Another fail for a pro at failure - Sarah Palin

October 24, 2009 4:46 AM

Going Rogue/Rouge? Do they not know to use a dictionary first?

Ms. Fauxscot observes that Sarah Palin's new book, Going Rogue , seems to think that it's a good thing to be rogue.

It's the title of the damned, book, for crissake.

Miriam-Webster or for that matter a simple Google of 'rogue', says:

1 : vagrant, tramp

2 : a dishonest or worthless person : scoundrel

3 : a mischievous person : scamp

4 : a horse inclined to shirk or misbehave

5 : an individual exhibiting a chance and usually inferior biological variation

So what is it that I am supposed to admire in her 'rogue-ishness'? Who let her use this as a title? Why not 'Going Child Molester' or 'Going Batshit Insane' or 'Going Rapist'?

Epic fail, IMO, as if the buffoon's entire 'American Life' weren't already.

posted by FauxScot (90 comments total)

This is too ambiguous. I need to know how you really feel.
posted by Dumsnill at 4:55 AM on October 24, 2009

This post is destined for the bin, both because it's Palin-filter, and because it's got a strong editorial stance that is not in accord with the Metafilter style guide.

That said, your definitions of "rogue" seem hopelessly outdated. A rogue is one who is skilled with traps, sleight of hand, and small arms. They tend to exhibit high dexterity, and while skilled at deception and thievery, "rogue" is not automatically synonymous with "thief," though the two classes seldom both appear in the same system.

In all, Sarah Palin going Rogue is not much of a stretch, as apparently she didn't make a very good Ranger, and didn't have it in her to succeed in the NPC prestige class Bureaucrat.
posted by explosion at 4:56 AM on October 24, 2009 [14 favorites]

Sarah Palin: Going 'Rogue' or 'Rouge'?

DON'T ASK. DON'T TELL.
posted by loquacious at 5:05 AM on October 24, 2009

Best of the web!
posted by kbanas at 5:07 AM on October 24, 2009 [1 favorite]

Do they not know to use a dictionary first?
Miriam-Webster

Good thing dictionaries are never used for things like spell-checking or any of that nonsense.
posted by jock@law at 5:08 AM on October 24, 2009

While a majority of Mefi readers would almost certainly agree, to a large extent, with your personal feelings about Palin, I'm a bit surprised, FauxScot, that as a member since 2005, you wouldn't have known that the extremely heavy-handed editorial style of post-framing that you've employed here just doesn't fly on this site. People here really don't need to be sold something, in this clumsy and obvious way. Better luck next time.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 5:10 AM on October 24, 2009

Also:

dictionary.com:

no longer obedient, belonging, or accepted and hence not controllable or answerable; deviating, renegade

en.wiktionary.org:

operating outside of normal controls

How long did it take you to find a dictionary definition that fit your disingenuous attack?
posted by jock@law at 5:12 AM on October 24, 2009

This post is going somewhere. Talk about Epic Fail.
posted by fourcheesemac at 5:13 AM on October 24, 2009

Also, I know Miriam Webster. She's a friend of mine. And you sir are no Miriam Webster.
posted by fourcheesemac at 5:13 AM on October 24, 2009 [10 favorites]

This is what happens when you drink & FPP.
posted by mokuba at 5:14 AM on October 24, 2009 [1 favorite]

I'm naked right now. Do you want me? Do you?
posted by kbanas at 5:16 AM on October 24, 2009

Miriam Webster? I hardly know her!
posted by bjrn at 5:16 AM on October 24, 2009 [2 favorites]

GTFOML
posted by majick at 5:18 AM on October 24, 2009

disingenuous attack

dumb attack, yes, but "disingenious"?

"rogue" does not have a positive connotation in the reality-based community, though I guess things are different in conservative-land.
posted by mokuba at 5:18 AM on October 24, 2009

disingenuous attack

dumb attack, yes, but "disingenious"?

Hey, somebody bring that dictionary back. We got a confused person here.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 5:24 AM on October 24, 2009

the reality-based community

That's one of those "gated" communities, isn't it?
posted by flapjax at midnite at 5:25 AM on October 24, 2009 [4 favorites]

"rogue" does not have a positive connotation in the reality-based community, though I guess things are different in conservative-land.

