Comments on: Falling in love with your inner Betty/Leslie/Eleanor http://thefemspot.com/2009/11/29/falling-in-love-with-your-inner-bettyleslieeleanor/ Feminism isn't dead; it is immortal! Thu, 01 Dec 2011 01:18:31 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: femspotter http://thefemspot.com/2009/11/29/falling-in-love-with-your-inner-bettyleslieeleanor/#comment-310 Tue, 01 Dec 2009 12:38:30 +0000 http://thefemspot.com/?p=1166#comment-310 I wanted to clarify that, while the Vick crimes are very different, I believe Letterman is also guilty of exploitation: using his advantage (fame, success, money, etc.) to run a business where women might feel they have to sleep with him to keep or excel in their careers. One writer has spoken out about the culture at his show, when it was at NBC:
http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/features/2009/10/david-letterman-200910

]]> By: faemom http://thefemspot.com/2009/11/29/falling-in-love-with-your-inner-bettyleslieeleanor/#comment-309 Tue, 01 Dec 2009 03:24:27 +0000 http://thefemspot.com/?p=1166#comment-309 At least, Letterman didn’t force his wife to stand behind him “in support” as he apoligized like so many politicians.

]]> By: femspotter http://thefemspot.com/2009/11/29/falling-in-love-with-your-inner-bettyleslieeleanor/#comment-308 Mon, 30 Nov 2009 22:14:26 +0000 http://thefemspot.com/?p=1166#comment-308 I guess it’s a dog eat dog world. Even Lily Bart lost her will to take the high road when she ran out of all other options.

]]> By: femspotter http://thefemspot.com/2009/11/29/falling-in-love-with-your-inner-bettyleslieeleanor/#comment-307 Mon, 30 Nov 2009 22:13:20 +0000 http://thefemspot.com/?p=1166#comment-307 All good points, my dear! I was struck by the choice between two very powerful women, juxtaposed to be one noble and the other fierce. I’ve never thought of Cleopatra as a bad guy. What other famous examples of sexual prowess in women are there, however? The great women leaders I can think of were great because…well, they were great! Elizabeth I: great! I guess her mother would be the Veronica…that is until her head was cut off for allegedly practicing her methods for advancing to the throne with men other than his highness.

We have been way too soft on David Letterman, culturally. In my book, he’s an offender on the level of Michael Vick or even the man trying to “bribe” him, and those men suffer(ed) punishment. Letterman had to appear on magazine covers with his pants down…ha ha! How fitting for a “funny” man! :P

]]> By: faemom http://thefemspot.com/2009/11/29/falling-in-love-with-your-inner-bettyleslieeleanor/#comment-306 Mon, 30 Nov 2009 21:37:11 +0000 http://thefemspot.com/?p=1166#comment-306 Fascinating post. There’s so much to work with here.
I guess it comes down to is it fair for a woman to get her way by manipulating men when it will gain her power over other women. I’ve dealt with a few Veronicas in my day, and they make a girl’s life miserable. Everyone must see the movie she wants to see, eat at the resturaunt she wants to eat at, leave when she is ready, do what she wants. It seems unfair that women can hold such power in men, who are completely oblivious to it. I can see using this secret weapon when needed but not all the time, not when it’s gaining power over people.
As for David Letterman’s co-workers, it’s sad that we blame the “homewrecker.” While I hold her responsible, because she knew he was a maried man AND her boss, he’s just as responsible because he’s a married man and her boss. I read a feminist call for all women to pledge they wouldn’t steal someone else’s man because it hurt the feminist movement.
Finally, you’re a little harsh on Cleopatra there. She was an intellegent woman that was desperately trying to keep her country from being crushed by an invading army. Our undersranding of her is skewed because it is through the eyes of her enemies. Remeber Julius Cesar is in Hell with the honorable pagans though he had over 100 known mistresses; while, Cleapatra was in the third circle (?) being punished for lust and adultry.

]]> By: Mom http://thefemspot.com/2009/11/29/falling-in-love-with-your-inner-bettyleslieeleanor/#comment-305 Mon, 30 Nov 2009 16:54:02 +0000 http://thefemspot.com/?p=1166#comment-305 There are always many ways to look at a challenge. I like to think trying the honorable approach first is best. Certainly there are many times when the ends justify the means. Or are there?

]]> By: femspotter http://thefemspot.com/2009/11/29/falling-in-love-with-your-inner-bettyleslieeleanor/#comment-304 Mon, 30 Nov 2009 12:48:17 +0000 http://thefemspot.com/?p=1166#comment-304 Yes, I think so. (If I had more time to write separate posts, I’d probably have spread this one out a bit.) I always liked Lily Bart in The House of Mirth because she endeavored to take the high road when she could have profited by less than honorable means. But I think that was Edith Wharton being quite glib – killing her – proving that women could not be honorable and sustain themselves in her time. Does not poverty create criminals? A person who would otherwise be honorable might steal food when he’s hungry. That’s the central thesis of The Jungle.

]]> By: Mom http://thefemspot.com/2009/11/29/falling-in-love-with-your-inner-bettyleslieeleanor/#comment-303 Mon, 30 Nov 2009 12:35:18 +0000 http://thefemspot.com/?p=1166#comment-303 WOW! There’s a lot in this one. I think the crux of the argument for me is, when is it ever right (never mind fair) to acquire(win) something by anything other than honorable means?

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