Thu 28 Aug 2008
See here for the overview. Who will update our Wikipedia listing? Note that these awards are for “distinguished achievement in any field of endeavor.” Under what definitions of these terms does not a single Eph veteran of the Long War qualify while a renowned slam poet does? Just asking!
August 28th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
All of the recipients, including the slam poet, appear worthy to me, notwithstanding David’s thinly veiled insult. And David, you should be happy, you who always bitches about ideological balance must have noticed a member of the Bush administration among the honorees.
August 28th, 2008 at 2:25 pm
What is the criteria?
August 28th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
I am asking because normally military service is honored within the DoD… and Eph Veterans are already recognized in other venues- correct? Those killed in action are memorialized forever. I am not sure what the significance of a “bicentennial award” would be?
How would it read? What would justify it?
August 28th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
Just so it doesn’t appear that all Ephbloggers are immature and snide, here is a link to the kind of post that really should be on Ephblog - an appreciation of one of Mayda del Valle’s poems, “To All the Boys I Have Loved Before”, which I highly recommend reading:
http://allmyliesarewishes.com/20070813/def-poetry-volume-2-mayda-del-valle-to-all-the-boys-ive-loved-before/
It seems like the video in the above link is no longer available, but a number of Mayda’s slam poetry performances are available here:
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=mayda+del+valle&search_type=&aq=0&oq=mayda+
And, without meaning any disrespect to those who serve, I’d like to say that it is both insulting and unnecessary to constantly compare every field of human endeavour to military service, and to somehow imply, as David constantly does, that all those who do not join the military are lacking in some way.
This fetishization of guns and uniforms is the kind of thing one expects from adolescent boys and Republicans. Grow out of it. The fact that there are many Ephs who have served bravely in Afghanistan and Iraq does not detract in any way from Mayda’s accomplishments, nor make her less deserving of the honor.
August 28th, 2008 at 2:40 pm
Ronit- I am seriously asking David the same question he asks on the blog. He is asking under what conditions a persons military service may justify this recognition. Well, he should have an idea if he feels this strongly about it. How is the award voted on? How is the award nominated? What stops people from putting in members of the Armed Forces who they think qualify?
And once again David- Which Eph Veteran(s) of “The long War” do you feel qualify for the award, and why? Instead of slamming another persons achievement, how about nominating the person(s) you feel deserve this recognition- with justification.
August 28th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
David,
yet another year of bicentennial awards ,yet another year in which you criticize the non-white female honoree as not worthy of the award as much as a veteran.
sad how history repeats itself on ephblog.
Mayda is an exceptional artist who has spearheaded the revival and expansion of an art form, helping take it from coffeshops to HBO to Broadway and beyond. And you doubt her worthiness compared to a veteran (btw, while creating a false either/or claim)? pathetic.
August 28th, 2008 at 5:52 pm
This thread is rife with opportunities for expressions of cynicism, but being an idealist, I will refrain.
August 28th, 2008 at 6:10 pm
I would assume that the bicentennial medals honor career accomplishments. I don’t get the fetishization, then, of singling out “The Long War” which, long as it has seemed, is still not quite six years old. Now, if someone from this war has accomplished something extraordinary beyond simply serving, by all means, nominate them and see how they fare. But let’s not priviledge them versus people who might have accomplished significant things over their career.
Service in the military is a noble and good and honorable thing, but in and of itself is not worthy of any more recognition than someone who in the same time frame has gone to medical school or graduate school or led philanthropic causes during that time, and my guess is that bicentennial medals are not geared towars grad or professional school or entry level accomplishments either. This smacks of the worst kind of affirmative action. I know people from my Williams era who have accomplished some pretty remarkable things and yet would not necessarily think the exceptional recognition of a bicentennial medal would be owed them. the diea that someone who has served in an ongoing war MUST deserve such recognition is, to say the least, dubious argumentation and smacks of entitlement by decree.
dcat
August 28th, 2008 at 6:35 pm
dcat- My point exactly. Unless David can name a specific individual from this group of Veterans that deserves this award, and why… this thread is pretty much bunk.
David should take a look at Veterans from other wars that got the award, why they got it, and use past history as a measure- then blog about giving his suggested nominee the award. That is far more interesting than slamming an artist at the expense of “someone in uniform.” In fact, it is unbecoming of those in the service to use the uniform in the way that David has here. A rejection of the very attitude displayed here, has helped make our military the most respected Gov Department. Re do the thread!
Rory is right- it is disrespecting and insulting… to those who are serving!
August 28th, 2008 at 6:45 pm
dcat and Rory, amen and amen. I’ve made the same exact point as dcat many times to David, and he seems unable or unwilling to respond. Being in the military is noble; so is being a doctor or a teacher. We don’t hand out awards to just any Eph doctor or teacher — only to those who have distinguished themselves in some way among doctors. I, and I’m sure the college, would happily support award of a bicentennial medal to someone who earns a purple heart, or who becomes a general, or who otherwise demonstrates an exceptional record of achievement in their chosen field. Here, as usual, David invokes his favorite logically incoherent argument techniques: false dichotomies and straw men. All in the service of his favorite hobby, denegrating the accomplishments of minority women. Congratulations.
August 29th, 2008 at 6:38 am
Is everyone done with today’s Two Minute Hate?
If I thought that del Valle did not deserve a Bicentennial Medal, you can sure that I would say so. Instead, I think that she is a reasonable choice, especially as the first post-90’s Eph to be so honored. I also think that she will make an excellent convocation speaker.
And nothing I said in the post contradicts that! Instead, my point is that her selection demonstrates that the College is perfectly willing to define “field of endeavor” very narrowly, which is fine but was not clear from our previous disputes. In other words, if the field of endeavor is slam poetry (or spoken poetry or some similar category), then there can be no doubt that de Valle has demonstrated “distinguished achievement,” certainly more so than any other Eph. (Corrections welcome.)
One problem that I have had with previous awards is that the selected (female) Eph has demonstrated less achievement than several male Ephs in that particular field. Not true in this case! So, no complaint from me.
The point is that once the College starts defining fields narrowly (slam poetry rather than entertainment) the excuse for not awarding a medal to someone like Bunge Cooke ‘98 evaporates. Jeff wants to define the field broadly (military service) an, therefore, not award a medal to someone who have not, say, become a general. That is a reasonable position. But, if you allow me to narrow the field from “military service” to “leading a rifle company,” then an Eph like Cooke has, in fact, demonstrated “”distinguished achievement.”
If field narrowing works for del Valle (and that is fine by me), then it also works for Cooke.
Which then brings us to the root of the issue. An Eph above claims (with a straight face!) that serving in the military and in combat is no more “noble” than being a teacher.
