Oh, my God. What have we done?
February 1, 2012 12:38 PM Subscribe
Game Change trailer. [SLYT, possible trigger warning for anyone who was alive in 2008]
I found watching that painful for some reason. Too soon?
posted by papercake at 12:43 PM on February 1, 2012 [7 favorites]
posted by papercake at 12:43 PM on February 1, 2012 [7 favorites]
This looks terrible. Why would you watch a slightly fictionalized version of the 2008 elections?
posted by demiurge at 12:44 PM on February 1, 2012 [5 favorites]
posted by demiurge at 12:44 PM on February 1, 2012 [5 favorites]
She doesn't have the accent until she says 'I so don't want to go back to Alaska." I think I would have tried to get Tina Fey to see if she could do a dramatic role.
posted by narcoleptic at 12:45 PM on February 1, 2012 [5 favorites]
posted by narcoleptic at 12:45 PM on February 1, 2012 [5 favorites]
Truth is stranger.
posted by The White Hat at 12:45 PM on February 1, 2012
posted by The White Hat at 12:45 PM on February 1, 2012
Why would you watch a slightly fictionalized version of the 2008 elections?
You ever see Inglorious Basterds all the way through?
posted by griphus at 12:46 PM on February 1, 2012 [9 favorites]
You ever see Inglorious Basterds all the way through?
posted by griphus at 12:46 PM on February 1, 2012 [9 favorites]
I love Woody Harrelson.. but.. I... hm. Yeah, that trailer didn't sell me. I'm pretty sure nothing can be as uncomfortable as really watching Sarah Palin talk to Katie Couric.
posted by OnTheLastCastle at 12:47 PM on February 1, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by OnTheLastCastle at 12:47 PM on February 1, 2012 [1 favorite]
I feel like somebody could have cut a really excellent trailer exactly this way using existing, real-world footage. And I don't know what that says about this movie, if anything.
posted by penduluum at 12:47 PM on February 1, 2012 [5 favorites]
posted by penduluum at 12:47 PM on February 1, 2012 [5 favorites]
I'm looking forward to 2020, when the presidential campaign will occur simultaneously with its star-studded reenactment. Followed by the uploading of all consciousness, three measures of barley for a penny, scourging of the four crowned martyrs, etc
posted by theodolite at 12:48 PM on February 1, 2012 [14 favorites]
posted by theodolite at 12:48 PM on February 1, 2012 [14 favorites]
Judging from the trailer alone, I'm not buying Ed Harris' portrayal of John McCain as put-upon and helpless.
posted by BobbyVan at 12:50 PM on February 1, 2012
posted by BobbyVan at 12:50 PM on February 1, 2012
Was Ken Burns unavailable?
posted by jsavimbi at 12:50 PM on February 1, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by jsavimbi at 12:50 PM on February 1, 2012 [1 favorite]
Glad this had the trigger warning so I could prep myself.
We were too close by half to having her in a position of real power over the nation. Fuuuuuuuck but she tried to hang on after, thank God she's finally dwindled away.
posted by Slackermagee at 12:51 PM on February 1, 2012
We were too close by half to having her in a position of real power over the nation. Fuuuuuuuck but she tried to hang on after, thank God she's finally dwindled away.
posted by Slackermagee at 12:51 PM on February 1, 2012
I think I'd rather watch the heartwarming Disney movie where Palin plays hockey against Putin.
posted by The Whelk at 12:51 PM on February 1, 2012 [7 favorites]
posted by The Whelk at 12:51 PM on February 1, 2012 [7 favorites]
I like how we are doing porno parodies of movies before the movie actually gets made. That is an impressive feat. It's true, the porn industry really is responsible for driving technology forward.
posted by Keith Talent at 12:53 PM on February 1, 2012
posted by Keith Talent at 12:53 PM on February 1, 2012
Spoiler: At the last minute, just when it looks like they've lost, all their policies get enacted anyway in a heartwarming conclusion.
posted by The Bellman at 12:53 PM on February 1, 2012 [33 favorites]
posted by The Bellman at 12:53 PM on February 1, 2012 [33 favorites]
In a perfect world, The Whelk and Keith Talent would be talking about the same movie.
posted by griphus at 12:54 PM on February 1, 2012 [5 favorites]
posted by griphus at 12:54 PM on February 1, 2012 [5 favorites]
This and 30 Rock makes it two strikes against Ms. Moore on the accent front.
