11 Comments
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Leanne Phillips's avatar

You can call it a lot of things, but it did absolutely nothing to advance women's empowerment. It was a display of crass privilege, and that they don't get that shows their entitlement and how out of touch they are. The good that money could have done makes me ill. Even all that aside, it screamed publicity stunt--can you imagine having all of 11 minutes in space to take in the wonders of it all and instead staring straight into a camera while holding up a flower? Or singing "What a Wonderful World" while others are trying to enjoy their few minutes in space? And then the media coverage only mentioning celebrities when there were a couple of actual astronauts on the flight. I am seething.

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Catherine H Palmer's avatar

I wondered a bit if I was being unfair. If, perhaps it was the media coverage that played up the empty-headed girlyness of it. But, no. Listening to Gayle King's defense in particular was mind-boggling. That said. Take a deep breath. Let it go. Their 15 minutes are up.

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Catherine H Palmer's avatar

I didn't even get a party favor 🚀😜

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Hannah Kuhn's avatar

I skipped this whole story, dismissing it as a stupid oligarchic stunt, because end of the world, etc., but your article points out how it could've been an opportunity to highlight what’s happening to women’s hard won rights. They were never going to do that, but you did! Thank you, Catherine.

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Catherine H Palmer's avatar

"Barbie doll chattel" !!!

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Aimee's avatar

YES!! I didn’t give it much thought (beyond ‘how silly’) until reading this. They were passengers - they weren’t driving the damn thing! They were barbie doll chattel meant to distract anyone who’s really paying attention.

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Catherine H Palmer's avatar

Daddy, indeed. I'd like to believe that they don't see their complicity, but I think they do and that's the shame.

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Prajna O'Hara's avatar

Hey Catherine, What a sham/shame for these women to turn a blind eye and go for pleasing Daddy.

Powerful, clear voice you have. Yes! TAKE UP SPACE.

Thank you for this.

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Andi Penner's avatar

Insanity. I couldn't even read it, Catherine, nor did I watch any of the coverage when it was on the news except what I saw as I passed by the t.v., which was on in the living room. Love you, but it's enough to know they did this--rather not be reminded that this is our USA. I look forward to your next post with a different photo! (Though it's an incredible phallus, you gotta admit.)

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Catherine H Palmer's avatar

Oh believe me. I am not a fan. I tried to elevate real issues for women in this post. No glam.

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Andi Penner's avatar

Oh, I know! I just wasn't in the mood--ha ha!

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