I do not think that that word means what you think it means.
The real dispute that I have with some (many?) on this topic is that I think that military service during wartime is particularly noble and they do not.
August 29th, 2008 at 6:55 am
To answer some of the questions above, please review our previous discussions.
As to selection, anyone can be nominated. I have nominated several (all you need to do is e-mail the alumni office) including to Eph veterans (Cooke and Sharpe). Someone in the alumni office maintains a working list of notable Ephs, both those nominated and those the alumni office just knows about, along with supporting material. Each year the Executive Board of the SoA is asked for feedback (not just on the exact details) and their thoughts/opinions are forwarded to Morty. He then picks. He has (and should have) pretty much absolute discretion.
I suspect that there is a behind-the-scenes stage whereby initial winners are checked for availability on Convocation Weekend. If they are not available, I believe that their award is postponed to another year.
August 29th, 2008 at 7:03 am
Rory writes:
Well, that is an interesting fantasy. Instead of just claiming that I “constantly” do something, why don’t you quote me actually doing it? Bet you can’t because, of course, I make no such claims about those (like my wife, my brother and almost all my friends and family) who do not join the military. The military is not for everyone!
The issue here is much more concrete. Should Williams award a Bicentennial Medal to someone like Bunge Cooke or Kathy Sharpe Jones? Jeff Z (and others?) say No. I say Yes.
Cooke has done as well in his field of endevear (leading Marines in combat) as del Valle has done in her field on endeavor (slam poetry). Why does the College honor her and not him?
August 29th, 2008 at 8:30 am
Those who without the duress of conscription enter the military in time of war clearly evidence that they have at the very least a dollop of physical courage; others not necessarily so.
August 29th, 2008 at 8:37 am
First, that wasn’t me. Second, you’ve still created a false dichotomy, and third, when complaining about someone assuming something about what you say (by the way, many people saw your comments about Mayda starting with “under what definition…” as insulting her and her accomplishments), don’t assume what Jeff would say about specifics he was never specifically asked about.
honestly, david, get some class.
August 29th, 2008 at 8:38 am
get some more class, i mean.
August 29th, 2008 at 9:19 am
“Cooke has done as well in his field of endeavor (leading Marines in combat)”- but so has just about every Marine NCO or Officer during this war. You do not give a person this type of award for doing their job well.
In my mind, that alone, would not reach the level for such an award. I am sure he has received the BV, and many other military awards for his service. My point is, if you are going to make that the criteria, then one would be recognizing a large % of people in uniform today, for like type awards.
A person would have to do something different, or make some major changes in his particular military field or branch, in my mind, to earn such an honor. A solitary act in combat? Well, maybe if they earned the Navy Cross or CMH.
For example, if an Eph Marine (enlisted or officer or even civilian) created a new protocol for maintenance and repair on the Offsprey, that saved billions of dollars and lives, that might be worth taking a look at. If they thus became recognized as a technical expert, and were sent to do test and evaluation and development on numerous aviation projects for the Corps, that might be worthy.
If an Eph created a new battlefield tactic, that involved the use of a new form of tactical employment of assets, that became standard in same type operations, and text book for the dominance of similar battlefield situations, that would be worth taking a look at.
If an Eph made Flag rank, or even Senior NCO rank at a major command, and lead that service, or a major part of that service, that would be worth taking a look at.
Maybe the Marines you feel are worthy do deserve it? You would have to pull their military records and take a hard look at their accomplishments in order to submit a valid nomination. Leading men in combat is not “distinguished achievment”.
August 29th, 2008 at 10:25 am
Thanks Rory. I never said that Bunge Cook did not deserve a medal and it is downright foul play for David to claim, falsely, that I did. I have no idea whether he does or does not. You did not, David, frame your initial argument as, Bunge deserved a medal because of some special achievement in the military — that sounds fine to me. What you have in the past argued, and continue to argue in your initial post, is that simply by virtue of BEING in the military, folks deserve a bicentennial medal. According to your ORIGINAL argument (which is now shifting in response to unassailable critique, per your usual rhetorical technique), it was wrong that no member of the military has received a bicenntenial medal, regardless of any particular honor or leadership role they may or may not have achieved in the military. It is THAT contention I disagree with. Like everyone else on this thread, I was waiting for you to make a case about a particular person who deserved a medal based on their particular achievements in the military. Since none of us understand as well as you what Bunge’s accomplishment represent, why don’t you write a post explaining those accomplishment and why he should receive a bincentennial medal. If as impressive as you suggest above, I will happily second your nomination. But that is NOT what you argued initially and to claim otherwise now is outright disengenuous. Oh, and one other request — when doing so, try your best from simultaneously denigrating the accomplishments of other Ephs. I know that is difficult for you, but I have faith that you can find a way.
By the way, I will call your bluff on noble, and say, bullshit. My parents, who both have advanced degrees, spent their entire careers working to educate severely disabled kids, for far less compensation than they could have earned in other endeavors. If you want to say that you are more “noble” than my parents because you spent part of your life being paid to shoot at other people then, to quote Barack, that is a debate I’m willing to have. More courageous? Sure. But that is not synonymous with “noble.” Noble means “of an exalted moral or mental character or excellence.” I am very comfortable saying that those who work their asses off for years so they can heal others as doctors, or those who sacrifice financially and dedicate themselves to educating our children, are of an exalted moral or mental character, and are no less exalted than you and your fellow marines. Feel free to disagree, but again, that is a debate I am willing to have.
August 29th, 2008 at 10:27 am
Ronit -
I hope you will agree with me that until Williams’ admissions recognizes and actively recruits athletes like Andrew Flintoff and Ian Bell, these Bicentennial Awards will never be able to recognize achievement measured in half-Bicentennials and as yesterday, 1/8 Bicentennials!
August 29th, 2008 at 10:41 am
Ronit -
Ooops!
Maths not being my long suit, I realize belatedly the reference above should be ‘1/4 Bicentennials’, not 1/8’s.
Fractionally yours,
Swart
August 29th, 2008 at 10:43 am
I don’t know Rory, I liked your first version better :)
August 29th, 2008 at 10:58 am
Correct me if I’m wrong, but de Valle has achieved national if not international recognition as a slam poet, and is partially credited with popularizing and revitalizing the form. If this is the case, she has certainly been something more than a good slam poet. I am sure Cooke is a very good soldier and has done very well in leading his unit, but has he been more than a good officer? Has he been nationally or internationally singled out for his service in the way that de Valle has (being recognized as one of a small handful of leaders in her field)? Does he have any international recognition? Has he been credited with making any significant improvements in combat technique? Cooke may be a very good officer, but as others have pointed out, there are very good eph doctors, lawyers, teachers, etc, etc who don’t receive these medals. The fact is, the medals aren’t simply for a super high level of competence within a field…they recognize “achievement,” which implies more than the highly competent fulfillment of one’s career duties.
