Michelle Goldberg on the Ann Romney Hitler Tempest (...her very qualified apology)

The Daily Beast ^ | Monday, May 14, 2012 | Michelle Goldberg

[kristinn]

A stray cable comment triggers an Internet firestorm. Michelle Goldberg on the Ann Romney tempest—and her very qualified apology.

SNIP

Here’s what happened. On Sunday, I appeared on a Mother’s Day edition of Up With Chris Hayes, a weekend morning talk show, along with Katie Roiphe, Eve Ensler, and Jamila Bey.

SNIP

One of the show’s topics was the saccharine op-ed that Ann Romney published in USA Today, “Three seasons of motherhood.” The main point I wanted to make about it is that our society offers mothers a deal: what we don’t give them in tangible support, we make up for insipid paeans.

SNIP

I got into trouble, however, by saying that Romney’s closing lines, about how there is “no crown more glorious” than the “crown of motherhood,” reminded me of the pronatalist propaganda of World War II-era totalitarian regimes. That was a mistake. Not because I don’t think it’s true—when I read Romney’s words, I immediately thought of the “Motherhood Glory” medals that Stalin gave to women who had lots of children, and of the Nazi cult of motherhood, which Hitler called women’s “highest exaltation.”

SNIP

So my apologies aren’t for Ann Romney, but for everyone else. I’m truly sorry to have given the right a pretext for another tedious spasm of feigned outrage. I’m sorry to have stirred one of the teapot tempests that now dominate the increasingly dispiriting world of political journalism. I’m especially sorry if I’ve done anything to strengthen the conservative myth that liberals disdain motherhood. I certainly don’t. As it happens, I’m hoping to have a baby of my own very soon. When I do, like most mothers I know, I’d much prefer accessible day care, quality public schools, and affordable health care to a metaphorical crown, however glorious it may be.

[kristinn]

Wow. No conflict of interest there! /s

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

I’m hoping to have a baby of my own very soon. When I do, like most mothers I know, I’d much prefer accessible day care, quality public schools, and affordable health care to a metaphorical crown, however glorious it may be.

Let's calculate. Ten hours for sleep. Daycare/school for twelve hours including commute time. That leaves two hours for meals, getting dressed, necessary shopping and the other fun things of life.

Since you will not be seeing the baby may I ask why you are having one?

Just send money to one of those "save the children" charities. You will spend as much time with that child as you would one of your own and they will at least write you letters.

[JustSayNoToNannies]

"As it happens, I’m hoping to have a baby of my own very soon."

Great. She's going to reproduce.

Turkey baster alert!

[JustSayNoToNannies]

there is “no crown more glorious” than the “crown of motherhood,”

I know of a crown more glorious.