I had to interject here about the "normal" thing.

I saw a card that said on it "The only normal people are people you don't know very well."

That really made me laugh! I think that's so true.

Today I considered a request for us to start ignoring Sarah Palin, in hopes that her flimsy flame would soon burn out. There are so many more big things out ther for us to focus on,

Then I came across this column by Dick Cavett and it was just too pricelss--I had to share. Any of you remember the days of diagramming sentences? Take a look at SPs quote about Africa. 10 extra points if you can diagram it correctly!!

Anne

The Wild Wordsmith of Wasilla

Electronic devices dislike me. There is never a day when something isn't ailing. Three out of these five implements - answering machine, fax machine, printer, phone and electric can-opener - all dropped dead on me in the past few days.

Now something has gone wrong with all three television sets. They will only get Sarah Palin.

I can play a kind of Alaskan roulette. Any random channel clicked on by the remote brings up that eager face, with its continuing assaults on the English Lang.

There she is with Larry and Matt and just about everyone else but Dr. Phil (so far). If she is not yet on "Judge Judy," I suspect it can't be for lack of trying.

What have we done to deserve this, this media blitz that the astute Andrea Mitchell has labeled "The Victory Tour"?

I suppose it will be recorded as among political history's ironies that Palin was brought in to help John McCain. I can't blame feminists who might draw amusement from the fact that a woman managed to both cripple the male she was supposed to help while gleaning an almost Elvis-sized following for herself. Mac loses, Sarah wins big-time was the gist of headlines.

I feel a little sorry for John. He aimed low and missed.

What will ambitious politicos learn from this? That frayed syntax, bungled grammar and run-on sentences that ramble on long after thought has given out completely are a candidate's valuable traits?

And how much more of all that lies in our future if God points her to those open-a-crack doors she refers to? The ones she resolves to splinter and bulldoze her way through upon glimpsing the opportunities, revealed from on high.

What on earth are our underpaid teachers, laboring in the vineyards of education, supposed to tell students about the following sentence, committed by the serial syntax-killer from Wasilla High and gleaned by my colleague Maureen Dowd for preservation for those who ask, "How was it she talked?"

My concern has been the atrocities there in Darfur and the relevance to me with that issue as we spoke about Africa and some of the countries there that were kind of the people succumbing to the dictators and the corruption of some collapsed governments on the continent, the relevance was Alaska's investment in Darfur with some of our permanent fund dollars.

And, she concluded, "never, ever did I talk about, well, gee, is it a country or a continent, I just don't know about this issue."

It's admittedly a rare gift to produce a paragraph in which whole clumps of words could be removed without noticeably affecting the sense, if any.

(A cynic might wonder if Wasilla High School's English and geography departments are draped in black.)

(How many contradictory and lying answers about The Empress's New Clothes have you collected? I've got, so far, only four. Your additional ones welcome.)

Matt Lauer asked her about her daughter's pregnancy and what went into the decision about how to handle it. Her "answer" did not contain the words "daughter," "pregnancy," "what to do about it" or, in fact, any two consecutive words related to Lauer's query.

I saw this as a brief clip, so I don't know whether Lauer recovered sufficiently to follow up, or could only sit there, covered in disbelief. If it happens again, Matt, I bequeath you what I heard myself say once to an elusive guest who stiffed me that way: "Were you able to hear any part of my question?"

At the risk of offending, well, you, for example, I worry about just what it is her hollering fans see in her that makes her the ideal choice to deal with the world's problems: collapsed economies, global warming, hostile enemies and our current and far-flung twin battlefronts, either of which may prove to be the world's second "30 Years' War."

Has there been a poll to see if the Sarah-ites are numbered among that baffling 26 percent of our population who, despite everything, still maintain that President George has done a heckuva job?

A woman in one of Palin's crowds praised her for being "a mom like me ... who thinks the way I do" and added, for ill measure, "That's what I want in the White House." Fine, but in what capacity?

Do this lady's like-minded folk wonder how, say, Jefferson, Lincoln, the Roosevelts, et al (add your own favorites) managed so well without being soccer moms? Without being whizzes in the kitchen, whipping up moose soufflés? Without executing and wounding wolves from the air and without promoting that sad, threadbare hoax - sexual abstinence - as the answer to the sizzling loins of the young?

(In passing, has anyone observed that hunting animals with high-powered guns could only be defined as sport if both sides were equally armed?)

I'd love to hear what you think has caused such an alarming number of our fellow Americans to fall into the Sarah Swoon.

Could the willingness to crown one who seems to have no first language have anything to do with the oft-lamented fact that we seem to be alone among nations in having made the word "intellectual" an insult? (And yet...and yet...we did elect Obama. Surely not despite his brains.)

