Slice of Pink

Class Acts

Of course I have something to say about President Barack Obama receiving the Nobel Peace Prize. Of course I do. And, against my better judgement, I am going to say it here. And most of you will totally get what I am saying because I know you, lovely readers, but some of you will not get me at all. Because of this we need to get some things clear, very clear, right off the bat:

I am not saying Barack Obama deserved the Nobel or did not deserve the Nobel. I am not saying that the Nobel was premature or timely. I am not saying Barack Obama received the Nobel for his accomplishments or that he received the Nobel for nothing at all.

Here's what I am saying:

Let's get a little bit of class, America.

Let's stop with the name calling and the vitriolic rhetoric and the all-out rude reaction to the news. An American just won a prestigious international award, which he accepted in the humblest of ways. This is an occasion to commend, not vilify. At the very least, there is an expectation that Obama has the power to promote peace throughout the world and, as Americans, we should take pride in our nation, if not our President, for this fact.

I posted this on Facebook yesterday:

A lesson in class from Sen. John McCain: "I think part of their decision-making was expectations. And I'm sure the president understands that he now has even more to live up to. But as Americans, we're proud when our president receives an award of that prestigious category."

A simple point: America let's be classy.

And, in response, I get a sarcastic version of this: BUT WHAT HAS OBAMA DONE TO DESERVE THIS AWARD? HUH?

The irony. Oh, the irony. Miss my point much?

Yesterday, some of the classiest members of the G.O.P. have congratulated Obama. They may not agree with the decision--they may, in fact, completely and utterly disagree with the decision and I suspect they probably do--but they responded with the utmost human decency to the announcement.

Governor Tim Pawlenty said that, whatever the circumstances, "when anybody wins a Nobel Prize that is a very noteworthy development and designation and I think the appropriate response is to say 'Congratulations.'" Agree or disagree, the appropriate response is to say congratulations. Now that's classy.

Look, I don't know purport to know anything about the Nobel Peace Prize. I don't know the requirements or the qualifications. I can barely name 10 recipients of the prize and, looking at the list, I can't even tell you who half the people are. I am sure this is the case for most Americans. What I do know is this: when somebody wins it, it's better to have a little grace than to go all Kanye West on the committee, acting like petulant children. America, where's your class?

There are times when trenchant dissent is a meaningful, important, critical part of American discourse; I think everyone should speak their mind about Obama's policies, for sure. Don't care much for Obama's health care plan? Say so. Certainly.

But when somebody wins a Nobel Peace Prize, the classy thing to do is say congratulations, or say nothing at all.

Congratulations President Obama.

This Magic Moment

Fine, maybe we didn't share a moment here, but that's so old news. Tonight, Gavin Newsom was just hanging out down at the Davis Farmers' Market, eating a cookie, and not only did I shake his hand, I carried on an actual conversation with the Mayor.

It started like this:

He said, "I'm Gavin."
I said, "I know."

And then we talked about law school and graduations and other such things.

Now I don't even have to pretend there was a moment, because, people, THERE WAS ONE.

Finally Getting Paid

A few months ago, I posted that Lilly Ledbetter got nothing from Goodyear Tire, the company that discriminated against her for 19 years based on her gender.

She may have received nothing from Goodyear, but today she received "an even richer reward": President Obama signed the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act into law. Plus, she got to keep one of the pens Obama used to sign his name on the bill.

Hurray for equality. Hurray for moving forward as a nation.

Yes We Did

The New Hope

Today, I am voting for progress. I am voting for peace. I am voting for hope, for change, for tomorrow. I am voting for equality. I am voting for love.

Today, I am going to vote for what matters in life, what really matters in life. I'm voting for a better world, for the greater good, for the less fortunate, for the best among us.  I'm voting for America. 

Today, I am voting for Barack Obama.

I hope you'll join me. 

Say it Ain't So, Valentino

I've joked before about what I would do with an extra One Hundred Grand--spend it on a law degree, that's what--but now that Sarah Palin has spent $150,000 on clothes at Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus, I thought I'd do the same. 

Except, you know, in the pretend shopping world. The world where sales tax does not exist. 

When I started this post, I actually thought it was going to be fun. I'd just pick some expensive couture and add up the bill. It was not fun. It was actually a huge pain in the ass. We're talking about a boatload of clothes. I've never been much of a shopper anyway, so this just became an ultra-tedious task. Do you realize how many wool hounds-tooth dresses there are at Saks, all of which look practically identical?  

