…we would NOT be spending our time on her. This is not meant as just another “photo-shopped” picture of Palin. I mean this with all sincerity. I threw out the challenge last month when I was on The Alan Handelman Show on radio station WZTK 101.1 out of Charlotte, North Carolina for the entire 3 hour live call-in broadcast. The topic was all-things-Palin on the heels of her Oprah appearance, her book release AND not the least of which dominated the discussion, the ridiculous debate over her photo on the cover of Newsweek in her running regalia.
After hearing caller after caller phone in to declare rhetorical statements that have become the mantra of her followers – as she traverses the country on her book tour – “she resonates with us”, “she represents us”, “she is one of us”, “we love her Christian values”, “she is such a good mom”, and the litany of adoring phrases that we are all tiring of (unless you are Sarah) I couldn’t take it anymore.
Alan asked me if I wanted to respond…to which I challenged the listening audience with,
“I would like to hear just one person tell me exactly what it is that resonates with them, what they identified in her that they see in themselves. Is it that she is a liar? A fraud? A vindictive person?” And I summed my challenge up by submitting that, “if Sarah Palin looked like Susan Boyle we would not be having this conversation today!”
I continue to hold to that statement…and viewing just a handful of video clips taken along the Palin parade route of book signing engagements in “rell” Amurika…this point was confirmed ad nauseam.
I still have not heard ONE SINGLE articulated position about why they admire/adore/respect/look up to Palin that is not a hollow statement. Why? They can’t…her positions do not exist, and they misinterpret Palin’s ghostwritten diatribes on her Facebook page as actual political intelligence and as though they present an informed political stance. (I will agree that she certainly seems to be the authentic author of her Twitter Tweets).
And what is the most repeated refrain when asked about her? “She is just so pretty!”
America isn’t this dumb…yet… BUT Amurika is!
Pretty is as pretty does. Susan Boyle is much prettier without the Palin hair and bumpit. Actually, she makes Sarah look more genuine and kind.
The phrase that always gets me is that "she's just like one of us."
Here's where they're right:
1. She couldn't name one newspaper or publication that she reads in her Katie Couric interview.
2. She didn't have a clue what the Bush Doctrine was in the Charles Gibson interview.
3. She doesn't dress professionally and talks like a hick in public. Dang!
4. She slanders anyone who crosses her or gets in her way.
5. She wears her religion on her sleeve.
Here's where they're wrong:
1. She flies in private jets and stays in expensive hotels.
2. She's building a veritable compound on Lake Lucille.
3. She made millions from a book she didn't write, no editor fact checked, and has no substance.
4. She faked a pregnancy to get a political nomination.
5. She believes she is chosen by God to lead a religious and political revolution, while her husband and children are relegated to the status of support staff.
If I was going to choose a female public figure to swoon over, it would be Rachel Maddow or Michelle Obama. They are the kind of role models I would want my daughters to emulate. Intelligent, poised, educated, dignified and with a respectable command of the English language.
And just so we're all clear on how well versed Sarah's supporters are in her stand on important issues:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKKKgua7wQk
I know it's a bit long at 8:22, but trust me, the whole thing is priceless.
…and she doesn't know enough to be embarrassed by them!
""she's just like one of us."
This is the 'pageant' mentality.
"I would want wurled Pee's."….that is my answer.
They all say the same thing:
“she is one of us”.
But they dont define at all what that means or is.
Seems to me they are afraid to define what that…is.
She's a Dominionist, they're Dominionists, she's one of them, sounds plain enough to me… *hides*
I'd much rather LISTEN to Susan Boyle any day, too.
My gawd, we're talking about the voice of a nightingale vs. a magpie — or the pony vs. the stall muckings.
I totally agree. Physical beauty is a powerful tool or weapon depending on how it is used. I have experienced this kind of "halo effect" first hand.
(copy and paste from wikipedia)—"A study by Solomon Asch suggests that attractiveness is a central trait, so we presume all the other traits of an attractive person are just as attractive and sought after.
The halo effect is involved in Harold Kelley's implicit personality theory, where the first traits we recognize in other people influence our interpretation and perception of later ones because of our expectations. Attractive people are often judged as having a more desirable personality and more skills than someone of average appearance. Thus, we see that celebrities are used to endorse products that they have no actual expertise in evaluating, and with which they may not even have any prior affiliation."
