You know how in the Culture Wars the wacko right is always a step behind? Never really hip. Kind of a Lee Greenwood/Beach Boys/Tom Selleck step or two out of it? Drop on in below to find out how that may be changing.
In the last few days the tragically, unhip Right may have finally found their voice when it comes to generating new words and phrases into the language. It's one of the real tests of a groups ability to influence the culture. Think of the wealth of slang and descriptions that have come from African American and Jewish American cultures. Now, in some weird ways, the wacko right wing is finally getting some traction even as it sinks into permanent powerlessness.
I was at a party or two lately when I heard these terms being bandied by perfectly hip and slightly normal Americans. The first was the not so long ago and verging on permanence 'hiking the Appalachian Trail'. Everyone knew that the subject was not only straying from a commitment, but was the kind of person who thinks they would never get caught.
Then I heard another denizen describe a moment of indescribable insanity as a 'birther'. Like " its was nuts, wacked...way wacked. . .birther". I was impressed.
The last bit requires an assist from the inestimable talents of a grand thespian and superb horseman by the stage name of William Shatner. His spot on interpretation of the utterances of Sarah Palin is oddly satisfying. As if her pretentious and smarmy ramblings just needed a bass, bongos and the voice of Captain Kirk to turn the corner into Art.
Time will tell if they can keep this up. So far the Deathers seem to be as stilted and inarticulate as we normally expect from the seething Right. And for all his time and efforts spent ranting and raving, Glen Beck hasn't left behind one memorable quotation that deserves to be repeated. Indeed, Rush has spilled billions of utterances, and not a one is readily quotable. But, this may be changing. It seems powerless desperation stimulates the left side of the brain.