And the Story Andrew Sullivan Still Won’t Drop
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No, really. And here’s that, like, totally suspicious “Sarah Palin pregnant” picture, too, together with a list of character traits that applies to … well, you determine whom it applies to:
The narcissism, the pathological and incessant lying, the viciousness, the delusions of grandeur, the vindictiveness, the fathomless and proud ignorance, the opportunism, the vanity …
I could go on for a thousand words or more, but it’s really not worth it, is it? Instead let me just remark that if this kind of thing doesn’t remind you of Orly Taitz then, well, you probably need to read about Orly Taitz.
UPDATE: Okay, a few more words. First of all, the reason the media “still won’t touch” this story is that there is no story; all there is is a bunch of loony conspiracy theories cooked up by people with too much time on their hands and consequently spun into a master narrative of intrigue and political cunning. Mainstream media outlets are not tabloids or snopes.com; journalists report on news, not rumors, and do not exist to satisfy the curiosity or settle the political scores of the denizens of the internet. And as to the supposedly damning observation that the Palins refused to answer questions about this issue when approached, that hardly seems remarkable given that the questions were about something that was, well, ABSOLUTELY FREAKING RIDICULOUS. In other news, last I heard from Ms. Taitz we still haven’t seen a proper copy of Barack Obama’s birth certificate.
Filed under: media/culture, politics
I never bought the Palin as paleo wishful thinking that some people projected onto her, but she sure does have the right enemies. She drives the elitist Establishment types bonkers. Did you see Sullivan even dropped a “white trash.”
That’s how I felt as well – Palin was a nightmare, but the frenzy among certain sets of her critics was terrifically entertaining.
And yes, I caught the “white trash” remark … unbelievable.
Thanks for the Freudian analysis. I laughed out loud! I’m that is projection worthy of the cineplex.
I don’t know why so many TAC bloggers reference him. His point of view is so dare I say, hysterical, that it amounts to little more than gossip.
I don’t usually agree with you much, but I think you’re right on here. Sullivan’s conspiracy theories are on par with those who think the moon landing was a hoax. One of the things people who believe in the “Faked moon landing” site as evidence is how the astronauts would get upset when they were asked questions about whether or not it was fake. Well, of course if someone blasted off into space, rocketed all the way to the moon and managed to make it back to Earth in one piece… they would get a bit agitated if some conspiracy nut made accusations denying their hard work and claiming it was all a charade. Sullivan has gotten increasingly unhinged in recent years. There is very little that is recognizably conservative in his writing at this point. Andrew’s policy is simply to smear any political figure who doesn’t support gay marriage, period. He simply cannot overlook the issue and take the politician’s views as part of a whole picture of a complete person. I suppose may of us have certain “deal breaker” issues like that but that’s no excuse for running conspiracy theories and checking your brains at the door. Sullivan’s dream a few years ago was that Governor Arnold would represent the future of the republican party. Well, no thanks.
As for Palin, I think she was a disappointment intellectually. She lives a good conservative life but like many modern republicans, she would do well to open up a history book or two. She just simply lacks curiosity and depth, much like the unreflective GWB.
The reality is that she has no chance of being the nominee in 2012, and no chance of even being the VP nominee in 2012. Her future in the party is that of a heavy duty fundraiser, possibly a Senator, or maybe even a low level cabinet position in a future administration(though it may be a while, she’s still young enough that she may actually live to see another republican president). She’s really something of an irrelevant public figure at this point unless you live in Alaska.
[...] Sarah Palin [...]
I think that with all things political the proper pushback should come at the proper time. In other words, it’s fine to go on about Palin if say, she were running for office at the moment. But she’s not. So it’s ludicrous to treat her in this fashion. Now, come 2012 if Palin runs for President, I see no reason not to oppose her, blog about her, etc.
But it’s 2009 and I agree entirely. I still find her an appalling choice but beyond that a rather boring topic.
But this isn’t “pushback”, E.D., nor is it just standard going on, opposing, etc. It’s spreading crazy, disgusting, utterly unfounded rumors about her and damning the MSM for refusing to do the same. There’s no “proper time” for that.
Right but I’m saying that when that occurs there should be the pushback. I’m not saying that what Sully’s doing now is called for at all.
In other news, the Obama birth certificate smear proves that you’re a pair of tits.
[...] Schwenkler comes out swinging: [T]he reason the media “still won’t touch” this story is that there is no story; all there [...]
Look, Schmuckler (lol).
The reason this story persists is a question of temperment.
Sure, Sully got spoofed by by Palin concealing her pregnancy for 7 months.
He should climb down from the who-is-Trig’s mom thing.
But the important part is how Palin reacted, which is a template for how she might react to say, a threat of global-thermonuclear war.
How could Palin have defused this situ?
By opening her medical records, of course.
Why didn’t she?
Well….perhaps Sully is correct and there is something in there that won’t bear public scrutiny from her fanbase.