posted by 2bucksplus at 12:54 PM on February 1, 2012 [4 favorites]
posted by 2bucksplus at 12:54 PM on February 1, 2012 [4 favorites]
help, i think i have i fallen down a cultural gap so huge that i cannot see anything here that makes any sense.
posted by Jehan at 12:55 PM on February 1, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by Jehan at 12:55 PM on February 1, 2012 [1 favorite]
Too soon.
posted by gallois at 12:56 PM on February 1, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by gallois at 12:56 PM on February 1, 2012 [1 favorite]
She doesn't have the accent until she says 'I so don't want to go back to Alaska."
I would imagine that, as an actor, Julianne Moore really wants to play Sarah Palin as a person and not a caricature. Overdoing it on the accent is probably the quickest path to lapsing into parody, and I don't have the sense, for better or worse, that's the movie this wants to be.
posted by Horace Rumpole at 12:58 PM on February 1, 2012 [3 favorites]
I would imagine that, as an actor, Julianne Moore really wants to play Sarah Palin as a person and not a caricature. Overdoing it on the accent is probably the quickest path to lapsing into parody, and I don't have the sense, for better or worse, that's the movie this wants to be.
posted by Horace Rumpole at 12:58 PM on February 1, 2012 [3 favorites]
How's the book? I've heard it's a terrible work by a hack authors and I've heard it's the best overview of the entire election.
posted by 2bucksplus at 12:59 PM on February 1, 2012
posted by 2bucksplus at 12:59 PM on February 1, 2012
2bucksplus, it's both.
posted by evilmidnightbomberwhatbombsatmidnight at 1:03 PM on February 1, 2012 [2 favorites]
posted by evilmidnightbomberwhatbombsatmidnight at 1:03 PM on February 1, 2012 [2 favorites]
They should've hired Lisa Ann to play Sarah.
Note: do not google Lisa Ann at work. She played Sarah Palin in the porn made during the election.
posted by OnTheLastCastle at 1:04 PM on February 1, 2012 [1 favorite]
Note: do not google Lisa Ann at work. She played Sarah Palin in the porn made during the election.
posted by OnTheLastCastle at 1:04 PM on February 1, 2012 [1 favorite]
This film seems timed to arrrive just at the moment Palin finally fades into being a public non-entity.
posted by anazgnos at 1:05 PM on February 1, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by anazgnos at 1:05 PM on February 1, 2012 [1 favorite]
thank God she's finally dwindled away
I cannot imagine a world where the Republican National Convention has come and gone and Palin has passed on the opportunity to make a power play. I *want* to imagine this world, but I can't.
posted by the painkiller at 1:06 PM on February 1, 2012 [1 favorite]
I cannot imagine a world where the Republican National Convention has come and gone and Palin has passed on the opportunity to make a power play. I *want* to imagine this world, but I can't.
posted by the painkiller at 1:06 PM on February 1, 2012 [1 favorite]
NiteMayr: "With the voice so wrong, why bother?"
I have to think that this must be a conscious choice. There are things that people can put up with over the course of two hours. An accurate impersonation of Sarah Palin's voice is not one of them -- at least not for the target audience of this movie.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 1:07 PM on February 1, 2012
I have to think that this must be a conscious choice. There are things that people can put up with over the course of two hours. An accurate impersonation of Sarah Palin's voice is not one of them -- at least not for the target audience of this movie.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 1:07 PM on February 1, 2012
Wait, what is the target audience of this movie? Is it really liberals?
I'm not quite so sure.
posted by OnTheLastCastle at 1:08 PM on February 1, 2012
I'm not quite so sure.
posted by OnTheLastCastle at 1:08 PM on February 1, 2012
It's very jarring to see one of my favorite actors as one of my least favorite people on Earth.
posted by brundlefly at 1:10 PM on February 1, 2012 [4 favorites]
posted by brundlefly at 1:10 PM on February 1, 2012 [4 favorites]
MIDTERMS 2010
He thought his time was up
HE WAS WRONG
Cue: Peter Gabriel's Solsbury Hill
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 1:10 PM on February 1, 2012 [3 favorites]
Potentially a good kind of jarring, mind you.
posted by brundlefly at 1:10 PM on February 1, 2012
posted by brundlefly at 1:10 PM on February 1, 2012
at least not for the target audience of this movie.
