Yesterday's New York Times front-page investigative story about John McCain's long time ties to the nation's gambling industry ("For McCain and Team, a Host of Ties to Gambling"), jogged my memory about an unsettling bit of information I was given by Ross Perot in 1995.
In November 1995, my wife and fellow author, Trisha, and I, interviewed Perot for several days for an unauthorized biography (Citizen Perot: His Life & Times, Random House, 1996). During one of our conversations, outside of the 'on the record' taped interviews, Perot discussed with us how he had utilized private investigators to uncover information about other people. Perot never used, from what I could determine, any of the personal details he assembled about others. Rather, he was merely a collector of information, never knowing when it might come in useful.
I discussed this with my editor, Bob Loomis. Without independent reporting, much of it was no more than informed gossip. Perot had passed along personal details about Barbara Walters family, Clinton chief of staff Leon Penneta, and business tycoon Peter Ueberroth, someone Perot had seriously considered as a vice-presidential candidate in his own 1992 presidential run.
From our interviews with Perot about the Vietnam POW/MIA issue, it was clear there was no love lost between Perot and a number of public officials who opposed his efforts to keep looking for soldiers he believed had been left behind and were alive. On Perot's most disliked list was George Herbert Bush, who as Reagan's vice-president had shut the door to any further government probe on the matter. Richard Armitage, George W. Bush's ex-deputy Secretary of State, had earned Perot's eternal animosity because of his conclusion that there were no MIAs left in Southeast Asia. And the final person to earn Perot's enmity was John McCain, who as a decorated war hero, and then Senator, had also closed the door to any further MIA investigations.
Bob Loomis and I decided that I should not report Perot's personal details about these men and women, with two exceptions. Regarding Ueberroth, I wrote in Citizen Perot that one Perot campaign insider had concluded that "Ueberroth was the perfect match," but that "Perot and Mort Meyerson (Perot's top business executive at EDS) personally made inquiries about him and eventually opted for a stand-in candidate."
And as for Armitage, Perot's information was so detailed, including even surveillance photos of Armitage in supposedly compromising situations, I did report it. And Armitage was generous in giving me extensive interviews that helped explain the background and put into context Perot's one man war on him.
I am only reporting now Perot's rumor/information about McCain because of today's New York Times story. Perot told me that McCain had a gambling problem and he had uncovered details that McCain was bailed out in the late 1980s from a big gambling debt by his wife, Cindy.
If true, it raises a question as to whether McCain's gambling might ever have put him in a situation where he was pressed to repay his debt through Senatorial favors.
An enterprising reporter has to ask Ross Perot if he will acknowledge what he shared with me 14 years ago, and if so, if he will now provide the evidence to back up the assertion. Perot hasn't talked to me since I published my unauthorized biography, so unfortunately, I am not the person to ask. And some reporter should ask McCain, directly, if he has ever had a gambling debt that his wife had to pay off. American voters have a right to know.
Gerald Posner
Posted September 29, 2008 | 02:00 PM (EST)
Huffington Post
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
Barack Obama is our choice for president of the United States...
WOW!
There are some Americans that do value intelligence and not just shoppers!
Choice is clear: Obama for president
The Record, of Stockton, California, may not be the most well-known of newspapers, but they have been, for a number of decades, one of the most consistent. The last time the paper endorsed a Democrat for the White House, the year was 1936 and the lucky endorsee was Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Since then, the closest a Democrat has come was in 1992, when they endorsed neither Bill Clinton nor George H. W. Bush to send a message that "a larger role for the third-party candidate" was warranted.
That's all changed over the weekend, in a move the California paper describes as a turning of the "tide":
For the first time in 72 years, The Record is endorsing a Democrat for president.
Franklin D. Roosevelt got our nod in 1936.
The reasons for the endorsement of Barack Obama over John McCain are articulated in the editorial on this page.
The unanimous decision was made by our editorial board, which consists of Publisher Roger W. Coover, Managing Editor Donald W. Blount, Opinion Page Editor Eric Grunder, Human Resources Director Sandi Johnson and me.
There are many who will question - with some validity - the power or value of such an endorsement. Our decision is hardly going to tip the balance in a competitive presidential election.
September 28, 2008 6:00 AM
Barack Obama is our choice for president of the United States.
He has demonstrated time and again he can think on his feet. More importantly, he has demonstrated he will think things through, seek advice and actually listen to it.
Obama is a gifted speaker. But in addition to his smarts and energy, possibly his greatest gift is his ability to inspire.
For eight years, American politics has been marked by smears, fears and greed. For too long, we've practiced partisanship in Washington, not politics. The result is a cynicism every bit as deep as that which infected the nation when Richard Nixon was shamed from office and when Bill Clinton brought shame to the office.
This must end, but John McCain can't do it. He can't inspire, nor can he really break from a past that is breaking this nation.
McCain is an American hero, and he has served this country in the Senate with determination. He has gone against his party, but the fact is his ties to the Bush administration and its policies are deep. Americans know we cannot keep going down this path.
McCain, who has voted consistently for deregulation, started off two weeks ago declaring the U.S. economy fundamentally sound but ended the week sounding like a populist. Who is he really?
He tends to shoot from the hip and go on gut instinct. The nation cannot go through four more years of literally and figuratively shooting now and asking questions later.
But the fact is, we worry he won't have four years. If elected, at 72, he would be the oldest incoming president in U.S. history. He's in good health now, we're told, although he has withheld most of his medical records. That means Gov. Sarah Palin could very well become president.
And that brings us to McCain's most troubling trait: his judgment.
While praiseworthy for putting the first woman on a major-party presidential ticket since Geraldine Ferraro in 1984, his selection of Palin as a running mate was appalling. The first-term governor is clearly not experienced enough to serve as vice president or president if required. Her lack of knowledge is being covered up by keeping her away from questioning reporters and doing interviews only with those considered friendly to her views.
We're not suggesting Obama is without faults. He, like McCain, has demonstrated a marked lack of knowledge in recent days about the financial mess facing this nation.
But unlike McCain, who is trying to position himself as a born-again regulator, Obama would increase the oversight of our markets and demand accountability. He would actually put regulators in the oversight agencies that were systematically dismantled by the Bush administration.
While the blame doesn't all accrue to the Bush administration, the past eight years have been marked by looking the other way. McCain aided and abetted that behavior.
Republicans have tried repeatedly to paint Obama as an elitist. Hardly. He grew up in a single-parent home and, by the sheer force of his desire and cerebral horsepower, ended up at Harvard Law School, where he became the first African-American president of the Harvard Law Review.
He could have gone for the money. He didn't. He went to Chicago, where he worked to give a voice to those who didn't have one.
That's hardly the mark of an elitist.
He hasn't lost touch with regular people, whereas McCain doesn't even know how many homes he owns.
Obama rose quickly through the Illinois Legislature and propelled himself into the U.S. Senate.
After winning the Democratic nomination against a large and highly experienced field of candidates, Obama picked one of them, Joe Biden, as his running mate. Biden brings to the ticket the vast foreign affairs experience and knowledge that Obama lacks.
Obama has been accused of being an empty suit, all talk and no action. There's no "there" there, his detractors say.
The charge is no more credible than that of him being an elitist.
Obama can inspire, and our nation desperately needs an inspirational leader. And he does not carry the deep scars of Vietnam, as do many of McCain's generation.
He offers hope. A new way of doing business. And a belief that our system of government can be made to work.
He's the clear choice.
There are some Americans that do value intelligence and not just shoppers!
Choice is clear: Obama for president
The Record, of Stockton, California, may not be the most well-known of newspapers, but they have been, for a number of decades, one of the most consistent. The last time the paper endorsed a Democrat for the White House, the year was 1936 and the lucky endorsee was Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Since then, the closest a Democrat has come was in 1992, when they endorsed neither Bill Clinton nor George H. W. Bush to send a message that "a larger role for the third-party candidate" was warranted.
That's all changed over the weekend, in a move the California paper describes as a turning of the "tide":
For the first time in 72 years, The Record is endorsing a Democrat for president.
Franklin D. Roosevelt got our nod in 1936.
