Australia's Sarah Palin makes the actual Palin look smart

Allow me to introduce to you Stephanie Banister - a woman who is part of the far-right One Nation party and is vying for a spot in the Parliament of Australia in an election being held on September 7th. She has been called "Australia's Sarah Palin" for the simple fact she's a woman, is running for Parliament, and is further to the right than a ruler is straight. After a recent interview, however, it appears as if Ms. Banister has more in common with Palin than was initially thought.

Like in Sarah Palin's now infamous interview with Katie Couric, Stephanie Banister appeared lost (to be kind) when being interviewed by a local media outlet recently. Here are her best (or worst depending on how you look at it) quotes from the interview:

- "[I don't] oppose Islam as a country," [but feel] "their laws should not be welcome here in Australia."

- [Less than two percent of Australians follow] "haram."

- "Jews aren't under haram" [since they have their own religion and follow Jesus Christ].

She also forbids halal food, but approves of kosher food.

Ms. Banister is obviously mixing up "haram" with either Quran or Sharia. Also, Jews don't "follow Jesus Christ" (not literally nor figuratively). Lastly, I picture the following discussion when Ms. Banister is giving her expert opinions on geography:

Reporter Janice Ymustidothis: "What are your thoughts on Islam?"

Banister: "I believe in fighting Islam until the country is destroyed!"

Ymustidothis: "I'm sorry, but did you say 'country?'"

Banister: "Yes, but of course."

Ymustidothis: "That's what I thought. ...and just where is the country of Islam?"

Banister: "In the Middle East around Iraq, Iran, and some other country - Irony or something like that."

Ymustidothis: "There's a country called Irony in the Middle East?"

Banister: "I'd have to look at a map, but yes, I believe there is."

Ymustidothis: "So, when you talk about going to war with Islam, you're not talking about the religion, but the country? Is that correct?"

Banister: "I'm talking about it all - the religion, the country, everything. Islam - in all forms - needs to be destroyed."

Ymustidothis: "Just out of curiosity, since you appear to be an expert on the subject, just how much do you know about Islam, the religion that is?"

Banister: "Everything there is to know. I know they follow the haram..."

Ymustidothis: "The what?"

Banister: "The haram - it's like our version of the Bible."

Ymustidothis: "The haram? Okay... What else do you know about the religion?"

Banister: "The people who follow it are called cousins."

Ymustidothis: "Do you mean Muslims?"

Banister: "No - cousins..."

Ymustidothis: "Okay..."

Banister: "There are also different kinds of cousins..."

Ymustidothis: "Like first and second?"

Banister: "No - there are super cousins and shy cousins."

Ymustidothis: "The Sunni and Shia?"

Banister: "No - super and shy"

Ymustidothis: "Alright... What else do you think you know - I mean, know?"

Banister: "Their prophet is Maurice."

Ymustidothis: "Muhammad?"

Banister: "No - Maurice... Where have you been hearing such nonsense?"

Ymustidothis: "Books mainly..."

Banister: "Well, you need to stop reading them. Books are liberally-biased, you know..."

Ymustidothis: "Even books like the dictionary and encyclopedia?"

Banister: "Yes, those are the worst!"

Ymustidothis: "What books do you read?"

Banister: "The only book I ever read is the Bible, as well as some pop-up books."

Ymustidothis: "That's what I figured. Alright, well, thank you for joining me today. I wish you the best of luck in the election, and if that doesn't work out for you, I recommend you star on the show Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? I'm already putting a lot of money down on no. Thanks again."

http://au.ibtimes.com/articles/497824/20130809/sarah-palin-australia-stephanie-banister-islam-parliament.htm#.UgUyfG3JKyv