Here it is: what I would be wearing had the RNC picked me as the Vice Presidential Candidate. What? I could have been picked. I have more formal education than Sarah, I can see Russia on a map, and I know some Supreme Court cases, too. I have a cute haircut. Totally qualified, my friends.

Rebecca Taylor Knit & Tweed Dress $350

Diane von Furstenberg Victoire Silk Wrap Dress $425

Nanette Lepore Dancing Queen Pants & Jacket $755

Burberry Tafetta Trench Coat $1595

Armani Collezioni Iridescent Silk Skirt Suit $1590

Dolce & Gabbana Ruffle-Front Trenchcoat $2795

Which puts us at $7,510. Hmmm. That's just not gonna do it.

Armani Collezioni Raised Seam Tweed Jacket and Paperbag Pants $2190

Herve Leger Aveline Cap Sleeve Dress $1565

Dior Pleated Peplum Jacket and A-Line Skirt $3980

Armani Collezioni Wool Crepe Dress $1175

Dior Ruffled Collar Dress $2590

Dior Swan Neck Peplum Jacket and Babco Pencil Skirt $3410

Milly Wool Houndstooth Dress $360

Premise Sleeveless Dress $285

Subtotal: $23,065. Not even close.

Tahari Houndstooth Skirtsuit $598

Dior Bow-Sleeve Sheath Dress $1990

NM Exclusive Basketweave Jacket & Dress $345

Roberto Cavalli Floral Ruffled Dress $2995

Loeffler Randall Ribbon Dress $375

Dolce & Gabbana Chiffon Blouse and Pleated Chiffon Skirt $1060

Theory Open-Back Cashmere Sweater & Knit Pants $570

St. John Lace Jacket and Skirt $3190

Badgley Mischka Platinum Label Belted Flower Dress $450

Lela Rose Feather Dress $1595

Which puts us at $33,300. We have a long way to go, friends. 

Lilly Pulitzer Cashmere Sweater Coat, Benton Ruffled-Front Tunic, Slim Belt, and Mainline Jeans $612

Vince Ribbed Turtleneck and Metallic Jacquard Skirt $490

Valentino Pleated Back Coat $995

Valentino Rosette Knit Dress $795

Tracy Reese Toga Dress $565

Carolina Herrera Dotted Ruffle Dress $1790

Carolina Herrera One Shoulder Bow Dress $2290

Rachel Roy Lilith Hand Painted Dress $1495 (hand painted!)

Chloe Scallop Edge Coat $2495

Chloe Scallop Edge Jacket, Blouse, and Skirt $4070

Oscar de la Renta Mink-Trim Coat $5990 (do I wear mink? Apparently, I do.)

Armani Collezioni Pin Dot Straight Jacket and Skirt $2620

Dior Tweed Jacket and Skirt $2970

Valentino Tuxedo Jacket and Skirt $5170

Michael Kors Crosshatch Tweed Suit $2290 (this would never fit me; for Michelle)

$67,937.  Now, this is just getting silly.

Shoes? Okay, shoes.

Prada Capretto Classic Pumps $430

Christian Louboutin Yotruche Pumps $1,045

Dior Whisper Peep Toe Pump $570

Jimmy Choo Gilly Pump $650

Christian Louboutin Wallis Mary Jane Pumps $685

Christian Louboutin Hai Sling Pumps $520

Valentino Noeud Peep-Toe Pumps $595

Dior Cannage Ballet Flats $430

Dior Suede Leather Slingbacks $660

Yves Saint Laurent Betis Boots $1195

Valentino Classic Mena Peep-Toe Sandals $695

Gucci Hollywood Pumps $595

Miu Miu Whips Degrade Ballet with Bow $495

Cole Haan Mary Jane Wedges $325

$76,837. Look at that! Just over half way there!

Moving on to accessories and handbags.

Judith Ripka Basket Weave Bracelet $850

Majorca Two Row Pearl Necklace $795

Kenneth Jay Lane Pavé Octopus Ring $150
Jimmy Choo Riki Crushed Patent Bag $1750
Marc Jacobs Palais Royale Calf Bag $850
Valentino Bow Clutch $895
Bottega Veneta Atene Ayers Bucket Bag $3950
Ippolita Sterling Silver Snowman Disc Earrings $225
Bvlgari Round Fireworks Sunglasses $390
Burberry Cashmere Ribbon Muffler $495
Christian Louboutin Cancan Satin Clutch $1215
Yves Saint Laurent Minaudiere Satin Clutch $1395
Chloé New Heloise Bowler Bag $2030
Roberto Coin Diamond Earrings $1800
Adriana Orsini Jumbo Hoop Earrings $200

$93,827. Now, this is just boring.