As an X-Men fan, I have to say the idea of Sarah Palin as a semi-reformed criminal who leeches the life out of things, eventually killing everything she touches, is reasonably apt.
posted by Shepherd at 5:28 AM on October 24, 2009 [10 favorites]

President Rachmonov has declared Tajikistan to be "The Center of Islamic Civilisation". Hooray!
posted by Meatbomb at 5:30 AM on October 24, 2009

Last post!
posted by nevercalm at 5:30 AM on October 24, 2009 [1 favorite]

From the Google cache of the politicalhumor.about.com page
(since it seems to have been taken down):

Julie Sigwart and political satirist Micheal Stinson are self-publishing Going Rouge: The Sarah Palin Rogue Coloring & Activity Book, which includes coloring pages with lipsticks and pigs, dress-up games featuring the Neiman Marcus RNC wardrobe, and other satirical fun.

Honestly, the lipstick/pig meme is the only thing that makes this malaprop work.
posted by vhsiv at 5:33 AM on October 24, 2009

Sorry, forgot the link.
posted by Meatbomb at 5:33 AM on October 24, 2009

It's 8:30 am on a Saturday. This thing isn't getting deleted for a couple of hours, at least.
posted by synaesthetichaze at 5:33 AM on October 24, 2009

MeFi is about finding shiny things on the net. This thing is tarnished.
posted by caddis at 5:35 AM on October 24, 2009 [2 favorites]

La Rouge
posted by elmono at 5:37 AM on October 24, 2009

Maybe if we each rub on it a little bit it will become shiny.
posted by Science! at 5:38 AM on October 24, 2009

We got a confused person here.

I regularly put my comments into disingenious contraption called a web browser.
posted by PeterMcDermott at 5:39 AM on October 24, 2009

Maybe you should put more points in Subtlety?
posted by molybdenumblue at 5:43 AM on October 24, 2009 [3 favorites]

I really hope this "fail" business goes away soon.
posted by goatdog at 5:45 AM on October 24, 2009

I feel like I should be dancing for some reason.
posted by Skorgu at 5:48 AM on October 24, 2009

gyob
posted by empath at 5:48 AM on October 24, 2009 [1 favorite]

So what is it that I am supposed to admire in her 'rogue-ishness'?

nothing - she's been replaced by the balloon boy family - she's just another bag of hot air that doesn't carry anything
posted by pyramid termite at 5:51 AM on October 24, 2009 [3 favorites]

Sarah Palin: Rogue Demon Hunter
posted by goshling at 5:53 AM on October 24, 2009 [1 favorite]

She obviously won't be putting any points in the Subtlety tree. I figure she's more the Combat rogue type.
posted by Vindaloo at 5:56 AM on October 24, 2009

GOING RAPIST! was one of my favorite anime series.
posted by jscott at 5:57 AM on October 24, 2009

I prefer NetHack, but thanks.
posted by seanmpuckett at 5:58 AM on October 24, 2009 [2 favorites]

I miss the img tag.
posted by caddis at 6:04 AM on October 24, 2009

Yeah... it's true. I a newbie on the blue (a blue-bie?)... spending most of the last 5 years on the green. I'll review the posting guidelines and lighten up my hand for the next post...currently scheduled for 2015, if my math serves.

[slinks away...]
posted by FauxScot at 6:10 AM on October 24, 2009 [4 favorites]

Maybe the People need to read the Wikipedia entry for frog legs and also look at a google image search for frog legs. Perhaps the people have demanded to see a YouTube screencap video of zombo.com.

It is possible that this is what the People want.
posted by Meatbomb at 6:14 AM on October 24, 2009

There are a lot of free personal blog spaces, you know. You don't even have to pay $5.
posted by JeffK at 6:15 AM on October 24, 2009 [1 favorite]

It's the title of the damned, book, for crissake.

Isn't it something, doncha think?
posted by DU at 6:17 AM on October 24, 2009

Also, I know Miriam Webster. She's a friend of mine. And you sir are no Miriam Webster.

who the hell is Miriam? maybe you mean "Merriam"?
posted by jammy at 6:19 AM on October 24, 2009

I feel like I'm exploring the surface of a newly discovered planet... about to be shattered by the impact of an onrushing asteroid.
posted by languagehat at 6:20 AM on October 24, 2009 [1 favorite]

> who the hell is Miriam? maybe you mean "Merriam"?

And the point whizzed like an asteroid over jammy's head!
posted by languagehat at 6:21 AM on October 24, 2009

oops, sorry to single you out fourcheesemac - it's in the OP as well:
Miriam-Webster or for that matter a simple Google of 'rogue', says:

when referring to a dictionary as a reference tool it's probably a good idea to spell the name correctly...
posted by jammy at 6:21 AM on October 24, 2009

They are marketing this as "The Funniest Video Ever!"