What is the target audience of this movie? Seriously? Because I feel like I have stepped into some crazy mirror world.
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 1:12 PM on February 1, 2012
What is the target audience of this movie? Seriously? Because I feel like I have stepped into some crazy mirror world.
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 1:12 PM on February 1, 2012
I cannot imagine a world where the Republican National Convention has come and gone and Palin has passed on the opportunity to make a power play. I *want* to imagine this world, but I can't.
Is there any room left for her to make a power play? No one seems to care about her endorsement. No one is courting her to stand with them at a political rally anywhere. She just seems to have played out her hand at this point.
posted by yoink at 1:13 PM on February 1, 2012
Is there any room left for her to make a power play? No one seems to care about her endorsement. No one is courting her to stand with them at a political rally anywhere. She just seems to have played out her hand at this point.
posted by yoink at 1:13 PM on February 1, 2012
What is the target audience of this movie?
HBO executives. They want to collect royalties anytime the real Sarah opens her mouth ("She's a copyrighted character! We're MPAA, fuck prior art!")
posted by evilmidnightbomberwhatbombsatmidnight at 1:16 PM on February 1, 2012 [3 favorites]
HBO executives. They want to collect royalties anytime the real Sarah opens her mouth ("She's a copyrighted character! We're MPAA, fuck prior art!")
posted by evilmidnightbomberwhatbombsatmidnight at 1:16 PM on February 1, 2012 [3 favorites]
Imho, they should've tried Lisa Ann in a dramatic role.
posted by jeffburdges at 1:17 PM on February 1, 2012
posted by jeffburdges at 1:17 PM on February 1, 2012
What is the target audience of this movie? Seriously?
People who own the complete series of Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip on DVD, as well as two copies of the complete West Wing (one for watching, one for display). People who thought listening to the frictionless banter of Josh and CJ actually made them smarter, and who think making fun of Sarah Palin does the same thing.
Just, you know, at a guess.
Anyway, it's probably still more watchable than John Travolta as Bill Clinton.
posted by gompa at 1:19 PM on February 1, 2012 [1 favorite]
People who own the complete series of Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip on DVD, as well as two copies of the complete West Wing (one for watching, one for display). People who thought listening to the frictionless banter of Josh and CJ actually made them smarter, and who think making fun of Sarah Palin does the same thing.
Just, you know, at a guess.
Anyway, it's probably still more watchable than John Travolta as Bill Clinton.
posted by gompa at 1:19 PM on February 1, 2012 [1 favorite]
I am glad to know that I can now forever blame Sarah Palin on Woody Harrelson. Smoke too much pot and - BAM - nominate Palin for office.
posted by Joey Michaels at 1:21 PM on February 1, 2012
posted by Joey Michaels at 1:21 PM on February 1, 2012
She'll be there to make a speech and collect some cash, but she doesn't seem to have any inroads to power. Whatever might've constituted her base is now in disarray, torn between the current candidates. I'm fairly confident that we won't see her much again.
Oh, I dunno, the latest is apparently that she's signed on as Joan of Arc for the Gingrich campaign and is promising to vote for him in Nevada in a month, IIRC. If NG sticks it out and wins a couple states on Super Tuesday, then she'll have cards come summer..
posted by Diablevert at 1:27 PM on February 1, 2012
Oh, I dunno, the latest is apparently that she's signed on as Joan of Arc for the Gingrich campaign and is promising to vote for him in Nevada in a month, IIRC. If NG sticks it out and wins a couple states on Super Tuesday, then she'll have cards come summer..
posted by Diablevert at 1:27 PM on February 1, 2012
This and 30 Rock makes it two strikes against Ms. Moore on the accent front.
Preach it. Until someone on the show mentioned that her character was from Boston, I honestly thought the character was supposed to be deaf.
posted by FAMOUS MONSTER at 1:35 PM on February 1, 2012 [8 favorites]
Preach it. Until someone on the show mentioned that her character was from Boston, I honestly thought the character was supposed to be deaf.
posted by FAMOUS MONSTER at 1:35 PM on February 1, 2012 [8 favorites]
Because the reality wasn't painful enough.
