One might be tempted to hope that the recent invocation of the sacrament of baptism in defense of torture—which managed to anger the left and the right—heralds the end of America’s reigning mean girl’s moment in the sun.

I’m pessimistic enough, though, that I wouldn’t count on it. I like the way Robyn Pennacchia said it:

There’s something deeply unsettling about her, and it has very little to do with the fact that I disagree with her politically. There are people I disagree with firmly but could perhaps have a pleasant conversation with on a non-political subject. In fact, it’s something I try to do on the regular because I am not really comfortable with thinking anyone is completely terrible, because that makes me feel too hopeless. Sarah Palin is not one of those people. If she agreed with me on everything, she would still freak me out.

In her speech, Palin goes on about how they are our enemies, which means we should be able to do whatever to them. She then goes on to talk about her other enemies– “those clownish little Kumbaya-humming fairytale-inhaling liberals.” She has a lot of vitriol for people she perceives as being kind–and almost more for that reason, specifically, than any political position. Even the way she speaks of her God–as though she wants to use him as an instrument of punishment, as an instrument of her own vengeance. There are the people who are on her side, 100%, and everyone else is her enemy.

Where have I heard that last bit before?

Oh yeah. Cersei Lannister.

Eek.