Reader shames billionaire for disrespecting premier

May 30, 2012 at 12:15 pm
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Billionaire Richard Branson’s recent kite-surfing blog proposal to Premier Christy Clark is all kinds of sleazy [“ Richard Branson offers naked invitation to Premier Christy Clark”, web-only]. More disgusting, however, is the lighthearted media coverage about what is actually a serious issue.

The struggle to be taken seriously as a woman at any level of politics is a collective battle. Whether about a local school trustee, a premier, or a federal cabinet minister, attacks directed at high-profile women in public life are almost exclusively about appearance, sexuality, and/or intelligence.

Never do we see men attacked for those things, yet they’re common themes of verbal political assaults on successful women, coming from the likes of both high-powered Branson and former back-bench NDP MLA David Schreck. It’s disappointing to see media outlets giving these men a free pass on their inappropriateness. As long as media continue to give sexism a platform by reporting uncritically on disrespectful and gendered comments, women from all parties have still got a long way to go.

Best of luck to Clark in tuning out the sexist noise and focusing on real issues.

> Diamond Isinger / Vancouver

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Cat
May 31, 2012 at 8:38 am
When David Schrek said that showing cleavage was not appropriate in the legislature, I agreed completely. Not acceptable in any business situation, and certainly not someone in the position of Premier. But, some women have more class and common sense than others. Clark is quite the BC embarrassment. Branson is just a spoiled billionaire, and Clark would have appeared more dignified had she simply not come back with her inane retort. And yes, it would be refreshing to have Clark actually focus on real issues as opposed to the constant campaigning and staging photo ops. Her receptiveness is annoying – the free- enterprise, families first nonsense is about all she is able to articulate. Other than constantly saying "Here’s the thing”. Cannot wait for some real leadership.
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