The question I think SHOULD be asked, is…. why did she drive from Anchorage to Wasilla. The answer to that question would be informative for modelling Palin’s reasoning process in a crisis situ.
The answer is not..”so Trig would be born in Alaska”….Anchorage is in Alaska. Anchorage has better facilities for a special needs child.
So why?
There may be a reasonable answer, but Sully is correct that Palin did not act in a responsible or reasonable manner in this instance.
[...] hoax by palinoscopy From Andrew Sullivan today in response to this: “Okay, a few more words. First of all, the reason the media “still won’t touch” this story is that there is no story;” It is, moreover, not the press’s responsibility [...]
LOL. You’re a birther!
If the answer is…that Palin was distracted by her pregnancy and not thinking rationally….then should she have her tubes tied before running for national office?
Seriously.
;)
E.D.
cher……she is running for office.
You are so sweet and such a naif.
I like how Mr. Schwenkler accuses others of crazy conspiracy theories and then pushes his own whacked-out de-bunked theory (i.e. Obama’s proper birth certificate) as a legitimate news item.
“Hello kettle, you’re black.”
As a disinterested observer (one without a vote) I think the idea that Palin has nothing to hide is ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS. Clearly, obviously, she does have something to hide.
I wonder, if perhaps, the father is not who the father is supposed to be? Or perhaps she has a medical condition she’d prefer not to disclose?
Stop kidding yourself. The woman went to EXTREME measures to have her child in an environment she was in total control of and there has never been a remotely plausible explanation for why she did this.
I think I’m going to have to agree somewhat with Sully on this. I think the Palin’s could have easily killed this smear with release of her medical records and partially waiving her HIPAA rights.
Also, I agree with you 100% that it is ridiculous to think she could have pulled off this kind of conspiracy. There is a whole long trail of people from the airport in Dallas to the hospital in Wasilla that would all have to get their stories straight for this to work. It would take an MIB level of sophistication not to mention access to a neuralizer to pull it off.
What actually does concern me and what I think is entirely relevant to ask is who in their right mind would across AN ENTIRE CONTINENT from one of the top medical and research mega centers in the world to have your special needs baby in little old Wasilla. That is pretty poor judgement if you ask me.
Sarah Palin is an idiot and a divisive force who helped the GOP lose in 2008. Big Time. I want her to carry the GOP banner 4 eva.
Nice edit job, didn’t think we’d notice?
“In other news, we still haven’t seen a proper copy of Barack Obama’s birth certificate.”
has magically become:
“In other news, last I heard from Ms. Taitz we still haven’t seen a proper copy of Barack Obama’s birth certificate”
Look dude, you’re either a birther or you’re not. Don’t bring up the issue and if you don’t have the testicular fortitude to stand by it.
The conspiracy theory is not nearly as wacky as the moonlanding nor the birthers.
The fact is Palin is woefully unqualified. She lacks the basic intelligence of a leader. She isn’t stupid but I would find it hard to believe she possesses even a top 10% IQ. The job is too lead the free world, not middle management. She also has shown little interest in the world nor of actually learning. We saw the real Palin during the Couric interview much as we saw the real Bush in the minutes after the 9/11 attack.
Palin is probably the mother but why was her daughter absent school so long? Why the late announcement?
If, as I believe, she is the mother she showed truly horrific judgment in flying back to Alaska to have a special needs (and riskier) birth at a small hospital. If you believe her story, then you must accept that this was really, really bad judgement. You want that as the potential president?
Other clearly false things: She is a top expert in energy. Right, she is the governor of a state that was enjoying massive windfalls with 140.00 oil. She knows the difference between a socialist, fascmism,, communism, and capitalism.
Probably lies. Todd and her buddies built the house on the weekends.
There are so many more.
The Republican party which used to be my home is wasting too much time on this moron. They have run off truly conservative and intelligent men, the best being Chuck Hagel.
Be honest, John….look at the history of say…troopergate.
This is Palin’s modus operendi…she pretends there is no problem.
She never deals until she is forced to.
Not exactly what i look for in a chief exec.
Okay, so all those commenters who think I was serious about the birth certificate stuff need to get their heads checked.
And matoko_chan, b1gdon, and others: Palin’s no more required to try to put to rest the doubts of folks like Sullivan by answering patently absurd questions about her pregnancy than Obama needs to supply an original copy of his birth certificate or NASA respond to the ravings of every single nut who believes the moon landing was faked.
The comments from the Obamaites here, the absurdly named “reality-based community”, shows they’re are loopy as their idolatrous devotion to the Obama would suggest.
“It’s not a crazy conspiracy theory if we believe it.”
They’re just mad you don’t write at Zsa-Zsa Post.
If you weren’t serious, then why the surreptitious edit of your post?
I edited that line shortly after the post went up, but I fail to see why it’s significant.
“And matoko_chan, b1gdon, and others: Palin’s no more required to try to put to rest the doubts of folks like Sullivan by answering patently absurd questions about her pregnancy than Obama needs to supply an original copy of his birth certificate or NASA respond to the ravings of every single nut who believes the moon landing was faked.”
