Widgetized Section
Go to Admin » Appearance » Widgets » and move Gabfire Widget: Social into that MastheadOverlay zone
Why Sarah Palin Used the Term Blood Libel
Sarah Palin and Blood Libel Spiritual Warfare
Blood Libel: Hello, America. This is the “Other Sarah” speaking.
Yesterday, Americans and the media got their first glimpse of the real Sarah Palin; the McCain staff dubbed “Other Sarah”. The person behind the heavily imaged, cracking veneer of a hockey mom from Wasilla. The one who can’t hide for very long in the spot light. Yesterday, when Sarah Palin came out of hiding to issue a video from her bunker after her shock and awe campaign of violent rhetoric tied her in many Americans’ minds to the culture of violence that fed the tragedy of the Arizona massacres, Americans were stunned by her doubling down on via the term “blood libel”, the inference being that she was somehow the victim in this scenario.
Many in the media speculated that Sarah Palin didn’t understand the term and its references. Yet this time they weren’t so forgiving of her seeming faux pas because you see, she spent six minutes of the eight minute video wallowing in self pity which was just crazy given the circumstances. And now they’re beginning to understand just why the McCain campaign put Sarah Palin under lock and key in 2008.
While most Americans came away from 2008 thinking Sarah Palin a nice but perhaps under-qualified person, perhaps someone with a limited worldview who needed to “study up”, others knew the truth. Brave people in Wasilla tried to warn Americans. Alaskan bloggers who had seen the real Sarah spoke out. McCain campaign workers came forward to warn Americans that Sarah Palin was not well mentally or emotionally. But the vigilantly preserved myth of Sarah Palin prevailed. They say people tell you who they are, but you just weren’t listening. Certainly this is true in the case of Sarah Palin.
She is, after all, gifted with a natural charm and sex appeal that blinds our TV-ready culture and certainly the Reagan-starved, starry eyed Republican Party base to her history. Even during the failed 2008 bid, Palin began constructing her future political and media career on the ashes of John McCain’s political career when she “went rogue.” After their loss, she continued the McCain campaign’s strategy (the one she complained about and blamed for their loss) of unilateral communication with the press, thereby keeping her carefully crafted image under lock and key.
Launching herself as the Next Big Thing in Politics and Celebritydom, Palin hid out on Fox News, on Facebook and Twitter; places from which she launched outrageous and inaccurate political grenades into each policy her “enemy” sought to enact. And when she did rear her head for the carefully orchestrated photo-op with no questions allowed, she was smiling, confident and surrounded by her family. She was downright wholesome and peppy, if not completely inspiring intellectually. It was only with a closer look that one noticed the tightly pursed lips, the stubbornly jutted chin, the flared nostrils of rage and the shrill voice hovering dangerously near the surface when anyone dared to question her.
So when the world heard Palin’s battle cry yesterday, they were stunned. But those who know her weren’t. While the media and the public struggle to make sense of “blood libel”, they fall into the waiting traps of their own expectations of their Sarah. The person on that video from yesterday is, of course, unrecognizable to them because she is the Other Sarah. The extremist, paranoid, secretive and mentally unfit Sarah Palin.
This is the Sarah who demanded resignations from city employees right after being sworn in as mayor of Wasilla, her 600 votes being interpreted as a coronation. This is the Sarah Palin described by high school colleague Cheryl Welch — who was not only more popular than Palin, but academically superior and the actual star basketball player — as a “rabid little thing” who would scratch and claw and turn red in the face if she lost. This is the Sarah Palin who hunted down her ex-brother-in-law and foisted the full force of her gubernatorial power upon him. This is the Sarah Palin who fired a trooper whom wouldn’t fire the brother-in-law and whom also criticized her for driving her baby around without a car seat. This is the Sarah Palin who minutes before being taped for her now infamous Katie Couric interview, with “glassy, dead” eyes, began frantically wiping her make up off and shrieking that she didn’t like it. This is the Sarah Palin who throws canned goods at her husband and shrieks, “You’re fucking lucky to have me.” And now we come to the meat of the problem; when cornered, when attacked, when she loses something or is criticized, the Other Sarah comes out.
This Sarah cannot be contained and that’s why the McCain campaign kept her under wraps. It wasn’t because she was “stupid” as so many posited. It was because she was “frightening, dangerous, mentally limited.”
They knew this, but only a few have come forward. Those that did said that they and other staffers had had a come to Jesus moment, and decided that if McCain won, they would have to force him to limit her powers or get her to step down. Not because she was incompetent (though clearly she was), but because the idea of her as Vice President was “unfathomable” and “frightening.”
Think about what this means. The current Republican Party has touted Sarah Palin as their best and brightest, fit to run for President of this country. So cynical and so starved for their hit of Reagan charisma are they that they would run this person whom they know is dangerous to America.
And she will run. Yes, I know, everyone is saying her career is over but it’s not. She will run for President. The odds of her winning the nomination are slim right now, but she won’t admit that and there’s nothing anyone can say to convince her of that reality. Because what too many still don’t get is that Sarah Palin believes she was mantled for the most important job on earth. She believes that she is God’s chosen one. She believes in her mission to turn America into a theocracy.
Had anyone in the Republican Party bothered to do due diligence or perhaps bothered to care, they would have known that Palin had ties to the paranoid, anti-Semitic, militia oriented Bircher Movement of the 1990′s, in addition to her AIP ties, long before they ran her. One wonders why no one ever bothered to consider what these ties said about Palin’s character. Had they vetted her, they would have known that she believes in an extremist version of Christianity wherein Alaska and Arizona are the “portals” for End Times and that she is the leader to take us there (“follow me there” being her reality TV show theme song). Palin embraces the far right, “hard Dominionist” version of charismatic extremist Christianity, where the goal is to rule the world by force, unlike “soft” Dominoinsts such as Rick Warren whom many Domionists deem a “socialist” for his belief in social justice. Perhaps the media hasn’t faced the fact that these ties add up to something more menacing than mere Alaskan quirkiness.
For Republicans to pretend shock over Palin’s “blood libel” missile of hate is simply disingenuous. Sarah Palin and the far right Dominionists (this far right Christian movement, often deemed a cult, was declared heretical by the Assemblies of God in 1949) believe that Sarah Palin is being crucified because she’s a Christian. Every time the media even suggests calling Palin to account for something, Palin and the cult who follow her scream bloody murder. Or blood libel.