Fuck it. Look, I'm buying everything Dior because a) it's really cute and b) it's really, really expensive.


I'm getting lazy, so you can go see it all here if you are seriously interested in prices for this stuff. Now we're at $119,242.

I've grown tired of shopping for myself. I don't want to shop for Will (boys clothes are even more boring than girls clothes, plus, give me a break, Will does not give two hoots about clothes at Saks) and I don't have any Pipers or Bristols running around to clothe in ultra-expensive couture garb. So, now I'm shopping for Michelle, my law school friend. She likes Dolce and Gabbana. Okay then.


All this can be found here.

We're only up to $129,137, so I am now going to blow a wad of cash on Manolos.


That was fun, but only cost about $7000.

I'm going to spend the remaining $15,000 on nylons. At $55 a pop,  I can get 272 pairs, just for the sheer joy of it. Heh.

Clothes: $150,000
Makeup Artist, per week: $11,400
Hair Stylist, per week: $5,000


A candidate who is no longer "just one of us"? Priceless.

Possible

Thanks, But No Thanks

I want to tell you a story. 

A friend of mine recently retired from a job she had for 19 years. It was a good job, a job she enjoyed. Her work ethic was strong and her peers respected her. On the day my friend retired she received an anonymous note in her locker. 

That unsigned note told her something unbelievable. It told her that she had received less pay than her male counterparts. Less pay by a lot. My friend was being paid $3,727 a month. Her male counterparts were paid between $4,286 and $5,236 per month, even though they had less seniority. Even though she was doing the exact same job.

My friend filed a lawsuit and you know? On her pay discrimination claim, she won. The jury looked at the evidence and they agreed that my friend had been discriminated against based on her gender. 

But a jury's decision is not final. Even though she had won on the facts--won on the very merits of her case--there was a long road ahead. 

The company appealed the judgement and the lawsuit went all they way to the United States Supreme Court. And when it got there, the Supreme Court looked at the facts and they had a vote. The four liberal justices agreed that my friend deserved her equal pay. But the five conservative justices said "close, but no cigar." My friend got nothing from the company that discriminated against her for nearly two decades. Nothing. 

You see, there is this tricky thing in the law called  the statute of limitations. It sets forth the maximum number of days after an event occurs that a person can initiate a lawsuit. 

My friend only had 180 to call out her company on their shameless pay discrimination. Not 180 days from the day she found out--but 180 days from the time the pay decision was made, way back when she had no idea that she was being discriminated against. The clock started ticking--and, in fact, ran out--years before she even knew that she was worth less to her company because she was a woman. 

This is a true story. I've never met Lilly Ledbetter,  the woman who was discriminated against by Goodyear Tire Company, but her story speaks to me and I hope it speaks to you, too. 

Her story spoke to Congress and they attempted, this year, to pass the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. The act would not only protect women, but also people of color, older, and disabled workers from wage discrimination. 

In 2008, John McCain said "thanks, but no thanks" to fair pay for women.

Sarah Palin agreed. If she had a vote in a Congress, she, too, would have said "thanks, but no thanks" to equal pay.

They both say that they support fair pay, but how can that be? I suspect they support it in theory, but not in fact, as the facts, in fact, indicate. Who needs facts, anyway, when you can just speak in cliché?

John McCain sets forth two reasons for opposing this bill. First, he says that  women need more training and education. And, second, he says that it would open the door to too many lawsuits. 

More training? More education? Remember we are talking about women doing equal work "which requires equal skill, effort, and responsibility, and which [is] performed under similar working conditions." (That there would be some actual text from the law.)

"I've got plenty of training," Ledbetter said. "What I don't have is the right to fight for what I deserve."

And too many lawsuits? In America, you can sue because your coffee is too hot or because your dry cleaner lost your pants. I can sue you if you take this story and post it on your blog (which I would not do, so post away). But, our conservative Supreme Court Justices, in a narrow vote, have made it so that you cannot sue if your employer secretly paid you less than your male counterparts for years. Except, well, for 180 days worth of pay--if you find out soon enough.

