The Palin Problem

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  • Posted By: John Jeter @ 10/04/2008 5:04:10 PM

    Who's Cincinnatus? Is that where they serve that yummy sweet chili over spaghetti, doggonit, also? There you go again, see, that's just a gotcha elite see-how-smart-we-are liberal-media comment. We need "smart" politicians and "smart" journalists like we need "smart" ... oh, maybe doctors? astronauts? engineers? teachers? Naw, those people all need to learn to "connect with average Joe Sixpacks" when they - oh, I dunno, darn it, remove a tumor from your brain, make scientific discoveries that help us on Earth, teach our children to create a better world. We don't need "smart" people to know when to push the nukular button, also.

    • Posted By: gwbpgs @ 10/04/2008 10:22:39 PM

      Bravo John. Both funny and true.

      • Posted By: stevepro83 @ 10/05/2008 1:10:14 PM

        Yeah,that's it guys;be proud of being ignorant.The worst points of history repeat themselves mainly through the kind of blissful ignorance you practice.I am proud of many American attributes;Pride of ignorance is one American attribute I am not proud of.

        • Posted By: JMacGyver @ 10/08/2008 2:46:36 PM

          Exactly when did the Republicans turn into a party of whiners. Whining that the criticism of Palin is unprecedented is laughable. I suppose they forgot about how they bashed Hillary Clinton in the 90???s when she was simply the wife of the President prior to getting into politics. But no one should expect Palin to go on Meet the Press or Face the Nation. That is an unheard of expectation for someone that wants to be the Vice President. Give me a break. Stop whining and face the facts, you???ve turned into a bunch of out of touch kooks and the rest of the country is tired of hearing you cry about not being treated fairly when your party has pretty much controlled all three branches of government for nearly 12 years and have driven the country into the ground.

      • Posted By: Woman Roar @ 10/05/2008 1:14:51 PM

        I've seen some pretty smart people make some pretty dumb decisions. I think a lot of them are on Wall Street and in Congress right now. How's that working for you?

        • Posted By: Vacherie074 @ 10/05/2008 6:14:31 PM

          AMEN Woman Roar!! Amen!!!!

      • Posted By: TheVigil @ 10/05/2008 1:46:58 PM

        I assume by "smart" you mean educated, well-spoken, accomplished, and respected people. You two don't think these should be criteria for the professions mentioned?

        Do you want a doctor without a medical degree, who hardly knows what a skull is, going into your head?

        Do you want an astronaut without years of training taking a shuttle worth $40 million of our tax money up into the sky? Do you think he'll be able to bring it back down without the possibility of crashing it into a populated area?

        Do you want an engineer to construct a bridge you drive over who may or may not know what the tensile strength of the girders is - in practical terms, how much weight they can really support?

        Do you want a teacher who teaches your child chemistry who can't positively identify what all the dangerous chemicals in the lab are?

        Do you really?

        By the way, I had no idea who Cincinnatus was either. But we have Wikipedia these days:

        http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cincinnatus

        He's relevant to American history:

        http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Society_of_the_Cincinnati

        We have a major city named after just this society. Do you think that the people of Cincinnati shouldn't know where the name of their city came from? Do you think American history falls into the category of "smart" things that we don't need to know?

    • Posted By: duckpile @ 10/05/2008 2:11:10 PM

      Cincinnatus was a legendary man who was called to lead his country, dropped his plow, fixed all that was wrong with local politics, then resumed his plowing.

      • Posted By: momomomo @ 10/05/2008 4:03:43 PM

        Thank you John Jeter-wouldn't it be a reasonable request to have the President of the Us or the VP for that matter, know how to pronounce NU-CLE-AR? Seems like a nit-pciky thing, maybe, but gee whiz, it is the English language. I dunno,maybe though, we just need a leader who can talk to the peasants in their lingo, you know, to get their vote, ya think, maybe?

  • Posted By: Velasquez @ 10/08/2008 2:45:28 PM

    I have never thought that Newsweek was a leftist magazine until now. Thank you for opening my eyes to your political stance so I may better understand your articles for what they truly are. I only have one parting question before I reduce my viewing of your magazine, does Sarah Palin scare you so much that you feel the need to crucify her both verbally and photographically? I have lost most of my faith in the ability for the media to represent either side of the presidential race.
    ~A current conservative democrat who has become ashamed for her own party

  • Posted By: Pallisor @ 10/08/2008 2:45:21 PM

    Virtually no one in America has anything in common with terrorist Osama bin Laden. However, Barack Obama actually does have something very in common with bin Laden.

    They both have friends that have bombed the Pentegon.

  • Posted By: BrittDen @ 10/08/2008 2:44:54 PM

    I am canceling as well... good bye Newsweek!!!!

