The big news this week has been Sarah Palin, and the press has been at a loss about how she will stand up over the next 2 months. There's Troopergate, Flip/Flop on the Bridge to Nowhere, EBay trader or not, Alaska secessionist or not, anti-Semite or not... racist or not.
A friend of mine asked rhetorically, on another forum, why Democrats were so angered by her selection as McCain's running mate. My response was that I've met too many people like her in my life, and that her well-documented character traits would make most people angry. In other words, she's just not a very nice person.
- She fired everyone in Wasilla- police chief, librarian, etc- who didn't support her mayoral bid or went against some of her more extreme demands. For many, it seems that they hadn't necessarily campaigned against her... they just didn't support her.
- She's at least an active participant in the Alaska Independence Movement, if not an actual member... her husband is the member.
- This whole Troopergate thing is because she wanted more blood from her sister's ex-husband... even after he'd already been through due process for his infraction. It's called 'double jeopardy' but, like most Republicans, the Constitution doesn't matter if you want to get even.
- She lies through her teeth: While she says she's fought Porkbarrel Programs, she's begged for them from Stevens and Young- $12 million as mayor alone. She says she didn't try to get Wooten (ex-brother-in-law) fired, but tapes and emails prove she did. There are literally dozens of these floating around.
- Fiscally irresponsible: As mayor, she inherited zero debt; she left with Wasilla $22 million in the hole. (Remind you of another 'conservative'?)
- Her minister is a right-wing wacko- and she has endorsed, publicly, his sermons on numerous occasions. She is a firm believer in Dominionist "Last Days" Rushdooney theology.
- She has publicly stated her maniacal dislike of gays.
- She is anti-abortion to the extreme: even victims of rape and incest gain no sympathy from her extremist view.
Maybe your experiences with people sharing these views has been OK, but to a person I've found these people to be not just distasteful and boorish, but mean, vicious, callous, and vindictive. They are, to the person, shallow idealogues. They are the likes of Karl Rove, Tom DeLay, Bill Frist, Phyllis Schafly, and Dick Cheney; these are the first to come to mind, but everyone knows I could go on.
She is absolutely not the person I want to become President when McCain is unable to continue in office because of dementia or death. She is everything even the most conservative Democrat is against. I don't think the Enquirer needs to vet her rumored infidelity... there's already enough there to dislike.
I am a high school history and government teacher in Anaheim, CA.
Tim, I'm sure you are a concerned patriot who is simply looking to make sure that truth is not distorted, so I must ask if you read the entire article that the link leads to?
Besides the waitress with no last name mentioned, there were two other locals whose names were mentioned, both of whom were quoted saying what followed the same theme. I am not taking sides, I am just trying to point out a fact that your comment seemingly denies, which could have the effect of causing others to quickly write off any possibility of validity regarding the article posted by our fellow patriot who may not follow your precise line of political thought, but who clearly believes in and acts upon his belief in the principles outlined in our Constitution and Declaration of Independence, as I have no doubt you also do.
I'd bet my ass that both of you would do all that you could to protect each others lives on the battlefield.
Let's not ever forget that our commonality is fundamental, and that our differences are fly by night. We must stand together in these trying times!
by
Raphael Sidelman (5 articles, 0 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 29 comments)
on Sunday, September 7, 2008 at 1:10:04 AM
Yes, I did read it. The author claims there are other witnesses, but "they won't give their names."
Two people are named: Anne Kilkenny and Arnold Gerstheimer. Neither of them witnessed the event "Lucille" supposedly witnessed; and neither claims any evidence of anything similar.
Kilkenny is a political opponent of Palin, and she made no assertions of anything other than political differences.
Gerstheimer said:
“These stories about what she calls blacks and Eskimos....Why do I know they’re true? Because everyone who isn’t aboriginal or Indian in Alaska talks that way.”
That's not evidence of anything other than Mr. Gerstheimer's own prejudice.
