Y’know, I don’t know why the hell I even bother.
You know, I don’t get emotional often–in fact, it’s an extremely rare thing for me to be “emotional” about anything other than being pissed off about the usual shi’ite (leftards, Islamotards, punditards, the usual).
But this?
The idea is supposed to be that it’s all about their brains, it’s all about their writing, that it’s cheap or improper for them to have guys checking out their web pages just to ogle them.
That’s bullcrap.
This would be one of those extremely rare occasions. That farking hurt.
If you’re a female blogger and one of your strengths is your looks, there’s nothing wrong with trying to look sexy to entice guys over to your page. Nothing. At. All. If you’ve got it, flaunt it, and enjoy the increased traffic.
I’m not sure there are adequate words in the English language to describe my revulsion and fury at that insulting shot at women. Maybe there’s some 15-letter German word for it.
I don’t know why I bother with this shi’ite. You know, I don’t plaster my farking mugshot all over this blog because I don’t want the kind of readers that only come here for the farking human decoration. I suppose if I were a whore, as apparently women are expected to be, I would use my face and body for a payoff. But I don’t. Maybe that’s acceptable in your world, but it isn’t in mine. Frankly, I find the constant objectification of women at RWN and a couple other blogs sleazy and creepy, not to mention out of place on what is supposedly a political site. Apparently you think women have so little to say of import that we SHOULD show some skin to boost our traffic–that no matter what we actually have to SAY, our looks trump (tramp) it.
And frankly, I know goddamned good and well who’s going to either come here and either be a dick in the comments about this post, or write some more insulting bullshi’ite on their own blogs, or call me fat or ugly (that’s a really adult response!). I don’t even care any more, because those who would act as though I should just shut the hell up and be a compliant little girl don’t deserve the respect I’d have to have to care.
I just have to wonder–doesn’t John Hawkins (and everyone else of the same mindset–he certainly isn’t alone in this mentality) have a mother? A sister? I know he doesn’t have a wife, but he must have a mother. Does his mother have so little going for her that she has to rely on her (fleeting, as all of ours are) looks? Personally, I would never presume such a thing, nor does it matter what she looks like to me, but I have to wonder whether he holds his mother to the same standard he holds for the rest of us. As a woman and a mother of a young daughter, I certainly hope that males like this never have daughters.
To tell y’all the truth, I’ve written this post in countless different ways over the last two and a half years, and each time I’ve deleted it. I don’t know why I did–I guess I just felt that I don’t need the headache. But now, I don’t even care. I know I’m going to take heat for this post, and it’s goddamned pathetic that I have to hear any crap about it. More than that, it’s EMBARRASSING. I’m tired of leftards saying conservatives are sexist pigs and keeping my mouth shut on the occasions that they’re right (which honestly isn’t often, but there are those who deserve the appellation). This time, the only way the aggravation (and really, the slap in the face) is going to subside is by NOT deleting this post.
Look, I don’t need to be told that looks make a difference in real life. I’m not retarded! I don’t need to be told that men are more “visually-oriented” than most women are. None of us do. We all know this, even though we’re just wimmen–in fact, being more harshly judged based on our own looks, we usually know it better than men do. But in the arena of…you know, IDEAS–writing–especially on the stupid internets, one kind of expects to be judged based on the quality of ideas and writing, not on stupid blog pictures when it’s not a skin blog or one centered around appearance. I wonder why John Hawkins doesn’t ever show his own picture on his blog? Is he so physically repulsive that he’s afraid he’ll go down to a handful of hits a day? Or does that only “count” for women?
A final note. I refuse to comment upon the Althouse-Jessica Feministing blogfight except in these couple of sentences: All they’re doing is keeping the boobie discussion going (rather than discussion on topics that actually require a brain), much to the titillation of their male readers–which for self-proclaimed feminists, I would think they wouldn’t want. What a colossal, humiliating waste of these women’s time. If I were Jessica, I probably would have laughed off the stupid crack with a “fark you” and left it at that, and continued on with my business. But that’s just me. And now, in the end, women all over the political blogosphere are denigrated by the whole thing. Stupidest. Blogfight. Ever.
