The American Spectator

Biff Tannen| 1.12.11 @ 11:53AM

The problem is that Sarah Palin is a worthless fool.

David W| 1.12.11 @ 1:39PM

Wait, wasn't Biff Tannen a character on Back to the Future? The paragon of humility, of subtle intelligence, of love your fellow man? No, he was the knuckle dragging, butt head hating, man who cleverly said "make like a tree and get out of here". Well said Biff.

NavyBrat| 1.12.11 @ 1:39PM

And who are you again? An anonymous poster with the handle of a douchebag from an 80's movie. Wow. You're just the picture of "gravitas."

Patriot| 1.12.11 @ 1:46PM

Hey, Biff--that "worthless fool" lives rent free in your fevered libtard brain. Pretty soon she'll be demanding YOU pay her! Hilarious.

Sarah wins again!

LOUIS MORELLI| 1.18.11 @ 9:56AM

YOU ARE A MORON IF ANYONE IS A WORTHLESS FOOL, IT IS YOU - IDIOT....IF SHS IS A FOOL WHAT IS THAT PUPIT PRESIDENT. A GENIUS?

allupinit| 1.18.11 @ 9:16PM

YEP! a genius all the way. NO BRAG, JUST FACT!

marin j smith| 1.12.11 @ 12:00PM

No, the above poster and writer of this article are both fools. And, in the case of the writer dishonest. I thin you should have quoted Palin at length at let the reader decide for ourselves. So forgive me if I take you too seriousl-at least enough to respond. And btw I am not even a big Sarah Palin Fan. I just don't like your attitude and tone.

Chris| 1.18.11 @ 11:33AM

Yeah, the above poster is a fool but I suspect you did not read 'the writer's' article. He is defending Palin and saying that we are taking her use of the word too seriously.

If I really thought Palin knew what it meant when she said, I would be offended. (haha-not really. I am an atheist.) but she did not know but at least we can believe she writes her own speeches.

-c

Jay Stephens| 1.12.11 @ 12:02PM

Up Yours, Biff! See how easy and worthwhile ad hominem is .

ndfan| 1.12.11 @ 12:16PM

An ironic comment coming from someone with the name or nickname of "Biff".

Thomas Aquinas| 1.12.11 @ 12:23PM

I disagree. "Blood libel" is surely appropriate. Remember, conservatives hate gays, hate women, and hate minorities, and this "hate" leads to murder. That's their schtick. I take it seriously. Thus, to stop us is to stop hate and murder. The next logical step is to put it in reeducation camps. Don't think it would happen? Think again. Who would have predicted same-sex marriage 30 years ago? Don't forget. If you disagree with liberals on this issue you are a stupid hater. Stupid haters can be marginalized, ought to reeducated, and if that does not work, perhaps the death panels.

It's the dumbest thing in the world not to take these people seriously.

Grow a pair

Buckminster| 1.14.11 @ 10:17PM

It seems that, aside from the phrase 'blood libel' being used politically long before Palin used it, there is even a similarity to 'The Blood Libel' used against the Jews. That was used to support horrific, unjustifiable violence against the Jews. Interestingly, this present-day example of slander and libel is being used to support the idea of unjustifiable violence against and murder of Sarah Palin (as a number of people and groups have actually called, both directly and indirectly, for her murder).

Wayne | 1.12.11 @ 12:26PM

Forget the history lesson. The Left have used this Bloody tragedy to libel Sarah Palin. That is the Blood Libel and it has been disgusting. Chris Matthews even suggested that some one "take out" Sarah Palin.

Patriot| 1.12.11 @ 2:20PM

Matthews is a slug.

ManAboutWeb| 1.12.11 @ 12:28PM

Mr. Tabin, I don't WANT to take it seriously, but when she's being manufactured as some sort of conservative monotlith, and has all their ears, it's hard to not take it seriously.

alanstorm| 1.12.11 @ 12:29PM

Jay, please use the term "ad hominem" correctly. Simply calling Biff names is not an example. Now, were you to say "How the *@I* can you take the opinions of someone called "Biff" seriously?", THAT would be an example - attacking the message by discrediting the messenger. However, it's not necessary to attack Biff that way, even though his name is extremely silly. The fact that his comment is self-evidently false is enough.

