Patterico's Pontifications

9/24/2008

Palin: No Thatcher

Filed under: General — Patterico @ 9:34 pm



Am I the only one bothered by this?

On entering a room filled with several Pakistani officials this afternoon, Palin was immediately greeted by Sherry Rehman, the country’s Information Minister.

“And how does one keep looking that good when one is that busy?,” Rehman asked, drawing friendly laughter from the room when she complimented Palin.

“Oh, thank you,” Palin said.

Pakistan’s recently-elected president, Asif Ali Zardari, entered the room seconds later. Palin rose to shake his hand, saying she was “honored” to meet him.

Zardari then called her “gorgeous” and said: “Now I know why the whole of America is crazy about you.”

“You are so nice,” Palin said, smiling. “Thank you.”

A handler from Zardari’s entourage then told the two politicians to keep shaking hands for the cameras.

“If he’s insisting, I might hug,” Zardari said. Palin smiled politely.

A little gravitas, please. I think Palin is bright, but she should model herself after Margaret Thatcher. In the unlikely event that some sexist jerk from Pakistan had praised her looks, Maggie wouldn’t have said “Tee hee.” Even if she had been pretty, she still would have found a way to cut the guy off at the knees.

69 Responses to “Palin: No Thatcher”

  1. While I certainly agree with the concept, I wonder what Palin could have done. ANYTHING she does is taken as a sign that she’s a monster.

    Had she cut this guy off, someone we need to be friends with, it would have been taken as thin skinned and stupid, even if it’s what I wish she had done. If we want leaders who act like leaders (as a society), a whole lot more people will need to start thinking like Patterico and ignoring the MSM on Palin. Otherwise, she is justifiably walking on eggshells.

    Juan (4cdfb7)

  2. She should have been confrontational or dismissive? or WORSE, she should have publicly embarrassed him? To what end?

    Icy Truth (d2ca3b)

  3. Icy, to the end of dignity for women. Which is important to America in a very unique way, particularly in the context of the war effort.

    You’re right that this is exactly how it would come across in our climate (our society’s opinions on how Palin should act and out media’s insane BS). But women leaders should emulate at least the aspect of Hillary that gets her called a bitch. Strong leaders are not flirts. Palin is a strong leader and is being forced into an attitude she probably loathes (or at least I hope she loathes).

    I’m sure you get my point.

    Juan (4cdfb7)

  4. It bothers me on several fronts. I agree that she is lacking gravitas and needs to adeptly get the subject immediately off of her looks but given that it was a meet & greet and that it was some sexist who did, I cut her slack.

    While Margaret Thatcher mastered the fine art of cutting off at the knees, Palin’s problem of course is that her looks are something altogether different than Mrs. Thatcher’s. When dealing with male leaders in those parts of the world where there is culturally less than a genuine respect for women and sexism is the religion, she will definitely face this sort of crap on a regular basis and I hope she can find a subtle yet firm way to nip it in the bud. Cutting off at the knees might work with some cultures, others not so much and it might even be damaging to the relationships between entities. I don’t think Middle Eastern males would take kindly to being cut off at the knees by any woman and especially not by a very attractive one. If she becomes veep, she would not be able to afford to make enemies of our potential enemies.

    This is really a new twist in American politics. Not because she’s a woman in politics but because she’s a very attractive woman with her own power and the potential for much more power if McCain wins the election.

    Dana (4d3ea0)

  5. I agree with 1 & 2.

    Also, greetings don’t matter. Business does, and Palin’s history is replete with descriptions of her ‘body count’.

    Any MSM story must show her as a Caribu Barbie. It’s because they’re afraid. If this was a Democratic woman, she would have been described as ‘charming’.

    Governor Palin didn’t wear ‘proper attire’ either.

    Governor Palin is fine just the way she is, and doesn’t need to ‘act’. The Pakistani President is in a tough situation, and needs to cultivate American cooperation, so most likely didn’t want to embarrass Governor Palin. Furthermore, the trip was electioneering, as Governor Palin doesn’t have the authority yet to deal with foreign powers, and discussions could only be at a cursory level.

    No. This doesn’t bother me.

    Apogee (366e8b)

  6. Dana has excellent point, but I also feel that Governor Palin would have had a different experience as Vice President Palin.

