The "L" Word
Related Content
More About
Hypocritical mass: Finally, somebody said it! Of course Janet Napolitano's a lesbian, and a hypocrite for opposing gay marriage ("Reality Check," The Bird, Stephen Lemons, November 2). Even if she's not, how could she think people don't think she is? Everybody thinks that who's got the nerve to express an opinion!
That she [is] our governor for four more years just means more of her waffling, more of her commitment to "the children." To nothing much. Why doesn't she do something, anything, decisive?!
I personally couldn't care less whether Napolitano's gay. In fact, if she is and she came out, I would respect her more. At least she would be about something. That is, other than her next political job after she's done with us in Arizona. What a perfect federal attorney general she'd make for Mrs. Clinton or Barack Obama. Perfect politically, only.
But you could bet that she'd do as little as possible, just as she did as Arizona AG. Her motto is: Keep your head down. Don't get in the line of fire. Waffle on every controversial issue. As The Bird said, explain it with double-talk. Even if she's not a homosexual, how can a progressive (which she claims to be) be against gay marriage?
Your "Deconstructing Janet" series was too kind to her (see the latest installment, "Raising Arizona," by Robert Nelson, in this issue). You should've ripped her, but you gave her way more credit than she deserves. You're right that she may be the best governor we've ever had, but we deserve so much better! What a place, where somebody so banal can get elected to two terms as governor, and everybody thinks that's just peachy.
Jacky Burns, Phoenix
Sexist offender: I have no problem with a free press, opinions I don't care for, whatever. But the overt sexism of The Bird in this week's lead item demonstrates less about Governor Janet Napolitano and much more about how easy it is to be a hateful white male sexist in 2006.
"Manet," "pussy-boy," "try growing a pair," "sex-switched Guv," and "she radiates all the sex appeal of Richard M. Nixon in his prime" are all incredibly sexist comments that imply there is only one way to look, act, think, and be if one is to be either male or female. (As if Stephen Lemons is the arbiter of all things sexy and what a woman must look like! And, by the way, notice how successful Richard Nixon was.)
The hatred and anger invoked to discuss what could otherwise be a relevant topic overrode any attempt I might have had to actually engage with the issue. I have a feeling that extreme racism would not be tolerated by Phoenix New Times, but when females are the target, there is no awareness.
How do you think Congressman Mark Foley and Congressman Jim Kolbe got away with their closeted lives for so long? Women get called "dyke" if they even enter politics; men are assumed straight even if they are not.
As long as men, in particular, think sexism is acceptable and a solid base for "humor," New Times can make money, I'm sure. But violence against women, sexist political baiting and hateful diatribes that harm our daughters will also prevail.
Pamela Stewart, Phoenix
She aches just like a woman: I'm with The Bird as far as not understanding why Governor Napolitano (or anyone else) is opposed to gay marriage. It seems to be a non-issue for most rational people. And I can see asking Janet whether she's gay, in the context of her opposition. But I must part company with the Winged One at "why doesn't she start looking and acting like, say, a woman?" What the hell, Bird? What the hell?
She is a woman. Even if it were relevant, what else could she possibly look or act like? We work with what Mother Nature gave us, and sometimes "kinda dykey" is as good as it gets. Give it a rest; there are enough real issues to squawk about.
Name withheld by request
Separate bedroom performance from job performance: The Bird's "Reality Check" on Janet Napolitano and Prop 107 needs a reality check of its own.
What difference to her job performance does it make whether she is gay? Like this city and this state do not have bigger and more pressing issues to address? Snooping around her "closet" puts Mr. Lemons in the same category, in my opinion, as the Radical Right Wing Nut Jobs who are trying to get Prop 107 passed.
Last time I checked, job performance is not connected to what you choose to do in the bedroom, unless you are a porn star. Now if Mr. Lemons believes that she is doing a sucky job, attack her on issues and performance, not her bedroom life.
Name withheld by request
Do ask, do tell: As a closeted homosexual for many years, I can understand why Janet Napolitano would stay hidden regarding her sexuality for so many years. But, as The Bird says, it's time to come out. It's hypocritical not to come out now.
