ANNARCHY - Latest Comments in Sarah and Me: Junior High with Sarah Palin

Re: Sarah and Me: Junior High with Sarah Palin

williambaranowski — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 11:33:25 -0000

Nice writing. Poor and deceptive logic, however.

Re: Sarah and Me: Junior High with Sarah Palin

Roshan — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 22:22:32 -0000

Brilliant job! I was actually hating Pam. I've had guys in my school like that and perhaps a girl as well.

Re: Sarah and Me: Junior High with Sarah Palin

Susan Abbott — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 13:24:11 -0000

Great story. Reminded me of all the mean girls i knew back then. But that yellow jacket story takes the cake. Did you not try to steal it back?

From your Canadian friends, we've all got our fingers crossed for you on election night.

Re: Sarah and Me: Junior High with Sarah Palin

Aaron Kahlow — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 18:33:11 -0000

Love the Palin write up. Sincerity and Integrity are long missing from the entire Right wing campaign and she definetely has become the figure head for such.

Nice seeing you in AZ last week!

Re: Sarah and Me: Junior High with Sarah Palin

Ann Handley — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 10:04:41 -0000

Hi Don, Appreciate your feedback. And thanks for the kudos on the writing.

As for Palin, you're right -- I _don't_ know her personally, but I am (and everyone else is) being asked to elect her, to choose here, which is to say... to judge her.

And what do we rely on to do that? What she tells us, what others tell us, and--among other things--what associations our mind comes up with when we consider her as VP: Who does she remind us of? What feelings does she bring out in me? Do I identify with her? Do I identify her with someone else?

In short, we contrast and compare. That's all that we can do with public figures, as opposed to people we know or can potentially get to know on a personal level.

So how is that unfair or mean? That's how you treat the presidential candidates, too. So if you dislike Obama you're necessarily racist? Or if you dislike McCaine you're necessarily ageist?

Re: Sarah and Me: Junior High with Sarah Palin

don — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 23:18:05 -0000

Well-written, but I can't agree with you at all. You don't know Sarah Palin personally. It's completely unfair to Palin, to identify her with someone you knew in grade school.

Your thinking is the same kind of prejudice that's called racism, when directed at a black person you don't personally know. Aren't you a bigger, kinder person than this?

Re: Sarah and Me: Junior High with Sarah Palin

Ann Handley — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 14:59:51 -0000

Interesting piece by Judith Warner in the NY Times today:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008...

My favorite quote:

"In other words: women will truly have arrived when the most mediocre among us will be able to do just as well as the most mediocre of men."

Re: Sarah and Me: Junior High with Sarah Palin

Ari Herzog — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 22:38:09 -0000

All I can say, Ann, is whenever I see Sarah Palin's name these days, I remember this recent interview with John Cleese when he describes her as "a nice looking parrot."

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

You had me going for half the page... until you admitted your Sarah was named Pam. Oh how funny it would have been if you made this story into two parts, cutting it at the right moment...

Re: Sarah and Me: Junior High with Sarah Palin

Sherri — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 11:41:46 -0000

Stated by Angeio..."so we will have to keep looking for the female that can break through the glass ceiling while being attractive, classy, feminine and smart……yet down to earth and with a great deal of integrity! We need a role model…..".

Uhhhmmm....this whole breaking through the glass ceiling thing...Sarah Palin broke through more glass ceilings during her time as Governor than most MEN politicians ever could (if they actually had any ceilings to break through...why don't we just look at accomplishments)! CERTAINLY more than Obama.

I'm with Terri: "I don’t think it is Sarah Palin who has set back the women’s movement, but those women who decided they don’t like her for ‘whatever’ reasons."

If you're going to talk about someone in a "mean" way, I would suggest offering some legitimate FACTS as to "why" she is so mean. Other than "she reminds me of..." or "Well, they said (fill in the blank)...", or the female "feelings" thing. Etc., etc.

Oh, and I love the comment about her nickname "Baracuda" - "One does not get nicknamed 'Baracuda' when one is a teen for strength of character." Why is it men can be tough and it's a good thing but when a woman is tough she is attacked, not just by men, but other women? It's kind of like the several double standards that exist in this society, except woman buy into this one. ??

And for those of you who think that "Pam" is actually Sarah (this is the "girl who stole Ann's coat and we're so sorry she did that" thing)...re-read the article. Missing the ball.

