In 1966, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Amendment into the law of the land. Before the ink was dry on that document, Johnson made the following statement, "I have just delivered the South to the Republican party for the next generation." Unfortunately for America, Johnson was wrong. The insurmountable level of bigotry and racism prevalent in 1966 has been genetically transmitted to every subsequent generation and sadly, it appears to be a dominant gene.
The Republican Party is apparently satisfied with portraying itself as being composed of two separate factions. The upper echelon contains the party leadership, which is staffed by slick (not to be confused with intelligent) opportunists who are owned by various private interests and aspire to remain on their respective payrolls indefinitely. These individuals are supported by the community of affluence, which has no interests in political policies and is void of social consciousness. Its membership simply refuses to part with its wealth and is indifferent to the concerns of anyone not included in the higher Arcana. The second group, far greater in number, is populated by the descendants of those referenced in President Johnson’s quote. This is the element to whom Sarah Palin has the greatest appeal.
In the late 60’s and early 70’s, many sports teams signed specific players whose positions required unique skills. If an opposing player was having an exceptionally productive game the "specialist" was charged with the task of distracting the star with insults and derogatory statements designed to precipitate an altercation resulting in the ejection of both players. These "specialists" were euphemistically referred to as ‘the goon squad.’ This job description defines Sarah Palin’s role in the Republican Party. Sarah Palin is the Jesse Ventura of Alaska, a state whose entire population is equal to 20 percent of the population of the city of Chicago; a state, which can boast of the second highest per capita alcohol consumption in the United States. It is likely that her successful election to office was facilitated by the two thirds of the state being hung over on Election Day. Palin’s Vice-Presidential campaign is directed specifically to people like herself: ignorant, narrow-minded, and shortsighted. Her strategy is to spew inflammatory accusations about Obama’s character and associations, lying about his political views, inciting screams of, "treason," and "kill him," from her fans. One would think that the Republican Party would be embarrassed by these graphic displays by its supporters yet no statements have been made to that effect by any representatives of the party leadership. Behind closed doors, the McCain-Palin campaign advisors drool over the possibilities of extremism and violence that might be perpetrated by one of the zealots in the audience. The speeches have already been written proclaiming phony outrage and righteous indignance. I am a vocal proponent of the First Amendment however; death threats do not qualify as elements of Free Speech.
I am unable to suppress a modicum of sympathy for sorry Palin. Her political career is over. She will surely go the way of the Swift Boat Veterans whose purpose was also exhausted. Perhaps one day we’ll see her on celebrity boxing with Tonya Harding. On a more optimistic note however, Palin will likely never have to work another day in her life. She will be well taken care of by the consortium of private interests who are financing this circus. This is, after all, the Republican way, is it not?
Quinn Stilletto
President, www.unwantedchildren.com