Todd Palin, center, drives his wife, Alaska's Gov. Sarah Palin, to the starting line of the Iron Dog snowmobile race in Big Lake, Alaska. Gov. (AP Photo/Al Grillo, File)
by Andrew Zajac
One of the curious bits of information from a scrub of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's background is the existence of the oddly-named Rouge Cou Co., a would-have-been marketing and consulting company.
On her 2005 financial disclosure form, Palin reports setting up the firm but never transacting business with it. It may be that Rouge Cou would have been Plan B had her run for governor in 2006 failed to pan out.
The Republican vice presidential hopeful looks to be having fun with the name, which translates literally from French as "red neck", but it's not clear on what level.
There have been news accounts that the term is an accepted slang for locals in Palin's Mat Su Valley.
But in typical French usage the adjective follows the noun - as in Baton Rouge, Louisiana --not Rouge Baton. So by a purist's lights, "red neck" ought to be Cou Rouge, not Rouge Cou.
Is Palin taking a dig at the French, those "cheese-eating surrender monkeys" who wouldn't support the U.S. invasion of Iraq?
Is she paying back a sadistic French teacher in her scholastic past?
Whatever the reason for her arrangement of noun and modifier, there is a certain aptness in the appearance in "red neck" in Palin's biography as she moves onto the national stage.
Though outside of the Mat Su Valley, "red neck" is a derogatory term, it does have a demographic meaning as a subset of the white working class, one of voting blocs Palin's selection as running mate to John McCain is intended to appeal to in the November election.
Here's how Palin reported Rouge Cou Co.:
Palin red neck.PDF
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Comments
And the point of this article is??? Or is it just another example of the media-Obama Siamese Twins grasping at fading straws. At any rate, doesn't fit. The dictionary (anyone there have one?) describes a redneck as "a white member of the Southern rural laboring class." When looking for a dictionary, check out an atlas too. Last I looked, Alaska was anywhere but Southern.
Posted by: Damen | September 13, 2008 7:55 AM
I don't see any news worthy information! If you checked, you would find applications by many Americans with all kinds of names that mean nothing! I have two such applications with no business dealings to follow! Why con't all you detectives look for the evidence in the Caylee Anthony case so this woman can be prosecuited! Lets investigate Obama, he has never had anyone look into his past! Who paid for his college? Ask questions about Resko, Ayers, Wright and see what OTHER shady characters he has been associated with! You guys are so interested in Mrs Paylins daughter, what about Obama himself! Was his mother married when she became pregnant with HIM? Just get off it and stop looking down your HALF glasses trying to dig up dirt! Don't ask questions about a docterain that you don't know the answer to yourself! You guys make me sick! This is no way to treat anyone, muchless someone running for VP of this great country!
Posted by: henry | September 13, 2008 7:57 AM
Gosh...all those poor GOPers who cried about no press coverage.....
Posted by: bill r. | September 13, 2008 9:41 AM
You guys are so interested in Mrs Paylins daughter, what about Obama himself!
Posted by: henry | September 13, 2008 7:57 AM
How thick headed can some people be? It isn't about her daughter...it's about her religious Jihad to do away with sex education and bringing us back to the 1800s. Education I guess is over rated for the right.
ps.....If you are going to support her...you ought to at least spell her name right.
Posted by: bill r. | September 13, 2008 10:23 AM
"Rouge Cou". Well, at least she can speak some French:
From:
Head of State
http://headofstate.blogspot.com/2008/09/second-time-as-farce-how-palin-is.html
Friday, September 12, 2008
Second Time As Farce: How Palin is Exactly Like Bush, Part 2
From Palin's interview with Charlie Gibson:
Palin: "Our national leaders are sending them on a task that is from God"
Gibson: Are we fighting a holy war?
Palin: (looking strained, desperate, trapped): The reference there is from Abraham Lincoln who said "Never presume to know God's will..."
Robert Zimmerman: She failed to describe how a McCain/Palin foreign policy would differ from a Bush foreign policy...
Gibson: Have you ever met a foreign head of state?
Palin: I have not, and I think that if you go back in history, and ask that question of many Vice Presidents they have the same answer that I just gave you.
Anderson Cooper: Bay, ABC News just did a fact check. They looked back the last 30 years, all Vice Presidents have met a foreign leader. Does that matter?
Bay Buchanan: No, it doesn't at all. Her answer was excellent. It will make Americans feel that much closer to her. She's very real. Sure, she hasn't traveled overseas to meet these foreign leaders. But that's not what American's are looking for. She's absolutely correct. They want somebody that they can relate to. Who's hearing them. They're sick and tired of those people in Washington who may know lots of facts and figures and meet lots of people...
Zimmerman: It's always a danger when we have leaders who know facts and figures, Bay. That really does get in the way of setting up sound policies...My concern, Bay, is that when Sarah Palin says that she's not met foreign leaders like that's a good thing--We made that mistake eight years ago when George W. Bush was that likeable guy that you wanted to invite over for a barbeque.
Cite:
Head of State
http://headofstate.blogspot.com/2008/09/second-time-as-farce-how-palin-is.html
Posted by: Cara Prado | September 13, 2008 10:27 AM
Is Palin taking a dig at the French, those "cheese-eating surrender monkeys" who wouldn't support the U.S. invasion of Iraq?
EXCUSE ME , the French (at that time) were in bed with Iraq/Sadam on the oil for food program $$$$$$$$$. I think I can think of a better name then 'cheese-eating surrender monkies', but I'm possitive you wouldn't print it.
Posted by: Rednecks know more than you I guess> | September 13, 2008 11:07 AM
Please examine Obama's 20 year black liberation background.
Posted by: Vernon | September 13, 2008 11:22 AM
You might have an old dictionary Damen, I think it has a broader meaning than that; I see rednecks everywhere. Have to agree Henry (a rare occasion) that this is a stupid story. I've seen discussions of candidates positions on health care and education elsewhere.
Posted by: rupert | September 13, 2008 11:45 AM
Here is another sensible reason to seriously consider, who you will be voting for in November.
/www.nytimes.com/2008/09/13/opinion/13sat1.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, Chicago | September 13, 2008 12:14 PM
It's obvious that Sarah Palin has no problem with being a RED NECK so why are u all defending her usage in the name no matter how its Spelled or it's used Rouge Cou, or Cou Rouge it's STILL RED NECK. LIVING IN THE SOUTH AS I HAVE ALL MY LIFE RED NECK IS AS OFFENSIVE AS THE "KKK". THAT'S THE PROBLEM WITH IT. THIS COUNTRY DOES NOT NEED TO RELIVE THIS HORRIFFIC ERA.
Palin is Failin' Obama-Biden 08
Posted by: EV VA | October 6, 2008 9:49 AM
Well, Sen. Palin supports causes personal to her, ie disabled children because she has one. She feels this is a worthy cause, I am sure. Therefore, noone should have an issue when Barack Obama supports "liberation" (or whatever you want to call it) of African Americans. We are liberating people all over the world, but are going our best to oppress blacks. Hmmm, why can't Barack Obama support a lift of oppression since he is in fact part African American?? There is a serious racial divide in America. So many hidden agendas. Check out the "origination" of Planned Parenthood!! Look at Darfur? Oppression of blacks, genocide, and racism are as alive today as they were in and before the 60s (the oppressor has just gotten more creative at disguising it). Wake up people!!!!!!! Go Barack!
Posted by: terrell | October 6, 2008 10:43 AM