Newsweek Article On Palin

[copernicus 0]

I am imposing a self ban on myself from this forum for the rest of the day otherwise my head might asplode.

Good idea. Take some hangover medicine too, because you are over the edge today.

[Ron_Mexico 4,219]

truth hurts, eh?

as does anal

[hblask 1]

Ladies and Gentleman, the problem with our country today.Thank you and goodnight.high school dropouts with a strong moral compass vs over-educated "soul-selling" politicians. Kind of a loaded statement no?

Yes, loaded to the max to make a point. Don't worry, though, it wasn't an attack on Obama. It was an attack on the lack of morals that runs Washington. (And I don't mean Bill-Clinton-Cigar-Story morals.) I'd obviously prefer someone with both morals AND an education, but if I had to choose one or the other, I'd take morals. Politicians have so many advisors that they can get up to speed on anything in a few hours. But if your core philosophy is messed up, it doesn't matter if you have a photographic memory, you'll still get the wrong answer. Neither Obama or McCain (or Biden or Palin) has shown me much integrity. (Maybe that' the word I should use instead of 'moral compass'.) The problem is that you pretty much have to sell your soul to reach any level of politics beyond city council. I don't have a solution, though.

[copernicus 0]

as does anal

I guess you'd know then? Not that theres anything wrong with that.

[Balloon guy 158]

Here's some help:I have to agree that "high quality Harvard education" doesn't mean much. Colleges are notoriously liberal, so good grades in a liberal college just means you swallowed the party line hook line and sinker.I'd rather vote for a high school dropout with a strong moral compass than all the over-educated soul-selling politicians in Washington.

I'm not runningyet

[El Guapo 8]

Here's some help:I have to agree that "high quality Harvard education" doesn't mean much. Colleges are notoriously liberal, so good grades in a liberal college just means you swallowed the party line hook line and sinker.I'd rather vote for a high school dropout with a strong moral compass than all the over-educated soul-selling politicians in Washington.

I agree, the overwhelming majority of kids, when I was in college, the got good grades had little to know original thought of there own. They were smart enough to learn material to pass exams.

[Loismustdie 0]

My friend has written an essay on Sarah Palin in Newsweek:http://www.newsweek.com/id/160080/page/1Sam is an atheist with a record of no-holds-barred confrontation of religion, so Daniel for one is not going to agree with that part of it, but I think he does a good job cutting through some of the nonsense surrounding her.

Keep focusing on cutting down the woman. Hint: It won't work. Watch. I am going to revel in he fact that Obamas supporters will say McCain could have never beat him, that if it wasn't for Palin he would have won, and Obama will forever be known as the man who lost to a woman. He certainly didn't want to win with one, it's really going to burn when he loses to one. Oh, that's going to be tasty.

[vbnautilus 48]

This part I think the really the core of the essay and perhaps the best I have seen this point articulated:Ask yourself: how has "elitism" become a bad word in American politics? There is simply no other walk of life in which extraordinary talent and rigorous training are denigrated. We want elite pilots to fly our planes, elite troops to undertake our most critical missions, elite athletes to represent us in competition and elite scientists to devote the most productive years of their lives to curing our diseases. And yet, when it comes time to vest people with even greater responsibilities, we consider it a virtue to shun any and all standards of excellence. When it comes to choosing the people whose thoughts and actions will decide the fates of millions, then we suddenly want someone just like us, someone fit to have a beer with, someone down-to-earth—in fact, almost anyone, provided that he or she doesn't seem too intelligent or well educated.

[colonel Feathers 5]

Intelligence level is meaningless when you are a flaming lib.Every decision made by a lib is based on feelings anyway.

[vbnautilus 48]

Intelligence level is meaningless when you are a flaming lib.Every decision made by a lib is based on feelings anyway.

Whereas someone like you only presents rational arguments.

[johns76222 0]

yep, Obama is just your typical Columbia/Harvard law, constitutional law professor turned state senator turned US senator farce. Dime a dozen.

Please, Obama has a political science degree -- He wouldn't survive Freshman Calculus. He has 3 experience in the U S Senate and ZERO executive, military or foreign affairs experience. In short, he is a ZERO. As far as being a graduate of Harvard, haven't we had enough of the Ivy league crowd from both parties who have put us in this position as a nation ?

[colonel Feathers 5]

Whereas someone like you only presents rational arguments.

How did you know?

[vbnautilus 48]

How did you know?

Intelligence level is meaningless when you are a flaming lib.Every decision made by a lib is based on feelings anyway.

[jmkiser 0]

As far as being a graduate of Harvard, haven't we had enough of the Ivy league crowd from both parties who have put us in this position as a nation ?

Because it's the fact that they came from an ivy league school that has put us in our current predicament. That makes plenty of sense.

[hblask 1]

This part I think the really the core of the essay and perhaps the best I have seen this point articulated:Ask yourself: how has "elitism" become a bad word in American politics? There is simply no other walk of life in which extraordinary talent and rigorous training are denigrated. We want elite pilots to fly our planes, elite troops to undertake our most critical missions, elite athletes to represent us in competition and elite scientists to devote the most productive years of their lives to curing our diseases. And yet, when it comes time to vest people with even greater responsibilities, we consider it a virtue to shun any and all standards of excellence. When it comes to choosing the people whose thoughts and actions will decide the fates of millions, then we suddenly want someone just like us, someone fit to have a beer with, someone down-to-earth—in fact, almost anyone, provided that he or she doesn't seem too intelligent or well educated.