August 29th, 2008 at 11:03 am
Jeff Z–
I’m not willing to acknowledge that a stint in the service is more courageous than a career working with disabled children. In the military you have all of best equipment, and a literal and figurative army behind you, helping you the entire way. When you work with kids, well, you’re on your own. I don’t think soldiers are more courageous…it’s a different sort of courage. Many teachers would never put their lives on the line the way that soldiers do, but on the flip side of that, many soldiers would not do the work of a teacher either out of fear for any number of things (public speaking, the high stake of working with children, a constant grinding disrespect, etc, etc).
August 29th, 2008 at 11:18 am
Dave –
You wrote the following: “An Eph above claims (with a straight face!) that serving in the military and in combat is no more “noble” than being a teacher.” While a serch indicates that no one actually said such a thing, I came close enough as did JeffZ.
And then, of course, Dave follows it up with a Kane classic: “I do not think that that word means what you think it means.” Listen, asscrack, if our relative facility with the language is an argument you want to have, let’s do. You can save the snideness for attacking undergraduates. You want to condescend to me on language, we’re gonna have us a bit of an argument. And I’m going to win that argument. Every. Single. Time.
The reality is that “nobility” implies motive. people enter professions for a whole host of reasons. Many enter the military for very noble reasons. But some don’t. The same thing can be said of teachers. The idea that the act of entering the military is in and of itself a prima facie indication of nobility is fatuous and silly. You’re going to need to do better if you’re going to slug it out with grownups, Dave. We tend to hit back.
dcat
August 29th, 2008 at 11:26 am
Dick - I am stunned. Are you a fellow fan of the greatest game on earth?
August 29th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
Ronit –
Add me to the list! My experience in South Africa has turned me into a cricket fan - not as much as rugby, but I am one of those people who will actually watch a test match for the duration.
dcat
August 29th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
Jeff writes first:
Bunge Cooke has not earned a purple heart or been promoted to general. If the field of endeavor is as broad as “military service,” then there are hundreds of veterans (but few/no Ephs) who have demonstated greater “achievement.”
Jeff writes second:
Well, I just explained that he hasn’t met the criteria you have set out. Now that I have explained the facts, am I fair in concluding that you do not think he deserves a medal?
August 29th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
Ronit -
My association with the game started in a small town in southern Wisconsin while working for a manufacturer of writing instruments. We had so many Brits on board from the brain-drain, as did many other manufacturers in the area, that I arranged that a company shipment clearly labeled ‘Samples’ actually contained full equipment from Lillywhites.
While never any good myself as a player, I assure you the lunches were first-rate with Pimms flowing and no shortage of Branston Pickle with cheese-and-tomato and cucumber sarmys.
For the past few years, I have walked past Lords when visiting family and have always been impressed.
This, of course, does not make me any more than a casual observer, unlike you and dcat and Caldicott and Charters in The Lady Vanishes 1938.
I had just read the sports, knew of your interest in the great game, and saw it as a chance to take a passing glance at old threads on the mysteries of admissions and the nice word-play possible with the Bicentennial and the fractions.
This is my admission. Out.
August 29th, 2008 at 12:51 pm
Jeff- You seem to have as much bias against military service as David has for it. Something for self reflection while you discuss the issue of just rewards, on this thread.
David- What if this person was in the Navy, or the Army? You seem to have a strong bias toward the Marines. Something for you to think about. I do believe there has been an 0-6 Eph in our Navy currently serving mentioned in this blog. Perhaps he has made flag rank?
My guess is, he (the 0-6) the Major (0-4) beaten when it comes to military accomplishments. Longer time in service, higher rank as an officer.
August 29th, 2008 at 12:59 pm
PTC, that is complete bullshit and absolutely false, if you read everything I have ever said on point. What I have is a bias against is someone who claims that someone who serves in the military is BETTER than a teacher or a doctor. I think people who serve in our military are certainly courageous (as I noted above) and do a great public service. But I think there are many other ways to engage in public service, and I sometimes believe that we glorify those in the military, rightly, while wrongly failing to glorify those who contribute in less visible ways. Even David dropped the “noble” debate, you’ll notice.
As for Bunge, I continue to have no opinion as I don’t know enough about how his accomplishments. Purple heart and general were not meant to be an exhaustive list, obviously, just certain examples. If someone performed a particularly heroic act during wartime, saving their comrades from harm or something, that would qualify as well, as would any other number of achievements. My only point, as I’ve made again and again, is that giving a bicentennial medal to someone just because they are in the military is no different than giving a medal to someone just because they are a teacher or a doctor. IN each case, a noble occupation is not enough — there needs to be something more to warrant award of the medal, in my view. That’s all.
August 29th, 2008 at 1:38 pm
Jeff Z- Sorry that I misread you. Here is why I did.
“If you want to say that you are more “noble” than my parents because you spent part of your life being paid to shoot at other people then, to quote Barack, that is a debate I’m willing to have.”
At the very least, that quote shows a severe lack of understanding. The military does a hell of a lot of other types of work. The chances that anyone would spend an entire career or even the majority of one in combat is slim to none. Shooting at other people also normally implies, they are shooting at you.
Most Military members do a variety of jobs throughout their career that include technical work, management, diplomatic and humanitarian functions. My guess is that you were referring to Kane’s apparent fascinations while writing that remark, but that takes you off point on the larger issue of who in the military (if anyone) would be deserving.
You and I agree on this issue. The award specifically reads “distinguished achievement in any field of endeavor.” Kane should do more homework, nominate someone in our service who deserves it, then make the case for the individual.
So David- now the ball is in your court. Find the person most serving who is most deserving, and make a case for him/her.
August 29th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
Fair enough PTC. I made the mistake of being a little overly flip, which undermined rather than reinforced my point. I certainly respect and admire those who serve our country in the military.
August 29th, 2008 at 1:53 pm
PTC,
That ball has been in David’s court for at least a full year as he made the same claims last year with the medal (and likely the year before as well). However, to date, he hasn’t answered that challenge with specifics. That leads me to assume that there is no such military eph.
The reason for that is an interesting tangent, but it’s time to stop giving David the benefit of the doubt when we’ve had the argument multiple times and always on his terms: pro military service bicentennial award (without particulars of an individual’s “distinguished service”), anti non-white females getting the award.
August 29th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
You can believe this if you want, but plenty of people have pointed out in this thread how wrong it is.
Right. It self-evidently has nothing to do with the definition of the words “distinguished achievement” — it’s that you’ve made a value judgment that military service is simply more noble/honorable/worthy of recognition than other fields of endeavor. Which is fine — but as Derek said, let’s not pretend otherwise.
