September 7, 2017

In the news: Women going where they don't belong.

1. "Republican leaders 'visibly annoyed' after Ivanka Trump enters Oval Office during debt ceiling talks" (Washington Examiner).
According to a Democratic aide, the conversation over spending ended when Ivanka Trump entered the room to say hello. "The meeting careened off topic," the aide said. "Republican leaders were visibly annoyed by Ivanka's presence."

A spokeswoman for House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., rejected the idea that GOP lawmakers were annoyed by Ivanka Trump's presence. "This is false," said Ryan spokeswoman AshLee strong.
2. "Democrats dread Hillary's book tour" (Politico).
“Maybe at the worst possible time, as we are fighting some of the most high-stakes policy and institutional battles we may ever see, at a time when we’re trying to bring the party together so we can all move the party forward — stronger, stronger together,” said Rep. Jared Huffman, a Democrat who represents a Northern California district. “She’s got every right to tell her story. Who am I to say she shouldn’t, or how she should tell it? But it is difficult for some of us, even like myself who’ve supported her, to play out all these media cycles about the blame game, and the excuses... There is a collective groan... whenever there’s another news cycle about this.”...

“I’ve always been a looking forward kind of a guy,” said Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), asked the same question on Wednesday. “I think I’ll leave it at that."....

“I look forward to going to every place where she appears,” Sen. John McCain of Arizona said sarcastically. McCain pointed out that he didn’t write a book after losing the 2008 presidential race....
3. This one tips the other way. A woman has her own ultra-special woman's room, and a man is invited in (BBC):
No-one is precisely sure how or why the women in Vigo’s family started weaving byssus [the razor-thin fibres growing from the tips of a highly endangered Mediterranean clam known as the noble pen shell, or pinna nobilis], but for more than 1,000 years, the intricate techniques, patterns and dying formulas of sea silk have been passed down through this astonishing thread of women – each of whom has guarded the secrets tightly before teaching them to their daughters, nieces or granddaughters.

After an invitation to visit Vigo’s one-room studio, I suddenly found myself face-to-face with the last surviving sea silk seamstress, watching her magically spin solidified clam spit into gold.

I slowly approached the small wooden table where Vigo worked, walking past a 200-year-old loom, glass jars filled with murky indigo and amber potions and a certificate confirming her highest order of knighthood from the Italian Republic cast aside on the floor.

“If you want to enter my world, I’ll show it to you,” she smiled. “But you’d have to stay here for a lifetime to understand it.”

70 comments:

Eric said...

"McCain pointed out that he didn’t write a book after losing the 2008 presidential race"

Hillary didn't write one either, but the group that did has briefed her pretty extensively, so she knows most of what's in there.

Laslo Spatula said...

Ivanka has breasts for two reasons - feeding babies and looking grown-up and attractive.

I am Laslo.

Ignorance is Bliss said...

In the news: Women going where Democrats say they don't belong.

Just so we are clear on who it is that is trying to keep women in their place.

Laslo Spatula said...

“If you want to see my breasts, I’ll show them to you,” she smiled. “But you’d have to stay here for a lifetime to understand them.”

I am Laslo.

Ignorance is Bliss said...

And as for the third story, I'll leave commenting about the sisterhood of the bearded clam to Laslo.

James K said...

The DNC should have offered to fund thrice-weekly psychotherapy sessions for Hillary provided she agrees not to write a book. Win-win.

HoodlumDoodlum said...

Sea silk is amazing stuff. I remember reading about Roman cloaks and shawls made entirely of seal silk--it's hard to imagine!

Wiki: Sea Silk

JAORE said...

It boils down to three articles about clam spit.

Chuck said...

Why is Ivanka Trump's entrance into the debt ceiling talks a "woman" issue at all?

I'm willing to accept the notion that her appearance may have been an annoying distraction. Just as it would have been, if Dennis Rodman or Ted Nugent or one of the Duck Dynasty guys had walked in.

It almost seems as though an argument could be made, that Ivanka's appearance was designed to distract, insofar as her topic (child care tax credits) was indisputably off-topic from the rather urgent business at hand.

I'm also willing to accept the notion as expressed through Speaker Ryan's office that Ivanka wasn't a distraction at all in fact, from a person who was at the meeting and who it is claimed was annoyed.

Either way, how does gender enter the debate?

The Cracker Emcee Refulgent said...