The reasons for the endorsement of Barack Obama over John McCain are articulated in the editorial on this page.
The unanimous decision was made by our editorial board, which consists of Publisher Roger W. Coover, Managing Editor Donald W. Blount, Opinion Page Editor Eric Grunder, Human Resources Director Sandi Johnson and me.
There are many who will question - with some validity - the power or value of such an endorsement. Our decision is hardly going to tip the balance in a competitive presidential election.
September 28, 2008 6:00 AM
Barack Obama is our choice for president of the United States.
He has demonstrated time and again he can think on his feet. More importantly, he has demonstrated he will think things through, seek advice and actually listen to it.
Obama is a gifted speaker. But in addition to his smarts and energy, possibly his greatest gift is his ability to inspire.
For eight years, American politics has been marked by smears, fears and greed. For too long, we've practiced partisanship in Washington, not politics. The result is a cynicism every bit as deep as that which infected the nation when Richard Nixon was shamed from office and when Bill Clinton brought shame to the office.
This must end, but John McCain can't do it. He can't inspire, nor can he really break from a past that is breaking this nation.
McCain is an American hero, and he has served this country in the Senate with determination. He has gone against his party, but the fact is his ties to the Bush administration and its policies are deep. Americans know we cannot keep going down this path.
McCain, who has voted consistently for deregulation, started off two weeks ago declaring the U.S. economy fundamentally sound but ended the week sounding like a populist. Who is he really?
He tends to shoot from the hip and go on gut instinct. The nation cannot go through four more years of literally and figuratively shooting now and asking questions later.
But the fact is, we worry he won't have four years. If elected, at 72, he would be the oldest incoming president in U.S. history. He's in good health now, we're told, although he has withheld most of his medical records. That means Gov. Sarah Palin could very well become president.
And that brings us to McCain's most troubling trait: his judgment.
While praiseworthy for putting the first woman on a major-party presidential ticket since Geraldine Ferraro in 1984, his selection of Palin as a running mate was appalling. The first-term governor is clearly not experienced enough to serve as vice president or president if required. Her lack of knowledge is being covered up by keeping her away from questioning reporters and doing interviews only with those considered friendly to her views.
We're not suggesting Obama is without faults. He, like McCain, has demonstrated a marked lack of knowledge in recent days about the financial mess facing this nation.
But unlike McCain, who is trying to position himself as a born-again regulator, Obama would increase the oversight of our markets and demand accountability. He would actually put regulators in the oversight agencies that were systematically dismantled by the Bush administration.
While the blame doesn't all accrue to the Bush administration, the past eight years have been marked by looking the other way. McCain aided and abetted that behavior.
Republicans have tried repeatedly to paint Obama as an elitist. Hardly. He grew up in a single-parent home and, by the sheer force of his desire and cerebral horsepower, ended up at Harvard Law School, where he became the first African-American president of the Harvard Law Review.
He could have gone for the money. He didn't. He went to Chicago, where he worked to give a voice to those who didn't have one.
That's hardly the mark of an elitist.
He hasn't lost touch with regular people, whereas McCain doesn't even know how many homes he owns.
Obama rose quickly through the Illinois Legislature and propelled himself into the U.S. Senate.
After winning the Democratic nomination against a large and highly experienced field of candidates, Obama picked one of them, Joe Biden, as his running mate. Biden brings to the ticket the vast foreign affairs experience and knowledge that Obama lacks.
Obama has been accused of being an empty suit, all talk and no action. There's no "there" there, his detractors say.
The charge is no more credible than that of him being an elitist.
Obama can inspire, and our nation desperately needs an inspirational leader. And he does not carry the deep scars of Vietnam, as do many of McCain's generation.
He offers hope. A new way of doing business. And a belief that our system of government can be made to work.
He's the clear choice.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
I LOVE SPAIN!!! I am a PROUD AMERICAN!
I wonder how many Americans hold a passport? With stamps other than Cancun or Puerto Vallarta?
Pre 9-11 only 5% held a passport!
YIKES! Looks like Palin was one of them that did not!
Bizarre McCain Remarks Appear To Reject Spain As Ally
stein@huffingtonpost.com | HuffPost Reporting From DC
Late Wednesday night, news made its way from the other side of the Atlantic that John McCain, in an interview with a Spanish outlet, had made a series of bizarre responses to a question regarding that country's prime minister.
"Would you be willing to meet with the head of our government, Mr. Zapatero?" the questioner asked, in an exchange now being reported by several Spanish outlets.
McCain proceeded to launch into what appeared to be a boilerplate declaration about Mexico and Latin America -- but not Spain -- pressing the need to stand up to world leaders who want to harm America.
"I will meet with those leaders who are our friends and who want to work with us cooperatively," according to one translation. The reporter repeated the question two more times, apparently trying to clarify, but McCain referred again to Latin America.
Finally, the questioner said, "Okay, but I'm talking about Europe - the president of Spain, would you meet with him?" The Senator offered only a slight variance to his initial comment. "I will reunite with any leader that has the same principles and philosophy that we do: human rights, democracy, and liberty. And I will confront those that don't [have them]."
The implication seemed fairly clear: McCain was refusing to commit to meet with Zapatero, the "socialist" party leader, whose country is a member of NATO and intricately involved in many of America's global financial and national security objectives.
Already, several explanations are being offered to explain McCain's statements. As Josh Marshall at Talking Points Memo opined: "The great majority [of those who have weighed in] appear to think the McCain was simply confused and didn't know who Zapatero was -- something you might bone up on if you were about to do an interview with the Spanish press. The assumption seems to be that since he'd already been asked about Castro and Chavez that McCain assumed Zapatero must be some other Latin American bad guy. A small minority though think that McCain is simply committed to an anti-Spanish foreign policy since he's still angry about Spain pulling it's troops out of Iraq."
If, in fact, that latter group is correct and McCain was just putting voice to an adversarial stance, it could be as quizzical as if he didn't know Zapatero's name in the first place. Indeed, such a take on U.S.-Spain relations puts McCain in a far more hard-lined position than even the Bush administration, which has warmed to the Spanish leader after a rocky initial period. Indeed, the State Department's website touts the Zapatero government, which came to power in April 2004, for supporting "coalition efforts in Afghanistan" as well as "reconstruction efforts in Haiti" and counterterrorism tasks across the globe.
That Zapatero immediately withdrew Spanish forces from Iraq upon entering office, it seems, is being chalked up for what it is: an electoral promise the prime minister made good on. Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice touched on this during press briefing in June 2007.
"The United States and Spain are allies," she said. "We're in NATO together; we are serving together in Afghanistan. A lot of our conversation today was about that, working together on any number of issues. We've had our differences... [but] I feel that the relationship is warm. We had a good discussion today... We're allies. But when we have differences, we will express them. I think there's no secret that out of the Iraq war, we had a particular difference in the timing of the withdrawal. But that's behind us now, and we need to look forward and look to areas on which we can cooperate and work together."
Only days earlier, Daniel Fried, assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian affairs, made much the same case in an interview with El Pais.
"I think that we got off to a bad start with President Zapatero's government," he declared. "There were various issues that got in the way. But the fact is, and the reason for this trip, is that the United States and Spain need to work together on a common agenda. Spain is one of the most successful European states of the last generation in terms of where Spain was in 1965 and where Spain is today. You weren't in 1965 the ninth or tenth largest economy in the world. You weren't a country that was fabulously productive, affluent and a leader in Europe. In 1965 you were some place else. Look at Spain now."
The truth is, even McCain has been willing to extend an olive branch to the Zapatero government in the past. John Aravosis of AmericaBlog - a fluent Spanish speaker - noted that McCain gave an interview to El Pais back in April in which he said that the differences between the U.S. and Spain should be swept under the rug.
And thus, the Senator finds himself in what appears to be an embarrassing if not potentially damaging proposition: either admit to confusing the name of the Spanish prime minister, a tough pill to swallow even with the built in perception that he is the candidate with foreign policy know-how, or explain away a position on U.S.-Spain relations that appears far outside the mainstream.
Pre 9-11 only 5% held a passport!
