Your Pocket Guide To Speaking Palinguage (Vol. 1)
Up in the Twin Cities, folks are speaking a new language. Or, should I say Palinguage. It sounds sorta familiar because it's Latin based. But different from the plain English we're used to speaking, in Palinguage recognizable words take on new meanings.
Won't you take a moment to learn some Palinguage? Here are some of my helpful tips, a version of which appeared here earlier today.
REPEAT THE FOLLOWING:
If you're a minority and you're selected for a job over more qualified candidates you're a "token hire."
If you're a conservative and you're selected for a job over more qualified candidates you're a "game changer."
If you live in an urban area and you get a girl pregnant you're a "baby daddy."
If you're the same in Alaska you're a "teen father." (Actually, according to your own MySpace page you're an F'n redneck that don't want any kids, but that's too long a phrase for the evil liberal media to take out of context and flog morning, noon and night.)
Black teen pregnancies? A "crisis" in black America.
White teen pregnancies? A "blessed event."
If you grow up in Hawaii you're "exotic."
Grow up in Alaska eating moose burgers, you're the quintessential "American story."
Similarly, if you name your kid Barack, you're "unpatriotic."
Name your kid Track, you're "colorful."
If you're a Democrat and you make a VP pick without fully vetting the individual, you're "reckless."
A Republican who doesn't fully vet is a "maverick."
If you say that for the "first time in my adult lifetime I'm really proud of my country," it makes you "unfit" to be first lady.
If you are a registered member of a fringe political group that advocates secession, that makes you the governor's "first dude."
A DUI from 20 years ago is "old news."
A speech given without proper citation from 20 years ago is "relevant information."
And, finally, if you're a man and you decide to run for office despite your wife's recurrence of cancer, you're a "questionable spouse."
If you're a woman and you decide to run for office despite having five kids including a newborn... Well, we don't know what that is 'cause THAT'S NOT A FAIR QUESTION TO ASK.
Got some Palinguage? Let me know.
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Remember how Katrina was covered? White people "found" goods, black people "looted" goods from stores during the aftermath of the hurricane.
Language matters. Please keep up the good work for raising consciousness on race and media.
interesting article.
Who votes for or against VP?
Liberals who have extramarital affairs are immoral scum.
Conservatives who have extramarital affairs are patriots.
Attractive young white women with limited politcal experience are "inspired choices."
Attractive young black men with limited political experience and "funny" names are Manchurian Candidates.
Someone who lost track of the number of homes they own and has millions of dollars is everyman.
Someone who only owns one house and has considerably less money is an elitist.
Conservatives who pull strings to avoid military service are patriots.
Liberals who volunteer for duty and get shot at are cowards.
Conservatives with limited experience are outsiders.
Liberals with limited experience are untrustworthy.
EXCELLENT!!! Republicans are so obnoxious with their ability to warp the truth by pasting labels on things they disagree with rather than taking them head on and debating facts.
More! More! More! and Help! help! help! If you listened to the speech tonight we are all in real trouble. I am afraid that there are a number of people who really get her Palinguage!
Another good point by a thought provoking journalist.
Would it be possible to move beyond these innuendoes of unfairness on both sides and look at the leading issues at hand such as the Iraq War, the economy, fuel/environmental dilemma, and health care? If we really want to take up the mantle of change, let's do so on the previously mentioned list of topics. Pointing out these perceptions seems a bit counterproductive.
Living in this society at times feels like being trapped in an Ayn Rand novel. Tonight was such a time. The speeches left me breathless, err hyperventilating... Will it ever end?
Excellent article! I'm posting it in the school staff room tomorrow, though it will mostly be a sermon to the choir. Maybe the collective mind there will generate more Palinguage entries.
Re Darwin's query: "Would it be possible to move beyond these innuendoes of unfairness on both sides and look at the leading issues at hand such as the Iraq War, the economy, fuel/environmental dilemma, and health care?" It might very well be possible if the Republicans can climb out of the gutter long enough to raise the level of discourse back to where it was before their convention.
Sarah and her daughter are both being lauded as "brave" and "couragous" for *chosing* to keep their pregnancies in difficult circumstances. But wait! Sarah is anti-abortion, so if she had her way, no woman would be in the position to make that choice, courageous or otherwise. In other words, she and her daughter are seen as brave for making a choice that she hopes to deny other women.
It's time to leave the families and petty nonsense out of this. I mean, it can go both ways. If Obama gets elected, is the press going to feel free to report whatever they wish about his daughters and their upbringing? Alot can happen in four years, after all. I should hope we have grown up a bit as a society, enough look at the big picture instead.
Getting Pork for your lower-48 state is corrupt
Getting $28.9 million in pork for a town of 7000 is good economic policiy
When does belonging to a successionist party (AK Independence Party) make one a patriot? Sure Palin is a Washington outsider: she's so fringe right.
I'm glad to know (from John Gilmore) that only one party is dwelling in the gutter. -- Good grief, people, start treating one another as people. If we don't do it, how can we complain when leaders don't?
Funding for projects that Democrats support are "earmarks" and "wasteful spending"; funding for projects that Republicans want are "supporting our communities."
People who advocate funding for health care and education for families with special needs children are "wasteful tax and spend liberals"; People who cut funding for social service agencies and schools are "a friend to those with special needs children."
Concluding the war with the Iraq government responsibly is "throwing VICTORY away".
Right on! I'm tired of double-speak from the Republicans. We simply have to keep exposing their lies. They're starting another culture war (ie. Bush's radical left comment; Thompson's code words and Palin's urban v. country comments). Those are thinly hidden code words for be afraid of Black and Brown people.
Brilliant. (Unlike Sarah Palin's speech. I don't know what the Wolf is talking about.)
right on --
the hypocrisy and double-speak could choke a moose. Its more brain-washing, distracting rhetoric to keep people afraid and uninformed.
keep up your good work, we need it...
You got it, it's an amazing system of double standards the Reps have, but i guess thats politics...
