Palin’s supporters abuse Wikipedia to justify Paul Revere gaffe

June 6, 2011 By Jeff Hughes

Sarah Palin's supporters have flocked to the Wikipedia Paul Revere page to change historical facts and justify the former governor's gaffe

Following in the footsteps of Bill & Ted or Marty McFly, Sarah Palin supporters have decided to change the past and they’re using Wikipedia as their flux capacitor.

Last week the former Alaskan governor made an inaccurate comment about Paul Revere’s iconic ride through Boston. According to her, Paul Revere rode and rang his bell, proclaiming to the British that the colonials were ready to fight. However, the accurate version involves a midnight run to warn the colonists in Massachusetts that the British were coming. His mission was also a secret one (like a ninja), though Longfellow can make it seem like it was a loud message.

When confronted about her mistake, she tried to wave it away by calling it a “gotcha question”. She also tried holding on stubbornly to the idea that she was a little bit right, telling Fox News, “I didn’t mess up about Paul Revere. Part of his ride was to warn the British that we’re already there-that…you are not going to beat our own well-armed persons, individual, private militia that we have.”

ReadWriteWeb points out that she was right about the words, but she was confused about when Revere said them. Revere did tell the ‘Regulars’ America was ready to fight, but it was not the same event as his ride. He was captured by the British at the time, with guns point at him—not on horseback.

Charles Johnson over at littlegreenfootballs noted that her followers’ “blind dedication” has led them to edit the Wikipedia page for Paul Revere to make it seem as if her comments were justified. This has began a back and forth of revising for the Wikipedia page. At many points, the revision history announces: “Beware Tea Party editors placing dubious language to support Sarah Palin’s revision of American History”.

Not to worry though, Head of Wikipedia Communications Jay Walsh assures us that the article is now in semi-protection and can only be changed by those with older registered accounts.

Showing 12 comments

Gr8Music at 6:03am 8th June 2011 You are entitled to your opinion although I can hardly call 6 words a "statement of bumbling inaccuracy." The Oswamba thing is just too easy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpGH02DtIws At least you understood what I was talking about with the Koolaid - the democratic sheep that just want the handout that the idiots continue to give! Can't wait for the next election - time for a change to the change!
1. RELIC at 7:26am 8th June 2011 Why, exactly, are you saying the word 'Oswamba'? Is his race really that big of a deal to you?
  1. msteffich at 8:46am 9th June 2011 His "57 states" was meant to be 47 (hasn't visited one plus Hawaii and Alaska) and not his belief. Palin believes in "ringing bells, firing guns and warning the British". Claiming the Tea Party as She is intellectually inferior to many Americans and would be an embarrassment as a real leader in America. The biggest handouts given have been to the selfish corporate jerks who dragged your country into the economic toilet. As an outsider looking in it seems stupid that partisan politics gets in the way of calling out the real culprits. Meanwhile you strip away all of the services that help people under the misguided guise of making government lean and (definitely) mean. You guys trust selfish, self-interested people over the evil government. It's mind boggling that your history and the experience of modern countries around the world demonstrate that government investment into people can help everybody. Meanwhile you protect the richest thinking they will give back on there own accord. I wish that were true but it is not.
Gr8Music at 11:18am 7th June 2011 Stop drinking the liberal Koolaid - If it's a female idiot you're looking for, go no further than Pelosi - you can't top that! And I can understand a little history mixup but wasn't it Oswamba that forgot how many states were in the union??? Stupid is as stupid does!
OhFig at 7:24am 7th June 2011 That's why fox news uses a picture of Tina Fey 2 portray palin when they have headlines on palin. Ahh what the hell, lets put the dumb ass in the whitehouse. It hasn't mattered who took over or will take as it only gets worse with each elected official. Lets give another idiot a free ride!
jdr at 2:44am 7th June 2011 How does her inaccuracy compare to Weiners lies and cover up of hienous behavior and judgment? At least she was partially correct and her lack of knowledge in the area of Paul Revere does little to harm the reputation of congress.
1. Roger at 5:48am 8th June 2011 Let's not even go there with Weiner...the repugs have plenty of their own "sex scandals"...Ensign, Sanford, Vitter...should I go on? And yes, Palin is an idiot!
OhFig at 12:39am 7th June 2011 That lady is an idiot. She talks just to hear herself speak. Her followers will go to great lengths to cover her biggest blunders, that being a moving mouth w/no brains! This will prove to be a most difficult task if not dangerous, just ask John McCain, who is probably steering clear of this lady.
OhFig at 12:24am 7th June 2011 That lady is an idiot. Her supporters will go to great lengths to cover up her biggest mistakes, that being, a moving mouth w/no brains. This will prove to be a most difficult task, just ask McCain!
1. jmac at 12:42am 7th June 2011 AA moving mouth with no brains.......you just described our current president!
  1. msteffich at 9:37am 7th June 2011 That is astounding that you even mention Obama's intellect with regards to Palin's imbecilic comments and her automatons response to change history. I am Canadian and can articulate more about American history than that. They are sad comments and backed by sad desperate comments like this. Palin is a god send to the Democrats. Keep up your support of her, it will really help the Democrat re-election campaign.
    Trevor Whitlock at 12:00pm 7th June 2011 Before or after the stimulus proves as a band-aid over a jugular cut?? Anyone can print money, I could if the govt. would let me. Watch the movie idiocracy and it might shed some light on the democratic way.