I have one question for Kathleen Parker over at National Review: What Are You Thinking?

According to her Townhall.com bio, "Parker is director of the School of Written Expression at the Buckley School of Public Speaking and Persuasion in Camden, South Carolina."  I wonder if she's ever taught a class on "teamwork" or if she just sits back and lets her students hack each other to death in homage to what must be her mantra, "The pen is mightier than the sword."

Aren't the tongues of the Obamanation scurrilous enough?  Do we really have to create, let alone deal with criticism within our own ranks now?  In other words, does anyone besides John McCain know how to fight like a man anymore?  Does anyone besides Sarah Palin know how to act like a lady?  What in the world would possess any conservative writer to come out with such critical condemnation of a candidate at such a time as this?  Is Parker now going to vote for Obama?  She's officially gone insane, then-- is that it?  So, why should the rest of us have to suffer?

Seriously, what good does it do? 

Yet other conservative pundits, like Charles Krauthammer, have all but done the same.  And in doing so, these college-educated opinion jockeys (Parker has a Master's in Spanish Lit which means, of course, that the only real thing she is qualified to comment on is whether or not Palin can hold a candle to Aldonza) reveal nothing more than their own prejudices against a candidate who is seemingly less intellectual, less refined, and less a part of the politique clique than themselves.  What's the best they can do?  Make snide remarks about Palin's predilection for moose hunting?  Get real.  If these pundits and the politicos they admire don't quit jawing and get down to brass knuckles, we'll all be hunting for our suppers this winter.  And to their complaints that the Governor of Alaska doesn't "have enough foreign policy experience" can I just ask:  Am I the only person on this planet who understands the fact that you don't need an Ivy League PhD and 20 years in Washington D.C. to know that when a foreign dictator starts throwing out statements about the destruction of America, on American soil, you don't need to invite him to tea unless you've got arsenic next to the cream and sugar?

The only thing this conservative columnist backlash serves to do is to prove that this election isn't just about left versus right, socialism versus democracy; this election is also about class.  It's an election held between one class of people who rely on the idea that their money can buy their degrees and their degrees can buy them a pedigree that puts them a pedestal above the rest, no matter what side of the political spectrum they're on, and another class of people who know  that, no matter their pedigree, they're no better than the prisoner in the cell next to them, and no matter their status, they're still responsible for making decisions and taking action that ensures the survival and success of the people who rely on them.  In other words, this is an election between the elite and the ordinary folks; the Wall Street failures and the workers who are being called on to bail them out.

This nation doesn't need another politician.  What this nation needs is humility and no group illustrates that better than the conservative elite. 

Just ask Kathleen Parker.

Cited over at Palin Mania (Love it!):

In essence, neither she nor Thomas subscribes to the first commandment of liberal orthodoxy: Thou must remain a victim. Thomas and Palin have attained their respective levels of professional success the old-fashioned way: They have earned them through hard work and healthy ambition. Both are no-nos if one seeks favor and status amongst America’s cultural,social and political elite. Fortunately, neither Thomas nor Palin appear interested, which is good for the rest of us.

Sarah-- if you're out there and reading this: THANK YOU!  Thank you for NOT being another lib feminazi, for liking Ronald Reagan, for letting your faith influence the choices you make, and for wearing red heels with a black suit!  Thank you for NOT being another tragic statistic of the post-hippie era, for showing that loving the environment means reaping as well as sowing, for correlating energy independence with national security, and for standing strong on your foundation! 

Keep it up!  We're with you!  WE HEART SARAH!

(And, for a detailed account of my conversation with an 80-year old Obama supporter, check out my sister-blog The Unified Body.)

I wore lipstick long before Sarah Palin made it cool.  I'd also like to point out that I started referring to B. Hussein Obama as "B. Hussein" before I read Ann Coulter's Sept 3 Op/Ed The Best Man Turned Out to be a Woman, from which I quote, "When liberals start acting like they're opposed to pre-marital sex and mothers having careers, you know McCain's vice presidential choice has knocked them back on their heels." 