I think we should stick to disagreeing with what they really say. There's enough out there.
by
tim bristol (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 89 comments)
on Sunday, September 7, 2008 at 9:44:21 AM
Tim, your point is well taken regarding sticking to the "facts". The problem seems to be that for many years now, it is a catchy headline rather than a well documented fact that sparks a dialogue between the majority of people in this country. That is how the administration was able to get us into so many of the messes we are currently in, and one the ways they have consistently bypassed inquiries into their actions and plans. That is how Kerry's bid for the presidency was severely compromised by the swift boat crew.
I certainly do not advocate the fabrication of stories for the sake of one's cause. The need for such action seems to negate the validity of the cause. I personally did not view the article posted here to be anything more than an attempt to ensure that readers would fully look into the republican candidate for vice president.
After reading your reply, I believe even more strongly that everyone involved in this particular dialogue is on the same team. Let's figure out how to pool our energies so that we can maximize our effectiveness. I look forward to any further comments from you, and I sincerely thank you for your concerned actions. I feel that if all citizens of this country were involved in respectful, informed dialogue, we would be honoring the concepts that are fundamental to the continuing relevancy our Constitution and our Declaration of Independence.
by
Raphael Sidelman (5 articles, 0 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 29 comments)
on Sunday, September 7, 2008 at 1:23:03 PM
Comment from Ratings: If the Republicans win the Presidency this time, it will be articles like this that will be partially reponsible.
Would any of us want to be judged based upon the alleged statement of a person whose first name only is given and another person's statements that because "all people in Alaska talk this way" it must be true that Sarah Palin does, too?
Articles like this are sensationalism at its worst. As Democratic voter I resent his article. It makes Democrats look bad. For one moment, just replace Palin's name with the name of the Dem. VP nominee. Now, tell me that most of you wouldn't be tearing this article apart.
I know Rob is passionate about what he does. Its too bad he can't seem to see how articles like this only damage the liberal cause. The more damning the allegation, the more evidence required. There is virtually no evidence for the allegation made in this article.
Please, people. Use your heads and objectively evaluate these things. This article is nothing but detrimental to the other parties and beneficial to the Republicans. Articles like this cause people to vote out of sympathy for the person being attacked.
--Catherine
by
Catherine Creel (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 1 comments)
on Sunday, September 7, 2008 at 10:31:34 AM
I Wish you were right but history proves otherwise
Sadly, as a champion of Obama, I have lowered myself to come to his defence over and over, totally against my nature. The GOPs seem to believe, and it appears true, that the more you repeat lies, slurs, and facts taken out of context, the more they will be believed. People just DON'T investigate truth. Look at what has happened over the past 8 years. Al Gore should have been our president. Look at the karl rove tactics that seem to work. Look what they did to Kerry. Bush even used them on McCain and won the primary.
In an honest election Obama would clearly be our president. I'm still hopeful unless the 2000 election repeats itself.
by
Jacquie Bockius (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 7 comments)
on Monday, September 8, 2008 at 11:50:06 AM
What are we looking for? Are we wanting change? (Yes!)
What kind of change? I hope that we get the Christian kind of change that will make more people loving their neighbor!
Can a Black man give it to the Americans? (I don't know.)
If we want the kind of changes in healthcare that the real people deserve, I don't think so!
Why, you may ask!
It is because he doesn't really call into it the Creator! God helps us through our doctors and medecines and all of the things that have been learned throughout the ages. But the real answer is God the Creator. Barack Housein(The Blessed one)acts as if HE is the God given almighty savior to the American People! If you have been paying attention to the actual reports is that Barack is related to Dick Cheney and GWB! Now if you are sick of all the things that GWB and DC have done to America go ahead and vote for BHO.
Am I voting against BHO because of his beliefs? (Yes!) When asked at the Saddleback Convention in front of all those men and women, "When does LIFE begin? He stated "That's above MY paygrade!"
When John McCain was asked the very same question he answered, "at the moment of conception!"
God loves the little children. When Jesus was on earth he stated that He loves the little children and let them come unto me! Every LIFE is Important!
The thing that has gone wrong is all of the prices have been going up up up, and the wages have been remaining relatively unchanged, except for the rich making more and more money! If Barack Housein Obama and John McCain knew that Their Relative and friend GWB and DC in the white house now are getting quite a chunk of all of the gasoline money, they would be aboard!