Who wants this stuff?
posted by Decani at 1:35 PM on February 1, 2012
Who wants this stuff?
posted by Decani at 1:35 PM on February 1, 2012
Er, is this a comedy? I honestly could not tell.
If it accurately reflects what happened during the election, it's going to be one of the most finely-crafted farces ever put to film.
posted by griphus at 1:40 PM on February 1, 2012 [1 favorite]
If it accurately reflects what happened during the election, it's going to be one of the most finely-crafted farces ever put to film.
posted by griphus at 1:40 PM on February 1, 2012 [1 favorite]
I think I'd rather watch the heartwarming Disney movie where Palin plays hockey against Putin.
High Palutin
posted by adamdschneider at 1:44 PM on February 1, 2012 [2 favorites]
High Palutin
posted by adamdschneider at 1:44 PM on February 1, 2012 [2 favorites]
Wow, did they really have a McCain plane?
posted by Rarebit Fiend at 1:47 PM on February 1, 2012
posted by Rarebit Fiend at 1:47 PM on February 1, 2012
Who wants this stuff?
I do. It was a good book. It'd be fun to see a film version.
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 1:53 PM on February 1, 2012
I do. It was a good book. It'd be fun to see a film version.
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 1:53 PM on February 1, 2012
Wow, did they really have a McCain plane?
It's just a re-painted charter you rent for a specific period of time, and then the charter agency paints it back when you're done. Here's a company that will do it for you.
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 1:57 PM on February 1, 2012
It's just a re-painted charter you rent for a specific period of time, and then the charter agency paints it back when you're done. Here's a company that will do it for you.
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 1:57 PM on February 1, 2012
I can't wait until they make the film version of Glenn Beck losing his Fox contract.
posted by R. Schlock at 1:58 PM on February 1, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by R. Schlock at 1:58 PM on February 1, 2012 [1 favorite]
Actually, I should say, it's a decal, not paint.
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 1:58 PM on February 1, 2012
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 1:58 PM on February 1, 2012
I, for one, think Julianne Moore and Sarah Palin are both totally hot, so I shall watch this television movie.
posted by KokuRyu at 2:01 PM on February 1, 2012
posted by KokuRyu at 2:01 PM on February 1, 2012
I think it's too soon, but I can't help loving Ed Harris...so I will probably still DVR it.
posted by sc114 at 2:02 PM on February 1, 2012
posted by sc114 at 2:02 PM on February 1, 2012
Trailer should really be set to The Prodigies "Invaders Must Die"
posted by hellojed at 2:03 PM on February 1, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by hellojed at 2:03 PM on February 1, 2012 [1 favorite]
I dunno. I found Recount fascinating in, talent notwithstanding, a wonkishly dull way. I imagine I'll watch this once it hits my local library.
posted by dhartung at 2:09 PM on February 1, 2012
posted by dhartung at 2:09 PM on February 1, 2012
Yeah the book was excellent -- a fascinating glimpse inside the 2008 race, though not at all limited to the McCain/Palin aspect, as the HBO version appears to be. I would highly recommend the book to anyone with a passing interest in American electoral politics.
posted by modernnomad at 2:11 PM on February 1, 2012
posted by modernnomad at 2:11 PM on February 1, 2012
They should have made a move out of David Foster Wallace's essay about McCain's 2000 campaign.
posted by ultraviolet catastrophe at 2:12 PM on February 1, 2012
posted by ultraviolet catastrophe at 2:12 PM on February 1, 2012
Was Ken Burns unavailable?
No, he was busy making a documentary on the civil war.
posted by Fizz at 2:32 PM on February 1, 2012
No, he was busy making a documentary on the civil war.
posted by Fizz at 2:32 PM on February 1, 2012
Alfred Hitchcock: "I like Julianne Moore. She did full frontal in Short Cuts. I could never get Grace Kelly to do full frontal. The curse of the bottle blonde."
posted by ColdChef at 2:46 PM on February 1, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by ColdChef at 2:46 PM on February 1, 2012 [1 favorite]
People who thought listening to the frictionless banter of Josh and CJ actually made them smarter, and who think making fun of Sarah Palin does the same thing.
I can't imagine that the same people who enjoyed the liberal wish fulfillment of the West Wing want to see a film that attempts to humanise this bigoted anti-intellectual moron.
Palin deserves far worse than being made fun of, which I doubt this film will actually do.
