Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Boys Don't Cry but Girls Should?

OK, what's the big deal with Boehner crying? Why am I getting all these tweets with nasty quips about him crying like it's the most important political event of the month? I remember when Hillary Clinton teared up during her campaign because of a bout of self-pity, her ratings shot up. So what's up with making fun of Boehner? I like dumping on his politics as much as the next person, but his crying has nothing to do with it. Some people cry more easily than others. It's a physiological thing, which has nothing to do with gender. It is kind of nasty to use it to reinforce silly and offensive gender stereotypes.

11 comments:

Pagan Topologist said...

I think his crying is genuine, yet, paradoxically, also profoundly hypocritical. He is genuinely sad that children today cannot aspire to the "American Dream" as he was privileged to pursue it. Yet he conveniently ignores the fact that they will never be able to do so is solely the result of Repubenron--sorry, Republican policies. And of course pursuing those policies further will make the problem worse and worse as time goes by.

Democrats are slightly better, but only a little.

Clarissa said...

Of course, he is a very misguided individual. His crying, though, must be very good for his health. All those male stand-up comedians who ridicule him for crying are stiff-upper-lipping themselves into a stroke or a heart attack in the meanwhile. So we'll see who will come out winning.

I have a huge problem with this stereotype of strong males who guarantee themselves an early grave because they are so bent on proving their "strength."

Tom Carter said...

I haven't seen that much of Boehner (yet), but I've seen George H.W. Bush lose it quite a few times. When I've seen President Bush tear-up over the death of his child or the loss of friends in combat, I've always thought it showed him to be a human being with feelings. But that's just me....

Shannon Drury said...

It hurts to defend this jerk, but you're absolutely right. Boehner crying in public is a good thing for men and boys to see. As Rosey Grier sang, "it's all right to cry....it might make you feel better."

Now whether or not Boehner will feel better enough to talk some sense into those who would repeal health care reform is another story.

Anonymous said...

I think it's because they are what are known as "crocodile tears." Also, Americans seem to really hate displays of vulnerable negative emotion like sadness(pounding tables is considered more appropriate).

Consider for example, Rahm Emanuel. The man is only considered unemotional if anger is not considered an emotion. It is not a punchline that he has temper problems the way it when Boehner cries.

eric said...

I totally understand crying in public because of some traumatic event, i.e. a death in the family. But all the time? No, that's a little crazy. I admit it might be healthier, and chiding criers may be buying into gender norms (though women who cry a lot are crazy, too), but I'd rather die first. Sorry.

Clarissa said...

Repressed anger cause high blood pressure. Which I know from personal experience. An unleashed anger, however, can be a very good, productive emotion.

eric said...

"An unleashed anger, however, can be a very good, productive emotion."

Plugging in my guitar and cranking the amp does it for me. It does all my crying!

Clarissa said...

I just imagined Boehner doing that, and the image is priceless. :-) :-)

Oh, if only our politicians found creative releases for their issues!

Sarah Palin looks a lot happier since she's had her show.

eric said...

Oddly enough, Lee Atwater, late strategist for the RNC and architect of the infamously racist "Willie Horton" ad campaign that derailed Dukakis' 1988presidential run, was an accomplished blues guitarist who frequently jammed with the likes of B.B. King. Talk about irony!

NancyP said...

The successful American politician has to be manly, because so many Americans equate the country with its military forces. Yes, the president is CinC (Commander in Chief), but the greatest CinC of the last century was wheelchair bound from a childhood episode of pneumonia. (FDR in WWII, for the history-challenged).