Madam, - Charles Krauthammer decries the apparent intellectual snobbery of the mainstream media in their analyses of Sarah Palin's candidacy (Opinion, Sept 15th).
In a campaign speech this week in the US Mrs Palin called for stricter regulation of the finance sector - and almost in the same breath promised less interference in private business matters by government. Hardly the utterings of an intellectual heavyweight ready to take on the mantle of second-in -command of the "Free World".
For a position of this importance the US electorate and the rest of us need a politician with a a good understanding of the mechanisms that underpin society, not the ability to hand out contradictory sound-bites. - Yours, etc,
BARRY WALSH,
Blackrock,
Cork
A Chara, - Together with Sarah Palin's recipe for mooseburger, the following culinary delight was to be found on the menu at the recent US Republican Party convention. It may be of interest to your readers.
Baked Alaskan: Take a pinch of feminism. Add several tablespoons of family values. Stir in children and babes. Keep stirring until sickly smooth. Half-bake in a rosy media glow for as long as possible.
When ready, serve on a bed of religious fundamentalism. Then watch those extremists come back to the table. To accompany? What better than McCain oven chips - of the old and crusty variety (they don't make 'em like they used to) .
Finally, wash down with some good ole American hogwash about guns 'n' liberty. Keeps 'em coming back every time. - Is mise,
DENIS LYONS,
London WC1.