Sarah only is allowed to get away with some things she says because of her looks. (do you imagine Rush Limbaugh even giving her the time of day let alone extolling her virtues if she wasn't "hot"?) Whenever a woman criticizes her, she is labeled as "jealous." (which is not true in the least. I would not trade my rich and fulfilling life for her shallow petty existence. I am blessed with physical beauty too but it's inner beauty and character that endure which is why in my mid-40's I'm even more beautiful than when I was younger and I plan on being absolutely stunning in my 80's) Conversely, an example of reverse halo effect, Susan Boyle was written off strictly because of her outward appearance. Frankly, I viewed Susan as more plain than ugly and was horrified when I saw the way that they treated her before that lovely voice was heard. I don't even watch such try outs because I find that people want to see someone publicly put down more than interest in seeing new talent. Everyone knows in their heart how they felt about her and the majority of people felt okay about putting her down before she brought them to tears. We see dozens of Susan Boyles every day who never are able to show the world their true light. Let us not forget the whole point of Susan.
Sarah's looks are fading. She was fortunate enough to have a more "baby face" in her 20's so she was able to maintain a more youthful appearance as she aged but that doesn't last forever. I imagine that she'll do everything that she can to hold onto her looks—after all, it's all she really has.
I would rather have Susan Boyle's genuine beauty on the inside. She seems like a very sweet, and private person. She would probably be mortified to be compared to the likes of SP. Yes, if Sarah Palin's looks were different people would not be ignoring her lies and manipulations. She would be called out. It is enough to make me want to vomit.
Imagine this person (the morphed photo) winking her way through a VP debate.
Yeah. Not so cute anymore.
Palin is the poster child for angry and paranoid people – the same ones who are making the rest of us angry and paranoid!
[youtube 1BhU5_idvH4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BhU5_idvH4 youtube]
I have said this from day one. Can you imagine a "plain looking" woman winking her way through a national debate, and not being laughed off the national stage? Can you imagine any ugly, fat, or average looking woman fail basic interviews and still be talked about for the office of President of the United States? It wouldn't happen.
Palin's book was full of lies, mis-quotes, nasty snark, revengful comments….and STILL the media keeps fawning over her. Remember when it was discoverd that James Frey's book contained lies? He and his publisher were shamed. Palin, on the other hand, goes on her book tour as if nothing happened and the media hardly mentioned it…… and they STILL keep talking about her running for President!!!!!!!!!!
It's out of control.
The only problem I have with this comparison is that Susan Boyle is a really sweet spirit and I hate to publicly embarass her more by using her as an "ugly" example. Maybe we could find a better way to make the point. It doesn't seem fair to humiliate Susan Boyle even more.
Yesterday, one of her fans claimed (on a blog) that Palin has sacrificed so much for our Country.
Say what? I asked this person to name one example and I didn't get a reply. But, this shows the kind of fantasy beliefs that surround Palin.
Palin doesn't have a history of serving other people as a volunteer or working on causes.
She has never sacrificed for our country in any kind of military service.
She walked out on the state of Alaska for which she made an oath to serve.
She took the money and fame over publice service and her fans believe she has "sacrificed so much for our country"?
Ya right. Meanwhile, she is raking in millions and still begging the public to pay her legal bills.
Gee, tough sacrifice?
Has $P ever done ANYTHING for DS kids or organizations except run her mouth? Here's her record for charitable giving before Trig was born:
The other day, I Googled $arah's charitable donations, and this is what I found:
"October 06, 2008
"Gov. Sarah Palin, the Republican vice-presidential candidate, and her husband, Todd, gave 1.5 percent of their income to charity last year and 3.3 percent in 2006, according to tax returns she released on Friday, The Chronicle of Philanthropy reports."
Pretty sorry stuff.
I had friends who were impressed with her because Todd was a 'hot' SAHD. Somehow this made her qualified.
She knows how to use her looks and her public just eats it up.
I have never found her to be beautiful, because I could see the ugliness of her soul shinning through her facade. People who find her attractive must not be very attuned to the aura that people present. If something is telling you there is a problem with someone there is usually a good reason for it. I would rather be friends with Susan than $arah any day. I could never be friends with $arah because of her values, she is morally bankrupt.
I posted a comment on Palingates about this, so please forgive the repetition, but the problem of her looks is a very important issue. Scott Peterson, who brutally murdered his wife and unborn child, is (it sickens me to say) attractive. He gets marriage proposals in prison. If this doesn't make the point, nothing will.
I beg you to view/download a 30 Rock episode called "The Bubble." It also makes the point, via one of the best TV scripts ever written.
