moving on

I had planned to opine on the military coup against President Zelaya. But the rash of celebrity deaths -- plus two governorship flameouts -- has kept corporate media busy doing what it does best: Ignoring real news in favor of tabloid-flavored sound bites. Thank God for the BBC and the few websites committing acts of journalism.

An unexpected visit this afternoon altered my agenda. Madame Rosa, back from outer Dade County, graced the hovel with her ‘libre esprit’. Because we haven’t spoken for some time, our conversation was centered on Sarah Palin’s hasty departure. (Madame lived in Alaska during the 80s, sharing cabin space with her ex-mountain man near Katmai National Park. She still keeps in touch with old friends and was the first person to fill me in on the abstruse Governor‘s pedigree, as Palin was completely off my radar screen).

J: Is she toast?
M: Yes, in terms of any future career in Alaskan politics. She’s lost the support of longtime Republican powerbrokers, and no candidate can win without their backing.
J: Was her resignation planned in advance or is it another example of her impulsive behavior?
M: Had her return to Juneau been a smooth transition from the national spotlight, I think it’s safe to say that she had her eyes on Lisa Murkowski’s Senate seat. But her disastrous performance during the presidential campaign emboldened her political enemies back home. The bloom was off the rose, and her clumsy, vindictive behavior toward the growing number of critics only hardened the impression that she’s psychologically ill-equipped to deal with hardball politics. In short, she doesn’t play well with others and probably never has. To answer the question, yes, I think she viewed her remaining months in office as a drag on future income potential. She knows that the clock is ticking, and if she’s to cash in on her appeal to the Christian right headlining fund raising rallies is her best, most lucrative option.
J: So it’s all about the money?
M: Of course!
J: What about the rumors that she quit before a major scandal is about to break?
M: There’s always rumors of a major scandal about to break in Alaska. The one that I hear about the most involves the costly albatross known as the Wasilla Sports Complex. Nosey neighbors believe the same materials used to build the overpriced hockey rink found their way to her big house on Lake Lucille. Then again, it could be a coincidence. If there’s an investigation going on, nobody’s talking.
J: Is she really Trig’s mother?
M: Please!
J: Just asking. Andrew Sullivan is very skeptical about it.
M: I would replace ‘skeptical’ with obsessed.
J: Okay. Final thoughts. Long ago I broke the old comedy rule about using the same joke more than three times with Palin. I’m ready to move on and harass Bobby Jindal’s inner demons.
M: Look, I blame John McCain. The decision to select a dysfunctional diva without giving serious thought to the consequences should be enough to exclude him from forever engaging in national political dialogue, period. She wasn’t ready and she never will be. The fact that Sarah Palin and her admirers still don’t get it is a testament to the combined power of magical thinking and unfathomable cynicism. If I was Ann Coulter, I’d be looking over my bony shoulders.

Adieu, Miss Sarah. It’s been weird.

Juan Don