They were annoyed because she immediately claimed their attention through no fault of her own. What does every instinct in your male mind tell you to do, discuss the debt ceiling or talk to Ivanka?

The Cracker Emcee Refulgent said...

Yeah, exactly like one of the Duck Dynasty guys.

Big Mike said...

Ivanka may have been the most savvy person in that room.

Laslo Spatula said...

Paul Ryan was upset that Ivanka's appearance wasn't known before the meeting.

Because then he could've pumped some iron beforehand and worn a tighter shirt to show off his biceps.

The ladies love Paul Ryan's biceps.

I am Laslo.

Otto said...

Framing is a wonderful art when it is done subtly, but in the hands of an amateur it is camp.

Sebastian said...

Hill is going exactly where she belongs, to the remainder pile.

Laslo Spatula said...

When you Google images for 'Ivanka bent over' there are no photos of Ivanka bent over.

It is like the lady never bends over.

I am Laslo.

tim in vermont said...

Wasn't the pilot of that flight that flew the Delta flight in and out of the hurricane a woman who went where nobody thought she belonged?

traditionalguy said...

Ivanka was sneaking in without General Kelley seeing her. That takes boldness, and Ryan immediately looked passive in contrast. Just another Trumpian communication detail.

Ron Winkleheimer said...

No heterosexual male would ever be annoyed by Ivanka's presence.

As for Hillary, right now there are three factions in the Democrat party. The Clinton faction, the Obama faction, and the Bernie faction. The Bernie faction is actually ascendant at the moment. As far as the base goes. Remember, Bernie would have won the nomination if not for the machinations of the party bosses. But Hillary is never going to win those people over. To the "woke" faction of the Democrat party she might as well be wearing Klan robes. "Superpredator." So she has no reason to not bash Bernie and every reason to do so. She hopes, by bashing Bernie Bros, to attract more centrist Democrats to her side. As the party's former President, you would think that Obama's faction would be the stronger, but now that he is out of power he doesn't have much to offer. If he could help elect people in shaky districts he would have something to offer, but he can't.

Democrat politicians that actually want to win elections outside of the blue enclaves wish Hillary would go away because they know she is toxic. People who have genuine concerns about their ability to continue to earn a living and not be unpersoned from employment for having the wrong political views are reminded that they are considered serfs by their betters every time they hear her name.

tim in vermont said...

I am only trusting Twitter as to her sex.

WWIII Joe Biden, Husk-Puppet + America's Putin said...

Repost - because it's good. (Other than the point where Politico writer admits he likes a partisan press.) of course...

This Pro-Hillary Website Looks Like North Korean Agitprop

WWIII Joe Biden, Husk-Puppet + America's Putin said...

What scenario do we buy? Paul Ryan- lame-o man, or the partisan Hack-D press?



Dust Bunny Queen said...

Why is Ivanka Trump's entrance into the debt ceiling talks a "woman" issue at all?

I find myself, surprisingly, in agreement with Chuck on this. Why is anyone just waltzing into a meeting like this or any meeting that the President is having? Other than perhaps an aid or someone who is bringing in needed documents, NO ONE should be arriving unannounced to a meeting.

If she was invited to the meeting by the President to make a presentation, then that is a completely different issue, in that Trump can invite anyone he wants to a "non national security or highly classified" meeting.....including Chuck.

If the Republicans were bent out of shape because they thought it was an exclusive meeting of uber elite Congress critters or exclusive men's club, they have a lot to learn

However, why make a big deal out of it. Move on. We have more important things to do and think about than Trump's daughter or Melania's shoes.

Dust Bunny Queen said...

Amelia Earhart also went where no woman was thought to be able to go. As I understand it...she is still there.

Hagar said...

This is silly. Ivanka would not be there if Trump did not want her there.
Trump thinks a lot of his daughter - as well he might - and that is just the way it is.
Deal with it.

Nonapod said...

1) Seems like Democrats and media (but I repeat myself) people are inferring something they wish to be true: that these old stuffy GOP pols are sexist pigs who were made uncomfortable by a feminine intrusion into their world. These dems/media people never seem to learn the dangers of wishcasting things. They're constantly imagining a world that doesn't exist, and they're constantly being rudely awakened by the real world. I wonder if they will ever tire of that and consequently start to view the world in a more objective way.

