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June 14, 2011

The Palin Switch

Regular readers have long suspected this, and I’d hoped to keep it secret as long as possible, but now I’m out of the closet. Yes, I’m—gasp—conservative! I suppose I’m what might be called a quiet conservative. I’m hardly a political evangelist, running about verbally assaulting complete strangers in the hope of converting them to the one, true political/economic faith. I’m happy to converse with just about anyone on any topic, and put my opinions in writing for those who might agree and those who might not, but I always expect to discuss them with reason and civility. Indeed, I look forward to it.

I’ve found that Conservatives are generally willing to discuss political, economic and cultural issues with civility. There are exceptions, of course, but I’ve found this to be generally true. On the other hand, I’ve found Liberals to be generally unable to discuss such things with civility. All too often, they become very angry and emotional, and begin to fling about accusations of my hating this or that group, wanting to take food out of the mouths of poor children, my obviously ardent desire to murder various foreign minority groups (all non-white of course), racism, sexism and various other “isims.” There are, of course exceptions to this as well.

With that background, I provide the true, recent story that follows without comment. Make of it what you will.

Several of us, people involved in a long-term musical endeavor, were waiting for a performance. One gentleman was talking about going on a driving vacation through a considerable portion of the Western United States in the near future and was commenting particularly on the number of states he expected to visit. Quite innocently, I joked that he might take the Obama tour and visit all 57 states.

Everyone present chuckled, everyone that is except for one young fellow who was obviously unaware of the reference. I explained that it was a gaffe made by Mr. Obama during the 2008 campaign. He looked at me blankly for a moment, blinked, and in an excited, loud voice launched into a verbal assault on Sarah Palin! It was as though I had somehow thrown a secret Palin switch, which once thrown, required a complete, non-stop, pre-recorded recitation of Palin’s idiocy and all-around sub-human status. The effect was surprising as he was speaking in an animated manner unusual for him, as though he was on a sort of automatic pilot and could not stop until the entire recording was complete.

He became increasingly loud and incredulous in stating that Palin actually said that Paul Revere warned the British during his famous ride. His expressions and manner were surprising. None of us had ever seen him behave that way before, despite having known him for at least a year. This particular example of Palin’s stupidity seemed to be his ultimate proof of her sub-normal IQ, and was clearly what he considered his most convincing proof.

I traded surprised glances with several people and quietly pointed out that Palin was in fact correct, and that Revere did warn the British after he was captured. I explained that numerous historians confirmed Palin’s accuracy. He stopped only long enough to blink, and then immediately continued as though the Palin switch had been interrupted for only a second and immediately reset. He continued for another few minutes, finally winding down—the recording apparently complete--and resuming his normal tone of voice and demeanor as we sat quietly, watching the spectacle.

Minutes later, we performed as we had on many previous occasions, and he was quite himself again.


Posted by MikeM at June 14, 2011 09:22 PM
Comments

I've heard a couple of people I (previously) thought intelligent and thoughtful do the same kind of thing;scary and shocking.

Posted by: Firehand at June 14, 2011 10:09 PM

Palin Derangement Syndrome comes in varied flavors. This TeaParty Conservative would like someone to tell him exactly how many shots Revere fired and how many bells he rang to warn the British. That's what she said...

"And you know, he who warned the British that they weren't going to be taking away our arms, by ringing those bells and making sure, as he is riding his horse through town, to send those warning shots and bells, that we were going to be secure and we were going to be free."

Does not compute, folks. The fact is that Palin was speaking extemporaneously and flubbed the story. I find equally curious the reaction of the young man cited in the item and the folks who support Palin that can't admit she erred.

I like and admire Palin, but she sure has a polarizing personality, it seems.

Posted by: Steve in TN at June 14, 2011 10:46 PM

Dear Steve:

Thanks for your comment! Palin was, in fact, correct. Revere did warn the British, and bells were rung contemporaneously. His warning to the British was that they would not be successful in seizing Colonist's arms. Could Governor Palin have phrased it more elegantly? Indeed, but as you note, she was giving an on-the-fly, off-the-cuff answer. Considering the situation, her answer was quite good and, by any reasonable standard, accurate if not textbook-perfect. If she had erred in this instance, I'd note it. We're not the least bit shy about taking politicians of any party to task here.

Thanks again!

Posted by: Mike Mc at June 14, 2011 10:57 PM

Sad to say most only no the story of the ride from hearing the poem.

It's understandable why they think sh made a gaff. Sad, but understandable.

:-(
Josh

Posted by: Josh at June 15, 2011 09:42 AM

You know, I wasn't much of a Palin fan. But the more I see her attacked over trivialities and the way she responds, I can't help having some sympathy for her. And sympathy can turn to respect which can turn to support. Support of course would be easier if someone asked her what specifically she would do in terms of economic policy re entitlements; foreign policy in terms of middle east etc. Instead of worrying about off the cuff comments about Revere's ride.

Of course, it would have been nice if the media would have done the same with Obama and more deeply explored some of his comments during the election vice trivialities. That is his stated vie that taxes were about fairness vice raising revenue; his comment that folks could build coal-fired plants but he'd regulate them to where they would be too expensive to operate; that he believed gasoline should be far more expensive etc; that he would get out of Iraq and into Afghanistan etc. Say what you will about him but he was up front about a lot of what he would do.

Posted by: styrgwillidar at June 15, 2011 11:47 AM

I would've just reminded him that it was McCain that ran against Obama, not Palin, so don't believe everything you hear in the news.

Posted by: Druid at June 15, 2011 06:34 PM

One good thing about a Palin Presidency: it would drive the liberals (more) insane. If she were to find a cure for cancer, solve all the questions of the origin of the universe, locate the Holy Grail, and part the Red Sea in a single day, the socialist-democrats here and abroad would still claim she is stupid.

As far as a Palin Presidency goes, we can (and are) doing much worse.

Posted by: Robert B. at June 15, 2011 09:09 PM

styrgwillidar, or anyone else who wants to know more about Palin’s economic, foreign, or any other policies can find them several places on line, including conservatives4palin.com.

The truth is on her side.

Posted by: Bill589 at June 18, 2011 12:52 AM