August 29th, 2008 at 2:33 pm
Rory- “That leads me to assume that there is no such military eph.”
I respectfully disagree.
I suspect there may be at least one Eph serving who is worthy. There is one particular military address and rank that was posted under deployed Ephs that definitely caught my eye. It hung out there like a massive flag that stated the importance, uniqueness and achievement involved with such a position.
However, that does not mean that this particular Eph would want the award and recognition. Believe it or not, there are those in the military that have jobs that they would prefer be kept out of the limelight. Also, I suspect that David lacks the recourses and/or time to really investigate this. Plus, he is absolutely stuck on Marines. That limits him in his quest to find the right person.
Anyhow- Best of luck to David. I hope he finds the right Military Eph.
August 29th, 2008 at 2:34 pm
I couldn’t help but notice that at one point in this dialogue the term ‘asscrack’ was used in addressing dkane.
As this situation might arise again and the need for synonyms may become apparent, I submit this list from
http://www.definition-of.com/
backeye slice, backeye slit, broad smile, brownsward, bum cleavage, cleft, crack, crease, crevice, foul line, reverse cleavage, split, vertical grin, valley. butt-crack, happy valley.
Please note that some of these words may be preceded with ‘ass’ if not becoming redundant, and also appended with ‘wipe’, if appropriate to an imperative appellation.
Yours for continued good English useage.
August 29th, 2008 at 2:44 pm
LOL! Who woulda known?
Answer: Swart, of course!
(Although I bet Frank, once he is out of his ‘idealist’ mood, will have something to add)
August 29th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
By the way David- I happen to like you. I think you are a bit misguided when it comes to military matters, especially as they should be portrayed in the public light. I suspect that if you kept an open mind and met me for a few glasses of fine wine in the Berkshires at some point, we might just get along. You may be surprised.
My absolute rejection of the current abusive nature of college overdevelopment of “my” town, not included, of course!
A lot of what Kane does is done to invoke debate and response. He has done that in this thread. But what he has missed, is the specific individual he wants nominated for this position and why. If he were to provide that in another thread, with solid back up, I bet he could help move mountains and get the deserving veteran the award. That makes this thread kind of pathetic and sad in a way. The use of service in such a controversial way is not becoming, and David could promote his own military heritage, and obvious pride, and in my mind, rightful adulation of those that serve, particularly in his branch the Marine Corps. Semper Fi David. I know it meant something to you, still does, and always will. Those here that have not lived it can never understand it, but that does not mean we need to push that in their faces. The charter is to support and defend the Constitution of the United States. May that be done faithfully, strongly, and with humility in the public eye.
August 29th, 2008 at 9:42 pm
Speaking of choices: Sarah Palin, anyone?
August 29th, 2008 at 10:03 pm
I haven’t read every exchange between David and his various antagonists, but one particular thing he said, about the nobility of service, sticks in my craw. David finds it laughable to say that teaching is just as noble as military service.
In response to David: War is the worst thing known to mankind. There is nothing inherently noble in killing other people on behalf of a state, nothing inherently courageous about dropping bombs from a jet plane 30,000 ft above the ground. I think it is absolute nonsense to say that a soldier is necessarily a greater benefactor of mankind than an artist or teacher or doctor, or even to say that soldiering and teaching can be held to be equivalently noble career choices. Teachers and doctors and artists all create something positive for life on earth. Armies create nothing but death and destruction.
Now sometimes, that death and destruction may be a means to a very noble end. Wars may be worth fighting for very good moral and political reasons. However, in the absence of conscription, I see nothing inherently noble about voluntarily joining in an imperial adventure. Yes, it shows a certain level of daring and physical courage, but that is not the same thing as nobility.
David, if you would like to nominate someone specific Eph soldier for the Bicentennial Medal, or any other honor, you need to make a case for their accomplishments beyond the mere fact that they signed up for this war.
August 29th, 2008 at 10:12 pm
Well, it’s about time! Bless you, Ken (!), and thank goodness someone finally brought this up.
Here’s my theory, FWIW, (and I actually haven’t had time to check in with what the pundits are saying) I think it’s practically a ‘desperation’ move. Especially after the peak of the Obama speech. Nothing else makes sense of the choice, but a complete ‘throwing up of the hands’ and saying “Let’s try this…cause we ain’t got any other cards to play!”
In all honesty, I am just learning about her (as is all of America), but I can’t imagine that she will stand up well against a guy who has been a part of the national political scene for more than 30 years.
It is going to be interesting. I feel for her, truly. But I am rooting for Obama/Biden all the way!
August 29th, 2008 at 10:36 pm
Ronit,
We cross-posted. Obviously, I was responding to Ken’s comment.
But your comment deserves a response as well. It is beautifully said, and IMO, sad, but true…
…and all the more reason why we must change our course.
August 29th, 2008 at 10:39 pm
Ken -
Ahh, Alaska!
“There are strange things done ‘neath the midnight sun by the men who moil for gold,
and the Arctic trails have their secret tales that would make your blood run cold.
The Northern Lights have seen queer sights, but the strangest they ever did see
was that night on the marg of Lake LeBarge when Sarah was put up for VP.”
… Or was that Canada?
Either way, apologies to Robert Service (I used to give ‘Sam Magee’ as a campfire recitation).
August 29th, 2008 at 10:44 pm
This is off topic, but hell, I can’t resist. I have more constituents (as president of my civic association) now and I had half as many (as college council president) at age 20, as Sarah Palin did three years ago. I love watching the GOP talking heads pressing the argument that her one year as governor of a small state with concerns way, way different than most of the US (her primary issues involve polar bears, for god’s sakes) somehow is as ready to lead as Barack Obama, who spent seven years as a state senator, four years as a heavily scrutinized senator, has met foreign leaders from all over the globe, four years on the senate foreign relations committee, and run the most impressive, ambitious, presidential campaign in histy, with barely a misstep for the last two years. I mean, if Obama is not experienced enough to be President, then Palin is not experienced enough to be dog catcher. It’s ridiculous. Not only that, and call me an elitist, call me a snob, but there is no evidence that Palin possessed anything closo to Obama’s intellectual abilities. This is a guy who was magna cum laude from Harvard law, president of Harvard Law Review, a con law professor at arguably the most intellectual law school in the country (yes, I’m biased), has written two books and the three best political speeches of at least the last ten years … he is a genius, no iffs, ands or buts .. Palin was a communications major at the University of Idaho. To the extent Obama needs to learn quickly, he has proven time and again he can do so. Palin, not at all — all she knows about, so far as we know, are a few Alaska-specific issues. Hell, she doesn’t even know what the VP does (I bet Obama does) or ANYTHING about Iraq (again, Obama sure as hell does). It is a heavyweight versus a featherweight. McCain’s credibility is now zero — if experience meant a lick to him, as he claims it did, he would not have picked Palin — hell, he himself had only even met her in passing, he knows nothing about her himself! Crazy, desperate move. It could pay off, sure, if enough women vote strictly based on gender, but I give the american public more credit than that. And god help us if it does pay off and something happens to McCain … I and many others are terrified at the thought of a beauty queen with one year of relevant experience as President. Crazy. To think she is remotely comparable to Hillary Clinton, and intellectual and political heavyweight among heavyweights, is outright heresy. Plus, she hates polar bears, and those suckers are cute :).