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 2:59 PM on February 1, 2012
I can't imagine that the same people who enjoyed the liberal wish fulfillment of the West Wing want to see a film that attempts to humanise this bigoted anti-intellectual moron.
Palin deserves far worse than being made fun of, which I doubt this film will actually do.
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 2:59 PM on February 1, 2012
You really think a movie about the Sarah Palin trainwreck starring Julianne Moore and Woody Harrelson isn't liberal wish fulfillment? It's Captain Hemp and Maude Lebowski vs. the Queen of the Tea Party. I sincerely doubt they're going to make her look presidential.
posted by gompa at 3:04 PM on February 1, 2012
posted by gompa at 3:04 PM on February 1, 2012
I sincerely doubt they're going to make her look presidential.
I'm not sure Palin is capable of making herself look presidential, so it would be unrealistic for anyone else to make her look so.
posted by Joey Michaels at 3:08 PM on February 1, 2012 [1 favorite]
I'm not sure Palin is capable of making herself look presidential, so it would be unrealistic for anyone else to make her look so.
posted by Joey Michaels at 3:08 PM on February 1, 2012 [1 favorite]
I sincerely doubt they're going to make her look presidential.
Without a total retconning of reality, I doubt that making Palin look presidential is even possible. Remember that Katie Couric interview?
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 3:19 PM on February 1, 2012
Without a total retconning of reality, I doubt that making Palin look presidential is even possible. Remember that Katie Couric interview?
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 3:19 PM on February 1, 2012
Julianne Moore really wants to play Sarah Palin as a person and not a caricature.
She needs to stop anthropomorphising.
posted by clarknova at 3:33 PM on February 1, 2012 [4 favorites]
She needs to stop anthropomorphising.
posted by clarknova at 3:33 PM on February 1, 2012 [4 favorites]
Long story short: Tina Fay makes a better Palin.
posted by outlandishmarxist at 4:59 PM on February 1, 2012
posted by outlandishmarxist at 4:59 PM on February 1, 2012
One question: Why does no one in the US get that the song American Women was written as a CRITICISM of the US, by a Canadian band?
And I quote:
"American woman, said get away
American woman, listen what I say
Don't come hangin' around my door
Don't wanna see your face no more
I don't need your war machines
I don't need your ghetto scenes"
It is like, if it has America in the song enough times then it MUST be positive! See also: Keep on Rocking in the Free World by Neil Young.
posted by Canageek at 7:23 PM on February 1, 2012 [2 favorites]
And I quote:
"American woman, said get away
American woman, listen what I say
Don't come hangin' around my door
Don't wanna see your face no more
I don't need your war machines
I don't need your ghetto scenes"
It is like, if it has America in the song enough times then it MUST be positive! See also: Keep on Rocking in the Free World by Neil Young.
posted by Canageek at 7:23 PM on February 1, 2012 [2 favorites]
One question: Why does no one in the US get that the song American Women was written as a CRITICISM of the US, by a Canadian band?
It sounds like the song has been used for that exact reason, in this instance.
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 7:37 PM on February 1, 2012 [3 favorites]
It sounds like the song has been used for that exact reason, in this instance.
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 7:37 PM on February 1, 2012 [3 favorites]
@His thoughts were red thoughts: Sorry, I've missed something then: Was that supposed to be a dramatization or a parody? I'll admit, I stopped watching about halfway through when I went 'Crazy Americans making a drama out of recent politics. You are supposed to wait until everyone is dead to do that!"
posted by Canageek at 7:54 PM on February 1, 2012
posted by Canageek at 7:54 PM on February 1, 2012
Was that supposed to be a dramatization or a parody?
I'm still not sure.
Julianne Moore has this to say about the film's take on Palin:
"We have her displaying moments of sheer brilliance –- I mean, she was unbelievably charismatic," Moore said earlier in January about the film's portrayal of Palin. "Suddenly here was this working class mother who popped out and seemed to be able to command the world, but of course upon further inspection, she was clearly not prepared. She didn't necessarily have the experience necessary to lead our country, and that’s what we were attempting to characterize."
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 9:20 PM on February 1, 2012
I'm still not sure.
