I think mainstream TV added to our ruiniation right about the time CHIPS was on TV as a hit show and suddenly name calling became cool...
I always thought it was the beginning of major rudeness when Eric Estrada’s character started calling everyone a “turkey”
The first time a real life cop called me a “turkey” I almost lost it on him and made it a point to write to his boss about it, after which he STOPPED AT MY HOUSE TO APOLOGIZE - he said he was just imitating that silly show.
I think those days are long gone and I WISH the worst thing people called each other was “turkey” these days
But it was a short step from that to “you a$$hole” - people were NOT that rude and name calling before hand.
my 2cents.
I wasn’t particularly aware of “Chips” contribution to all that, but it was indeed in the late-70s, which saw the big rise of smart-alecky “put-down” humor/dialogue on tv, and thus, in the culture. I recall reading an article or two about that development even at the time. It’s grown vastly worse since then, probably tenfold, when you think about it. Just take a close, careful look at each line of dialogue you hear on tv nowadays. It’s pretty jaw-dropping. Most people flow along with the culture and don’t even recognize these type of things.
Oh, wait. The topic of this thread is indeed Palin, correct? So what can I add? She’s the best thing out there since Reagan. I’d love to see her run. But I have my doubts that she could prevail, considering what a rapidly decaying and morally degenerate mess this country has become. She’s just too damn good for it.