Is Sarah Palin America’s Mahmoud Ahmadinejad? The two differ in many key respects, of course, but it is remarkable how similar they are. There are uncanny parallels in their biographies, their domestic politics and the way they present themselves — even in their rocky relationships with party elders.Both are former governors of a northwest frontier state with great natural beauty (in Ahmadinejad’s case, Ardabil). Both are known for saying things that produce a classic Scooby-Doo double take in their audiences. Both appeal to a sort of wounded nationalism, speaking of the sacrifice of dedicated troops for an often feckless public, and identifying themselves with the common soldier. They are vigilant against foreign designs on their countries and insist on energy and other independence.
But above all, both are populists who claim to represent the little people against wily and unscrupulous elites, and against pampered upper-middle-class yuppies pretending to be the voice of democracy. Together, they tell us something about dangerous competing populisms in an age of globalization.
A thought provoking piece.
Both Hitler and Obama are from fringe states of large empires that were once autonomous nations. Both wanted a strong central governnment and led a nation in wartime. They both believed in killing innocent people, one the Jews, one helpless babies. They both were elected due to a message of hope following a time of a mis-run nation in economic crisis. Both were famous for their fantastic oratory skills, which they displayed at large rallies. See? It’s easy to do! Obama is literally Hitler!
Yeah, what he said.
