What Could Hillary Have Taught Sarah?
Yesterday I came across quite a 'blog' on The Daily Beast. What Hillary Can Teach Sarah Palin?
By Tina Brown. http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2009-06-14/what-hillary-can-teach-sarah-palin/?cid=bs:featured3
This makes we wonder, as I do oft times, what could Shakespeare have taught me?
Or what could Olivier have taught Harrison Ford?
Or what could Beethoven have taught Eminem?
Or what could Frank Lloyd Wright have taught the roofer working across the street this very minute?
Or what could Tiger Woods have taught the old duffer walking his normal nine every Sunday?
Or what could Michaelangelo have taught the guy working in the back room at the pottery barn?
Or what could anyone have taught w?
So many questions and so little time to answer them. What can I say but 'thank God' for small favors. But let us think on Tina Brown's inquiry.
What could Hillary have taught Sarah Palin? (I put it in the past tense, since Hillary is working on keeping the entire globe from blowing up and will continue in this service for the next eight years, hopefully. And Palin has a lot of moose to shoot from helicopters and such. Hard to get these two together for any meaningful lessons.) Well let's take a look at this from a different perspective than Tina Brown.
1. Hillary might have taught Palin that school is not really a waste of time unless one makes it so. Therefore it might be important for Palin to finish her four year degree and take a few pre law courses.
2. Hillary might suggest that Palin then take some good LSAT courses.
3. Hillary might then suggest, assuming that Palin got into a good law school, to study real hard and graduate from that law school in the top five percent of her class.
4. Hillary might also suggest that Palin take some courses in the Humanities. At least some Dickens and some Twain if not Joyce and Faulkner. 50 or 60 credits in at least American History would certainly not hurt.
5. Hillary then, might suggest that Palin become an aide to a top member of Congress, learning some of the ins and outs of Capitol Hill.
6. Hillary might suggest that Palin choose a member who has some 'pull' at a Committee that actually does something. Get involved in a series of hearings looking into the misuse and abuse of executive powers; Senator Whitehouse might be a good pick.
7. Hillary might suggest that Palin get involved in a long and arduous attempt at working on an important piece of legislation; something that might affect the nation for decades to come. It would matter not if that legislation ever was passed. The long and arduous work on that legislation would surely teach the Alaskan Governor something about the legislative process that affects the lives of 300,000,000 people.
8. Hillary might suggest that Palin get a job with a top White House aide for four or more years to get the hang about how the White House works.
So after twenty years or so, Palin, with some hard work and
determination might be better prepared, to run as
her party's nominee for President of the
Oh and no real reason to waste your time reading Tina Brown.
Is there ever a reason to read Tina Brown? Back in print-world, she just about killed everything she helmed.
And writing any advice to Sarah Palin is a futile endeavor. After all, she reads so many newspapers and magazines ("All of them!" was her quote to Katie Couric, herself no Murrow or Cronkite.) that by the time she got to it, she'd be nearing retirement age.
June 16, 2009 12:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
It just struck me Grouch. The stupidity of it all. You or I could go on for ten pages on this. Palin scares me.
If w could get elected so could Palin even though a good measure of people in 2000 thought they were voting for his daddy.
June 16, 2009 12:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Please don't say "Palin scares me". I'm so sick of hearing Palinbots shriek about how the "libtards" are TERRIFIED of Palin. It makes me sad to see that you wrote exactly that. Are you really, truly frightened of her?
June 17, 2009 6:58 AM | Reply | Permalink
Gosh, guys - what do you have against Tina Brown? I'll give you that she affects a brittle sophisticate style that is reminiscent of Maureen Dowd, but Tina's is a smarter, or at least a more thoroughly researched version, yes/no?
June 16, 2009 12:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
My comment, Wendy, references her career as publisher. Not enviable, really.
And is a "smarter...more thoroughly researched" MoDo really what we need? I'll take one Christiane Amanpour over ten (improved) Maureen Dowds any day of the year. I'll take one Lara Logan over the same ten MoDos, or, again, one Helen Thomas instead for that matter.
June 16, 2009 12:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
Can't argue with you there, OG -- Christiane Amanpour is really good and Helen Thomas is the best. But if you toss them into the comparison, then you are in a different league (dare we say class?) altogether. Apples to oranges, etc..
June 16, 2009 12:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
We're talking published, ostensible journalists here. And I decided to keep it to the women, to avoid unwanted implications. The only reason it's an unfair comparison is that Tina Brown or Maureen Dowd are nowhere close to being in the same league, even though they play the same game.