As to the article, I would guess that not that many people actually knew the derivation of "blood libel". Despite the worthless opinions of Adam Serwer, the analogy is apt - the usage is not equating criticism of SP with genocide, and only a fool or a democrat could reach that conclusion. The analogy is equating ACCUSATIONS of bloodletting with accusations of responsibility for bloodletting, a nuance that surely the brilliant minds on the left can grasp. Adam's equation of blood libel with genocide is bizarre, to say the least - but entirely predictable.

Kingofthenet| 1.12.11 @ 12:47PM

I actually think she may have wrote this, with the help of a 'Word processor. She loves "Masculine and Violent' adverbs and adjectives­. So she felt she was 'libeled', but not merely run of the mill, Libeled, far worse (Asks WP for suggestion­s) 'BLOOD' LIBELED!

Patriot| 1.12.11 @ 1:50PM

I actually think she may have WRITTEN this.

FIFY, Getthenet!

matthew s harrison| 1.12.11 @ 1:02PM

First of all, Biff Tannen was the idiot character in Back To The Future, so the name is fitting of the poster and his incoherent rambling.
Second, Kingofthenet-come on dude-really? She may have wrote this? Really-are you really that illiterate, or is that just part of your shtick?
Lastly-I am not a giant Sarah fan. I am a conservative-but I really can't stand to hear her talk. I don't hear brilliance-I hear a blue collar hard working woman who loves her country, her family, and conservative values-but that is where it stops for me.
HOWEVER, the attacks on her are hilarious-and just further shine light on the fact that the whole of the left, the ones who want her dead, who beat up on her CHILDREN, and who are disgustingly violent in their statements to and about her, are just terrified that she may one day be the POTUS.
Most of we adults know that will never happen, but the left seem to be so terrified they will attack her, call for her death, call her and her teenage daughter a whore, call for her rape, etc...
I am so embarrassed for all of the left, and their hijacking of the murders in Tucson for their political expedience, it is almost funny. It must be such an embarrassment to be so ignorant to reality that one can take a map with surveyors' symbols on it and say that the person who made the map is responsible for the murder, when the very people making that accusation have called for the murder and/or rape of every conservative leader in the last 20 years, have set bombs in the capitol, and 100 or so other public places, causing the death by murder of countless civilians, police, and military, call for the violent rape of public figures, call for the murder of sitting presidents, and regularly show their opponents in sniper cross hairs, call for the execution of political candidates, and regularly beat up, firebomb, and vandalize the supporters and offices of political opponents.
All the rhetoric from Biff, Kingofthenet, and other brain dead leftists who can't spell, have poor grammar, and spew bullshit, is just that-rhetoric from lunatics who are not so much as one rung up the ladder above this Laughner psycho who did the Tucson wet work.
Grow up lefties-you are making fools of yourselves-although your psychotic, ignorant, and unintelligible rantings do provide great comedic relief to my workday!

Kingofthenet| 1.12.11 @ 1:14PM

The term “blood libel” is not a synonym for “false accusation.” It refers to a specific falsehood perpetuated by Christians about Jews for centuries, a falsehood that motivated a good deal of anti-Jewish violence and discrimination. Unless someone has been accusing Ms. Palin of killing Christian babies and making matzoh from their blood, her use of the term is totally out-of-line.

Nick| 1.12.11 @ 1:21PM

King of the Morons,

You just blood libeled Christians.

Patriot| 1.12.11 @ 1:52PM

LOL! Good one, Nick.

David Zarmi| 1.12.11 @ 8:59PM

Wow Nick, I've been reading a lot about this "controversy" and you are by far the stupidest person I've seen post anything. Do you know what the word libel means? That would be a false accusation. Not a true one.

Patriot| 1.12.11 @ 10:22PM

What would a moron like you know about the truth?

Nick| 1.12.11 @ 11:34PM

Wow, Mr. Zarmi, how are you able to type so well with your head shoved up your backside?

Granite Sentry| 1.12.11 @ 1:15PM

The immediate reaction is just the Left's double standard in microfocus; they allow themselves bottomless flexibility of language but turn grindingly pedantic when the Right tries to do the same. Post your own examples at www.granitesentry.com. Having a day-long festival of comity comedy to warm up for the Unity speech tonight.

Oldefarte| 1.12.11 @ 1:26PM

Wise up, folks! Palin, Limbaugh, Hannity, Beck, etc [and any/all conservatives] are/will be critisized for BREATHING [and not only for work usage]. That's what the LEFT .......does!!!!!!!!

