Palin Speaks

First, I will hedge everything I'm writing by affirming my democratic leanings. But it must frustrate everyone (Democrats, Republicans, independents, anyone with critical thinking skills) to listen to Sarah Palin speak. Her latest rant on Obama centers around his supposed early affiliation with William Ayers.

Only as America is poised for a major economic downturn (read: recession, read: depression), as it sways heavy with debt and greed and social, educational and cultural weights, would a person's "free thinking" explorations of youth be branded "terrorism." Barak was 8 years old at the time of Ayers' involvement with the questionable militant organization. However, truth be told, Obama and Ayers did serve in the same anti-poverty group in Chicago thirty years later.

But let's not get muddled in fact --the tool of the Right, the tool of most Republicans is in-hand and it's greased up and working: when in doubt, play the Terrorism card. Don't speak about the economic crisis (in fact, let's "turn the page"). Don't discuss the issues -- they only cloud the campaign trail. Let's, instead, blow smoke and bend mirrors so that the harried Americans can grab a soundbite linking Obama to terrorism of any sort. So that most voters can hear the two words in the same sentence as they grab the latte and dash out the door.

Kudos, McCain (via Palin) for keeping the bar low and expecting that most Americans, already exhausted and spent after 8 long years under Bush, are too tired to fight to get at the truth or too dumb to know clear manipulation. Beverly Hills Chihuahua was #1 at the box office this weekend, so maybe you're onto something.