But, don't worry: I won't flip-flop on Ann Coulter, or on Sarah Palin for that matter: IMHCFU35O (and for those of you not into txting: In My Humble Conservative Female-Under-35 Opinion) they are two of the growing number of women reclaiming and reshaping American female sexuality.  When on earth would anyone ever think that lipstick would become the medium of political mantras?   And from Conservatives, no less?  Don't things like lipstick and red heels belong to sassy libs from SoHo or desperate housewives in the coke-ridden, wife-swapping suburbs of upper-middle class America?  Can a woman who shoots moose really be responsible for bringing sexy back?

In a word: Yes.

But, can America handle the Palin Power?  Finally, we have a role model that isn't addicted to drugs, sexually confused, completely immoral, or willing to exchange her role in a one-nighter for worldwide fame.  I-I don't know...I mean, can we handle someone normal for a change?  How will our young women handle someone who encourages them to put clothes on and not snort a line for a living?  Can Americans truly handle a woman who isn't afraid to pull femininity out of Gloria Steinem's trash can?

Moreover, can we handle a woman who is as much a leader as she is female?  (Although, as many readers of Proverbs 31 would agree, femininity and leadership are intertwined.)  We're not just talking about a politician who sits behind a desk.  Sarah Palin is a wife and mother, and she also happens to be the Commander of the Alaskan National Guard, "the first line of defense in our missile interceptor defense system," as well as the Alaska State Defense Force.  As Ted Belman over at Israpundit points out, "As governor of Alaska , Palin is briefed on highly classified military issues, homeland security, and counterterrorism. Her exposure to classified material may rival even Biden’s and certainly by far exceeds Obama’s." 

Perhaps that's why Sarah Palin resonates with so many American women who vote across the political spectrum: She isn't a whiny coquette mulling over which traumatized man she should sleep with next, nor has she manipulated her sexuality for personal advancement.  Sarah Palin isn't one of the uncomprehensible women presented to us by the mainstream media as an acceptable representative of the 21st century, postmodern American female.  Like many American women, Governor Palin decided to stop taking the bull and start taking the bull by the horns, and she's proved what women in this country have known for years: We're darn good at being the boss.

Viva La Lipstick Revolucion! 

There's a great literary term for the role Sarah Palin is playing in this election; to paraphrase from the Bedford-St. Martin's online literary dictionary, a "Foil" is, "A character in a work whose behavior and values [Sarah Palin] contrast with those of another character [B. Hussein] in order to highlight the distinctive temperament of that character (usually the protagonist)." All Sarah had to do was make an appearance on stage and suddenly, B. Hussein and his fan club can't help but be seen for what they truly are: a group of narcissistic elitists whose best rebuttle to a fact is a rude comment. 

Single ladies, beware: This is why you don't date a Liberal.

Community Organizer B. Hussein can't remark on Governor Sarah's so-called "lack of experience" because, as his strategists were quick to point out, that's the biggest argument against voting for the Freshman Senator.  His next move was to remark on Palin's small-town culture-- bad move, considering the majority of Americans are small-town, down-home, gun-toting, Bible-reading, nature-living (as opposed to those "eco-friendly" city folks and their $500 recycled jeans) working-middle class people.  Having failed to effectively critique both her experience and her person, B. Hussein's latest tactic is to just get downright nasty and compare the next V.P. to a barnyard animal.  And if you don't think that's bad enough, I'll refer you over to Michelle Malkin's Op/Ed on the "plea from the world" via B. Hussein-lover, Britragedy Russell Brand.