***spoiler alert***

lady closes dress in car door, then falls into a ditch.
posted by Meatbomb at 6:22 AM on October 24, 2009

sorry languagehat, i guess i did - i know it's a JFK reference with fourcheesemac's comment but i don't get why it's that way in the post

maybe you could stoop to my level & explain?
posted by jammy at 6:22 AM on October 24, 2009

>I feel like I'm exploring the surface of a newly discovered planet... about to be shattered by the impact of an onrushing asteroid.
lol
posted by philfromhavelock at 6:23 AM on October 24, 2009

Sarah Palin more like Sarah Failin' AMIRITE
posted by killdevil at 6:24 AM on October 24, 2009

but i don't get why it's that way in the post

Overthinking a plate of drunken misspellings?
posted by Dumsnill at 6:29 AM on October 24, 2009

> maybe you could stoop to my level & explain?

Don't be so defensive. You quoted fourcheesemac as though he were responsible for the misspelling, when in fact he was making fun of it. You weren't paying attention. Happens to all of us.
posted by languagehat at 6:32 AM on October 24, 2009

Is it Ghostbusters 2?
posted by medium format at 6:32 AM on October 24, 2009

Maybe she meant "Going Rouge". Fits the whole "Lipstick on a pig/pitbull" label.
posted by Balisong at 6:32 AM on October 24, 2009

The folks at Rogue Ales make great beer.
posted by fixedgear at 6:32 AM on October 24, 2009

Sadly, the education of the youth of amerika is declining in more than one way. The other day I was at the grocery store and the checker was unable to identify a portabello mushroom. And no, she wasn't new...and to make matters worse the checker next to her didn't know either.
posted by killdevil at 6:33 AM on October 24, 2009 [1 favorite]

metafilter has become, it seems, democratic underground with a blue background...
posted by dawson at 6:34 AM on October 24, 2009

go home Dad, I'm drunk
posted by scatter gather at 6:35 AM on October 24, 2009 [2 favorites]

Well, thanks for trying, and try again soon. Although I don't get the rouge/rogue thing.
posted by kathrineg at 6:39 AM on October 24, 2009

I look forward to seeing stacks and stacks of Palin's book piled on the clearance table at my local bookstore. You betcha.
posted by BitterOldPunk at 6:40 AM on October 24, 2009 [1 favorite]

last pouste
posted by mr.marx at 6:42 AM on October 24, 2009

The folks at Rogue Ales make great beer.

Good, but overpriced.
posted by middleclasstool at 6:44 AM on October 24, 2009

I can see your mom from my house.
posted by kbanas at 6:44 AM on October 24, 2009

"metafilter has become, it seems, democratic underground with a blue background..."

Really? Personally I'm pretty proud of how thoroughly MetaFilter commenters are rejecting the drunken, barely-literate, incoherent anti-Palin scrawling posted. Your implication that the joint is some kind of blue-state crazypeople echo chamber in here seems a bit... disingenuous, perhaps.
posted by majick at 6:45 AM on October 24, 2009

See, "bad" is slang for "good," so "rogue" is slang for, er, "good."
posted by Obscure Reference at 6:47 AM on October 24, 2009

Dear MeFi cynicism brigade: we already know your feelings on posts that make fun of Sarah Palin. There is no reason to repeat them in this thread, which is clearly for the fans of making fun of Sarah Palin, who think this is . . . nevermind.
posted by jefeweiss at 6:48 AM on October 24, 2009 [1 favorite]

I woz here
posted by CunningLinguist at 6:49 AM on October 24, 2009

In seriousness, (why?), "going rogue" is abandoning an organization to become a loose canon, a good thing if you think your organization is corrupt or weak or too liberal or whatever the Palinites think of the McCain campaign.
posted by CunningLinguist at 6:52 AM on October 24, 2009 [3 favorites]

Also of note, the word rouge is pretty commonly used in World of Warcraft as a tongue in cheek misspelling of the class rogue. I have seen the word rouge commonly used to refer to someone who thinks they know what they are doing, but is lacking a grasp of the subtleties of the class.

