An Interesting View on Sarah Palin

The spin-fests have begun on Sarah Palin as the Republican Vice-Presidential nominee; and I, being who I am, am not just reading one or the other's spins -- I end up looking at both sides.

John Mark Reynolds, guest-posting at Evangelical Outpost, has a very interesting post that moves from some insights into what his wife Hope "does for a living", through a look a the spheres of activity culture is built through, and on to the qualifications for office of Sarah Palin

However, the interesting core of this article to me was this section:

Palin brings the home-truths to government, but also governs well. Her government experience is vital to indicate to us that she is ready for this bigger government job, but her outstanding success in civic, family, and business areas should not be discounted or viewed with a patronizing attitude.

She is a person whose life did not consist merely of being an outstanding community leader, family leader, and business leader, but it includes success in all those roles with proven competence in governance.

She is a Renaissance woman, but for some bigots if that breadth of experience was not gained in paid employment or only in government than it counts less or does not count at all. That is offensive, though hard-working women like Palin mostly ignore it and cheerfully go on being awesomely competent.

My wife is one of those millions of women and she sees in many sneers about Palin (reducing this brilliant woman to the "beauty queen") yet another example of some peoples inability to value her experience.

Certainly, for anyone working against the Republican ticket this may be a wise piece of strategic advice. On a larger level (separating Sarah Palin from the question): as women continue to shatter "glass ceilings" in business and government - are we going to value (as Reynolds put it)

bring[ing] home-truths to government