Because Sarah Palin believes she is qualified to be President, ordained to be President. She believes she is Esther come to save America and the President is the usurper devil. This isn’t simply something she sells to her base. She believes it. And that should tell you all you need to know about Sarah Palin’s mental stability and the unfettered rage and violence simmering just before eruption of her followers. If you believed that your “hero” was Jesus come to save America from a usurper Marxist terrorist, you too would become slightly unhinged when you heard your Jesus attacked. The hard Dominionists of C. Peter Wagner and Rick Joyner (an adviser to Palin) flavor believe that “we” are hindering their “anointed” apostles and prophets and that means spiritual warfare must be enacted against us so that they can take control “from Satan.” In other words, Sarah Palin is their anointed and they need her to win. These are not just words thrown carelessly around by a bitter, seemingly disenfranchised electorate. Every “attack” (aka, attempt to hold her accountable) on Palin is an attack on the core values of her cult. It’s tantamount to an attack on Jesus Christ himself and it cannot stand.
Yesterday Americans got their first peek at the Other Sarah. Perhaps some were stunned by her self-absorption and breathed a sigh of relief that McCain lost while others were simply confused and assumed she couldn’t possibly have known what blood libel meant. Sarah Palin is an extremist Christian Dominionist. She knows full well what blood libel means. It’s only the rest of us who need to catch up.
Like all narcissists, the signs are all there with Palin but the siren call of the mythical image is so compelling that the truth is overlooked. If Americans knew what the Republican Party knows and what Alaskans know, they would be terrified. But like all good narcissistic sociopaths (a label pinned on Palin by Republican colleagues in Alaska), Palin cons the uninformed and the innocent with doe eyed tales of her victimhood that quite simply make the stories from her real victims seem implausible.
Even now, the press is sure she didn’t know what blood libel meant. This is how it goes with Sarah. The truth tries to speak but protective instincts of the well-intentioned but uninformed kick in and a willfully blinded press becomes complicit in selling a treacherous lie to Americans. And just like any bully, what Sarah does best is turn her victim’s cries into martyrdom for herself by co-opting the pain she inflicts on others.
This is the real Sarah Palin, the “Other Sarah”, and she is not going to go away just because a few more people outed her. If you believe that, you misunderestimate her.
Related Posts :
After John McCain claimed on Fox News Sunday that Sarah Palin can beat Obama, here is a little reality b ...
Sarah Palin got the most Fox News airtime of any of the potential or declared candidates in the 2012 GOP ...
Blood Libel Sends Sarah Palin into Freefall Although Sarah Palin told Sean Hannity last night that sh ...
Sarah Palin has fallen so far since the heady days of 2008 that Dennis Kucinich would now beat her if he ...
Contrary to her own claims in Newsweek that she can win in 2012, here are 5 reasons Sarah Palin can’t wi ...
104 Responses to Why Sarah Palin Used the Term Blood Libel
Public Service Advertisements
Anne
Jan. 13th, 2011 at 11:16 am
This is the Sarah I have seen since the 2008 presidential campaign, and I am no longe surprised by anything she says or does.
craigtamy
Jan. 13th, 2011 at 11:36 am
I agree Anne. I had her pegged as unstable within a week of her being picked. She is a nasty, mean person and I see right through all of her little games. She thinks she is clever by trying to create an image of a loving wife and mother in her fake TV show, but you cannot hide the truth.
The reason she keeps stepping into the muck, is she keeps doing the wrong thing. You can’t muck it up if you do the right thing. She could have come out with a heartfelt apology and a call to come together, but that is not who she is or what she wants. I believe she likes to stir up the poo and watch what her monkeys fly off the handle by defending her.
A note to the trolls, I will no longer respond to your little taunts.
Anne
Jan. 13th, 2011 at 1:25 pm
Her face should be the one pictured in dictionaries by the word
“self-sabotage.” She sabotages herself every time she makes a publicized speech. The reason her speech bombed is because she lacks maturity, empathy, and the depth of perception to realize that most issues are not about her.
Eykis
Jan. 13th, 2011 at 4:08 pm
Although I was raised Catholic, I had not really thought about Snowbilly Grifter’s religiosity. It seems as plausible as anything else – she is mentally deficient – of that, I have known since Day One, 2008. I have dismissed her as the “cartoon” created by Tina Fey on SNL and joked about her idiocy on a continous basis. If this religiosity is what she actually believes, it seems the Rethuggery Party has a lot more to answer for than just the havoc they have wreaked on America for the past 30 years.
Thank you for giving me another way to look at the Snowbilly Grifter.
Sarah, I really enjoy your thoughts.
Neil Sagan
Jan. 14th, 2011 at 2:28 am
You betcha,
Sarah great article. I appreciate it. How do you know this though?
Hrafnkell Haraldsson
Jan. 13th, 2011 at 11:17 am
Excellent article, Sarah. I had just been reading about how Palin needed to stop hiding behind Twitter and Facebook and personally respond to all that was being said. So she did; and said exactly the wrong thing in exactly the wrong tone. She’s a small person with a small mind and her pettiness does not look pretty against the winter snow. The poor me persecution meme was old a long time ago and it’s only going to get more stale as the days roll on to 2012.
And of course, as a Heathen, I will say that they can take their spiritual warfare and put it where the sun don’t shine, or we can stick it there for them on Election Day 2012.
crystalwolfakacaligrl
Jan. 13th, 2011 at 4:03 pm
Hraf, she is still hiding, self making a video and posting to facebook is not coming out and giving her opin. Well its ramming her opinion down or throats, allowing for no Questions of course.
She is a vile creature, lies, treasonous,insane quitter,coward. And today she is whining about death threats…OH WELL!
Other people can do “spiritual warfare” by using INTENT, like INTENDING that SarahPalin will never be anything but a failed unvetted VP and INTENDING that her black Karma come and consume her.
John
Jan. 13th, 2011 at 11:18 am
Sarah Jones, you are my hero. Please stay on top of this anti-Sarah.
