Palin
As a rule I don't blog politics. I shied away from that field a while ago. The relationship ended on complicated terms and I don't really want to talk about it now, so maybe some other time. That being said, I think this gave me a hernia. For many different reasons.
what the hell
what the hell
posted by Derek at 1:34 AM
5 Comments:
What are some of your reasons?
On a different website I found a discussion and vented some of my thoughts. Here's my first post and my response after some others.
"I think the news of this appointment was the first time I became truly, truly angry at politics. There is no hiding how blatant of a political move it is. From what I’ve read not even John McCain wanted her until his hands were essentially tied by the social conservative base. As jaded by the system as we can be in America, this move itself just seems so disturbing. And judging from the countless online arguments there are people who fall right in line and take it for a good move. I’m sure that that group of people isn’t very big, but on the Internet it’s impossible to really tell, since they are usually the loudest as well. The real problem, though, is the appearance that there are no lines not to be crossed anymore. Whether those lines were there before is a matter of debate, but the answer seems much more certain now."
"'McCain’s pick is that Palin is mostly story.'
This is the thing that bothers me. I can’t see any actual improvement in policy or skill that Palin brings to the table from what I’ve seen so far. Obama has been in the US Senate and showed incredible skill in his rapid rise, that one can’t argue. He has spent months working on his positions and making himself known as a national actor. Palin has been the governor of Alaska for two years and just appeared out of nowhere. And when I say ‘blatant political move’, I mean there is no hiding the intentions whatsoever. If one were to ask, “Why was she picked?” there is no excuse that I think a reasonable person could take seriously as for what she provides besides political points. For Biden or most other choices reasons can usually be given and can be accepted by those who are not completely cynical. Not here."
I've calmed down somewhat, but this really irritated me at first, and it still does. It may partly be personal: it appears to me her sole purpose is to represent all the positions I am exactly against and nothing else. But putting that aside and reflecting a bit, the more that comes out, the more it seems like McCain had his plan (most likely Lieberman, someone whom I also completely disagree with but would have been much more accepting of as a choice) and everyone said, "No. Do this so we can get votes." He felt tied, so he just did it, with what looks likes not much certainty from anyone. Her positions don't match up with his direction, really (I've never seen him as a social conservative). Her story is nothing like his, nor does her general way of carrying herself about. The whole feel of it, the way it shifted the environment, really bugs me. It's still a bit tough to sort out exactly what I'm feeling, though, (besides the blinding fury and such).
I just want to preface this, snurp you know how I argue on blogs, generally with lots of vulgarity. I'll try to use it only when "necessary" since I've noticed you and sidfaiwu do not use it. My apologies if I am off-putting, I do mean to strike intelligible conversation. Annnnnnnnd go.
I have to admit I came here hoping you would have brought up Palin since I just got done reading about her speech at the RNC and I am so disgusted with this entire race. For the fact that it is midnight and I need sleep I will try to keep this shorter. Needless to say snurp I had the same reaction as you. I was on the phone with my mom when Palin was announced and for the first time *in my life* I felt 100% disgusted with my country. I realize that this is not the whole country of course, but I'm sure you can see my point. I can't even put into words how offended I was, as a logical, thinking American citizen, to watch them expect me to fall in line. To further my disgust (this is the first time I've ever gotten into politics) the woman is bat-shit-crazy-conservative. Like what-the-fuck conservative. Like woman-please-leave-you're-scaring-me conservative. Between drilling the ANWR and getting angry because polar bears are listed as threatened because THEIR FUCKING HABITAT IS DISAPPEARING (sorry I'm sensitive to polar bears) she's got enough to make me look the other way. Add to that the more general stuff like being pro-life, wanting to teach creationism in school, not to mention her overtly intense religious background (sorry if that sounds jaded). I'm sorry, I'll be earning enough money to be republican but I just don't think I could ever lock my mind in the box they are so comfortable living in.