That is not ANDREW’S question, it is MY question.
It is not an “absurd” question.
Certainly Palin is not obligated to explain why she drove that extra 45 minutes with amniotic fluid leaking and an imminent special needs birth to inferior rural hospital.
But neither am I required to extend belief in her ability to serve as chief executive if she cannot come up with a rational and reasonable explanation.
I never said you were required to do anything, though it seems to me that her choice of hospital is pretty low on the list of reasons not to trust her with the presidency.
On August 31st, John Schwenkler wrote:
“If the Palin family manages to produce documentation sufficient to satisfy all but the most unhinged critics (though no doubt there will still be more than enough would-be sleuths, many of them emboldened by the support they have received from the likes of Andrew Sullivan, who will refuse to let the matter go and will continue to press on in their slanders), much of the abovementioned damage will still have been done, though in this case to no end at all.”
So what “documentation” did the Palin family produce that convinced you the baby was hers? Her public statements that Bristol was now pregnant?
John,
Just look at the photographic evidence that Audrey at http://www.palindeception.com has amassed.
But keep defending her. I can think of nothing more wonderful and entertaining than Palin running as the GOP nominee in 2012, except maybe Al Franken deciding to drop the sober and serious persona he adopted for the Senate campaign and using his position to mock the remaining 40 GOP Senators on a daily basis.
None, because none was necessary. I’m not a loon.
And Frank Drackman: Good luck with that. I hear there’s really good photographic evidence showing that the moon landing was faked, too.
“journalists report on news”
Journalists report on news by asking questions about obviously suspicious circumstances, particularly from well-documented congenital liars.
AND THEN, journalists keep asking those questions until they get answered not just until their 48 hour attention spans expire – particularly so when the subject refuses to address the topic and is virtually held in a ‘press lockdown’ so she can avoid scrutiny.
Sorry, but the question was never really as simplistic as “Who really is Trig’s Mom?” but rather why would Palin act is such a bizarre and irresponsible fashion about the birth of her child and what does that tell us about her as a rational potential leader? In the void of openness, for which Palin is wholly responsible, and given the small, close circle of persons who would know, it is little surprise, John, that your preference for deferential silence wasn’t respect by those unwilling to be so brazenly manipulated.
Maybe Palin is part of a conspiracy. Maybe she’s just a nut job. May she has the judgment God would give a gerbil. But until she has passed from the public scene and no longer appears on Republican’s shortlist of future Presidents, the answer remains a vital and pressing issue that any journalist would view as the opposite of ridiculous.
Amen. Last I checked, Palin isn’t running for president at the moment, and looks very unlikely as a serious candidate in 2012. So, even if these ridiculous conspiracy theories are true, who gives a shit? Sullivan’s obsession is creeping me out.
oh, shez running alright.
i dunno…if Palin had a Jesus Take The Wheel Moment driving to Wasilla, I would say that should disqualify her from the position of CinC.
Hate to spoil your parade, but here is President Obama’s real birth certificate, courtesy of the Los Angeles Times:
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2008/06/13/bobirthcertificate.jpg
“None, because none was necessary. I’m not a loon.”
Haha, I’m sorry- your “In other news, we still haven’t seen a proper copy of Barack Obama’s birth certificate” comment had me thinking otherwise…
John, one thing we’ve discovered by virtue of this blogpost is the poor reading comprehension skills many of Sullivan’s readers apparently possess. Anyone who couldn’t detect the understated sarcasm in your comment about “Obama’s birth certificate” really has no business pontificating on any of this stuff. I’m with the guy above who said “who gives a shit?” Conservatives don’t take Palin seriously as a political force or a presidential candidate so why should anyone else? Not to mention, there is no reason to go reaching for conspiracies when there are already a plethora reasons not to support Palin right there in the open.
[...] Things haven’t gone uphill in the meantime. Lately, his posts have begun to dwell more and more on the various moral shortcomings of the people with whom he disagrees. In other words, he sounds like everyone else. The most notable example is his recent bout of Palin Derangement Syndrome. One wonders what it is about Palin that sets him off so. Is he really afraid the rest of the media will ignore her faults? Why this fanatical crusade to expose her every deviation from the Sullivan standard of moral rectitude? From a purely practical point of view, it doesn’t hurt Palin, and just supplies ammunition to the people on the right who loathe him. [...]
I’m a little confused. I’m a Libertarian, so I never got into the Sarah Palin thing…but I read articles that the conservatives generally don’t want her as president and were embarassed over certain things she’s done. Is that true?
It depends on the conservative. Many Republicans thought, at least until yesterday’s fiasco, that Palin was terrific, and were very excited at the prospect of her running for the presidency. Me? Not so much; I’ll gladly be counted among the embarrassed, not to mention vaguely frightened by her attitude toward policy.
[...] Cal Thomas sort of why. John Schwenkler put Sullivan and the “birfers” in their place here (and some other places). Chip Smith is invited to defend birferism, which is totally unlike being a [...]