G Katz
Jan. 13th, 2011 at 11:25 am
An excellent expose of the many faces of Sarah Palin. Having been immersed in the evangelical way as a youth, I recognized a serious problem with Sarah when I first experienced her at the Republican convention. Her VP candidate’s acceptance speech reeked of religious fervor and sarcasm that I was all too familiar with. I hope that those who may not have experienced this will nonetheless take your writing to heart. And I thank you for clearing up my own dilemma wondering whether Sarah’s use of “blood libel” was intentional or accidental. I will not doubt the intentionality behind what could possibly be a gaff from her again.
Ignia
Jan. 13th, 2011 at 1:41 pm
I do not know if you’ve already found this site, G Katz, but Social Musings/ Of and From (they just moved to a new domain and had to change the name) has been a fascinating read for me. The following article caught my attention as well!
“Don’t Expect an Apology: Non-Sexual Sins Don’t Count”
ofandfrom.com/2011/01/12/...
G Katz
Jan. 13th, 2011 at 9:56 pm
Thanks. I am not familiar with that site, but I will check it out!
Eykis
Jan. 14th, 2011 at 10:09 am
Ignia,
Thank you for that link – which lead me to more religiosity links and hours of reading information on the type of world these people plan for the World. Truly deluded individuals and collectives who must NEVER be allowed to hold high office – it sure made the DeMenteds, Coburns, Inhofe’s, and the rest of the Xtian congressmonsters’ easier to understand. Now, I can see why they voted for a law against Sharia Law – they are intent on their on installing their own religious legal system over America and fortunately, that will NOT HAPPEN.
TomandLou
Jan. 13th, 2011 at 11:26 am
Now that’s a fair and accurate description of the would be Queen! Just the facts.
John Wesley
Jan. 13th, 2011 at 11:35 am
Excellent in its insightfulness this article is well worth preserving on my external hard drive. Many of us have been tweeting, digging and buzzing about the Dominionist Cultist Sarah Palin since 2008. She knows exactly what she was saying. She and her advisers spend days on this speech. Her handler/husband Todd Palin works diligently behind the scenes. Both Sarah & Todd sold out to the power of the Domionist Cult which is the real power behind her political efforts
Conscious at last
Jan. 13th, 2011 at 11:44 am
This is the BEST analysis of Palin that I’ve seen in quite a while.
crystalwolfakacaligrl
Jan. 13th, 2011 at 12:06 pm
Awesome Sarah Jones! You have captured the real “Sarah/Screech”! Now I heard today she is whining about death threats? Oh well STFU about “Blood libel” and putting “Crosshairs” on people and maybe you won’t have to worry!
Heard that a R called her a dumbshit yesterday… for her vid…heh!
She got Shellacked yesterday! Versus POTUS’s speech!
Except for the RWNJ, but I heard even a few Cons thought it was good. I think if she runs it will only be to grab money from the low hanging fruit.
Her recent actions along with her 8 hr infomercial pretty much sealed that she will not even get nominee or support from GOP. She can run as a Indy.
She is toast.
She is insane. You get her…captured perfectly.
shamus
Jan. 13th, 2011 at 12:09 pm
Hopefully, at least some of the “lamestream media” will start to see what an emotionally immature woman Sarah Palin is as well. All I see when I look at Palin is a rapidly aging 47 year old woman whose ego can’t accept that she’s no longer the cute little 17 year old high school basketball star and team hero.
nm
Jan. 13th, 2011 at 1:50 pm
ahem… as our Sarah pointed out, Cheryl Welch was the actual basketball star. Not Sarah Palin. Another myth.
Eykis
Jan. 13th, 2011 at 4:27 pm
Shamus,
The C4P are now calling it the “Blamestream Media”. Aren’t they the most clever KREEPS?
Shiva (Moderator)
Jan. 13th, 2011 at 12:13 pm
thank you Sarah. I suppose I put myself in the group of people who sit here thinking she could not have known what she said. It’s always much easier to be naïve than it is to believe bad of someone. Even of Sarah Palin.
It’s surprising that she used blood libel considering the fact that one of her big things is keeping the military over in the Middle East to protect Israel. Obviously that’s not something we can take to heart any longer. But now she has left the people of Israel stunned and she is exposed her what she is. I have always thought that her followers were just morons, but now I see that they are people who have no idea of what she is like and refuse to see whether it is exposed to them as well.
Thank you for helping me to see Sarah more clearly Sarah
Eykis
Jan. 13th, 2011 at 4:14 pm
Shiva,
So many INSANE layers to the Snowbilly Grifter – had not thought of her idiotic rants about “protecting Israel” in a while – generally, I don’t think about her until she becomes front page news….thanks, it gets SKEERIER the more you think about it and I am in no way a conspiracy person.
Lynn
Jan. 14th, 2011 at 12:39 pm
Sarah (Palin)’s adorers make sense to me. They are the people who always wanted or wanted to be like the pretty, mean girl in high school, and here she is, talking just to THEM, because THEY are the only ones who understand.
It was apparent from her reading of her speech at the Republican convention (which I know she didn’t write) that she enjoyed being mean and having an adoring public.
People ‘misunderestimate’ her at the their own peril.
Sharon1943
Jan. 13th, 2011 at 12:16 pm
That is an excellent post about Palin. Terrifying but excellent. Like everyone else, I know she didn’t pull the trigger but she’s been inciting violence for over 2 years and has been getting more and more brazen. I’m convinced that she has hoped for a violent episode against someone – she’s repeatedly called for it. She thrives on violence, it excites her. Maybe it’s a “he did it for me” thing – I don’t know but I’m convinced there’s something like that going on in her mind.
I’ve watched yesterday’s 8 minute video 3 or 4 times. Several times, she has trouble hiding her glee. She doesn’t look sad, certainly doesn’t show any signs of remorse, sadness or embarrassment about the role she played in targeting the candidates she is opposed to or her gun-play. Last night, President Obama looked genuinely sad – his sadness was from the heart and it showed in his eyes. Contrast that with Sarah’s almost-smiles on the video that almost break through before she gets them under control or the look in her eyes. Sarah Palin is a mentally ill woman.
I’m glad you pointed out that she isn’t going away. I believe that with all my heart. I think it’s entirely possible that she could get the GOP nomination OR, more likely run as a third party candidate. In the video, she was careful to mention that “the Democrats won in 2008 and then said the other party won last November”. Red flag went up – why didn’t she say GOP? Her base is going for a third party candidacy.