    She was smart to play it down.

    Apogee (366e8b)

  7. “she still would have found a way to cut the guy off at the knees.”

    Since she has different, um, assets as compared to Thatcher, I suspect she already knows exactly how to use them. Lull them into thinking she’s a bit of fluff, THEN with a few strokes of political power cut the guy off at the knees (or somewhat higher), leaving him wondering what just happened.

    Jim C. (33af9d)

  8. Your recollections of Margaret Thatcher are a tad different than mine and Ronald Reagan’s:

    “She was warm, feminine, gracious and intelligent and it was evident from our first words that we were soul mates when it came to reducing government and expanding economic freedom,” Reagan remarked.

    A female executive should not be a flirt, nor should she be a female version of a metrosexual. In my opinion, Palin was being warm, feminine, and gracious.

    DRJ (c953ab)

  9. It didn’t take long for this to get a NYT touch. From the NYT opening sentence which sublty infers Palin initiated or engaged in a talk about her looks, which makes her appear shallow. Its rather misleading,

    Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska completed Day 2 of her foreign policy tutorials on Wednesday, meeting with the leaders of Georgia, Ukraine, Iraq, Pakistan and India and engaging in small talk about her looks and New York City.

    and the opening sentence from Patterico’s link (Political Ticker) which makes it clear who initiated the comments,

    Sarah Palin and the foreign leaders she has met with in New York have said very little to reporters over the last two days, but the press happened to be in the room on Wednesday for one eyebrow-raising exchange, as the new president of Pakistan lavished praise on Palin’s looks.

    Two different opening lines, so subtle and yet so effective.

    Dana (4d3ea0)

  10. I think that you all are making too big a deal out of this.

    She did fine. The only pressure Sarah Palin has right now is not to make any mistakes that will hurt John McCain. So she is having to give responses to questions and situations in a way that may not be quite comfortable to her right now. But I have no doubt that she will grow into the VP position and do just fine.

    At least she doesn’t insult people the way Biden does.

    And let’s be honest… Barack Obama is not the best at repartee — he sounds and appears artificial, corny, awkward and stilted a lot of the time when he is not in front of a teleprompter — so Sarah will get better.

    If she were on her own — if she could be her own person, Sarah Palin would do very well, but, again, she is having to be VERY CAREFUL not to harm someone else (McCain) so she may be acting a lot more demure than she would normally act.

    Calpurnia (ad936f)

  11. While I agree that her response could be stronger, I think Sarah Palin has a lot more in store for us if we just hold out

    rfp (f4c1e0)

  12. DRJ, that’s always been such a generous compliment Reagan made toward his dear friend. And its especially meaningful that two people of the opposite sex would think so highly of one another while maintaining a deep yet honorable friendship.

    With that, given the immense power physicality has in our culture and what Palin has been likened to (Caribou Barbie, Barbie, a porn star, a centerfold, naughty librarian, etc), I think she willl be facing something entirely different than Mrs. Thatcher. Of course she should not flirt but again because of what she looks like her warm, feminine, and gracious behavior will no doubt be misinterpreted and misconstrued – both by jealous women and sexist males. Its just the way it is.

    Dana (4d3ea0)

  13. I think she was being diplomatic. No point in being antagonistic or cutting toward her guests–especially with the media waiting to pounce on any lack of diplomatic finesse.

    CliveStaples (d37bb1)

  14. At least she doesn’t insult people the way Biden does.

    Can you imagine? Contest?

    Biden to Zardari: “Ok, I’ll have a slurpy, a ham sandwich, and a hostess cherry pie.”

    Apogee (366e8b)

  15. Apogee:

    Can you imagine? Contest?

    Biden to Zardari: “Ok, I’ll have a slurpy, a ham sandwich, and a hostess cherry pie.”

    Is it just me, or is Biden a real-life version of Michael from The Office? “Wow, you look very exotic.” “You look just like the guy who makes the best slurpees north of 76th.”

    CliveStaples (d37bb1)

  16. Juan, my response is pretty much covered by Dana (#4). She was meeting these leaders as the VP candidate, not as a sitting VP and not (unless you want to quibble) as the Governor of Alaska. Regardless, there is absolutely no upside to doing something that very likely could offend a foreign leader. This was NOT the time to say “Yeah yeah, I’m cute. Now tell me what you’re going to do about the Taliban and al-Qaeda hiding out in the tribal regions.” Wait until after the inauguration.

