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Letter to the Editor: Rebuttal to 'defending Sarah Palin'
Issue date: 9/11/08 Section: Opinions
What Sarah Palin has said about the Iraq war is that "Our national leaders are sending [our troops] out on a task that is from God." Anyone who wants can find videos of her saying this on YouTube, where we can also see her nodding along as her pastor explains that very shortly, Armageddon shall engulf the continental U.S. but leave Alaska unscathed as the sole chosen and surviving American state.
So it's not, as Matt Zimmerman claims, "entirely inaccurate" to say that Palin "claimed the Iraq War was a mission from God"; in fact that's exactly what she says. This is why it's confusing to hear Zimmerman applaud Palin as "by all accounts, normal." She's "a straight-talking hockey mom," Zimmerman tells us, "living the American Dream."
The thing is, I don't think that views like those are normal. I know that Europeans think Americans are all religious nutjobs, but I guess I still suppose that people who think George Bush is acting under personal instructions from Jesus, or who think that the world is about to end, or that gays need to be prayed straight (another of the straight-talking hockey mom's views - Youtube it and see), are way out of the mainstream. So sorry Matt, but you've lost me on this one.
Dr. Christopher Hanlon
Associate Professor of American Literature
Department of English
So it's not, as Matt Zimmerman claims, "entirely inaccurate" to say that Palin "claimed the Iraq War was a mission from God"; in fact that's exactly what she says. This is why it's confusing to hear Zimmerman applaud Palin as "by all accounts, normal." She's "a straight-talking hockey mom," Zimmerman tells us, "living the American Dream."
The thing is, I don't think that views like those are normal. I know that Europeans think Americans are all religious nutjobs, but I guess I still suppose that people who think George Bush is acting under personal instructions from Jesus, or who think that the world is about to end, or that gays need to be prayed straight (another of the straight-talking hockey mom's views - Youtube it and see), are way out of the mainstream. So sorry Matt, but you've lost me on this one.
Dr. Christopher Hanlon
Associate Professor of American Literature
Department of English
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Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 45
Brandon Waddell
posted 9/11/08 @ 9:19 AM CST
I can't say I'm one bit surprised Matt's column would be attacked. Eastern's liberal atmosphere isn't exactly "tolerant" of opinions that go against liberal orthodoxy. (Continued…)
Matt
posted 9/11/08 @ 12:28 PM CST
His column wasn't attacked. It was just shown to be inaccurate in reflecting Palin's views.
Matt
posted 9/11/08 @ 1:03 PM CST
Professor Hanlon,
You just quoted Palin as saying, "Our national leaders are sending [our troops] out on a task that is from God."
The full quote, that you conveniently took out of context, was this:
"Pray for our military men and women who are striving to do what is right. (Continued…)
Jon
posted 9/11/08 @ 2:12 PM CST
"that there is a plan"
don't we already know there wasn't a plan?
It's true, she didn't actually say it was a mission from God. She's not Elwood Blues. (Continued…)
Jon
posted 9/11/08 @ 2:22 PM CST
it *is* unfortunate that everyone isn't required to nod their head appreciatively when someone spouts nonsense...there oughta be a law...
GSane
posted 9/11/08 @ 2:29 PM CST
As I said in the comments on the original column, Sarah Palin's mindset on the actions she spoke of, and her actions for that matter, are most likely: "My concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God's side, for God is always right. (Continued…)
EIUGrad04
posted 9/13/08 @ 4:00 PM CST
Dr. Hanlon,
Your statement--Most highly educated people are liberal and because of this, makes them right (I paraphrased) is one of the most arrogant statements I have ever read on any of these kinds of forums. (Continued…)
EIU Grad Student
posted 9/13/08 @ 9:52 PM CST
I tried and tried, and can no longer resist participating in this comments section. Please forgive me.
In all my years of school (from Kindergarten on) I have never once had a teacher who did anything but try their best. (Continued…)
Pops
posted 9/14/08 @ 10:43 PM CST
Dr. (shall I kneel) Hanlon's comments are to me applauding yet strengthening. Ms. Ann and Mr. Zimmerman, print or keep somehow and start your day with them. (Continued…)
EIUGrad04
posted 9/14/08 @ 11:15 PM CST
EIUGrad,
You are missing my point. I never said anything against teachers, it would be pretty stupid for me to do, since I am one. I also agree with your points about education. (Continued…)
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