**crossposted at the Huffington Post ***
I got the kids ready for bed early tonight.
I had my laptop ready to do a running diary of everything the President said.
Four whole seconds into the State of the Union and I am reduced to tears of joy by President George W. Bush.
Yeah, I’m surprised too.
I’ve followed the politics, the history, the races, the implications…but it really didn’t hit me until Bush just said it:
Madame Speaker.
With my daughter by my side, tears began to flow and all of the nonsense of this past election and of the one around the corner took a backseat.
Madame Speaker.
This moment just transcended beyond catchphrases like “feminist” and “glass ceiling.”
Madame Speaker.
With my daughter by my side, I just had one of those moments I will never forget for as long as I live.
I cried like a girl.
A damn proud girl.
Madame Speaker.
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As a boy, who has a baby girl he wants nothing but the best for, let me just chime in with a “Hell yeah.”
I am with you in feeling so proud, I could reach the moon. Workers, mothers, sisters and daughters, we march on. Some times, its very very rewarding. I am happy, I am happy.
Nancy, you represent many, many of us. Thank you Madam Speaker!
I’m glad you could find something to make you happy.
I couldn’t watch, as I never can, since I’ve learned over the years that I’ll only scream at the TV.
Yay, so now powerful women can fall prey to partisan politics and corporate lobbying too.
Once, before I knew I was pregnant with my first, I was watching the state of the Union (I think it was the one POST 9/11 – that first one) and I’m just sobbing away, absolutely boohooing, when my husband comes downstairs and takes one look at me, one look at the TV and says…….”Oh my GOD what the HELL did he say?”
Absolutely silly and retarded. People like you vote him into power. I couldnt bear to watch those lies for more than 5 minutes
Actually, I think HE is silly and retarded. It was completely a hormonal reaction……not knowing I was pregnant I didn’t understand it myself. That was sort of the point, I don’t get worked up into anything but anger normally when the man speaks.
I voted against him, TWICE.
But thanks for playing.
Oh girl….You just caught me off guard — no surprise there. I thought you were gonna slam him.
Oh YES!
I know — I have been thinking about that all day long, and everytime I do, I tear up. And my 11 year old son saw it with me. I feel so good inside. (I found your site from CPA Mom.)
I did the same thing. We were watching history in the making last night.
This is amazing to read…for a Canadian/Brit where women have graced the halls of democracy (snort) for such a long time, we barely think about it.
Though I will have to see if we have had a ‘female speaker’….
For a country that prides itself on being forward and an example to the rest of the world….
This step towards women’s equality is fascinating.
Just jumping in here to say that crunchy has a point. Sometimes the difference between our beliefs and our action is disconcerting. In one of the most liberal states in the country, we just finally elected our first African-American governor. The only woman we’ve had in the position fell into it and pretty quickly fell right out of it.
This is one of the first SOUs I’ve watched since probably Jan ‘02. I also have a tendency to yell at the television, so I avoid listening to him. This time I wanted to see how he would handle the position he was in. It’s nice that Bush’s advisors had him acknowledge her status. I love politics and I think it’s going to be an interesting year.
I did not watch the state of the union, but I had the same reaction yesterday when I heard the tape of that moment played on NPR. I was in the car, between carpool dropoff and the grocery, half listening while I tried to remember what all I needed to do before school got out (clean the bathrooms, fold the laundry, pay some bills, make a doctors appointment) and when I heard those words I teared up.
It’s a good day to be a woman, I think.
Yep. Usually I’m crying because I am watching GW. At least this time it was something good.
Beautifully simple post about mutual feelings. Loved this. Love you.
Erin:
I read this post on HuffPo. I absolutely agree with you that it was a thrilling moment. I linked to the HuffPo version on my blog and added my comments.
Mark
Yay girls!
Also, yay that I can finally read your page again.
I know you claim to have no idea about the invisible forcefield that’s been protecting your pretty pages from Evil Jay, but mark my words, it HAS been penetrated!
What in the name of Jerry Brightonhammer was that all about?
I dont’ know but it doesn’t make sense to me.