They should BOTH go back into the senate next week and start voting for their RELATIVES and friends, the President and the Vice President, having them leave office and give back to the American people all of the wealth that they have received for the 7 1/2 years from the govt. GWB & DC would have to pay out to all of our veterans who are in the hospitals and given treatment for all of their war horrors, that they have lived and put them in the hospitals to spend the rest of their lives or at least 7 1/2 years into the hospitals, as comforters of all of the lives that they have turned out to not be with their spouses or families. That would show some real spunk in both of the candidates, running for President!
The student who smoked dope and went to this BIG church and got lectured from the pulpit how he is among all of the poor black people who need to lead the way to Christ, BHO. And the Christian man, who spent 5 1/2 years in a prison, away from his family, away from his loved ones, but who through all of those difficult hours of torture, came out and is making his voice heard. The fact that he married twice doesn't even count. His first wife was married before and had two sons, by her first marriage. John McCain adopted those sons! He adopted a young little baby that Saint Mother Theresa of Calcutta, had given to his wife Cindy on one of her trips to India, and she came home and looked at her husband and told him that she wanted to adopt this little girl and John said "yes!" Now I think that is beautiful! Here is man who cares about people! I know that he cares about all of his children and all of God's friends. I know that he is concerned about the world, and Russia who is raising its ugly head again!
As for me, I will vote for the Man who I believe is the best suited for the job!
by
nestacal (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 39 comments)
on Sunday, September 7, 2008 at 12:32:32 PM
Color vs. Democracy? Only a person who is bigoted would say something like this. You speak of God and love and Christianity but your words are tainted by the poison in your viens. What are we looking for? Are we wanting change? (Yes!) The kind of change that Palin and McCain would bring to the WhiteHouse would be devastating, like the way Palin left a huge debt in Alaska where there was none when she took office. She spent lots of the tax payers money redecorating her office, several times. She is out for herself and only herself, except for big business that must be paid for by the over burdened tax payers.
What kind of change? I hope that we get the Christian kind of change that will make more people loving their neighbor!
You talk about wanting Christian change that will make people love their neighbor. I don't know what world you are living in but that ain't gonna happen in our lifetime. It surely isn't going to happen with Sarah Palin or McCain. Sarah Palin has shone what kind of person she is. She would deny women the right to have an abortion even if through rape or incest, because that's what SHE believes. She wanted to censor books from the public library and threatened to fire the librarian if she did not agree with her. Her 17 yr old daughter is pregnant and unwed showing she has not taught her own children about birth control and wants to prevent it from being taught in schools. The bible I am familiar with says this is not Christian behavior. I don't know what her church teaches but it isn't biblical. Palinism will become the newest word to describe the state of terror the US would be living under. Better agree with Palin of face Palinism. This the kind of change you are seeking? Sorta like the Salem witch trials, huh? But, then again, there's you, a racist who judges people on their color. Tsk! Tsk! Tsk! Can a Black man give it to the Americans? (I don't know.) Why don't you know? This statement clearly shows that you don't even follow your own advice. You want everyone to love their neighbor but here you clearly show you are racist. It is highly probable that Christ was a dark skinned man. Do you love him any less because of this? Do you think that black people don't worship God or just don't worship the way YOU do? Besides, Obama's half white....oops, did I let the cat outta the bag?
Am I voting against BHO because of his beliefs? (Yes!) When asked at the Saddleback Convention in front of all those men and women, "When does LIFE begin? He stated "That's above MY paygrade!" Do YOU know when life begins? Can you prove it? Barack Obama said what he should have said, instead of standing up there proclaiming something he could not prove. McCain has not the faintest idea when conscious life begins. At conception? Really! The brain has not yet even formed at this point. The heart has not formed. There is nothing but a cluster of cells. Indeed, the soul does not even enter the body until the baby is ready to be born. THIS is what I believe and no religious zealot/hateful/vengeful/war mongering/vindictive man/woman is going to tell me different or force their beliefs on me. God loves the little children. Yes! No matter what their color! But he hates racists, bigots, and liars and both of these two have shown these traits and been caught in several lies already. Let's not even address YOUR Faults.
