Barbie at 60I had to look up “blood libel” after Sarah Palin used that term to refer to those calling for changes in light of the shootings in Tucson. I saw those calls as political opportunism, taking the criminal act of a deranged young man as the basis for new legislation on gun laws, or as an effect of extreme political rhetoric. Note: I’m inclined to think we do need better gun laws (esp. in crazy AZ) and more civil discourse in the political arena, but those can’t be legitimately connected to the killings in Tucson in any cause/effect way.
When Palin described this opportunism as blood libel I didn’t take any particular notice. But when the press jumped all over her use of that expression I Googled it.
Oh my!
She certainly used that term in an analogous sense. That is, she meant to compare this opportunism to the clearly fallacious and slanderous accusations against Jews in the Middle Ages. Two things strike me about her comparison. First, it’s a logically weak comparison. With the blood libel, authorities made up horrible charges against Jews that had no basis in any reality and were meant to inflame passions against them. It’s hard for me to see how that compares in any but the most secondary sense to the current use of the Tucson events by those with a political agenda. In both situations people had an agenda, but the former was based on intentional falsehoods and in the current situation there’s a real, historical event.
The other problem is that she chose this analogy at all. As someone whose stock in trade is public speaking I know how easily one’s foot can find its way into the mouth. But Palin’s remarks were clearly scripted; she was reading from a teleprompter or something similar off-screen. Why in the world would she write a script with an analogy that touches such a raw nerve with a large portion of our population? This was not an extemporaneous blunder or a comment made to individuals and caught by a mic nearby. It was prepared text delivered for public dissemination. Careless at best, bordering on thoughtless insensitivity.
So, is this a woman to whom we want to give an official voice on behalf of the American people?
Yesterday at the lab I saw a couple also waiting to be called back. No need to go into detail, but she was dressed in what would have been attractive on someone else. On her, not so much. Her body type and those wardrobe choices did not go together.
I wondered what her husband thought. Does he see what the rest of us do, or is love blind? Maybe he’s too scared.
If he sees and/or isn’t scared shouldn’t he say something?
Maybe he just loves her too much to hurt her feelings. But sometimes you gotta be cruel to be kind. And trust me, this woman needs some serious kindness.
And that got me to thinking about me. And Pam. And how instinctively kind she is, how thoroughly disinclined to say anything that might hurt my feelings in the smallest degree. So, after thinking about competition in the marketplace I decided we need a day to save us from ourselves.
I’m going to lobby for National HINTY... Day.
Honey, I Need to Tell You....
It will mark the one day a year when spouses set aside time to say to their mates what everyone else in the world thinks but can’t say. It may be a bad comb-over, 3” spike heels, stupid puns, nose hair or too much lipstick. He should give her honest feedback, too. They find a time during the day when it’s just the two of them, the TV is off, and there’s nowhere they have to be for at least three hours. Let the candor begin.
I’ve given some thought to which day of the year we should designate as HINTY... Day but I can’t decide. At first I thought about Feb. 15. That way the affirmation of Valentines Day would soften what might feel pretty hurtful. But then I realized that on any given Valentines Day at least 43% of the husbands get it dreadfully wrong, and following that with, “Dear, you need to increase your jean size by at least two” could significantly increase the violent crime rate. So I’m thinking a day in late January. Having lived in the upper midwest for 17 years I know how miserable everyone is by that time of year. They’ve been freezing cold forever, haven’t seen the sun in weeks and know they’re at least four months away from the color green. As long as all of life is mired in despair we may as well get this out of the way too.
Even though I haven’t worked out all the details I decided to apply the principle immediately, so after dinner last night I told Pam about the gal at the lab and what it made me think about her husband. Then I asked her if there was anything she wanted to tell me, anything I should know about my appearance or behavior. I opened up the door for her own personal HINTY... Day.
I wrote them all down and I’m keeping the notebook on my desk for ready reference.
When Palin described this opportunism as blood libel I didn’t take any particular notice. But when the press jumped all over her use of that expression I Googled it.
Oh my!
