Just Say "No" to Eggheads
We wanna get a statement for Jesus' sake
It's like a talking to a wall
--Communique, Dire Straits
Number nine, number nine, number nine, number nine
Industrial allows financial imbalance
--Revolution No. 9, The Beatles
______________
As a good Southerner, former President Clinton said recently of Sarah Palin, basically, God Bless her. We should be happy she has gotten where she has, but basically, we should focus on rejecting the message of the republican party. I agree that knocking Palin's grating midwestern accent and vacuous speech is wasted energy.
However, her iteration in the last debate of the U.S. as the "City on the Hill," conservative WaPo columnist Parker's observations on republican fanaticism (Omen in my Mail), and some recent FOX news commentators disparaging the Democratic ticket as anti-American "eggheads" prompt some final thoughts on her existence on a presidential ticket.
A large contingent of Americans want a moose-hunting missy facing down chardonnay sippin' Sarkozy or charmer Putin. They want a new Dan'l Boone or Andrew Jackson. Sarah is the natural inheritor of Betsy Ross, Florence Nightingale, Susan B. Anthony and Sacajawea. Issuing a stamp or a coin is not adequate recompense for years of misogyny. Sarah is a sop to the GOP Women.
In addition, not only is Palin an age antidote for McCain, she is an elitist antidote to Obama and Biden. In her mediocrity is her treasure. I find her grating midwestern accent as purgative as ipecac. She is Frances McDormand's Chief Marge Gunderson on acid. But try as he may hugging the bikers, McCain is a pretty, well-born fly boy, while Palin is one of them.
Sarah Palin is our Equal Opportunity, Title IX Queen VeePee nominee. She is the apex of E. O. Employeedom. You thought you had hit it with Condoleeza Rice, Colin Powell and Nancy Pelosi. You would be wrong. Ms. Palin has hit the Pale.
Palin appeals to a wired nation accustomed to such fantasies as 2003's "Love Actually," in which Hugh Grant's British Prime Minister falls for his chubby, tattooed, Brixton-talking tart of a donut dolly. Only at the movies; yet somehow, cinema has now replaced real life.
Gosh darn it, a large contingent of heartland American's will vote the McCain-Palin ticket simply out of a sense of social affiliation. Change is coming down, for sure, but at least they will be comforted by recognizing their shepherd. Obama is a black sheep.
In a time when change is truly needed, all we are really offered by either party is a change of window dressing.
However, her iteration in the last debate of the U.S. as the "City on the Hill," conservative WaPo columnist Parker's observations on republican fanaticism (Omen in my Mail), and some recent FOX news commentators disparaging the Democratic ticket as anti-American "eggheads" prompt some final thoughts on her existence on a presidential ticket.
A large contingent of Americans want a moose-hunting missy facing down chardonnay sippin' Sarkozy or charmer Putin. They want a new Dan'l Boone or Andrew Jackson. Sarah is the natural inheritor of Betsy Ross, Florence Nightingale, Susan B. Anthony and Sacajawea. Issuing a stamp or a coin is not adequate recompense for years of misogyny. Sarah is a sop to the GOP Women.
In addition, not only is Palin an age antidote for McCain, she is an elitist antidote to Obama and Biden. In her mediocrity is her treasure. I find her grating midwestern accent as purgative as ipecac. She is Frances McDormand's Chief Marge Gunderson on acid. But try as he may hugging the bikers, McCain is a pretty, well-born fly boy, while Palin is one of them.
Sarah Palin is our Equal Opportunity, Title IX Queen VeePee nominee. She is the apex of E. O. Employeedom. You thought you had hit it with Condoleeza Rice, Colin Powell and Nancy Pelosi. You would be wrong. Ms. Palin has hit the Pale.
Palin appeals to a wired nation accustomed to such fantasies as 2003's "Love Actually," in which Hugh Grant's British Prime Minister falls for his chubby, tattooed, Brixton-talking tart of a donut dolly. Only at the movies; yet somehow, cinema has now replaced real life.
Gosh darn it, a large contingent of heartland American's will vote the McCain-Palin ticket simply out of a sense of social affiliation. Change is coming down, for sure, but at least they will be comforted by recognizing their shepherd. Obama is a black sheep.
In a time when change is truly needed, all we are really offered by either party is a change of window dressing.
Labels: 2008 election, change as illusion, palin's mediocrity
posted by Lisa at 11:32 AM
23 Comments:
Ok, I'm from Minnesota and even I find her accent grating...but she's from Alaska and that's an Alaskan accent. Hmph..East-coasters refering to any accent as "grating"... that's rich! :)
I just can't understand the concept of someone voting for a presidential/VP candidate out of social affiliation. Do they think they would make a good President? I sure wouldn't vote for me as President...do you think I'm crazy? What the hell do I know about being President?