And the Christian man, who spent 5 1/2 years in a prison, away from his family, away from his loved ones, but who through all of those difficult hours of torture, came out and is making his voice heard. And, He's a traitor! According to a POW (Phillip Butler, PhD) –who was in the same POW prison, your illustrious McCain spilled his guts to the Vietnamese, giving valuable information to them, in order to get medical treatment for himself. This is the hero you worship, not the truth, but the BS you have been brainwashed into believing. Do the research. McCain has cheated on his wife numerous times, does that make him the kind of christian you want? Sure makes him a politician. Excuse me, but the word Christian... and the name McCain should not be used in the same sentence. The same goes for the mentally disturbed Palin. Even God gave mankind the right to choose. These two would take that right away from us. Does that make them God? I think NOT! NOT any god I would follow. You are not a very smart person are you?
by
Ginger McClemons (14 articles, 1 quicklinks, 10 diaries, 55 comments)
on Sunday, September 7, 2008 at 10:49:52 PM
until your last paragraph where you destroyed everything you said by the silly comment about John McCain being a coward. Surely, you are not that low in the gutter to ride along with the Swiftboaters and Dick Cheney. McCain was hero to all of us who are honest. It is his policies that are so wrong.
Phill
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pratliff94 (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 969 comments)
on Monday, September 8, 2008 at 10:05:02 AM
What is so heroic about firing on people from an airplane and having the bad luck to get shot down? He was called "Songbird" for a reason: he sang to the VC. I feel bad he lost 5 1/2 years of his life in prison but hero? Not.
In another fiasco, he was responsible for the death of 157 men aboard the USS Forrestor. Look it up.
by
camanokat (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 61 comments)
on Monday, September 8, 2008 at 7:16:01 PM
What you have posted is, unfortunately, not correct.
For one thing, 134 sailors were killed (not 157). More importantly, it was not the result of anything John McCain did or failed to do.
Thanks to Tom Murphy for the following:
"The USS Forrestal fire had nothing to do with McCain, other than his A-4, along with another that was awaiting clearance to launch was struck by a Zuni missile that was prematurely launched by a parked F-4 - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1967_USS_Forrestal_fire . McCain was "rewarded" for his role in that incident by way of shrapnel wounds to his chest and legs that occurred after he exited the aircraft and one of his 500 pound bombs exploded nearby."
by
tim bristol (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 89 comments)
on Wednesday, September 10, 2008 at 8:49:01 PM
It has been proven by POW's in the same camp that when it was discovered who he was, the North Vietnamese were jumping with joy! They had a Col.'s son! And yes he was a coward, he is in no position mentally or age wise to take the responsibility of a country already running on empty and fumes. Another McBush, OMG is all I can say, if there is a God, may He help the world. He was a jet-jockey that dumped,[what was it? 6 planes], a spoiled brat and he still is living in the past! Well I have my own Federal election to get through, best of luck on whatever you get, because your votes don't mean "bull chips" anyway!
by
Blacktiger (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 3 diaries, 48 comments)
on Tuesday, September 9, 2008 at 1:47:26 AM
He Said, She Said, I'm more interested in what was not said.
I closely watched the Obama, McCain, and Padin bios this weekend.
Nothing on Biden not a word. Why?
Even more telling was how little we know of what Obama was really doing in New York and why he left.
Why will these people in New York not talk to the press?
To be honest the time in New York sounds very fishy.
No home, living on the streets, while on drugs possibly dealing drugs?
Did he really graduate from college?
Has anyone seen his transcripts?
Why would anyone with a degree from such a prestigious college have a hard time getting a job anywhere?
He could not possibly believe that we would fall for such discrimination with that level of education.
The best job he could find was as community organizer?
Note – he said sent out a number of resumes… and “community organizer” at $10,000 per year in Chicago was the only offer?
This bio has just left me with too many questions.
There are way too many holes in this resume.
I WANT A FULL FBI BACK GROUND CHECK!
I know Harvard will accept people without checking under graduate degrees because they offered me to attend their business graduate school before I had finished my under graduate degree.
