How can I get over being jealous/envious/upset by someone else getting a promotion instead of me?

Do not compete with others; only compete with yourself. Promotions are complex; simply take the higher road; that is, be accepting of it, continue to be highly professional and become of great value to both her and her supervisor. Speaking from experience, the more powerful Human Resources becomes in an organization the less likely the most experienced person will get the position.

It seems "political correctness" permeates in.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.