More like the New Britain Rock Cats compared to the Minnesota Twins, if you will, than the apples/oranges comparison.
June 16, 2009 1:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
The Rock cats, er Rawk! what are you trying to say?
June 16, 2009 8:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
No Belle I do not even know this Tina. I just got mad when I saw Hillary put in the same sentence as Palin. Hence the satire. ha!
June 16, 2009 12:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
Add to list of counterfactuals...
- what could DickDay have taught Tina Brown?
- what could TheraP have taught CIA 'psychologists'?
- what could Flowerchild have taught Robert Reich?
- what could Bwakfat have taught the unrighteous?
- what could TPMGary have taught Blunderdick?
- what could LisB have taught bad writers?
- what could Quinn have taught America?
...oh, you're already doing that?
Okay, well then carry on! Fine teachers all.
;0)
June 16, 2009 12:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
Anyone want to switch students?
June 16, 2009 12:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
Good one Gary. It took me a sec to get it and then ahahahahah. see, the delay proves a good joke. hahaha
June 16, 2009 12:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
Dunno Gary, bring it up at the next departmental meeting... don't think you'll get many takers though. Maybe Stratofrog'll take him. That frog's CRAZY! Of course your student may transfer to the Hague, in which case....
June 16, 2009 1:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sorry for the delay. I’ve been away with an unspecified illness at an undisclosed location. I come back to find I’ve been diagnosed in abstention. CRAZY! Wow. Thanks. I’ll take that as long as I’m not compared to Palin. I will be away for a time and I know you all can hold the world together while I’m gone. I will miss you very much, I already do. I shall return.
June 16, 2009 6:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
We are all thinking about you at all times Strato--
SO WATCH YOUR STEP!!!!
June 16, 2009 7:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
ack!!!!
(sad cheeckan)
June 16, 2009 8:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
You named him... I think you're stuck with him:)
June 16, 2009 3:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
well, I'll accept that. But would anyone care to recommend a syllabus for Blunderdick?
June 16, 2009 4:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hmmm...
What was that one famous football coach Vince Lombardi would do... always go back to the basics every time the team lost.
He would always start with football in hand, 'gentlemen, 'this' is a football'.
I kind of think that's what you're going to have to do with Dick:)
June 16, 2009 4:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Blunderdick, this is a football."
June 16, 2009 5:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
Careful, he might shoot it.
June 16, 2009 5:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
lol,
yes, well that's the idea but I thought it would be more of a government 101 type introduction rather than football basics:)
*tpmgary holds up a copy of the constitution*
'Blunderdick, this is the constitution.'
June 16, 2009 5:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
"the constitution?? What the hell does the constitution have to do with government?" protested Blunderdick as he shot to his feet unaware that the student desk he was sitting in rose with him, tightly dangled around his gut.
June 16, 2009 5:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
lol,
Apparently he has been using it for toilet paper for so long he's forgotten what it really is.
June 16, 2009 6:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ahem... you've definitely got your work cut out for you... better to hope that he get tried, sentenced, and incarcerated so you're off the hook.
June 16, 2009 6:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
(raises wing.....shuffles feet)
June 16, 2009 8:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is pretty good. Sans my name I hereby award you the Dayly Comment of the Day Award for this here TPMCafe, given to all of you from all of me.
The girls are going to get a kick out of this. hahahah
June 16, 2009 12:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
ZE PRIZE! You're too kind Dick. And no, your name is top of that list for a reason. I always learn so much from you. Best class I've taken since Philosophy of Sex back in the day...
;0)
June 16, 2009 1:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm still laughing at your response to Gary.hahaahah
June 16, 2009 1:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Love your list too, Obey. Thanks for adding it on to DD's. Of course I am partial to LisB teaching bad writers but then again, I guess I am partial to her in many ways..
June 16, 2009 1:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
who are the un-righteous?
ack!
I thought everyone was righteous!
I could teach people to use adobe software, and have done so. Otherwise.... I ain't got nuttin'.
June 16, 2009 8:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
hahahahahhahah. I cannot figure out how to cut and paste from Adobe.
So make sure you tell me sometime. ha
June 16, 2009 8:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
After Effects?
June 16, 2009 8:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Dear Diary,
What could Joe Wood have taught
unrepentant racists,
Iranian hardliners,
critics of Obama,
and people who freely choose to still be Republicans?
(???? What a self important la de dah poofdah! What a great pillock!)
Block out bad thoughts,
breathe in the good....
Ahhhhh
June 17, 2009 2:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
How ya doin Joe? Up late again.