Thomas Aquinas| 1.12.11 @ 1:50PM

Hey, "Kingofthenet," etymology does not determine use. Every half-wit whose study linguistics knows that. Take, for example, the word "holocaust." Prior to Hitler's atrocity it had a different connotation. Now, if I say "Fred denies the holocaust," everyone thinks I'm claiming he is a "Holocaust denier" when in fact I could mean in its original Hebraic sense of "burnt offering."

BTW, do you know that the original meaning of "asshole" referred to the a portion of the large intestine? Now, it may refer to Kingoftheinternet. See, words do change their meaning.

Patriot| 1.12.11 @ 1:54PM

You guys are crackin' me up today; except that halfwit Getthenet.

David Zarmi| 1.12.11 @ 9:16PM

No, etymology does not determien meaning - usage does. The usage is just incorrect. Maybe in 100 years Palin's usage will be correct and the sentence: "I have been blood-libeled that I stole $100 from this man," will make sense. It doesn't now (see post below).

David Zarmi| 1.12.11 @ 9:18PM

And what's really sad are the ad hominem and vulgar attacks on people you all disagree with.

Patriot| 1.12.11 @ 10:25PM

Just once I'd like to see you pathetic Leftists own some of the vile garbage that regularly spews from your mouths.

Just once, hypocrite.

Quartermaster| 1.12.11 @ 1:58PM

The term "Blood Libel" is entirely appropriate in this case. The left is trying to smear conservatives by waving a bloody shirt and blaming it on us. The true beneficiary of this is the left that is trying to make political points by walking through the blood of the victims of deranged murderer who actually appears to be one of their own.

Blood Libel is exactly what they are attempting.

Bill| 1.12.11 @ 2:27PM

I couldn't agree with you more.

The term "blood libel" was probably a poor choice of words because it IS a bit loaded, but it strikes me as acceptably apt.

Patriot| 1.12.11 @ 3:20PM

It was a perfect choice of words; the Left's frenzied, incoherent response proves it.
I love Sarah Palin--she knows how to get their goat.

caitlin| 1.12.11 @ 2:35PM

It wouldn't matter who said "blood libel" because anti conservatives would be doing what they're doing now.
When we don't see eye to eye we take pot shots. (I hope I won't be accused of referencing guns.)
Liberals and conservatives alike are insulting each other all the time, it's just human nature.
I'm not a fan of Palin's, but I never saw her crosshairs map or lock and load statement as a nod to do harm. It doesn't make sense; even if she wasn't a decent human, what a career ender that would be. Those from the left who think otherwise, are ridiculous. Especially those who think her remarks goaded the killer.
However, since she make comments for the public, I think she ought to consider her choice of phrases. One can make a point without resorting to comparisons that will upset others.

Mojo Risin| 1.12.11 @ 3:14PM

I'm sure they'll (leftists) will try legislating a moratorium on the use of metaphors, making them illegal and is typical of something the whacked-out left will try to do... The overriding objective and probably well discussed among the ruling left is removing all opposition to their agenda. The "fairness doctrine" is something that can be used to stifle opposition, while destroying an industry, with their aim being to most prosperous of them: FOX News, Conservative Talk Radio and an unregulated Internet.

Just a thought, but Obonehead's notion for universal Internet ID's, a government password?! Any chance of this creating an income stream for the likes of Obonehead and his like minded sycophants? Every online purchase will be tracked and taxed, the ID will undoubtedly have a price and with all the jobs being lost who's going to support this scheme, union thugs???

Ellis Wyatt| 1.12.11 @ 3:17PM

The fact that the leftist media has had to manufacture a "controversy" over a commonly used phrase is proof of how much they fear her and the power she has in politics. Once again, on a day the President is to speak no less, Sarah has become the story and the media looks like fools again.

Tim Hillman| 1.12.11 @ 5:41PM

Speaking for this one very liberal soul, Sarah Palin doesn't scare me a bit. What is to fear?

Patriot| 1.12.11 @ 7:10PM

You must be the only lib in America who isn't scared witless of Palin. Perhaps that's because you're brainless.

David Zarmi| 1.12.11 @ 9:13PM

Do you really need to be brainless to have an honest opinion that Palin has no future in national elected office? And I supported her for VP, so this isn't against her in particular.

Perhaps she has the ability to get Conservatives out to vote, but I've never really understood these people who only vote when someone they like gives a speech. Is the future of their country really so unimportant to them?

