Speak correctly, or build a big bunker
"Allow me to introduce myself. I am a traitor and an idiot. Also, my mother should have aborted me and left me in a Dumpster, but since she didn't, I should "off" myself.
Those are just a few nuggets randomly selected from thousands of e-mails written in response to my column suggesting that Sarah Palin is out of her league and should step down.
Who says public discourse hasn't deteriorated?
The fierce reaction to my column has been both bracing and enlightening. After 20 years of column writing, I'm familiar with angry mail. But the past few days have produced responses of a different order. Not just angry, but vicious and threatening."
Well Kathleen, perhaps you belonged to the wrong 'flock'! Republicans are not exactly pro-women, let alone strong women who disagree! The hate mail she received was based on this;
"Palin's recent interviews with Charles Gibson, Sean Hannity and now Katie Couric have all revealed an attractive, earnest, confident candidate. Who Is Clearly Out Of Her League.(read the rest)
No one hates saying that more than I do. Like so many women, I've been pulling for Palin, wishing her the best, hoping she will perform brilliantly. I've also noticed that I watch her interviews with the held breath of an anxious parent, my finger poised over the mute button in case it gets too painful. Unfortunately, it often does. My cringe reflex is exhausted.
Palin filibusters. She repeats words, filling space with deadwood. Cut the verbiage and there's not much content there. Here's but one example of many from her interview with Hannity:"
Yes, back to Kathleen's reaction;
"...extreme partisanship has a crippling effect on government, which may be desirable at times, but not now. More important in the long term is the less-tangible effect of stifling free speech. My mail paints an ugly picture and a bleak future if we do not soon correct ourselves.
The picture is this: Anyone who dares express an opinion that runs counter to the party line will be silenced. That doesn't sound American to me, but Stalin would approve. Readers have every right to reject my opinion. But when we decide that a person is a traitor and should die for having an opinion different than one's own, then we cross into territory that puts all freedoms at risk. (I hear you, Dixie Chicks.)"
Well Kathster, that's what 'we' have been saying for the last 8yrs. I'm sure this epiphany is a little too late for the Dixie Chicks too. Welcome to 'our fold'.
Nah, the Dixie Chicks came out just fine. Didn't they have a number one album WITHOUT country radio pulling for them?
ReplyDeleteTruth will out!
There is no tolerance for disagreement today it is my way or the highway with the perverted Fascist right. They will make you pay and do it clandestinely at least for now. The hateful words and faces of Bush and Cheney and now McCain are not just for show!
ReplyDeleteHi Ingrid.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting my blog. I thought I'd repay the visit and read a bit. It's interesting to read the political perspectives of someone who wasn't raised in the U.S.
In regard to this post, I'm so glad that someone on the Republican side is starting to see the hateful silencing that has been going on.
Also, I hope your staph infection is getting better.
You're right. It's hard to keep up with so many good blogs. But I'll try to stop by once in a while.
People have these kind of epiphanies just before dying. All kidding aside, I wouldn't say Kathleen Parker has seen the light. Maybe when she takes back some of the race baiting things she put in her recent columns and continues to write more pieces like this will I believe here.
ReplyDeleteEven Peggy Noonan had an epiphany and she's back in lock step with the McCain/Palin ticket.
Well said & what a great post!
ReplyDeleteI can relate, having had to put up with a rabid rightwing nutjob stalker for 3+ years now. Welcome to the club, indeed. Now she has a taste of how liberal women bloggers and writers are treated ALL THE TIME.
OH and I'm going to blogroll you if that's OK!!
Hi guys, thanks for visiting. I've been recuping AND having a family weekend. With kids, you know how it goes. Robert, luckily the tide turned for the Dixie Chicks and hopefully come November, for the rest of us.
ReplyDeleteJim, you are so right, it's honestly scary how much these men used to having (and being in)power will not tolerate disagreement and dissent of any kind!
Ruth,thx for stopping by. the staph is probably out of my system already but I need to finish the antibiotic anyway. For 'real' outside perspective, I like to visit british and other european newspapers. Not that that always is 'that' different, but different enough culturally and socially. I hope I have time to revisit your blog but you know how it goes with blogging; so many blogs, so little time!
Robster, I'm not familiar with Kathleens' writings but this one struck me as, oh shock and golly gee..how can this be? Why she's surprised I'll never know. Must've been the conservative bubble..that 'cone of silence' they're famous for!
Helenwheels..thx for the blogroll. I'm notorious for not having one (I have such a looong list in my favourites it's nuts) so if I do get the 'oomph', I'll be sure to include you (since you're at least in my favourites [s])
oh and you have a stalker? Wow.. the republicans do know how to appeal to the lowest common denominator and the very criminal ones as well come to that.. just think how he (?) gets annoyed reading all that 'libral' stuff when he visits..it's 'only' his own bloodpressure he's messing with!
Ingrid