I completely agree with Scaredinslc about how the character of the most recent heretofore prevailing political paradigm is freakishly like an Ayn Rand book gone horribly awry. I mean, even though double standards and double speak has long been the M.O. in Washington, its latest incarnation in the Palin VP choice is so ironic it reeks of absurdity. The republicans are trying to use Palin to portray themselves as an agent of "real" and "experienced" change? From a sociological standpoint those claims are simply ludicrous. Republican trickle-down policies have always, historically, shrunk the middle class in some capacity; the casual determinant is always rooted in life-boat economics (or more simply stated, human greed). Asserting that cutting taxes for the upper echelon of society is the way to lead an entire nation to prosperity is a fallacy so apparent that its a wonder people still buy it. Sure, maybe increased corporate revenues will bolster our GNP and make the USA look better abroad, and maybe even get skittish investors to start trusting the faltering US market, but in the process the average American citizen is screwed. Perhaps this is inevitable due to the gargantuan engines of continuing/increasing market globalization that are beyond any one president's capacity to control or even affect... but I'd rather take someone who understands that the fundamental flaws in America's parasitic relationship to the rest of the world (and who can work to correct it) than a candidate who tries to pull a fast one by choosing a candidate with absolutely no national/foreign policy experience - who happens to be a woman, thereby defusing to some extent the historical significance of the Obama campaign - the day after a speech with enormous racial/historical/cultural significance takes place. I mean, don't get me wrong, I kinda like Sarah Palin... Ethics reform is incredibly important (Kill the lobbyists!).... but one's lead to wonder whether she'll really try to tackle the cronyism, the corruption, and the corporate veneer of American politics - or just give up and resign herself to the modus operandi like she did with her chair position on the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission in 2004 - she left because of the lack of ethics demonstrated by her republican political allies. This entire election is ridiculous. Only time will tell whether mankind realizes it can't live off oil and GMO crops forever before its too late.
Somehow "the angry left" fits in here.
You are so right. I am appallled at how a teen pregnancy has become an accomplishment. As a social worker I have spent the last 20 years discussing how to reduce the number of teen pregnancies and yesterday I heard a convention attendee say they were "thrilled" to hear that this "child" was pregnant. I cannot express how outraged I am by this entire discourse.
It's extremely tiresome to hear either side point fingers. The implication is that Democrats would never stoop to the low, mendacious methods of Republicans. Please. Both sides do and say about the same things, over time. Some statements are spot on, others grossly out of context. I think it's called politics? There's no moral high ground here.
Thank You! Excellent article! Thought provoking. I often tell my daughter how easily language can be distorted for political means. After listening to the speeches tonight, I felt like I was transported back in time. Wow.
Sounds like someone is a little sensitive. My black girls and I were proud of the woman, not threatened by imagined slights.
Please! Keep pointing out all of the dumb stuff the RNC says...I say it's beginning to work...Some lifelong female Republicans in my circle of acquaintances have been so mystified and insulted by the choice of Palin, they are now considering voting Obama/Biden! It would our country a world of good to see the McCain/Palin people goose step off the national stage and into obscurity where they belong once the elections are concluded.
Mr. Ridley, I'm loving your definitions!
Ok, a white woman of affluence who aspires to rise the corporate ladder is entitled.
A black woman with the same aspirations is a bitch.
John
You are always on track, but you forgot one very important thing. Republicans don't care about the issues, qualifications or anything else. As long as you are a republican, you are right! The report this morning by Peter Overby on Gov. Palin's stance on the bridge to no where is clear. Republicans will use this to say the "liberal" media is trying to smear her. She has a very controversial record. Let's see how much of the focus is on her record and how much time she spends deflecting that to stance on abortion and havings a special needs child.
Remember the republican motto, "...if we don't like the truth, we make up our own."
After reading this, I have come to one inescapable conclusion, and that is that you, sir, are indeed a worthy successor to the late, great, George Carlin.
My teachers, good solid Hoosier conservatives all, taught me that language should inform--not obscure. Too bad they don't teach that in Alaska.
Democrats who tax the working man to death are "for the working man".
Republicans who give tax breaks to everyone are "for the rich".
If you're liberal or a minority and your underage daughter is pregnant with an illegitimate child, you lack good family values. If you're a white republican and your underage daughter is pregnant with an illegitimate child, you are "just so proud to be grandparents."
A VP candidates spouse who has a 20 yr old DUI charge may be "old news" which may or may not be relevant to the VP and the candidate. There is another "old news" item one could consider on one of the actual candidates himself. A quote from Obama's book follows.
"I had learned not to care," he wrote. "I blew a few smoke rings, remembering those years. Pot had helped, and booze; maybe a little blow when you could afford it. Not smack, though. ..."
"Blow" is a street name for cocaine. "Smack" is slang for heroin.
None of this "old news" was mentioned at either convention. I like Obama's judgement not to use the "smack" however. You have to let the candidates make their speeches at the convention "info-mercials." Now let's get on with the issues like the language of running the federal government and the debate over who can best do so and how.
Thanks John for saying in a nationally read forum what I have been saying to my family and friends. As a father of an African American teenage son I have spent my time speaking to him about goals, career, having a family at the right time, the use of contraceptives etc. and here comes Palin's daughter who is pregnant and not married and it's treated as no biggie and it's all because she is white. Thanks for making my job evern harder. No vote from me.
If you have 2 unqualified people and you question their abilities and if you question the minority, you are racists, and if one is white, you're told she is only there because she is white.
If Obama's 17 yr old daughter was pregnant it would be a non issue, but it is a white candidate, you question the parenting.
If Obama's 17 yr old daughter was pregnant it would be a non issue, but it is a white candidate, you have an expose' on it and poll people's opinion.
If you are white and qualified to be president- you must be old an out of touch, but if you are black and inexperience you have been oppressed and not let given the chance
If you vote of a white experienced guy, you are voting for the same old thing
If you vote of a black inexperienced guy, you are voting for change
If you are white and vote for a white candidate because he is white- you are a racist
If you are black and vote for a Black candidate because he is black you are voting for change
Attractive young black men with limited political experience are "inspired choices."
Conservatives that have bad mentors and make crooked business deals are criminals.
Liberals that have bad mentors and make crooked business deals are potential presidents.
Liberals who volunteer for duty and are said that they had no choice and are victims of the conservatives
Conservatives who volunteer for duty and are said to be rednecks
If you are white and racist you are the devil, if you are black and racist you are a leader of change.
Racism comes in many colors and they are all bad
Excellent! An astute reminder of the power of language, yes, but also of how critical thinking can get swept away in the undertow of emotion or eclipsed by a narrow view of "patriotism". As an American living abroad, I am keenly aware that the U.S. needs to get it right this election.
BTW - can't wait for Vol.2!
This immature tripe did nothing to improve the balck community. We need to take care of our own before we point fingers.
I don't appreciate the double standards that's happening in the media.