The world is not often what you wish it would be. Even though that should be obvious to even a child, there's a surprising number of adults who still refuse to see things as they are and instead imagine all sorts of things.

2) Over time I've noticed that more and more Democrats are starting to be openly embarrassed by Hillary Clinton. They're embarrassed by how brazenly awkward she is. They're embarrassed by how she won't go away. It suggests that they're capable of learning.

Bob Boyd said...

If you're going to have your meeting with the President interrupted by progeny, better Ivanka than Chelsea.

Ann Althouse said...

"'In the news: Women going where Democrats say they don't belong.' Just so we are clear on who it is that is trying to keep women in their place."

Supposedly, the GOP leadership was annoyed by Ivanka dropping in to say hi.

Ann Althouse said...

"It almost seems as though an argument could be made, that Ivanka's appearance was designed to distract..."

That's certainly what I think. I don't believe she just swans into a thing like that on her own whim.

Ann Althouse said...

"Repost - because it's good. (Other than the point where Politico writer admits he likes a partisan press.) of course... This Pro-Hillary Website Looks Like North Korean Agitprop"

I was blogging about that (having run across it on my own) as you were making that comment. Check out the new post.

Ann Althouse said...

"Amelia Earhart also went where no woman was thought to be able to go. As I understand it...she is still there."

We're all trying to stay out of the place where we belong... all of us who are still among the living.

Ann Althouse said...

Frankenstein's last words (to his bride) in "Bride of Frankenstein": "We belong dead."

Mazo Jeff said...

All this hubbub because a "Democratic Aide" said GOP leaders "seemed annoyed"........ Now that's a reliable source????

Ann Althouse said...

No, not to the Bride. The monster's last words are to Dr. Frankenstein: video.

But the Bride along with the monster and the doctor all go down in the collapse of the tower that happens when the monster pulls the lever. (The tower had a lever that you weren't suppose to pull. The only safeguard was shouting at people not to pull the lever.)

William said...

Was she wearing heels?

Sebastian said...

"We're all trying to stay out of the place where we belong." I do hope you have a succession plan in place for this blog, or that you are working with AI pros on a virtual Althouse that could keep it going.

Sebastian said...

GOP annoyance at Ivanka reminds me how much fun it is not to have to read about Dem annoyance at Chelsea barging in on a WH meeting.

tim in vermont said...

(The tower had a lever that you weren't suppose to pull. The only safeguard was shouting at people not to pull the lever.)

Ha! Kind of like Dr Strangelove and his nuclear holocaust.

Inga...Allie Oop said...

I bet the appearance of Nancy Pelosi annoyed the GOP even more.

buwaya said...

There really are levers like that, or switches, or software settings.
You'd be amazed how many vital systems are not failing in a disastrous way simply because someone knows not to touch this or that.
And most of these people who know, with their hands on these levers, switches or software, are "deplorable".

Chuck said...

Ann Althouse said...
"It almost seems as though an argument could be made, that Ivanka's appearance was designed to distract..."

That's certainly what I think. I don't believe she just swans into a thing like that on her own whim.

But I said that based on the issue(s). Ivanka's pet issue (child care tax credits) versus the pressing debt limit and hurricane-relief issues.

Was Ivanka abusing her privileges as a Trump child? Maybe. (Probably, I'd say.) Was Ivanka using the occasion for her own benefit? Maybe. (Almost certainly, I'd say.)

But again, those are not gender issues.

If Eric Trump had popped in, to advocate for golf course development tax credits, it wouldn't have been a gender issue.

Inga...Allie Oop said...

I hear the GOP was livid over Trump making a deal with the Democrats, much much more than they were by the visage of Ivanka.

Trump cuts deal with Democrats.

tim in vermont said...

I bet the appearance of Nancy Pelosi annoyed the GOP even more.

Does it annoy you that she is dealing with the Orange Satan? Trump is a centrist, always has been. It used to be considered unquestionable, for example, that the United States had a right to enforce her borders. That's no kind of extreme position. Try running ads for your next candidate that say "Borders are an anachronism that should be gotten rid of. See how that goes with middle America.

D 2 said...

"If you want to enter my world, I will show it to you, but you have to stay a lifetime to understand it"

Not the old ladys line. It was lifted from one of rhardins infinite number of romcom dvds playing in the background during the interview. The return volley to above by the male lead:

"But I dont ever want to understand you, (Julia/Sandra/Anne/Jennifer/Winona), I only want a lifetime of loving whatever you are"

Cue crescendo and credits.
Woman: the satisfaction of being perceived as an eternal mystery
Man: a lifetime of lovin. Maybe.
Everyone happy..

tim in vermont said...