    Icy Truth (ab2f41)

  17. Dana,

    People made the same comments and claims about Thatcher early in her career, including allegations of affairs. My point wasn’t to show Thatcher and Palin chose a feminine mystique. I think Palin — like Thatcher — should be herself, if only because it’s too hard to pretend to be something you aren’t.

    DRJ (c953ab)

  18. Icy, I can’t think of a way for Palin to assert herself in a more dignified way without offending this very important figure in our war, so I guess you’re right.

    I wouldn’t want her to be rude… and I even want her to be warm. But there’s something unsettling about this and I expect better from our women leaders (and I think quite a lot of Palin). As long as it’s a man’s world, and over there it obviously is, strong women have to bite. Kay Bailey and Hillary both have this reputation for being absolutely horrible to underacheiving subordinated… and it helps them cultivate gravitas to some extent.

    So my criticism comes without a suggestion for improvement and therefore isn’t exactly powerful, but Palin needs to find a way to be a gorgeous leader dealing with absolute scumbag sexists. For one thing, she has to deal with Biden. Being undercut as a pretty thing is not acceptable.

    Juan (4cdfb7)

  19. With you 99.9 times out of 10, Patrick,
    but on this one, I respectfully and approvingly quote Sgt Hulka: “Lighten up, Francis.”

    mike d (be4a4c)

  20. make that 99.9 times out of 100.

    Whatever.

    mike d (be4a4c)

  21. But Mrs. Thatcher was what? 20 years older? And if she’d been brusque, she’d be called out for lacking finesse and charm. Condi Rice isn’t all smiles, and people are quick to call her a bitch. So, she can’t win either way.
    Palin’s better off being moderately charming with these guys, esp. those from countries where women are basically 2nd class citizens.
    At least she didn’t pull a Pelosi and wear a headwrap.

    Kate (91ca17)

  22. Michael from The Office? Michael from The Office looks like Clark Gable compared to Biden.

    Apogee (366e8b)

  23. Well, most liberals go on and on about the sex appeal of JFK and now, Barry Obama. Palin could have cut him off the knees but she would have been criticised for exacerbating relations with an already tense country.

    The fact is MSM and the libs have made us extremely conscious of how Palin behaves. We should take this with good humour.

    prom (4fa442)

  24. I understand that, DRJ. However with our current culture even more sexualised that when Mrs. Thatcher was in her prime and given that one’s physicality has so much value, I don’t think the level of viciousness toward Thatcher’s womanliness came anywhere near what Palin has experienced.

    Palin absolutely should just be herself (McCain’s camp is scripting her so much that she seems awkward..argh )but with that, she also has to realize (which she probably does given her public persona) that her feminine charms may that much more impressive and therefore she may have to be more aware of how she carries herself…OTH, they may be a great advantage as well.

    Dana (4d3ea0)

  25. She doesn’t need any phony gravitas, they already know she is one tough cookie. Why shouldn’t she take advantage of the effect she has? You feminista men always want to keep a woman from using all her assets.

    I wrote of the report on my own blog:

    This description of Sarah Palin’s meeting with the new Pakistani president really tickles me, mostly because I know it will drive the man-hating feminists ballistic. We certainly can’t have a man of such stature complimenting a good looking woman, now can we? Sure we can and I hope she dazzled the hell out of him, so that when she is Vice President and calls on him for a much needed diplomatic, military, or national security favor he won’t want to say no.

    Sara (Pal2Pal) (3337ed)

  26. I’d like to remind everyone that President JFK had no problem using Jackie to wow the various world leaders so they were much more friendly to his agenda as a result. Even better to have a VP in that role.

    Sara (Pal2Pal) (3337ed)

  27. Why shouldn’t she take advantage of the effect she has?

    Heh. No doubt a couple of old fems just gagged.

    Dana (4d3ea0)

  28. Different situations call for different responses, Juan. That’s my problem with Patterico’s post; he seems to think that it’s important for her to act like she’s already got the job, presumably to counter the pervaders of the “Caribou Barbie” slur. Well, I don’t think it’s the right time for that.

