Since when is an energetic candidate "manic?"

[MineralMan]

Manic is a psychiatric symptom used in a diagnosis. It means something, as those who have manic episodes and the people who love them know. All three Democratic presidential candidates at last night's town hall were energetic. They spoke strongly about their ideas. They responded to questions emphatically.

That's not "manic." That's energy. Yet, only one of the candidates was called "manic" by anyone. There's a disconnect somewhere in how we characterize women who run for office. We don't use words like "manic" to describe men who speak emphatically or gesture strongly when on the campaign trail. And yet, if a woman does the same thing, some believe there's something wrong with that woman.

"Manic" is often used as a replacement for "hysterical." In my opinion, it should not be used at all to describe energetic candidates who speak their minds emphatically. I expect energy from candidates, especially Presidential candidates. I expect to feel the fire burning within them. I want them to speak out strongly.

All three candidates did that last evening. Bravo to each and every one of them!

[thereismore]

1. A person can look manic without having a clinical diagnosis of mania/hypomania/bipolar.

Especially when that person consciously tries to be more animated or more "energetic" than he/she normally is. It may look like there is something wrong with them. I think it is certainly within the realm of possibility that Sec. Clinton was trying to put on a more energetic outlook or maybe she had too much coffee or maybe she had waited too long for her turn. Whatever it was, she looked manic to some people.

[MineralMan]

4. I don't use psychiatric terminology to describe

people. I'm not in that field. There are many other words that can be used that don't have medical connotations. You might feel otherwise.

[thereismore]

8. I am sorry. I thought you did. nt

[Splinter Cell]

6. This

[NCTraveler]

2. .

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1251&pid=1069193

[randome]

3. I think some judge her on her appearance. She's old.

So is Sanders but society looks down more on women past a certain age. She also has to tread a fine line that those of us of the male variety don't ever worry about -how to appear 'tough as a man' and still be herself. Younger generations of women find it easier to tread that line, I think.
[hr][font color="blue"][center]Aspire to inspire.[/center][/font][hr]

[MineralMan]

10. I'm old, too. Sometimes I'm energetic.

I'm never "manic," though. She is a candidate for President. That's all that matters. Her gender has nothing to do with anything at all with regard to that.

[peacebird]

5. It was pretty funny, the right arm doing karate chops for emphasis.... : )

Almost looked like her team told her that Bernie's popularity was because he slaps the podium when he speaks, so she tried it.

Thing is it looks normal for Bernie because he always does it. With her it looked staged and contrived.

[Fumesucker]

7. I refrain from commenting in a lot of your threads where I'm tempted to do so

Mostly because I don't want to be seen as bullying or stalking you.

Please stop tempting me so much, I'm far from perfect and your own word choices are likewise not always totally appropriate.

Ignorance can be fixed, stupid is forever.

[MineralMan]

13. I don't mind if you comment in my threads.

In fact, you have done so in this one. I suppose you're thinking about my 2008 statement, following Clinton's reference to RFK's assassination as a reason to remain in the race after it was clear she lost. I said, "Hillary is too stupid to be President." She said a stupid thing, hence my statement.

Since you chose not to quote me, I thought I'd quote myself. I felt that way at that time. It appears to me that she is very unlikely to repeat her stupid statement in this campaign, though.

Obama was the candidate I supported in 2008. Had Hillary Clinton won the nomination, I'd have supported her in the general election. I am a Democrat. I support Democratic candidates for President. I will continue that practice this year as well.

Replying in a DUer's threads does not constitute stalking. I would never suggest such a thing.

[Fumesucker]

18. Like you I comment when and where I wish and I set my own standards within TOS and CS

And as I said, stupid is forever. You didn't call HRC's statement stupid, you called her stupid a small difference in language with a great difference in meaning and implications.

Now you are criticizing someone else's choice of words after remarkably unfortunate ones of your own.

I'm an actual bipolar and I don't find the old appellation all that derogatory, manic is not a bad lay description of some behaviors.

This place cracks me up nearly continually lately.

[ChisolmTrailDem]

22. He could have settled an issue yesterday with either a "Yes" or "No" but refused to do so. nt

[Fumesucker]

23. Deliberate obtuseness can be either irritating or entertaining

I choose to react with amusement which is what keeps me laughing a lot of the time on DU.

[ChisolmTrailDem]

24. Took me all day to reach around far enough to pull the knife out of my back. Until yesterday, I...

...thought he and I were tight. Guess not.

[Fumesucker]

27. Love that tune...

What they do!

[ChisolmTrailDem]

30. Check out this chickenshit cop-out thing somebody did yesterday...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/12511062174#post81

[Hoyt]

9. Clinton handles a lot of crud very well. Some folks don't like that.

[KingFlorez]

11. I serve on a state mental health board

And my mother is a psych major. From what I've learned from both, I find that it's completely incorrect for anyone to label Clinton as manic. It's also offensive, because those who are bipolar have a very difficult time in their manic stages, which are incredibly frightening.

[MineralMan]

16. Yes, they're misusing a highly loaded term when they do.

That may just be a slip of the tongue, or it could be an intentional usage. It's impossible to tell.

[Fumesucker]

20. Stupid isn't "a highly loaded term"?

Seriously?

[HassleCat]

12. I get a little manic sometimes

It's usually not a bad thing. I don't see alien creatures dancing on the table or anything like that. Some politicians get a little too animated, and it's a fine line between animated and manic.

[ismnotwasm]

14. When it's primary season

And people want to poke with sharp sticks, either for attention or reaction.

Sexism often gets a pass. Even women will defend it, because it too often presents as a cultural norm and doesn't yet make people uncomfortable, doesn't make complacent or mono-focused people, even well-intentioned ones, question it, and it's a very useful tool for the thoroughly bad intentioned, because it's so well-accepted, especially in its subtler forms.

[KittyWampus]

15. When it isn't Bernie Sanders.

[Bleacher Creature]

21. ^^^This^^^

[cali]

17. Yeah, animated is not synonymous with manic

[Fumesucker]

19. Eh, I'm an actual bipolar and the term doesn't bother me

English is such a fluid, nuanced and extensive language getting just the right flavor of meaning can be frustrating.

[LexVegas]

25. Its a woman. nt

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

26. Howard Dean got accused of something like that, too.

Remember the "Dean Scream"? Some in the media and elsewhere opined (wrongly) that he seemed unhinged, or manic, or whatever. It's not just a gender thing. Since I didn't see the town hall I have no opinion regarding Hillary in this instance, but "manic" behavior is often attributed to people of both genders when they seem tense or excited. It's an overstatement, IMO. Nothing wrong with seeming excited.

[Beaverhausen]

28. At least you missed the 'scolding grandmother' thread

http://www.democraticunderground.com/12511067320

I will say the OP did delete, but not before a lot of ugliness ensued.

[NurseJackie]

29. The days when it's acceptable to do such things are drawing to a close.

[MineralMan]

31. You'd think so, wouldn't you.

Looks like that day has not yet arrived.

[yallerdawg]

32. Misogyny is the illness.

Hillary is the cure!

Good catch on hateful words, MM! First, we have to recognize the problem.