Do you stop to consider that maybe you have misjudged both Trump and his voters, Unknown?

If he gives in on the dreamers without getting a wall, then I will be disappointed. Making deals with the opposition? You just think its weird because Obama refused to ever do it.

Michael said...

Robert Macnamara had a similar means of controlling meetings and cutting unproductive ones short. Upon issuing some secret signal, an aide would step in to say "Sir, the senator is on line one". Apologizing, Macnamara have his guests step out to the reception while he took "the call". Then a minute or two later Macnamara would himself step out to the reception to thank his guests for coming and tell them his staff would be following up.

Ignorance is Bliss said...

Ann Althouse said...

Supposedly, the GOP leadership was annoyed by Ivanka dropping in to say hi.

Supposedly is doing a lot of work there. Who is doing this supposing? I'm certainly not. Are you?

Nonapod said...

“If you want to enter my world, I’ll show it to you,” she smiled. “But you’d have to stay here for a lifetime to understand it.”

Even within context that quote comes off as overly romantic. Out of context... it's hopelessly romantic.

Quaestor said...

“If you want to enter my world, I’ll show it to you,” she smiled. “But you’d have to stay here for a lifetime to understand it.”

For generation after generation Chiara Vigo's distaff ancestors have been annoying clams to the point that those molluscs now face extinction. What more is there to understand?

MadisonMan said...

The blog post title is bait for Laslo (an observation, not a complaint).

And it invites commentary on that wicked woman Irma.

But I agree with those upthread: The Ivanka complains are silly, and it's great that we don't read about Chelsea waltzing into meetings.

Curious George said...

I think this is a simple autocorrect issue. The author typed ""Republican leaders were visibly aroused by Ivanka's presence." Well, not Mitch McConnell. No lead in that pencil.

Dust Bunny Queen said...

Robert Macnamara had a similar means of controlling meetings and cutting unproductive ones short.

This is not uncommon and is really a courteous way to end a meeting. In business, you are often inundated with annoying people who have no concept of time, borders and just refuse to take a hint.

I had a small number of people would just drop in and want to visit. Nice people but jeeze...I'm busy. My assistant had standing orders to interrupt me at about 15 minutes with an important phone call or something. Otherwise they would still be sitting at my desk rambling on about nothing while I was being prevented from preparing for other clients appointments.

Most of my client meetings were a half hour to hour long, so we could go into depth. I didn't want to give people the bum's rush, but had to keep on schedule for the next clients. For those meetings that had been concluded but the people were still wanting to stay and stay and stay I had another signal.

I had/have a "Magic 8 Ball" as a conversation piece on my desk on the right hand corner. My assistant could see my desk through a glass door. If I moved the 8 Ball to the left side of the desk....time for an intervention.

Maybe Ivanka is the Magic 8 Ball :-P

Quaestor said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
David said...

“If you want to enter my world, I’ll show it to you,” she smiled. “But you’d have to stay here for a lifetime to understand it.”

Probably something to do with breasts.

David said...

Had not read Lazlo's comment. As usual he gets there first.

Quaestor said...

But the Bride along with the monster and the doctor all go down in the collapse of the tower that happens when the monster pulls the lever. (The tower had a lever that you weren't suppose to pull. The only safeguard was shouting at people not to pull the lever.)

The weakest part of the otherwise spectacular Forbidden Planet also involves a Switch.

Quaestor said...

But the Bride along with the monster and the doctor all go down in the collapse of the tower that happens when the monster pulls the lever. (The tower had a lever that you weren't suppose to pull. The only safeguard was shouting at people not to pull the lever.)