What isn't covered about the opposite of this Republican Lingo attack is that if your a democrat and and you abort your down syndrome child its pro choice, if a republican decides to keep it, its that she made the wrong choice.
That's not pro choice that's the exact opposite.
If your a republican and your VP has a child that is pregnant it apparently means that he didn't know about it, but if Any investigator is selected this will be brought up.
I really don't think McCain was unaware of anything the media can pull up in the week they have had to dig up.
A simple Google of Sarah Palin has brought up all the dirt that's available in the media, Nothing new is being uncovered.
If your a Democrat your children are (as a rule) out of bounds but if your a republican its all out war on anyone.
Palin's husband got a DUI in 1986 and its still a big deal?
Obama snorted coke and its in the past and it should be left alone.
The double standards are actually becoming appalling and is pushing me as a moderate away from a democratic choice as the current media stance is apparently becoming militant in an ridiculous way.
I would never say Media Reform but its not sounding so bad after this.
I have noticed that during elections in general and this one in particular no one promotes their candidate. It is so much easier to attack the opposition. Why not say something positive about your guy? Is there nothing?
Losing at least 4 planes after only 23 missions and spending five and a half years in a POW camp: a National HERO. Joining the Texas Air National Guard (to avoid Vietnam) and not showing up for duty: President of the United States. Staying out of Vietnam because "I had better things to do": Vice President of the United States. A beauty queen/ hockey mom/governor of a state with a total population the size of Austin, Texas: our next vice president?
Closeted gay conservative politicians who work to restrict the rights of gay citizens while soliciting sex in airports are pro-family values.
Openly gay liberal politicians who work to secure equal rights for gay citizens are antichrists.
People who want to use government to provide universal health care for all citizens are evil big government socialists.
People who want to use big government as an ATM to subsidize large multinational corporations are proponents of the free market and small government.
Let's throw this one into the mix:
Several months back Bill O'Reilly had this to say about Jamie Lynn Spears' teen pregnancy:
"On the pinhead front, 16-year-old Jamie Lynn Spears is pregnant. The sister of Britney says she is shocked. I bet. Now most teens are pinheads in some ways. But here the blame falls primarily on the parents of the girl, who obviously have little control over her or even over Britney Spears. Look at the way she behaves."
Odd that we haven't heard the same vitriol aimed at Bristol Palin.
Did Palin's daughter even have a choice? I'm not totally versed in Alaskan state law, but I'm betting if her mother had her way, at the very least she'd be required to have parental consent to get an abortion, so it wouldn't be up to her at all. It's her mother's choice, and she obviously has some pretty strong reasons to make her keep it. And how much "pressure" do you think that poor kid is under to marry her? I bet they threatened to ruin him for life if he didn't make an honest woman of her. He's probably rueing the day (can you say that?) he ever met Bristol Palin!! (I say 'poor kid' somewhat facetiously, considering the way he described himself.)
Let me start by saying I am an Independent Moderate, but I will point out wrong where wrong is.
Attractive young black men with limited political experience and "funny" names are Manchurian Candidates.
Sent by Thelonious | 11:33 PM ET | 09-03-2008
1. He has been a Senator for about 2 years and has only performed his senatorial duties for about 143 days out of about 730 days. Out of those approximate 143 days, he has NOT written/co-written any relevant bills. He has never been Mayor, Governor or held any other government office.
2. The ONLY person that has stated he has a "funny" name is Barak Obama.
Someone who only owns one house and has considerably less money is an elitist.
Sent by Thelonious | 11:33 PM ET | 09-03-2008
He bought this home AND extra land (from the neighboring home) with the help from that slum lord (Tony Resco sp?) he is friends with. By the way, that slum lord is his neighbor.
Liberals who volunteer for duty and get shot at are cowards.
To my knowledge NO conservative has ever stated this. Keep your assumptions to yourself.
Conservatives with limited experience are outsiders.
She has been on the City Council, Mayor, and Governor for years before Obama even ran for Senate. She has experience
Liberals with limited experience are untrustworthy.
Again he has done virtually NOTHING. No government experience except for about 143 of voting "Ppresent" in the Senate.
Sent by Thelonious | 11:33 PM ET | 09-03-2008
EXCELLENT!!! Republicans are so obnoxious with their ability to warp the truth by pasting labels on things they disagree with rather than taking them head on and debating facts.
Sent by SWhaley | 11:40 PM ET | 09-03-200
Republicans warp the truth?!?! Both parties warp the truth.
1. Please tell me what the heck a "Community Organizer" is. What Community did he organize? And how it gives him experience to be the President?
2. He says he is the "Candidate of Change", but what is he going to change? He has NEVER stated. The most clear he has been on it is "I am going to change the things that need to change". Are you serious?!?! What does that mean? He flip-flops so much (way more than McCain) he must mean he is the "Candidate of Changing his Mind".
3. Also let's not forget that McCain has been challenging Obama to debates for MONTHS, but Obama keeps declining. It seems to me that the Democrats warp the truth a bit more and refuse to debate the facts.
Excellent article! I'm posting it in the school staff room tomorrow, though it will mostly be a sermon to the choir. Maybe the collective mind there will generate more Palinguage entries.
Re Darwin's query: "Would it be possible to move beyond these innuendoes of unfairness on both sides and look at the leading issues at hand such as the Iraq War, the economy, fuel/environmental dilemma, and health care?" It might very well be possible if the Republicans can climb out of the gutter long enough to raise the level of discourse back to where it was before their convention.
Sent by John Gilmore | 1:51 AM ET | 09-04-2008
1. I have no problems with Palinguage, but please keep them to factual things that are said and not to assumptions, opinions or falsehoods. I WOULD defend Obama in this way too.
2. What gutter do they need to climb out of? It, again, is the Democratic Liberals that are attacking Palin's daughter after saying that family is off limits. I guess it's only Democrat families that are off limits, right?
3. Also, it's the Democrats that don't want to discuss the issues. Do not forget it is Pelosi who said that as long as she is the Speaker of the House she will not allow ANY energy bill (by Republicans) to be discussed or passed. So, to get out of a discussion on an energy bill, what did she do? She turned off the Republicans mics turned out the lights and declared there to be no more business to discuss and sent congress on vacation.
4. Democrats want to Socialize our Health Care and ruin the best Health Care system in the world.
5. The Surge worked, but the Democrats won't admit it, instead they want to quit. What will happen when it all flares up again? They will find some way to blame Republicans.
