Sarah Palin’s Blood Libel
I need to admit up front I am a fan of Sarah Palin’s. I have admired her since John McCain picked her in 2008 to run as his running mate. A popular Governor of Alaska who believes in many of the same things I do. A woman with a Down’s Syndrome child which has its own special challenges and yet she was still able to have a successful career. This reminded me of my sister who has a Down’s Syndrome child of her own yet is able to be both a good parent as well as a great professional in her chosen career.
I don’t always think she does the right thing. I think she can ramble a bit much when she speaks. But in some respects, that’s part of her charm. She’s not “rehearsed” like some politicians are, she seems more real to me than most. I didn’t originally think the reality show she did was a good idea but changed my mind after watching it. I thought she let her daughters’ ex-boyfriend get under her skin way too much.
All minor things overall but I don’t think she’s a perfect person. I think she has her flaws.
I have been confused though on the level of pure hatred espoused by people against her almost from the beginning. I remember being startled by accusations that her youngest son wasn’t hers and that she supposedly faked the pregnancy. I was then revolted to find out that similar people than chastised her for not aborting the same baby.
I remember talking with a very liberal colleague of mine a few years back and while he mocked those who felt Obama may not be a natural born citizen, he in the very same breath felt that Palin should “prove” her youngest kid was hers and not her daughters. ??? Who thinks like that?
Palin has been between a rock and a hard place from the beginning. She gets home from the Presidential campaign and is bombarded (oops, a violent term, I should watch myself) by lawsuits to the point where she couldn’t do her job. So she resigns. And they give her grief for quitting.
She launches a pretty successful campaign to get Tea Party Conservatives into political power and uses a map that uses target symbols – something that has been done by others – and when a congresswoman and others are brutalized by a psychopath she is blamed. Because of a map. That the lunatic more than likely never saw.
If this was the Wild, Wild West she would have been strung up and hung by people last Saturday night – that is the sheer hate I saw while watching what was going on. No proof, just innuendo. It’s like the age-old question: “Have you stopped beating your wife?” There’s no good way to respond to what was happening.
So as the days go by, people start clamoring, “Why hasn’t she spoken? Is she afraid? What’s she hiding?” Blah, blah, blah. And I knew that no matter what she did she’d be doomed.
And I was right. She posted a video last night that I thought hit all the right notes. She did not take responsibility (because she was not to blame) but offered condolences for those who suffered a loss. She called out the lame media that is determined to destroy her reputation. I thought it was probably one of the best speeches she’s given in some time.
But she used the phrase “Blood Libel”. I had never heard the phrase before so it slipped right by me. Until the media went into their fanatic mode, that is. The term apparently refers to an accusation made against Jews that they would sacrifice Christians for their blood in sacrifices.
I agree, it has a serious overtone in a historical context. It also appears to be something that is used by some to refer to false accusations made against you. Which in this case fits!! She was accused of something she had no part in! What is wrong with this country that we let our dislike of a political point of view feed our animalistic desire to see someone’s life and reputation ripped to shreds? Is that who we really are?
Take a look at the next two phrases:
“Man, my boss crucified me when he found out I didn’t get the work done!”
“Jesus F&@!ing Christ!”
I wonder how many people use the phrase “crucified” without realizing that the term refers to the horrendous, torturous way that Jesus Christ – whom I consider my Savior – was MURDERED. Should I be offended every time the phrase is used – or should I have the common sense to look at the context?
The other phrase is a way some take my Savior’s name and turn it into a curse. This is offensive. Yet, it is used ALL the time. But see that’s ok right? After all, Christians have no right to be offended when their religious leaders, symbols or practices are maligned. They’re supposed to just take it.
Sarah Palin was maligned this week. Her name should have never been brought up in regards to this situation. People have exploited this horrible story to attack a woman who had absolutely no reason to be attacked. It’s sick and twisted.
I watched the memorial today that was in Arizona and watched in admiration when President Obama paid his tribute to those who died. I shed several tears as I watched him talk about the little girl who died. I saw him hesitate and choke back a couple tears himself and I didn’t feel like it was fake, I felt like he too was sincerely mourning the loss of such a sweet innocent little kid. I commend him for his tribute – despite the fact I typically am not a fan of his.
I only wish those who are not Sarah Palin’s biggest fans would also give her some credit when it’s due. But for a group who claims they want less vitriol and hatred in political conversation they sure have not practiced what they are preaching.
