Last fall it seemed as if Sarah Palin would light a fuse and cause a social explosion. Behind her beauty-pageant smile lurked the shadow, the dark side of human nature. Her tactic of appealing to the worst impulses of the electorate had a long history in the Republican Party. Indeed, Palin inherited the selfish, mean-spirited values of another politician with a gleaming smile, Ronald Reagan.
When it first dawned in American politics, the shadow was shocking. Values were turned upside down. The AIDS crisis? Ignore it. They deserve what they got. The deficit? Doesn’t matter as long as the rich get what they want. Huge unemployment and falling incomes among the working class? Feed them crank social issues so they have someone to hate. Palin breathes this noxious atmosphere like the clear air of Alaska and thrives on it.
Now, however, Palin brings a smile. When she quit her job as governor, it was obvious that someone had whispered in her ear, "You’re fading. Soon you’ll be a nobody. Grab the money while you can." And so she did, earning a hefty advance, much of which, fittingly, goes to paying off lawsuits related to her ethical violations while in office. The shadow that seemed so dangerous a year ago has been defanged, reduced to spiteful backbiting against the McCain campaign, the very people who gave Pain her spot in the limelight to begin with.
I hope the left will take a deep breath and stop treating Palin like a diabolical force. The American character has always had a large dose of orneriness in it, and the more ornery you were, the farther west you moved. Alaska has a reputation for being an icebox for malcontents. Palin came straight from the source, and countless Americans root for her. In hard times, being the bellyacher-in-chief is a valid role. Hence the rise of Glenn Beck.
But nobody is being fooled. A recent Gallup poll showed that 67% of responders don’t want Palin to run for President. Fear of Palin is ill-advised on two counts. First, fear is what the shadow wants. Without it, the shadow has no power. Second, the left needs to learn how to win graciously. The current upheaval in American society, which has been an enormous threat on many fronts, called forth a president and a constituency that knows how to handle crisis. The voices of sanity are prevailing. The solutions that have emerged on all fronts — economic, social, and international — represent the best in the American character.
But you can’t expect everyone to join the party. As long as we know that Palin is fooling nobody all of the time, the darker side can be tolerated. The shadow is always with us. Today it’s on a book tour.
Published in the San Francisco Chronicle
For more information go to deepakchopra.com
The trouble is she shouldn
Why are people still discussing this dummy?
What is interesting, as more than one commentator has noted, is that much of the Sarah phenom on the right is generated less by her ideas than her overt embracing of her sexuality.
Most women in politics have to squelch their sexuality: Sarah uses not just beauty but overt sexuality (Newsweek cover) to generate interest.
Charisma's a market tool on both sides: most Presidents win by a kind of charm and persona as well as policy. They have to be "likable" which usually means attractive as well as personable,
Whether or not we like Sarah, we should note this lesson, and remember if a woman's ever going to hold top office, she'll more than likely have some kind of attractive factor as well as being smart.
One half of the equation isn't enough; though she's attractive, she lacks substance, and most people (especially women) aren't going to buy the without the whole kit and kaboodle.
Thanks for this article.
"he American character has always had a large dose of orneriness"
I never heard the word "orneriness"before:
"deliberate and stubborn unruliness and resistance to guidance or discipline"
It
Very petty and mean comments from someone who after 3 months of reading your blog and believing you might have a message is disappointing.
The "shadow" and other references seem dramatic and over-reaching and, to me, don't gibe with a practice of positive intenionality.
I could say more, but believe that here, I am a minority.
Farewell.
Dr Chopra maybe you should write an article about Obamas faults! And he has plenty!
Forgotten your divinity Dr Chopra?? Dear Dr Chopra, I just read your article about Sarah Palin, and am extremely disappointed! You teach non – judgement yet you write an ego based, judgement filled article about someone you dont even know! I may not agree with everthing Sarah Palin does and says, but I don't have to hate or fear her – your mean spirited attack of her says more about you than her! I also don't appreciate your reducing her to "a beauty pagent smile" as this is deeply unenlightened. And if we are going to talk about "the shadow" Obama sat in an anti semitic church for twenty years – why dont you write an article about that?
She wrote a book and is making money off of it Just like you do!
Your hypocrisy saddens and disappoints me, as I thought you were beyond fear and anger based judgements. As you always teach, what we critcise in others, we cant see in ourselves.
Love Tarryn
LOL Dr Chopra
My word, Deepak you should employ Diab as an advisor
I knew that Boston Tea Party would come to no good!
What a raving beauty was our Maggie T
Hello Deepak,
I do not think the left fears Palin so much as they realize that between now and 2012, Palin can become a full blown media creation with "a movement" where the goal is the White House. The media loves what Palin brings to 24hr. entertainment news, she is their darling. I wouldn't count her out just yet.
Maureen Dowd wrote a very englightening piece in this weeks nyTimes about Palin.
Sarah Palin is a phenomenon of "intolerance." The appeal she holds for many is rooted and based on their fear and prejudice. Her approach to political leadership is all about shadow energy. I don't believe it is judgemental or negative to say so. There is always a contrast between light and darknes, positive and negative. I am heartened that a majority of Americans, which surely must encompass members of both major political parties here, rightfully have deep concerns about her. Reading her book or watchng television appearances is one thing. When it comes to voting, I believe the ethics violations of the past, the disdain she holds for human beings who don't share her values and her lack of subject depth will keep us safe.
Ah Maggot Hatcher, someone had to mention her at some point. Thanks for that Ed lol.
I'm a little skeptic of the lies the liberal media feed us. A good dose of skepticism has allowed me to research the truth about the left and form my own opinions.
I don't think you should go.
Everyone needs to hear both sides.