Elitism is not being used in that context. When Obama is accused of elitism, it's not that he's being accused of *being* elite (which he's not, really, but he believes he is), but that he's being accused of acting like his abilities make him better than those small town hicks who are too stupid to vote for him. It's possible to be elite-talented without being elite-arrogant-dickhead.

[jmkiser 0]

Elitism is not being used in that context. When Obama is accused of elitism, it's not that he's being accused of *being* elite (which he's not, really, but he believes he is), but that he's being accused of acting like his abilities make him better than those small town hicks who are too stupid to vote for him. It's possible to be elite-talented without being elite-arrogant-dickhead.

How is Palin not being an extremely arrogant dickhead by thinking she's able to run a country based off of her experience? (and don't retort with an Obama remark... I'm not an Obama supporter)My favorite part of the article:Watching her deny to Gibson that she had ever harbored the slightest doubt about her readiness to take command of the world's only superpower, one got the feeling that Palin would gladly assume any responsibility on earth:"Governor Palin, are you ready at this moment to perform surgery on this child's brain?""Of course, Charlie. I have several boys of my own, and I'm an avid hunter.""But governor, this is neurosurgery, and you have no training as a surgeon of any kind.""That's just the point, Charlie. The American people want change in how we make medical decisions in this country. And when faced with a challenge, you cannot blink."

[copernicus 0]

This part I think the really the core of the essay and perhaps the best I have seen this point articulated:Ask yourself: how has "elitism" become a bad word in American politics? There is simply no other walk of life in which extraordinary talent and rigorous training are denigrated. We want elite pilots to fly our planes, elite troops to undertake our most critical missions, elite athletes to represent us in competition and elite scientists to devote the most productive years of their lives to curing our diseases. And yet, when it comes time to vest people with even greater responsibilities, we consider it a virtue to shun any and all standards of excellence. When it comes to choosing the people whose thoughts and actions will decide the fates of millions, then we suddenly want someone just like us, someone fit to have a beer with, someone down-to-earth—in fact, almost anyone, provided that he or she doesn't seem too intelligent or well educated.

Other than incorrectly conflating "elite" performers with the "elitism" that many of us disdain, its really good. But who doesnt like a good strawman now and then.

[copernicus 0]

How is Palin not being an extremely arrogant dickhead by thinking she's able to run a country based off of her experience? (and don't retort with an Obama remark... I'm not an Obama supporter)My favorite part of the article:Watching her deny to Gibson that she had ever harbored the slightest doubt about her readiness to take command of the world's only superpower, one got the feeling that Palin would gladly assume any responsibility on earth:"Governor Palin, are you ready at this moment to perform surgery on this child's brain?""Of course, Charlie. I have several boys of my own, and I'm an avid hunter.""But governor, this is neurosurgery, and you have no training as a surgeon of any kind.""That's just the point, Charlie. The American people want change in how we make medical decisions in this country. And when faced with a challenge, you cannot blink."

Leadership isnt "neurosurgery". Its a quality and can't be learned from books. And she isnt running for POTUS. The clown with no experience and no evidence of leadership experience is.

[hblask 1]

How is Palin not being an extremely arrogant dickhead by thinking she's able to run a country based off of her experience?

As I said, the complaint about Obama is NOT that he believes in himself, it's that he thinks he's better than others, that he looks down on others. It is possible to be extremely confident in your own abilities without looking down on other people. Palin's confidence has, so far, not shown the condescending attitude that got Obama criticized.

[Balloon guy 158]

As I said, the complaint about Obama is NOT that he believes in himself, it's that he thinks he's better than others, that he looks down on others. It is possible to be extremely confident in your own abilities without looking down on other people. Palin's confidence has, so far, not shown the condescending attitude that got Obama criticized.

Which might explain her 80% approval rating in the state she governs.

[checkymcfold 0]

As I said, the complaint about Obama is NOT that he believes in himself, it's that he thinks he's better than others, that he looks down on others. It is possible to be extremely confident in your own abilities without looking down on other people. Palin's confidence has, so far, not shown the condescending attitude that got Obama criticized.

did you not listen to his dnc speech? he articulated quite the opposite sentiment.vbnautilus cued in on quite the pertinent part of the article, methinks.

[hblask 1]

did you not listen to his dnc speech? he articulated quite the opposite sentiment.vbnautilus cued in on quite the pertinent part of the article, methinks.

Of course his DNC speech was damage control for his off-the-cuff remarks in the previous months. They're not that stupid that they're going to repeat them. But realistically, which represents his true views -- his off-the-cuff remarks said in an unscripted moment, or his vetted, polled, and polished remarks at the DNC?

[vbnautilus 48]

Elitism is not being used in that context. When Obama is accused of elitism, it's not that he's being accused of *being* elite (which he's not, really, but he believes he is), but that he's being accused of acting like his abilities make him better than those small town hicks who are too stupid to vote for him. It's possible to be elite-talented without being elite-arrogant-dickhead.

But he should be running as someone whose abilities make him better than some small town hick. The process of the campaign should be to convince us of who is more elite and thus more suited to the job.

[Zealous Donkey 0]

most of that opinion piece focuses on Palin's lack of high-quality education and her religious fervor. so that 95% number is complete manure.And, yes, Obama kept his professor position all those years and then advanced this close to being the most powerful man in the world all while not being able to read and interpret laws. Are you trying to embrace your inner troll today or something?

Yes, Obama (and his wife) are educated enough to think that socialism is the cure to all that ails America. Brilliant.

[hblask 1]

But he should be running as someone whose abilities make him better than some small town hick. The process of the campaign should be to convince us of who is more elite and thus more suited to the job.

By insulting small town religious people? That's supposed to make us think he's qualified?Elite <> elitist.