What is a "FemiNazi"?? The Simple Question Finally Answered?

By: Jen Little
Published On: 2/19/2007 10:54:34 PM

Several weeks ago Senator Nick Rerras tripped over himself during an interview with Mary Commander for a Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court Judgeship in Norfolk.

There are few things Rerras' admitted to in Commander's letter to 17 legislators, but he did admit to using the misogynistic term "FemiNazi" during the interview.

Several Virginian Pilot articles followed in the past two weeks (Feb 5, 2007 - Candidate for judgeship protests her interview; Feb 7, 2007 - Rerras out of order on judge interview; February 12, 2007 - Politics' role in selecting judges condemned, defended) with in-depth coverage on the topic, and as a reluctant constituent of Senator Rerras (due to Gerrymandering and Geography), I felt due an explanation of his use of the misogynistic term "FemiNazi."

What did he mean by this hateful term?
Nearly two weeks passed and no response. 

I sent e-mails to his office and made phone calls to his legislative aide, and was informed the term was "slang."  I retorted Senators should have knowledge of the words they use.  That was long 2 weeks ago.  Today I sent another e-mail. 

Finally, this evening my phone rang.  It was Nick Rerras on the other line.

I immediately asked for my definition, skipping all small talk.  This was the moment I have been weeks waiting for - Nick Rerras' definition of "FemiNazi." 

I know you are on the edge of your seat? 

To Virginia's State Senator of the Sixth Senate District Nick Rerras' definition of "FemiNazi" is "inflexibility".

According to Rerras this "inflexibility" knows no sex. 

I realize Rerras' may not know my level of intelligence, as we do not really have the same pals, and perhaps he does not comprehend "FemiNazi" contains the prefix "Fem" meaning "a woman." (Perhaps he is unaware of what a prefix is.) 

During the conversation Rerras went on to say he was proud he nominated two women judges, as if nominating a woman was an accomplishment.  Female attorneys and judges, just as males, are professionals, worthy of appointment - a female judge is not a trophy for Rerras! No feathers for his cap.  I am not at all  surprised women are qualified to be judges - Virginia's First Lady Anne Holton was a JDR Judge and resigned only when her husband, Governor Timothy Kaine was elected governor.

Readers may also be glad to hear that Rerras claimed he has used the word only "once in the past five years."  I did inform him the words we use in every day, casual conversation (which was how he described the interview with Ms. Commander to me) are generally used often enough that they are not slip-ups. For example one who uses the F-word all the time may find that they say it at inappropriate times. I relayed this to Rerras' and he responded "Hey, I don't deny I said it ["FemiNazi]."

OK, all is good as long as you admit to it?!  WRONG!

This conversation reminded me of the Senate race last year.  You remember, a certain former Virginian Senator, using an offensive word that causing him to fall from the national platform, and lose his seat in the US Senate to a real leader? 

Back to Rerras?

I asked, since the definition he provided was simply "inflexibility", that if I was stand my ground and indeed be "inflexible" with my husband, would that in turn make me a "FemiNazi"? 

Rerras said "It is not a word I recommend any one using."

JUST SAY NO, KIDS!  O.K. Nick, if you say so.

I responded by telling him to "Lead by example."

The conversation ended with him telling me to enjoy beautiful Mathews County.  As if I do not know Mathews is beautiful - I live here!  I don't just show up at festivals and various events uninvited during election season.

I hung up the phone wondering if he thought our conversation was just as relaxed as his conversation with Mary Commander?

Just as a note, as business woman who juggles career, family, raising a daughter, and volunteerism, I am deeply offended with Senator's use of the misogynistic term "FemiNazi", and believe that any elected official should be drawn and quartered for referring to women in this demeaning manner, even if Rerras believes the term applies to any gender despite word origins.

Nick Rerras sets a poor example for our children, both male and female (again "Fem" as in woman).


Comments



Inflexibility? (JPTERP - 2/20/2007 12:40:13 AM)
So by his own definition Rerras and many of his GOP buddies are FemiNazis?  Have to keep that one in mind for future reference.

e.g. FemiNazis like Nick Rerras do nothing for families.  Rather than addressing things like college tuition, jobs, traffic congestion, and health care, they spend all of their time trying to transform Virginia into Taliban-era Afghanistan.

Mmmm.  Might work.



Hahahaha (PM - 2/20/2007 9:34:54 AM)
So by his own definition Rerras and many of his GOP buddies are FemiNazis?  Have to keep that one in mind for future reference.

LOL.  I think you hit the male on the head.



You are on to something. (Jen Little - 2/20/2007 1:25:02 PM)
I had not considered that!


Ahem (PM - 2/20/2007 9:58:46 AM)
We hate the misogynist types
Who like to make demeaning swipes
Oh, voters please spare us
From the likes of Nick Ferras
And the sludge that emits from their pipes.


I like that (Chris Guy - 2/20/2007 10:07:56 AM)
Limericks are underrated. :)


Impressive! (Turning VA Blue - 2/20/2007 10:09:08 AM)


Great Verse (Rebecca - 2/20/2007 10:20:43 AM)
I keep telling folks Femi-Nazi means feminine people opposing Nazi-like tactics.