Since Saturday, I’ve thought that the media and politicians would desert her. A good number have but it’s astounding that anyone would be defending her especially after the “blood libel” comment. What that tells me is that somebody still has big plans for her. Either for her making a run for the White House or perhaps she hasn’t finished whatever part they have mapped out for her, perhaps distraction. That scares me. She’s already announced a planned trip to Israel this Spring, then she makes the blood libel remark! Baffling.
Her behavior in that video wasn’t in response to the death and injury in Arizona – “The Other Sarah” was pushed out by the huge outcry on twitter, Facebook and in the media. Just like you say, she’s not going to go away willingly.
CDNpotpourri
Jan. 13th, 2011 at 12:19 pm
Bravo Sarah, Bravo!
CO
Jan. 13th, 2011 at 12:26 pm
Bravo! SarahJones!
You nailed what so many have seen curdling below her surface:
the rage, the aggression, the hostility, and the reason(s) for it.
This has never been about ‘politics’ with SP, it has always been
about the rupture. er, rapture.
CO
Jan. 13th, 2011 at 12:31 pm
Btw, IM had a image of SP after she walked away from her quitter
speech in her yard….she had this ‘snark grin’, for lack of better word.
It was *clear* she felt ‘I gotcha, take that!’…
That showed an excellent capture of who the ‘real’ SP was. Too.
Eugene Burgin
Jan. 13th, 2011 at 12:33 pm
Sarah Jones, once again you are right on.
Berto
Jan. 13th, 2011 at 12:50 pm
She used that term because it describes what happened. People may have certain understood connotations of the phrase, but she is completely justified in using it.
Alan Dershowitz, a Harvard Law professor and Jewish, even defended her use of the phrase.
“There is nothing improper and certainly nothing anti-Semitic in Sarah Palin using the term to characterize what she reasonably believes are false accusations that her words or images may have caused a mentally disturbed individual to kill and maim . . . “
Sarah Jones
Jan. 13th, 2011 at 1:02 pm
“But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” Matthew 12:36-37
Berto
Jan. 13th, 2011 at 1:52 pm
I have no idea how any of that applies to a single thing I wrote.
Shiva (Moderator)
Jan. 13th, 2011 at 1:56 pm
No surprise there
Berto
Jan. 13th, 2011 at 2:02 pm
Oh good, maybe you can explain it to me.
Shiva (Moderator)
Jan. 13th, 2011 at 2:18 pm
firstly, there are far more people who are upset about the words blood libel that are not upset. At least those who totally understand the words. Alan Dershowitz is a highly educated and informed person who has an opinion. And that’s fine. But I think you will find far more people who are upset about this.
Secondly, in the vein that many think it was a bad thing to say, Sarah J quoted a Scripture that relates to saying things that you shouldn’t say. That means either your words are truthful when he will be acquitted, or your words are not truthful and you will be condemned.
Berto
Jan. 13th, 2011 at 2:31 pm
Ok, once again, how does that have anything to do with anything that I said?
Most people are upset because the media told them to be upset.
Shiva (Moderator)
Jan. 13th, 2011 at 2:51 pm
Please berto, dont wave your ignorance around like a flag
Berto
Jan. 13th, 2011 at 4:54 pm
Good argument.
Daniel Q
Jan. 13th, 2011 at 2:05 pm
Interesting to use a picture of the witty and wise Dorothy Parker as the profile pic for someone quoting the Bible.
Basheert
Jan. 13th, 2011 at 1:29 pm
Interesting that you picked the ONE Jewish person who spoke in her favor. He’s shilling for business – and with Sarah and her provocations, he may very well end up defending one of her minions.
Words have consequences. As the mother of Jewish children and grandchildren who go to school behind iron bars with locks (gradeschool), I can tell you that this type of rhetoric is well known within the Jewish Community. Unlike the rest of the country, the Jews within this country have taken steps to protect their families and children in their daily lives. They see the threats and they take action.
If and when the time is right / Sarah will be destroyed by the right wing. When she becomes a bigger liability than an asset, she’ll be tossed onto the trashbin. She is saying the things they want her to say and when we outlives her usefulness, they’ll crush her.
Until that day, we can only protect ourselves from the violence she attempts to foment against the politicians we work so hard to elect.
Berto
Jan. 13th, 2011 at 2:00 pm
You’re free to be reminded of certain things when certain terms or phrases are used, but don’t be surprised when people use that phrase to say exactly what it means. She didn’t misuse the word. Genocide is not reserved specifically for the holocaust. Crucifixion is not reserved specifically for Christ.
Eykis
Jan. 13th, 2011 at 4:37 pm
Basheert,
I’ve said the right-wing will destroy Snowbilly Grifter for months…..when Rove came out with his comment on Faux Noise and was vilified for it – I thought – here we go……I am betting that Rove and his Rovian minions are busy little ratfu**kers (Watergate reference) right now…..they will NEVER let her get the Rethug nomination – they will change the rules or whatever…..and we know third parties cannot win. Methinks she will be long gone prior to the FIRST REAL DEBATE with the likes of Mittens, HucktheHick, Paws, and whomever throws their hat in the failed Rethuggery ring.
nm
Jan. 13th, 2011 at 1:54 pm
Blah, blah, blah.
Go read the detailed descriptions of blood libel and then come back and try to convince us that mere criticism of Palin is the same thing.
It’s sick, that’s what it is. Sick, that you even defend her.
Berto
Jan. 13th, 2011 at 2:01 pm
I know what blood libel is and I know its origin. Maybe next time you’ll have something to add to the conversation other than “Blah, blah, blah.”
Shiva (Moderator)
Jan. 13th, 2011 at 2:31 pm
Berto you dont have a clue what blood libel means. Tell me is Sarah used the words in the proper context:
Blood libel (also blood accusation) refers to a false accusation or claim that religious minorities, usually Jews, murder children to use their blood in certain aspects of their religious rituals and holidays. Historically, these claims—alongside those of well poisoning and host desecration—have been a major theme in European persecution of Jews.
The libels typically allege that Jews require human blood for the baking of matzos for Passover. The accusations often assert that the blood of Christian children is especially coveted, and, historically, blood libel claims have often been made to account for otherwise unexplained deaths of children. In some cases, the alleged victim of human sacrifice has become venerated as a martyr, a holy figure around whom a martyr cult might arise. A few of these have been even canonized as saints, like Gavriil Belostoksky.
