It seems as though the bar for Trump, and anyone on the Right by proxy, is set so low, which, by the way, is hugely insulting to people on the Right, that when they do something that, on the surface, doesn’t seem horrible, they get huge kudos. What about his other appointment selections and what he openly plans on doing on day one? I’m left wondering why if a person on the Left sneezes too loud or wishes people weren’t overtly racist and rapist apologists, they get called names. Yet, when someone on the Right doesn’t shoot a protester or sexually assault someone that day, they get a cookie. Perhaps in wanting to be open to the other side, some just switched one perceived enemy for another.
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Do Ana’s articles tie directly to the points you’re making here, or are they more examples of the broader issue you’re highlighting about media and societal reactions to political figures?
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I would say both.
I get your frustration with differing standards. It’s commendable that you’re reflecting on these inconsistencies and questioning political narratives. Discussions like this bridge gaps and promote understanding. Your insights enrich the dialogue! What do you think drives these scrutiny differences—media bias, or cultural and societal expectations?
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Thank you, you are too generous! I think it varies. Besides the us vs. them mindset, often reinforced by media bias, I believe that personal and community experience (or lack thereof) enables this tendency. For example, due to my personal experiences with decades of sexual assaults and abuse, I am highly triggered by Trump and those with whom he chooses to surround himself, which makes it hard for me to have empathy for and understand his supporters. On the other hand, and I only bring this up because she has mentioned it herself on different platforms, I think Ana’s negative experiences with people on the Left after her sexual assault juxtaposed the openness the Right showed her has made her an apologist for the Right while she now often and easily belittles the Left. And suppose you’ve experienced racism, bigotry, or other forms of irrationality and hate. In that case, you typically don’t want others to have the same experiences, but if you haven’t, it can be all too easy to lack empathy for those who have. I think it’s important to remember that we all have motivations and intentions, and only when we can gain a greater understanding of those within ourselves and in others can we start to make informed decisions to guide us in moving ourselves and our country in a positive direction. I’m genuinely trying to, and I screw up often.
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Thank you for sharing such personal experiences - it really adds so much. With perspectives being so different, how can we bridge divides? The ‘us vs. them’ mindset is tough. Do you think media/communities could focus more on shared humanity?
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It seems to me that Trump’s appointments should be taken seriously both by the media and voters. These decisions matter because it affects people in so many ways. Reporting truth and facts especially on women’s rights and medical choices that have to be made , is essential. Policies and laws have consequences which often get lost in the mix. It is utter folly to vanquish law that had precedence for 50 years { Roe v. Wade } . There seems to be a fallacy that things were great before , { Really , back street abortions , sexual abuse } . I don’t want to go backwards and to make medical care more difficult. I can never imagine what a woman goes through being pregnant and having the desired childbirth. But I do understand that woman rich or poor are entitled to the best medical care and in the case of rape , the same thing. It’s the right thing to do Jack C.
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I clicked on both links to better understand what you were talking about. Sadly, I still don’t understand how the articles tie together for you, in this way. I didn’t think Ana was praising or apologizing for Trump at all, in either article. And since, for me, they were on two different topics, I can’t speak to the consistency-issue. That said, I’m someone who often links things others don’t. So, I support you.
Also, I can see how the article criticizing those who are mentioning divorce and sterilization is a bit off-putting. I didn’t read or hear what she’s referring to but I did contemplate the merits of sterilization and perpetual singlehood last week. So, these things don’t sound odd to me, on their face. It’s wise to contemplate choices, right? 
Those two paragraphs are more considered responses to what you wrote. However, the thing that sprang to mind after reading what you wrote before looking at Ana’s articles was this: it’s like when a guy puts down a toilet seat. When I was a kid, I was so confused as to why the guys in my life got such praise from the women in their lives FOR PUTTING DOWN THE F-ING TOILET SEAT. I honestly think that was a fundamental seed to my feminism.
And it doesn’t stop there. Double standards are everywhere. I don’t think we can look at this topic you bring up clearly, possibly ever, because these double standards are rooted in all the f-ing double standards that shaped our world. It sucks. Some double standards make a bit more sense: higher standards for the ones with a more proven record of being capable of more. Like when you get more upset with mom for forgetting to pick you up even though dad does it all the time.
Others are more maddening and may be about deeper issues like the desire to be “more right” about something. Ego is such a big player and allows for manipulations involving double standards. I do hate the lowered bars and not just with right wingers. To me that’s what the “lesser evil” crap the Democrats play with is: a “lowered bar” view created and exploited. I think it’s great you bring this up because it’s something we have to monitor in ourselves. Little compromises can add up.
I wrote a lot! Sorry. I wanted to be able to look at what you wrote and make sure this all makes sense. But the screen within screen is tiny and I don’t know how to navigate this forum yet.