  • Posted By: Velasquez @ 10/08/2008 2:44:52 PM

    I have never thought that Newsweek was a leftist magazine until now. Thank you for opening my eyes to your political stance so I may better understand your articles for what they truly are. I only have one parting question before I reduce my viewing of your magazine, does Sarah Palin scare you so much that you feel the need to crucify her both verbally and photographically? I have lost most of my faith in the ability for the media to represent either side of the presidential race.
    ~A current conservative democrat who has become ashamed for her own party

  • Posted By: BrittDen @ 10/08/2008 2:43:57 PM

    Ending my subscription... too liberal... good bye

  • Posted By: equalityrpt @ 10/08/2008 2:43:54 PM

    Whoa, I thought Newsweek was an non-biased reputible magazine. I definitely was a little folksy in my perception............i just saw the MSNBC emblem at the top of the page.....or "The Place for Democratic Politics".....the article on Sarah Palin is extremely biased....and you betcha America sees it!!

  • Posted By: standfortruth08 @ 10/08/2008 2:43:49 PM

    Dear Newsweek,

    I didn't get the memo that your periodical is only for liberals and anyone that doesn't fit into that category shall be torn down. I'm a common person in a swing state - do you really think knocking on 'common folks' like your article hits at is going to push me to choose your slanted view in this article. Where's the photoshop work and halo over her head like you had on Obama's covers? Why aren't you probing into Obama's experience like you are Palins?

    The truth hurts - Gov. Palin has more executive experience than Barack Obama. She got into higher office wanting to make a difference in her community starting at the local level. Sen. Obama got into politics only for the mere goal of being President and he has befriended anyone (or organization) with money to fund his campaign including Ayers and others. That's not the moral responsibility we need running our country.

    You want to go into troopergate - Why don't you tell the average 'folks' what it is? Her ex-brother in law (trooper at the time) TAZERED her 6-year old nephew. She thought that was an unacceptable use of power and wrote a letter asking for review of his conduct. Several other issues compound - budget, job performance, etc. that led to firing of ex brother-in-laws boss. But then the unions have to get involved and make it into something huger than it really is. I'm sorry if I have an employee under me acting inappropriately and I'm the supervisor, YES, I am accountable as well. Welcome to the real world!

    Please step up to the plate and be a journalist with some sort of moral fabric for fairness in reporting. What is going on today with this media resembles marxism and trends seen in Stalin's era. America is supposed to be the place of free thinkers and democracy - not regurgitated propaganda.

  • Posted By: Justice-American @ 10/08/2008 2:43:32 PM

    You must be mad that Palin is sailing into the hearts of Americans all across this great land. Americans who agree with her that freedom must be fought for in each generation. Americans who believe in the constitution. Americans who believe In God We Trust. Americans who are in the middle class and knows what it means to be an American and are proud enough to say I am proud to be an American. From sea to shining sea, America rise up and fight! Fight against those who presume they know what is better for our country, but they continue to destroy our country!!!

  • Posted By: MommyMitzi @ 10/08/2008 1:38:55 PM

    It was a risky move to decide to use this article as your cover story. But, unlike many of the comments below, which lambaste Newsweek for being "leftist," I applaud your efforts to bring Palin's shortcomings to light in the "mainstream media." Yes, Palin is probably a lovely person on a personal level and she has a charm that's engaging at times, but the thought of her perhaps being president keeps me awake at night. It's absolutely unbelievable to me that so many people blame the media and not her for her lack of knowledge in so many critical areas, and continue to defend her.

    Bravo, Newsweek! You obviously made a lot of enemies with this article, but I thank you for your guts. I think the results on Nov 4 will prove you right.

    PS. For those complaining about the "unretouched photo"--as a 43 yr old woman myself, if I could look half this good in a photo this large without being retouched, I'd be elated. While I do think it's an odd photo for the cover, did the complainers really expect an airbrushed photo like what we'd see on the cover of Glamour?

    • Posted By: lilmoz @ 10/08/2008 1:56:39 PM

      People like you scare me Mommimitzi. Your "messiah" is no better than Sarah Palin. I stay awake all night worrying that HE will be our next president. This guy is a wolf in sheep's clothing and you are just as brainwashed as the rest of the classless democrats.

      • Posted By: MommyMitzi @ 10/08/2008 2:43:26 PM

        Interesting use of quotation marks since I made no mention of messiah, or for that matter, Barak Obama himself. Is it necessary to call me a "classless democrat" in refuting my view? You are entitled to your opinion and your vote, but I have very little respect for those posting reply comments where the poster is criticized rather than the message.