6. The economy was failing (because of Clinton) when Bush took office. Plus, 911 didn't help. Oh wait....Bin Laden orchestrated that and if memory serves me correctly, Clinton basically let it happen because he had the chance to capture him, but he let him go.
7. There is not much of an environmental dilemma as you may think. I have done my own research and found it is not as "Doom and Gloom" as the Democrats play it and not as "Butterflies and Rainbows" the Republicans want you to believe. However, research it on your own.
If Liberalism was sugar and we were all diabetics, we would be in trouble because that's all the Media is now a days. I suggest that everyone do your own research to find the closest thing to the truth you can. There are too many opinions out there that people are trying to pass as truth. ESPECIALLY the media.
I think you summed this up very nicely. Thank you for writing this. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
NICE!
my hope is that troopergate gets fully investigated and resolved before the election so we all know if we have another public figure that will use their office to settle personal disputes or not. anyone remember ms. plame? but then mrs. palin can always get a pardon from the pres. in time to faithfuly serve?
If you are a white and don't pay taxes because you found a loophole in the system, you are a good business man. If you are black are getting a welfare check because of a loophole in the system, you are cheating from or robbing the system.
John McCain in 1998
"Why is Chelsea Clinton so ugly?
Because her mother is Janet Reno! LOLOLOLOL"
John McCain in 2008:
"FAMILIES ARE OFF LIMITS!!!!!!!!!"
The best/most insane spin I've heard about Palin is that she has "foreign relations" experience because Alaska is the closest US state to Russia - Incredible! Quite a reach, even for their expert spinners.
Tyler Scott, do you really believe that if one of Obama's daughters were 17 and pregnant, "it would be a non-issue"? I imagine there would be strong racial/racist undertones to the discussion of a teenage pregnancy in a black or mixed-race candidate's family. Fox News has already made jokes about Michelle Obama being "Obama's Baby Mama"-- and Barack and Michelle are adults who had their children in wedlock. Of course it's not politically correct to be overtly racist, so some will try to argue that this joke is harmless, more about rhyme than race. But as Mr. Ridley points out, the phrases "baby daddy" and "baby mama" are undeniably racially charged.
And Kitoone, have their really been Democrats criticizing Palin for keeping her son with Down Syndrome? Arguing that she should have aborted him? Calling it a "wrong choice"? Maybe there have been, and if so, I agree that that's inappropriate, hypocritical, and not truly pro-choice. But I'm not aware of anyone in the mainstream media saying anything like this about Palin's choice.
Perhaps the most important part of all this is how involved the American people are in the process. It's about time.
I grew up in the NW with Alaskan relatives and many Alaskan friends. I have been trying to explain to folks for years that Alaska politics is very, very different from the rest of the country, citing actual examples. People thought I was either exaggerating or kidding.
I rest my case. Palin proves my point. And no, she is not unusual by Alaska standards. But then, not much is. Alaska is a delightful place, but it does have more than its share of, um, unusual people and unique ways of seeing things.
If McCain were to win (not likely, once the reality sets in for voters), it would certainly be an entertaining four years. Depending. Would sure hope McCain's health holds, though.
If you're black and you sit in a church listening to your pastor express his personal views about America, you are predjudice, unpatriotic and a hatemonger.
If you're white and you sit in a church listening to your pastor express his personal views about Jews, you are such a Christian.
Thank you for promoting this Repubican and conservative double standard. Funny how I thought that abstinance-only education would have prevented mullet-wearing Rednecks from impregnating other teens! I guess that makes me naive. I wonder what they would have said if Chelsea Clinton was pregnant. I'm sure Rush and the other pundits would find that amusing. But these are the same people who keep reminding Americans that being on the PTA and "executive experience" are the same. The same who think that accepting porkbarrel legislation and ranting about it afterwards is ethical. These are the same people who, despite McCain's advisers and policies being the same as Bush's, call him a "maverick." I wouldn't refer to him as a Ford Maverick except that his time is past. If he wins this election, it will be a dark day in America and the world. Prepare for more wars, including Iran and Pakistan. And why not continue to anger Russia...they only have nuclear weapons!
You hit exactly the point, that's the reason why minorities can not fit on the Republican party, they have a different ways to classified they problems , is like Ms. McCain on the past have a medical problem when in reality she was a drug addict,
It appears that Sarah Palin is going to be the primaty attack dog.
The Republicans have to go negative and draw the Democrats into a mud wresling contest.
The Democrats have the truth and the best interests of the American people on their side, so all they have to do is tell the American people what they are going to do for them. Jobs, healthcare, college help, and rebuild America.
The Republicans can only win if they can draw Obama into a mud slinging match.
False attacks should be delt with in a calm and convincing way.
John Ridley, you are right on.
To be fair, of course republican supporters are going to say they're delighted at the "blessed news" about Bristol. They must stand behind their candidate because it's the only VP candidate they've got, despite the existence of many more qualified female republicans who would have brought a lot more maturity to this ticket.
It would indeed be different if one of the Obama girls were pregnant. What a field day the fundamentalists would have decrying the lack of morals and self-control within the black community. Here would be another reason to bring Jesus into our public schools.
Maybe the publicity about Bristol, and the McCain supporters' supposed "delight" about this pregnancy, will help open some minds. It's easy to criticize a couple of dumb teenagers who didn't use a condom (and there, I just criticized them myself), but when the pregnant girl is the child of someone we know, with a white middle class family who seem to be nice people and caring parents, we have to think before being too cruel.
The facts of the matter are:
1) Abstinence-only education does not work.
2) Most (really, most) teenagers have sex, no matter who their parents are or what they've been taught.
A scary consequence of this whole mess: two uneducated, unemployed teenagers are now having a baby. Neither parent is a high school graduate or has a way to support & raise a child, save for college, etc. They will undoubtedly love their child, whom they are choosing to bring into the world, but it's going to be a tough road, much tougher than if they had planned ahead and at least finished high school and found jobs first. This difficult future is now a fact of life for these families, but IT DOESN'T MEAN THE SITUATION IS NORMAL, OR "A BLESSING." Our society is not set up to accommodate 17-year-old parents who have no education or income--even if their own parents are white and middle class. I'm sorry this happened to these kids, and I wish them the best of luck. I just wish we could all stop pretending this is OK with us. Forgive my inelegance, but it's NOT GOOD NEWS that we have another pregnant teenager.
