On Acting Like a Lady

Cross-posted from EMILY's List.

I grew up in a close-knit, opinionated family, and my grandfather, who was called Baba Charlie (one grandchild simply could not pronounce “grandpa”, and the rest is history), was my greatest fan – but also full of advice and admonishments. His favorite was, “Jenny! Act like a lady.” At first, I chafed at this. To me, it meant, don’t bite your nails. Don’t misbehave. I thought it basically meant, don’t speak your mind. But as I got a little older, and understood him more, I got it. My grandfather values civility above all; to him, acting like a lady meant: speak respectfully, be kind to others, care for those who need it.

Well, it’s pretty clear Cong. Allen West never learned any of those lessons. In case you missed it, West sent an email tirade on Tuesday to EL’s own Debbie Wasserman Schultz, congresswoman from South Florida, devoted mother and community leader, and history-making Chair of the Democratic Party.

West’s email is at once adolescent and threatening, sexist and full of rage:

"Look, Debbie,…let me make myself perfectly clear…you are the most vile, unprofessional, and despicable member of the US House of Representatives. If you have something to say to me, stop being a coward and say it to my face, otherwise, shut the heck up. ..You have proven repeatedly that you are not a Lady, therefore, shall not be afforded due respect from me!”
Congressman Allen West, in a public email to Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, July 19, 2011

And what had Wasserman Schultz done to deserve this onslaught of anger and threats? She’d followed West on the floor of House, noting that his support for the debt ceiling bill Republicans voted for – which they acknowledged was nothing more than a symbolic act – would have raised medicare costs for the large senior citizen populations in South Florida.

That’s right – pointing out the punishing affects of West’s vote on seniors in their nearby districts earned Wasserman Schultz rage, name-calling, and even threats. Could there be anything less respectful, less responsible – less civil?

EMILY’s List put West “On Notice” in early April, a designation created especially for those members of Congress whose anti-woman, anti-family agendas puts them at the top of our list of “must be defeated” representatives. Later that month, we put EMILY’s List hero, former legislator and Mayor Lois Frankel “On the List”, a special category to highlight prochoice Democratic women we’re watching who will run in these critical races.

It’s clear our early reaction to West’s outrageous behavior and agenda was right on the mark. His treatment of Debbie Wasserman Schultz reveals for once and for all a temperament that has no place in our politics and a view of other human beings that is out of touch with South Florida and frankly, with the country. Which any person who knows what it means to “act like a lady” – or, in this case, a gentleman – knows. It’s time for West to go.

Click here to speak out now and tell Allen West that you are standing with Debbie!

Photo credit: veni markovski