  • Posted By: Jenksmom @ 10/08/2008 2:42:03 PM

    WHY IN THE WORLD WOULD THIS MAG UNTOUCH THIS PIC OF GOV PALIN AND PUT SUCH A CLOSE UP ON THE COVER!!! I AM CANCELING MY SUBSCRIPTION!!! LOOK @ THE PAST FEW COVERS OF OBAMA!! HE PRACTICALLY LOOKS LIKE A GOD! I'M DONE WITH NEWSWEEK!

  • Posted By: Joe G @ 10/08/2008 2:19:33 PM

    Dumb is not the word. She is simply non-curious as a great deal of Americans have become. It is amazing that to be intellectually curious, doubtful, and educated is now equated with elitism in America. While Americans absolutely want Kobe Bryant and Lebron James on the Olympic basketball team because they are the best at what they do, they want the six-year journalism major from Idaho to be running the free world because she "is just like us." I have a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science and History. I was required to be fluent in discussing important Constitutional Law cases - things that have shaped our society. I had to read the Federalist Papers and understand the personalities behind the men who wrote the essays. But in addition to HAVING to do these things to earn a meaningless degree from the University of Nevada, I had the intellectual curiosity to WANT to know these things as an American. She's applying for the White House for crying out loud. People like Sarah Palin and George Bush - and isn't the ignorant, god-loving Governor from a large oil producing state shtick getting a bit stale? - have no intellectual curiosity and yet have grabbed on to the American flag and made it unpatriotic to be curious, to question, and to doubt. Adams, Jefferson, Madison, Hamilton, Franklin etal., while flawed human beings as we all are, were enlightened intellectuals - the very people so abhorrent to the Palin's of the world. It truly is sad.

    • Posted By: suzvoter47 @ 10/08/2008 2:41:26 PM

      Enter Your Comment Joe I agree with you I habe worked as a psychologist for several years predominatly with teens. What I have experienced is the Dumbing Down of America. So often we expect so little regarding learning about history and current isues that our young people do not know or care how to critically think. A sad state of affairs.

  • Posted By: treed66 @ 10/08/2008 2:40:24 PM

    Newsweek has a bunch of white trash sc*m*bags at the helm. Shameful journalism....but then again, partisan hacks like those at this magazine know that already.

  • Posted By: ToopyPooperton @ 10/08/2008 2:40:21 PM

    I repeat! I will never subscribe to Newsweek! I feel as though the cover photo, and the text, is biased and unfair. Where has unbiased journalism gone? To be honest, I remember when we looked to journalists to present a fair, objective, and educated commentary. ...but like the dinosaurs, they're dead. Which brings me back to my opening statement. "I will never subscribe to Newsweek!"

  • Posted By: atul @ 10/08/2008 2:40:04 PM

    This cover and title just proves to me that press has sold it sole to liberals. Vice President candidate, Sarah Palin is naturally beautiful but to magnify her picture to make her look less attractive and if that???s not enough throw an ugly title on her picture. I do not ever remember a cover on Newsweek that did made person look less beautiful. If tables were turned I do not think liberals would be happy right now. Thirty days are left before election and this is the type of garbage press can throw at people.

    It is responsibility of a reporter to tell American people the truth without picking sides. I am finding myself losing faith in our press.

    On press defense they have so much completion with news now days that they have to present news in such a way that they can sell subscription. If anyone disagree, I suggest just look up any major news or major website and see if reporter is bias with his or her writing. ???Good bye Newsweek

  • Posted By: tammy_in_texas @ 10/08/2008 2:38:54 PM

    Would love to see a story on Joe Biden's idiocy in the next edition.

  • Posted By: haleysus @ 10/08/2008 2:38:31 PM

    How is this guy's opinion the COVERSTORY on NEWSWEEK?!?

    And please, stop calling her stupid. She served as a sucessful mayor and governor, and is the mother of five children. She is obviously is a talented leader. All of this other stuff about the way she speaks is just superficial and insulting.

  • Posted By: MinnesotaStepMom @ 10/08/2008 2:24:18 PM

    "Ms. Palin, I have met Joe Six-pack. I have worked with him, and had a beer with him,
    and you are no Joe Six-pack."

    • Posted By: Pallisor @ 10/08/2008 2:38:31 PM

      Are you using that old pathetic line that killed idiot Lloyd Benson's career? Geez.... find something new.

  • Posted By: Cloudosmoke @ 10/08/2008 2:37:13 PM

    Obama, the only true Maverick.

  • Posted By: treed66 @ 10/08/2008 2:37:00 PM

    Newsweek has a bunch of white trash scumbags at the helm. Shameful journalism....but then again, partisan hacks like those at this magazine know that already.

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