It’s late at night, and I don’t know if I’ll even feel like blogging for a couple of days. Maybe I will, maybe I won’t. I think I need to take a breather and decide whether this is worth my farking time, considering all the shi’ite I can’t stand about the Stupid Blogosphere and the constant reminders that what I say really doesn’t matter unless I whore myself out (of course, it wouldn’t matter then, either, would it? I could post anything and be objectified and get lots of traffic!). Honestly, if it weren’t for my dear friends–my sisters–in the Cotillion and my insanely cool co-conspirators here, I’d have probably given this game up a long time ago. There are just way too many asshats around to make it even tolerable otherwise.
F.E.T.E.
Wait, an afterthought: Lest anyone think I’m being too harsh on John Hawkins and those of his ilk, I ask this: How the hell do you think what he said isn’t an attack? IT IS–on all women. (And believe me, I was gentle in this post.)
Alabama Improper says:
Well done and well said Beth; as usual.
Merri Musings says:
I perceive that for some of these guys, the fact that many women bloggers actually have a brain and not just tits is a bit threatening to them. Their defense is writing bullshi’ite like this - their way of bringing it down a notch to stroke their egos and make themselves feel better or something.
Beth - thanks, as always, for articulating this so well!
Raven says:
Yep, well said Beth. These men just need something to jerk off to- because they are lonely. It pisses me off and turns me away from participating in any efforts and grassroots stuff they want to promote.
Alabama Improper says:
Let me also add that when a man goes to this kind of low-grade, uncalled for, idiotic, demeaning talk about women he automatically puts himself in the category of DUMBASS! No matter who the man may be, and it could be a man blogger I had been reading for a while, and really may have enjoyed reading his political blog voice for quite sometime; but when he pulls that kind of crap then he’s out the door baby! He just loses all appreciation I may have had for him. Anything and everything he may have ever said in the past loses all value in a split second. And it’s heartbreaking to tell you the truth. It’s heartbreaking because at that moment I will see him for who he truly is and I will have felt like a fool for believing anything he had said in the first place. I would like to think men were better than that, sadly this is not the case most of the time. No, most of the time they have their dick hanging out in the wind, hoping on all hope, that it will get stiff at the first little wind puff, with tits, that walks by.
Alabama Improper says:
I mean after all, John Hawkins has just proven my point.
Holly says:
Well, a good post, a pictures of boobs post, would just be to have these male bloggers’ mug shots up in a row. Call it ‘Pictures of real BIG boobs’. Or how about a conundrum….”How can really big boobs be so shallow and fake?” sigh….I need coffee.
Carol says:
Well written. My favorite quote: “There are just way too many asshats around . . . ” Aint that the truth!
LindaSoG says:
I’m pretty much offended by John’s remarks as well. We all have our reasons for blogging. Enticing men is not one of mine.
And I think you’re right Beth, I don’t think he would pleased to see his mother in a bikini on the beach with her legs spread wide, poking her tits up in the air to “entice” men to come look at her website. Then again, given what his post says about his values, may be he would, if it were his website she was enticing them to see.
Fuck me films do not promote conservative values, and have no place in polite society, on the web, or off. You can’t talk the talk and not walk the walk. We have names for those kinds of people.
I’m glad you got this off your chest (ha!) and thank you for the opportunity to get it off mine. Now we can back to the important stuff.
Jane says:
Oh yes lets all rip oiff our shirts and get increased traffic????!!!!
Archie Bunker lives.
That’s a widly insulting and disrespectful post at RWN. I can’t believe this guy is actually mocking women bloggers, their brains, their writing and the fact that they expect to be taken seriously by their male counterparts.
The fact that he advocates that women should manipulate men by exposing themselves physically and draw readers by arousing them sexually, instead of intellectually, is pathetic. He reads female bloggers because he is hoping to catch some skin? Ewwww. How creepy!
Martin says:
What a tool, I’m sorry to say it.
Does he think Margaret Thatcher would have been a better leader if she wore a farking thong and low-rise jeans?
Dimbulb. I’m not reading his shi’ite anymore. That’s twice he’s written nonsense in two weeks; once too often.