One might conclude that moronity is the core issue.
Man, those right-wingers... they hate being called Nazi's, but they can't stop talking like Nazi's. "Egg Head" or "Eierkopf" was a term coined by the Nazi's to describe the fragility of the "domed heads" of intellectuals when hit with a truncheon. Add that to their worship of the military, glorification of war, and love-affair with concentration camps and what is a person supposed to think?
I once had the misfortune of staring into the fat, drunken, hate-contorted face of a raging right-winger who was screaming that I was a nazi because I was countering every talking-point argument he had with information from the real world. Was not a pretty sight.
Lastly... Palin looked cute and perky and was able to speak coherently and didn't have a breakdown. Didn't really say much of substance, either or really answer any questions. Hooray! She's qualified!! What??!!
rick98,
I confess, a broad and perhaps unfair brush on the accent thing. Alaskan accent. . . I stand corrected. But I'm not an East-coaster. Born and bred in the Mid-Atlantic area, currently living in the deep South.
Jim was just asking the etymology of the word "honky," and while it's not definitive by any means, I'll bet whites who sound like Ms. Palin are a good example -- people who sound like Canadian geese, or the teacher on the Charlie Brown specials.
People seem tribal, and enjoy comfort around those they perceive to reflect themselves.
Excellent points on the American loathing of eggheads. The image of your right-winger confrontation is a disturbing one.
Cute and perky, gosh darn it all. Even Jim said how nice it was to see a politician in an appropriate dress. I just sigh. The primates are very visual, even though their eyesight is not all that good.
I'm just appalled at the MSM's lack of coverage of Sarah Golly Gee Palin's real record and support in Alaska. This friday the Branchflower report into her ethics problem (Troopergate) will be released. McCains crew has been in Alaska using every dirty trick possible to delay the release of this report until after the election. Mr. Palin and several others have refused to comply with subpoenas but to Branchflowers credit he will release the report without their testimony.
I hope this gets some MSM coverage but right now the Dems seem content to ignor Palin and treat her as insignificant rather than expose her for what she is. Alaskans on the other hand are starting to turn against her.
*If* McCain wins based on the sentiments of the majority of the people who vote social affiliation over issues because of Sarah Palin's hucksy "G'osh darn'its" which she has backed with zero common sense, then this nation will sink further into irrelevance as the world marches on.
My hope is that the majority of Americans would rather pat her on the head, smile, and tell her, "You're cute, honey, but the adults are talking right now, so go play with your dolls and we'll call you when it's over."
Aloha, Lisa and Ranger!
Poor Miz Sarah, she's afflicted with the same geographical deficiencies as McBush...
Palin Calls Afghanistan "Our Neighboring Country"
It'd be spooky if they controlled the button... One could only ponder whom they'd nuke... Ottawa?
sheerahkhan,
Indeed the world is moving on and marching forward, and the US? What in the hell are we doing?Folksiness is cute but it's not forward progress.
The Christian conservative right is in its death throes-it can't be sustained unless emotional buttons trump substance. The CCR is not a majority, nor are they a consensus, yet the dems are losers b/c they remain fragmented and out of touch with the majority of Americans whom they consistently fail to organise for a true victory.
For example, EVERYONE, including Obama, knows that universal healthcare will never float in a country that is drowning.
jim
Ow, now, there ya' go, CT.
Ottawa would be our good friend being a member of that British nation to Alaska's right; not like that bad boy on AK's left, Russia, dontcha know.
Jim said:
"For example, EVERYONE, including Obama, knows that universal healthcare will never float in a country that is drowning."
The Euros are just as poisoned with our Murrican designed CDO's and SIV's as are we. Furthermore the death by association "counterparty" linkages vis-a-vis CDS's (credit default swaps...best guesstimate now, 62 Trillion..that's trillion with a capital Texas T). would suggest that they might cut their peasants loose, health wise, as to save money.
My take is that, especially after witnessing GOP malfeasance in this meltdown (McScumbag's pal, Phil Gramm lobbied effectively to have CDS's remain unregulated) pressure will build to change the Amerikan health distribution schemes.
Actuaries will testify that Social Security can be fixed fairly easily by upping the payout age ranges gradually, and taxing the incomes above 90K. Medicare and Medicaid are in serious Doo Doo, however. A country that can put a man on the moon, and can outspend every other country by at least a factor of ten on defense (while still not achieving a desired end state), should be able to design a health care system that takes care of its' citizens (we have the best medical professionals).