YIKES! Looks like Palin was one of them that did not!
Bizarre McCain Remarks Appear To Reject Spain As Ally
stein@huffingtonpost.com | HuffPost Reporting From DC
Late Wednesday night, news made its way from the other side of the Atlantic that John McCain, in an interview with a Spanish outlet, had made a series of bizarre responses to a question regarding that country's prime minister.
"Would you be willing to meet with the head of our government, Mr. Zapatero?" the questioner asked, in an exchange now being reported by several Spanish outlets.
McCain proceeded to launch into what appeared to be a boilerplate declaration about Mexico and Latin America -- but not Spain -- pressing the need to stand up to world leaders who want to harm America.
"I will meet with those leaders who are our friends and who want to work with us cooperatively," according to one translation. The reporter repeated the question two more times, apparently trying to clarify, but McCain referred again to Latin America.
Finally, the questioner said, "Okay, but I'm talking about Europe - the president of Spain, would you meet with him?" The Senator offered only a slight variance to his initial comment. "I will reunite with any leader that has the same principles and philosophy that we do: human rights, democracy, and liberty. And I will confront those that don't [have them]."
The implication seemed fairly clear: McCain was refusing to commit to meet with Zapatero, the "socialist" party leader, whose country is a member of NATO and intricately involved in many of America's global financial and national security objectives.
Already, several explanations are being offered to explain McCain's statements. As Josh Marshall at Talking Points Memo opined: "The great majority [of those who have weighed in] appear to think the McCain was simply confused and didn't know who Zapatero was -- something you might bone up on if you were about to do an interview with the Spanish press. The assumption seems to be that since he'd already been asked about Castro and Chavez that McCain assumed Zapatero must be some other Latin American bad guy. A small minority though think that McCain is simply committed to an anti-Spanish foreign policy since he's still angry about Spain pulling it's troops out of Iraq."
If, in fact, that latter group is correct and McCain was just putting voice to an adversarial stance, it could be as quizzical as if he didn't know Zapatero's name in the first place. Indeed, such a take on U.S.-Spain relations puts McCain in a far more hard-lined position than even the Bush administration, which has warmed to the Spanish leader after a rocky initial period. Indeed, the State Department's website touts the Zapatero government, which came to power in April 2004, for supporting "coalition efforts in Afghanistan" as well as "reconstruction efforts in Haiti" and counterterrorism tasks across the globe.
That Zapatero immediately withdrew Spanish forces from Iraq upon entering office, it seems, is being chalked up for what it is: an electoral promise the prime minister made good on. Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice touched on this during press briefing in June 2007.
"The United States and Spain are allies," she said. "We're in NATO together; we are serving together in Afghanistan. A lot of our conversation today was about that, working together on any number of issues. We've had our differences... [but] I feel that the relationship is warm. We had a good discussion today... We're allies. But when we have differences, we will express them. I think there's no secret that out of the Iraq war, we had a particular difference in the timing of the withdrawal. But that's behind us now, and we need to look forward and look to areas on which we can cooperate and work together."
Only days earlier, Daniel Fried, assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian affairs, made much the same case in an interview with El Pais.
"I think that we got off to a bad start with President Zapatero's government," he declared. "There were various issues that got in the way. But the fact is, and the reason for this trip, is that the United States and Spain need to work together on a common agenda. Spain is one of the most successful European states of the last generation in terms of where Spain was in 1965 and where Spain is today. You weren't in 1965 the ninth or tenth largest economy in the world. You weren't a country that was fabulously productive, affluent and a leader in Europe. In 1965 you were some place else. Look at Spain now."
The truth is, even McCain has been willing to extend an olive branch to the Zapatero government in the past. John Aravosis of AmericaBlog - a fluent Spanish speaker - noted that McCain gave an interview to El Pais back in April in which he said that the differences between the U.S. and Spain should be swept under the rug.
And thus, the Senator finds himself in what appears to be an embarrassing if not potentially damaging proposition: either admit to confusing the name of the Spanish prime minister, a tough pill to swallow even with the built in perception that he is the candidate with foreign policy know-how, or explain away a position on U.S.-Spain relations that appears far outside the mainstream.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Lou Dobbs is a PHONY!
Lou Dobbs-
HE LIKES Bush McCain PALIN! Don;tlet himfool you!
Apparently Lou Dobbs does not know how to explain his MISSING IN ACTION mouth while the INVESTMENT BANKS ROBBED the AMERICAN TAXPAYERS! Remember,he was suppose to be the ECONOMIC GURU!!
LOU DOBBS is more interested in INCITING HATE while ignoring the REAL PROBLEMS!
Such as prosecuting (REGULATING) EMPLOYERS who HIRE illegals and PRIVATE INVESTMENT BANKS while Robbing the AMERICAN PEOPLE BLIND!
The war in IRAQ and his belief that the SURGE was a SUCCESS as John McCain boasts failed to mention the fact the Bob Woodward revealed had very little to do with the decrease in Violence in Iraq. Once again,as he mouthed off about Russia Georgia conflict, proved he knew NOTHING about the ploy behind the Real Agenda for that backfired plot by this administration and the GEORGIA LOBBYIST!
ONCE AGAIN, LOU DOBBS is spending too much time on the radio and not EDUCATING himself on what he clains to be such a KNOW IT ALL on, EVERYTHING!
Lou Dobbs main concern ws the CASUALTIES, NOTHING more. yesterday, September 15, 2008, over 30 people died in Iraq, more bombs!
Meanwhile, this "ECONOMIC GURU" willnow attempt to act as though he is not as IGNORANT as he really is.
I want to know, what this man's agenda is on CNN?
I want a Brilliant Leader. I do not care if I ever have a beer or an ORANGE soda with my President! But Lou Dobbs, he likes you stupid!
Forget about "...Five different schools in six years. What was that about?" for the VICE presidential Nominee for the Republicans. Forget the fact that the Presidential Nominee does not even KNOW HOW To send an EMAIL! And this leader talks about the FUTURE?
I have to agree with Roger Ebert :
Roger Ebert on Sarah Palin: The American Idol candidate
September 11, 2008
BY ROGER EBERT Sun-Times Movie Critic
I think I might be able to explain some of Sarah Palin's appeal. She's the "American Idol" candidate. Consider. What defines an "American Idol" finalist? They're good-looking, work well on television, have a sunny personality, are fierce competitors, and so talented, why, they're darned near the real thing. There's a reason "American Idol" gets such high ratings. People identify with the contestants. They think, Hey, that could be me up there on that show!
My problem is, I don't want to be up there. I don't want a vice president who is darned near good enough. I want a vice president who is better, wiser, well-traveled, has met world leaders, who three months ago had an opinion on Iraq. Someone who doesn't repeat bald- faced lies about earmarks and the Bridge to Nowhere. Someone who doesn't appoint Alaskan politicians to "study" global warming, because, hello! It has been studied. The returns are convincing enough that John McCain and Barack Obama are darned near in agreement.
I would also want someone who didn't make a teeny little sneer when referring to "people who go to the Ivy League." When I was a teen I dreamed of going to Harvard, but my dad, an electrician, told me, "Boy, we don't have the money. Thank your lucky stars you were born in Urbana and can go to the University of Illinois right here in town." So I did, very happily. Although Palin gets laughs when she mentions the "elite" Ivy League, she sure did attend the heck out of college.
Five different schools in six years. What was that about?
And how can a politician her age have never have gone to Europe? My dad had died, my mom was working as a book-keeper and I had a job at the local newspaper when, at 19, I scraped together $240 for a charter flight to Europe. I had Arthur Frommer's $5 a Day under my arm, started in London, even rented a Vespa and drove in the traffic of Rome. A few years later, I was able to send my mom, along with the $15 a Day book.
You don't need to be a pointy-headed elitist to travel abroad. You need curiosity and a hunger to see the world. What kind of a person (who has the money) arrives at the age of 44 and has only been out of the country once, on an official tour to Iraq? Sarah Palin's travel record is that of a provincial, not someone who is equipped to deal with global issues.