I must ask--whose interests do McCain and Palin have at heart? Not yours, not mine. It is blatantly clear, that the McPalin tickets supports corporations at the expense of hardworking women across America. It is blatantly clear because we have actually seen what happens when corporations are not held accountable for their discriminatory practices. Nothing. Lilly Ledbetter got nothing. Goodyear got away with 19 years of paying Lilly a discriminatory wage. 

And McCain and Palin are okay with that.

To John McCain and Sarah Palin, I say, "thanks, but no thanks." 

Vapid & Vacuous

I want to preface this by saying that I worked in the White House. In the White House during a Republican Administration. I'm right there, standing right next to my old pal Dubya. No joke, people. Right there wearing a J. Crew skirt. 

I could be a Republican. Dudes, they were hooking me up with internships and big bowls of free M&Ms on my big mahogany desk in the Office of White House Management and Operations (Room One, to the insiders). It was fancy.

You know, I don't want to talk politics here. I don't want to alienate anyone. I don't want to create a big divide (I find plenty of opportunities for that by updating my Facebook status). But, I am outraged that McCain chose Sarah Palin to represent me. And, I'm outraged that the Republicans  aren't demanding better--for themselves, for our children, for our country, for our world.

I'm going to let other women speak for me. You don't have to read this post. You shouldn't bother trying to convince me that I am wrong. Remember, I stood in the Oval Office during a Republican Administration. I've been there. And I was wrong. 

On Sarah Palin:

Her beliefs on the environment, foreign policy and sex education are not those of someone with a worldview, but rather of someone with a closed mind. That is the world of the 1950’s, not the world of today. --Annemarie H., 51, Scottsdale, AZ

She did not even bother to be prepared for her first full media interview with Charlie Gibson (How embarrassing). She bobbed and weaved, avoiding any direct answers to the very direct questions she was asked (Possbily out of ignorance). Then, when the questions became just too difficult for her, she answered her interviewer with a cute smile and a wink (What political savvy). What are we to think about a Republican candidate, who when asked about a specific Bush policy on terrorism, gave an answer that clearly proved that she had no idea what Charlie Gibson was talking about? If this is what John McCain and the Republican party think the American people want and will follow, I think that they have made a very, very huge mistake. --Barbara V.

It was clear watching her with Charles Gibson that she has a deep lack of knowledge and ignorance of international concerns. Nor does she truly understand what democracy is and how it works in a world wide scheme. Her canned answer on invading Palestinian countries either showed her lack of diplomacy, her lack of knowledge or her willingness to be a world dictator. All of which reflect that she is unfit to be a leader in the USA. What a bummer, out of all the women that could have been...--Patricia M, Denver, CO

I  worry that in our country's media madness to see an attractive young face, many voters will not listen to the 1950's message that Sarah Palin brings. If she were a Democrat, the Republicans would say, "stay home and take care of your young family." For our sake, I wish she would have made that choice when asked to be the VP. --Mary O., 53, Green Oaks, IL

Palin is a gimmick sent out to energize the Republican extremists who swarmed the polls and ignorantly gave George Bush two election victories. She is the gun-toting hockey mom sent to shine a blinding light over the party's own distaste for McCain, once the most moderate Republican but now a puppet for the conservative base. She is protected and coddled by her "handlers", a direct imitation of the similarly invisible and unreachable current President. She has no business being anywhere near the second highest office in the land. The McCain camp cries "sexism!" anytime her views or qualifications are questioned, but it is more sexist (in reverse mode) to elect such an extreme and unqualified woman to high office, merely because she *is* a woman. I don't think even the hardest of the hard core Hillary backers are falling for this ruse. I too would love to see a woman elected to high office, but I want her to be legitimately qualified and legitimately vetted and legitimately chosen for her supreme knowledge of democratic government. Not because she is folksy, trash-talking arm-candy for a foundering candidate. --Sue U., 42, Milwaukee, WI

I have nothing against Sarah Palin but she is the EXACT opposite of what the followers of Hillary respected about her long run for the White House. We won't vote for an empty skirt. –Marcia B., Mamroneck, NY

Sometimes I worry that people just vote without thinking. Without asking questions. I beg of you, please, think. Ask questions. 

Trust me, you can still be a feminist without voting for McCain/Palin. There's nothing wrong with looking beyond gender to facts and ideas and credentials. Ladies, isn't that all we are asking for anyway? 

Think. Ask Question. Vote Obama '08.

Some New

I love political celebrities.

So, when Michelle asked me to go with her to the law school graduation, I decided I'd endure a monotonous and repetitive commencement ceremony--which, let's be real, all graduations are dullsville--so that I could lay my eyes on the Mayor of San Francisco.

