# Sarah Palin: Paul Revere warned the British
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sarah-palin-paul-revere-warned-the-british/584369
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
**Created:** [June 5, 2011, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sarah-palin-paul-revere-warned-the-british/584369 "2011-06-05T04:31:38Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 2
### Author:  [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)
#### Post date: [June 5, 2011, 10:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sarah-palin-paul-revere-warned-the-british/584369/21 "2011-06-05T10:56:26Z")
> [@Cicero](#):
>
> He road along the rode. đ
And ranged among the bells.
---
### Author:  [@flodnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flodnak)
#### Post date: [June 5, 2011, 11:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sarah-palin-paul-revere-warned-the-british/584369/22 "2011-06-05T11:07:07Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#):
>
> _He got in his go-cart and stepped on the gas
> The bottom fell out and he fell on his⌠elbow._
Ooh, thatâs new. My mother taught me:
_Listen, my children, and you shall hear
Of the midnight ride of Paul Revere
A splitter, a splatter, all over the street,
And a fifty-yard dash to the toilet seat._
My fatherâs variation:
_One if by land,
Two if by sea.
We cut off the beer
'Cause you said you saw three._
Well, neither version makes any less sense than Palinâs.
---
### Author:  [@An\_Arky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Arky)
#### Post date: [June 5, 2011, 11:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sarah-palin-paul-revere-warned-the-british/584369/23 "2011-06-05T11:16:35Z")
> [@Tom\_Tildrum](#):
>
> [Apparently](http://legalinsurrection.blogspot.com/2011/06/so-now-all-these-people-will-apologize.html), Revere [wrote](http://www.masshist.org/database/img-viewer.php?item_id=99&img_step=1&tpc=&pid=&mode=transcript&tpc=&pid=#page1) that he did indeed warn the British that Americans would be massing against them. It wasnât intended to give assistance to the British, but rather as a threat or a boast after he was detained.
>
> Whatever other problems one might have with her, it sounds like she got this point right.
Iâm willing to bet large sums of money that she didnât know _that_, either, though.
---
### Author:  [@An\_Arky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Arky)
#### Post date: [June 5, 2011, 11:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sarah-palin-paul-revere-warned-the-british/584369/24 "2011-06-05T11:18:02Z")
> [@astro](#):
>
> God⌠she is stupid, but so \*\*\*\*able.
> [@Cicero](#):
>
> What on earth could you talk about later?
Simple; leave the ball gag in her mouth.
---
### Author:  [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)
#### Post date: [June 5, 2011, 11:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sarah-palin-paul-revere-warned-the-british/584369/25 "2011-06-05T11:25:27Z")
> [@Tom\_Tildrum](#):
>
> Whatever other problems one might have with her, it sounds like she got this point right.
If she got it right, and she really didnât, it was simply inadvertent rather than any detailed knowledge from actually studying the subject.
---
### Author:  [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)
#### Post date: [June 5, 2011, 11:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sarah-palin-paul-revere-warned-the-british/584369/26 "2011-06-05T11:30:02Z")
> [@An\_Arky](#):
>
> Simple; leave the ball gag in her mouth.
And the butt plug so she canât talk out her ass.
---
### Author:  [@Maeglin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maeglin)
#### Post date: [June 5, 2011, 11:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sarah-palin-paul-revere-warned-the-british/584369/27 "2011-06-05T11:33:22Z")
> [@Tom\_Tildrum](#):
>
> Whatâs the technicality?
He was apprehended and apparently beaten by the British after he warned John Hancock and Samuel Adams. Revere âalarmed almost every houseâ on the way to Lexington.
---
### Author:  [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)
#### Post date: [June 5, 2011, 11:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sarah-palin-paul-revere-warned-the-british/584369/28 "2011-06-05T11:34:41Z")
So, do you think anyone on her bus made the attempt to set her straight? Or would they be accused of playing some history Gotcha game??