Which is kind of appropriate here.
posted by jefeweiss at 6:55 AM on October 24, 2009

I always associated 'going rogue' with a captive elephant finally having enough of log-hauling, going on the rampage, stomping its mahout and then getting shot (possibly to be memorialised in a neat essay by Orwell).
posted by Abiezer at 6:59 AM on October 24, 2009

So where do you find rogue demons, goshling?
posted by Ghidorah at 6:59 AM on October 24, 2009

They had to name it something, and this was already taken.
posted by mazola at 7:00 AM on October 24, 2009

I always associated 'going rogue' with a captive elephant finally having enough of log-hauling, going on the rampage, stomping its mahout and then getting shot (possibly to be memorialised in a neat essay by Orwell).

Not Kurt Vonnegut?
posted by jock@law at 7:01 AM on October 24, 2009

In seriousness, (why?), "going rogue" is abandoning an organization to become a loose canon

you mean like when frank sonata started his own record company?
posted by pyramid termite at 7:06 AM on October 24, 2009

Ladies pinch. Whores use rouge.
posted by GavinR at 7:07 AM on October 24, 2009

frank sonata

who?
posted by jock@law at 7:08 AM on October 24, 2009

He wrote Strangler In The Night.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 7:10 AM on October 24, 2009 [3 favorites]

Ms. Fauxscot observes that Sarah Palin's new book, Going Rogue , seems to think that it's a good thing to be rogue.

What a maroon.
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 7:11 AM on October 24, 2009

It's a good thing - the more she gets into rogue etc. the greater the chances of her running into a gnome with a wand of death . . .
posted by protorp at 7:15 AM on October 24, 2009

majick
yr correct, I just had a knee jerk reaction after we already had a Fox bashing thread and it seems lately every time I venture onto the blue someone has posted something that demonstrates an unhealthy fascination with all this perceived as 'right wing'...but yeah...fun thread after all.
posted by dawson at 7:21 AM on October 24, 2009

I don't know, it seems she's not really cut out to be a rogue. She's definitely not going to pass any Hide in Shadows tests. On the other hand, that backstabbing multiplier seems to be working for her.
posted by Ghidorah at 7:23 AM on October 24, 2009

jefeweiss: "Also of note, the word rouge is pretty commonly used in World of Warcraft as a tongue in cheek misspelling of the class rogue. I have seen the word rouge commonly used to refer to someone who thinks they know what they are doing, but is lacking a grasp of the subtleties of the class."

It's not tongue in cheek. I regularly run into morons who can't spell the word to save their life. Generally, their usernames also feature mispellings as well, like the great rouge Shaodwdeath.
posted by graventy at 7:24 AM on October 24, 2009

It's the title of the damned!

Wait; I don't think I'm doing this right.
posted by yhbc at 7:26 AM on October 24, 2009

The post is heavy-handed, but I see where it's going. I mean, when that nameless McCain campaign person first used the phrase 'going rogue' about Palin, it wasn't a compliment.
posted by box at 7:30 AM on October 24, 2009

Well I, for one, think the use of 'rogue' in title is appropriate.
posted by mazola at 7:43 AM on October 24, 2009

That 12 cents that mathowie made from the amazon auto-affiliating link in the post is the saddest 12 cents in the world.
posted by Rhomboid at 7:49 AM on October 24, 2009 [4 favorites]

You know how sometimes you go to the supermarket late at night to get some shopping done because you figure nobody'll be there and it'll take like ten minutes to get in and out, and then you get there and there's like five registers open, each with at least seven people in line, because it turns out that a whole bunch of other people had the same idea as you, and you're like, "WTF?"

That's what it was like opening up this thread and finding 85+ comments.
posted by hifiparasol at 7:54 AM on October 24, 2009 [1 favorite]

Just the word 'Palin' is good for a hundred comments, I think. Even a post about Poppy Palin, Grant Palin or Palin Ningthoujam.
posted by box at 8:04 AM on October 24, 2009

"While strolling through the park one day,
in the merry, merry month of May,
I was taken by surprise
by a pair of roguish eyes
while strolling through the park one day"

That's from 1884, and is a mildly positive use of the word "rogue", as in: impudent, heedless, carfree...
posted by acrasis at 8:04 AM on October 24, 2009

Of course they're carfree, it's 1884!
posted by mazola at 8:06 AM on October 24, 2009 [3 favorites]

well, yes, car-free, since the automobile wasn't invented yet. But perhaps I meant "carefree".
posted by acrasis at 8:06 AM on October 24, 2009

No, we're pretty sure you meant carfree.
posted by hifiparasol at 8:10 AM on October 24, 2009