MCCAIN and WOMEN by Debra Sanders

I was reading another blog the other day and the question was posed: What issues are important to you in this election?

I figured that's as good a topic to tackle as any, since every issue of importance to me is at risk given the current tilt of the political barometer.

The issues of importance to me are likely the same as those important to most middle class Americans: the economy, education, health care for children and the elderly; equal rights for the disabled and the different, the environment; and of course, the unbelievably arrogant and narcissistic mindset of our current leaders. A mindset which led us into, and has kept us, in Iraq.

I think Obama chose well with Biden, who does indeed balance out his inexperience. This choice communicates to us (at least to me) that Obama understands that his sagacious passions need to be modulated by another's seasoned understanding. It suggests to me that Obama can, and will, hear what his advisors are telling him. And that he will act on those recommendations even if it they are not what he personally wants to hear.

Obama, if he can keep his ego in check and continue to approach politics as a team player (albeit the captain of the team), has a legitimate shot at being an agent of necessary change.

I do not believe the McCain team has a chance in hell of accomplishing this, despite the new "Maverick" platform being touted.

McCain, long known for being a hot head who displays great emotional lability, appears to have a long-standing, deeply rooted disrespect for women. Choosing Palin was brilliant in that it bought him the Dobson crowd and managed to turn quite a number of intelligent, women into groupies giddy with excitement over the idea of a woman in the White House. It was not however what his advisors recommended and it in no way suggests a newfound respect for the female sector.

Sarah Palin is feisty and she is tough; of that there is no doubt. I suspect however that once the last ballot has been tallied, should it be in their favor, McCain will denude her of power to a degree not seen since Hamlin served under Lincoln (if I remember my history correctly...if not, you get the idea). Mr. McCain is 72 years old--we all know that by now. And while I do believe you can teach an old dog new tricks, there is nothing in McCain’s countenance to suggest that he would allow a woman to participate as an intellectual equal.

Sarah Palin is decoration now and she will remain decoration. And that concerns me; just as I am sure it will concern her once the headiness of her meteoric rise to stardom dissipates a bit.

Surely a woman as independent and intelligent as Sarah Palin, must recognize that any potential she has to be an important influence in her state and in this country, is being relinquished by having joined McCain.

Palin's seeming fearlessness, the dynamic and adorable qualities currently applauded, do not stand a chance of holding her up once she sets foot in the oval office as a female puppet that gets to shine only when McCain needs a woman's touch around the house.

A Matter of Panache by Debra Sanders

I am one of those people who thinks we all need to do a little bit better when it comes to avoiding the ease and trappings that accepting mediocrity brings. I am a fervent supporter of those who take a stand in effort to make things better for our planet and its no-legged, four-legged, two-legged, winged, single-celled, multi-celled, green, red, black, brown and white inhabitants.

I am also one who has deep respect for those individuals who can do this while demonstrating a little bit of panache, because I’ve learned that displaying passion without panache doesn’t accomplish much.

Not everyone has panache. Genuine panache is kind of like having good skin when you’re sixteen—it’s a remarkable blessing. Not that you’re any less of a person because you don’t have clear skin; it’s just a whole lot easier to get a date if you don’t have to contend with a face covered with obvious blemishes and eruptions.

So it is with panache. If you have it, things in life are just easier. Doors seem to open a little faster, and you can go places and do things that would require a lot more work than if you have, say, a personality that’s kind of.... oily and....you know, inflammatory.

Most of us have met someone during our lifetime with panache. I’m not referring to slick politicians or evangelists who display a kind of practiced and rehearsed (albeit intense and very compelling) sort of magnetism; but rather to the sort of person who displays the kind of genuine charm that turns reluctant bystanders into an avid participants…who seems to inspire affection while fighting for the right things to happen. The person who can advocate for the underdog without coming across like a martyr.

Julia Roberts, as Erin Brockovitch, was a good example of someone with panache. You couldn’t help but like her.

This blog is dedicated to offering people the chance to speak up regarding things they feel passionate about: public education, health care, disability rights, diversity, animal rights, the environment, brain injuries, children, the elderly, kindness. Whatever. But hopefully it’s to be more than a sanctuary with a pulpit from which we each emote, for many of those are already in place.

Here at A Matter of Panache, I hope to create a community where we also learn how to more effectively channel our passions in ways that brings about true reform; a place where we can be both teachers and learners in the art of being, not just passionate, but productively passionate.

So, speak up. Are you one of those individuals who have inspired change—be it within yourself, neighborhood, city or planet? What have been your successes? Where did you go wrong?

Or tell of someone who has impacted you; someone displaying a bit of panache that we can all learn from.

Because when it comes right down to it, I think it’s about more than just being passionate. It’s about displaying our passions in ways that embrace rather than alienates. It's about championing our causes in ways that draw others in and lights the way, making it safer for them to ride our bandwagons.

It's about having both passion and a little bit of panache.