This Palin bothers me to no end! Ha!
June 17, 2009 9:44 AM | Reply | Permalink
Once again you put out a great blog - they just keep coming and bless you for that. I think Tina Brown would be well served to read YOUR blog.
June 16, 2009 1:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
I can appreciate no one else's blessings more than yours, Maggie. You have a good day.
June 16, 2009 1:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sorry I'm late. GREAT post (as always)! And I think Wendy could teach bad writers a helluva lot better than I could, but...thanks.
June 16, 2009 1:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh, our Poetess Emeritus also shows humility.
Late? I just posted an hour ago. hahahaha
I do not like seeing Hillary and Palin on the same level. ha!
Obey is pretty funny today though. hahahaha
June 16, 2009 1:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obey is pretty funny every day. I mean....just look at him. Pretty funny looking dog, no?
June 16, 2009 5:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Mme de Staebler is something else, I agree, Lis. But I do love your writing.
;0)
June 16, 2009 1:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
Why, thanks, Obey.
*scratches the dog behind the ears*
June 16, 2009 5:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
I could see an endless list of possible things that Hillary could teach Sarah if they were both so inclined.
But as that is highly unlikely, if I really want to ponder what if's and what would be's, I'd rather ponder, as you suggest, something grander and more interesting than that.
June 16, 2009 3:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well put Sync.
June 16, 2009 4:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
She could have taught her to mind her background when she's talking Turkey: http://boingboing.net/2008/11/21/the-sarah-palin-turk.html
June 16, 2009 4:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
That is one of my favorites. hahahahahah
June 16, 2009 4:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
My informed suspicion is that the camera guy probably kept quiet during setup. He had to see what was back there. Maybe he wasn't a Caribou Barbie fan.
June 16, 2009 6:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
I have great respect for Hillary Clinton, but also, for Sarah Palin. Sarah has not achieved prominance through a wealthy father as some women have, or through a powerful and influential husband. She got everything ON HER OWN. It's hard not to respect that achievement. That said, the posting is amusing.
June 16, 2009 4:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ok Maryalice. I'll take that. Thank you.
June 16, 2009 4:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
You mean McCain gets no credit?
June 16, 2009 5:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
I dunno Loosey. McCain's gotta a lotta splainin to do. ha
It is like the political stage is one of those reality shows. They make no sense. You eat worms or swap your spouse or some such.
And then somebody 'wins'.
At least I can understand Susan Boyle.
But Palin cannot even sing, let alone speak, let alone reason..
June 16, 2009 5:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
Good point, Loosey!
June 16, 2009 5:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hillary could have recommended Sarah:
(1) Communicate with Bristol. Find out what is going on in her life(!) Talk about the responsibilities of child bearing and the advantages of abstinence or birth control.
(2)Take some time out from advancing her own career to ensure that her daughters do not hang out with boys from Wasilla households where the Mom is engaged in criminal activities like cooking methamphetamine. link
June 16, 2009 7:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh there are things she could do and you are not that far off base.
June 16, 2009 8:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
What could anybody have taught w? Thanks for the chuckle DD.
Stuff happens in every family.
Sara plays the celebrity reality game show well. She has won cash, prizes, travel vacations, and shopping sprees. And even after getting voted off she is still playing. She is loveable and hateable so she appeals to most everybody. Add a 30-pack of beer and you have quality entertainment. Cable teevee carries the Palin Show evey day, and HuffPo devotes a whole tab to the adventures of Sarah.
Meanwhile kids will be kids. The more successful kids will manage to keep the cops away from the front door, but stuff happens. Kids make bad choices and sometimes learn and sometimes get caught and sometimes die. Sarah has to hustle before time runs out and a new player is selected. So the kids get left alone and push their luck, and get stuck with the consequences of actual reality. I wonder what the First Drone could teach his kids if he were not so enthralled with snow machines. Spank me for gossiping. But it seems like a partner has a duty to compensate for the other one being unavailable to family needs. It's not like he has a job.
June 17, 2009 12:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well Tao, you found my punch line. ahahahaha
The Palins are making more money than they ever could have dreamed of in a lifetime, from one book that has not been written--regardless of who is really writing it. If the people do not like it, the RNC will buy thousands of copies like they did with the last Swift Boat attack on Obama before the election.
They have nothing to worry about. THEY ARE DOING IT FOR THE MONEY.
At least that is my assessment.
40 people were out there protesting Letterman last night and that had dwindled down to a dozen. Ha
June 17, 2009 1:18 PM | Reply | Permalink