Calling your political opponents Nazis can get old after a while.
That's why one needs to mix it up, perhaps by suggesting that they're akin to the radical Islamic clerics that inspire terrorism.
Just ask MSNBC's Chris Matthews.
During the "Political Sideshow" segment of his June 1 program, the "Hardball" host compared Sarah Palin's Facebook page posting about author Joe McGinniss renting the house next door to a "fatwa" aimed at "rev[ving] up anger at the author" from amongst her "mob" of followers [MP3 audio available here]:
CHRIS MATTHEWS: A thrillah in Wasilla. Sarah Palin's got a new neighbor out in Wasilla, Alaska, journalist Joe McGinniss, who's writing a book on the ex-governor set to come out next year.
MATTHEWS: In the past week, Palin's taken to Facebook and conservative radio to rev up anger at the author after he rented a house that's next to her property. Here's McGinniss who wrote that great book, "The Selling of the President," on the "Today" show saying he has no intention of spying on the Palins.
JOE McGINNISS: I am not observing them at all. I'm here to talk to people who have known them for 40 years in Wasilla.
MCGINNISS: I think this is probably a lesson for the American people of the power Palin has to incite hatred, and her willingness and readiness to do it. She has pushed a button and unleashed the hounds of Hell and now they're out there slabbering and barking and growling.
MATTHEWS: Wow. Well, Palin, who knows how to stir up a mob, has issued a fatwa against McGinniss for daring to rent that vacant house next door.
Here's the full text of her May 25 Facebook "fatwa" that Matthews and McGinniss are all riled up about:
Spring has sprung in Alaska, and with this beautiful season comes the news today that the Palins have a new neighbor! Welcome, Joe McGinniss!
Yes, that Joe McGinniss. Here he is – about 15 feet away on the neighbor’s rented deck overlooking my children’s play area and my kitchen window. Maybe we’ll welcome him with a homemade blueberry pie tomorrow so he’ll know how friendly Alaskans are.
We found out the good news today. Upon my family’s return this morning from endorsement rallies and speeches in the Lower 48 states, I finally got the chance to tackle my garden and lawn this evening! So, putting on the shorts and tank top to catch that too-brief northern summer sun and placing a giddy Trig in his toddler backpack for a lawn-mowing adventure, I looked up in surprise to see a “new neighbor” overlooking my property just a stone’s throw away. Needless to say, our outdoor adventure ended quickly after Todd went to introduce himself to the stranger who was peering in...
Joe announced to Todd that he’s moved in right next door to us. He’s rented the place for the next five months or so. He moved up all the way from Massachusetts to live right next to us – while he writes a book about me. Knowing of his many other scathing pieces of “journalism” (including the bizarre anti-Palin administration oil development pieces that resulted in my Department of Natural Resources announcing that his work is the most twisted energy-related yellow journalism they’d ever encountered), we’re sure to have a doozey to look forward to with this treasure he’s penning. Wonder what kind of material he’ll gather while overlooking Piper’s bedroom, my little garden, and the family’s swimming hole?
Welcome, Joe! It’ll be a great summer – come borrow a cup of sugar if ever you need some sweetener. And you know what they say about “fences make for good neighbors”? Well, we’ll get started on that tall fence tomorrow, and I’ll try to keep Trig’s squeals down to a quiet giggle so we don’t disturb your peaceful summer. Enjoy!
- Sarah Palin