:rolleyes:
---
### Author:  [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)
#### Post date: [June 5, 2011, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sarah-palin-paul-revere-warned-the-british/584369/29 "2011-06-05T12:01:25Z")
If Palin were from Arkansas instead of Alaska, theyâd call her a hillbilly.
---
### Author:  [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)
#### Post date: [June 5, 2011, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sarah-palin-paul-revere-warned-the-british/584369/30 "2011-06-05T15:36:29Z")
[Palin: I didnât mess up Paul Revere history](http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43285196/ns/politics/)
> [@](#):
>
> Palin, a paid Fox News contributor, told âFox News Sundayâ that she was correct. She says there were British soldiers in the area for years before Revereâs legendary ride, and that he was warning them, as well as his fellow colonists.
---
### Author:  [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)
#### Post date: [June 5, 2011, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sarah-palin-paul-revere-warned-the-british/584369/31 "2011-06-05T15:39:28Z")
Is that woman even physically capable of saying âI made a mistake.â??
---
### Author:  [@Giles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giles)
#### Post date: [June 5, 2011, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sarah-palin-paul-revere-warned-the-british/584369/32 "2011-06-05T15:49:38Z")
I donât think that woman understands even the fundamentals of American history. I can just imagine Paul Revere warning the British not to take arms off the Americans:
Paul Revere: Iâm warning you, donât take arms off us Americans!
British officer: So, Mr Revere, what will happen if we take away your arms?
PR: Weâll rebel against you, thatâs what.
BO: I thought you were trying to rebel against us.
PR: Just donât take away our arms!
BO: But wonât it be harder to rebel without arms? What are you going to use, pitchforks against our muskets?
---
### Author:  [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)
#### Post date: [June 5, 2011, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sarah-palin-paul-revere-warned-the-british/584369/33 "2011-06-05T15:55:15Z")
> [@Giles](#):
>
> What are you going to use, pitchforks against our muskets?
Bananas. But if you really want to scare them, use pineapples.
---
### Author:  [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)
#### Post date: [June 5, 2011, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sarah-palin-paul-revere-warned-the-british/584369/34 "2011-06-05T16:00:29Z")
> [@Tom\_Tildrum](#):
>
> [Apparently](http://legalinsurrection.blogspot.com/2011/06/so-now-all-these-people-will-apologize.html), Revere [wrote](http://www.masshist.org/database/img-viewer.php?item_id=99&img_step=1&tpc=&pid=&mode=transcript&tpc=&pid=#page1) that he did indeed warn the British that Americans would be massing against them. It wasnât intended to give assistance to the British, but rather as a threat or a boast after he was detained.
>
> Whatever other problems one might have with her, it sounds like she got this point right.
By ringinâ those bells? Accoridng to Ms. Palin, she warned the British they âwouldnât be takinâ away those armsâ by âringinâ those bells.â
---
### Author:  [@WotNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WotNot)
#### Post date: [June 5, 2011, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sarah-palin-paul-revere-warned-the-british/584369/35 "2011-06-05T16:11:09Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#):
>
> Bananas. But if you really want to scare them, use pineapples.
Not a strategy that would work nowadays, of course â we British have long since overcome our fear of fresh fruit. Even the Scots can manage either of those, provided they have sufficient supplies of batter and hot oil.
---
### Author:  [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)
#### Post date: [June 5, 2011, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sarah-palin-paul-revere-warned-the-british/584369/36 "2011-06-05T16:33:19Z")
> [@Tom\_Tildrum](#):
>
> [Apparently](http://legalinsurrection.blogspot.com/2011/06/so-now-all-these-people-will-apologize.html), Revere [wrote](http://www.masshist.org/database/img-viewer.php?item_id=99&img_step=1&tpc=&pid=&mode=transcript&tpc=&pid=#page1) that he did indeed warn the British that Americans would be massing against them. It wasnât intended to give assistance to the British, but rather as a threat or a boast after he was detained.
>
> Whatever other problems one might have with her, it sounds like she got this point right.
This is whatâs really scary. Not that Sarah Palin is an idiot. Itâs that other people will try to spin reality to make it agree with whatever she said.