In Jewish lore, blood libels were the impetus for the creation in the 16th century of the Golem of Prague by Rabbi Judah Loew ben Bezalel. Many popes have either directly or indirectly condemned the blood accusation, and no pope has ever sanctioned it.[7] These libels have persisted among some segments of Christians to the present time.
2 more:
Blood libels are false and sensationalized allegations that a person or group engages in human sacrifice, often accompanied by the claim that the blood of the victims is used in various rituals and/or acts of cannibalism. The alleged victims are often children. …
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blo...
A false belief which has endured since the 1st century BCE. It states that members of a religious group kidnap, abuse, ritually murder and sometimes eat the body of a member of another religion. …
www.translationdirectory....
Berto
Jan. 13th, 2011 at 2:34 pm
“Berto you dont have a clue what blood libel means.”
Is that so? Interesting.
Yes, that is one definition, and in fact one of the bigger ones. But the term is used to describe exactly what Palin used it for. And it makes sense, because this is very similar to the way you just described it.
Shiva (Moderator)
Jan. 13th, 2011 at 2:53 pm
But what you seem incapable of catching onto, it is the definition that people are using to be upset about what she said. They are not upset because of the media, far too many people know what this really means. And that seems to bother you tremendously
Berto
Jan. 13th, 2011 at 4:55 pm
No. Far too many people were told by the liberal media what one of the definitions is.
Shiva (Moderator)
Jan. 13th, 2011 at 5:00 pm
Shouldn’t you be on the conservative 4 palin site? Lots of people there are crying because they know the definition of blood libel.
But thanks for the entertainment
Berto
Jan. 13th, 2011 at 5:08 pm
Thanks for the brilliant argument.
Shiva (Moderator)
Jan. 13th, 2011 at 5:10 pm
You had nothing to respond to Berto. You just didnt know it. You came empty handed
Rap Tor
Jan. 13th, 2011 at 7:26 pm
Shiva, I thought I already knew what the term “Blood Libel” meant. That is until you clarified it for me – better than anyone in the media has up till now. And you definitely comprehend the meaning better than Wassila Barbie. It’s clear she does not know the origin of the term and apparently neither does her speech writer. Otherwise, they would not have utilized the phase for this particular situation.
Janjan
Jan. 13th, 2011 at 6:20 pm
Berto, you are so right. This is such manufactured outrage! Palin has induced hysteria in the Left since she can onscene, perhaps for no other reason than she’s a traditionalist.
I don’t care for her but I am more worried about Islamic religious fundamentalism than this “dominionism” Christianity. And (speaking as a bonafide Jew here) Jews don’t own the copy write on the phrase “blood libel”, and it matters not a whit if “more people are outraged than are not”.
Palin was blamed for the Tucson shootings before the bodies were warm. That was a blood libel, pure and simple.
Debra
Jan. 14th, 2011 at 9:41 am
Hmm… Palin was never blamed for the shootings. It is her habitual use of violent imagery that has been called to light.
Everyone, not just Politicians, have to take responsibility for thier words and actions, but not once has Palin even intimidated she is less than perfect.
True, she didn’t pull the tigger, but she is responsible for not calling in her ‘dogs’ over the past two years when she had the power to do so. Turning a blind eye and ear from the reactions of one’s words does not make one faultless.
Debra
Jan. 14th, 2011 at 9:42 am
that’s ‘trigger’ not tigger.
Lynn
Jan. 14th, 2011 at 12:45 pm
Palin is not a traditionalist – no matter what your definition is. If she was, she would be home with her children.
Anonymous
Jan. 15th, 2011 at 9:06 am
Fundamentalism of ALL religions is frightening….especially the religion of ignorance.
TurboKitty
Jan. 13th, 2011 at 1:10 pm
I have a friend who lives in Wasilla. When Palin first made headlines, my friend was enamored of “Sarah”, then the truth started to come forward. I heard stories and saw things about Palin, because my friend lives in the small rural community, where Palin got her Political start, that I’d never seen before. That most people probably will not see. My friend started to realize that Palin wasn’t all she was made out to be. The “other Sarah” had taken over.
I have to admit to never really once thinking that maybe Palin has a personality disorder. I really always thought she was just inept. Unable to process information beyond 3 syllables. I would like to thank Sarah Jones for bringing to light, something that ought to be all to obvious.
In as much as Palin is like a pungent odor, that one can’t find or erase and won’t go away no matter how much air freshener a person uses, I for one am hoping that this is her swan song. Quite frankly, she makes my hair hurt.
Basheert
Jan. 13th, 2011 at 1:31 pm
Nice comment. I wonder however, why no one has come forward with the “truth” about the Palins? Rather than expose her for the fraud that she is, she is allowed to run rampant screeching violence and hatred for her “enemies”.
It isn’t about blame. It’s about taking responsibility.
Shiva (Moderator)
Jan. 13th, 2011 at 2:32 pm
I think lots of people have. We have had people here do it, there are many blogs from Alaska and Sarah J has quoted someone she knows.
TurboKitty
Jan. 13th, 2011 at 10:25 pm
Just about any and all verification of facts, up to and including that the “baby” isn’t hers, has been removed and or destroyed. Not a difficult task in a small town. I know, I live in one and if you know the right people or have enough “clout”, it can be done.
Twilly
Jan. 13th, 2011 at 1:16 pm
I ‘stumbled in here’ searching “blood libel” as I did not understand the furor over Palin’s use of the term. I should have stopped with the Alan Dershowitz opinion on the matter. The hypocrisy and absolute hate on display here is stunning. Please take a look in the mirror.
Shiva (Moderator)
Jan. 13th, 2011 at 1:56 pm
Obviously you never found out what “blood libel” means did you.
nm
Jan. 13th, 2011 at 1:58 pm
Just pinch yourself. You might wake up. And as for real hate, go check out Palin pal Tammy Bruce’s Twitter. What you see here is the justified anger of decent people.
And just admit it, you went looking for a site that wasn’t blinded by Palin mania because you wanted to throw a hissy fit. You did. Now leave. Yawn.
Eykis
Jan. 13th, 2011 at 4:21 pm
Twitty,
Funny, when I used the Google on Blood Libel, wikipedia popped up first. Guess you need to learn how to Google – so EXACTLY WHY did you decide this is the blog that interested you? We KNOW there are certain blogs that are followed by the Snowbilly Grifter fanatics – tell Snowbilly Grifter, you did your part, now get your pay and go back to C4P. Buh-bye.