There's one thing McCain won't be talking about this week. Polygamy thrives in Colorado City, Arizona (McCain's home state) where thousands of American families (10,000 people) are systematically stripped of their democratic rights and women & children are abused. John McCain hasn't lifted a finger to stop it. What qualifies McCain to be president when he can't even clean up the Taliban in his own backyard? Check out the recent alarming documentary, "Banking on Heaven". http://www.bankingonheaven.com
Note to KD- the issue of a 17 pregnancy is the same, but I do not believe that the media would be making a three ring circus out of it if it were Obama's daughter. 1) because It would be a Democrat's Daughter and 2 because she is black. The media is very careful of defaming a Democrat (ie took the national enquirer to break the news of Edwards and the Networks covered it less than this), and second because of political correctness.
Note to Sue- I don't care if you are black or white, if your pastor is talking about Hate, it is bad and you should walk out and join another church. No sound minded person thinks either is acceptable. Obama should have had more courage to walk out. As I would hope anyone that heard any hate being talked about. You go to church to make you better and to rise above, but if the person in the church is talking in the gutter, you got to find a different church
Palin and McCain should join the Fundamentalist Latter Day Saints (FLDS) and move to Colorado City, Arizona whee the largest polygamous enclave in America resides. In Colorado City there are many down syndrome babies, tons of teenage pregnancies, and ALL the women support white male supremacy.
http://www.bankingonheaven.com
LET MY PEOPLE GO!
I like your column.
Perhaps there are other ideas that you could get before the people.
The Republicans are all for offshore drilling. In 1981 Ronald Reagan allowed exploration for oil off the coast of Massachusetts in an area the Environmental Impact Statement defined as the primary reproductive section of the North Atlantic for fish. The documente stated that 70 million gallons of oil, a known carcinogen toxic to fish eggs and larvae in trace levels, could be expected toenter the marine environment. According to the Impact Statement itself, the proposed exploration was the most perfect violation of 3 federal laws: OCS Lands Act of 1953; Marine Mammals Protection Act 1973 and the Endangered Species Act 1967. Yet the lawsuit that was to have protected the rights of the people of Massachusetts, Commonwealth vs. Andrus, asked as relief fro a temporary injunction against the sale of leases until protections that would not have protected against predicted destruction were in place.
In short it was a Judas Goat sacrificing the most productive acres of our nation for an estimated 7 days worth of US Oil.
How many cases have you ever heard of going tothe Supreme Court for temporary injunction?
Interesting commentary. The best part is that is sparked a great debate. I partially agree with TylerS with respect to this issue of people voting for Barack or not voting for him because of his race. I am black and didn't support Barack and was offended that many black supported him simply because he was black. He didn't have more experience than Hillary and I'm not sure if he is electable. We'll see. Which brings me to comment posted by Das; don't assume he'll win the "Whitehouse". America is still not colorblind.
A politician who risks losing an election to win a war is a hero.
A politician who risks losing an election and not start an unnecessary war is unpatriotic.
A black man graduates from Harvard and chooses a low paying community organizer job is an elitist.
A white graduate from Harvard who chooses a low paying community organizer job is an underachiever
As if Democrats are somehow above it all - get real. They are just as guilty of applying double standards when it serves their interests. I am gleefully enjoying the squirming/belly-aching that I have heard from the Dems since Sarah Palin landed punch of this campaign last night. The best part is how the McCain/Palin ticket has stolen the spotlight from Obama and left his campaign people nervously spouting out tired slogans while they scramble for something better to say. Nothing is sweeter than handing your opponent a beating after they've seriously underestimated you. Bravo, Sarah!
Thanks for saying what needed to be said.
For God's sake, those of you who quote erroneous information (eg, a criminal helped Obama buy his house), go to FactCheck.org and do some investigating. This invaluable, nonpartisan resource offers substantial citations from reliable sources, and if we all made certain we weren't just parroting the conventioneers, it would do much for our country.
People don't think Barack is a funny name? Conservative radio hosts (and others) have insisted on calling Obama Hussein. Some have called him Osama. Implying that conservatives DONT have a problem with this is stupid.
Is being the mayor of a town with 6000 people and governor of a sparsely populated state really relevant experience? If it is, then Obama's experience is just as relevant.
What's worse, Obama's connections to Rezko or McCain's association with the Keating Five? Seems to me that's much worse.
John Kerry volunteered for Vietnam and was in fact shot at. His heroism was questioned, and it was in fact implied that he was a coward. George W. Bush did in fact use his father's connections to avoid being going to Vietnam and being shot at, and he is in fact thought of as a patriot, as is Dick Cheney, who never served at all. Republicans did IN FACT impugn the patriotism of Max Cleland, who lost several limbs in combat in Vietnam.
Jeremiah Wright was criticized for being anti-American, but he was a Marine for 5 years.
Obama has six fewer homes than John McCain and multi millions less in assets, and HE'S an elitist?
John McCain had an affair in the past and was connected to the S&L scandal in the 80's. Can we expect him to be investigated for his whole term and impeached, like Clinton was?
Conservatives are suddenly concerned about sexism? Since when? Funny how they let their misogyny run wild on Hillary Clinton.
i loved the mataphor "so fringe right".
I am a retired teacher and wish to know how she did in eight grade English ?
Well said Murph... If people would choose a candidate based on issues rather than the letter next to his/her name none of this would be an issue. OK people, you hate George Bush... we get it!
Can someone tell me what a Community Organizer is? I Organized a food drive in my community....am I a Community Organizer?
Super! well said.
Thanks for amusingly calling out hypocrisy. However, although English frequently borrows from Romance languages, it is not a "latin based," but rather Germanic.
Great Article. I am sharing with all that I know. Has anyone else observed that everyone in her family is charged with holding the baby, why she only holds him a couple of seconds?
If you are a democrat and your daughter gets pregnant it's because teaching about contraception doesn't work.
If you are a republican who believes abstinence should be taught to everyone and your daughter gets pregnant, well that my friend is irony.
Working on the south side of Chicago as a community organizer is being part of the Chicago Political machine.
Trying to get your sister's ex-husband fired, no comment.
The following is a must-read for anyone who wants more information about Palin:
http://www.crosscut.com/politics-government/17341
Unlike most stories, it was written by someone who actually knows Palin who isn't running for office and who doesn't have a political stake in things, either way.
Spann, you are sorely misinformed. Please take some time to learn and stop spreading falsehoods.
