Replies

Don't blame the victim.
As in most abusive situations, any way a woman and her (female) children survive will seem impossible and fantastic to the rest of us.

I would have expected this administration to be more helpful than the last, too. It would be frustrating to be denied help where it's most expected, wouldn't you think?

I'm not sure that in practical terms it matters who is in the White House. I get the impression that State Department is a sovreignty on its own - or at least the bureaucrats may act as thought they are.

"I'm not sure that in practical terms it matters who is in the White House. I get the impression that State Department is a sovreignty on its own..."

Hooey. If George Bush wants a thing done, it gets done. This isn't as difficult as calling on Mr. Gorbachev to tear down a Wall.

And you are so right, whatever an abused woman does to survive is discounted. The Donner Party got more sympathy than the average abused woman ever could. Whether she submits and bides her time, fights back, takes him to court, or vanishes with "his" kids; no matter the circumstances, she's criticized. One would almost suspect a deep and abiding misogyny behind it all.