Beth says:
I love y’all. xoxoxoxo
Susan B. says:
Beth,
Amen…and thank you for this post.
phin says:
Great post Beth. I, for one, tend to shy away from the chicks showing their chesticles on the intertubes. If I wanted to check out naked / seminaked chicks I wouldn’t be reading blogs.
For Althouse / Jessica / Jill blog-war thingy. I think part of the fascination is that we have pictures of several semi-attractive liberals. Something we didn’t knew existed before now.
Does he think Margaret Thatcher would have been a better leader if she wore a farking thong and low-rise jeans? Well that’s a bit of imagery I didn’t need.
bhdonovan@gmail.com says:
Beth,
you are right on the mark. I quit reading John Hawkins some time ago, he annoyed me then for some reason I’ve forgotten - but you have just reinforced my lack of interest in his blog.
I have often found that a lot of these male bloggers, when I meet them, are very young. Much younger than I realized.
And their mom’s ought slap them upside thier heads for talking shi’ite like that!!
Jody says:
I think you speak for all of us in this post. Thank you for coherently explaining how offensive John’s comments were. I would much rather be judged in the blogosphere on the merits of my words and ideas than how cute my picture on my profile is or the vlog I did in my bikini… I am always suspicious of other women who resort to “flaunting” it the way John spoke about, because I feel that they may have nothing else to offer rather than their looks and …um…assets…
Darleen's Place says:
Boobs, Bloggers and the Pope
I spent most of my weekend having fun with the twins, so I missed the big boobie brouhaha. Oh, geez … am I ever ….zadhoei;zzzzzzz. Oh. Sorry. Guess I dozed off there for a moment. People … boobs happen! Usually…
Cassandra says:
Beth:
FWIW, that was not what I referred to “emotion-based” argument earlier :) You can be passionate about something and still argue reasonably.
I think you just did that.
Full marks.
Darleen says:
Brava, Beth
I don’t know if your trackbacks are working, but I’ve linked to you here.
Alabama Improper says:
Now that I am at work and have had my coffee I must comment on my comment here. LOLOL I don’t think ALL men are like John Hawkins, sorry to offend the real men out there who DO respect and appreciate a brilliant female mind. Yes, they are out there.
Der Tommissar says:
Beth,
That post was totally hawt.
Russ says:
Okay, I know I’m going to offend some people by saying this, but give me a farking break.
Thanks for sounding exactly like a left wing feminist. John said nothing about you not being able to blog intelligently, just that there are some who are able to use looks to attract traffic, and then, once there, they can use sound commentary to keep them there. Denying reality doesn’t make it any less real. :roll:
If you don’t want to use pics of yourself to attract readers - great! However, it does take longer to build site traffic that way. I wish it wasn’t that way in the world, but it is.
raz0r says:
I come here because Beth is hot. She says what she’s thinking, holds nothing back, and doesn’t care if you like it or not. All without using cleavage. That’s hawt.
As for the whole chest wars thing, who cares. They should get over themselves already. If little miss intern wants to be known for her boobs, let her have at it. She shouldn’t expect to be taken too seriously though.
Debbie says:
Excellent article and thanks for speaking for us all. I wouldn’t want anyone coming to my blog for my looks, geeze, how childish. Morons. I don’t have time for that kind of stuff, I have a life like most women bloggers.
Alabama Improper says:
Only Good For Boobie Blogging
Attitudes like the John Hawkins of the blogosphere makes me NOT want to blog politically, or seriously, because it is quite obvious that most people won’t listen to what a female blogger has to say, apparently we are just good for the titty shot. What…
gamma says:
I wouldn’t call you fat or ugly. I’d call you “old” first — then ugly and fat, in that order. Old, ugly, then fat. Definitely.
HitNRun says:
John runs a good blog, but his neck is redder than most. He frequently confuses unalterable realities for desirable ideals.
Jody says:
Gamma has obviously never had the pleasure of meeting Beth personally. I have. And she is one of the most beautiful people on the inside and out that I know. And none of those adjectives gamma used could be used to describe Beth … well except maybe the “old” one… hehe (don’t hurt me!) :twisted:
marchand chronicles says:
Smart + Sexy beats just Sexy every time.
