Christians Furious At Palin For Baptism Remarks

We predicted that the NRA’s annual convention would feature Republicans tripping over themselves trying to out-crazy one other, and so far, it hasn’t disappointed. Speaking to the attendees on Sunday, Sarah Palin compared waterboarding to baptism, a bizarre statement that managed to offend much of her Christian base. For the former half-term governor, who normally focuses her ire on liberals, that’s quite an impressive feat.

“They obviously have information on plots to carry out jihad,” Palin said. “Oh, but you can’t offend them, can’t make them feel uncomfortable, not even a smidgen. Well, if I were in charge, they would know that waterboarding is how we baptize terrorists.”

It’s not a surprise to hear Palin say something offensive and ignorant; indeed, a case can be made that she’s built her career on saying offensive and ignorant things. However, she did manage to expand her sphere of outrage this time around. Many who oppose torture — such as the man who propelled her to infamy, her former running mate John McCain — weren't pleased, but so were a lot of Christian conservatives. Apparently, comparing torture to a sacred religious rite just isn’t as endearing as Palin had assumed.

In an equally cryptic comment, Palin also blasted progressives for pushing gun control legislation, declaring that Democrats “are not satisfied with just taking your money, your job, your truck and your property and your rights, your health care — they didn’t want to just stop at that.”

Trucks? Democrats are trying to take away people’s trucks?

Despite her bombastic absurdity, Palin didn't manage to pack the house, according to one reporter who was there.