Tinge Binge
A lot of people are shaking their heads at this AP analysis of Sarah Palin's attack on Barack Obama. No matter what else you may think of it, it's quite a stretch to claim that discussing Obama's relationshp with Bill Ayers has anything to do with racism. But here's the AP stating it's in the "subtext" of her comments. Well here's my analysis: by this standard any criticism of Obama is "racially tinged."
posted by LAGuy @ 12:48 AM
7 Comments:
The far better response Democrats could make to this line would center around G. Gordon Liddy and the Alaska Independence Party. The former was just about as radical as Ayers back in the day, is equally unrepentant, and is at least as close a friend of McCain's as Ayers is of Obama's. The latter, well, I could go on for a while, but then I'd get diagnosed with PDS.
Did AIP use bombs?
Anyone who's seen AIP movies knows they have plenty of bombs.
The AIP story is nonsense, and comparing Liddy to Ayers is as silly as comparing fighting in Vietnam to trying to blow up the Pentagon (which Jane Smiley just did). So yes, seriously trying to make such arguments is a sign of incipient PDS.
The AIP story is nonsense
Sigh, ok, I knew I shouldn't have brought it up, but now I can't just let it be. Is it nonsense because it's not at least in part a secessionist organization, or because Palin's husband's membership in it and her participation in their conventions don't count as much as "palling around" with them?
Re Liddy, I'm actually quite fond of the old crank, and greatly enjoyed his autobiography "Will" when I read it in fifth grade, but it's tough to deny he was willing to kill Americans for political ends back in the day.
Even if you want to exaggerate what the AIP is and does, Sarah Palin didn't participate in their activities in any way except to send them a tape saying "hello." Governors meet lots of people and do lots of things like this.
If you want to compare Todd Palin's activities to Michelle Obama's, feel free.
I'm honestly surprised you would describe my characterization of the AIP as an exaggeration. The heart of their platform is to seek a vote on secession. All of their leadership are personally in favor of secession. If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck...
With respect to her participation, she definitely attended their convention in 2000, ostensibly as a courtesy because it was being held in the town where she was mayor. It's unclear whether or not she also attended in 1994. But it's pretty clear their leadership has the idea she's at least somewhat sympathetic to their views. Whether that was conveyed to them verbally, through her husband the party member, through one of her trademark winks, or is wishful thinking on their part has not been addressed. Given that she freezes up when faced with the mainstream media filter, I guess we'll never know, eh?
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