The people who run this country think the (non rich) citizens of this country are pure shit. I don't have a civilized answer to this problem. Because of my background, i would suggest something along the lines of a French Revolution. Where will it lead???? As Tricky Dick is said to have asked Chou-en-Lai, during his Milhous goes to China Tour (to arrange a proper disengagement in the Nam) "So Chou, what do you think about the French Revolution's effects on Society?" To which Chou inscrutably responded "Don't know, Trickster, It's too soon to tell."
If this health imbroglio is not fixed, and Medicare is allowed to go Tango-Uniform, some Boomer Retirees will move to the Euro zone and buy into their health systems. These shall not include the "Palindrome" toothless, drooling goobers, however. They can stay here and get fucked up on the Lord...like their predecessors, the Zit faced, speed freak recruited legions of the Children of God.
"In a time when change is truly needed, all we are really offered by either party is a change of window dressing."
I strongly disagree, Ranger. We're all cynics, but it's my sense that we can take cynicism too far. I see stark contrasts between the two tickets. On the one hand, I see two sane and well-educated people, who are, even though they are politicians, are also seemingly concerned with the direction this nation has taken. On the other hand, I see a ticket led by a man who's betrayed everything he says he is, and who is also kind of giving signs of being insane. This guy likes business as usual. He's aided and abetted by a beauty queen who doesn't speak the English language and whose only apparent qualification for high office is that she is a "maverick."
While I'm at it, I don't get women of the Democratic Party. We see educated, literate and liberal women (Ferraro and Hilary Clinton) praising Palin for her embarrassing debate performance. And it was embarrassing. These women are saying nice things about another woman who stands for everything they've fought against just because she's a woman.
I just don't get identity politics. I'm Scots-Irish, retired military officer, strong on national defense. Oughta be for McCain, right? Uh-uh. He's a dinosaur and he needs to be put out to pasture. And the thought of Palin succeeding this old dude if he croaks early sends shudders up the spine.
BTW, Fast Eddie: Very nice. I like it. Recall that Jefferson said revolutions were needed periodically. We're long overdue. Inasmuch as the odds against a true revolution are very long, ISTM the least we do this time around is get rid of the thinking and the people who've gotten us into the shit box we're now in.
Publius,
This is Lisa's essay. I won't waste my time talking about Palin - unless I'm constipated and need to loosen up.
My main focus is the war AND the Dems DO NOT show any intention of ending the Iraq/Afghan phoney Bailout- even if they win.Screw that!
What about the key causes of our economic situation that neither party is addressing in any meaningful manner?
If this is cynicism then so be it. jim
CT,
Since Palin thinks Gen McClellan is in charge then she's most likely to bomb Richmond, Va. jim
I hear you, Ranger, but I think you need to revisit your premises. You know that we agree about the war stuff and that I also agree with you about all of the candidates on that issue. The war stuff is radioactive and they're saying what they think they need to say.
But I will tell you, there are far more important issues on the table right now. Stupid wars come and go, but the nation is—or is supposed to be—forever. These goddamned Republicans have put a dagger in the heart of our nation; they need to go away to Dante's eighth circle.
Our nation itself is at risk. We MUST find a way to get off the redneck "kill a Commie/Arab for Christ treadmill," and start mending ourselves. I think there's an outside chance of doing so with Obama and Biden. I don't think there's any chance whatsoever with McCain and Palin.
FDChief,
When I read where you descibed Palin as "folksy" it occurred to me that her whole platform is decidedly "Volkisch."
publius,
this morn on a motel tv there was a channel featuring gun issues-Handgun.org, i think,-of course it was all the same crap about Dems/Obama taking our guns. And then they went into a session about Billy Grahams sons latest book.I signed off b/c Palin HAD to be next.Is this an example of what you speak.
We are fellow travellers against the wars in many important respects BUT we differ in our focus-and acceptably and correctly so.The war is the key issue in my mind b/c it's the vehicle delivering not only economicchaos but also Fascistic behavior that is more deadly than a depression or a recession that doesn't exist.
America is dying and the NRA is focused on handguns.This is absolute ignorance.
I accept and roger all you say.It's all a matter of faith and belief.I'm glad that you seem to have both. I've crossed into a different reality.
I'm almost home and hope to write more seriously as the road has taken my attention. My requirement to sit as a panelist at BGSU took a lot of my energy.I'll be back soon.
Afterthought- in ohio and ky gas is 3.09 and in tenn the cheapest is 3.89.?How can this be???
rick and chief,
Good tie in on folksie and volk.
