Dear Screaming Crowds:

You were at it again last night. When your speaker says “Thank you” a few times, that’s a clue they’re ready to begin; when they say it 14 times, that means “Shut up.”

Sincerely,

Your Speaker

Perhaps in an effort to try and best the Democratic crowd at the opening of Obama’s acceptance speech, Republicans at last night’s speech by VP nominee Sarah Palin had their own clapfest.

Now I get that you want to clap long and hard for someone you’re enthusiastic about, but enough’s enough. Sarah Palin waited 50 seconds before she said her first “thank you,” plenty of time for adoration to be poured out, but the crowd continued for another two minutes, amid a total of 14 “thank yous” from Palin.

In case you’re keeping track, Obama’s cheering section only lasted for 1:59 total, but Obama wins on the thank yous, with a total of 32.