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I found Palin quite unimpressive in the ABC interview, social views aside. Still, I am deeply bothered by the "Americans are stupid for not seeing that Obama is better for their interests." trope that I hear on the Upper West Side. Here's a letter that I wrote to the NYT and WaPo editors on Palin and the liberals. I call it "Palin Payback":
Dear Sir:
Sadly, the popularity of an inexperienced and unprepared Gov. Sarah Palin is payback for the inveterate condescension of coastal liberals for their countrymen in the heartland. I have often wondered how the same sect of people that calls on America to show understanding and compassion for Anti-Americanism around the world can scarce be counted on to show a similar approach towards fellow, thinking citizens whose beliefs on religion, gun ownership, etc., are different from their own. A Palin victory would be poetic, even if not just.
3 comments:
Sometimes, the more similar someone or something is to you, the more its differences stand out and scare you.
I think you hit it on the head. In my (limited) experience, many people don't realize HOW condescending they sound re: Palin. It's quite interesting.
BTW, not only did she hit the last second free throw to win her HS bball championship game, she played the entire game w/a fractured ankle. Now that's hard core.
Jeff, I'd call that stuff "cynicism" and McCain has been plenty cynical as of late. You're right to point out the coarseness of those tactics (not that Obama's campaign is entirely honest but, it is, I think, less blatantly deceitful).
Cultural elitism is more subtle but feels like a pressing issue to me because (a) I live on the Upper West Side and (b) this attitude impedes communication between liberals, who have some very valuable perspectives, and large parts of the country.
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