Shiva (Moderator)
Jan. 13th, 2011 at 5:05 pm
It is funny how few of these palin supporters refuse to google the two words. I call it pure fear of finding
majii
Jan. 13th, 2011 at 7:55 pm
There’s no hate here, but there are individuals who possess higher order thinking skills, and who don’t just believe the first thing that comes out of a politician’s mouth, even President Obama’s.
You simply don’t want to face the fact that Palin is unqualified for the job of president. Being attractive and/or being able to whip up a crowd are the last qualifications I look for in a candidate who is running for president, or any other political office.
icarustraveler
Jan. 14th, 2011 at 3:32 am
Ummm, isn’t Alan Dershowitz a Harvard Law Professor and so a member of the out-of-touch, evil, intellectual elite Palin and her fans hate so much?
TksABunchJohn
Jan. 13th, 2011 at 1:26 pm
Thanks Sarah, for a pitch-perfect essay on the TRUTH about Palin. I don’t understand why the MSM helps to preserve her “folksy” and “victim” persona, but the cracks in the mask are showing, and some are finally seeing her for what she is. An independent friend of mine, who has never cared for Palin, but didn’t particularly worry about her, has had a jolting change of heart – she is now officially terrified. This tragedy piqued her interest, and she started really looking at Sarah Palin, and Fox, and the Tea Party. After spending a couple of days on the internet, full days, she called me and said “Oh my God, that woman is insane. Sociopathic.” She is a psych nurse of 30 years. Hopefully this scenario is playing out around the country. Thanks for helping!
Rene
Jan. 13th, 2011 at 1:31 pm
Although I recognized aspects of the other Sarah I admit it is chilling to read your summary. I had Palin pegged soon after her roll out due to not only resesarch in curiosity about the candidate but sadly a horrific personal experience with such a personality. I guarantee Palin will escalate for no hell hath the fury of such a personality to lose any degree of pulling the wool over peoples eyes or conning people of their lies or veneered persona. You are spot on that ignorance is not the issue and such people do know what they are doing. We saw the proverbial mask of sanity slip in Palin’s video personifying herself as the only victim. Take care and watch your back, Sarah Jones.
Basheert
Jan. 13th, 2011 at 1:34 pm
Agreed / most of the individuals who heard “ding ding ding” when they first saw/heard Sarah speak and learned about heard are health professionals. When the hair stands up on the back of your neck and you don’t even know a person, generally your body chemistry is reacting to something.
I find her frightening. Her personality disconnect is just about complete at this point. She’s decompensating and at some point will be of no more use to the Party.
I know many people who have had run-ins with sociopathic personalities, and it’s never a pleasant thing. They leave chaos in their wake – and can be truly dangerous individuals.
Excellent comment .. and thanks!
Cynthia
Jan. 13th, 2011 at 1:43 pm
Thank you, Sarah J, for your insightful article on Palin’s disturbing video of her response to the Tucson tragedy. She is dangerous; of that I am sure.
On Thom Hartmann’s radio program, he is explaining how the far right-wing media participates in what is termed stochastic terrorism. I recommend that people Google this term to learn how dangerous using this communication tool is to our society.
I enjoy reading this website immensely. Keep up the good work.
carrie
Jan. 13th, 2011 at 1:48 pm
Excellent, Excellent, Excellent.
I am with you 100% on your analysis of SP. It’s a shame that the media (and so many others) continue to make excuses for her. Remember way back during the 08 campaign when they blame the McCain camp saying….just let Sarah be Sarah. Today, they say she probably didn’t know what the term Blood Libel means. How long and how many excuses will they make up for her ? We have seen the real Sarah and it is scary. But, will the media still just play along and continue to promote this dangerous woman? Sadly, I am sure they will.
Cathy
Jan. 13th, 2011 at 2:00 pm
I knew she was a nutcase as soon as she said she could see Russia from her backdoor.
Also when she couldn’t name a magazine she has read, I cannot but think she is illiterate.
Maybe that’s why she dropped out of so many colleges.
Sarah Palin as President, no thanks. A Loony Toon character would be better, no, wait she is a Loony Toon character.
nm
Jan. 13th, 2011 at 2:01 pm
As I “discovered” Sarah Palin, I began to realize intuitively all these awful things about her. In time, her words and actions confirmed my intuition. Thanks, Sarah, for crafting another fantastic read.
Tyroanee
Jan. 13th, 2011 at 2:05 pm
Now if you could just put this entire article on a billboard… okay twitter and fb it is!
Perfect!
Daniel Q
Jan. 13th, 2011 at 2:07 pm
Why do you use a picture of Dorothy Parker that appears as the only thumbnail available if someone wants to post this otherwise insightful article about Sarah Palin?
Sarah Jones
Jan. 13th, 2011 at 2:16 pm
For some reason with FB button, you have to click the arrows below the thumbnails to get the photo that goes with the post. It’s in there. And no, D Parker does not belong associated with SP. You’re getting my avatar by mistake.
Shiva (Moderator)
Jan. 13th, 2011 at 2:21 pm
My god you mean thats not you? Well toss that fantasy out the “winder”
Sarah Jones
Jan. 14th, 2011 at 12:14 am
Toss that out the winder:-) I’m blond. Etc.
Mr. Deacon
Jan. 13th, 2011 at 2:24 pm
Once again, an excellent analysis on Palin.
Ms. Jones, I believe you have Palin pegged perfectly.
majii
Jan. 13th, 2011 at 2:40 pm
IMHO, the same people who defend Palin and would vote for her to become POTUS are the same people who ignored all of GWB’s shortcomings and voted for him. Palin as POTUS would leave this country in shambles. She likes the celebrity part of being involved in politics, but she doesn’t seem to like the hard work it entails.
No one can convince me that Palin would be a good POTUS because she has spent the last 2 + years running around the country giving the same speeches to rile up the base, offering no solutions to any problems. It doesn’t appear that she’s spent much time studying the things she needs to study to be an effective leader. I knew the first time I saw Palin that she, like GWB, isn’t seeking the presidency to help make America and the world a better place. She wants to be POTUS so that she has a chance to codify her Dominionist beliefs.
rod
Jan. 13th, 2011 at 2:40 pm
Sarah Palin is a DEMON…..plain and simple. You must realize that and stop trying to figure It out.