You wrote:
"He has been a Senator for about 2 years and has only performed his senatorial duties for about 143 days out of about 730 days. Out of those approximate 143 days, he has NOT written/co-written any relevant bills. He has never been Mayor, Governor or held any other government office."
1) Obama, elected in 2004, took office in January 2005, making his service more than 3.5 years by now.
2) The "143 days" thing is an internet trope that is wrong. The claim is that he "logged 143 days" in the Senate before he announced he was forming a Presidential exploratory committee. But he announced on Jan. 17, 2007, meaning he had already served two years. The Library of Congress website says the Senate was in Session for 226 days during those two years (05-06). And there have been more than 250 days in session since then.
3) I don't know what you consider "relevant" bills, but according to PolitiFact, "Obama has sponsored 272 [bills] and co-sponsored another 834 since he was elected in 2004, 16 of which became law."
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/personalities/chain-email/attacksby/
4) Obama was a State Senator for eight years prior to being elected U.S. Senator for Illinois.
Sad to say, I can't find anything wrong with what you wrote. I'll wager that Orwell wouldn't have dreamt where his Doublespeak would creep into. Doesn't the definition of insanity involve repeating the same actions and expecting different results?
Pro-life (unless you're, say, a Moose)
"She comes from a good family, that can support her. It's not like she'll be on welfare." Some Republican justifying Sarah Palin's daughter's "choice" while also working in some code for black folks.
Yeah, family should be off limits. However, the hypocrisy of the Prosperous and Christian Party make me ill. A "blessed event," my A%&!
Why anyone would vote for McSalty and four more years of the same or worse is beyond me. My 12 year-old was in kindergarten on Sept. 11, 2001. If McSalty gets his way, she'll probably have the "opportunity" to serve in Iraq. If the Republicans manage to shovel this any old va-jay-jay will do down our collective throats, then that says everything about us as Americans.
I have nothing to add but my praise for this post.
The idea is to take the high ground... Sure, if Obama had a pregnant teen daughter, Fox news would be falling all over themselves to castigate him, but let's not do that. Criticizing her stand for abstinence based sex ed is fair game though.
What is an unplanned teen pregnancy? More responsibility than any teen anywhere should have to bear. If you are against abortion, you damn well ought to be for effective sex education.
You go, Ridley!
And the totally unearned $1,654.00 that is dispursed to each Alaskan resident every year is not WELFARE, but instead is the ALASKA PERMANENT FUND DIVIDEND. So let's do the math . . . Palin has how many people living under her roof now???
Brilliant. Just brilliant.
Anyone else find it odd that both the media and Palin herself are comparing HER to Obama as opposed to, oh I dunno, Biden? Like, Palin is being used as a weapon against the Dem candidate, not as an enhancer for the Repub candidate. Odd.
I just read the article recommended by Researcher. I second the recommendation to read it!
http://www.crosscut.com/politics-government/17341
Excellent inaugural volume (No. 1) and one that we must share in our spheres of influence (especially with our young people) to think and respond critically to what they hear and read. I am placing my order for Vol.2 because we know that there will be other examples of playing the political 'dozens' in the public square in the days/weeks ahead and we must be critical bi-lingual theorists.
Thank you so much for clearing up so many things. I was so confused by what I was reading before, thinking that my liberal bias was getting in the way of understanding. Everything is crystal clear now.
A child having a child is scandalous for most, but for Palin and her clan, it just shows she "stands behind her values." I wonder if she realizes that she's being used? John McCain said, "... and wait till you SEE her!" It turns my stomach.
This election has turned into Whites vs. Blacks because of racists like you!! It has been over 150 years since slavery was abolished, but it is a shame to say that blacks in America still today have a slavish mentality. Always trying to blame the white guy or the system for their shortcomings and under achievement. Today, blacks have been given equal opportunity in every aspect and in every way, but with every opportunity they get, they attack the whites with articles like yours. How can you call yourself patriotic, you are not. Barak Obama is totally 'Black'mailing America, especially black America! Sarah Palin nailed it right yesterday by saying that he is on some journey of self discovery. He has pooled opposition against patriotism with an underlying message of the 'so called' oppression the blacks are facing today from the whites. All of the 'change' rhetoric is all about changing white America to black! He thinks he is the cause of the a new movement, a movement which is disguised with racism towards the white.
The McCain Team
Over a week ago Sarah Palin's daughter was pregnant. Was that any business of mine? Decidedly not.
Earlier this week it was announced that Sarah Palin's daughter was pregnant. Is that any business of mine? The fact that she is pregnant is still no business of mine. However, the fact that her pregnancy was announced and the staging/timing of that announcement are my business.
The McCain Team proclaims that both John McCain and his advisers, as well as Sarah Palin, knew that her daughter was pregnant before the chance to be Vice-President was offered to, and accepted by, Sarah Palin.
It is a sickening situation when John McCain and his advisers choose to ignore the unnecessary pressures and ridicule that will be placed on seventeen year old Bristol Palin in the hope that they can perhaps pick up a few votes from some one-issue voters. McCain and his advisers, however, are old thick skinned politicians well accustomed to the adage, "I don't care what you say about me. Just spell my name right."
On the other hand, a seventeen year old child is not accustomed to, and should not have been exposed to, the media maelstrom that the McCain Team has stirred up. The attempts to pass the matter off as a media, a Democratic, or a liberal attempt to smear the McCain Team shows the true colors of that family values team.
The incredible lack of thought in deciding to present this child before such a large gathering of delegates, TV viewers, and news hungry multi-media masses says a lot about the McCain Team's handling of a situation. Obviously, they had no thought nor shame about offering up a young family member--a child. Parents, protect your children. How much less thought will they give to matters that impact not on family members, but on you and me, our families, and our country.
I think that at this point Sarah Palin's first priority should be to direct her energies to her family. My thoughts in this matter and the way it was (mis)handled would equally apply if Mr. Palin, instead of Sarah Palin, was the family member seeking the Vice-Presidency of the United States
You got it right, John. I have spent the day frustrated after listening to part of Palin's speech last-couldn't go the whole speech-. First as a woman I insulted that such a lightweight would be picked; I thought we were done with that way of thinking. Then how she is so brazen in her ridicule of Obama, even though one senses she hasn't a clue about his intelligence, his humanity, his commitment to community. I feel now the way I felt in 2000 and again in 2004: how can this madness be stopped?
When she was first announced I thought whe was a female Dick Cheney; but after watching the sppech I realized she is a female Spiro Agnew.
