OVER HER DEAD BODY
by Malik Isasis


As President Bush stands in the corner rocking back and forth like Rain Man on the issue of the American Occupation in Iraq, the media has begun a hyper-vigilant and whole-sale attack on the Democratic Party who will not assume power until January, 2007. And there is a particular fetish with Speaker of the House-elect Nancy Pelosi in the media. The attacks on Pelosi are fast, furious and personal.

The shit-throwers, otherwise known as neocons and their conservative cabal, vomit bile into their echo chamber, which often finds its way into the corporate media being spun as news. On October 18, 2006, Media Matters for America warned the media of a concerted effort by Republicans and their political operatives who were attempting to “undermine House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi with vicious attacks, baseless claims, unfounded stereotypes and deliberate misinformation that have gone largely unchallenged by the media.” Media Matters’ press release ”The Anatomy of a Smear Campaign” which reconstructed a carefully choreographed attack on Nancy Pelosi, was completely ignored and the Republicans’ ad homonym attacks went unchallenged by the corporate media, as a matter of fact, the media used the Republicans’ talking points to sustain baseless claims by the Republicans and their political operatives.

Corporate reporters Norah O’Donnell and Contessa Brewer in particular have gone out of their way to attack Pelosi in an effort to curry favor with right wing political operatives so to deflect accusations of a liberal bias. In a Media Matters’ transcript and video:

Brewer questioned whether the "Democrats might revisit the issue" of electing Pelosi speaker, because "there are two months left before she takes over that position, officially," and, "certainly, there is a difference between picking the leader of your minority party and picking the leader of your majority party." Later, Brewer suggested that Pelosi had "accidentally" attained the speaker position, asking Democratic strategist Mark Walsh: "When you have a position that comes upon you accidentally, does it change the way people view you in that leadership position, especially because you're a woman in line for the presidency?" (Media Matters, 2006).

Just before the elections on November 3, 2006 on MSNBC News Live, corporate reporter Norah O’Donnell lapped up right wing bile and reported—scratch that, insinuated with a snide tenor:

O'DONNELL: What about Nancy Pelosi? We were just showing pictures. She would be the speaker -- likely be the speaker of the House if Democrats win control. Where's she been the last week? (watch the video).

Right-wing talk-show radio host Melanie Morgan went so far as to say, "We've got a bull's-eye painted on her big, wide laughing eyes" (listen here at Media Matters).

It is understandable why men in the media and political establishment feel threatened and attack Nancy Pelosi, she’s a woman and is third in line for the Presidency if something were to happen to Bush and Cheney. There are numerous examples of the piling on, but none deeper and more cutting than the women analysts, punditry and corporate reporters.

What is the root of this collusion?

Let’s start by examining External Oppression, which is defined aptly by a Women’s Advocacy group as “the unjust exercise of authority and power by one group over another. It includes imposing one group's belief system, values and life ways over another group.” The Women’s Advocacy group defines Internal Oppression, as “the oppressor doesn't have to exert any more pressure, because we now do it to ourselves and each other” (Women’s Rural Advocate Programs).

Examples of women’s internalized oppression are female genital mutilation, which involves the removal of the clitoris, this procedure is mostly performed by women (Althaus 1997); female infanticide is “the intentional killing of baby girls due to the preference for male babies and from the low value associated with the birth of females"(Jones, 2000). With advent of ultrasounds in rural places in China and India, female fetuses are being aborted. It is women who are committing infanticide; honor killings, is the concept in which females are “vessels” of the family reputation (Mayell, 2002). Although men commit the actual murder of their sisters, wives or mothers, it is in many cases, quietly supported by women. Admittedly, the examples are somewhat extreme, however, I think they illustrate the normalization of oppression.

If France elects Ségolène Royal next April 22, 2007, France would join Finland with Tarja Kaarina Halonen, Germany withAngela Merkel, Chile with Michelle Bachelet, and Liberia with Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf as women as Heads of State. The Republican Party and the conservative cabal will do what it takes to make sure another woman--mainly Hillary Clinton, doesn't join their ranks.

In the next two years, the media and the Republicans will try to destroy Nancy Pelosi, politically, hoping that the smear campaign will affect any chances that Hillary Clinton might have as Madame President. Unlike, Clinton, I hope that Pelosi stay free of the political consultants that drives decision-making. Pelosi has shown strength even in the face of a political defeat, if she stays true to self, and not appease the right wing and sycophantic press, she will maintain her integrity and overcome the internal oppression that burdens women.

All the early indicators is that she will stand toe-to-toe, mano a mano with the Republican Party, while at the same time being a role-model to young girls.

You go girl.


Sources:
Media Matters, “Pelosi labeled "Wicked Witch of the West" by Kondracke, "shrew" by Orin-Eilbeck.”
A Project of the Center for Media and Democracy, “Echo Chamber.”
Media Matters, “ Right's Choreographed Attack on Leader Pelosi in Full Swing”.
Media Matters, “Gender stereotypes and discussions of Armani suits dominate media's coverage of Speaker-elect Pelosi”.
Althaus, A. Frances. Female Circumcision: Rite of Passage Or Violation of Rights? International Family Planning Perspectives, Volume 23, Number 3, September 1997.
About.com, “Presidential Succession: Who becomes president, when...”
Gendercide Watch, Case Study: Female Infanticide. Jones, Adam. 2006.
Mayell, Hillary, “Thousands of Women Killed for Family "Honor"” National Geographic News February 2002.

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