But some people like that. She's never traveled to Europe, Asia, Africa, South America or Down Under? That makes her like them. She didn't go to Harvard? Good for her! There a lot of hockey moms who haven't seen London, but most of them would probably love to, if they had the dough. And they'd be proud if one of their kids won a scholarship to Harvard.I trust the American people will see through Palin, and save the Republic in November. The most damning indictment against her is that she considered herself a good choice to be a heartbeat away. That shows bad judgment.
HE LIKES Bush McCain PALIN! Don;tlet himfool you!
Apparently Lou Dobbs does not know how to explain his MISSING IN ACTION mouth while the INVESTMENT BANKS ROBBED the AMERICAN TAXPAYERS! Remember,he was suppose to be the ECONOMIC GURU!!
LOU DOBBS is more interested in INCITING HATE while ignoring the REAL PROBLEMS!
Such as prosecuting (REGULATING) EMPLOYERS who HIRE illegals and PRIVATE INVESTMENT BANKS while Robbing the AMERICAN PEOPLE BLIND!
The war in IRAQ and his belief that the SURGE was a SUCCESS as John McCain boasts failed to mention the fact the Bob Woodward revealed had very little to do with the decrease in Violence in Iraq. Once again,as he mouthed off about Russia Georgia conflict, proved he knew NOTHING about the ploy behind the Real Agenda for that backfired plot by this administration and the GEORGIA LOBBYIST!
ONCE AGAIN, LOU DOBBS is spending too much time on the radio and not EDUCATING himself on what he clains to be such a KNOW IT ALL on, EVERYTHING!
Lou Dobbs main concern ws the CASUALTIES, NOTHING more. yesterday, September 15, 2008, over 30 people died in Iraq, more bombs!
Meanwhile, this "ECONOMIC GURU" willnow attempt to act as though he is not as IGNORANT as he really is.
I want to know, what this man's agenda is on CNN?
I want a Brilliant Leader. I do not care if I ever have a beer or an ORANGE soda with my President! But Lou Dobbs, he likes you stupid!
Forget about "...Five different schools in six years. What was that about?" for the VICE presidential Nominee for the Republicans. Forget the fact that the Presidential Nominee does not even KNOW HOW To send an EMAIL! And this leader talks about the FUTURE?
I have to agree with Roger Ebert :
Roger Ebert on Sarah Palin: The American Idol candidate
September 11, 2008
BY ROGER EBERT Sun-Times Movie Critic
I think I might be able to explain some of Sarah Palin's appeal. She's the "American Idol" candidate. Consider. What defines an "American Idol" finalist? They're good-looking, work well on television, have a sunny personality, are fierce competitors, and so talented, why, they're darned near the real thing. There's a reason "American Idol" gets such high ratings. People identify with the contestants. They think, Hey, that could be me up there on that show!
My problem is, I don't want to be up there. I don't want a vice president who is darned near good enough. I want a vice president who is better, wiser, well-traveled, has met world leaders, who three months ago had an opinion on Iraq. Someone who doesn't repeat bald- faced lies about earmarks and the Bridge to Nowhere. Someone who doesn't appoint Alaskan politicians to "study" global warming, because, hello! It has been studied. The returns are convincing enough that John McCain and Barack Obama are darned near in agreement.
I would also want someone who didn't make a teeny little sneer when referring to "people who go to the Ivy League." When I was a teen I dreamed of going to Harvard, but my dad, an electrician, told me, "Boy, we don't have the money. Thank your lucky stars you were born in Urbana and can go to the University of Illinois right here in town." So I did, very happily. Although Palin gets laughs when she mentions the "elite" Ivy League, she sure did attend the heck out of college.
Five different schools in six years. What was that about?
And how can a politician her age have never have gone to Europe? My dad had died, my mom was working as a book-keeper and I had a job at the local newspaper when, at 19, I scraped together $240 for a charter flight to Europe. I had Arthur Frommer's $5 a Day under my arm, started in London, even rented a Vespa and drove in the traffic of Rome. A few years later, I was able to send my mom, along with the $15 a Day book.
You don't need to be a pointy-headed elitist to travel abroad. You need curiosity and a hunger to see the world. What kind of a person (who has the money) arrives at the age of 44 and has only been out of the country once, on an official tour to Iraq? Sarah Palin's travel record is that of a provincial, not someone who is equipped to deal with global issues.
But some people like that. She's never traveled to Europe, Asia, Africa, South America or Down Under? That makes her like them. She didn't go to Harvard? Good for her! There a lot of hockey moms who haven't seen London, but most of them would probably love to, if they had the dough. And they'd be proud if one of their kids won a scholarship to Harvard.I trust the American people will see through Palin, and save the Republic in November. The most damning indictment against her is that she considered herself a good choice to be a heartbeat away. That shows bad judgment.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Lou Dobbs...MR PHONY!! Where is the ECONOMIC GURU?
Lou Dobbs:
NO PRESS CONFERENCE FOR PALIN….
OBAMA HAS BEEN ABSWERING THE PRESS FOR 19 MONTSH
LAST TUESDAY…. OBAMA TOOK QUESTIONS!
.
ECONOMIC GURU!
YOU were the one ASLEEP at the SWITCH!
MOUTH!
Like I have asked you before, where were you when the banks were ripping the AMERICAN PEOPLE OFF?
Mouthing off about the illegals and NOTHING ABOUT THE EMPLOYERS HIRING THEM! PHONY MEDIA! HANK POULSEN IS OK WITH YOU!
HOW LONG HAS HE BEEN IN THE APPOINTED OFFICE?
DO you think ALL AMERICANS are as STUPID AS MOST OF YOUR LISTENERS?
PLEASE...YOU ARE SUCH A MISLEADING PUNDIT AND A LIAR!
YES A LIAR! YOU PHONY MOUTH! HEY...those CASUALTIES IN IRAQ....HOW MANY TODAY....MOUTH. Since you measure “SUCCESS” as YOU and MCCAIN agree but Petreaus does not.
YOU ARE ONNLY CONCERNED WITH CASUALTIES...YOU KNOW THE SURGE IS WORKING...
WELL
What did GENERAL PETRAEUS JUST SAY?
HUH?
I wonder what you would have done if one of Obama;'s girls came on NATIONAL stage UNWED, UNDER AGE, and PREGNANT?
I WONDER WHERE YOUR MOUTH WOULD BE?
MR DOBBS....MR ECONOMIC GURU,,,,MR INDEPENDENT PHIONY!
THAT IS WHAT YOU ARE!
NO PRESS CONFERENCE FOR PALIN….
OBAMA HAS BEEN ABSWERING THE PRESS FOR 19 MONTSH
LAST TUESDAY…. OBAMA TOOK QUESTIONS!
.
ECONOMIC GURU!
YOU were the one ASLEEP at the SWITCH!
MOUTH!
Like I have asked you before, where were you when the banks were ripping the AMERICAN PEOPLE OFF?
Mouthing off about the illegals and NOTHING ABOUT THE EMPLOYERS HIRING THEM! PHONY MEDIA! HANK POULSEN IS OK WITH YOU!
HOW LONG HAS HE BEEN IN THE APPOINTED OFFICE?
DO you think ALL AMERICANS are as STUPID AS MOST OF YOUR LISTENERS?
PLEASE...YOU ARE SUCH A MISLEADING PUNDIT AND A LIAR!
YES A LIAR! YOU PHONY MOUTH! HEY...those CASUALTIES IN IRAQ....HOW MANY TODAY....MOUTH. Since you measure “SUCCESS” as YOU and MCCAIN agree but Petreaus does not.
YOU ARE ONNLY CONCERNED WITH CASUALTIES...YOU KNOW THE SURGE IS WORKING...
WELL
What did GENERAL PETRAEUS JUST SAY?
HUH?
I wonder what you would have done if one of Obama;'s girls came on NATIONAL stage UNWED, UNDER AGE, and PREGNANT?
I WONDER WHERE YOUR MOUTH WOULD BE?
MR DOBBS....MR ECONOMIC GURU,,,,MR INDEPENDENT PHIONY!
THAT IS WHAT YOU ARE!