Patriot| 1.12.11 @ 10:28PM

Who the hell are you and why should I care what you think? You don't give a damn about our country or you'd own up to your own side's hateful invective.

Go away, you bother me.

NadePaulKuciGravMcKi| 1.12.11 @ 7:04PM

1.7% of the US population*
American Holocaust*
controlled media*
Blood Libel

David Zarmi| 1.12.11 @ 9:11PM

The issue here is whether she used the term correctly. All the hoopla about it is dumb and irrelevant. But if a VERY public figure uses a term, it can be a great chance to educate in the correct usage of English. I have commented a lot on Jonah Goldberg's brief blog on this issue, but...

Basically, the term can either refer to a smear campaign against a group with an inherited trait (especially a minority accused of vicious things) or, more specifically, to someone accused of murdering a person, especially a child, in order to use their BLOOD (drink it, bake with it, paint the house). The closer it is to that scenario, the more sense it makes. But here's the context it can never be used in, or it becomes meaningless and really does make people forget history: it can not be used to mean an individual or small group that is falsely accused of doing something (in this case instigating murder). Otherwise, everything is a blood libel. I'm a prosecutor - does that mean every defendant who turns out to be not guilty or even innocent has been blood libeled? Of course not. (Never had a case where someone was accused of killing someone for their blood.)

Does the Left hate Palin no matter what she says? Yes (unless she suddenly supports abortions and the politburo). But let's use this as a chance to educate ourselves about the meaning of the phrase and not as a chance to offend the Jews.

For a specific response to Geraghty's list, please see my comment on his site. In summary, some of the uses there are correct, some are incorrect, and some are downright offensive (in my opinion Palin's is merely incorrect). That shows me that: (a) Geraghty doesn't really know how to use the phrase himself; and (b) Palin is not alone. So again, let's all take a breather, learn what it means, and hopefully never have chance to use it again (unless it's to say nobody has been blood-libeled in the past ___ years).

George McFly| 1.12.11 @ 9:22PM

The key point regarding the meaning of "Blood Libel" is that it almost invariably refers to antisemitism.

Patriot| 1.12.11 @ 10:30PM

Not true. Many other instances of "blood libel" being used in non-antiSemitic instances are all over the web. Google it.

George McFly| 1.13.11 @ 7:52PM

You may not have much education, but Palin's aides do and should have known better.

Meg H| 1.12.11 @ 9:29PM

It's interesting the levels of acceptability of racism that there are in American society. If a comment referencing repression and targeted violence against African American or Latino Americans were used there would be very little ability to defend it. However, comments of anti-semetic origion fall into a gray area between acceptable and unacceptable.

Patriot| 1.12.11 @ 10:31PM

Alan Dershowitz doesn't have a problem with Sarah's usage, why do you?

Boris Bad| 1.14.11 @ 10:12PM

Wow, talk about manufacturing a controversy where there is none. Did anyone accuse Palin of waging a blood libel style campaign against the Jews? Not that I'm aware of. Why even go there then?

USAttorney| 1.16.11 @ 2:36PM

@Patriot

Your lack of education and inexperience are apparent. A real patriot would honor the sacrifices of our armed forces and use the protected freedoms to learn something.

Real conservatives, of which I am only one, generally detest Palin's ignorance of foreign policy, psuedo-Christian statements, and idiotic misuses of the English language (she would not likely pass a citizenship examination). That said, her use of this phrase, while insensitive and probably without her actually knowing the term's original context, was not "incorrect." It is probably best if non-attorneys avoid stating that something is "libel" as well. Read a book peasants.

Writur| 1.17.11 @ 5:20PM

Ah, thank you. Patriot's drivel had almost triggered my migraine. I am not a conservative, real or otherwise, but you certainly seem like one with whom a productive discussion of opposing viewpoints--not a shit-slinging party--could be had.

JBow| 1.20.11 @ 2:20PM

My take is that I consider myself an educated well informed person yet I had never heard of the Term Blood libel. My guess is only a portion of the 6% of Americans of Jewish decent know what it means either. If more than 1% of gentiles new what it means I 'd be very surprised. My point is the radical left seeks anything they can find to attack conservatives. Anyone with a shred of objectivity knows that Sarah Palin is patriotic, God fearing American. I have seen no evidence that this woman hates anyone. Liberals tend to be the haters!