Palin says refudiate but itâs okay because itâs a neologism. Palin refers to North Korea as our ally but itâs okay because she corrected herself (she didnât actually, it was the interviewer who suggested to her that she meant South Korea).
---
### Author:  [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)
#### Post date: [June 5, 2011, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sarah-palin-paul-revere-warned-the-british/584369/37 "2011-06-05T16:49:39Z")
I think the broader issue is the significance of these mistakes. Palin complains that when she makes a verbal gaffe, it gets lots of media publicity and when somebody else makes a similar mistake, it mostly gets ignored.
In my opinion, the difference is that Palinâs spoken mistakes are indicative of a much deeper general ignorance. Sure it was no major issue that she called North Korea our ally instead of South Korea. But foreign policy advisors who worked with Palin during the 2008 campaign have said that she was essentially ignorant of the situation in Korea, going back to why there are two Koreas.
Palin never said that she could see Russia from her backyard. She said parts of Russia could be seen by parts of Alaska, which is correct. But hereâs the full transcript of the interview with Charles Gibson:
> [@](#):
>
> GIBSON: Let me ask you about some specific national security situations.
>
> PALIN: Sure.
>
> GIBSON: Letâs start, because we are near Russia, letâs start with Russia and Georgia.
>
> The administration has said weâve got to maintain the territorial integrity of Georgia. Do you believe the United States should try to restore Georgian sovereignty over South Ossetia and Abkhazia?
>
> PALIN: First off, weâre going to continue good relations with Saakashvili there. I was able to speak with him the other day and giving him my commitment, as John McCainâs running mate, that we will be committed to Georgia. And weâve got to keep an eye on Russia. For Russia to have exerted such pressure in terms of invading a smaller democratic country, unprovoked, is unacceptable and we have to keepâŚ
>
> GIBSON: You believe unprovoked.
>
> PALIN: I do believe unprovoked and we have got to keep our eyes on Russia, under the leadership there. I think it was unfortunate. That manifestation that we saw with that invasion of Georgia shows us some steps backwards that Russia has recently taken away from the race toward a more democratic nation with democratic ideals.Thatâs why we have to keep an eye on Russia.
>
> And, Charlie, youâre in Alaska. We have that very narrow maritime border between the United States, and the 49th state, Alaska, and Russia. They are our next door neighbors.We need to have a good relationship with them. Theyâre very, very important to us and they are our next door neighbor.
>
> GIBSON: What insight into Russian actions, particularly in the last couple of weeks, does the proximity of the state give you?
>
> PALIN: Theyâre our next door neighbors and you can actually see Russia from land here in Alaska, from an island in Alaska.
>
> GIBSON: What insight does that give you into what theyâre doing in Georgia?
>
> PALIN: Well, Iâm giving you that perspective of how small our world is and how important it is that we work with our allies to keep good relation with all of these countries, especially Russia. We will not repeat a Cold War. We must have good relationship with our allies, pressuring, also, helping us to remind Russia that itâs in their benefit, also, a mutually beneficial relationship for us all to be getting along.
The comment about seeing Russia from Alaska got a lot of press. So it was raised again a few days later at an interview with Katie Couric:
> [@](#):
>
> COURIC: Youâve cited Alaskaâs proximity to Russia as part of your foreign policy experience. What did you mean by that?
>
> PALIN: That Alaska has a very narrow maritime border between a foreign country, Russia, and on our other side, the land-- boundary that we have with-- Canada. It-- itâs funny that a comment like that was-- kind of made to-- cari-- I donât know, you know? Reportersâ
>
> COURIC: Mock?
>
> PALIN: Yeah, mocked, I guess thatâs the word, yeah.
>
> COURIC: Explain to me why that enhances your foreign policy credentials.
>
> PALIN: Well, it certainly does because our-- our next door neighbors are foreign countries. Theyâre in the state that I am the executive of. And there in Russiaâ
>
> COURIC: Have you ever been involved with any negotiations, for example, with the Russians?