Letter toLou Dobbs....9-15-08
Just what the hell are you talking about. Where the hell have you been?
Obama has been talking to the press for 19+MONTHS …STRAIGHT
IDIOT
LIKE I ASK U ALL THE TIME…MOUTH…WHERE WERE YOU??????
MR MIA for ECONOMICS!
Oh, and we are in the MIDDLE of a RECESSION!
MR ECONOMIC KNOW NOTHING! HOW IS RUSH? HOWS THE RADIO?
Obviously, your expertise is just not CUTTING THE MUSTARD, MR ECONOMIC GURU!! Where were you? While the PRIVATE INVESTMENT CRONIES ROBBED US BLIND?? WHERE WERE YOU? This just happened? YOU MORON!
Regarding the immigrants, ALL YOU HAD TO PROMOTE WAS EMPLOYER REGULATION! REMEMBER THAT WORD,,,,REGULATION!
YOU MR ANTI-REGULATION!
But no, instead, you create HATE towards the immigrant and IGNORE the employers.
Who are you kidding? Make sure you take care of those employers, and then,,,JUST SHUT UP!
You have a real hate show! CNN Should KICK YOU OFF THEIR NETWORK!
AGAIN!
Obama has been talking to the press for 19+MONTHS …STRAIGHT
IDIOT
LIKE I ASK U ALL THE TIME…MOUTH…WHERE WERE YOU??????
MR MIA for ECONOMICS!
Oh, and we are in the MIDDLE of a RECESSION!
MR ECONOMIC KNOW NOTHING! HOW IS RUSH? HOWS THE RADIO?
Obviously, your expertise is just not CUTTING THE MUSTARD, MR ECONOMIC GURU!! Where were you? While the PRIVATE INVESTMENT CRONIES ROBBED US BLIND?? WHERE WERE YOU? This just happened? YOU MORON!
Regarding the immigrants, ALL YOU HAD TO PROMOTE WAS EMPLOYER REGULATION! REMEMBER THAT WORD,,,,REGULATION!
YOU MR ANTI-REGULATION!
But no, instead, you create HATE towards the immigrant and IGNORE the employers.
Who are you kidding? Make sure you take care of those employers, and then,,,JUST SHUT UP!
You have a real hate show! CNN Should KICK YOU OFF THEIR NETWORK!
AGAIN!
Friday, September 12, 2008
BANKRUPTCY JUDGE ...PRE MARITAL SEX! ABSTINENCE ONLY?
This is from 'THE' BANKRUPTCY JUDGE in Western District of Tennessee!
Her INTERPRETATION:
I was confused by your December 1, 2006, editorial. I have no way of knowing whether the U.S. bishops listened in any systematic way either to homosexual or to married Catholics before issuing their three statements on the subjects, but I find it hard to believe that they are not listening all the time as they go about their pastoral ministries. The bishops are aware of the views articulated today in favor of homosexual unions and the choice of married Catholics to use artificial contraception. They have said clearly that these views do not respect the natural order of things and are therefore impoverished. Wouldn't it be derelict of them not to say that?
The bishops argue that "engaging in sexual activity outside the bonds of a valid marriage is a serious violation of the law of love of God and of neighbor." It is our culture's failure to respect the bonds of marriage that is their focus. Marriage is the lifelong public commitment of two persons, intended for the procreation of children, and supported by the laws and customs of the surrounding community. This, the bishops insist, is the only appropriate context for sexual activity. Marriage is one of the most difficult commitments one can make. As such, it requires public support to be successful. The evidence concerning the effects of a less rigorous understanding of marriage is overwhelming.
JENNIE D. LATTA
Memphis, Tenn.
COPYRIGHT 2007 Commonweal Foundation
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning
I wonder what she thinks of all the CORRUPT Bankruptcies she has presided over and HOW did she resolve the CORRUPTION? Just look at ALL the CORRUPTION that has been allowed for YEARS, YEARS to continue with their CORRUPT behavior with the ability to file BANKRUPTCY ibn the first place!
Her INTERPRETATION:
I was confused by your December 1, 2006, editorial. I have no way of knowing whether the U.S. bishops listened in any systematic way either to homosexual or to married Catholics before issuing their three statements on the subjects, but I find it hard to believe that they are not listening all the time as they go about their pastoral ministries. The bishops are aware of the views articulated today in favor of homosexual unions and the choice of married Catholics to use artificial contraception. They have said clearly that these views do not respect the natural order of things and are therefore impoverished. Wouldn't it be derelict of them not to say that?
The bishops argue that "engaging in sexual activity outside the bonds of a valid marriage is a serious violation of the law of love of God and of neighbor." It is our culture's failure to respect the bonds of marriage that is their focus. Marriage is the lifelong public commitment of two persons, intended for the procreation of children, and supported by the laws and customs of the surrounding community. This, the bishops insist, is the only appropriate context for sexual activity. Marriage is one of the most difficult commitments one can make. As such, it requires public support to be successful. The evidence concerning the effects of a less rigorous understanding of marriage is overwhelming.
JENNIE D. LATTA
Memphis, Tenn.
COPYRIGHT 2007 Commonweal Foundation
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning
I wonder what she thinks of all the CORRUPT Bankruptcies she has presided over and HOW did she resolve the CORRUPTION? Just look at ALL the CORRUPTION that has been allowed for YEARS, YEARS to continue with their CORRUPT behavior with the ability to file BANKRUPTCY ibn the first place!
WHITE ABSTINENCE ONLY !!! EXCEPT FOR PALIN!!
Let's say that you enjoyed watching last week's Republican National Convention on television.
Let's say you drank in the almost uniformly white faces and the regimented revivalism, you clapped when speakers belittled Barack Obama's work organizing impoverished communities, indeed, you cheered with Rudy Giuliani's zinger, "Drill, baby, drill!"
Let's further stipulate that you were not at all discomfited by the convention's incessant "Country First" mantra that defines loyalty to America as lockstep fealty to the Republican Party.
Let's say - for sheer argument's sake, of course - all of this is true. What, then, of the substance? Stripping away the partisanship, passion and propaganda, what about the veracity of the claim that the GOP puts this country first?
Well, let's just say it's a little dicey.
On national security, the Republican Party advocates continuing to force thousands of young Americans to risk life and limb refereeing Iraq's civil war. Though the party's slogan hearkens back to conservatives' "America First" isolationism, the GOP nonetheless supports spending $12 billion a month on the war - money needed at home.
Same story on economics. In 2004, the Republican White House called outsourcing "a plus." In 2006, the Republican commander-in-chief OK'd the sale of critical infrastructure to foreign dictators. And today the Republican presidential nominee is demanding more NAFTA-style trade pacts that eliminate American jobs. This, says the GOP, is putting our country first.
But who is the "country"? According to the Census Bureau, it will soon be mostly non-whites. That is, the demographic groups who the alleged "country first" party regularly disparages, whether Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colo., is scapegoating Latinos, Rep. Howard Coble, R-N.C., celebrating Japanese internment or President Bush genuflecting to Bob Jones University's white supremacists.
Maybe, you insist in your post-convention fervor, I just don't get it. Maybe "country first" really does mean refereeing foreign civil wars, spending billions overseas while cutting domestic programs, exporting jobs and bashing ethnic groups that will soon comprise the majority of the nation.
But I don't think so. More likely, Republicans have simply taken the famous parable to heart - the one about patriotism being the last refuge of scoundrels.
As a political strategy, it's not stupid. Following the Bush-DeLay-Abramoff era, many Americans rightly think Republican politicians are scoundrels. And so those politicians are trying to make sure "this election is not about issues," as McCain's campaign manager said this week, but about a hideous hypernationalism only Joe McCarthy could love. Employing flag pins, war stories and Bible-thumping social conservatism, former P.O.W. McCain and Christian fundamentalist Palin hope their red-white-and-blue phantasmagoria will hypnotize America into voting Republican.
On the seventh anniversary of the 9/11 atrocities, the Republican convention reminds us of what Barry Goldwater suggested 44 years ago: Terrorists are not the only ones who believe extremism is "no vice." And, as the old aphorism warns, when the most virulent extremism attacks our country, it won't be shrouded in Islamic fatwas - it will be wrapped in a flag and carrying a cross.
