I must admit here that Sarah Palin, in spite of the awful things that have been said and written about her, pulled off quite a speech when she accepted her vice-presidential nomination at the Republican Convention.
She proved that just like Obama, she has what it takes to work up crowds and the Republican conservatives must really love her. While I would wish her well, as she and McCain face off with the formidable opposition of Obama-Biden, I can’t help but wonder what she has against books.
I think her speech was going on rather well until she decided to make Obama’s authorship the topic of her attacks against the Illinois Senator
“… it’s easy to forget that this is a man who has authored two memoirs but not a single major law or reform – not even in the state senate,” she charged. This was in obvious reference to Obama’s two best-selling books ‘Dreams From My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance’ and ‘The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream.’
It is not hard to see that Palin is miffed by the positive publicity the two books have afforded Obama. On the contrary everywhere she turns she effortlessly attracts scandal and more scandal.
Isn’t it the height of mediocrity that any person, let alone a vice-presidential candidate, would decide to attack the very fountains of knowledge; books.
What example is the good lady setting to American children by pouring scorn on books? The saddest part in this macabre script is that those gathered actually cheered when she uttered these unfortunate words.
I can understand where she is coming from. Brawn as opposed to brains has served her well on her way to the top. When you hear that she managed to tear apart the “old boys” network in Alaska, as well as taking on oil cartels, don’t imagine she did it through the power of persuasion. Is it any wonder that the word Barracuda has liberally been used to describe her? Oh, by the way she loves guns and likes hunting.
I gather that Palin has a degree in Journalism. But pray tell, why she exhibit such contempt of knowledge and information?
In spite of everything, I still have much faith in Palin. She can redeem herself and even put her massive talents to good use by writing a book or books of her own.
Suggested titles:
Pregnancy Myths: A Working Mum’s Journey to the Top
More Guns, Less Books: My Dream for a Terrorist Free America
Good luck Palin. You really need it.
Update: I gather that sometime back in Alaska, Palin tried to get a librarian fired because the said librarian refused to remove some books, the governor found “offensive” for the library! How anti-knowledge can one get?
11 replies on “What does Palin have against books?”
haha, I love the last one, she really does need lots of luck!
joseph, thanks so much for this. i must read you regularly, but when i dont i am delighted for your reminded e.g. i did nt know about the kwani fest…
One thing that i marvel at: the way kenyans are so attuned to american politics… i am teaching a media class and have to tell my students that kenyans are more attuned to politics global national and local, than they are….thanks for sharing…
I thought sarah palin insulted pitbulls….we must talk….i should engage in this conversation with Africans since the american sensibility especially towards children is different from what africans’ generally feel. that is to say, africans tend to hold parents responsible for their children’s conduct and misconduct. here the repubs are demanding that palin be applauded for letting her 17 year old violate the mother’s ‘abstinance’ rule…much to say. running to class. will talk later
thanks again
margaretta
Palin is there to scare the hilary votes into going back to obama, Mccain the old cretin who called his wife a bad ame is also a fake canddiate like the old dol clinton election.
iits entertainment. Youre a joke if you take this, or the scripted reality tv shows as something serious.\
Just laugh a long and pass the popcorn.
the eruopean oil cartel wins regardless of what happens. check ut the obama foreign policy teams background if u doubt this.
We need to investigate how she went through school. She may be against books because they gave her nightmares. People just hate what they cant conquer.
This Sarah Pallin’s speech scared the bejesus out of me. Here I was thinking that only ol’ Obama had the crowd rousing skills and then she pops up from nowhere. As for her belittling of books, I suspect that if Americans choose McCain/Pallin we shall all “fondly” remember the good ol’ days when America was the main power in the world.
We all ‘see’ things differently. I strongly believe that the attack by Pulin on Obama has nothing to do with books. It was to do with the contribution that the person of Obama has made to the people of US than on his literary engegements. To some extent she may be right in that we have not heard much about Obama’s ‘constitutional’ enrichment on the American law and systems of ‘change of law even through bill’…
On the other hand writing a book is never the solution of problems and challenges that a society faces. What counts is the very basic door-to-door socialism that may come from one. It is better to visit a sick person and help amend the constitution for the sake of the disabled than to write a book that inspires less.
Not that Obama’s book does not inspire (very few, I included have not read the book) and I cannot judge the content of the book as being ‘good’ and a best seller withour analysing innate contents.
I wish Pulin to some of us this..”I’m blind to you..HATERS’…….
Ngunjiri, thanks for your efforts. But some of the titles you’ve suggested here are not sexy enough to sell a book such a fair lady. How about this for her biography? – HOW A HORNY MUM GOT ON TOP
Is she still…PULLING on Obama…but in a good way???
Palin must be out of ideas to belittle the power of the printed word, that took the midnight lump blinking and maybe aching head to convince publishers, like us. I wish i could vote her down from here!
I can’t believe people are getting so hot and bothered over sarah palin. for one thing, she did not write that vp acceptance speech herself. for another, the McCain people have been cloistering her for the big VP debate between her and Joe Biden; however, in the interim she has had several damning interviews where her flagrant ignorance has shown forth. she has self confidence and a pretty face, but her integrity, knowledge and aptitude for being a “quick learner’ as Laura Bush claims she is, is questionable. She scares people in the US who hear her claim the US may have to war with V Putin or bomb Pakistan, etc. she has less subtlety that GW Bush, so i am surprised that Kenyans take her seriously. In the US she is fodder for all the comedy hour talk shows, where she is mimicked and mocked….justifiably i might add.
A shout to you Margaretta Wa gacheru. I have been dying to hear what you had to say about the recent messianic victory of an audacious Luoman! Ever seen a once in a lifetime event like this? Tell me, tell me. HI