>
> PALIN: We have trade missions back and forth. We-- we do-- itâs very important when you consider even national security issues with Russia as Putin rears his head and comes into the air space of the United States of America, where-- where do they go? Itâs Alaska. Itâs just right over the border. It is-- from Alaska that we send those out to make sure that an eye is being kept on this very powerful nation, Russia, because they are right there. They are right next to-- to our state.
Now the issue isnât really about whether or not Alaska is close to Russia. It is and Palin got that right.
The issue is does Palin have any experience in foreign policy? Gibson and Couric werenât asking Palin about geography. They were asking her about foreign policy and she offered up the proximity of Alaska and Russia as a sign of her experience. And both reporters pressed the point and asked what relevance it had to her foreign policy credentials.
---
### Author:  [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)
#### Post date: [June 5, 2011, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sarah-palin-paul-revere-warned-the-british/584369/38 "2011-06-05T16:58:04Z")
> [@Tom\_Tildrum](#):
>
> [Apparently](http://legalinsurrection.blogspot.com/2011/06/so-now-all-these-people-will-apologize.html), Revere [wrote](http://www.masshist.org/database/img-viewer.php?item_id=99&img_step=1&tpc=&pid=&mode=transcript&tpc=&pid=#page1) that he did indeed warn the British that Americans would be massing against them.
_âThe day after the Battle of Lexington, I came across met him in Cambridge, when He shew me some blood on his stocking, which he said spirted on him from a Man who was killed near him, as he was urging the Militia on.â_
Letâs hope Sarah Palin doesnât come across this account of Revereâs, or sheâll start telling us that Curt Schilling signed the Declaration of Independence and that we owe our freedom to the Boston Red Sox.
---
### Author:  [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)
#### Post date: [June 5, 2011, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sarah-palin-paul-revere-warned-the-british/584369/39 "2011-06-05T17:25:37Z")
> [@Cicero](#):
>
> What on earth could you talk about later?
Moose hunting by helicopter.
---
### Author:  [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)
#### Post date: [June 5, 2011, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sarah-palin-paul-revere-warned-the-british/584369/40 "2011-06-05T17:27:53Z")
**elucidator** posted this link in The Pit.
[http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2011/06/05/236840/palin-doubles-down-on-paul-revere-history-lesson-i-didnt-mess-up/](http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2011/06/05/236840/palin-doubles-down-on-paul-revere-history-lesson-i-didnt-mess-up/)
Itâs too good not to post here as well.
> [@](#):
>
> PALIN: You know what? I didnât mess up about Paul Revere. Hereâs what Paul Revere did. He warned the Americans that âthe British were coming, the British were coming.â And they were going to try to take our arms so got to make sure that, uh, we were protecting ourselves and, uhm, shoring up all of our ammunitions and our firearms so that they couldnât take them.
>
> But remember that the British had already been there â many soldiers â for seven years in that area. And part of Paul Revereâs ride⌠And it wasnât just one ride. He was a courier. He was a messenger. Part of his ride was to warn the British that were already there that, âHey. Youâre not going to succeed. Youâre not going to take American arms. You are not gonna beat our own well-armed, uh, persons, uh, individual private militia that we have. He did warn the British.
>
> And in a shout-out, gotcha type of question that was asked of me, I answered candidly. And I know my American history.
Asking what Paul Revere is known for is a âgotcha questionâ? :rolleyes: Suppose someone shouted out, âHey, Sarah! Whatâs your name?â and she flubs it because she wasnât expecting it. Would that be a âgotcha questionâ too? I donât know, nor have I heard of one single person in the United States â other than Sara Palin â who couldnât at least say that Paul Revere road his horse and shouted âThe British are coming!â\* to warn the Colonists that, well, the British were coming.
\*To which British soldiers, boffing willing maids, said âHow the bloody hell did _he_ know?â
.
[Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sarah-palin-paul-revere-warned-the-british/584369.md?page=1)
[Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sarah-palin-paul-revere-warned-the-british/584369.md?page=3)