That said, I find it difficult to lick a woman’s brain.
massachusetts republican says:
I demand that you take up your spear and shield! I expect you to stand up and face the world as a strong example to my little female relatives. You have no choice. It is your burden to be the strong positive female that I cant be, but whom I DO point to as an example for them to strive for. I support you. Now stand tall so that my little one can see you rise up and above the fools and debased.
Shamalama says:
I’ll step gently into the fray in that I’m a guy and I’m not entirely sure if my presence is welcome here on this post.
BreastBlogging, huh? “In order to get noticed here’s my boobies. But you can’t look at them because that would be rude. It’s OK to think about them and have them bring you to this site, but you cannot discuss them. If anyone else uses their boobies in such a way it will be deemed ‘inappropriate’.”
Is Jessica trying to ’showcase’ or was she simply standing there? Does Pamela ‘advertise’ or does she simply exist? Is Ann trying to make a point or is she blog-whoring by making something out of nothing? Is John presenting another viewpoint or is he a pig?
I can see how Beth would get angry. It’s a complex equation to fully grasp (for some people) that there is more to a woman than tits. And I can also see why many of the finer ladies would feel outrage at someone that was benefitting from nothing more than cup size. But picking on Jessica for her appearance is just as foul to me as if someone started picking on the woman on the left for not being a size 2 - or picking on the woman on the right for not being a size D - or picking on the guy next to Clinton for having odd hair - or … or … or …
WHO THE FARK CARES WHO IS PUSHING THEIR PERKY TA-TAS? Geez, people, we’ve got two masked gunmen that pumped four rounds into the back of a 70-year-old nun just because she believes in Christ. An Islamofascist won’t care a whit if you’ve got three nipples in your forehead when they behead you. Why this is even an issue?
As for the picture, the crime is not if or how Jessica is posing but why would intelligent adults want to be seen with adulterous Clinton?
Why is there a snarky fight between Ann and Jessica? Is one threatened by the other’s breasts? Is one jealous of the other’s breasts? Or is all of this, this TitWar, actually nothing more than a cheap way to increase the hit count on each of their blogs? How childish.
I guess it’s easier for me: I have no looks to drive women to my blog and therefore I’m not bothered with deciding to use it or not. The -only- way I get people to read anything I write is … by writing something worth reading. What a concept, right?
Why would John even bother to write two words about this? I guess he’s pointing out how some of the “enlightened” Leftists really behave. He also comments on how many people (both male and female, mind you) are still hung-up on looks and will allow looks to determine whether they visit a blog or not. “Hey, that cutie with the big boobs is a great writer!” Yes, it is a fact that this happens. And no it is not a good thing. But his “there’s nothing wrong with trying to look sexy to entice guys over to your page” statement was off base entirely. There -is- something wrong with it. Yes, sex sells, but we don’t have to like it or support it - just live with its reality. Usually women that use sex to accomplish a goal are referred to as Prostitutes, and men that fall for it are referred to as Johns (irony?).
I wonder if John would have the same attitude if the male bloggers would start posting pictures of their crotches, covered only with spandex, and their resulting hit count or blog worth was based on the perceived size of their Johnsons. “If you’ve got it, flaunt it, and enjoy the increased traffic.” No, I believe there would be bemoaning from John.
I don’t even know, or care, -IF- Beth has any breasts. I come here purely because of her excellent writing and opinion. Likewise if I read anything Jessica or Ann or Pamela write I will not waste my time trying to figure out if her quality of writing is related to the volume of her breasts.
Sure, I like breasts, and I spend time looking at them and touching them - but only those that are attached to my wife. I honor her by not getting distracted with those attached to someone else in the exact same way I expect her to honor me by not getting distracted with the sausage of some young stud at the grocery store. It’s not a matter of biology, or culture, or hormones - it involves committment and choice and character.
Cassandra says:
Sure, I like breasts, and I spend time looking at them and touching them - but only those that are attached to my wife. I honor her by not getting distracted with those attached to someone else in the exact same way I expect her to honor me by not getting distracted with the sausage of some young stud at the grocery store. It’s not a matter of biology, or culture, or hormones - it involves committment and choice and character.
Funny.
That has always been my understanding of those words I spoke on my wedding day. I understand that the mileage differs, but I guess that’s why we live in America and not in Saudi.
