Sunday, October 26, 2008

"Uncle Barney Frank"

At Talking Points Memo, Josh Marshall is wondering why Sarah Palin is referring to Barney Frank as "Uncle Barney Frank." The context:

McCain's running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, said Saturday that an Obama presidency combined with Democratic control of Congress would lead to bigger government.

"Now they do this in other countries where the people are not free — government as part of the family, taking care of us, making decisions for us," she said during a rally in Sioux City, Iowa. "I don't know what to think of having in my family Uncle Barney Frank or others to make decisions for me."
My guess is that this odd bit of phrasing is a barely veiled swipe at sexual orientation. If the gummint is going to be our family, Frank would be an uncle, our gay uncle. It would seem beyond Palin's version of reality to imagine a gay man as a father or grandfather.

How low can they go? I don't think we've found out.

*

A further thought, two hours later: perhaps uncle is meant to suggest "Uncle Joe," Joseph Stalin, or "Uncle Ho," Ho Chi Minh.

comments: 3

Anonymous said...

Or Uncle Arthur. :(

Charles Céleste Hutchins said...

It's totally about him being gay. Gay people don't have "family values." They're not part of your family, uncle or no. Do you want some pervert telling you what to do?

Michael Leddy said...

I had to Google "Uncle Arthur," and yes, that suggestion seems plausible too. I guess that's the beauty of innuendo — it becomes a matter of what the audience sees in it. The innuendo-maker can disavow responsibility.

If anyone's wondering about why I let CH's comment through — I believe that it's meant ironically.

Thanks, Anon. and CH for your comments.