Geraldine Ferraro

 "Liberty Leading The People - 1984"/This 'Liberty' Reprint Was Inspired By The 1830 Masterpiece By Delacroix 'Liberty Leading The People'." Issued by the Montana Citizens For Liberty
COURTESY OF HAKE'S AMERICANA AND COLLECTIBLES

GERALDINE ANNE FERRARO

(August 26, 1935 – March 26, 2011)

What I remember from the 1984 Vice Presidential Debate, beyond wanting to have simultaneous physical access to Poppy Bush and to a rotten tomato, was Ferraro's sang-froid in the face of condescension, the slight smile, the hint of a curl to the lip.

Vastly better than overripe fruit.  Still, when Bush the Braggadocious -- a real Guy's Guy -- said into an open mic at the end of the debate that he had "kicked a little ass," I daydreamed a good dozen rotten eggs, airborne.

The YouTube clip below, according to its annoyingly chirpy Fox presenters, captured the "historic" first in-person meeting of Ferraro and Sarah Palin following the 2010 midterm election results.

I appreciate, still, and maybe even more in these days of dumbing-down and groupthink, Ferraro's intelligence, political acumen, and gracious spirit. It is strikingly clear that these two women speak from very different foundations -- the one seeing politics as public service, the other lost in a gossipy view of politics as cults of personality.




***As I was searching for the transcript of that first televised encounter between Palin and Ferraro, the "Statement of Purpose" for something called The Fox Nation filled up the right margin of the computer page.

Ever diligent in my efforts to understand the alien species, I read it.

(I think) I threw up.
A little bit.
In my mouth.

[Recent archaeological efforts hypothesize that the origin of ITUALBIMM actually PREDATES its popularization by Christine Taylor in the motion picture "Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story."]

Get your sublingual Zofran ready.

The Fox Nation was created for people who believe in the United States of America and its ideals, as expressed in the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and the Emancipation Proclamation. It is a community that believes in the American Dream: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. One that believes being an American is an honor, as well as a great responsibility – and a wonderful adventure.

This is a place for people who believe we live in a great country, a welcoming refuge for legal immigrants who want to contribute their talents and abilities to make our way of life even greater. We believe we should enjoy the company and support of each other, delighting in the creativity, ingenuity, and work ethic of one and all, while observing the rules of civility and mutual respect and, most importantly, strengthening our diverse society by striving for unity.

The Fox Nation is committed to the core principles of tolerance, open debate, civil discourse, and fair and balanced coverage of the news. It is for those opposed to intolerance, excessive government control of our lives, and attempts to monopolize opinion or suppress freedom of thought, expression, and worship.

We invite all Americans who share these values to join us here at Fox Nation.

The Fox Nation Team

As usual, when I come across stuff like this, the jarring effect of such words being punked by the actual antics of their professors actually does make me nauseous.

Thinking I'd be refreshed by some discernment, I returned to the Fox video clips of Palin perched beside Ferraro, and scrolled down to the comment section to savor the intelligent contributions of thoughtful activist readers:

First comment:

She was from the old liberal school of JFK and I respect this. Today's liberal communistic social anti- American foundation is just that and should be addressed as such. No better than J I H A D. She was schooled with the same technique though in which liberals force others to do what they want instead of using freedom as an independence and choice for all.
--Wolverine_OathKeeper

Second comment:

Geraldine was wrong in her politics, but may have been a decent person. Most on the left now are also liars, which makes them evil. President Sarah Palin will be the one to break the final glass ceiling. Hopefully some day, phrases like ‘glass ceiling’ and ‘woman’s work’ will only be known from history books.
--pattersonbill589_at_Google

And the last that I was able to read before my eyes died:

Walter Mondale commented that she was an advocate for social justice. That my friends is anti American. And the media including Fox is telling us how great she was? I ain't buying it.
--jrose