Anyway, that is the nicest thing I have heard in a long time.
Thank you for that.
And Rightly So! » Lowering the Standards says:
[...] Beth, the strong and opinionated woman of the right, has a sharp word to say as well: You know, I don’t get emotional often–in fact, it’s an extremely rare thing for me to be “emotional” about anything other than being pissed off about the usual shi’ite (leftards, Islamotards, punditards, the usual). [...]
Pile On® says:
This post would have more credibility with me if I didn’t know good and damn well that the only reason you have John Bolton’s picture on every page of your site is just to attract the chicks.
Hifreakinpocricy!!
Beth says:
It’s the nuclear mustache, Pile On!
(TW: KOOK, appropriately enough.) :razz:
Hey, y’all…thanks. THIS is why I don’t play that tits for hits game–smart, cool commenters.
(Even you, gamma and the other feces-flinging monkeys–thanks for proving my point. I love saying “I told you so!”)
CedarFever says:
Beth - I never realized you were AF (just read the links in your bio). I got to Incirlik TDY three times in ‘91 and I’ve got the shepherd’s lamps to prove it. And what was the deal with the street kids selling the bread? Almost free for you ahbi! I mean, did anyone ever buy the stuff?
I keep coming back to MVRW because I like how you speak your mind - no holds barred - and I’m impressed with the range of subjects and people you take on. The traffic whores and the cheap tactics are easy to spot and dismiss and they will never be taken seriously.
Average Guy says:
I don’t see what is so offensive about John’s post. I didn’t read it to mean that girls better show some boobie if they expect boys to read their tripe. John has posted several times before about how building a large base of readers takes a long time, frequent posts, and interesting writing. Now, he is merely pointing out that attractive women bloggers can take a shortcut by posting pictures of themselves. He’s pointing out an observed phenomenon. Unless we are going to start blaming the weatherman for pointing out the fact that it is raining, your anger is misplaced.
The fact is, men like attractive women. A lot. That is a good thing. If it were any other way the human race would have disappeared from planet earth a good long time ago. So go on getting angry and creeped out by guys who are interested in attractive women. But know this… thus has it always been, and thus it shall always be. As surely as day follows night, so shall male arousal follow the sight of boobies.
Lastly, this is a 2-way street. Women in general are just as shallow as men in general. I don’t drive an Aston Martin because I have a James Bond fantasy. I drive one because many women have James Bond fantasies.
Dan Collins says:
Uh, all I can say is that there’d be a lot more photoshop and sockpuppet scandals.
Beth says:
Oh, hell yes there would be, Dan! hahahahahahhaaaaaaaaaa
“Average Guy” - I only have one thing to say: OBVIOUSLY you don’t understand why I would be offended by John’s sentiment. Frankly, that’s your problem. It’s crystal clear that you don’t understand it at all, because you don’t even appear to have read my post, instead, you seem to have taken John’s characterization of it at face value.
Typical.
The Anchoress » “Tolerant betters” slap down the “uppity” says:
[...] Related: Blogger Boobygate at RightWingNews. A stunning must-read rant by Beth [...]
sigmund, carl and alfred says:
Beth, you are more ‘in the right’ than you know.
Blogs come in all varieties, but in the end, it is the quality that stands out, as you note. Flashing a skin works for traffic until there is newer skin being flashed. Do you really give a rats ass if you lose a reader because he was drawn to bigger boobs?
In the end, you, Anchoress, Michele Malkin and a host of others manage to hold readers attention with something other than skin. The passion found on this blog and others is about the exchange of ideas and not the exchange of fantasies.
All the proud D cups out there can’t change that reality.
The Anchoress says:
Well, of course you must keep blogging, Beth. Without the internets would be boring and mostly unchallenging! :grin:
Blue Star Chronicles says:
To Boobie Blog or Not To Boobie Blog
Well, I have to weigh in on this blog battle thats going on. Ive always enjoyed studying history and I strongly feel its important to keep an accurate record of historical events.
Therefore, I will try to summarize the goings-on in the boobie b…
Agent Bedhead » Tasty Waves and Some Screwed Buds says:
[...] Just when we thought the blogodihexiweb had graduated from its excitement that boobies do indeed exist and are possessed by most women, Boobiegate continues. (MY Vast Right Wing Conspiracy) [...]
