Fargo Has Personality?
By Nate • Sep 30th, 2008 • Category: Media, Politics
I was reading through some suggested articles online today when I came across this gem in a piece on Politico,
It’s very Fargo,” said former McCain campaign strategist Mark McKinnon. “Ton of personality.”
This was said in reference to Sarah Palin’s unique, goofy accent. I, for one, take offense.
Mr. McKinnon, I lived in Fargo and I don’t know where you’re getting this “personality” idea from. You, sir, have obviously never been to Fargo and have no idea what you’re talking about.
The Fargo I know is filled to the brim with flat-accented, average, unremarkable people who are all perfectly nice enough, in their own way. Fargo is not known for it’s unique, interesting people. There are not a lot of exciting people in Fargo. There are a lot of nice people, a lot of friendly people, a lot of well-meaning people. But it’s not like there’s much about Fargo or the entire history of Fargo that indicates personality. It’s a very average mid-sized community in a very average state in a very average section of our country.
The article goes on to talk about how Palin’s accent is an outsider’s accent. That it represents something different from the norm in Washington. Then again, if Palin were to speak entirely in Pig Latin during every public appearance, that would also be different. It would also be less annoying than the way that she speaks now. She sounds like she’s doing a bad Frances McDormand-in-’Fargo’ impersonation. I understand that this is the way that she probably talks all the time, but it doesn’t make it any less grating or piercing. If I lived in Alaska, with everyone talking to me like they’re just about to head home and have some hot dish for dinner, maybe some bars and coffee after, then sit around and watch America’s Funniest Home Videos.
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Nate is pretty sure Mark Twain said it best, "Humor is the great thing, the saving thing after all. The minute it crops up, all our hardnesses yield, all our irritations, and resentments flit away, and a sunny spirit takes their place."
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Even though I can’t stand Palin, I have to say this. What the Hell does her accent have to do with anything? It’s not as though she speaks in an accent that’s as thick as the skull of the current president.
And agreed on Fargo, he has the depth of a puddle.
Ditto what Dartz says. What the heck does Palin’s accent have to do with anything. If accent’s that are non-Washingtonian matter please explain how Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton ended up in office. What is the “norm” for Washington, D.C.?
I dunno, but I would love to have a President with a Brooklyn accent, when it comes to best accents, that one is second only to my own.
I’m such a narcissist.
Personally, I’d like to see a politician speak Ebonics. Anyone seen Airplane lately? There’s a scene where this older woman has to translate what two black men are saying because no one can understand them. I can just picture that happening in D.C. if someone were to speak Ebonics.