August 29th, 2008 at 10:46 pm
As for Sarah Palin… she’s a marathon-running mother of five (one of whom has Down’s syndrome) who went from being mayor of a village to a reformist gubernatorial candidate who took on the corrupt Republican incumbent, and won.
In terms of her background, she is palpably the most ordinary/normal (in a good way) person to be on a Presidential ticket, perhaps in history. Americans crave authenticity, and she has it in bucketfuls.
She’ll play well in Peoria. She’ll peel off enough white women voters to make this thing a real close contest. John McCain is not quite the doddering old fool he looks like; this was the cleverest move he could have made.
August 29th, 2008 at 10:51 pm
Ronit, I am not so sure. Americans definitely crave ordinary. But in a potential President (and McCain’s age and health make this a big issue) they also want someone who looks and sounds Presidential. She ain’t it. You could be right, I can’t pretend to really empathize with the blue-collar ohio, pa, and mich voters who will decide this election, but I think a lot of them will be very nervous at the prospect of President Palin once they see and hear more of her, and about her.
August 29th, 2008 at 10:55 pm
She has also neutralized Biden (at least during the VP debate). He would have slaughtered and buried any of the other contenders at the VP debate: Romney, Pawlenty, Lieberman, etc. But he has to tread very carefully with Palin - he can’t really attack her directly.
(Ed. note: My comments are entirely about Palin’s impact on the process over the next 60-odd days, where I think she will be very helpful to McCain. In terms of substance, the only things I know about her so far is that she is extremely anti-choice, in favor of teaching creationism in high school, and against protecting polar bears. If you go to OnTheIssues.org, on most issues, Palin is a cipher or blank slate - she has not, as far as I know, ever even expressed a substantive opinion on the conduct of foreign policy.)
August 29th, 2008 at 11:07 pm
Ronit -
He’ll need an very clever alternative way!
He must walk softly and carry a big schtick. (rimshot)
Shecky in Hood River
August 29th, 2008 at 11:08 pm
Ronit- You are on thread, and wrong. You are damn wrong in fact.
August 29th, 2008 at 11:14 pm
Now, for Palin- Not qualified. Nor does she have the time to figure it out.
August 29th, 2008 at 11:23 pm
The above is further evidence that human beings in the everlasting folly caused by the human condition tend to believe that which they want to believe.
August 30th, 2008 at 12:05 am
PTC is correct about the time issue. I just can’t imagine Palin can get it together to adequately debate someone with Biden’s experience. Yes, he will have to tread carefully, but Biden is uniquely qualified in that respect. He can attack without coming off as a jerk.
That aside, Palin has;
(a) no experience at all on an international platform…
(b) less than 2 yrs on a statewide platform
(c] is already under investigation for corruption ( having to do with the demotion of an ex-brother in law from the State Police.)
(d) and given McCain’s age and health, she is one heartbeat away from the presidency….harsh but true…
not to mention…
(e) an obviously cynical and hypocritical choice from a man who has accused his opponent of being too inexperienced to lead…
August 30th, 2008 at 12:41 am
Just circled back to read Jeff’s long comment which clenched it for me…
Doesn’t like Polar Bears!!!???
She is toast.
August 30th, 2008 at 5:36 am
Sarah Palin drew my applause several times while I watched this governor, mother, woman, citizen.
We have our candidate for president and vice president.
We cannot give our confidence to those who are not capable nor confident.
Sarah will gain the confidence of our nation, as a woman, as a reformer, and as a candidate for the office as our next Vice-President.
I love this woman, this champion of men, this virtuous mother, who stands behind her rhetoric, her husband and her sons.
God bless this nation and our presidential candidate McCain.
August 30th, 2008 at 7:04 am
Ken and Soph-
If Biden and Palin debate in an intimate round table forum, and the forum is more of a discussion like Cheney had with Edwards, there is no way she will look prepared. Biden will draw on decades of experience to tie in policy positions and current world events in a way that she does not have the depth to understand. Cheney beat Edwards badly in that forum because experience (and of course brains) really matter in it. It is huge, in fact. She will look like a dear in the headlights. That is normally how the VP debate is run. Watch carefully. I’d wager a lot of money that the VP debate will not be run in that forum this year. The Republicans would be foolish to let that happen.
If she can stand and answer questions given by a moderator, and hit talking points and one liners, she may be ok. There is no way they will allow her to try and stay with Biden sitting at a table… no way. She has only been gov outside the lower 48 for a year. Plus she brings a huge family soap opera with her from her home state. Her family is all mixed in with the politics there. That will bring reminders of Clinton. The country does not want to go backward.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UojMnCgqVA
Her positions. Well, she believes in teaching creationism in our schools. I would think anyone with a liberal arts education from Williams, might find that rather alarming.
Man, I don’t get it. Rove must have some internals that are telling the Republicans that this is a smart move… but I am not seeing it. Her speech yesterday with McCain was basically “pick me because I am a woman”. She is not qualified. McCain is 72. This is a scary choice.
August 30th, 2008 at 8:24 am
That was awesome, Broadband. That is the type of “logic” that has led Palin to reject global warming as a myth and advocate creationism. So let me get this straight: she is the nominee for VP, so therefore, we need to have confidence in her. Because we have confidence in her, she is qualified to be VP. Brilliant! By that logic, to use one of McCain’s favorite celebrities, Paris Hilton is qualified to be President. Then again, Paris Hilton knows at least as much about foreign policy as Palin, and is also attractive …. so maybe she is.
August 30th, 2008 at 8:52 am
Jeff: Consider this more or less, their logic…and their voter, fully defined, and in ‘living color’. The scary part is just how many of them there are.
PTC: Creationism…and she is also a Buchanan supporter. And your comment re the debate forum is astute. They will do everything in their power to set it up in a fashion that behooves her. Nevertheless, no matter how hard she ‘crams’, I just don’t see how she can catch up to Biden; his history, his connections, and his years and years of experience on complicated issues.
