In case you needed more reasons to pack up and move to Israel, CNN provides three new reasons to apply to Nefesh b’Nefesh:
1. The Republican party has officially gone off the deep end
Yes, it’s true. I don’t know whether this is...
...the result of a level of intellectual dysfunction that comes from an endless loop of Limbaugh,
or
...the product of a breed of cognitive dissonance that forces Republicans to see no wrong in Sarah of the North,
or
...the effect of so many US governors spontaneously combusting in the past few years that Sarah Palin doesn't seem all that unusual...
...but can anyone explain to me why, “More than seven in 10 Republicans said they would be likely to vote for Palin for the presidency?”
2. Homeland Insecurity
Why do these reports not surprise us?
Plainclothes investigators sent to test security at federal buildings in four U.S. cities were successful in smuggling bomb components through guard posts at all 10 of the sites they visited, according to a government report.
The investigators then assembled the bombs in restrooms and freely entered numerous government offices while carrying the devices in briefcases, the report said.
The buildings contained offices of several federal lawmakers as well as agencies within the departments of State, Justice and Homeland Security, which is responsible for safeguarding federal office buildings.
I mean, really. 10 out of 10? Couldn’t you even make it look difficult?
3. And then the third reason to make aliyah: Iran is no longer a threat to Israel
No, not because the US has given a green light, or even a blinking yellow light, to Israel to attack Iran’s nuclear facilities.
And not because the Iranian government has been exposed to the world for the unpopular dictatorship it is.
Rather, it's because Iran, it turns out, is actually a benign, free society, functioning at the very height of democracy:
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, whose re-election last month led to massive protests, on Tuesday called the balloting "the most free election anywhere in the world."
"It was a great event," he said in a nationally televised address.
You heard it from the man himself.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
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Well, since your third item is obviously parody, maybe I can construe your first item the same way.
ReplyDeleteBut if not, then here's my take:
By resigning, she's showing that there are more important things in life than elected office. She's got a family, who have been subjected to unprecedented attacks ever since she was nominated - and those haven't diminished one whit since the election - if anything, it's gotten worse. True that "I'm resigning to spend more time with my family" is the oldest cliche, but in this case it seems to be real.
Is she planning to retire from politics for good? Frankly, I hope not; we desperately need people who understand that there are more important things in life than the next election.
Anonymous 10:32 AM-
ReplyDeleteNo, it's not parody.
Sarah Palin isn't resigning because of a desire to spend time with her family; as she said, and you can read it in the transcript of her own comments, she is resigning because she doesn't plan to run again, and therefore she doesn't want to serve out her term as a lame duck.
As far as I am concerned, that philosophy is an automatic disqualification for election for president. A good executive, whether governor or president, can and must accomplish a great deal, even as a lame duck.
The first link is broken. Visit here instead.
ReplyDeleteMichael-
ReplyDeleteThanks; looks like they corrected the date in their original placement of the article.
I have voted in every single election since I became eligible to vote. There are times when I have been happier with the candidates running than other times. Sometimes I have felt that I didn't really have much choice and was picking the lesser of two evils, so to speak, when voting for one person over another.
ReplyDeleteAnd now there are people flying the idea of a Palin vs. Obama election. Might be the first time in my life I stay home from the polls. Or maybe I'll go in anyway and write in a candidate of choice--by comparison Howdy Doody or Mickey Mouse looks good.
What stuns me is that she actually thinks this kind of move makes her look politically savvy - or even competent. (bangs head on desk)
ReplyDeleteThe 7 out of 10 I can explain only by questioning what was in the water the surveyed Repubs were drinking. Or perhaps it indicates they are acknowledging that GOP elections at the national level are a circus, so why NOT hire a clown?? ;)
You're hysterical. Thanks, I'm packing my bags.
ReplyDeleteOr we should just move to Toronto...
ReplyDeletePalin's resignation is just another sign that she is not qualified for higher office.
ReplyDeleteShe is incoherent and I don't buy her claim of being subject to a double standard.
ProfK, Tzipporah, Jack-
ReplyDeleteAnd I really liked having her on the political scene at first, too...
Russell-
The next best thing...
Therapydoc-
When you say "hysterical," is that a clinical diagnosis or just slang?
