What's really happening here is that the democrats once again floated a candidate that they felt was beyond reproach because of his background, his sense of decency and his race. A black candidate who didn't fit the Jesse Jackson/ Al Sharpton outsider profile who appealed to middle america while not alienating black voters. Once again they/we assume that in an environment in which the conservative agenda has run aground, straight talk about accountability and change will suffice. They/we/I often forget that the Republicans do this fuax populism shite much better and trumped the Us with an absolutely cynical attempt to co-opt their notion of being for change by nominating a nice "Walmart mom" steeped in extreme right-wing orthodoxy.. She is the perfect example of tokenism in the extreme, (she fits the perfect profile for a pro-deregulation, antichoice, christian whose state is totally underwritten by the oil companies all of which are the only reason outside of needing a hail mary pass that the Repubs would nominate a woman).

As far as I'm concerned this is the absolute low point in American politics (which has seen considerable lows in recent years), because it is painfully obvious what a dog and pony show it has become. John McCain had this person dictated to him by the christion right. We were treated to some of the most mean-spirited and cynical showcases at the RNC convention which basically showered contempt on the american electorate while slumming in predictable phony patriotism and populism.

We've been treated to Camille's tiresome articles extolling the inherent feminism that is Madonna and she has spent much of her career regailing us with her musings on pop culture by giving it a veneer of psycho-sexual intellectualism thereby making us assume that the songs, movies and current infatuations are of import to us. Often she places her own infatuations front and center to her arguments, so I guess it doesn't surprise me that she finds the Clintons narcissistic -(like other politicians/celebrities?!).

Anyway, this paen to Ms. Palin certainly doesn't surprise me either. She is seduced by the same appalling sham that the rest of the country is laboring under and yet she finds this shameless appeal to the sad cult of personality worship somehow endemic of a paradigm shift in the sexual cultural milieu ( or something...sheesh, who gives a shit!)

Well now I'm just waiting with baited breath for how long it will take before the "calcified orthodoxies" of the democratic party to drive her finally to have that born again conservative epiphany and she can CHANGE PARTIES!!!...then she can worship fitfully at the altar of her new teenage crush, "The Soccer Mom from Hell".

She is to feminism what the Clear Skies Initiative was to environmentalism. She is a slap in the face to anyone who believes in the notion of progress for men AND women. That so many people are so cowed by this bullshit into notions that she somehow embodies the ultimate result of the feminist movement speaks volumes about what Christopher Hitchens refers to as the masochism of the Left. In perhaps one of our most important elections, to have this last minute parlor trick foisted on us as a legitimate nominee and then hide her in a whirlwind cry of "Sexism" is more than an outrage and is only one facet of what is so wrong and so galling about her candidacy. She and McCain have a symbiotic relationship. Like Joan Walsh stated, he hides behind her skirts and the "Pitbull with Lipstick" hides behind a wall of pseudo outrage wielded by the right and echoed by a complicit and lazy media.

We should be outraged and I'm tired of the all the apologists suddenly pretending to "appreciate" Ms Palin and her phony back story. I guess that it's just what passes for "authenticity" these days.

Folks, Pluckiness and spunk not to mention nice cheekbones are no substitute for strength of character and and strong moral judgement. (I know that I'm being sexist by mentioning her looks but really, would we be having this discussion if she looked like Betty Friedan?) Yes, and I know it's admirable that a woman can both care for her children AND run for the second highest elected office in the land but my guess is that she'll have ohh... access to childcare of some sort. How many working families who must depend on two incomes can claim the same thing?

Anyway you all might be good and sick of the Palin story but I thank the eminently quotable Cintra Wilson to speak the real truth here. Get Pissed! Or shut the fuck up.

I must admit that I expected a cushy interview peppered with softball questions that allowed Ms Palen to showcase her folksy charm while giving canned answers to prepared questions. She really looked out of her element . It was pretty cringe-inducing in places and you are right, "Charlie" did not seem to be in the mood to be strung along. I should email him a big kiss. Also on the upside, Obama's appearance tonite at the "service symposium" showcased him at his best, addressing the notions of what constitutes service in ways which made him seem engaging , thoughtful and authentic in his belief in the greatness of our country and better yet at how government can actually do good. This is where he shines.

..ahh perhaps things are not as bleak as I had felt. My only hope is that the Obama campaign goes back on the offensive tomorrow and not look back.