    Not yet.

    Icy Truth (ab2f41)

  29. In the unlikely event that some sexist jerk from Pakistan had praised her looks, Maggie wouldn’t have said “Tee hee.” Even if she had been pretty, she still would have found a way to cut the guy off at the knees.

    Oh, gawwwd. Pat, that’s just maddog silly. That’s as silly a thing to say as “If Golda Meir had been pretty,” or even “If Hillary Clinton had been pretty” (I really don’t think Hill’s that bad-looking, but unlike Governor Palin, she’d never make a passing guy walk into a light pole). And the late Pakistani PM Benazir Bhutto was no bow-wow — think that perhaps American diplomats might have given an extra wide smile at being in her presence?

    I’m surprised and disappointed in you, suggesting that Palin “said ‘tee hee'” when there is no reference in the report that she did anything but respond politely and non-hysterically.
    Pat, you know I love you as much as a guy who will likely never meet you can, but puhleeeze don’t give aid and comfort to the crap-flinging monkeys tormenting Palin 24/7.
    I can imagine the webmaster of the CNN page you linked being delighted at the trackback, thinking that you fell for the spin and are now inferring that she’s not up to being VP because she’s not insisting she be treated as if she was Jeane Kirkpatrick — a brilliant woman who resembled Warren Christopher in drag. (That’s not cruel. It’s a fact, Jack.)

    Something that Palin’s detractors have always done is underestimate her. In fact, I fear that McCain is doing just that. Don’t join that club, it’s for losers.

    L.N. Smithee (ffab10)

  30. Don’t you get it ……….. he’s spell bound. Wait until she has a private state visit and makes Cheney look like a pacifist.

    “Mr. Zadari, as long as you will not fight the terrorists that reside in your country and they threaten ours, we will pursue them and kill them. Nice tie.”

    There’s just something about a ‘gal’ that can field dress a moose.

    LaMano (fcd61d)

  31. Being one of those Y chromosomal types, I do admit that I enjoy chatting with attractive women. But I don’t think I would have said what those Pakistani officials did. “Cutting people off at the knees” during a pseudo-diplomatic meeting would not have been a good course, I imagine.

    At the same time, remember Benazir Bhutto was a lovely woman, twice Prime Minister of Pakistan (and recently assassinated) who had gravitas. Also had charges of corruption and other things, true, but certain a strong woman. I doubt very much if these politicians would have addressed her that way.

    Governor Palin is trying to find *her* style, not Margaret Thatcher’s or Benazir Bhutto’s. We’ll see how it works out. If she doesn’t appear “professional enough,” then the ticket is in trouble.

    Give Sarah Palin this: she is certainly genuine. And “nice” is not a synonym for “pushover,” as her opponents in Alaska learned.

    It’s like George W. Bush: people think of him as stupid but nice, and he is neither of those things. But being viewed that way is helpful to him, politically.

    Eric Blair (2708f4)

  32. Sounds to me like she was polite.

    When folks say things they aught not, and you’re being polite, you pretend they didn’t. (kind of)

    Foxfier (15ac79)

  33. Regarding Clive’s point earlier, Biden would most likely have asked Zardari if he had a brother who operated a Dunkin’ Donuts in Wilmington, because he looked so familiar.

    I’m just bummed out I missed the troll influx on the other threads. A target rich environment!

    daleyrocks (d9ec17)

  34. Poor MSM!–torn between its “duty” to denounce sexism, its need to fawn over 3rd world leaders, and its hatred of Palin.

    Stu707 (7fb2e7)

  35. No, you don’t cut a friendly world leader off at the knees.
    Was it Putin who went on and on about how he was unsure he’d be able to concentrate at a meeting with Condi because she has such great legs?
    Attractive women learn how to ignore it and move on to the task at hand. You can’t make it an issue, either way.

    (remember when some tabloid printed pictures of Merkel’s bum as she changed out of her bathing suit?)

