Since we opened up that can of stewed pears by praising the guy who threw tomatoes at Sarah Palin, we figured it's a good time to explain why it was cool that he did that. In other words: Food fight!
Here are the reasons (besides the obvious ones) that we think it was a good idea for Jeremy Paul Olson to throw food at Sarah Palin today during her Minnesota reading, for which he is currently incarcerated:
Throwing food at people has a long, messy history
The first recorded incident of throwing food at a public figure in history, according to our ten minutes of Googling, was in 60-something AD when Roman emperor Vespasianus Ceaser Augustus was "pelted with turnips" at a riot, most likely by people sick of having nothing to eat but turnips. In the 1770s, preacher John Crook was similarly assaulted when he tried to convert the heathens of the Isle of Man to Methodism.
Later, an 1883 Times article titled "AN ACTOR DEMORALIZED BY TOMATOES" recounts the fierce pillorying of the actor John Ritchie
He had a crowded house, and was warmly received, in fact, it was altogether hot for him, there being distributed among the audience a bushel or two of rotten tomatoes. The first act opened with Mr. Ritchie trying to turn a somersault. He probably would have succeeded had not a great many tomatoes struck him, throwing him off his balance and demoralizing him... a large tomato thrown from the gallery struck him square between the eyes, and he fell to the stage floor just as several bad eggs dropped upon his head. Then the tomatoes flew thick and fast, and Ritchie fled for the stage door.
Come on, haters: That is awesome!
More recently, Nixon was pelted with eggs and tomatoes during a 1958 trip to South America, but cleverly blamed it on the fact he was riding in one of the notoriously Edsel convertibles. You guys just got a face-full of history there, which proves that throwing food is basically the "Mad Men" of political protest.
A violent action without all that violence
Throwing food is a good compromise, with much of the spectacle and newsworthiness of violence but none of the stupid "hurting people" part. (Incidentally, we should mention that we endorse that tomato-throwing guy if and only if he was chucking very soft, overripe tomatoes which would splatter readily and harmlessly all over Ms. Palin and drip down into her clothes while she was trying to sign books. Also, the tomatoes should have been organic and fair trade!)
It's democratic
Did we mention that, after signing her books today at the Mall of America, Palin headed off to a $5000 per head fundraiser for The Freedom Club PAC? The people who can pay $5000 for this kind of thing are the people who run our country. It's only fair that we allow Joe the disenfranchised Plumber the right to hurl at members of the power-elite the tomatoes which their own unfair trade policies have made so affordable and delicious.
Usually, the victim deserves it
real cute,and this proves you liberals are the non-violent ones how..............
Posted by: ken | 12/07/2009 at 10:41 PM
Where's the violence?
Posted by: sjohnson | 12/08/2009 at 04:40 AM
[this is good] Also, who are you referring to as a liberal? Syrin is a well-known conservative from Wasilla. The guy who threw the tomatoes might me a very disgruntled republican. Many people see Sarah for the selfish lying sack of manure that she is and they aren't necessarily all liberal. I know many republicans who are sick of her and think she is thicker than a brick. They refer to her as the one who is trying to destroy the republican party.
Posted by: sjohnson | 12/08/2009 at 03:07 PM
Proof is in the pudding. Syrin is not a "conservative", she cannot even define what the word means in the contemporary lexicon. She is a proxy for the "Big Oil" lobby.
What some people see and what is real are not necessarily the same thing. Seems you, sjohnson, have a particular envy of Governor Sarah Palin. Would you be so kind as to enlighten us all what that would be?
Could you name two (2) republicans who are sick of Governor Sarah Palin?
Since a brick is so small, yes I will agree Governor Sarah Palin as well as you, sjohnson, are thicker than a brick.
Are you a Republican, do you really care if Governor Sarah Palin destroys the Republican Party?
Posted by: JBodine | 12/12/2009 at 07:51 PM
Secondarily, sjohnson, do you advocate violence being exercised toward Governor Sarah Paliin? Are you yourself submitting that given the opportunity, would assult Governor Sarah Palin? Yes stricking anyone with anything is assult.
Posted by: JBodine | 12/12/2009 at 07:54 PM
First, I don't get your comment that Syrin isn't a conservative because she is a proxy for "Big Oil" lobby. Please explain, and do you know Syrin well?
Second, as I have only disgust for Sarah Palin and her lack of integrity, I can't enlighten you as to the envy comment. That was an ad hominem from you.
Third, I can name many republicans who despise Ms. Palin. I seriously doubt that you know my friends and acquaintances, so what's the point?
