Jeers: Maxim's Hottest Politicians on The State News

The same day that I was inspired by strong pro-woman women politicians, I get an ugly reminder that women in politics are still judged by the way they look by this Maxim magazine list that The State News covered.

Today I had the great fortune of attending the 4th Annual March for Choice at the State Capitol. The first speaker and one of the most energetic was Senator Gretchen Whitmer and she knew how to work the crowd! She has been a stronger supporter of pro-woman and pro-choice issues. She is a Democrat and represents the 23rd district, which includes most of Ingham county.

Later today, I was looking around The State News' website and found this article about her: "Local Senator Named 8th Hottest Politician by Magazine".

Move over, MSU Playboy models — State Sen. Gretchen Whitmer, D-Lansing, is in town.
And now she’s been put in Maxim magazine, too. Whitmer was named the eighth hottest politician in the world by Maxim magazine.

“I’m taking it with a grain of salt and a good sense of humor,” Whitmer said. Whitmer is not the only Michigan politician with winning looks.Gov. Jennifer Granholm was named the “Sexiest Governor 2005” by www.billyeakes.com and www.moonshinerepublic.com.

But Whitmer’s Maxim honors have caused her to be “teased mercilessly” — mainly by Sens. Randy Richardville, R-Monroe, and Wayne Kuipers, R-Holland — because of a comparison to the woman who comes in at No. 2 on the list.

“They think it’s funny that I’m on a list with (Republican vice presidential candidate and Alaska Gov.) Sarah Palin because they’re both Republicans,” Whitmer said.

The full list is featured online at Maxim.com/Girls.

Published on Tuesday, September 23, 2008

She's put in the difficult position of having to play along with this "compliment". I'm cringing as I read this article and I imagine that that's what Whitmer really means when she says she takes with with a grain of salt and good humor. If she complained about it, she'd be Bitch!Politician. "Teasing" from male Republican senators recalls a frat boy's immaturity toward women.

Note that Maxim is trying to give us a lesson in international politics, by making their list international politicians. Thanks for the International Relations lesson.

It's within Maxim's disgustingness to publish such Top 10 lists, but The State News, I'm disappointed in you too for passing it along to MSU.

Peers and Professors

It's been a long time since I last updated, I know. I thought about letting the blog go but I couldn't for two reasons.

First, I could not give up reading up on my fellow bloggers. Friends near and far (Marci: Very Far), please keep updating because checking my blog for your updates requires me to take note of how long it's been since I've updated myself. Of course, do leave love here as well and I will reciprocate.

Secondly, I conquered one instance of procrastination and the result was favorable. It made me believe that much -- my internship paper and this blog -- is salvageable.

See, the due date for the first draft of my research paper following my summer internship was nearly a fortnight ago yet I'm not done writing. I was miserable thinking about how I would tell my faculty reader that I had not finished it. She hadn't emailed me inquire about its progress and so I assumed it was up to me to initiate the conversation.

But I procrastinated on telling her. The dangerous nature of procrastination is that the longer you wait, the more difficult it is to get finish that task. I didn't think I'd make it through the weekend without knowing whether or not I was going to fail a class so I took a deep breath and sent her an email.

I expected a reply conveying disappointment and anger but instead she said that my topic was "fantastic" and that the deadline was "somewhat flexible". This was much more clemency than I expected.

Thank you professor; Thank you fellow bloggers. I'm back.