So… they are counting on their ‘huntress’ fans?
I am counting on the as yet, undetermined and unknown amount of Obama supporters that will be new at the polls. Bring em on!
August 30th, 2008 at 9:19 am
A great read on Palin.
http://mudflats.wordpress.com/2008/08/29/what-is-mccain-thinking-one-alaskans-perspective/
August 30th, 2008 at 9:40 am
Nice PTC. Much more pithy, but equally powerful. Remember, this is a CONSERVATIVE writer opining. Ouch:
http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2008/08/three-words.html
August 30th, 2008 at 12:33 pm
I know my contributions to the recent turns of this thread have been in my usual form of one-liners or satire and, perhaps, this can cause a sense among the heavy-duty writers of “Hey, can’t the old guy see the adults are having a serious discussion here?”.
I am tired of words.
Here is part of an email to an ex-pat classmate that I hope expands the above five words:
“Since you mention the elections, I will attempt to convey my feelings, which are, alas, beyond words, for there have been too many words.
“Be glad. be very glad … you have not been here in the States to hear everyday the invective of these primary/nominating months of the vipers.
“And the level will only increase in intensity and vituperation in the next 67 days.
“The only feeling that keeps me energized in spite of the surfeit of words is my rock-solid hatred for Bush and the Bullies and the last eight years of this administration and its complete denigration of everything I thought being an American was about.
“The only shining point of light to break through the dismal miasma of obfuscation has been Obama.
“After his exceptional acceptance speech Thursday evening, I went on-line and sent in a contribution. The next morning I
put up a lawn sign. I spoke with my 92 year-old aunt in Philadelphia last evening. She will be working on phone banks and door-to-door canvassing. This canvassing will be more vertical in her center-city neighborhood. What energy she has! Her endurance has been fashioned by her life-long dedication to the Phillies. I’ll try to follow her example here in the Hood.
“I don’t really want to hear any more words from politicos and pundits, real or imagined, particularly since the media is
now into 24/7 coverage.
“For me, I don’t want to discuss the meanings of moves, the import of implications, or the portents of posturing. I just want to get these guys out of office!
” “I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take this anymore”. Howard Beale (Peter Finch) said it for me in Network.
“I am beyond discussion in my disgust. The words of Obama’s acceptance speech are all I need for expression.
“I realize this is not in my usual tone, and I am enthusiastic about many other interests.
“No, no. No need to say “Thanks for sharing”!”
One-liners and satire are the only modes left open for me in this truly disgusting political scene.
August 30th, 2008 at 2:08 pm
Dick…thanks for sharing. (just kidding!)
Because of circumstances, I had to be in the car when Obama started his speech. I was so disappointed that I couldn’t ’see’ him, but then realized that just ‘listening’ was, in it’s own way, a very good gauge.
At the beginning of it, I was anxious, practically holding my breath. But as he went on, I experienced relief, and excitement, and hope, and confidence.
But to me, the most telling moment, was when I got home. I had text-messaged my son, so I knew he was there watching. I rushed from the car, and upon entering his room, I was immediately struck by the expression on his face. He was rapt…wide-eyed, totally focused. Without taking his eyes off Obama, he moved over to make room for me, while gently raising his palm… as if to say, “This is so good, please… don’t… say… anything…”
I am counting on that ‘look’, that ‘hope’, that …’recognition’…and praying it shows itself come election day… perhaps even in ‘mile-long’ lines like they had in Denver.
That…and the likes of your 92 year old aunt.
August 30th, 2008 at 3:36 pm
Still too early to tell, but an early indicator that McCain’s gamble for women voters will not work:
http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/2008/08/women-more-skeptical-of-palin-than-men.html
August 30th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
Yup, time to give Hillary free rein.
This is going to be where she (finally) becomes invaluable to Obama. Who else, can draw the distinctions better?
August 30th, 2008 at 7:40 pm
SM:
I’ve been pacing a lot since Thursday.
It seems like Nashville has suddenly come alive. I cannot walk into a cafe or restaurant, a bar or bistro, without hearing people talking, asking questions; and that one word which seems to echo when across the room: “Obama!”
To end by invoking King and Selma– I do not know how that is playing in California or Massachusetts tonight, to open the old wounds, to say that we now have the chance to act and hint that everything is at stake– the tension!
August 30th, 2008 at 8:19 pm
Ken,
I am feeling the same…anxious, excited, uneasy, hopeful, back and forth, up and down, round and round with the emotions. And to see that others are feeling the same! It is a curious time. And several months yet!
I suppose the anxiety comes from the fear of loss, and what that loss would say about our country… and the blow it would deal to all those whose hopes are so deep. The need feels so strong that it scares me.
I am trying to decide what I can do to help. There is a particular ‘letter to the editor’ that I must sit and write. And then…what will be next? More letters? Offering my services to the campaign? Perhaps stumping? Giving more money?
And you? With your experience, your history, your ‘past investments’, what ’sage’ advice do you offer yourself, that you might also pass along to us?
August 30th, 2008 at 9:49 pm
ptc, jeffz, & ronit- thanks for the links… pieces of them, plus the NYTimes description of her accomplishments, make Palin seem like a trophy wife, a beauty queen who could shoot her own trophy, unfortunately it could be a polar bear. I really don’t see how she could get the women’s vote.
And, Ronit, post #40 is a gem.
August 30th, 2008 at 10:34 pm
Parent- But less than two years ago she was had to cast a very important deciding vote on the “city” ordnance dog law in Mooselick Alaska. That proves she is ready on day one to cast deciding votes in the US Senate, does it not? Plus, Russia is close to Alaska, that gives her a ton of foreign policy credentials.
Great bit from Crooks and Liars, Daily Show.
http://www.crooksandliars.com/2008/08/30/stewart-colbert-mock-sarah-palin-vp-choice/
I wonder is anyone has answered her question from July yet… “what is it a VP does?”
August 30th, 2008 at 11:37 pm
After I become selectmen, there is now hope for me to run for President. Once I solve the troubles of town gown relations in Williamstown, Billsville as it were, I feel I will have the experience needed to finally solve the Israeli Palestinian conflict, and bring world peace.
Who is with me? PILOT equals world peace! We can break the townie glass ceiling, once and for all… oh wait, Palin is already doing that. Or perhaps, if she loses, she will put millions of cracks in it, allowing this townie to take it to the next level, and carry the torch for all future generations of greasers and cutters! Yes we can!
Lol. This truly is, the silly season.
August 31st, 2008 at 12:10 am
PTC: Good to see you as well, BTW. Been meaning to mention I’ve maintained registration and voted in Williamstown– there’s a story behind that of course– on Thomas St. of course! Looking forward to having an opportunity to vote for you, if you’ll accept someone who didn’t grow up in Williamstown, but — I believe– tends toward your positions somewhat strongly.