Let’s see, as community organizer he was there to help poor people get help when they lived in substandard housing. He leaves that job in Chicago to attend Harvard and returns to work for a Chicago slum lord which he is on first name bases with and helps him buy his $2,000,000 house at almost a quarter less than its real value.
Later when his slum lord buddy is in trouble he gives him $100,000 allegedly for one sixth of the property next door. Was the lot even zoned for this type of sale?
We know so little about this guy I’m sure he is way dirtier than Clinton, Nixon, or any other dirt bag that has made it into Office.
by
Gallaher (2 articles, 0 quicklinks, 3 diaries, 762 comments)
on Sunday, September 7, 2008 at 10:12:34 PM
First of all, your attempt to dismiss Harvard is just silly. Anyone who has really attended a university knows that receiving an offer to attend a school and actually getting accepted to that school are two different things. Just as scholarships are offered and colleges accept applications prior to graduation from high school but are predicated upon the student receiving their degree, any offer you would have received would have been predicated upon proof of your qualification to attend.
How is it you don't know that?
And besides, Harvard has already verified Obama's degree, not to mention the fact that when Obama became the first African American President of the Harvard Law Review - one of the most prestigious positions a Harvard law student, or any law student, can receive, it made national news.
How is it you don't know that?
Could it be that instead of easily verifying facts, you would rather just throw out accusations in the hope they will stand unchallenged?
Palin has thrown out a lot of blatantly false statements. Some were about Obama, some were about herself and her record. But they are very easy to disprove because they are a matter of public record.
It is public record that she fired the Wasilla public librarian because the she refused to ban books Palin wanted banned, and then had to rehire her after the public threatened to recall Palin. It is also a matter of record that she fired many others for insufficient loyalty.
It is public record that she is not a fiscal conservative; she is a tax and spend hypocritical Republican, the same way Bush is.
It is public record that she is an avaricious aquisitioner of earmarks and pork, including, but by no means limited to, the infamous Bridge to Nowhere.
It is public record that she beacame mayor of a town with a budget surplus and left it $22 million in debt.
It is public record that she raised taxes over 30% and even taxed food.
It is public record that she not only supported the corrupt Sen. Ted Stevens, whom she now disavows, she ran a 527 for him. It is beyond hypocritical for her to pose as a reformer.
It is public record that she is being investigated for misuse of her office in trying to fire the man who would not fire her ex-brother-in-law upon her command. She apparently didn't even hide the trail of emails that she is now lying about.
It is public record that she is a creationist and wants religion taught as science.
She is on record in being completely in favor of government deciding for women when and if a pregnancy can be terminated. The right she took for herself and her daughter, to choose, she would deny everyone else.
And, it is now public record that since Palin has been picked as McCain's running mate and a team of RNC lawyers and campaign staff have become involved, sudden;y people who were willing to testify to her acts are now refusing to talk.
She's no reformer., she's a liar. She has stood up in public and lied about Obama, lied about her past, lied about her accomplishments.
She is so hungry for power that she has forced her pregnant 17 year old daughter into the national spotlight and onto tabloid covers, something I find particularly callous and self-serving for any mother to do. But in Palin's case, having positioned herself for years as some sort of uber-rightwing conservative Christian, it is especially hypocritical.
She isn't putting her family first, she's shoving them aside so she can have the spotlight.
What we have in Palin is a very ambitious polition, which would not be bad in and of itself, except for the fact that she has also shown herself to be dishonest, unethical, and astonishingly callous towards her children, or at least her pregnant 17 year old daughter.
She is nothing more than more of the same dishonest, hypocritical, sanctimonious, self-serving, unethical, immoral Republicans that have been ruining this country for the last 8 years.
by
Ruth Lopez (8 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 25 comments)
on Monday, September 8, 2008 at 11:37:34 AM
He Said, She Said, I'm more interested in what was not said.
I closely watched the Obama, McCain, and Padin bios this weekend.
Nothing on Biden not a word. Why?
Even more telling was how little we know of what Obama was really doing in New York and why he left.
Why will these people in New York not talk to the press?