Jane says:
Bobby blogging is akin to wearing slutty clothes to work, yes its within our right and yes it works, but no body takes you seriously, your work product is overlooked and your achievements diminished as their origins are unclear.
For the biggest court case of your life, do you hire a lawyer in a miniskirt or a business suit? The suit of course.
MY Vast Right Wing Conspiracy » Quick links says:
[...] Y’know, I don’t know why the hell I even bother. [...]
Pirate's Cove says:
To Booby Or Not To Booby?
Interesting discussiong going on (still) regarding Boobygate. You remember the whole thing about the Pammy video? Well, there is an interesting, um, well, war going on between some of my favorite posters, with John Hawkins of Right Wing News on one sid…
Theodore's World says:
Boobs on Bimbos or Brains in Broads
I have not written about this before because of several reasons. The first reason is that I am new to the blogosphere. Almost a year now but compared to other’s that is a baby. My rants are strong and…
ManlyMen dot Org says:
“You’re a LEAN, MEAN, FIGHTING MACHINE!!!”
I guess it’s the 14 year old adolescent in me who enjoyed seeing a big, overconfident goof get his ass handed to him by a few beautiful women who if you put them all together didn’t appear to outweigh him.
I laugh whenever I see this and the same …
Ogre's Politics & Views says:
Butt Blogging
Time to join in the latest blog-war!
Viva La Blog » To Boobie Blog or Not to Boobie Blog says:
[...] Well, that just topped off the already heated discussion which lead to some other people voicing their opinions on the need for women to boobie blog to get traffic. Frustration at the objectification of woman overflowed into the stupidest. blogfight. ever. Are we only good for boobie bloggin? Does boobie bloggin keep us from noticing the threat at the door? Must we lower our standards to get men to visit our blogs? [...]
basil's blog » Haggling Over The Price says:
[...] Beth (MY Vast Right Wing Conspiracy) fired back. Cassandra (Villainous Company) weighed in. As did C.A.Marks (Alabama Improper) and many, many others (I'd be all day listing them). [...]
6pence says:
Wow, you leave the internet for a week because someone in your family is having an unexpected surgery and look at what happens!
Seriously, Beth, I can’t leave you unsupervised for a minute!! I happened to look up at the TV in the hospital room and see a MVRWC screen shot on CNN (or some similar cable news outlet) today. Unfortunately, the sound was too low so I didn’t know what was going on, but I made a mental note to check the site tonight. Just imagine, I wouldn’t have seen this for days if I hadn’t been watching the boob-tube today!
(sorry, I couldn’t resist :mrgreen: )
6pence
Btw, I agree with one of the earlier comments — I read blogs for opinions and views. If I wanted tits, there are better sites. That being said, men are “visual creators” and some women will (try) use that to compensate for a lack of intelligent content. The women I read regularly (Beth, Carol, Ebyjo, et al) aren’t in that boat. That doesn’t mean they aren’t pretty and or well-endowed, but they’re not using physical features to try and get traffic…
sultan knish says:
Someone who’s basically admitting that what he looks for in female blogger is some skin is showing how shallow he is and what he really blogs for.
The Crazy Rants of Samantha Burns says:
It’s A Blogosphere Sextravaganza!
Seeing as Blogger Boobygate is choking everyone up, I thought I’d add to the plot by providing my own week-long Sextravaganza. Now, as most of you probably already know, I’m not one to enter into a Blog conflict, but when…
Progressive Reactionaries says:
My parents tried to put me down, because I said fine ham abounds.
I’d like to interrupt D.’s guided tour of our glorious national park system* to say thank you to Ilyka Damen…
Moxie says:
Beth, that was well said. Bravo!
rod says:
your blog, your house…and i abide by the decision.
I think your outrage is intellectually proper–it is demeaning to women–but well, in the end, who cares….
there is a lot of things deeply wrong, and more than ever, threatening to our way of life abroad in the world. hell, abroad in our land. Your blog seems to consistently touch on them.
So foaming at the mouth about something that is as inevitable as the tides is a waste of time.
In the end, all the howling is about a poor choice of humor.