I too have witnessed first-hand how one's world changes depending on one's looks. I've been thin, I've been fat. I've been young and glowing, I'm now gray and sagging. Like Pearlygirl, I feel much more beautiful now because of who I have become over the years. But boy, I gotta say, the superficially beautiful occupy a vastly different world than the rest of us. And stupid people are absolutely, literally mesmerized by it. To their own destruction, I'd add.
Mrs. Palin characterized heself as Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher; favorably comparing her position in international politics, intelligence, academic credential, and modest ‘working-class’ background: “She started life as a grocer’s daughter…”, Sarah Palin, Oct 2009, Facebook.
Okay, so except for the Oxford education (master of arts in chemistry and a barrister, concentrating on tax law), working her way up to a leadership role, serving many years in the trenches rather than just expecting to go from housewife to Prime Minister (House of Commons), they are exactly the same!
But based only on appearance, Prime Minister Thatcher never once resorted to sex appeal. She was never less than tasteful and modest in appearance. She never appeared in stiletto heels, purple suede boots, teenager jeans, or down jackets, even though it may well have appealed to her working-class constituency. Can you imagine Thatcher with highlights, dangly plastic earrings, posing in running tights?
No, what they have in common is the fact of pandering to the unwashed masses, the ignorant working-class poor, the disenfranchised, common folk with unmet need and a sense of urgency for better circumstances, for ascension into the big leagues and to get where they’re headed.
Thatcher used Dartford – a largely working class constituency which suffered as much as any from post-war rationing and shortages, as well as the rising level of taxation and state regulation. She had little difficulty getting a hearing from any audience and she spoke easily, with force and confidence, on issues that mattered to the voters.
This was also a successful strategy for a young Adolph Hitler.
I am not trying to be "eliteist" here but honestly I don't think these people have read a book or a newspaper since getting out of high school. What an embarrassment to this country that many of our citizens are actually proud of their ignorance. If we are no longer an exceptional country you ignorant young man then you can thank George W. Bush and his side kick Darth Vader Cheney (he is the one that said "across the street from Russia" Across.The.Street. Can people really be that naive and totally clueless? I guess the sad answer is yes. But I think my personal favorite was the young woman towards the end that said "it's not rocket science".
It is not just these people. I haven't seen anyone, anywhere to the CircdeSoLame state one reason that made sense politically why they support Palin. You are right Leah, it's all "she is like us", "she is so real", "she cares about our country", and the one I cannot for love nor money understand is "she's a wonderful mother". If Sarah Palin is the role model for the imbeciles, then their children don't stand a chance.
I just heard Susan Boyle's new CD reviewed on NPR. Wonderful. I am buying it as an early Christmas present to myself.
Sarah's image (tragically) is a marketable commodity. She has always reminded me of my old sociology lecture where we discussed theories like Goffman's "impression management". Sarah has unfortunately become "the face" of a movement (or cult). Sadly for the rest of us, those individuals who do follow her, for whatever reason (the disaffected, socially corrupt/dysfunctional or marginalised) have embraced "the face" and with it the whole package.
It is for this reason I have been glued to this story. Not because I like what I see or hear, but because of the fear I feel. History too often repeats itself and I have always felt she has the potential (because of her appearance) to goad an appropriate percentage of the population into doing unspeakable things.
totally agree with all that you just said, sad & very scary!
"Since you are a superficial twit, let’s start with attractiveness. Much was made of your attractiveness by the media, back when John McCain, whom we shall refer to hereinafter by his Secret Service codename, Fossil One, chose you to be his vice-presidential running mate. I must tell you, Sarah Palin, I don't see it. While you are physically attractive, it is true, it seems to me that there is something…missing in you, and that, furthermore, you have more than a little whiff of unformed plastic about you, like a Barbie that has been left in the oven. (My kids were not careful with their toys.) No, Sarah Palin, I am not suggesting that you have had plastic surgery. I am suggesting that you are a soulless revenant from Hell."
http://open.salon.com/blog/floyd_elliot/2009/07/1…
Susan is genuine. Palin is fake.
'nuff said.
Susan is beautiful on the inside and that's what counts!
Did you guys know that tv guide network has her exclusive story? I just read about it, here’s a link if anyone’s interested:
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_TV_SUSA…
I absolutely agree…and I hope everyone understands that I am in NO way mocking or commenting on Susan Boyle in a derogatory way. I am truly not meaning any harm to her at all. But I unfortunately had to draw a picture to demonstrate my point.
It is sad that we place such emphasis on appearance….