Sadly, the when is now. McCain is the flag, Palin is the cross - and Americans will have to decide whether we believe their zealotry puts country first.
David Sirota is a fellow at the Campaign for America's Future and a board member of the Progressive States Network - both nonpartisan organizations. His blog is at www.credoaction.com/sirota.
Let's say you drank in the almost uniformly white faces and the regimented revivalism, you clapped when speakers belittled Barack Obama's work organizing impoverished communities, indeed, you cheered with Rudy Giuliani's zinger, "Drill, baby, drill!"
Let's further stipulate that you were not at all discomfited by the convention's incessant "Country First" mantra that defines loyalty to America as lockstep fealty to the Republican Party.
Let's say - for sheer argument's sake, of course - all of this is true. What, then, of the substance? Stripping away the partisanship, passion and propaganda, what about the veracity of the claim that the GOP puts this country first?
Well, let's just say it's a little dicey.
On national security, the Republican Party advocates continuing to force thousands of young Americans to risk life and limb refereeing Iraq's civil war. Though the party's slogan hearkens back to conservatives' "America First" isolationism, the GOP nonetheless supports spending $12 billion a month on the war - money needed at home.
Same story on economics. In 2004, the Republican White House called outsourcing "a plus." In 2006, the Republican commander-in-chief OK'd the sale of critical infrastructure to foreign dictators. And today the Republican presidential nominee is demanding more NAFTA-style trade pacts that eliminate American jobs. This, says the GOP, is putting our country first.
But who is the "country"? According to the Census Bureau, it will soon be mostly non-whites. That is, the demographic groups who the alleged "country first" party regularly disparages, whether Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colo., is scapegoating Latinos, Rep. Howard Coble, R-N.C., celebrating Japanese internment or President Bush genuflecting to Bob Jones University's white supremacists.
Maybe, you insist in your post-convention fervor, I just don't get it. Maybe "country first" really does mean refereeing foreign civil wars, spending billions overseas while cutting domestic programs, exporting jobs and bashing ethnic groups that will soon comprise the majority of the nation.
But I don't think so. More likely, Republicans have simply taken the famous parable to heart - the one about patriotism being the last refuge of scoundrels.
As a political strategy, it's not stupid. Following the Bush-DeLay-Abramoff era, many Americans rightly think Republican politicians are scoundrels. And so those politicians are trying to make sure "this election is not about issues," as McCain's campaign manager said this week, but about a hideous hypernationalism only Joe McCarthy could love. Employing flag pins, war stories and Bible-thumping social conservatism, former P.O.W. McCain and Christian fundamentalist Palin hope their red-white-and-blue phantasmagoria will hypnotize America into voting Republican.
On the seventh anniversary of the 9/11 atrocities, the Republican convention reminds us of what Barry Goldwater suggested 44 years ago: Terrorists are not the only ones who believe extremism is "no vice." And, as the old aphorism warns, when the most virulent extremism attacks our country, it won't be shrouded in Islamic fatwas - it will be wrapped in a flag and carrying a cross.
Sadly, the when is now. McCain is the flag, Palin is the cross - and Americans will have to decide whether we believe their zealotry puts country first.
David Sirota is a fellow at the Campaign for America's Future and a board member of the Progressive States Network - both nonpartisan organizations. His blog is at www.credoaction.com/sirota.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
LIPSTICK ON A PIG- OLD FISH in a NEW Sheet of PAPER
Palin expensed her children's air travel to the state
By Kyle Hopkins | Anchorage Daily News
ANCHORAGE — Since Gov. Sarah Palin took office nearly two years ago, the state of Alaska has routinely bought commercial airline tickets for her daughters when they travel with her, a practice that raises questions about the governor's claim to being a fiscal conservative.
Travel records from the governor's office show that the state has spent at least $31,800 on dozens of airline tickets for the family, and more for meals and hotels.
Records show the family has traveled with Palin for events such as the Alaska Federation of Natives convention in Fairbanks last fall and to shoot official first family photos in Juneau, to draw raffle tickets at an event in Anchorage and to tour a teen center spearheaded by the Juneau Christian Center.
There's no specific state law or rule that says the state pays for family members to travel to events with the governor, but it's become tradition, according to Linda Perez, director of administrative services for the governor. The governor's spokeswoman, Sharon Leighow, said paying the family's travel expenses is appropriate because people expect Palin to bring her husband and children along.
"There is an expectation of the first family to participate in activities across the state," she said.
But the issue of who should pay the family's travel expenses adds to questions about Palin's spending practices that were raised this week by revelations in the Washington Post that Palin also charged the state for meals while she was staying at her home in Wasilla, away from her official state duty station of Juneau, the capital.
Leighow said there was nothing wrong with Palin claiming state money while she was staying in her own home. "She's entitled to it," Leighow said.
Leighow noted that Palin's travel expenses last year — $114,000 — were far less than those submitted the previous year by Gov. Frank Murkowski — the Republican Palin beat in the primary to cement her reputation as a reformer willing to take on members of her own party. Murkowski's travel expenses for 2006 totaled $516,000.
But the Democrat who preceded Murkowski in office, Tony Knowles, questioned both the state's paying for Palin's children's travel and for Palin's collecting the state per diem while staying in her Wasilla home.
"When you're living at home, you don't pay yourself for living at home," Knowles said in an interview Tuesday. "And if you use a technicality to get around that rule so you can get paid for it, it's not right."
Knowles said in an interview last week that when he was governor his children were allowed to fly on state-owned King Air propeller planes, but that the state did not buy them commercial airline tickets.
"All of her travel-related activities have been appropriately documented, are completely transparent and entirely legal," said Ben Porritt, spokesman for Palin's vice presidential campaign.
Since Palin was named the Republican Party's vice-presidential candidate, the campaign of Sen. John McCain has promoted her as a fierce budget watchdog eager to shave frivolous government spending. At campiagn stops, Palin has repeatedly touted her record for selling the state's jet and laying off the chef at the governor's mansion in Juneau. Her presence on the campaign trail has energized the party's evangelical Christian base behind the McCain candidacy.
But her claims to middle-class frugality as the state's governor are undercut by the revelations about her travel expenses. The Post reported that she's billed the state thousands of dollars for meal money while spending more than 300 nights at her Wasilla home during her first 19 months in office.
The Palins split time between Juneau, the state's capital, and Wasilla, outside of Anchorage, with the governor often working in Juneau during the legislative session and in Anchorage for much of the rest of the year.
The state considers Juneau to be the governor's home base. That creates a scenario where Palin is considered to be "traveling" while living in her own house.
At least one member of Palin's cabinet also ate on the state's dime while staying in his hometown on multi-day trips during 2007, according to Division of Finance records. Palin doesn't require her cabinet members to live in Juneau, and most don't.
Knowles, who served as governor from 1994 to 2002, moved his family to Juneau and leased out his Anchorage home. When in Anchorage on official business, Knowles said he stayed at the Hilton hotel. He collected a meal per diem unless he was attending events at which meals were provided, he said.
Murkowski, who served from 2002 to 2006, lived in the governor's mansion in Juneau. The state rented an Anchorage apartment for him for business in the city, and he collected a per diem while staying there, Perez said.
Palin's travel expenses first drew attention during the summer when her daughter Piper joined Palin on a well-publicized trip to Barrow, in Alaska's far north. Critics wondered then who had paid Piper's travel expenses.
Travel records requested by the Anchorage Daily News show that the state did. The reports, which the governor and other state employees submit to get reimbursed for meals and lodging while on the road, also document thousands of dollars in per diem claims while Palin stayed in her own home.
For example, the reports show that in mid-June of 2007, Palin arrived in Anchorage on the state's King Air propeller plane for the beginning of a long stay away from the capital. On her agenda: a special legislative session on senior aid, signing the state budget and a baseball game between the Mat-Su Miners and Alaska Goldpanners.
During the same trip, Palin performed the coin toss at an Alaska Wild football game one day and vetoed $231 million for projects in the state construction budget the next.
