I don’t subscribe to the belief that certain persons or members of certain classes or groups deserve favored treatment by virtue of their perceived superiority, as in intellect, social status, or financial resources. Likewise, one shouldn’t have to apologize for their smarts, or for maintaining discriminating standards.
Respondoing to criticism that cable news was devoting too much time to Michael Jackson’s death, CNN anchor (and Jacko shill) Don Lemon said, “No, I don’t feel it’s overdoing it. And I don’t — and when I hear people say that, I have to be very honest with you, Howie, I think it’s elitist.”
I have to be very honest with you, Don. You’re clueless. Not as clueless as Sarah Palin, of course, whose disdain for elites (i.e. reasonable critics) made her a hero to many conservatives .
The problem, as far as our political process is concerned, is that half the electorate revels in Palin’s lack of intellectual qualifications. When it comes to politics, there is a mad love of mediocrity in this country. “They think they’re better than you!” is the refrain that (highly competent and cynical) Republican strategists have set loose among the crowd, and the crowd has grown drunk on it once again. “Sarah Palin is an ordinary person!” Yes, all too ordinary.
At least she’s not a (shudder) elitist.
Chatter