is more gracious than I am. She would never write an article like this...but it needs to be said. This is probably one of the most serious elections we've ever had.
http://www.nypost.com/news/nationalnews/26235.htm
http://www.jsonline.com/news/nat/aug04/248359.asp
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