Of course, not all Obama supporters are as crude as the ones on MTV.  Others simply critique Palin by taking aim at possible past connections like Pat Buchanan, a candidate whom, as Pamela over at Atlas Shrugs points out, never received Palin's endorsement (she, like myself, was a Forbes fan).   The greatest source of humor thus far from the B. Hussein fan club, though, comes from the critics attempting to throw darts at Palin's faith.  Mind you, these critics are the same people who support a candidate whose own Pastor believes 9/11 was just retribution for America "supporting state terrorism against the black South Africans and the Palestinians" and equates Zionism with racism, encouraging people to divest from Israel.  As Major Garrett reported on tonight's FOX NEWS with Shepherd Smith, Palin wasn't even present when her former Pastor made comments regarding Armageddon, et. al., and as for her current church hosting David Brickner from Jews for Jesus, Palin's Pastor noted that the Governor had nothing to do with the guest speaker apart from sitting in on his lecture.  Here's my question for all these Libs so big on the separation of church and state: Why is Sarah Palin's passive presence in the pew being portrayed as such a threat when it can't possibly compare to Obama's close-knit relationship with his mentor, Pastor "Black Power" Wright?

Sarah Palin has foiled B. Hussein on his experience, his elitist attitude, and his character, all simply by being herself.  When was the last time a politician actually had a record to back themselves up?  Which brings me to the last tactic B. Hussein is attempting to use against his arch-rival, Governor Palin (despite the fact that she's only McCain's running mate, not the Presidential candidate): the Bridge to Nowhere. 

For all of you sick of the gab, here's the simple chronology of events:  In 2005, Congress approved $223 million dollars for the construction of a bridge between the town of Ketchikan (pop. 8,900) with the airport on the adjacent Island of Gravina (pop. 50).  During her 2006 gubernatorial campaign, Sarah Palin expressed support for progress on the bridge project, which required a full $398 million in order to be built.  In 2007, Governor Palin cancelled the bridge project after much public criticism touted it as wasteful spending.  Instead, she elected to apply the already-earned $223 million in Federal funds to other uses.  So, her now-infamous quote from her speech at the Convention, "'I told the Congress, ‘Thanks, but no thanks,’ on that Bridge to Nowhere,'" she was grammatically and politically correct: At first, she pursued Federal funding, but after much criticism from both Alaskans and the rest of the nation (whose tax dollars were funding the project) she changed her mind. 

Wow.  A politician willing to respond to the will of the voters.  No wonder B. Hussein is raising cane; there's nothing in the socialist's handbook about acknowledging, let alone responding to the people who vote for you.  What a unique concept!  Some might even dare to call it "American."

Sarah Palin is under attack from the liberal B. Hussein-ers because she is precisely everything their candidate is not.  B. Hussein was supposed to be a change, but it is Sarah Palin who embodies change. That is why Sarah Palin poses such a threat to Obama's campaign: her presence holds a mirror up to the ugly reality that is the prospect of an Obama Nation.  Now, like the Wizard and his flying monkeys, the most B. Hussein and his campaign can do is urge Americans to "pay no attention to the man behind the curtain," a tissue-thin curtain that is quickly falling off its rod.

Hm.  Sounds like V.P. Sarah might have a little house cleaning to do.

It's a good thing she's up for the job.

***

And, for those of you who think it hasn't been done before:

Politically speaking, I am and always will be an Independent, which is a position that affords me great opportunity ever four years to inform inquiring minds that I will be voting for the Bull-Moose Party come November.  Now, finally, with Sarah Palin I can say that I am standing up for my true party's roots.  To quote Pamela over at Atlas Shrugs once more:

Who Am I? 

I am under 45 years old,

I love the outdoors,

I hunt,

I am a Republican reformer,

I have taken on the Republican Party establishment,

I have many children,

I have a spot on the national ticket as vice president with less than two years in the governor's office.

Have you ever heard of me before now?

I am Teddy Roosevelt.

I'm sitting here listening to Chris Thile's album Not All Who Wander Are Lost which is *the* perfect soundtrack to accompany a discussion about the Republican Veep nom, because the bluegrass tunes, much like the hockey mom-turned-Governor, are so inherently American. As much as I hesitate to admit it sometimes, there is something so freaking beautiful about the soul of this country. According to the democrats, because I am a white, middle class, Jewish female in a certain age bracket, with a certain level of education under her belt, who lives in a certain area of the country, I am supposed to be a cynical, self-loathing, nation-hating anti-patriot bent on self-destruction through the socialization of my federal government. But, you know what? I can't be. I like this place too much.