August 31st, 2008 at 12:46 am
PTC: “Cactus” Jack Garner (FDR’s first VP and a two term one) said the Vice-Presidency isn’t worth a pitcher of warm piss. In reporting that quote the sqeamish press changed “piss” to “spit”, and Garner consequently called them pantywaists. Now that’s my type of VP!
August 31st, 2008 at 1:43 am
PTC:
What a giggle. ‘Silly Season’…a perfect description.
Oh, and you have my vote…but there is a certain someone in Williamstown I want fired…
August 31st, 2008 at 11:08 am
The general readers of this campaign are bigger dolts than one realizes.
Being ignorant and shallow does not excuse one even if Barack Hussein Obama is not even American. See this this link: http://www.daily.pk/world/84-worldnews/6726-barack-obama-is-not-a-us-citizen.html
Allegations concerning his sexual proclivities including drug use: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/06/18/obama-accuser-larry-sincl_n_107900.html?page=5
Biden and his son, Beau, Delaware’s Attorney General, took great pains to criminalize this individual in order to protect this candidate. Recently, those charges have been dropped against Sinclair. That is why Bulldog Biden is our Vice Presidential nominee. He guarantees the protection of this ignominious person’s character and why he was chosen. Obama has a weak character with a flawed ego. Being an orphan, he demands that we adopt him. That is why he requires multitudes. He cannot stand on his own. This woman, Governor Palin, can. She scares him.
Biden is corrupt, notwithstanding his orations. Governor Palin will clean his clock, in any debate. You think not, wait, and see, and listen!
Governor Palin took on corruption and defeated Republicans in order to re-establish ethics within Alaska. Our entire nation need housekeeping. We need a new ethic within this society. Though she may personally believe in creationism, I do not care. What I am more concerned about is ethics and reform. She does not push her beliefs upon others. Notice how the Americans are intoxicated about adopting Obama and worshipping this idiot savant while dumping on a wilderness woman whose only fault is her innocence of faith and her personal belief system.
I would rather have a loyal woman by my side, than a feminist, marxist, or ideologue whose only concern is defending the programmatic context of their masters.
Upward and onward.
This choice is a moral one that will exemplify this senator’s legacy upon this nation. God bless her and may she defend the innocent.
August 31st, 2008 at 11:39 am
The last line should read: This choice is a moral one that will exemplify this governor’s legacy upon this nation. God bless her and may she defend the innocent.
August 31st, 2008 at 1:00 pm
I Rechtal’s advice would payoff for Broadband!
“A loyal woman by his side” …
http://1956ephs.blogspot.com/
August 31st, 2008 at 1:41 pm
David Broadband is an alleged child pornographer, alleged Nazi party member, and alleged rapist.
Now that I’ve said it, it is true: he is, in fact, alleged to be all of these things. So go forth and propogate those allegations on blogs, irrespective of truth.
Would that bother you David? Apparently not, because that is the best rhetorical technique you can muster in attempting to defense the indefensible. Not sure why you decided to troll around on Ephblog, as I find it hard to imagine that a Williams education could produce a “thinker” such as yourself.
This country is truly a depressing place. Only in America can intellectual achievement of Barack’s magnitude be considered wholly irrelevant to ability to govern. She may be a warm and fuzzy story, but no one would hire Sarah Palin as their family doctor, or attorney, or accountant, or to teach their children, if she had equivalent credentials and experience in any of those fields. Yet, McCain, who CLAIMED until two days ago (not anymore, I notice!) that experience was the most important factor in determining who should be President, just hired Palin (without even knowing her!) to be a heartbeat away from the most important job in the world. It is beyond terrifying to contemplate what this says about how impulsive McCain will be when faced with a national security crisis. It is even more frightening to contemplate that a woman who, as of last month, knew nothing about the single more important foreign policy issue of our time, and didn’t even know what a Vice President does, could be the person in charge of diffusing that sort of crises within four months time. I guarantee you if you ask Barack Obama, he won’t say he does not know what the President does, and I guarantee he can offer an opinion not only on Iraq, but on any foreign or domestic policy of national significance.
The FACT is that if the dems had the temerity / stupidity to nominate someone with an equally thin resume, who had barely been vetted, the right wing would be running ads already showing picture of Osama bin Ladin and nuclear bombs going off behind that nominee’s visage. To claim otherwise is beyond disengenuous or hypocritical.
August 31st, 2008 at 2:15 pm
Thank you, Jeff. I couldn’t stomach a reply.
The double standards, the hypocrisy, the enormous amount of shameless spinning… is making me dizzy and nauseous.
And now, they’ll be exploiting a hurricane!
… as a showcase for McCain’s ‘leadership’ qualities,
…a possible excuse to keep Cheney and Bush off the GOP stage,
…and as ‘explanation’ for a convention that could never match Denver.
Excuse me…I gotta go bang my head against the wall.
August 31st, 2008 at 2:18 pm
I think Broadband’s got a date at last! A ‘loyal woman by his
side’ …
http://1956ephs.blogspot.com/
August 31st, 2008 at 2:21 pm
But at least and at last Broadband’s got a ‘loyal woman” by his side …
http://1956ephs.blogspot.com/
August 31st, 2008 at 7:19 pm
Jesus Jeffz, you are an ad hominem acrobat, a picture intellectual prevaricator which is not encouraging when one considers the importance of questioning our assumptions and challenging what we think we know.
I presume everyone that leaves the Williams blender should come out as a liberal smoothie, liberally feeling everyone up that walk through its hallow grounds.
The links given were found in a Pakistani Newspaper and in a Ms. Huffington column with references to it in her blogsite. Mr. Sinclair, the alleged accuser and plausible liar, spoke before the National Press Club, afterwards being arrested by Federal Marshall’s on a trumped up charge, later dismissed, from the Attorney General of Delaware, Beau Biden’s office. No doubt, no small connection to Obama, our candidate from the esteemed Richard Daly political machine from Cook County in Illinois, noted for their lack of political honesty, integrity and due-process.
You speak about thinking, but thinking is an art and one that is learned. Thinking has been diminished because the use of rational skills, worldviews, and values are increasingly abandoned. Higher order cognitive operations are not put to use and thus insufficient, as we restrict our skills to where we are told that it is safe and sanitary to do so.
We lose proficiency precisely because ideology serves the cosmetics of social life. We have become more increasingly female and accept facades as truth as being ubiquitous answers to fundamental questions.
Obama is our sacred cow. His campaign rhetoric is regarded as orthodoxy.
