by Ian Ransom
Martha Stewart says Sarah Palin is "boring," "confused" and "dangerous" in the same breath wherein she admits she doesn't watch Sarah Palin's interviews and "wouldn't if you paid [her]". So I guess that means she lets other people form her judgments for her? Who are we kidding; Stewart probably pays someone to do that. There's probably an office at Martha Stewart Omnimedia: "Official Opinion Former." And the office is very, very chilly.
Ho hum.
It's the same, tired line used by neurotic, self-designated "elitist" liberals who never bother with things like rationality, common sense, or basic respect, and who instead believe that their fleeting, loony emotions--combined with whatever superficial "buzz" happens to be floating around one of their smug cocktail parties--makes them "informed" and possessive of intellect. It would be hilarious, if it weren't so tragic for the nation, for the human race. Why not respectfully disagree with Palin on a specific policy, or choose not to comment at all, instead of launching catty ad hominem remarks and behaving like a person who was raised without manners?
For all of her regal posturing and anal-retentive "elite cookie" baking, convicted felon and ex-jailbird Martha Stewart is, we must allow, personally knowledgeable regarding what represents "danger" to American society. In this interview clip, I'd say she also looks indelibly confused herself.
Genuinely conservative American women, in my experience, are far less likely to be so tactless and shallow when push comes to shove. Sarah Palin is a fine, exemplary human being first, but she also exemplifies the best when it comes to her gender. Sarah Palin walks through the world with good cheer and a smile, working just as hard as Stewart, whose bitterness seems written all over the face of a woman who, it would appear, has not been able to buy much happiness or Wisdom with all of her money--even, apparently, any parcels possibly gained via legally deemed ill-gotten means.
Happy Thanksgiving, Martha. You have shown yourself to be a foolish follower, and an utterly graceless individual, despite your tiresome pretensions and forced haughtiness. Are American conservative women and their values of interest to you? Do you want them to purchase your products? Some women do know how to stick together for the common good, and Stewart (along with her fellow superior specimens) may just witness that phenomenon firsthand.
Wouldn't that be a "good thing."
- Ian
Much of modern thought is a version of Gnosticism, a belief that one should try to rise above the corrupt physical world-that-is, to a better more "spiritual" realm. We see it often in the desire of many people to have "prefect" bodies, perfect decor (**coughMarthaStewartcough**)... and perfect children.
ReplyDeleteSarah's decision to bear, and openly love, an extremely imperfect child is a total slap in the face to this sort of thinking, to Martha Stewart. And people like Stewart are very nervous and touchy, because deep down they know that they are, like all of us, imperfect, and are condemned by their own philosophy!
I would not refer to her as a felon--that conviction was BS. But the interesting thing is that she has no children, no happy family, no messy-but-comfortable home where friends drop in. I've heard she drove a loving husband away by her manic ambition and perfectionism. She's the utter opposite of Sarah.
John, very astute that you mentioned Gnosticism. I've done a lot of study on the Gnostic phenomenon as it has manifested itself throughout history (as you surely know, it was a particularly virulent problem in the early history of the Christian Church; gnostic tendencies seriously threatened orthodox faith).
ReplyDeleteYes, we do indeed witness a tailored form of gnostic thought/self-perception in our contemporary culture. Very insidious--like the gnostic strains of old. Your points were well-made and I'm jazzed that you referenced such a connection.
As for Stewart's conviction, like many, I thought she was clearly being "made an example of," but from the vantage-point of where she stands now, after such a conviction and humbling, making arrogant comments about Sarah Palin, I'm not inclined to cut her any slack on the felony.
Thanks again for your excellent comment.
Conservative women left Oprah; now it is time
ReplyDeleteto leave Martha Stewart.
My wife sure has. She was not amused! In fact she was much more annoyed than I was.
ReplyDeleteYes, referring to Stewart's genuine status as a felon was uncharitable on my part. I realize that, and I don't take pleasure in annoying good people (like you or your wife). Please do pardon me for that.
ReplyDeleteTo clarify (because I am actually a caring man and I've got a minute or two), in no other context would I refer to Martha's felonious past save to illustrate the irony inherent when ~she~ specifically pronounces ~Palin~ a "danger" to society (and "society" would appear to be the implication, when Stewart uses the terms "government" and the disturbingly generic "dangerous person" in such blunt fashion).
I'm very disappointed in that particular brand of hypocrisy, that specific level of it...coming, as it did, from someone (a fellow, influential woman, no less) who was publicly taken to task and who should know better, at least *in public.* In that light, I think Martha's classifications of Palin are far more uncalled-for, objectionable, vile, and certainly more unwarranted than my designation of M-Stew as "felon."
As 'Anne of Green Gables' deftly opined to meddling Rachel Lynde during her famous "apology" scene at Avonlea: "Everything I said about you is true...only I shouldn't have said it."
But she didn't take anything back. Nor shall I.
A guarantee, however: I don't (and won't) make a habit out of mentioning Martha's former criminal status. There is, as I'm sure we can agree, much more to admire about the woman and her own steely "can-do" approach to...well, pretty much Everything. I find it unfortunate that she cannot recognize her own steadfast qualities in her fellow human (and female): Palin. Or perhaps she does, and that is why she opened her thoughtless trap so blithely.
Mistakes happen in life. Legal ones, often. Martha's paid her debt to society. She's a very worthy woman, all things considered. I was making a particular point about glass houses, only.
If Martha made me a cake, I'd accept it and enjoy. The file inside could likely be put to some good use, too.
[JUST k.i.d.d.i.n.g]
Seriously: thanks for telling me that you were annoyed. I do understand why and do respect the reasons why. Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving to Ye.
BTW, You keep a fine blog. I checked it out.