There are a lot of perspectives I could take on Sarah Palin.

I could write as a woman about how great it is to see another woman get nominated for V.P., but honestly, in the world of feminist tripe, how shallow of a comment is that?

I could write as a Jew and get antsy about her Evangelical background and attendance at a church where David Brickner from Jews for Jesus was invited to speak, but honestly, I find her faith more helpful than harmful. After all, it isn't like the woman or her pastor are strapping explosive vests onto their kids and sending them into crowds of Jews; her son is going into the Army to beat Al-Quaida, not crash himself into a national landmark.

Heck, I could even write within my democrat-approved demographic and say that because of my age, my gender, my education, my geographical region, and my ethnic makeup that I think Sarah Palin is no Hillary Clinton, which is true. Sarah Palin is no Hillary Clinton-- which is why I would vote for her in a heartbeat.

But, I think I'm going to write this one out as a working class, Wal Mart-shopping, cowboy-boots wearing, ponytail-bearing, once-and-therefore-always-Texan, history-loving American with hardcore flag-waving roots. So, let me begin by saying: I like Sarah Palin because she's an American, just like me. She's a wife and mother with normal kids and a husband who works hard. She goes to church and actually believes in the Bible she holds every Sunday, because she understands that leaders must have the attitude of servants. Yet, she's proud enough of her history to "take the bull by the horns," as my grandfather often said, and "tell it like it is." The best thing the McCain camp could have done, they did: They researched and found a politician with the right combination of government experience and down to earth American character.

Joe Biden was all over the mainstream media during this morning's news hour, scrambling with his liberal newscaster cohorts to throw half-hearted blows in Palin's direction. It is evident that they don't have a thing to go on. Sure, Sarah's delivery was great, and her one-liners about B. Hussein Obama were fantastic, but even more than that: everything she said about energy independence, fighting terrorism (and B. Hussein's willingness to negotiate), and the economy was right on the money. As Clive Crooks over at the Atlantic Monthly notes:

Well, the Democrats have a problem. They had a few days of calling her a clueless redneck, a stewardess, a nonentity, and she has hurled that back in their bleeding gums. (If I were Joe Biden, I'd start practising for October 2nd right now.) Even before tonight's speech, they had backed off the "no experience" strategy, because (as the Republicans intended) that was sending shrapnel in Obama's direction.

But, here's the kicker: Most who can't beat 'em, join 'em, but Palin is forcing the hardcore liberals to draw a line in the sand. Crooks goes on to say:

Where they will have to end up is obvious: McCain-Palin is an extreme right-wing ticket. It is a team that will prosecute the culture war against all that is decent and civilized in the United States: that must be the line.

Classic Marxists to the end, the liberals play the pot calling the kettle black. Suddenly, Sarah Palin, who represents the majority of American citizens (what one bleeding-heart liberal I know called "the poor farm girls of the American midwest"), is the one attacking all that is "holy and good" (and I use those terms very loosely in this context) in the eyes of liberals the nation-over. Liberals who would sooner sell us out to Iran than stick a few drills into barren Alaskan tundra. Liberals accuse the Evangelical Hockey Mom of waging a war they created and are busy fighting every day: a war against the culture and values that made this country great. Do they really think all us lipsticked pit bulls will let them get away with that?

You see, the thing about Sarah is that she resonates with a person who is tired of being let down by a system that is so overloaded, you can't half-see the pork from the bull, let alone wade through it all. Perhaps the mainstream media is having such a hard time criticizing her because she isn't this or that-- like so many of the rest of us average Americans, Sarah Palin just is, and there's not much arguing with that.

Yesterday, I couldn't have given a hoot about this election. My only concern was keeping my passport updated so I could make a quick run for it if B. Hussein got elected. Now, I'm interested. I'm interested to see if the real America I love is all it's cracked up to be. I'm interested to see the real America put up a fight-- and win.