Julianne Moore has this to say about the film's take on Palin:
"We have her displaying moments of sheer brilliance –- I mean, she was unbelievably charismatic," Moore said earlier in January about the film's portrayal of Palin. "Suddenly here was this working class mother who popped out and seemed to be able to command the world, but of course upon further inspection, she was clearly not prepared. She didn't necessarily have the experience necessary to lead our country, and that’s what we were attempting to characterize."
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 9:20 PM on February 1, 2012
"We have her displaying moments of sheer brilliance –- I mean, she was unbelievably charismatic," Moore said earlier in January about the film's portrayal of Palin. "Suddenly here was this working class mother who popped out and seemed to be able to command the world, but of course upon further inspection, she was clearly not prepared. She didn't necessarily have the experience necessary to lead our country, and that’s what we were attempting to characterize."
Sometimes, when an actor explains their sincere intentions, they're still acting.
posted by clarknova at 12:28 AM on February 2, 2012 [1 favorite]
Sometimes, when an actor explains their sincere intentions, they're still acting.
posted by clarknova at 12:28 AM on February 2, 2012 [1 favorite]
I didn't expect to be interested, but I want to see it.
posted by BurnChao at 1:41 AM on February 2, 2012
posted by BurnChao at 1:41 AM on February 2, 2012
I think I'd rather watch the heartwarming Disney movie where Palin plays hockey against Putin.
I'm 90% sure this is a knowing reference, but just in case it's not: "You just pucked with the wrong ice president."
posted by Rhaomi at 2:44 AM on February 2, 2012
I'm 90% sure this is a knowing reference, but just in case it's not: "You just pucked with the wrong ice president."
posted by Rhaomi at 2:44 AM on February 2, 2012
"Suddenly here was this working class mother who popped out and seemed to be able to command the world"
Sounds like Moore is buying into the mythology a bit? Palin may not come from as much privilege as a lot of politicians, but it seems like a bit of a stretch to call a college-educated daughter of teachers with a 20-year political career "working class."
posted by naoko at 8:53 AM on February 2, 2012
Sounds like Moore is buying into the mythology a bit? Palin may not come from as much privilege as a lot of politicians, but it seems like a bit of a stretch to call a college-educated daughter of teachers with a 20-year political career "working class."
posted by naoko at 8:53 AM on February 2, 2012
Sounds like Moore was explicitly told not to be too negative when doing promotion as to avoid negative PR.
posted by The Whelk at 8:54 AM on February 2, 2012
posted by The Whelk at 8:54 AM on February 2, 2012
Actors need to find something they like and empathise with about a part or it's an impossible job. Even if you're playing Hitler you have to find a way into the character or you just end up with melodrama and twirling moustaches. (Can you twirl a toothbrush moustache?)
posted by unSane at 10:02 AM on February 2, 2012
posted by unSane at 10:02 AM on February 2, 2012
Palin may not come from as much privilege as a lot of politicians, but it seems like a bit of a stretch to call a college-educated daughter of teachers with a 20-year political career "working class."
Her parents were a school teacher and the school secretary. She graduated from the University of Idaho. Her husband worked in an oil field and in commercial fishing. While she herself never swung a hammer, I think the "working class" tag is pretty spot-on.
Contrast that to her running mate, John McCain, a Naval Academy graduate whose father and grandfather were both Navy admirals.
Her "20-year political career" included 10 years on the city council (and the mayor's job) of a city with a population of only 7,000.
She wasn't exactly rolling in it.
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 10:02 AM on February 2, 2012
Her parents were a school teacher and the school secretary. She graduated from the University of Idaho. Her husband worked in an oil field and in commercial fishing. While she herself never swung a hammer, I think the "working class" tag is pretty spot-on.
Contrast that to her running mate, John McCain, a Naval Academy graduate whose father and grandfather were both Navy admirals.
Her "20-year political career" included 10 years on the city council (and the mayor's job) of a city with a population of only 7,000.
She wasn't exactly rolling in it.
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 10:02 AM on February 2, 2012
One question: Why does no one in the US get that the song American Women was written as a CRITICISM of the US, by a Canadian band?
Not only is the song critical of the US, but it is embraced by people who aren't paying attention just because it repeatedly mentions America. It's the Born in the USA effect and is an absolutely perfect choice for the Sarah Palin story.
posted by turaho at 2:27 PM on February 2, 2012
Not only is the song critical of the US, but it is embraced by people who aren't paying attention just because it repeatedly mentions America. It's the Born in the USA effect and is an absolutely perfect choice for the Sarah Palin story.
posted by turaho at 2:27 PM on February 2, 2012
Little known fact: The Guess Who played at the Nixon White House in 1970 but were told not to play American Woman.