Yes, indeed. Gavin Newsom is hot. They forgot to mention it in his bio at the ceremony.

We are sharing a moment here. Will says he is obviously looking in the lower level stands, but I DON'T THINK SO.

Oh, And One More Thing

So, I spent the day going to class, riding my bike, eating pizza. The usual business going on around here, you know, the eating and studying and sleeping.

Oh! Except there was that one more thing.

Did I mention the hanging out with President Bill Clinton? Oh, well, there was some hanging out with President Bill Clinton.

There was some President Bill Clinton shaking my hand. Or, more precisely, there was some Bill Clinton shaking Will's hand while I kind of just touched Bill's wrist. But there was some touching of Bill Clinton.

There was some Bill speaking. There was some me listening from the VIP bleacher seats.

There was some me asking Bill Clinton if he would sign my constitutional law book and some Bill Clinton telling me that, sure, he would sign it and bring it right back.

There was some of that, which I'd call, oh, the HIGHLIGHT OF MY YEAR. Did I mention that?

It Nevers Rains in Southern California

Today Arnold, our Governor, declared a state of emergency in California due to the "extreme low temperatures." Apparently, an arctic low pressure system from Alaska has swept down and California is in trouble. Because these weird, white, cold things are falling from the sky!

For all of my readers in states like Minnesota and Michigan and North Dakota, this is for you. You are going to love this, especially since it comes not from the colder regions in our state, but sunny San Diego:

The cold weather system dumped about an inch of snow and ice on mountainous areas in the San Diego region in southern California earlier Friday, forcing several school closures.

One inch of snow! One INCH of snow, people. What wimps! For the record, my school here in Southern California closes if an administrator sees even one snowflake fall to the ground. Two years ago, all the kids were released and, by the time they made it off campus, it was bright and sunny again with not a flake in sight. Sometimes we close the school if it rains too hard.

Yesterday, my students were preparing for a big snow day. The TV said so. Alas, it was sunny this morning with not a cloud in sight and everybody had to come to school like usual. My little sister came bundled up in a thermal top, down jacket, and jeans. But, in true California style, she was still wearing a pair of flip-flops. Go shovel your driveway in that, California.

Politically Correct

Ah-nold, the governator was in town last night having one of those big $250-a-plate dinners. We didn’t go although we were invited twice over.

First, we were invited by the people planning the dinner, our friends, who were organizing the high dollar event.

Second, we were invited to join the crowd of picketing teachers, also our friends, who were protesting Arnold’s proposed funding cuts that would affect public educators, which hi, would be us.

If we went, either way, we would have had half as many friends today. And Arnold isn’t worth that, because, yo, I don’t see him inviting us out for drinks on Friday night. Besides, hanging with Arnold is old news.

The flower pin that is almost as big as my head? A Carrie Bradshaw phase. I know half of you went through some sort of Carrie phase so don't be dissin'.

Big Easy

We haven’t had television for about 3 years now. When we first moved into our apartment, there was a brief period when the cable was still working, presumably having been paid for by the previous tenant. For nearly two weeks we sat wholly mesmerized by the free programming, until one night, right in the middle of some show, the cable was turned off and the screen went to static. And then we stared dumbfounded at the blank screen for 30 minutes because WHAT IS THERE TO DO WITHOUT T.V.?

And then we got over it.

There are moments when I can’t stand not having television. Like, I still haven’t seen the last season of Friends and I have to wait until November 15 to know what happened after Joey and Rachel’s first kiss even though the rest of the world has already seen that unfolding drama 15 times in syndication.

I bring up television because I have not yet seen any television coverage on the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. I’ve read plenty online and I can tell you that I am heartbroken and pretty livid about the state of affairs down there. I won’t get into it, because so much has been said already, but the reaction (or lack thereof) of the federal government is completely surprising.

And, yet, not surprising at all.

It is infuriating that we can put together a strategy to kick the shit out of a country halfway around the world, but can’t get it together to take care of the people in our own backyard.

It is also infuriating that my gym has a Coca-Cola vending machine in the lobby. I'm just saying.

The Joke's On You, America

My cubicle in the White House was located directly next to the cubicle for that powerful and all-knowing division called Homeland Security. This was the cubicle where all incoming calls from the public regarding the protection and wellbeing of our great nation were funneled.

And answering the phone? Yeah. Three hung-over interns.

Our nation’s security program: three frat boys in J. Crew ties. I feel safer already.