It's Time: A Sarah Palin Rant

The Lacuna, by Barbara Kingsolver

Michelle gave me this book for my birthday.  I loved it.  Not only is it a great story,  but The Lacuna re-introduced me to important people and periods of  North American culture and history.    Hard to imagine a novel could credibly incorporate Diego Riveria, Frida  Kahlo , Leo Trotsky and Joseph McCarthy in a tale about a boy growing up in Mexico, but kudos to Barbara Kingsolver for pulling it off. 

The Lacune also zeroed in on an unpleasant period  of our history,  the infamous fifties when the government went a vast witch hunt to uncover subversive Communists in our society.   During the Red Scare, thousands of artists, actors, writers, and business people were ruined because Senator McCarthy fanned the flames of hatred and the American people were quick to jump on the Attack Bandwagon.  No surprise that a lot of liberal Jews fell under attack as well.    After celebrating the end of WWII and a glorious period of patriotism, our country plummeted into the bowels of ugliness.  I remember when I learned about this embarrassing period when I was a kid and it was the first time I felt a bit ashamed of my people, my government, my United States of America. 

Don’t mean for my Cinquenta Tales blog to be a political bully pulpit, because I don’t wish to offend, but if you’re reading this you know me and so already know that I absolutely despise Sarah Palin and the Tea Party values she ballyhoos.

When I came upon the McCarthy period in The Lacuna and was reacquainted with the Senator’s lovely handiwork, Sarah Palin’s hideous voice, winks to the camera and ignorant tirades  invaded my peace of mind.  It was a horrific and yet crystal clear connection.  She is a modern day Joe McCarthy. From checking out the Russians from her abode in Wasilla, ridiculing the “lamestream media”,  challenging President Obama’s patriotism, to going on the attack against any non-Fox News endorsed policy, this bitch could potentially drum up as much ugly behavior as McCarthy did 60 years ago!  

I’m hoping that her kamikaze performance after the Tuscan tragedy will convince her supporters that she should disappear from the heady world of politics and simply focus on bad reality TV.  I’m hoping that in the next two years, the attack tone of politics of which she is the Master, softens (I know, I’m dreaming).    I’m hoping that we embrace thoughtful discourse, and discontinue the Palin way, stirring up discontent and anger by throwing around derogatory slams against opponents in the hopes of capturing a sound byte on the evening news.  

Right now, her talk and jabs simply ignite a faction of the Republican Party.  Lets hope that the likes of Ms. Palin don't gain enough influence in public office to replicate the bad-doings of the McCarthy era.  

Oh...and read The Lacuna.  Beyond the Hockey Mom connection, it made me want to do a little more research on Frida.  Any recommendations on biographies would be appreciated.

adios.

When You Are Engulfed in Flames, By David Sedaris

My son gave me this book for my birthday.  It’s a compilation of essays, many of which are very hilarious and stinging and touching all at the same time.  Because several pieces address death and dying, Bobby figured it was the perfect selection to mark my 50^th year.   Nice kid!     The truth is, the book instilled in me a sense of hope that I could one day write something as entertaining.  After all, Sedaris simply produced stories about what he observed or experienced.  He’s an essayist with a crazy fun sense of humor and writing style.  I thought I could mimic that.

The guy had plenty of material from which to work.  He came from a large family.   So did I.  He grew up in the sixties/seventies.  Me too.   Hell, just fashion and pop culture alone from those days could provide plenty of storytelling fodder.     The guy did one up me on the sexuality front.  He’s a homosexual and a neurotic one at that, which of course influenced his life and writing. Afraid my orientation is way too mild to spark any inspiration there. 

Nevertheless Sedaris got me wondering what memories or people in my life would help me uncover my hidden creative genius.  (Because it has to be buried somewhere!)   Ty Hobson, our quirky neighbor (who trapped a fox in his backyard and kept it in a cage)?  Dorothy I Cant Remember Her Last Name, the true babysitter from hell who terrorized us kids when my parents went away for overnight trips? Mrs. Striaight, the house cleaner who quit because our home was haunted?  Miss B, my piano teacher, who survived polio only to have to sit through years and years of lessons with the untalented and un-inspired?  Or what about our  move to Yardley, Pennsylvania?  High school drama, which really wasn’t that dramatic? Marriage? Parenthood?   I’d love to be able to capture a fraction of the hellacious adventures I’ve shared with my husband, children and friends. I’ve got 50 years of material, people !!!!!

The harsh reality though is that while Sedaris makes it look easy to share memories in a distinct and cunning way, it’s no small task to present an observation that will be INTERESTING to the unbiased reader, the individual who has absolutely no connection to you.  Sedaris’ book is filled with tales that actually make you laugh out loud or shed a tear or think about a very IMPORTANT something or someone.  And that is what a great writer can do.    I’m sure I could fumble along and create something that will make my family or friends smile, because 1) they love me and 2) I’d simply be recreating a story that we’ve already shared. It’s like sitting around the kitchen table and reminiscing together, laughing at funny memories, rehashing family and friend lore.   But Sedaris does so much more, He brings you into his life, introduces you to his quirks and phobias, successes and heartaches.  He lulls you into thinking you’re going to discover one thing or the other, and then with cunning, finds a way for you relate to his very personal story as if it were you own.   This is far beyond my Expository Writing 101 ability, for sure.  

Anyway, if you are need of some companionship on a trip, or just want to laugh a little before you go to bed, snuggle up with this read.  You can thank Danielle and Bobby for the recommendation.