    MayBee (c0df75)

  36. Flattery and compliments are the norm in the ARAB world – don’t read too much into it – my wife works everyday with high level arabs – its ordinary and commonplace

    In fact yesterday, in Qatar, a minor minister who had not seen me in a while said I was looking healthy and well

    EricPWJohnson (c00a5d)

  37. I also want to ask a question.
    When Obama met with world leaders for a few moments each, we heard about how he looked like he could be commander in chief.
    Can an attractive woman “look like” she can be commander in chief if another world leader compliments her looks?
    If not, whose fault is that?

    MayBee (c0df75)

  38. Gravitas? You want “gravitas”?

    Try to find it on either side, other than Sarah.

    Your search will be futile.

    BTW, I like that she didn’t obtain a passport until last year, even though she’s visited other countries.

    I went to Europe, for the first time, last year.

    I prefer the Caribbean…

    kakypat (e3d90f)

  39. Although, to be sure, Afghanistan is not precisely an Arabic nation…

    … but it is true that the tradition of hospitality makes you mouth nonsense you hardly believe, but for the sake of saving face you’d say it anyways.

    And anyways, I think Gov Palin did exactly the right thing, fwiw.

    Gregory (f7735e)

  40. Gregory

    I don’t mind being corrected – my family does it hourly and so do my fellow bloggers – but you are dead wrong from your prospective in a Malaysian sense – oil and wealth have made some superficial and temporary divisions in whose considered arabs and those who are not

    Afghanistan would beg to differ as the customs of their religion heavily dictate the customs of their daily lives. Additionally Afghanistan as well as all of the gulf countries consider Iran, Iraq to be brother arab countries, some locals don’t but at least the governments do –

    I know where you are youre more in the crossroads of the world so its wildly exotic and chaotic but here its real old world despite the influx of western culture

    EricPWJohnson (c00a5d)

  41. Who, uh — who you talkin’ to there, dude?

    Icy Truth (7b38bb)

  42. #40 was for Gregory

    Icy Truth (7b38bb)

  43. I very definitely disagree, Patterico.

    Suppose Dick Cheney is meeting the Information Minister of Blahblabistan. The Minister notes that Cheney’s tie-tack looks like a football. He says, “Mr. Vice President, I noticed your tie-tack. Are you a fan of your American-style football?”

    Cheney replies, truthfully, “Yes, in fact this was a gift from a friend of mine, Coach Darryl Lombardo from Southeast Carolina State Polytechnical.”

    “Southeast Carolina State Polytechnical?” gasps the Minister. “Why, that’s where my nephew got his PhD in political science as a foreign exchange student in your country! I visited him there, and we went together to see the Polytechs play against the North Central Tennessee Chicadees! I met Coach Lombardo after the game!”

    The two fall into a 10-minute conversation on the details of American football, which the Minister finds to be an absolutely fascinating sport, and as their rapport warms, the Minister happens to mention to Cheney that his (the Minister’s) colleague at the Blahblabistan Ministry of Oil was told last week by the Venezuelan oil minister that Venezuela intends to push OPEC to cut worldwide oil production by 25% at the wellhead next month.

    A nice intelligence coup for the U.S., isn’t it?

    One diplomat’s fondness for football is another’s fondness for a well-turned set of female legs, which in all candor, Gov. Palin has. If, as a result, there’s some opportunity for building personal rapport or otherwise strengthening relationships, the smart American politician would simply exploit that.

    It isn’t candidate Palin’s job to “cut off” foreign diplomats at the knees because they don’t share your (or my) sense of political correctness. Obviously there are limits: I’m not suggesting that Gov. Palin flutter her eyes back and flirt in response to comments like Zardari’s.

    But I don’t think Condi Rice (who’s also quite fetching) would have done anything differently than what Palin did today.

    If politicians — male or female — can make hay out of their looks or their interests in sports or whatever other circumstances present relatively harmless opportunities for gratifying chit-chat, there’s nothing wrong with that.

    Beldar (b0d7b6)

  44. One more point: Maggy Thatcher first became known as the Iron Lady for the way she stood up for herself and her party within Parliament, not for dressing down foreign diplomats. Notwithstanding her domestic reputation, the Argentines catastrophically misjudged both her and the entire British nation’s character in the early 1980s when they tried to seize the Falklands. Whether they would have made that misjudgment were the British PM at the time a man, no one will ever know for sure. But when their short war was done, both the Argentines and the rest of the world had some serious reassessment to do.