To be honest the time in New York sounds very fishy.
No home, living on the streets, while on drugs possibly dealing drugs?
Did he really graduate from college?
Has anyone seen his transcripts?
Why would anyone with a degree from such a prestigious college have a hard time getting a job anywhere?
He could not possibly believe that we would fall for such discrimination with that level of education.
The best job he could find was as community organizer?
Note – he said sent out a number of resumes… and “community organizer” at $10,000 per year in Chicago was the only offer?
This bio has just left me with too many questions.
There are way too many holes in this resume.
I WANT A FULL FBI BACK GROUND CHECK!
I know Harvard will accept people without checking under graduate degrees because they offered me to attend their business graduate school before I had finished my under graduate degree.
Let’s see, as community organizer he was there to help poor people get help when they lived in substandard housing. He leaves that job in Chicago to attend Harvard and returns to work for a Chicago slum lord which he is on first name bases with and helps him buy his $2,000,000 house at almost a quarter less than its real value.
Later when his slum lord buddy is in trouble he gives him $100,000 allegedly for one sixth of the property next door. Was the lot even zoned for this type of sale?
We know so little about this guy I’m sure he is way dirtier than Clinton, Nixon, or any other dirt bag that has made it into Office.
by
Gallaher (2 articles, 0 quicklinks, 3 diaries, 762 comments)
on Sunday, September 7, 2008 at 10:12:38 PM
The jury is out on the "Sambo" comment with of course a presumption of innocence.
What is beyond dispute is the pit-bull comment.
Surely the Republicans are not such bullies as to endorse such a comment without a 'It was a rhetorical flourish and we do not endorse any implied threat to inflict violence on our fellow Americans' type apology.
by
kwalsh (2 articles, 0 quicklinks, 6 diaries, 217 comments)
on Sunday, September 7, 2008 at 11:49:58 PM
Kilkenny is not some political operative and opponent of Palin's. She is a housewife in Wasilla who attends council meetings and stuck up for her librarian friend when Palin tried to fire her for not censoring books. Todd Palin is one eighth native by their own reports.
Palin is a confirmed liar. She stated to the RNC and the world in a speech the other night that she sold the government plane on e-bay. It has since been confirmed that she did no such thing. It did not sell on e-bay so, through a broker, she arranged to sell it to one of her buddies at a $600,000 loss.
by
Bryan Emmel (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 221 comments)
on Monday, September 8, 2008 at 4:00:36 AM
..She said she "put" it on E-Bay. The fact is it didn't sell on E-Bay and they wound up using a broker which they probably should have done in the first place. It IS a good laugh line and endears her to the intelectually lazy... But it is only partially true like much of what she says...
by
KMConrad (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 2 comments)
on Tuesday, September 9, 2008 at 12:03:25 AM
The sad fact is that it seems to be Bloggers, etc. having to do the vetting here, not the responsible parties (McCain's people). The MSM has to send teams up there and do this right before everyone on both sides look like idiots. IF there is a real story here it likely will come out; if NOT, that too will likely come out. But the actual work (combing through the ADN archives, hunting down "Lucille" if she exists, etc.) has to be done by someone soon, not just the Enquirer and blogsters- God help us. As to all those who say this is just DEM "smear" campaign- Oh? Really? And HOW do you know its not true? I did get to see the Baby Daddy's page (before it got taken off), and that was a shocker. We'll just have to see what else turns up...
by
KMConrad (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 2 comments)
on Monday, September 8, 2008 at 4:02:57 PM
There's just not enough evidence for this claim. Like Barack said when he enjoined Governor Palin to respect the constitution and the rights of all to be presumed innocent until proven guilty (something she mocked in her acceptance speech), we have to give Governor Palin the benefit of the doubt on this. But what is clear from reading the comments is that many people do hold a racist attitude toward Senator Obama. I know that was your concern in posting this, and that your concern is very justified.
Let's work, call, campaign, register voters and get the REAL change we need in the Obama/Biden ticket!
by
Tricia Ellis Christensen (1 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 3 comments)
on Tuesday, September 9, 2008 at 8:50:46 AM
