Hillary Clinton's Hypocrisy & Betrayal of Women

It continues to mystify me how so many intelligent, modern, educated, thoughtful women continue to support the candidacy of Hillary Clinton for president of the United States. Are the collective memories of American women so short that they forget her aiding and abetting or at least participating in the cover-up, concealment or blame game to deflect the numerous instances of Bill Clinton's sexual harassment, sexual assaults, sexual peccadilloes, serial adultery, and abuse of power while governor of Arkansas and President? By standing along side Bill Clinton on 60 Minutes to show her continued support of a man who used his power to subjugate, coerce, enthrall, entice or manipulate less sophisticated women to fulfill his sexual desires or inflated ego Hillary Clinton betrayed modern women. Is there no recollection of the quip Ms. Clinton made following her public support of Mr. Clinton during the Gennifer Flowers scandal that despite her actions reflecting that she was overlooking Bill's indiscretions she "wasn't some little woman 'standing by my man' like Tammy Wynette."

Candidate Hillary Clinton blamed Gennifer Flowers, Paula Jones, Monica Lewinsky, Sally Perdue, & Dolly Browning for the indiscretions. Really? When a powerful man attempts to seduce a women Hillary blames the woman? Taking this position repeatedly reveals Hillary Clinton for the inexcusable hypocrite that she is. She claims to have devoted her adult life to public service supporting disadvantaged women and children. Instead she had devoted her public life to increasing the influence, financial position and faux public perceptions of Bill & Hillary Clinton and in doing so betrayed the psychologically, emotionally, and physically abused women she claims to have helped.

If Ms. Clinton had stated clearly, unabashedly, and publicly that she was aware of her husband's infidelity and just didn't care because they had a marriage of convenience such as that between Claire and Frank Underwood on House of Cards, I would appreciate the candor and agree that the consensual relationships are not my business. 

Frankly, I had enough of the Clinton family during the two scandal ridden terms of Bill Clinton. Lest we forget the Rose Law Firm billing documents found in a White House closet, Whitewater, the use of Arkansas state troopers to facilitate assignations during the years in the governor's mansion, the allegations of temper tantrums & flying ashtrays, and continued support of Bill when he equivocated on the definition of "is". 

The deleted emails and the belief that it is quite appropriate to hold diametrically opposed views on certain issues in public and private are just the latest. But these are political issues. My concern is that at heart Hillary Clinton is a throw-back to an era that a modern woman wants to forget, a time when women subjugated themselves to support a man, when it was okay to cast aspersions against or betray  another women to convince oneself that they weren't betrayed. For me this is a deal breaker. And really, would she be where she is today had it not been for her making the 1950's decision to "stand by your man'? I think not! At least Madeline Albright and Condoleezza Rice made it on their own.

The Gift of Looks Into the Past -Old Movies

Every once in a while my husband and I will watch a silent movie on Turner Classic Movies. Tonight the offering is "Little Annie Rooney" starring Mary Pickford, a 1925 film. For movie goers of today used to the wonders of modern technology this movie will seem melodramatic, kitchy, dull or painful to watch.

But for us these movies offer us a glimpse into the past, our collective history, a distant mirror. In 1925 this technology was state of the art.Mary Pickford was "America's Sweetheart". She was also a savvy business woman and one of the founders of United Artists - truly a modern woman.

Watching some of these films affords us an opportunity to see how people looked, what music was appreciated, how they lived, dressed, enjoyed life,  or found escape from everyday life.

With each passing year, decade, century, millennium we lose a sense of what has come before, what has brought us to who and where we are. I am fortunate that my parents raised me to appreciate our collective history. I do believe what historians have espoused that if we do not learn from the past we are bound to repeat it.

Perhaps it is my interest in, ties to, affiliation with and focus on what has come before and how our studies can give us insights into how our nation was formed, what divided us, what united us, what brought us together and what tore us apart, how we came to be who were are today as a people that draws me to this topic. Or maybe it was what I heard on NPR this evening driving to yoga.

But I truly do believe that we have a responsibility to look at the past, accept where we have been, remember what has come before, appreciate how far we have come, and decide to do better.

Be it acceptance of that we cannot control, embracing multiculturalism, appreciation for the globalization of our world, tolerance  for those who are different or believe differently, compassion for those in pain, celebration of those who succeed, love of friends and family, kindness to a stranger, letting go of frustration and resentments, embracing change, I believe there are lessons to be learned from the past.

Occasionally that glimpse into where we have been gives me a reminder that we are all on a journey and celebration of the strides we've made which  must be balanced with appreciation for how far we've come. Yes, to be trite, Rome wasn't built in a day.

Philosophy ~ When Hope In A Jar No Longer Suffices There is Miracle Worker

I love Philosophy make up and skin care products because they are made in America and they work. While I haven't always loved the product names I do love the products and am thrilled to be able to find them readily at Ulta and Sephora. There is something disconcerting about transitioning from Hope in a Jar, to Renewed Hope in a Jar to Miracle Worker. One must contemplate if one must have lost all hope to resort to belief miracles. Fortunately, I've been a life long believer in miracles although I've not here-to-for expected to find it in a jar or glass bottle with a pump.

My most recent experiment with Philosophy products involves the Miracle Worker line. During Ulta's September daily beauty deals I found myself intrigued by Miracle Worker SPF 30 Anti Aging Foundation. It was 25% off and I'm still on the prowl for the holy grail of foundations. While I am moderately content with the results using Bobbi Brown, Nars, or Estee' Lauder, the reviews of the Miracle Worker enticed me to give it a go. Imagine my surprise when the first two times I wore this foundation I received compliments about how wonderful I looked! So I am sold!

Just as advertised Miracle Worker does not accentuate fine lines and burgeoning wrinkles. Shades #3 and #4 both worked for me and disappeared into my skin. This foundation is moisturizing and works best without a separate moisturizer or primer. For me it lasted all day. 

I did receive a full size sample of  Renewed Hope In a Jar through Boxycharm.com and have gleefully substituted my Hope in a Jar with Renewed Hope in a Jar. I've also been a long time afficianado of Purity Made Simple, Philosophy's one step facial cleanser. I have very sensitive skin and use this with my Clarisonic every night. It works as a makeup remover, cleanser, and toner all in one.