No

by Mara Petit

Created on: March 03, 2008

I'm disappointed in this question's appearing, but not surprised. With so many other concerns facing the nation and the world, why would anyone even care if Hillary is concerned with her wrinkles?

Society has become so shallow in general. Paris and Brittney's extra-curricular activities and clothing choices, Mary Kate and Ashley's dinner plate contents, Lindsey Lohan's driving abilitiesmy goodness, no wonder other countries are laughing at us! This is a presidential campaign and most people are trying to decide which candidate would make the best leader of our country. Then this nonsense pops up!

As a woman, I am especially disheartened by the double standards between men and women. Just watch the news. Male news anchors are called "seasoned, wise, experienced, knowledgeable" when they age. Women news anchors are under tremendous pressure to look young all the time. They are branded as "over-the-hill, past her time, ugly, too old" when they begin to show just a shadow of a potential wrinkle. When they get too wrinkled, they retire, are forced to take a behind the scenes roll, or go under knives to keep their spotlight jobs.

I'm not expecting this to change anytime soon, and maybe it will never change. But to bring this pettiness to the presidential race is ridiculous. If the United States is trying to show the world the benefits of a democratic process and bring that process to other countries, we should take our own elections very seriously.

I say kudos to Hillary for being the first woman with enough potential to actually put her name in the running. Hooray for the chance to raise the importance of women's contributions to the political process. I give Barack kudos for being the first African American with enough potential to be the front runner in the democratic party. Hooray for the chance to raise the importance of African American's contribution to the political, social and the country's history and future.

Why aren't we discussing that instead of worrying about who looks like what, and who is wearing what type of headdress or whatnot. This is serious, not a joke. Why can't it be treated like that? Leave the gossip mongering for the entertainment section.

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