Which leads me to Obama. For the love of my sanity, (*)fuck experience.
A) George Bush had experience. Once again, see (*)
B) The president surrounds himself with people who can assist him where he may falter, which Obama did near-perfectly with Biden - hopefully (presumeably?) his cabinet would follow suit?
Ok so maybe I didn't have enough points right now to bullet it but still. I don't want to sound like a mindless Obamacon - if we want to converse on the subject I'd be willing. All I know is that when I watch McCain speak and I watch Obama speak, I see one man who I would want to lead my nation. I see one man who talks more about unity, more about what we could and should be, and less about belittling the opposition. I see logic. And after I see all that, experience is void.
Anyway, this was mostly a rant - hopefully there were a few intelligible points within. :)
Since I had no idea who Palin was when she was announced, I didn't have the same initial reaction. As I learned more my disgust grew.
Last night, Colbert called McCain's selection of Palin "historical pandering". I think that about sums it up.
Oh, Grant, I understand your pain. I've become used to arguing in very measured tones, but I too had an actual gut reaction to this kind of thing, and so allow me to be more explicit myself. I think the thing that bothers me more than anything is that, from many indications, McCain himself did not want Palin (I'm depressed I can't find the NYTimes link(s) for this). For months he said no. From what I can tell it was pure political pressure that caused this. And why?
1) She is a social conservative. Straight down the line, not one iota of difference from the platform.
That's it. And this is from "agents of intolerance" McCain, Maverick McCain, who I still respect as a Senator, but as every day goes on becomes more "Candidate McCain," a man who continues to mystify and confuse me.
What's wrong with this choice?
1) Being the governor of Alaska for two years is not experience. Being a national Senator is.
1a) Dealing with the populace of one state, Alaska no less, is not negotiating with international dignitaries nor is it dealing with a diverse country. It's the least populated state in the country, one where, if I remember right, people DON'T PAY TAXES.
2) Rising through cold attacks on others is not a rise. It is exactly what is wrong with politics. (See also 6) Achieving national success through gaining the support of everyone you can, working from the individual to the national level is. It is what we want politics to be.
3) Creationism. This makes my blood vessels burst.
3a) Ditto for every one of her issues, really.
4) McCain knows better. Or at least, he did. One interview is enough for a McDonald's employee, not vice president.
5) She is not Hillary Clinton. Hillary became a woman in politics by being a manlier man than most men in politics. Palin is a 'hockey mom'.
5a) Speaking of which, who the hell decided that the 'person next door' is the kind of person we want as president, anyway? Wherever I've lived I would almost never trust the person next door. I want a professional. Obama is a professional.
(Note that, before Palin's pick, I wasn't a strong Obama supporter (though I did support him), or much of a Democrat even. I was basically an anti-Republican. Luckily the Republicans have made things easy. They shall be stopped.)
6) If you criticize her it is because you are a male chauvinist pig and want to send us back to the stone ages. You want to take away suffrage. Unlike the Republicans, who are progressives who are campaigning on a platform of change.
6a) "the Republicans, who are progressives who are campaigning on a platform of change."
6b) Really, every attack on her for anything is made personal. Something that did not help was the baby-momma obsession for the last 48 hours. That was stupid and unnecessary, if not unexpected. However, that doesn't mean we should put her in a bubble.
7) I've already said this. This is the most blatantly obvious political choice I've ever seen in American politics. Why should people hold any semblance of respectability now, if McCain is willing to do something like this right out in the open?
8) People buy it. The mere thought that there is one human being who accepts it, who thinks, "Wow, McCain is such a maverick for picking a woman, Obama denied Hillary because he is a sexist and doesn't understand Americans!" is acutely painful to me.
Note that I actually haven't even reviewed her speech yet. I've been trying to avoid getting too involved, but I keep reading to the point where it distracts from my actual studies. I'll take a look at her speaking points anyway. From what I've heard it was 'snarky', which I'm sure will delight my sense for subtlety. We'll see.
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