For the two weeks she worked in Anchorage while living at home, she charged the state a total of about $800 in meal money, according to the travel records.
Leighow said the governor saves money when she's at home — it's less expensive than staffing and stocking the governor's mansion in Juneau.
Leighow also defended the governor's commercial air travel, noting that Palin flies coach and that Todd Palin's state-paid travel expenses so far total only $14,000, compared to $124,000 for Nancy Murkowski during Murkowski's four years in office.
Leighow also said that Palin has had to travel by commercial air with her children because the state's King Air aircraft often has been unavailable. Lately, when the King Air isn't down for maintenance, it's being painted or fitted with new electronics, she said.
Among the trips documented by the travel records where Palin took along her children:
-- July 7-15, 2008: Palin daughters Piper and Bristol flew to Philadelphia with the governor for a National Governors Association meeting. The state lists the purpose of the girls' trip as participating in "governor's youth programs and family activities." The airfare and lodging cost $2,500.
-- April 3-6, 2008: Piper joined the governor in the Anchorage area because -- according to state travel records authorizing the trip -- the first family was to read to students a Wasilla Christian school. The round trip flight from Juneau cost $550.
-- October 7-11, 2007: Palin's oldest daughter, Bristol, flew with the governor to New York City at a cost of $1,390 because she was "invited to attend Newsweek's
Third Annual Women and Leadership Conference with the governor," Palin's office says. They stayed in a $707-a-night hotel for four nights.
Piper, who is 7, flew with Palin the most often, followed by Todd Palin and the governor's two older daughters.
The couple's oldest son, 19-year-old Track, enlisted in the Army last September and isn't listed on any of the travel forms. Neither is the governor's youngest, Trig, who was born in April and flies for free.
The family and Palin's staff also often flew on the King Air propeller plane, which is owned by the Department of Public Safety, according to the records.
The governor's office pays a flat rate -- which was about $900 an hour as of this spring -- when using the state plane, Perez wrote in an e-mail. When the jet was still in use, it cost roughly twice as much as the King Air, according to the Department of Public Safety.
One set of travel expense the state will not pick up are those generated by Palin since she's been on the campaign trail. The trip isn't considered state business, and Palin won't be able to collect a per diem or reimburse lodging costs since she's been gone, Perez said.
Palin chief of staff Mike Nizich, Anchorage office director Kris Perry, communications director Bill McAllister, and Bob Cockrell, one of Palin's security special agents, all joined the governor at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn.
The state plans to pay only the travel expenses for McAllister and Cockrell, according to the governor's office.
By Kyle Hopkins | Anchorage Daily News
ANCHORAGE — Since Gov. Sarah Palin took office nearly two years ago, the state of Alaska has routinely bought commercial airline tickets for her daughters when they travel with her, a practice that raises questions about the governor's claim to being a fiscal conservative.
Travel records from the governor's office show that the state has spent at least $31,800 on dozens of airline tickets for the family, and more for meals and hotels.
Records show the family has traveled with Palin for events such as the Alaska Federation of Natives convention in Fairbanks last fall and to shoot official first family photos in Juneau, to draw raffle tickets at an event in Anchorage and to tour a teen center spearheaded by the Juneau Christian Center.
There's no specific state law or rule that says the state pays for family members to travel to events with the governor, but it's become tradition, according to Linda Perez, director of administrative services for the governor. The governor's spokeswoman, Sharon Leighow, said paying the family's travel expenses is appropriate because people expect Palin to bring her husband and children along.
"There is an expectation of the first family to participate in activities across the state," she said.
But the issue of who should pay the family's travel expenses adds to questions about Palin's spending practices that were raised this week by revelations in the Washington Post that Palin also charged the state for meals while she was staying at her home in Wasilla, away from her official state duty station of Juneau, the capital.
Leighow said there was nothing wrong with Palin claiming state money while she was staying in her own home. "She's entitled to it," Leighow said.
Leighow noted that Palin's travel expenses last year — $114,000 — were far less than those submitted the previous year by Gov. Frank Murkowski — the Republican Palin beat in the primary to cement her reputation as a reformer willing to take on members of her own party. Murkowski's travel expenses for 2006 totaled $516,000.
But the Democrat who preceded Murkowski in office, Tony Knowles, questioned both the state's paying for Palin's children's travel and for Palin's collecting the state per diem while staying in her Wasilla home.
"When you're living at home, you don't pay yourself for living at home," Knowles said in an interview Tuesday. "And if you use a technicality to get around that rule so you can get paid for it, it's not right."
Knowles said in an interview last week that when he was governor his children were allowed to fly on state-owned King Air propeller planes, but that the state did not buy them commercial airline tickets.
"All of her travel-related activities have been appropriately documented, are completely transparent and entirely legal," said Ben Porritt, spokesman for Palin's vice presidential campaign.
Since Palin was named the Republican Party's vice-presidential candidate, the campaign of Sen. John McCain has promoted her as a fierce budget watchdog eager to shave frivolous government spending. At campiagn stops, Palin has repeatedly touted her record for selling the state's jet and laying off the chef at the governor's mansion in Juneau. Her presence on the campaign trail has energized the party's evangelical Christian base behind the McCain candidacy.
But her claims to middle-class frugality as the state's governor are undercut by the revelations about her travel expenses. The Post reported that she's billed the state thousands of dollars for meal money while spending more than 300 nights at her Wasilla home during her first 19 months in office.
The Palins split time between Juneau, the state's capital, and Wasilla, outside of Anchorage, with the governor often working in Juneau during the legislative session and in Anchorage for much of the rest of the year.
The state considers Juneau to be the governor's home base. That creates a scenario where Palin is considered to be "traveling" while living in her own house.
At least one member of Palin's cabinet also ate on the state's dime while staying in his hometown on multi-day trips during 2007, according to Division of Finance records. Palin doesn't require her cabinet members to live in Juneau, and most don't.
Knowles, who served as governor from 1994 to 2002, moved his family to Juneau and leased out his Anchorage home. When in Anchorage on official business, Knowles said he stayed at the Hilton hotel. He collected a meal per diem unless he was attending events at which meals were provided, he said.
Murkowski, who served from 2002 to 2006, lived in the governor's mansion in Juneau. The state rented an Anchorage apartment for him for business in the city, and he collected a per diem while staying there, Perez said.
Palin's travel expenses first drew attention during the summer when her daughter Piper joined Palin on a well-publicized trip to Barrow, in Alaska's far north. Critics wondered then who had paid Piper's travel expenses.
Travel records requested by the Anchorage Daily News show that the state did. The reports, which the governor and other state employees submit to get reimbursed for meals and lodging while on the road, also document thousands of dollars in per diem claims while Palin stayed in her own home.
For example, the reports show that in mid-June of 2007, Palin arrived in Anchorage on the state's King Air propeller plane for the beginning of a long stay away from the capital. On her agenda: a special legislative session on senior aid, signing the state budget and a baseball game between the Mat-Su Miners and Alaska Goldpanners.
During the same trip, Palin performed the coin toss at an Alaska Wild football game one day and vetoed $231 million for projects in the state construction budget the next.
For the two weeks she worked in Anchorage while living at home, she charged the state a total of about $800 in meal money, according to the travel records.
Leighow said the governor saves money when she's at home — it's less expensive than staffing and stocking the governor's mansion in Juneau.
Leighow also defended the governor's commercial air travel, noting that Palin flies coach and that Todd Palin's state-paid travel expenses so far total only $14,000, compared to $124,000 for Nancy Murkowski during Murkowski's four years in office.
Leighow also said that Palin has had to travel by commercial air with her children because the state's King Air aircraft often has been unavailable. Lately, when the King Air isn't down for maintenance, it's being painted or fitted with new electronics, she said.
Among the trips documented by the travel records where Palin took along her children:
-- July 7-15, 2008: Palin daughters Piper and Bristol flew to Philadelphia with the governor for a National Governors Association meeting. The state lists the purpose of the girls' trip as participating in "governor's youth programs and family activities." The airfare and lodging cost $2,500.
