In an article which was published in OpEdNews a few months ago, I called Sarah Palin a moron. For that, I truly apologize. No matter how much I may dislike the political views of a politician, when I resort to name calling, I am lowering myself to a point that I don't like. If anything of which the past political season has reminded me, it is that we must keep discourse civil. I know politicians are "open targets" for name calling. Unless one says something hateful, mean, or so totally out of line as to deserve more than mere censure, however, name calling does not advance the political discourse of this society. Passion for one's views does not grant license to being rude.
Having said that, I can still say that I disagree with about 75% of Ms. Palin's politics, and I find appalling her new found wealth at the cost of Alaskan citizens having to endure her absence during the presidential elections of 2008, and her subsequent resignation from office. Her level of dedication to anyone but herself and her pocketbook speaks volumes. That people who are swayed by her kitsch and her wink to overlook her total lack of sophistication, temperament, understanding, and ability to govern is amazing. She may actually be our next President, and, if so, I hope that assumption of the office will be transformative for her. The nation is in critical need of intelligent, open minded leadership, not another ideologue who can throw out sound bites without effort. The sound bites have gotten people who should never have entered the political sphere elected. Only God knows if they will be able to govern.
Ms. Palin has announced that, in so many words, she will be a candidate for President only if there is no one else who can or will do the job, and only if the country "really needs her". At least, that is how I best understand her recent statements. I hope that those "bastards" in the media that Ms. Palin talks about (yes, she used the word "bastards") have not skewed her remarks.
Poor Sarah (can I call you Sarah?)! The burden she has placed upon herself by offering to take a demanding, hazardous, and often thankless job at the cost of lost opportunity to make another $20 million or so is simply astounding. What sacrifice! She won't have to resign from another post and deprive another State of her adept governance. Fox News would lose her punditry I hope Rupert Murdoch would survive. But can she make another $20 million by 2012 in order to survive? I don't know. What about Todd and the kids? The idea of Sarah giving up so much to run and become President is unfair!
In order to make sure Sarah doesn't have to face so much, I am announcing that I will run for President, if no one else can or will. I know it is shocking, that I would give up practicing law after 29 years, that I would put myself in the public spotlight, that I would run the rubber chicken circuit, that I would be willing to put myself in the gilded cage of the White House. Yet, I can't let Sarah feel that she has to do all that. I want her to know that there are people out here who will relieve her of the burdensome choices she feels she must make.
Someone has to help her out. Maybe my offer of taking on the burden she faces will somehow relieve me of the debt I owe for my impertinent use of the word "moron". Yet, I am not sure that I really want the job. Thus, I hope the readers will search far and wide to find suitable candidates to run for, and assume the office of President.
Please join me in my quest. If you need to know more about my qualifications, or need a suggestion or two on where to look for another candidate, just let me know. Sarah needs to know that we have demanded enough of her, and are willing to look further to find someone to help her out of this dilemma.
Yes, Sarah, I do truly apologize for calling you a moron. I assure you that I will make every effort not to inject such sophomoric monikers into political debate. I am totally serious about that. Should I disagree with any politician or office holder, I will state my disagreement, but avoid puerile name calling. (By the way, there is an online dictionary for you if I have used confusing big words.)
For the rest of my comments, however, I offer no apology.
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