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The Forum > Article Comments > Palin appeals to American's anti-intellectualism > Comments

Palin appeals to American's anti-intellectualism : Comments

By Brendon O'Connor, published 17/10/2008

A limited knowledge of foreign affairs is no impediment to the White House, and in fact, can have a certain populist appeal.

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Ok, just to ram home my point that it's idiotic to describe intellectualism as right or left wing, or indeed to use it to describe people who are not capable of decisive action, I present to you:

http://www.theage.com.au/world/us-election-2008/sarah-palin-considers-herself-intellectual-20081023-56kh.html

"Sarah Palin considers herself intellectual".

Okay, so we can debate whether or not she's intellectual, but that's not the point I'm making - I'm saying, that 'intellectual' is simply a word for people who pride themselves on being able to think carefully and clearly, value knowledge, and make decisions based upon that. I would hope that only intellectual people occupy positions of power.

It is not a politically charged word, or at least, it shouldn't be.
Posted by TurnRightThenLeft, Monday, 27 October 2008 3:10:32 PM
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"In an arrangement not to be announced until November 4th, the upscale specialty department store chain, Neiman-Marcus and Republican Vice Presidential nominee Sarah Palin have agreed in principal to open a chain of outlet stores offering discounted Palinwear™, while creating a line of higher-priced Palinwear™ for their upscale locations.

A representative from Neiman Marcus said their new Palinwear™ Collection will be affordable for today’s hockey mom as well as the plumbers’ ex-wives who haven’t been getting the support necessary to buy at our upscale stores.

“Of course there are plenty of women, as well as some pro-American drag queens who just want to look like Sarah,” said spokeswoman, Ann Taylor. “The clothes that were purchased by the Republican National Committee for Governor Palin will need a home after the election. We’re not talking knockoffs here. We’ll be selling those in the foreign markets overseas where Sarah’s stylings have gathered a huge, though unAmerican, following.”

Taylor said the Palinwear™ outlet may just be the start of an ever-growing “Palin-franchise.”

“We want to be the place real Americans go for all their Palin needs,” said Taylor. “Expect to see a UBetcha™ line of women’s casual, Big As The 49th™ for the plus-sized, and Whoops™, a hip outlet for coolest in unwed teen- maternity apparel.”

Taylor promises the Palinwear™ brand won’t be forgetting the men.

“Just Todd™ will embrace the real American outdoorsmen,” said Taylor. ”Just Todd™ will have everything from the Pit Bull ™ line of work and ski-bum outerwear to First Dude™ goin’ to meetin’ formalwear and Look! I Bet They’re Plannin’ Something™, a sportsman’s optical department with lenses capable of ’seeing neighboring countries.’”
McCain/Palin campaign denied to comment on the stores but looked to a Palin vice presidency.

“We’re in a win-win situation,” said Taylor. ”If Obama wins, 95% of the public will have tax cuts with which to buy Palinwear™. If McCain/Palin wins, the people making over $250,000 will have enough money to buy RNC originals. And if things go right, Cindy McCain will take these stores off our hands when the buzz peters out."

With acknowledgement to Huffingtonpost
Posted by bennie, Monday, 27 October 2008 4:47:27 PM
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I think the very fist post was from 'Examinator', and I just want to say in reference to the last paragraph of the post, I'm a mature aged uni student, and participating in Philosophy classes has (and I hate this cliche) opened my eyes. IF I want to learn I have to be open to all sides of the story. Yes, I do get informationm overload and very confused (like now) but I have to listen to learn, to make an informed decision. Paulinme and Sarah both terrify me, because I have read their ideals and values and ... ohhhhhhh they frighten me but that empowers me to make sure they don't hurt me. Well, Mrs.Palin is the world's problem even if she can shoot a moose. Hey, can you imagine her with her finger on the red button that will start a nuclear war?? Some poor country lined up in the sights.... press the button ..... B O O M!

Sorry, I went off track, but I do listen to as many sides of the story as possible. If I don't I can't be liberated (I hate that one too.)
Posted by Mally_p, Friday, 7 November 2008 2:53:00 PM
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“Palin appeals to American's anti-intellectualism” . . . .” Former beauty queen Sarah Palin “. . . . “Politicians like Palin often ignore this legacy and instead rail against an appreciation of learning and specialist knowledge”

Nothing like a good old generalizations and the pretense of elitism to denounce those who challenge pre-conceived ideas and childish expectations of conformity to a given demand.

I have observed, being ‘intellectual’ and part of the “intellectualist hierarchy”, so often glorified by professorships in academia (as demonstrated by a few regular OLO posters in particular) has absolutely

nothing to do with being “Smart”

Similarly it has nothing to do with being

“Useful” or

“Adding Value” or even

“Contributing” to the human life experience.

Ultimately most professors will need, at some time, the services of plumbers and electricians.

Very few electricians or plumbers will ever need the services of most professors.

As for beauty queens, I would rather see Sarah Palin in a swim suite, than some crusty academic. I suppose the old saying

“If you have it, Flaunt it”

And if you don’t – stay covered up.

Palin has” it”, the author of the article, clearly does not.
Posted by Col Rouge, Saturday, 8 November 2008 10:38:13 AM
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...so the next in line to the US presidency is totally, like, clueless but ain't she just HOT!
Posted by bennie, Sunday, 9 November 2008 1:05:00 PM
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Yeah. I means it's just so totally unfair! Like duh!! If she and Obama had to wear swimsuits for the whole of the campaign just who do you think would be in the oval office next? It's so totally bogus that he won just because he has, you know, ..a brain! Like who needs that stuff nowadays? Puhleeze!!
Posted by Romany, Monday, 10 November 2008 12:39:10 AM
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