I don’t think Sam T said populism=racism, only that race is often a subtext of populism. A point on which I would agree.

As far as Ms Palin feeling uncomfortable in Hawaii, fair enough, but one has to either deal with it by making friends, trying to understand the culture and appreciating it for what it is.

On the other hand if you feel like you are a victim, which she undeniably has done on numerous other occasions, you are more likely to dig in, blame others for your own inability to adapt, and perhaps develop a long term grievance against those who don’t conform to your own ideals.