Look at the white America represented in the photo of McC and the bikers. The thought White Power easily comes to my mind.
Indeed - you white assholes can ride your Harleys but we'll tap your phones with impunity. Oh yeah- with the help of the dems.
It's a wonderful day on the Harley or on the links. We got you coming and going, but have fun kiddies. And all of us buy this crap-we actually want to believe that there's a way out. As Minstrel Boy at Harp & Sword says-FUCK ME RUNNING!
jim
Well that's okay, we can just put the spooks right back in there.
Next time you call us, have your checkbook ready.
After the 2004 election, I am unfortunately 100% convinced that McCain and Palin will win this election. The average White, Middle-Class voter votes with their gut, for whomever they like at a personal level. McCain reminds them of one of their slightly crazy, but still loveable, older relatives. Palin could be any of their next-door neighbours. On the other hand, you have Obama, a seemingly reserved, intellectual black man, and Biden, a bland career politician. The democrats don't stand a chance.
My fear is that election night we will go to bed with Obama having a huge majority and wake up with McCain as president.
Sarah Palin, the beloved crown princess of the ignorati. Ah yes, the ignorati. The great unwashed of American politics. Dim-witted, proudly ignorant, suspicious of anything they view as being dismissive or disdainful of their dim selves, eager to accept any politician who, in their view, is just as stupid as they are. Commonly associated with the term "I want a President that I can have a beer with." That has certainly worked out well, hasn't it?
The basic problem is that the ignorati, those proudly ignorant people who disdain education and worship ignorance, view anybody who is articulate and obviously intelligent and well informed with suspicion. They have the suspicion, in their dim uninformed minds, that such people are looking down on them or even laughing at them, even when no such expression has ever been forthcoming. Obama, for example, worked as a community organizer with poor uneducated people. Has any such person been found to say that Obama looked down on them or treated them with anything other than dignity and respect? No. But it doesn't matter. The pig-eyed ignorati, seeing a man who is obviously well-educated, intelligent, and informed, carry that suspicion with them that he must be making fun of them behind that facade.
Thus Sarah Palin, crown princess of the ignorati. Like them, she is not inherently stupid. She has the ability to learn. But, like her ignorati brethren, she simply refuses to do so, because, like them, she worships willful ignorance and disdains "book learning" as something that only wimps and weaklings engage in. And her fellow ignorati brethren adore her for that, and nothing we say or do will ever change that fact.
- Badtux the Cynical Penguin
I think the main difference here is that the Dems at least will try, or pretend to try, to govern with the interests of more of America. The GOP has, as far as I can see, abandoned all but the pretense of hollowing out the state in the interests of the wealthy, well-connected and corporate. It's war and fear for the scum, pork and largesse for the creme' and screw whatever's left.
While it would be nice to blame the dirty rotten politicians, I think in the interests of honesty we should take a long, hard look at ourselves. When was the last time we rewarded a politician that told us the truth? When was the last time we voted to raise our taxes, decrease our entitlements? When was the last time we questioned the insane amount we spend on warlike goodies? Here we have McCain babbling about reducing "earmarks" which come to, what, 0.0001% of the defense budget? And yet none of us, none of our press corps, questions him on that? Obama talks about tax cuts and spending increases and no one calls him on it?
The defining moment for me came in the last debate when the old gal asked what they would ask the American public to sacrifice and they couldn't come up with one real, honest fucking thing. That's bullshit, they know it's bullshit, we know it's bullshit, and yet there they are.
As a father I know that if it comes down to evading a difficult choice, avoiding a punishment, my child will lie. I don't blame him for it - he's a child. But it's my job to catch him in that lie and punish him while instructing him that part of growing up, part of being an adult, is facing the painful truth rather than clinging to the comforting and painless lie.
If we cannot do that to ourselves, and we cannot do that to our candidates, then we richly deserve the political and economic paddling we are about to receive.
Shorter FDChief:
"Democracy is the notion that the common people know what they want, and deserve to get it good and hard." -- H.L. Mencken
We're getting it good and hard, alright...
Yes, Badtux -- Americans have a proud pedigree of boorish behavior. Not that they have collared the market on that behavior. . .
FDChief,
The press gives them all a pass. Is everyone asleep at the wheel? As Pogo said, we have seen the enemy, and he is us.
Excellent point on the absurdity of ducking the sacrifice question. Do people believe we can continue to fight wars and have social programs, AND have our taxes decreased and money actually given to us for health benefits, etc. This is madness.
Apparently, people have forgotten what their fathers taught them: money doesn't grow on trees.
Diogenes is still searching. . .
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