Amyloo
Jan. 13th, 2011 at 3:03 pm
I was in the “she doesn’t know what it means” camp, but I see what you’re saying on the Dominionism angle. I do believe she thinks she’s chosen and that many people reinforce the idea with her. I didn’t know Arizona was one of the refuge areas; that makes Bristol’s move (or is it just house buying?) more interesting.
Wonder if she ponders why God seems to be closing so many doors lately — as a test of faith maybe.
Amyloo
Jan. 13th, 2011 at 3:29 pm
Or — maybe her trials are a sign of the end times. “…before all of this, you’ll be taken before kings and rulers and you’ll be persecuted in my name”
Just read Tabachnick on this www.talk2action.org/story...
Jessica Naomi
Jan. 13th, 2011 at 7:14 pm
Sarah Palin deliberately used the antisemitic genocidal blood libel line while Jewish Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords fought for her life for one reason, so Palin could get in the news cycle the day President Obama was speaking at the Tuscon memorial service. The diabolic plan worked. She was on the news before the memorial service, after the memorial service and today more bloggers are still writing about her. If she had not said “blood libel”, no one would be paying attention to her at all.
Instead broadcast, print and online media have given Palin free bully pulpits to beg for money to fill her SarahPac and see you are doing that too. You blogged about this, and your blog is now on Facebook (which is where I saw it).
Palin is laughing all the way to the bank. You betcha.
ericmiami
Jan. 13th, 2011 at 8:59 pm
Love you, Sarah. And I don’t mean Palin.
la Zingaro
Jan. 13th, 2011 at 9:51 pm
Brilliant piece. Jesus save us from your followers.
boil
Jan. 14th, 2011 at 12:13 am
i have been waiting since the 08 campaign for someone to really dig into her and todd’s real agenda. the AIP, the cross-hairs, the violent imagery, is all part of her narcissistic personality disorder. if you notice the crosshair symbol she used, is the same as the KKK, and white supremacist movements, in fact dw griffith used it throughout birth of a nation. if the MSM really did its job, she wouldn’t have garnered the attention. but since she brings in ratings they over look this…. and blame McCain for never vetting her too. her use of ‘blood libel’ was no accident. i hope she brings down the GOP with her.
you betcha….
Matt Osborne
Jan. 14th, 2011 at 12:19 am
I’m the first blogger to talk about the weird minds of people like Sarah Palin, but the most likely explanation is that someone cribbed the phrase for her out of Tuesday’s Wall Street Journal:
online.wsj.com/article/SB...
Robert
Jan. 14th, 2011 at 3:09 am
Never confuse sociopathy and narcissism. Whilst narcissism may be a step on the way to sociopathy via an absence of autonomic empathy, a narcissist still does retain a conscience and knows when they have made a bad mistake even when they try to blame others for it. Never be to hard on true narcissist, they are not the way they are by choice, they are that way be genetic defect which produces poor social development, whilst their acts can be said to be evil, they themselves are still truly victims of their cerebral physiology.
The truth sociopath even one of Palin’s limited mental capacity would never have made those same mistakes that Palin has driven by narcissistic rage at any criticism.
Think of Dick Cheney whose decisions killed millions, all with very little display off emotion, or public displays, a person who demonstrated every symptom of a classic sociopathy and who actually did become vice president and who effectively ran the government by manipulating the ego of a narcissist president.
icarustraveler
Jan. 14th, 2011 at 3:26 am
Like a poster above, I have also had direct, traumatic experience with two sociopaths: one a “friend” and another a co-worker. Because of these experiences, I immediately recognized Palin as a sociopath at her Republican convention speech, and every single thing she’s done and said since then has been “text book” sociopathic. Including her latest video which was no surprise at all.
I also read the WSJ article referenced above, where the writer used the term “blood libel”. Again, no surprise at all that she appropriated it from the article. You’re points about Palin’s religious delusions are true. But, regarding “blood libel” specfically, I don’t believe Palin and her people knew or cared about the context of the term. I believe they saw “blood” and “libel” and used it only for dramatic effect and to inflame.
english saddle
Jan. 14th, 2011 at 7:04 am
I can see why you think that if you haven’t studied up on dominionists but they use blood libel to mean persecution of Christians and it was a direct call to her evangelcial base. She does it in all of her speeches. A call to warfare against evil non chrsitians.They have their own langage and they’re very secretive about it all, esp since Palin ran. Many of the webistes are scrubbed now, videos pulled. Go over to God’s Discussion, Joel’s Army, etc.
HrothgirOD
Jan. 14th, 2011 at 9:07 am
Since I have a sense of humour slightly colder and darker than interstellar space, I’ve had a good few days cracking obscure jokes about William of Norwich and Little Hugh of Lincoln…
La Pallin is comedy gold. I’ll miss her after she goes postal.
sendlawyersgunsandmoney
Jan. 14th, 2011 at 10:00 am
Now you all know the Palin many of us in Alaska knew before McNuggets picked her. Finally.
Dorian M
Jan. 14th, 2011 at 11:19 am
Has Sarah Palin ever done more good than harm?
Bailey
Jan. 14th, 2011 at 11:20 am
It was an obscure term that distracted everyone. No one remembers anything else she said so it destroyed whatever message she was trying to get across but for “BLOOD LIBEL”.
Judy
Jan. 14th, 2011 at 1:47 pm
Good points, but horribly written. “Doubling down on via the term” makes no sense. You also have no idea why or when to use the word “whom.” Get thee to copy-editor, stat!
ginny
Jan. 14th, 2011 at 9:50 pm
Very good post! I agree that many people who thought of Sarah Palin as a somewhat dumb, slightly mean-girlish cheerleader for the Repubs have now had their eyes opened up just a bit.
When you say people tell us who they are but we don’t believe them, that really hits home with me. Right at this moment, I am in a work situation in which one of my coworkers is an admitted. liar and a back-stabber and possibly mentally ill (narcissism? sociopath? not sure which). This woman has LITERALLY told us all (many times) that she and her siblings learned to lie very well at a young age, that in her family the way of dealing with problems and anger toward one another is to swallow the bad feelings and bad mouth the other person behind his/her back, and that one parent is (in her own words) “psychotic” and “crazy”, and that one of her siblings has diagnosed mental illness and takes medication for it.