We need to be committed to the concept of due process before rendering an informed and reasoned understanding. If you are to focus carefully upon the truth we would be less likely to be fooled by the ideologies that justify illiberal practices or the promises of simple jingoistic solutions.
August 31st, 2008 at 8:35 pm
“The links given were found in a Pakistani newspaper.”
I think that says it all.
August 31st, 2008 at 8:59 pm
I just checked that Paki paper and found an amazing story:
Broadband - ET in our midst!
http://1956ephs.blogspot.com/
plus two other comment additions (scroll down)
September 1st, 2008 at 7:08 am
I always finish reading my Attock News before I start on the NYT.
September 1st, 2008 at 1:47 pm
Palins 17 year old daughter is four months pregnant out of wedlock. One has to wonder, given the strong pro life position of Palin, if this teen was given any choice at all.
September 1st, 2008 at 2:17 pm
Q: Are you offended by the phrase “Under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance? Why or why not?
PALIN: Not on your life. If it was good enough for the founding fathers, its good enough for me and I’ll fight in defense of our Pledge of Allegiance
lol
September 1st, 2008 at 3:41 pm
Actually, the McCain campaign say that it was the daughter’s “choice” to keep the baby. A choice that campaign hopes to deny to other Americans …
I love the Under God thing, that is awesome (for any who don’t know, she is wrong on two levels, the pledge was written in the 20th century, and under god was inserted 50 years after it was written during the height of McCarthyist paranoia … I actually wrote an op-ed about this when I was 17 years old — so my high school civics education apparently qualifies me for the Vice Presidency — nice).
September 1st, 2008 at 4:06 pm
jeff- Exactly. They have made this womans personal life story the focus of her credentials to be VP. Her policy positions on abstinence only education and pro life even in cases of rape and inscest have to make you wonder about this very personal example.
Palin will use every power at her command if she becomes POTUS to make sure that our sisters, mothers,wives, and daughters have no choice. Even if they are raped. That is what makes this personal story so political.
What will be next? One has to wonder about the vetting.
September 1st, 2008 at 11:23 pm
my favorite recent fun fact:
DB doesn’t want a feminist…guess who’s involved in the “feminists for life” group? lol.
more fun: DB, did you read the huffington post’s actual…post? lmao.
September 2nd, 2008 at 7:08 am
Every thoughtful person knows that when one is down by 21 points in the 4th quarter, it becomes increasingly attractive and not necessarily unreasonable for one to run the high risk-high possible reward double reverse pass play.
September 2nd, 2008 at 7:32 am
True enough, Frank. What is scary in that, in football, the worst that can result from such a high-risk proposition is a turnover. In politics, the worst that can result (from anyone’s perspective but McCain — for him, the worst than can result is losing an election) is a woefully unprepared, unqualified, radical fundamentalist figure ending up as the leader of the free world.
B
September 2nd, 2008 at 9:17 am
Jeff: Have you yet resolved your agonizingly ambivalent wrestling with the thorny question concerning who will receive your vote?
September 2nd, 2008 at 4:11 pm
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/02/palins-church-may-have-sh_n_123205.html
Check it out. Palin beleives that Iraq is gods work, and that we have a mandate from god to be there. Pretty scary stuff. Indeed!
September 3rd, 2008 at 10:44 am
In the few minutes I was able to watch of the GOP convention, the most ‘entertaining’ moments were when two major Reps misprononunced Palin’s name.
I can’t remember who the second one was…but Chris Matthews, attempting humor with Tom DeLay, asked him if he knew who the governor of Alaska was. DeLay answered and stumbled on her name, starting to pronounce it Pal-in, like pal. He caught himself, but it was pretty funny. Of course, Matthews contained himself as best he could.
‘Silly Season’ continues.
September 3rd, 2008 at 10:56 am
Day by the day, the GOP-concocted myth of Sarah Palin the reformer is tumbling down, and the true Sarah Palin, just a different breed of corrupt, power-abusing, radical right wing republican, is being exposed.
This is a long read, not as sexy as stories about her family (and there are PLENTY more of those forthcoming now that the National Enquirer “Edwards team” is on the prowl … I’ve already heard details about one other than I am not going to post), but a perfect example of Palin’s hypocrisy:
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/9/3/9330/95523/364/584429
September 3rd, 2008 at 11:10 am
fun additional fact about Palin: many of her earmarks that she requested for her town while mayor landed up squarely
more fun: those earmarks succeeded only after Palin hired the same lobbyist as Ted Stevens.
more fun with Palin: the Vice Chair of the AIP (the secessionist party in Alaska that her husband was a member of for 7 years. oh, and she spoke to their convention multiple times) claims she was a member. The founder of that party in 1991 cursed the American flag, btw.
yet another fun fact re: Palin: she ATTENDED (unlike Obama) a discussion with the executive director of Jews for Jesus (to me, that alone is disgusting, but anyway) in which that director compared terrorist attacks to god killing jews because we don’t believe.
i’m sure there’ll be another round of fun facts soon enough. i look forward to her speech tonight and any press conference she ever gives, if she ever gives. LMAO.
September 3rd, 2008 at 11:55 am
If I could ask six questions of Palin, they would be as follows:
(1) since you have made government transparency and fighting corruption such a central part of your campaign, why are your lawyers fighting so hard to prevent you from being deposed (or at least questioned by anyone you yourself did not appoint) prior to November in troopergate?
(2) why, in your first televised speech, did you claim to have opposed the “bridge to nowhere” when, in your campaign for governor, you said use of that phrase was offended and campaigned on a promise to keep the bridge to nowhere funds? And why do you claim to be against earmarks when almost no town in the US received more federal gov’t earmarks than Wasilla, Alaska?
(3) will you vote for Ted Stevens in November?
(4) name one decision you ever made as governor of Alaska that had a direct impact on foreign policy, and one public stand you ever took on a foreign policy issue, prior to being nominated.
(5) the McCain campaign has attacked Barack Obama for not speaking out against Jeremiah Wright. Would it be fair, then, for the left to question why you didn’t complain when, a few weeks ago, a speaker at your church claimed that palestinian terrorist acts were god punishing Jews for failing to convert to christianity?
(6) Do you think that a party that advocated secession of Alaska from America is treasonous? IF you were president, and a state voted to secede from the union, how would you react?
So come on, press, don’t be cowed by the GOP’s infantile whining that all-criticism-of-Palin-is-by-definition-sexist-and-elitist scare tactics, do your job and ask some tough questions, if ever given the chance.
September 3rd, 2008 at 12:06 pm
And all of this tells me we need Sarah Palin more than ever as a commencement speaker. Oratorical affirmative action for conservatives!
September 3rd, 2008 at 12:09 pm
Amen, Jeff.
Tim Russert comes to mind. Irreplaceable on so many levels.