I am sorry to say this, but this borders on lashon hara in that you imply that seven out of ten Republicans are suffering from cognitive dissonance, or worse. Perhaps if you would talk to one of those Republicans, you would understand their reasoning. This is not a debating point (she said so and so) but rather a trust that Palin is essentially different from most other politicians we have encountered. If you disagree, that is your opinion, but the humor is lost among those who are Jewish Republicans and those to whom Aliyah could someday be a serious consideration.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous 5:36 PM-
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment.
"borders on lashon hara" - Hardly. Cognitive dissonance is not an illness or a defect, it's a normal function of the human mind. I experience it in many areas.
For the rest of it - You are certainly free to support whomever you choose, Republican or Democrat or Communist. But I don't understand why someone's "difference" from other politicians makes her a worthy candidate. Can you expand on that?
Me again. I think the best way (at present)for me to respond is that Palin's life represents the ups and downs of possibly most Americans (a child with a disability, a child with a son born outside of marriage, running for office not out of a grand desire for a life of politics, but to effect change on a local level, etc). Taken without a name and face, this individual would generate much goodwill and trust. It is only because of a harsh spotlight that many do not see this. Has she stumbled? Sure, but so did Bill Clinton in 1992 (didn't inhale and avoided draft), George Bush in 2000 (history of alcohol / drug use) and Barak Obama (attended a church but never heard America disparaging speech from the minister). The latter three men managed to rise up and overcome these stumbles to become president. The difference with Palin? She is not running for office! Indeed, she is stepping down from office! If, at some time in the future, she decides to run for national office, then criticism of her may be in order. However, let's see what she makes of herself in private life before we seal her fate.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous 7:08 PM-
ReplyDeleteThen I think we agree. I am not in favor of criticizing her; I am in favor of criticizing those who would elect a person who just stepped down from office because she didn't want to be a lame duck.
Nothing to do with resigning - but Palin is the person who was touted as being "one of us" - as a qualification for high office. I don't understand - when did people stop seeking out the best and the brightest - and prefer an average (by definition - "not the best") person instead?
ReplyDeleteIn any case, the GOP is ridiculous - it held ALL THREE branches of government from 2000 to 2006 - and what did they accomplish? Economy is crap, world is insecure, gang violence on the Mexican border, and on and on. I am not saying the Dems will do better. Not at all. But if they held all the power for 6 straight years - what do they have to show for it?
From what I've read, Palin's decision was based in part on the lucrative book deals she would be getting. Why struggle in political office to benefit your constituents when you can have a cushy life just by signing a book deal?
ReplyDeleteI admit, I was excited when McCain chose her as his running mate. But then, she opened her mouth; and now, this.
Not presidential material.
LB-
ReplyDeleteI suspect that's why Americans instinctively prefer divided government. Monopolies don't do well.
Lady-Light-
Thanks for commenting.
Best analysis I've seen yet is at the WSJ here. My favorite part: "She was limited in her ability to explain and defend her positions, and sometimes in knowing them. She couldn't say what she read because she didn't read anything. She was utterly unconcerned by all this and seemed in fact rather proud of it: It was evidence of her authenticity. She experienced criticism as both partisan and cruel because she could see no truth in any of it. She wasn't thoughtful enough to know she wasn't thoughtful enough."
..but can anyone explain to me why, “More than seven in 10 Republicans said they would be likely to vote for Palin for the presidency?”
ReplyDeleteI can explain: it is becuase they, like me, would vote for almost anyone Republican or Dmeocrat over Barack Obama. Sarah Palin wouldn't be my first choice, but if the election was between him and her I'd vote for her. Obama is so liberal he makes Bill Clinton look like Barry Goldwater.
I'd take either Clinton over Obama.
Anonymous 10:29 AM-
ReplyDeleteThis raises the question of how the poll was worded; did they ask, "Would you vote for Sarah Palin for president?" or "Given an election between X and Y and Palin, who would get your vote?"
I am responding late, because I had an email problem where all my regular mail was shunted into my spam filter, including your response to my comment.
ReplyDeleteThank you for that WSJ article by Peggy Noonan; our subscription to the WSJ expired and I sorely miss it (it's the only newspaper I read these days). The article was spot on.
LadyLight-
ReplyDeleteBetter late than never!