VOICEBOX with David Coury

Andrea Fay Friedman Has Normal Syndrome

February 22nd, 2010

Andrea Fay Friedman asserts that she herself has a normal life. She works at a law firm and as an actor. In Los Angeles that’s normal. Her voice=over turn on Family Guy as the feisty character Ellen who has Down Syndrome got tons of press last week because of the line: “my mom is the former governor of Alaska.” In the potential Palin news cycle of today, pretty normal. But what struck as being the height of normal was Ms. Friedman’s own words while making her case against Sarah Palin. Friedman has Down Syndrome and if you ever needed proof that many with the cognitive impairment can lead normal lives all you have to do is consider the quality of her charge against Palin. Her pointed charge included an accusation that Palin carries Trig around like a loaf of bread and is trying to get sympathy and “votes.” Friedman used that word last week. “Votes?” Palin isn’t running for anything right now. Why say votes? Sounds like Friedman has gotten caught up in an inter-office anti Palin mentality or has become or remained myopic post-presidential campaign. Whatever her political affiliation, the use of the word “votes” indicates that she’s not being objective, not reacting totally in the present. Like many when it comes to Palin, very normal.

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