    If Sarah Palin becomes part of a McCain-Palin presidential administration, she’ll already benefit from a world-wide appreciation of her remarkable (and to foreign eyes, particlarly exotic) history as a hunter and fisherman. To the extent that words and symbols affect perceptions, she’s probably already in good shape. Ultimately, though, as with Thatcher in the UK, it will be deeds and not mere words that determine how seriously she is taken — as is also ultimately true for male politicians as well.

    Beldar (b0d7b6)

  45. Dear Eric (that’s whom I was speaking to, Icy);

    Yeah, I get what you mean. I have a very bad habit of being a pedant of the most boorish sort, and when I see someone (seemingly) conflating Arabs and Afghans (most of whom are either Pashtun or Tajiks, fwiw), my keyboard fingers start itching.

    I have absolutely no argument with you when you say that Islam is very heavily Arabic, and hence any culture that considers itself Islamic is bound to have a large Arabic influence. None. I also have no argument with everything else you’re saying.

    I am merely referring to their ethnic origin, not so much any cultural differences that may or may not exist between the two. Like I said, I’m a pedant 🙂

    Anyways, all very off-topic. And God help me, I’d never describe Malaysia as exotic or chaotic either one.

    Gregory (f7735e)

  46. “Cutting off at the knees” might have been appropriate if Ms. Palin was manager of a purchasing department and Mr. Zardari was an office products salesman.

    However, Ms. Palin is a candidate for vice president and Mr. Zardari is an official of a foreign government.

    Diplomatic niceness was required here, and she did rather well.

    Person of Choler (76c6c0)

  47. IMHO, this falls into the “pick your battles” category. Not the time, not the place.

    I'm Geekier (25af5f)

  48. DRJ: “A female executive should not be a flirt, nor should she be a female version of a metrosexual.”

    Absolutely agree.

    However, There is a certain ownership of responsibility for men as well. Why does a qualifier about a woman’s looks need to be interjected in the first place. If male politicians were gauged on their looks we would never be able to fill all the political seats.

    One of the first Female General Officers in the Air Force did speaking engagements after retirement. She told a story of how she was speaking to a male officer at a conference when she was active duty. They guy kept staring at her chest — finally she grabbed her breasts and said “hey wake up – someone is talking to you!”.

    voiceofreason2 (78a026)

  49. #4
    Dana,
    Good points – additionally by doing the things you described she sets a good role model for women in those cultures. Graceful but firm has never been a losing approach. Imagine the behind the doors conversations it probably causes with some couples in that region.

    voiceofreason2 (78a026)

  50. Pattericu should have edited his post.

    Palin did just fine. She put the requirements of her position ahead of her own personal feelings. These Pakistani officials owe her one for not adding to their embarrassment.

    This was not just a case of gravitas on Palin’s part, but a quick witted response to a difficult situation.

    Terry Gain (aab754)

  51. No, I actually admire Patterico for leaving his post up as is. As long as he subscribes to the viewpoint he espouses in it, at any rate.

    Of course, should any of us have persuaded him to think otherwise, or to consider an alternate pov, then of course, he can edit to say so.

    Until then, not so much.

    Gregory (f7735e)

  52. I meant that he should have edited before posting.

    Terry Gain (aab754)

  53. I love that this site, which surely respects the constitution (the libs want to change, it… right?) censors any poster who isn’t right on board with this garbage.

    arlington (3d65f9)

  54. I love that this site, which surely respects the constitution (the libs want to change, it… right?) censors any poster who isn’t right on board with this garbage.

    Evidence of said censoring ?

    JD (41e64f)

  55. God ! We’re afflicted with trolls 24/7 and now another troll complains they are censored ?

    I think the Pak FM was out of line but maybe he reads the NY Times.

    Mike K (2cf494)

  56. Are you not aware that Margaret Thatcher was famous for flirting with world leaders? She was quite good-looking, but with Palin’s looks, imagine what she could have done.