This article is beautifully and cleverly written. It's entertaining. Ann has truly incredible talent. A person with these skills has an opportunity to "sell" people, just like Obama (a great communicator with charisma...that's about it, in my opinion, but that's another whole topic). Because of this, I think it's more responsible to substantiate what one is saying. Unless the article is for pure entertainment. But I don't think in this heated election that is the purpose.

But it's you blog, Ann. And this is just my opinion, after all.

Re: Sarah and Me: Junior High with Sarah Palin

Terri Maurer — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 23:00:02 -0000

While I agree your piece was well written, it just adds one more layer to my pile of wondering why so many women, not ot mention some seriously threatened men, have attacked this successful woman so unmercifully.

I don't think it is Sarah Palin who has set back the women's movement, but those women who decided they don't like her for 'whatever' reasons. Hillary didn't make the final cut to run for President. Everyone was devastated...for about fifteen minutes. We now have another woman selected to run for VP who has drawn and quartered for any number of pseudo issues. Who among us could withstand a legion of lawyers and investigators being sent out with the sole purpose of digging up dirt on us? I'm sure they would have no trouble finding someone who doesn't particularly like one of us only too willing to throw some lighter fluid on the flames.

For those who have climed onto the 'let's crucify Sarah' band wagon....may the 'trooper' who finds tazering his stepson stop your car the next time you are speeding. I'm well beyond Sarah and Ann's 44 years and am sorry to say this is the ugliest election I can ever recall. The hatred and vitriol that has being going on for the past eight years is not likely to simply go away at the end of this election. It truly is sad to watch.

Re: Sarah and Me: Junior High with Sarah Palin

Ann Handley — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 21:10:56 -0000

It's interesting that Palin brings out such an amazing range of reaction, isn't it? Some of us see my reaction to Palin (and comparison to Pam) as evidence I'm "stuck" in my scarred and bitter past; other see me wiser for the experience.

Well, obviously I agree with the latter. Then again, it's my blog. And what do I know..? ; )

Nonetheless, I appreciate the opposing views here, and I admit that Joanie's suggestion ("Tide stick!") really cracks me up. Perhaps we all need a Tide stick for our emotional stains. Love it.

Re: Sarah and Me: Junior High with Sarah Palin

Sherri — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 20:26:59 -0000

I'm in complete agreement with Janeile, Sarah and Joanie. You can't make a decision about someone's character based solely on her looks (including the smile, charisma, etc.) and how you felt about someone else in 7th grade. That poor woman has to get up and FIGHT - every single day - against the biased media, men in power ("boys club", those who don't like women in power) and women like you all. I'd like to see just how many women could go through what she has in her life and still be able to stand, with a smile on her face. I admire her.

Can a woman truly be so "mean" yet have an approval rating from her entire state that is in the 90's (pre-this race)? Is it that easy, really, to fool people (who know her better than any of you)? Wear something shiny, toss the hair and smile? Gee, if it were that easy, I'd be in politics. God forbid.

I don't understand why other smart, successful women have this need to discredit her and ....well, be very mean to her. The mirror is in the other room. Get it?

Re: Sarah and Me: Junior High with Sarah Palin

Joanie — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 16:37:36 -0000

Wow, Ann you're a victim some 20 years later? I'd rather think of Sarah as the "Ann" in 7th grade who realized immediately she was robbed and spent 8th grade through the rest of her life, defending herself (and others) against abusers! Your projection while poetic, is pathetic. Grow up and get a Tide stick for the tough problems in life.

- Not a Victim

Re: Sarah and Me: Junior High with Sarah Palin

LisaW — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 14:42:46 -0000

I found you through the gushing Marketing Profs email. Congratulations!

Great article and well written. Like others, you've put into word part of something that bothers me when watching Palin.

The other part is the offense I take to her not minding being the "chick" and seeming lack of desire to project herself in a way that will be taken seriously and professionally.

I have passed my 40's and am in the new adventure of being 50-something. Like you and others, I really, really want to like her. But I feel she is doing more to reinforce that glass ceiling than help shatter it.

As a side note, I read some of the comments and find statements like "I’m frankly terrified by the prospect of a charismatic troglodyte like Sarah Palin in the White House" and multiple remarks about manipulating the public, and have to say that is exactly the thing that frightens me about Obama. Not that I'd call him a troglodyte. lol

He, too, is not all he seems and is doing a great job of trying to pull the wool over our eyes.

Could it be? Do we recognize him from Jr. High, too?

I am not fooled by either of them, and our choices are frightening in an election that has so much at stake.

Thanks for the good read! And, thanks to your buddies at Marketing Profs for gushing - I will be around alot!