Back in the day of true conservatism, sex before marriage was considered taboo. Now today's pseudo conservatives are going...it is really okay to get knocked up as long as I say "Okay I am not having an abortion... Oh look I am so courageous..."
Really insightful and appreciated. I've emailed it on to everyone I know who would appreciate it...and a few people who won't!
Why am I a racists because I will not vote for Mr Obama. I don't like Mr McCain that much either, but I feel like he is the lesser of two evils. As far as all the double talk both parties do it. We as a nation will fail if we do not learn to work together. A house divided against itself can not stand.
Finally from accross the ocean ..I hear a public expose' on the double messages that the Republicans have been using for years... Republicans are seemingly all God-fearing and church going christian while all the democrats are weed smoking, adulterous, big spending cowards, who don't love God or country. When the overseas votes are counted (80% being american service people and their families)..they are usually voting democratic.
To those inquiring: "What's a community organizer anyway"??
...ARE YOU SERIOUS?! A "community organizer" is someone who works (read: organizes) in their community for its collective betterment.
To pretend (and let's get real here, you cannot learn to read and write in this country without understanding or at least learning about civic protest and civil rights struggles) that you don't know about what it is to be a community organizer is INSULTING TO EVERY HERO who has bled, sweated and sacrificed for US... that's right, me AND you, and your children and their children, and so forth.
Give me a break. You don't like Obama, Fiiiine. You are entitled to your choice and I'll even defend your right to keep that liberty. But I just cannot have you spitting in the face of nearly every visionary I have admired (including my mother, who was an advocate and organized for educational reform in my community)for the sake of partisan intrests.
And honestly, I'm a stanch moderate, and I should say that you should be ASHAMED of yourselves. For real.
I love it!
LOVE!!!! your article. I'm a white woman from "middle" America, now living in the "belt buckle" of the South amongst the "reddest" of the "red", but I fully-heartedly agree. Republicans - what a group of self-righteous hypocrites. And Sarah Palin? What a joke.
Ridley's perspicacious insight cuts through manipulative political rhetoric like a hot knife through butter.
Democratic mantra: Change! (Now.)
Republican mantra: Reform! (Eventually.)
I wish someone would start pointing out these very profound but yet fundamental differences that Americans need to grapple with and start exercising more fairness.
Hahah..that is tooo funny!!!
I was waiting for a new post, but man this one hit hard.
I love how you play off the hypocrisy and raunchiness that is American politics.
Excellent, excellent, espcially the last one and first.
"A blessing"...sooo true.
_____The winds of Hurricane Katrina have blown high the skirt on the beautiful dress of America. Seen were the underpants, which hadn't been changed in centuries. Soiled, ragged, old and worn, not to mention the smell!
What we so well knew individually we can no longer deny collectively.
Like Gramma always said, "You never know when you might have to go to the hospital!"
Juanita Summers
9/18/05
Being a Community Organizer is trite and demands no responsbility or accountability.
Being a member of the PTA is executive experience.
lol. Good one vanessa.
Great article John. :)
It all depends on what the meaning of "is" is............
Hey, I'm curious as to why they named their kid Bristol since that is British slang for "Tits". Maybe that's part of the reason she got pregnant.
What kind of people are some of you that don't know what a Community Organizer is???? Are you kidding me? Read a book once in a while or go to school! Ignorance pisses me off!
when liberals call media hounddogs off your pregnant teenage daughter, you're 'sexist.'
when conservatives proceed to attack liberals in a half true, snarky speech after such graciousness, they're called 'a star' 'inspiring' and 'tough.'
When a white family ascends the corporate and financial ladder, it called "living the American dream."
When a black family does the same, it's called being "uppity."
*"uppity" courtesy of GA Rep. Lynn Westmoreland; he recently used it to refer to the Obama family; isn't "uppity" an old term they used to call blacks who tried to make a decent name for themselves in society?*
Sometimes I like to imagine what the Neocons would be saying if Sarah Palin were the Democrat's VP candidate . . . don't tell me they aren't hypocrites!
I love your article, Mr. Ridley--write on!
...so incredibly right on....racism and the spectre of conservative and fundamentalist war-waging is one election away....please let us "pray" for Palin to stay in Alaska with her blessed new grandchild and continue the Moose hunting economic growth...
Jon Stewart has a great clip where he compare's Karl Rove's Fox TV analysis of Sarah Palin's career as mayor of the 2nd largest city in Alaska, and of Tim Kane, who Obama shortlisted, once mayor of a city smaller than Henderson NV. That is 9,000 vs 200,000.
http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=184086&title=sarah-palin-gender-card
If you are Obama, you say, "But if they make a mistake, I don't want them PUNISHED with a baby." Those are his words. Maybe you should write an article on how Obama should champion the unborn African American.
This is fantastic. I have nothing helpful to add, just wanted to point out how super this is. Have a good day.
Great point, Lina. One third of African-Americans are aborting their children, and those who do live, 70% are born out of wedlock. After literally TRILLIONS spent trying to bring about Lyndon Johnson's "Great Society," all it has brought is desperation in black neighborhoods as fathers were replaced by the government and self-confidence and responsibiltiy replaced by dependence. Tragic indeed. God bless liberals for their "good intentions."
If those people (white and/or black) want a war monger for a president who is more likely than not is going to blow up this country because this man has to have ptsd (the first vet with his history that doesn't have mental health problems) and still harbor anger about what happened to when he was captured because he did not follow command. Let those crazy mf'ers vote for him and I hope everyone has made peace with GOD!!!!!
How do we know that Palin's daughter "decided "to keep the baby. If she didn't have adequate sex education or access to birth control, or needed her parents' consent, she could have had no choice at all.
Though "Palinguage" is a nice portmanteau, I think it would be stronger to use the term "Palinspeak." Though perhaps not as concise, it has the added benefit invoking the term doublespeak (as well as Orwell's 1984), which is not only fitting in the most literal sense, but also alludes to the 1984-like techniques that the Republicans have imployed both in the past 8 years and in recent electoral politics. Thoughts?
Try some Palintoons, Palinologues, and
now Palinophobes. There must be more,
and we are working on them. Thanks for
the Palinguage. I love it.
If a poor mother is separated from her baby because she needs her job to survive, she's "uncaring."
If a wealthy mother is separated from her baby because she's been offered a plum gig, what becomes of her baby is none of our damn business -- except for when it's hauled out for photo ops.
To Spann:
Independent my ass!