Even lesser known fact: I (a pasty English guy) played American Woman on the back of a hay wagon with the Captain Canadas last July as we rolled down into the little town by Lake Huron for the Canada Day festival. The route was line with people all singing along. It's one of THE Canadian songs, along with Cinnamon Girl and the Hockey Song. Canadians know exactly what the song is about.
Randy Bachman tells a great story about how it was written:
Even lesser known fact: I (a pasty English guy) played American Woman on the back of a hay wagon with the Captain Canadas last July as we rolled down into the little town by Lake Huron for the Canada Day festival. The route was line with people all singing along. It's one of THE Canadian songs, along with Cinnamon Girl and the Hockey Song. Canadians know exactly what the song is about.
Randy Bachman tells a great story about how it was written:
"We were playing in a curling rink in Kitchener, Ontario (Canada), and I broke a string. I was up there alone, tuning up my E an B strings on an old Les Paul. I started playing that riff and in the audience, heads started turning. The band got up, and I said, 'Keep playing this, I don't want to forget it.' When Burton had run out of solos, I yelled out, 'Sing something!' So out of the blue Burton just screamed, 'American Woman, stay away from me!' That was the song, the riff and Burton yelling that line over and over. Later, he added other lines like 'I don't need your war machine, you ghetto scenes.' Before America knew it, it was a #1 record and it was a protest song."posted by unSane at 8:24 PM on February 2, 2012 [2 favorites]
Her parents were a school teacher and the school secretary. She graduated from the University of Idaho. Her husband worked in an oil field and in commercial fishing. While she herself never swung a hammer, I think the "working class" tag is pretty spot-on.
Contrast that to her running mate, John McCain, a Naval Academy graduate whose father and grandfather were both Navy admirals.
Her "20-year political career" included 10 years on the city council (and the mayor's job) of a city with a population of only 7,000.
She wasn't exactly rolling in it.
Never said she was rolling in it, and I explicitly acknowledged that she's not McCain-levels of privileged. However, being among the 30 percent-ish of Americans with a Bachelor's degree and holding some sort of professional, knowledge-oriented job (and having at least one parent with same) would, I would argue, make her pretty solidly middle class.
posted by naoko at 1:31 PM on February 3, 2012
Contrast that to her running mate, John McCain, a Naval Academy graduate whose father and grandfather were both Navy admirals.
Her "20-year political career" included 10 years on the city council (and the mayor's job) of a city with a population of only 7,000.
She wasn't exactly rolling in it.
Never said she was rolling in it, and I explicitly acknowledged that she's not McCain-levels of privileged. However, being among the 30 percent-ish of Americans with a Bachelor's degree and holding some sort of professional, knowledge-oriented job (and having at least one parent with same) would, I would argue, make her pretty solidly middle class.
posted by naoko at 1:31 PM on February 3, 2012
Americans are so cute when they try to discuss social class.
They always think it has something to do with money.
posted by unSane at 8:47 PM on February 3, 2012
They always think it has something to do with money.
posted by unSane at 8:47 PM on February 3, 2012
Perhaps you could clarify, unSane? I said it was about education, the type of work one does, etc., which I don't think is quite the same thing as saying it's about money.
posted by naoko at 8:35 AM on February 4, 2012
posted by naoko at 8:35 AM on February 4, 2012
I'm British, so this is skewed since we are a nation completely obsessed by class in one form or another (something you generally only realize after living in another country for a while), but my theory is that your class is defined by your upbringing, but it can shift up to one level up or down during your lifetime, and only as a result of education. So if you're born to a dirt poor working family, but you get a decent education, you can end up solidly middle class but you are never ever going to be upper class. Your kids though, could end up there. Similarly, if you're a brainless toff you could quite easily slide down the pole to middle class, but you're never going to be a prole, though your kids might well be.
posted by unSane at 1:45 PM on February 4, 2012
posted by unSane at 1:45 PM on February 4, 2012
« Older How Basketball-Reference Got Every Box Score | In sickness and in health Newer »
This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments
posted by yoink at 12:42 PM on February 1, 2012 [5 favorites]