Sam Harris on Sarah Palin and three-inch heels
"Let me confess that I was genuinely unnerved by Sarah Palin's performance at the Republican convention. Given her audience and the needs of the moment, I believe Governor Palin's speech was the most effective political communication I have ever witnessed. Here, finally, was a performer who -- being maternal, wounded, righteous and sexy -- could stride past the frontal cortex of every American and plant a three-inch heel directly on that limbic circuit that ceaselessly intones "God and country." If anyone could make Christian theocracy smell like apple pie, Sarah Palin could."
Comments (8)
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"Christian theocracy"? Give me a break. You sound paranoid. It's funny how nobody in journalism ever seems to have a problem when Democrats invoke God in political speeches.
Posted on September 21, 2008 1:19 PM
Ditto, Sam. There seems to be a political bias in the subject line. Biden's title line was totally benign, and Palin's was openly sexest and demeaning. How clear could the bias be. So much for fair and balanced in the N&R.
It just strikes me that what used to be normal, healthy patriotism and religious commitment is now strange and out of the mainstream, open to ridicule and condescension. Of course Palin's presentation and speech at the RNC smacked of politics. But besides the inevitable hype that ALL candidates evince during election cycles, there was a note of normalness, identifiability, and freshness that no amount of ridicule can erase. Whatever her strengths and weaknesses, she IS indeed a breath of fresh air - especially for conservatives. I do believe that the initial aura will subside and morph over the coming weeks, but it will still play a major role in the process. I just hope she wields that mighty three inch heel to defeat her opponents in November!
Posted on September 21, 2008 2:14 PM
There is something inherently pathological in the incessant need to deride something that one does not believe in.
I don't believe in a force of killer clowns from mars, but I don't write 1100 page tomes berating or denying their existence.
If you truly think all us Evangelicals are deluded yokels, why don't you just accept that as your world view and go about doing something positive for the world- like feeding underprivileged kids, or providing teams to go into war ravaged regions to help with water supplies and perhaps share their world view that brought them there?
You seem to be "preaching to the choir".
Posted on September 21, 2008 2:57 PM
P.S Nikos- I always enjoy your posts.
Posted on September 21, 2008 2:59 PM
The subject line plays off the writer's words -- and why is everything dissected to 'pacify' a negative mentality?
Why else would blogs exist if it weren't for commentary -- things you will agree with and things you won't?
Posted on September 22, 2008 9:46 AM
A Christian theocracy wouldn't concern those who consider themselves Christian. Until they read the history of such attempts from the past. Then it stops sounding like such a spiffy idea.
Posted on September 22, 2008 10:13 AM
Good thought namtac!
With the information that I have found on Palin and now Harris' article, I am even more strongly convinced that a McCain-Palin administration would be the complete and total destruction of the US. If that happens, watch for a revolution to take place.
Shalom
Posted on September 22, 2008 10:47 AM
A revolution might occur if the general population becomes convinced that they are not getting a fair exchange for giving up their liberties. So far, losing some rights in "exchange" for better security seems to be acceptable. Whether the Religious Right can continue to sell their agenda on those terms remains to be seen.
Posted on September 22, 2008 11:57 AM