She certainly used that term in an analogous sense. That is, she meant to compare this opportunism to the clearly fallacious and slanderous accusations against Jews in the Middle Ages. Two things strike me about her comparison. First, it’s a logically weak comparison. With the blood libel, authorities made up horrible charges against Jews that had no basis in any reality and were meant to inflame passions against them. It’s hard for me to see how that compares in any but the most secondary sense to the current use of the Tucson events by those with a political agenda. In both situations people had an agenda, but the former was based on intentional falsehoods and in the current situation there’s a real, historical event.
The other problem is that she chose this analogy at all. As someone whose stock in trade is public speaking I know how easily one’s foot can find its way into the mouth. But Palin’s remarks were clearly scripted; she was reading from a teleprompter or something similar off-screen. Why in the world would she write a script with an analogy that touches such a raw nerve with a large portion of our population? This was not an extemporaneous blunder or a comment made to individuals and caught by a mic nearby. It was prepared text delivered for public dissemination. Careless at best, bordering on thoughtless insensitivity.
So, is this a woman to whom we want to give an official voice on behalf of the American people?
Yesterday at the lab I saw a couple also waiting to be called back. No need to go into detail, but she was dressed in what would have been attractive on someone else. On her, not so much. Her body type and those wardrobe choices did not go together.
I wondered what her husband thought. Does he see what the rest of us do, or is love blind? Maybe he’s too scared.
If he sees and/or isn’t scared shouldn’t he say something?
Maybe he just loves her too much to hurt her feelings. But sometimes you gotta be cruel to be kind. And trust me, this woman needs some serious kindness.
And that got me to thinking about me. And Pam. And how instinctively kind she is, how thoroughly disinclined to say anything that might hurt my feelings in the smallest degree. So, after thinking about competition in the marketplace I decided we need a day to save us from ourselves.
I’m going to lobby for National HINTY... Day.
Honey, I Need to Tell You....
It will mark the one day a year when spouses set aside time to say to their mates what everyone else in the world thinks but can’t say. It may be a bad comb-over, 3” spike heels, stupid puns, nose hair or too much lipstick. He should give her honest feedback, too. They find a time during the day when it’s just the two of them, the TV is off, and there’s nowhere they have to be for at least three hours. Let the candor begin.
I’ve given some thought to which day of the year we should designate as HINTY... Day but I can’t decide. At first I thought about Feb. 15. That way the affirmation of Valentines Day would soften what might feel pretty hurtful. But then I realized that on any given Valentines Day at least 43% of the husbands get it dreadfully wrong, and following that with, “Dear, you need to increase your jean size by at least two” could significantly increase the violent crime rate. So I’m thinking a day in late January. Having lived in the upper midwest for 17 years I know how miserable everyone is by that time of year. They’ve been freezing cold forever, haven’t seen the sun in weeks and know they’re at least four months away from the color green. As long as all of life is mired in despair we may as well get this out of the way too.
Even though I haven’t worked out all the details I decided to apply the principle immediately, so after dinner last night I told Pam about the gal at the lab and what it made me think about her husband. Then I asked her if there was anything she wanted to tell me, anything I should know about my appearance or behavior. I opened up the door for her own personal HINTY... Day.
I wrote them all down and I’m keeping the notebook on my desk for ready reference.
6 comments:
Is it just for spouses or can we all join in?
Do I LOOK like a fell off a turnip truck??
Spouses only. Sorry to deprive you of the sadistic joy.
Started out following Sherry's blog, from there I found Craig's and from there I found Sue's. I enjoy all 3 very much! You all teach me, with wisdom & humor how to be a better Christian. Thank you! Love the gentle banter between the student & the professor!!!
Don't ever let her know I said this, but she was an outstanding student and a joy to have in class.
Aww! Thanks! That made my night.
(And I've always said Mr. MacDonald was my favorite teacher. I'd say it now, but that would be too sappy.)
Sappy it up, Girl! He might need it after Pam's list. ; )
Sue, you were *also* an excellent RA and a joy to have in the dorm.
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