BTW, an inflexible woman is called a Femi-Nazi. An inflexible man is called President Bush.



Rush & Nick - Perfect...and Inflexible...Together (oncerednowblue - 2/20/2007 10:37:14 AM)
Rush is a StoogeNick the Stooge

Ms. Jen - We can ALWAYS count on you for the unvarnished truth.  And thanks for shaming this stooge.  I don't even think Nick's political soul-mate, Rush Limbaugh, would confuse the meaning of "feminazi".  Do you all have someone to run against this troglodyte?



Thanks! (Jen Little - 2/20/2007 1:50:58 PM)
No need to sugar coat here!

Can you imagine my shock while on the phone?

All of this has nothing to do with any candidate running against Rerras.  Rerras must be held accountable for his own actions as a sitting Senator regardless of his opposition.  He has done and said some very bad things.

Having said that, I am personally excited about 2007.  The Democrats have a much stronger, more intelligent, dynamic, and an all around better person for a candidate.  It will be a fun year!

As to your question - "Do you all have someone to run against this troglodyte?" (Great description of Rerras, btw).  As Teddy stated Rerras will face opposition this year (Hence the kissing of my butt, about "beautiful Mathews County."  Blatant pandering.), and there is an act blue account too so you can use your credit card right this very minute :)

If you can help us get rid of Rerras in the Sixth Senate District that would be SUPER! 

If you can contribute that would be FABULOUS, and I personally would be most grateful. 



The truth! (Turning VA Blue - 2/20/2007 10:56:35 AM)
Insecure people use the term FemiNazi to demean women.

It is as simple as that! 

Am I the only one who finds it repulsive he said, "Hey, I don't deny I said it", and then says "It is not a word I recommend any one using."?

Which is it?



Rerras' opponent (Teddy - 2/20/2007 11:42:40 AM)
There is an excellent Democratic opponent running against Mr. Rerras. It is Doctor Northam, a medical doctor, long-term resident in the area with connections also on the Eastern shore (the District is gerrymandered to include a major city like Norfolk and the rural area across the water). After I read about Rerras' disgusting and inflammatory comments I sent Dr. Northam a check, and then later met him at the state J-J Dinner in Richmond. He's ready to roll, but of course needs some wherewithall--- so please send Dr. Northam some money:

"Northam for Senate" and mail posthaste to P.O. Box 9363, Norfolk, VA 23505.

He will soon have a website up, but early money helps right now.



ActBlue (elevandoski - 2/20/2007 12:05:16 PM)
He also has an account at ActBlue... https://secure.actbl...


Thanks Teddy! (Jen Little - 2/20/2007 1:57:00 PM)
You are on target - early money helps!

Also, Rerras cannot raise a dime "legally" while in session.



The Rising Blue Tide (dsvabeachdems - 2/20/2007 3:46:08 PM)
Jen,

Great report from a fellow Webb campaign veteran! The story is circulating widely. I found your post through a link on the Center for American Progress Fund Website!!!

It is helpful that the Senator is his own worst spokesman. Looks as though Doctor Northam will be a part of the Blue Tide.

Dan Sullivan



Nick Rerras (Susan P. - 2/20/2007 6:14:16 PM)
Thank you, Jen, for your brave efforts to get a straight answer from Nick Rerras.  It seems clear from the context that Mr. Rerras was referring either to female attorneys or to opponents of domestic violence as "the FemiNazis."  Which raises some interesting questions: Does Mr. Rerras know that half of all law school graduates are women, and that female attorneys will soon make up half of the Bar as well?  Are all of these attorneys "FemiNazis," just because they do not know their place and insist on practicing law?  Or is Nick Rerras hopelessly out of touch and not aware of what century this is?
If Mr. Rerras was calling domestic violence opponents "the FemiNazis," does that mean he's for domestic violence?  Does he have any idea of the toll taken by domestic violence in his district, throughout the Commonwealth, and across the country?  Does he have any idea what goes on in Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court, and if not, why was he interviewing candidates for a JDR judgeship before he's taken the trouble to find out?  Is he aware that the professionals who deal with domestic violence are both male and female, and that many would consider the use of a degrading misogynistic term to describe them as an indication of both ignorance and bigotry?
As an avowed Christian, does he consider his use of the term "the FemiNazis," perhaps the most odious term coined by notorious hate-monger Rush Limbaugh, in any way ironic?  Inconsistent?  Just plain wrong?  And most importantly, does he plan to apologize to Ms. Commander and to "the FemiNazis" any time soon?  WWJD, Nick?


Beating PhriendlyJaime to the punch on this one (Andrea Chamblee - 2/21/2007 12:59:17 AM)
I think Rerras and his dittoheads define FemiNazi as anyone who has a vagina and a brain, and who knows how to use both.


The Limbaugh definition (Newport News Dem - 2/21/2007 8:27:52 AM)
is a feminist who places the "extermination" of fetuses above all other policies. You know, just like those Nazi people and those Jews.