~Lisa

Re: Sarah and Me: Junior High with Sarah Palin

angieo — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 13:11:21 -0000

Very well written article! I liked Sarah Palin at the first intriduction as she came across as the female candidate that my generation has been looking for --- one that has been able to achieve it all!!! But --- upon further glance she is not all that we had hoped for --- so we will have to keep looking for the female that can break through the glass ceiling while being attractive, classy, feminine and smart......yet down to earth and with a great deal of integrity! We need a role model.....

Re: Sarah and Me: Junior High with Sarah Palin

sarah — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 13:07:15 -0000

I've got to say something here too. You're stretching it: connecting a manipulative mean girl from junior high with Sarah Palin. It seems to me that you're digging into some old insecurities and voting with them.

When I saw Sarah Palin in the debate, I saw toughness, empathy, savviness and a determination to find the right answer and work for it - whatever feathers she ruffled. Yes, she may have a net worth of $2 million, but what about Obama? Does her current status separate her from where she came from, knows and empathizes with.

Too many women and so-called feminist men are eager to pan this woman who is clearly charting her own path, doing things that few of us have the capacity and grit to get done. And like every politician out there, she's applying the same ingredients of charisma and controlling the conversation to win the crowd over.

Believe me, if it comes to high school references, Barak Obama reminds me of plenty of sweet-talking boys who promise you the world to woo you. But will he deliver? Can he deliver? How many of us are just swept up in the romance and charm of him - that connects to our fears and desires - without any tough examination of the reality? Just like many a high school girl who makes life-altering decisions based on the promises of Prince Charming.

Re: Sarah and Me: Junior High with Sarah Palin

katem — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 12:52:31 -0000

This is a great post about a subject that people find uncomfortable. I heard recently about an anti-Palin ralley in Alaska and the organizers were called with death threats. This shows me just how much wool has been pulled over the eyes of the people supporting Palin.

I like the comparison to the mean girls - it's a fact that they are in all schools. One thing, though I that could be considered: everyone thought they were being tortured in school (especially if you were not in the clique). We were all geeky, awkward and strange which made us all easy targets; both to admire their lithe behaviour and to hate them.

Re: Sarah and Me: Junior High with Sarah Palin

Scribette — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 12:45:43 -0000

Absolutely perfect, Ann! And McCain & Co. fell for it hook, line and sinker.

Re: Sarah and Me: Junior High with Sarah Palin

Adam Zand @NoOneYouKnow — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 11:12:36 -0000

I love this post and comments.

Could I please work with you on a short film adaption of "Pam and the Yellow Ski Parka"? (I'm serious).

The Mean Girls always get shown up in the end - you win: http://immediateinfluencebl...

Re: Sarah and Me: Junior High with Sarah Palin

Ms. Single Mama — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 09:56:43 -0000

Totally. She is that mean girl...

The preppy, cheerleader type. Very scary indeed. Thanks for this!

Re: Sarah and Me: Junior High with Sarah Palin

Tim — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 07:22:33 -0000

You need help. You shouldn't let 7th grade define you. Raising a 7th grader of my own, I continually try to instill in him a sense of grace and understanding that everyone in 7th grade feels put upon. Different people just handle the stress differently. Same message we delivered to his older sister who is now a freshman in college. And what's more important than any of this is your worth was defined by God when you were born. Not by Pam or Sarah Palin.

Re: Sarah and Me: Junior High with Sarah Palin

Jason — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 22:49:40 -0000

Gives me the chills. There is a time for a popularity contest, and there is a time to elect the leaders of the free world.

This is no homecoming election. There are real consequences at stake this time.

Re: Sarah and Me: Junior High with Sarah Palin

Gina — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 16:45:41 -0000

Brilliantly said. Palin definitely appears to be a Very Mean Girl. I'm sorry about your jacket...what a great story, and what memories of insecurities it brings back! Cheers to nice girls.

Re: Sarah and Me: Junior High with Sarah Palin

Danna — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 14:56:45 -0000

You hit the nail Ann. Great writing. (And I'm sure Polar Bears and Carabo would agree with you) It just occurred to me that Tina Fey, who so brilliantly impersonates Palin on SNL, also wrote the screenplay for the movie Mean Girls (and acted in it as well) I bet she's known a few Pams too.

Re: Sarah and Me: Junior High with Sarah Palin

Rachel — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 00:04:31 -0000

I just came over from ProBlogger to check out your blog. Lots of interesting reading here! I'm going to pour another cup of tea and go through your older entries.