I was annoyed that palin thinks she can represent women. Unfortunately she has a child w/downs yet her child will be taken care of. what about the many families of this disorder who rely on program funding that will be cut if the gop gets in. She is making her daughter marry someone who doesnt't want her or the unborn child and the daughter does not want to get married. This is a red flag for domestic and child abuse. Our words are always miscontrued intentionally by people of other cultures but they say what they want to say. Palin needs to sit down and try to get the sympathy votes. She like McCain have said nothing about issues of change or concern but to bring down another candidate. I thought the main objective was to represent the people. we the people, of the people for the people.
The Jon Stewart clip sums up the cognitive dissonance here. Hypocrisy is a great luxury. I'm still waiting for Fox News to call Bristol a "baby mama." Or does Fox limit the use of that term to black women who don't fit the description?
The scary part is that the Democratic Party spouts the same nonsense (but of course, NPR will never have an opinion piece pointing that out). But, judging from the mindless comments on this board, listeners are so blindly enamored with Obama that they don't realize he's no better than McCain.
When will we wake up and demand better leaders? I thought Bush/Gore and Bush/Kerry were lousy choices, but it hasn't improved any this time around. For the first time in my life I'm considering NOT voting.
This is spot-on ... great work ... nice examples ... makes the point! I LOVE IT!!! Will share with family and friends! Keep up the good work ...
Brilliant! Let me try some:
Q: What's the only good abortion?
A: A potentially deadly, illegal, back alley abortion!
Q: How do you keep polar bears off the endangered species list?
A: Burn the endangered species list!
Q: What's wrong with Obama's health care plan?
A: It'll give everyone access to a doctor... through a bureaucrat!
Q: How do we fix America?
A: FOUR MORE YEARS! MCCAIN-BUSH-PALIN, YEEE HAW!
Made. My. Day.
That is all.
Palin is the Neoconservative's obvious attempt at creating a Feminist Judas Horse for disaffected Hillary Supporters. Well this Hillary Supporter *Aint Falling for it.
Great piece, Mr. Ridley! I really appreciate your columns. Correction, though: Palin's Downs baby is named Trig, not Track. Either way, it sounds like more like a name for a robot or a dog, than for a human child.
The response among "conservatives" to the McCain-Palin traveling circus is just proving P.T. Barnum right once again: there truly is a sucker born every minute, and they are so panicked at the prospect of a dark face in the Oval Office that they can be easily stampeded in just about any direction that the boundlessly cynical, corrupt Republican party leadership chooses to drive them.
Brilliant. More, more, more, please.
Here's one I'm contemplating...
Why, when Hillary embellishes an anecdote about ducking from gun fire is she ridiculed and heralded as a lying liar who lies a lot... ?
...Sarah Palin has stated (in every last speech she's given since the announcement of her candidacy) that she told congress, "Thanks, but no thanks on that bridge to nowhere." Palin, too, is doctoring a story. Only when she does it, Republicans and conservatives chant and cheer.
Oy. I am insulted. And deeply disheartened.
Re:Would it be possible to move beyond these innuendoes of unfairness on both sides and look at the leading issues at hand such as the Iraq War, the economy, fuel/environmental dilemma, and health care? If we really want to take up the mantle of change, let's do so on the previously mentioned list of topics. Pointing out these perceptions seems a bit counterproductive.
The type of language used shapes the way people think not only about race and gender, but about the war, economy, health care, etc. How certain groups use language reflects ideologies. In order to create an environment where people can talk about these issues, it is important to look at language...as well as images.
Since we are talking about this issue...
What type of language and images did the Democratic Party use to portray Hillary Clinton? As well as the so-called liberal media?
Deconstruct Everything!!!!!
a late comment, but a great article.
We must be careful to check the facts (try factcheck.org)..... because extreme right will sling more mud and lies, I'm afraid.
A note to Spann.
You are misinformed. Many of the things that you claim (especially that first post) are incorrect / out of context.
Try to get the facts, people- do your Own Research!
example: census.gov will tell you that the entire state of Alaska has a population of about 670,000.
With a Large Budget (due to oil profits) where is the challenge in 'governing' that?
* If you grow up in Hawaii, raised by your grandparents, you're 'exotic, different.'
* Grow up in Alaska eating mooseburgers, a quintessential American story.
* If your name is Barack you're a radical, unpatriotic Muslim.
* Name your kids Willow, Trig and Track, you're a maverick.
* Graduate from Harvard law School and you are unstable.
* Attend 5 different small colleges before graduating, you're well grounded.
* If you spend 3 years as a brilliant community organizer, become the first black President of the Harvard Law Review, create a voter registration drive that registers 150,000 new voters, spend 12 years as a Constitutional Law professor, spend 8 years as a State Senator representing a district with over 750,000 people, become chairman of the state Senate's Health and Human Services committee, spend 4 years in the United States Senate representing a state of 13 million people while sponsoring 131 bills and serving on the Foreign Affairs, Environment and Public Works and Veteran's Affairs committees, you don't have any real leadership experience.
* If your total resume is: local weather girl, 4 years on the city council and 6 years as the mayor of a town with less than 7,000 people, 20 months as the governor of a state with only 650,000 people, then you're qualified to become the country's second highest ranking executive.
* If you have been married to the same woman for 19 years while raising 2 daughters, all within Protestant churches, you're not a real Christian.
* If you cheated on your first wife with a rich heiress, and left your disfigured wife and married the heiress the next month, you're a Christian.
* If you teach children about sexual predators, you are irresponsible and eroding the fiber of society.
* If, while governor, you staunchly advocate abstinence only, with no other option in sex education in your state's school system while your unwed teen daughter ends up pregnant, you're very responsible.
* If your wife is a Harvard graduate lawyer who gave up a position in a prestigious law firm to work for the betterment of her inner city community, then gave that up to raise a family, your family's values don't represent America 's.
* If your husband is nicknamed 'First Dude', with at least one DWI conviction and no college education, who didn't register to vote until age 25 and once was a member of a group that hates America and advocated the secession of Alaska from the USA, your family is extremely admirable.
by anonymous
Great article! Keep up the good work.
I'm voting for Obama,the only truly qualified candidate.
Aw cm'on. In the Land of Lard and Sugar why do we expect our leaders to act and speak like informed educated people? Most Americans can't name one country starting with the letter "U" (as in United States)let alone parse the stream of drool from their Televisions. Palinguage speaks strait to their hearts by bypassing their brains.