Sorry about all of the foregoing, as if you didn't get enough of the lady every day in every medium but smoke signals.

I do not wish her ill. But I also don't wish us ill. I hope she continues to find happiness in Alaska.

May I confess that upon first seeing her, I liked her looks? With the sound off, she presents a not uncomely frontal appearance.

But now, as the Brits say, "I'll be glad to see the back of her."

I agree with you Anne. I hope we will fight this civil rights battle and win--putting an end to the lies and myths about gays and lesbians! I hope that the 70% of African American voters who voted for Barack in CA can be persuaded to see that the lives of gay community members are facing discrimination (that looks differently) that in another form they have been fighting, and still continue to fight in areas of this country--and will put the christian right ideology aside, and vote to support another group of people in this country who continue to fight discrimination.

And the fact that many heteros are coming out to protest--either on a gov't building steps or withholding from their wallet--that enough transparency exists, and with the ruling of Supreme Court--this will be the last time we have to politically deal with this matter.

Another point is that even if civil unions are "granted" to gays instead of marriage, the gay couple will still not receive all the benefits of married couples. From what I understand (and I may be wrong), many working gay couples do not have all the benefits that their married counterparts receive. Some will say that is not true--but again we are living in a country that continues to use covert racism and discrimination in order for one group to use other groups in order to elevate themselves in our society. We have a lot of work to do to end our covert behavior. Granted some is out of ignorance and perhaps not covert, but heck isn't it about time all this subterfuge was stopped?

As far as the boycott (monetary), many gay couples have far more discretionary income than hetero couples. At least in our area that is the case. Those who do have access to spending more, do so, and by withholding that spending, this will put a real dent in small to large businesses. I was reminded of that, by the remark made earlier about the cancellation of weddings--and the businesses that will be affected. Many go on more elaborate/expensive vacations and purchase a substantial home, etc.

I understand that a group from Arizona came to CA to help organize the support for Prop 8. I think the fight for and against Prop 8 should have been fought by Californians only. It affects our state and our citizens.

Amy--yes love the Tshirt idea!  

Anne, always enjoy reading Mr. Cavett.  That was some "sentence."  Palin obviously suffers from disorganized thinking, which is a lot worse than mere bad grammar.    

Amy, great teeshirt idea!  I hope the protestors keep things peaceful and non-confrontational, though I understand their anger and frustration. 

Grace, you're right about the limited benefits.  It's my understanding that citizenship can't be granted through civil unions and surviving spouses can't collect social security benefits.  And they can't file jointly on their federal taxes.  Another area that is fuzzy is health insurance coverage.  Right now, I guess, private companies aren't legally obligated to recognize civil unions as far as offering extended health coverage goes.     

I think legalized gay prejudice will continue as long as people believe that homosexuality is a choice.  If the medical/science community came out and established, once and for all, that people are innately straight or gay, and that it's not something one can will away, then states couldn't legally justify discrimination.  It won't stop homophobia, but it will make it a lot harder to use the justice system to discriminate.

Enjoyed the 60 Minutes interview.  You could tell how committed they are to their kids, and to making sure they stay grounded.  Wouldn't it be cool to have a play date at the WH?  

I feel so blessed to be around to see what has happened in this election. At all the Obama ralleys I went to we always chanted "yes we can" over and over. In the back of my mind I would always be thinking gosh I hope so. To know that I live in a country where the majority was willing to push past the color of ones skin to truly create change makes me proud. Although we have a ways to go, we have come a long way. My 70 yr old mother said she never thought she would live to see this day, and Im glad I got to share it with her. All I have to say about Obama is that greatness has arrived.

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

Tracey

Yes, me too.

I think purple is a great color on her.  She should wear it more often.

i think president obama thinks she is hot!:)

Hi to all.  Popping in and marking my spot.  Thank goodness I can come here and catch up on all the news.  Missed Obama on 60 minutes.  Laura...cool picture....it's nice!  Gotta go.

Lovin Obama more each day.

Nicki

Nicki,  Here's the interview, if you want to watch it online:

http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/60minutes/main3415.shtml?tag=rightRail;rightRailInner

Grace, I agree with you regarding the silliness of the media.  They're practically stalking Obama now, reporting on his every move like he was Britney Spears coming out of rehab.  I can understand why he's lamenting his loss of anonymity.

We are strong, hear us roar!  Behind every man, there is a powerful and strong woman.  I do believe that!

I was also wondering, since the Mormons put up so much money to get Prop 8 passed if they still believe in having more than one wife?  I don't like what happened in California.  Nope, not one bit.

OK - off to another busy work day.

Nicki

BO appointed Rahm as COS & is bringing back Ms. Albright to help with the transition. Seems like all the Clinton faves ... well, except forvthat heavy set intern.

Anne, check you sense of humor button...it is a joke.