The degraded Onion.

In response to a “Point” article that is written without any attempt at wit that focuses on Sarah Palin’s alleged lack of experience and ignorance of economic matters – in contradistinction to the experience and facile grasp of all things economic of the Democrat slate – The Onion has a putative "Counterpoint" from Ms. Palin in which she harps on the fact that she has a baby with Downs Syndrome in an attempt to draw attention away from the points made by her critic.

It concludes with

Now, if you'll please back away quietly without saying anything else . . . I'll forget this whole thing ever happened.

And so will my vote-stealing retard baby.

The Onion is almost always a treat to read and its deft, understated wit is in virtually every article.

However, this particular piece is far removed from that and in publishing it The Onion has degraded itself with a scurrilous -- and lame -- attempt to paint Ms. Palin as a cheap political opportunist.

"Counterpoint -- Please Keep Your Voice Down, My Poor Retarded Child Is Sleeping." The Onion, 9/24/08.