Palin’s Fake Quote

What she says sounds like an abbreviated version of this quote.

“I am satisfied the good sense of the people is the strongest army our government can ever have, and that it will not fail them.” -Thomas Jefferson to William Carmichael, 1786. ME 6:31 (Source: http://etext.virginia.edu/jefferson/quotations/jeff0700.htm)

Thomas Jefferson wrote to Dr. Thomas Cooper in 1814, “Christianity neither is, nor ever was a part of common law.”

It also important to point out the language of “The Treaty of Tripoli, initiated by George Washington during his Presidency and later signed into law by John Adams in May of 1797.

The Treaty reads (complete with eighteenth-century spellings of the words Muslims and Mohammedan):

Article 11.

As the government of the United States of American is not in any sense founded on the Christian Religion, as it has in itself not character of enmity against the laws, religion or tranquility of Messelmen, and as the said States never have entered into any war or act of hostility against any Mehomitan nation, it is declared by the parties that no pretext arising from religious opinions shall ever produce an interruption of the harmony existing between the two countries.

Thomas Jefferson worked vigorously to oppose efforts by Patrick Henry to establish a theocratic government in Virginia. In “Notes on The State of Virginia,” Jefferson writes: “It does me no injury for my neighbors to say there are twenty gods or no God. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg.” Jefferson often issued stern warnings about the intertwining of government and religion. He writes in 1813, “History I believe, furnishes no example of a priest-ridden people maintaining a free civil government. This marks the lowest grade of ignorance of which their civil as well as religious leaders will always avail themselves for their own purposes.”

“Whenever the people are well-informed, they can be trusted with their own government;… whenever things get so far wrong as to attract their notice, they may be relied on to set them to rights.” –Thomas Jefferson to Richard Price, 1789.

I think Sarah got Tomas Jefferson mixed up with Boris Badenov from the Bullwinkle cartoons, he always said: “Never underestimate the power of a Shnook!” I have a feeling Sarah watched a lot of cartoons! Actually, Sarah IS a cartoon!

Butchering a quote and getting it’s entire meaning wrong is a step up for Sarah. It at least implies there’s something she misremembered, instead of the fact that she can only repeat soundbytes that were told to her.

http://thesebastards.blogspot.com/

it’s pageant speak

Maybe she was trying for this quote:
“Democracy is cumbersome, slow and inefficient, but in due time, the voice of the people will be heard and their latent wisdom will prevail.”
the author is unverified, but it is attributed to Jefferson.
http://www.bartleby.com/73/426.html

Of course, still not sure what the hell she’s talking about.
And I love that use of “latent” (defined as: present or potential but not evident.) I think that might describe Palin at this point. I’m sure she’s not as much of an idiot as she appears to be.

So Palin can’t quote the Founding Fathers correctly but does well with quotes from racist fascists. Interesting.

I’m glad that I was able to see both Biden’s and Palin’s answer on this question, as well as the Supreme Court questions. It’s such a contrast – Biden’s clear, competent answers, and Palin’s rambling talking points answers.

Again, which will appeal to the independent, swing voters who haven’t made up their minds? If Biden can give, clear, concise answers tonight, I think those undecided voters will see the difference. Remember, it’s the hardcore, fundamentalist Christian far right who love her. People in the middle aren’t so sure.

I happen to think that all the pundits, and for that matter most of the bloggers, are wrong about Palin. I don’t think she’s shown any real ability to talk extemporaneously — I think she’s gonna crash and burn tonight, and take McCain with her. IMHO.