And still the other two coworkers don’t get it. They think she is a great, fun person. They don’t believe what she has told them about herself.
Too many people are like this. Naive and trusting. This is how Palin has (up till now) escaped more scrutiny by the larger public.
Patstevens
Jan. 15th, 2011 at 1:03 pm
Thank you, Sarah Jones, for the spot-on diagnosis of Palin’s Messiah complex.
Here’s my take on the “yawn-like” response of respected people in the Jewish community like Dershowitz and Foxman to Palin’s usage of “blood libel”: They are purposefully not making an issue of this. To do otherwise would add energy to the notion of blaming the JewS when Palin is denied the US Presidency. (I probably still believe that even if universally the Jews didn’t make an issue of the blood libel thing-y, Palin will still blame the Jewish MSM for her downfall).
Blood Libel is a powerful manipulation and Palin knows full well that it is. Her motive is transparent to Dershowitz and Foxman. For sociopath Palin who thinks she is the Second Comin, the means justifies the ends.
Chiria
Jan. 15th, 2011 at 6:52 pm
Here’s the thing: forget about “blood libel” for now. SP had the chance to sound compassionate, concerned, & sympathetic, even if she’d had to fake it, & she didn’t. It all came back to her & how persecuted she is. How about the people who’s lives were destroyed or impacted forever by the tragedy in Tucson? But, it was so much more important that SP herself was being hurt by some people’s remarks. This does not make a leader. It’s more like your typical 12 yr. old.
Jo
Jan. 18th, 2011 at 2:07 pm
Palin is clearly a sociopath/psychopath. Here are the traits, according to Dr. Robert Hare, the leading expert on this incurable mental defect:
1. GLIB and SUPERFICIAL CHARM — the tendency to be smooth, engaging, charming, slick, and verbally facile. Sociopathic charm is not in the least shy, self-conscious, or afraid to say anything. A sociopath never gets tongue-tied. They have freed themselves from the social conventions about taking turns in talking, for example.
2. GRANDIOSE SELF-WORTH — a grossly inflated view of one’s abilities and self-worth, self-assured, opinionated, cocky, a braggart. Sociopaths are arrogant people who believe they are superior human beings.
3. NEED FOR STIMULATION or PRONENESS TO BOREDOM — an excessive need for novel, thrilling, and exciting stimulation; taking chances and doing things that are risky. Sociopaths often have low self-discipline in carrying tasks through to completion because they get bored easily. They fail to work at the same job for any length of time, for example, or to finish tasks that they consider dull or routine.
4. PATHOLOGICAL LYING — can be moderate or high; in moderate form, they will be shrewd, crafty, cunning, sly, and clever; in extreme form, they will be deceptive, deceitful, underhanded, unscrupulous, manipulative, and dishonest.
5. CONNING AND MANIPULATIVENESS- the use of deceit and deception to cheat, con, or defraud others for personal gain; distinguished from Item #4 in the degree to which exploitation and callous ruthlessness is present, as reflected in a lack of concern for the feelings and suffering of one’s victims.
6. LACK OF REMORSE OR GUILT — a lack of feelings or concern for the losses, pain, and suffering of victims; a tendency to be unconcerned, dispassionate, coldhearted, and un empathic. This item is usually demonstrated by a disdain for one’s victims.
7. SHALLOW AFFECT — emotional poverty or a limited range or depth of feelings; interpersonal coldness in spite of signs of open gregariousness.
8. CALLOUSNESS and LACK OF EMPATHY — a lack of feelings toward people in general; cold, contemptuous, inconsiderate, and tactless.
9. PARASITIC LIFESTYLE — an intentional, manipulative, selfish, and exploitative financial dependence on others as reflected in a lack of motivation, low self-discipline, and inability to begin or complete responsibilities.
10. POOR BEHAVIORAL CONTROLS — expressions of irritability, annoyance, impatience, threats, aggression, and verbal abuse; inadequate control of anger and temper; acting hastily.
11. PROMISCUOUS SEXUAL BEHAVIOR — a variety of brief, superficial relations, numerous affairs, and an indiscriminate selection of sexual partners; the maintenance of several relationships at the same time; a history of attempts to sexually coerce others into sexual activity or taking great pride at discussing sexual exploits or conquests.
12. EARLY BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS — a variety of behaviors prior to age 13, including lying, theft, cheating, vandalism, bullying, sexual activity, fire-setting, glue-sniffing, alcohol use, and running away from home.
13. LACK OF REALISTIC, LONG-TERM GOALS — an inability or persistent failure to develop and execute long-term plans and goals; a nomadic existence, aimless, lacking direction in life.
14. IMPULSIVITY — the occurrence of behaviors that are unpremeditated and lack reflection or planning; inability to resist temptation, frustrations, and urges; a lack of deliberation without considering the consequences; foolhardy, rash, unpredictable, erratic, and reckless.
15. IRRESPONSIBILITY — repeated failure to fulfill or honor obligations and commitments; such as not paying bills, defaulting on loans, performing sloppy work, being absent or late to work, failing to honor contractual agreements.
16. FAILURE TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR OWN ACTIONS — a failure to accept responsibility for one’s actions reflected in low conscientiousness, an absence of dutifulness, antagonistic manipulation, denial of responsibility, and an effort to manipulate others through this denial.
17. MANY SHORT-TERM MARITAL RELATIONSHIPS — a lack of commitment to a long-term relationship reflected in inconsistent, undependable, and unreliable commitments in life, including marital.
18. JUVENILE DELINQUENCY — behavior problems between the ages of 13-18; mostly behaviors that are crimes or clearly involve aspects of antagonism, exploitation, aggression, manipulation, or a callous, ruthless tough-mindedness.
19. REVOCATION OF CONDITION RELEASE — a revocation of probation or other conditional release due to technical violations, such as carelessness, low deliberation, or failing to appear.
20. CRIMINAL VERSATILITY — a diversity of types of criminal offenses, regardless if the person has been arrested or convicted for them; taking great pride at getting away with crimes.
lmil
Jan. 19th, 2011 at 11:38 pm
Wow….you’ve managed to pick a condition that hardly describes SP at all. I’m not a Palin fan whatsoever, but I wish you folks on here could take a step back, wipe the foam off your mouths and realize how crazy you sound.