Those final words are the weakest part of what is surely the best of Universal's horror films. Take a close look at that scene just after the Creature throws the Switch. The camera looks down into the laboratory from some point high above the floor. The Creature, the Bride, Pretorious, and Frankenstein are all clearly visible. Masonry is falling. The ancient tower is exploding. All are doomed. But wait! The Creature released Frankenstein and his wife. We see them flee the tower just before its immolation. Huh? The explanation is conjectural but obvious. James Whale filmed a better, much less sentimental ending to The Bride of Frankenstein. Outraged by his unrequited love the Creature, doomed to eternal loneliness, destroys himself and everyone in a final act of revenge — The End. Unfortunately, the studio bosses saw the rushes and went ballistic. You killed everybody? What the hell could have you been thinking? "Frankenstein" is the hottest property Universal has ever owned. Without Karloff and Clive we couldn't keep the lights on. We're planning another sequel. You know that. Yet you kill off Henry Frankenstein! Re-shoot this ASAP. Thus chastised Whale rewrites the final scene with the "Go! You Live!" malarky inserted. However, the lab set is already struck and the budget is already spent, so there's no way to reshoot the explosion scene. Consequently, the finished film has a gross continuity error left in place in hope that one notices Henry Frankenstein simultaneously dead and alive like Schrodinger's cat.

(re-posted with many typos fixed)

brylun said...

All indications are that Hillary is running again. Her person, Tom Perez, is the DNC head. Her book, the tour, the Verrit website, everything points to an aggressive run on her part. Between Perez and Elizabeth Warren, they are trying to cut off any Sanders effort. And Sanders has some problems with his wife's false sworn statements that may make him ineligible. So it looks like big money Hillary, controlling the party apparatus, and facing fractured and fragmented opposition, will be the Dem frontrunner in 2020.

James K said...

Robert Macnamara had a similar means of controlling meetings and cutting unproductive ones short.

Reminds of a now obsolete wish I had for a foot-operated device that could make the phone ring in my office, to get rid of annoying people overstaying their welcome. But is there a phone app that will do this with a subtle finger tap of some sort?

Todd said...

Ron Winkleheimer said...

As far as the base goes.

9/7/17, 9:07 AM


Unfortunately, neither the RNC or DNC has cared what the base wants for quite some time. As long as their wallets remain open either will continue to not care. I no longer give any money to the party, only to individual candidates.

Todd said...

brylun said...

All indications are that Hillary is running again...So it looks like big money Hillary, controlling the party apparatus, and facing fractured and fragmented opposition, will be the Dem frontrunner in 2020.

9/7/17, 11:06 AM


The only thing more satisfying than Hillary not being President would be Hillary not being President TWICE!

Gahrie said...

Reminds of a now obsolete wish I had for a foot-operated device that could make the phone ring in my office, to get rid of annoying people overstaying their welcome. But is there a phone app that will do this with a subtle finger tap of some sort?

We used to have secretaries for this.

Ron Winkleheimer said...

So it looks like big money Hillary, controlling the party apparatus, and facing fractured and fragmented opposition, will be the Dem frontrunner in 2020.

I find it hard to believe that the Democrat party could be that clueless. But then I look at the Republican party, and consider that the Dems nominated her in the first place.

Still, I stand by my prediction. An "ethnic" woman. I wouldn't be at all surprised if the party apparatus that Hillary controls starts getting indicted in the next few months.

Ron Winkleheimer said...

And after all, why should the first woman president be white. Perhaps someone should check her privilege? Or should I say, the first president to identify as a woman?

Matt Sablan said...

I'm old enough to remember when Democrats didn't like Ivanka going where they thought she didn't belong.

walter said...

"According to a Democratic aide", women haters were hatin' on women. You could just sense it.

TrespassersW said...

Ah! The lever! What evil genius's laboratory is complete without a "destroy everything" lever or button?

Just like the self-destruct button on all of Dr. Doofinschmerts' -inators.

Jael (Gone Windwalking) said...

"Like the 23 women before her, Vigo has never made a penny from her work. She is bound by a sacred ‘Sea Oath’ that maintains that byssus should never be bought or sold."

Jael (Gone Windwalking) said...

“... a Japanese businessman approached Vigo with an offer to purchase her most famous piece, ‘The Lion of Women’, for €2.5 million. It took Vigo four years to stitch the glimmering 45x45cm design with her fingernails, and she dedicated it to women everywhere.

“I told him, ‘Absolutely not’, she declared. 'The women of the world are not for sale.'”

Quaestor said...

No, not to the Bride. The monster's last words are to Dr. Frankenstein...

No, it's pretty clear the last words are directed to Dr. Pretorius and maybe the Bride as well.

MONSTER: (to camera) Yes, go! You live!
CUT TO: Frankenstein and Elizabeth exit laboratory door
MONSTER: (to right) You stay.
CUT TO: Pretorius
MONSTER: We belong dead.