    SB (b91175)

  57. VOR2,

    People talked about how John Kennedy looked all the time — his youthful tan and good looks and especially his hair. To a certain extent, the same is true of Obama’s slender frame and good grooming. It also applies to any professional, executive, or person in the public eye. An attractive appearance is a plus in men and women. It conveys that the person has energy and a positive outlook. When you have that, you learn to deal with it in several ways:

    1. With a big ego because you deserve the adulation;

    2. Shyly and awkwardly as if you are embarrassed by the attention;

    3. In a mean-spirited way that is intended to prevent people from addressing your appearance; or

    4. With grace and poise, because you are accustomed to compliments and handle them deftly.

    Some fall into option 1, but I submit Palin and all smart executives choose option 4.

    DRJ (c953ab)

  58. Of course, without the injections of the newly – developed cortisone shots, JFK would’ve appeared as sickly as he actually was.

    Dmac (e639cc)

  59. Its unfortunate as well as an unfortunate reality that we are willing to accept a post-menopausal woman in practical shoes (or pantsuits) in a place of power but an attracitve fertile woman with sex appeal threatens very deep western archetypes of who should hold power and be making executive decisions. We already know how the media addresses this (see example #9) but it will also be interesting to see how other countries with differing views on gender roles will react…

    Dana (b4a26c)

  60. I’m still trying to figure out how Palin emasculating the Pakistani president would be a good thing were it to happen.

    Now, were it Chirst Matthews….then Pat’s got a point.

    Rich Horton (92ab8a)

  61. #45 – Gregory

    Dear Eric (that’s whom I was speaking to, Icy);
    — I’m quite aware of to whom you were speaking.

    I have a very bad habit of being a pedant of the most boorish sort, and when I see someone (seemingly) conflating Arabs and Afghans
    — I understand you correcting what EricPWJohnson wrote in #40; frankly, what he wrote was idiotic. However, the first mention of Afghanistan in this thread was made by you in #39. To me, it came off as a preemptive response to a comment that had yet to be made. And then, of course, Mr. Johnson came along and obliged you before my comment posted. So, retroactively, you were perfectly correct to say what you said, and you really didn’t owe him an explanation. He was wrong.

    Icy Truth (3a3033)

  62. Maybe Sarah could offer Chrissie the use of her tanning bed. Although, maybe he enjoys his status as THE whitest Obama supporter in the land.

    I denounce myself, but I couldn’t resist.

    Icy Truth (3a3033)

  63. Icy – Crissy would burn in an instant.

    Racists.

    JD (41e64f)

  64. Wondering what roles Chrissie “I squat to pee” Matthews and Olberdouche would play in an Obama administration. Perhaps Chrissie could pen some more speeches with the substance he excelled at for Jimmuh Carter and Olbie could be press secretary. Of course Chrissie truly desire to a be a Senator. His obnoxious bearing and pomposity would fit right in there.

    madmax333 (0c6cfc)

  65. Did you see Olbermonkey trying to spin his Brokaw-induced smackdown from the parent company on Letterman last night? “This frees me up to do nothing but commentary,” he claimed. Great! Now he’ll be spewing his partisan drivel for 100% of the time he’s on — instead of 90%.

    Icy Truth (3a3033)

  66. Even if she had been pretty, she still would have found a way to cut the guy off at the knees.

    That makes about as much sense as saying “Even if my aunt had balls, she still wouldn’t be my uncle.” Who knows how a pretty Margaret Thatcher would have reacted under such a counterfactual scenario? Who cares? Palin isn’t supposed to be Margaret Thatcher, any more than she is supposed to be Hillary Clinton. Let Reagan be Reagan, and let Palin be Palin.

    Xrlq (62cad4)

  67. The Pakistinian Leader is actually an Arab Playboy from Afghanistan – the Marriage between him and Bhutto was over years ago but they remained close friends – he’s from a prominent ARAB family that has strong ties even to Saudi Arabia

    This, however was typical arab flattery and since we have a country that allegedly is starting to shoot at US helicopters –

    Pakistan has several distinct regions – roughly one third of it is old world afghanistan and that is where Bin Ladeb is hiding – among the 60 million Afghan Arab Pakistinians as they and Afghanistan were artificially created by the british less than 60 years ago

    EricPWJohnson (c00a5d)

  68. Can you blame the man for wanting a hug? I mean his wife was killed last year. The least Palin could have done was to give the man a warm, sweet comforting hug. Is that too much to ask?…. 😉

    love2008 (1b037c)


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