Fourth, I seriously care if she destroys the republican party. A one party system would be a disaster for America. Wouldn't you agree? As I said before, possibly at your site, a two party system helps prevent radicals of either party from taking over the country.
Fifth, what am I? I don't vote a party line. I am more of a centrist and have voted on both sides.
Sixth, I don't advocate real violence, no. But two ripe tomatoes launched from a balcony is a bit funny. Was it right for the perp to do it? No. I did chuckle though.
I would have more respect for your opinions if you left out your ad hominem attacks.
Posted by: sjohnson | 12/12/2009 at 08:27 PM
Your ignorance and sycophant nature continues. I'm a conscientious, competent, accountable conservative.
BTW.... There is no such person as Governor Sarah Palin!!!
One gov per state! Governor Sean Parnell will soon be the ex governor of Alaska, completeing the second half of a highly LIBERAL/POPULIST and the most UNETHICAL administration in Alaska's history.
Posted by: Syrin from Wasilla | 12/12/2009 at 08:52 PM
Well, obviously, Bodine, you are full of yourself and full of crap. You have a very selective reading ability. It certainly isn't worth my time to try to have an intelligent conversation with someone who cherry picks words from a post. And yes, you should google "ad hominem." Perhaps you will understand what it is, dunce. It is also clear from your post that you like to grab the "talking points" vocabulary, but when you try to construct your own sentence, it makes little sense.
Posted by: sjohnson | 12/13/2009 at 10:32 AM
As for Syrin (Sherry) yes I know her quite well from having discourse with her.
What?
Wow, you're fantasizing about knowing me now! YOU ARE NOTHING MORE THEN A EMPTY SOUL! You are not adhereing to TRUTH, instead you chase after a fable! You're a sick, pathetic person who has lost the TRUTH for the LORD JESUS CHRIST. You have clearly repalced HIS TRUTH with your LIE!
Modern lexicon? CONSERVATIVE OPINION AND VALUES HAVE A DEFINITION PRE-DATING SARAH whack job PALIN ........FOOL!
Posted by: Syrin from Wasilla | 12/13/2009 at 11:31 AM
Syrin (Sherry) you are afraid of the Truth. You delete my comments that expose you and your sycophants that join you in your damnation of Governor Sarah Palin.
You "judge" her heart. If you want to point out a specific policy you disagree with and explain why you believe it to be wrong. Do so. You do not do that, you judge and condem Governor Sarah Palin's heart. Only The Lord God knows her heart.
Posted by: JBodine | 12/13/2009 at 11:45 AM
Syrin, I think "Semi-gov Palin" has a nice ring to it. Perhaps "Pseudo-gov" would be better.
Posted by: sjohnson | 12/13/2009 at 11:45 AM
Talk about the kettle calling the pot black, your entire comment is nothing but an "ad hominem".
Posted by: JBodine | 12/13/2009 at 11:47 AM
Syrin, if you are deleting some of JBodine's comments, why not just block him.? I don't mind opposing points of view, but he adds nothing intellectual to the conversation, and he is just taking up space. If he has to request specific info on Pseudo-gov's complete lack of integrity and black heart, he has come to the game too late. I for one don't wish to lay it all out for him when we have spent so much time here and on other blogs fact-checking her numerous lies and nefarious deeds over the last 18 months.
Posted by: sjohnson | 12/13/2009 at 11:50 AM
Oh, I didn't do it intentionally (it was right before church)- I do remember clicking ok for something. Ooops...
sjohnson what this baffoon has to say is of no value. I'm an advocate for oil and gas development- ALL Alaskans should be, it's what supports 90% of state government. Danger is in the form of a hypocrite. Sarah is that hypocrite! Being the most unethical public offical, growing government 100 fold, raising taxes on private industry, REDISTRIBUTING others wealth (Get a flippin grip, can't just redirect check to BP), appointing pro abortion judges and showing NO SELF CONTROL or any other fruit of the Spirit.
These people are late to the game as you said. I generally don't delete comments. Every post gets more absurd and the core of this kind of mentality is demonstrated clearly by this man's delusion about this one woman. Sarah has been fact checked and is found to be a fraud, a liar, incompetent and a political whore.
Posted by: Syrin from Wasilla | 12/13/2009 at 02:44 PM
(Galatians 5:22-23)
These signs are called the 9 Fruits of the Spirit. They are evidence to the world that you have been paid for by the blood of Jesus, and you have the Mark to prove it!
Posted by: Syrin from Wasilla | 12/13/2009 at 02:46 PM
[this is good] Some are born tomatoes, some achieve tomatoes, and some have tomatoes thrust upon them.
Posted by: Syrin from Wasilla | 12/16/2009 at 07:34 PM