-- April 3-6, 2008: Piper joined the governor in the Anchorage area because -- according to state travel records authorizing the trip -- the first family was to read to students a Wasilla Christian school. The round trip flight from Juneau cost $550.
-- October 7-11, 2007: Palin's oldest daughter, Bristol, flew with the governor to New York City at a cost of $1,390 because she was "invited to attend Newsweek's
Third Annual Women and Leadership Conference with the governor," Palin's office says. They stayed in a $707-a-night hotel for four nights.
Piper, who is 7, flew with Palin the most often, followed by Todd Palin and the governor's two older daughters.
The couple's oldest son, 19-year-old Track, enlisted in the Army last September and isn't listed on any of the travel forms. Neither is the governor's youngest, Trig, who was born in April and flies for free.
The family and Palin's staff also often flew on the King Air propeller plane, which is owned by the Department of Public Safety, according to the records.
The governor's office pays a flat rate -- which was about $900 an hour as of this spring -- when using the state plane, Perez wrote in an e-mail. When the jet was still in use, it cost roughly twice as much as the King Air, according to the Department of Public Safety.
One set of travel expense the state will not pick up are those generated by Palin since she's been on the campaign trail. The trip isn't considered state business, and Palin won't be able to collect a per diem or reimburse lodging costs since she's been gone, Perez said.
Palin chief of staff Mike Nizich, Anchorage office director Kris Perry, communications director Bill McAllister, and Bob Cockrell, one of Palin's security special agents, all joined the governor at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn.
The state plans to pay only the travel expenses for McAllister and Cockrell, according to the governor's office.
McCain, Are you sure you want to go there?
McCAin should try to learn how to use a computer, just so he can keep up with Osama Bin Laden.
McCain should be aware that there are many Russians that live in this country and are aware of his deceit with the Leader of Georgia and their lobbyists.
Out of bounds! McCain misstates Obama sex-ed record
By Margaret Talev | McClatchy Newspapers
WASHINGTON — Throw the flag against: The McCain-Palin campaign.
Call: Unsportsmanlike conduct.
What happened: A new 30-second TV ad attacks Barack Obama's record on education, saying that Obama backed legislation to teach "'comprehensive sex education' to kindergartners." The announcer then says, "Learning about sex before learning to read? Barack Obama. Wrong on education. Wrong for your family."
Why that's wrong: This is a deliberately misleading accusation. It came hours after the Obama campaign released a TV ad critical of McCain's votes on public education. As a state senator in Illinois, Obama did vote for but was not a sponsor of legislation dealing with sex ed for grades K-12.
But the legislation allowed local school boards to teach "age-appropriate" sex education, not comprehensive lessons to kindergartners, and it gave schools the ability to warn young children about inappropriate touching and sexual predators.
Republican Alan Keyes tried to use Obama's vote against him in the 2004 U.S. Senate race. At the time, Obama spoke about wanting to protect young children from abuse. He made clear then that he was not supporting teaching kindergartners about explicit details of sex.
Obama spokesman Bill Burton said Tuesday of McCain's ad: "It is shameful and downright perverse for the McCain campaign to use a bill that was written to protect young children from sexual predators as a recycled and discredited political attack against a father of two young girls."Penalty: 15 yards for the McCain campaign's deliberate low blow.
McCain should be aware that there are many Russians that live in this country and are aware of his deceit with the Leader of Georgia and their lobbyists.
Out of bounds! McCain misstates Obama sex-ed record
By Margaret Talev | McClatchy Newspapers
WASHINGTON — Throw the flag against: The McCain-Palin campaign.
Call: Unsportsmanlike conduct.
What happened: A new 30-second TV ad attacks Barack Obama's record on education, saying that Obama backed legislation to teach "'comprehensive sex education' to kindergartners." The announcer then says, "Learning about sex before learning to read? Barack Obama. Wrong on education. Wrong for your family."
Why that's wrong: This is a deliberately misleading accusation. It came hours after the Obama campaign released a TV ad critical of McCain's votes on public education. As a state senator in Illinois, Obama did vote for but was not a sponsor of legislation dealing with sex ed for grades K-12.
But the legislation allowed local school boards to teach "age-appropriate" sex education, not comprehensive lessons to kindergartners, and it gave schools the ability to warn young children about inappropriate touching and sexual predators.
Republican Alan Keyes tried to use Obama's vote against him in the 2004 U.S. Senate race. At the time, Obama spoke about wanting to protect young children from abuse. He made clear then that he was not supporting teaching kindergartners about explicit details of sex.
Obama spokesman Bill Burton said Tuesday of McCain's ad: "It is shameful and downright perverse for the McCain campaign to use a bill that was written to protect young children from sexual predators as a recycled and discredited political attack against a father of two young girls."Penalty: 15 yards for the McCain campaign's deliberate low blow.
Friday, September 5, 2008
Russian Georgian PR BLAST! No kidding!
When Cheney is in Georgia while all eyes are on the Republican Convention, what in the world did he do now?
Just as I said...THIS IS A SET UP! I have called, emailed, blogged and made many, many comments on smelling a RAT! More BLOOD on America's hands all for the PRE 9-11 Missile Defense Treaty! What IDIOTS!!WAKE UP!
Just as I said...THIS IS A SET UP! I have called, emailed, blogged and made many, many comments on smelling a RAT! More BLOOD on America's hands all for the PRE 9-11 Missile Defense Treaty! What IDIOTS!!WAKE UP!
NO WAY, NO HOW, NO McCAIN-PALIN
Return of the "Mavrick" MEVERICK
A Democrat, probably some sort of spelling elitist, is amused.
The line appeared on screen just as McCain discussed adult literacy, two colleagues say.
Clinton amends 'No way, no how, no McCain-Palin'
Hillary releases a statement at the close of McCain's speech:
“The two party conventions showcased vastly different directions for our country. Sen. Obama and Sen. Biden offered the new ideas and positive change America needs and deserves after eight years of failed Republican leadership. Sen. McCain and Gov. Palin did not.
“After listening to all of the speeches this week, I heard nothing that suggests the Republicans are ready to fix the economy for middle-class families, provide quality affordable health care for all Americans, guarantee equal pay for equal work for women, restore our nation's leadership in a complex world or tackle the myriad of challenges our country faces.
“So, to slightly amend my comments from Denver: NO WAY, NO HOW, NO McCAIN-PALIN.”
A Democrat, probably some sort of spelling elitist, is amused.
The line appeared on screen just as McCain discussed adult literacy, two colleagues say.
Clinton amends 'No way, no how, no McCain-Palin'
Hillary releases a statement at the close of McCain's speech:
“The two party conventions showcased vastly different directions for our country. Sen. Obama and Sen. Biden offered the new ideas and positive change America needs and deserves after eight years of failed Republican leadership. Sen. McCain and Gov. Palin did not.
“After listening to all of the speeches this week, I heard nothing that suggests the Republicans are ready to fix the economy for middle-class families, provide quality affordable health care for all Americans, guarantee equal pay for equal work for women, restore our nation's leadership in a complex world or tackle the myriad of challenges our country faces.
“So, to slightly amend my comments from Denver: NO WAY, NO HOW, NO McCAIN-PALIN.”
Sarah Palin speech ONLY!! NO QUESTIONS ASKED!
If Bush/McCain Campaign refuses to allow any questions posed to the Republican Party’s VP candidate, then why would the nedia give time to STUMP SPEECH ONLY COVERAGE?
We don't really know Sarah Palin...but we did not know GWBush either
Apparently, not knowing is what the IGNORANT AMERICANS CHOOSE. Over the past 19 months of getting to know Obama does not seem to be enough for the BUSH/MCCAIN people, but because she is female seems to be enough for this mentality.
Does not matter that the leader they would chosse for this country doesnot know how to use a computer yet they buy his speech on taking us into the future?
Really?
Can Palin Escape the Parent Trap?
Thursday, Sep. 04, 2008
Almost overnight, Sarah Palin replaced Hillary Clinton as the screen on which we project our doubts and hopes about women and success. In noisy public forums, everyone seemed suddenly certain of beliefs they used to reject: of course a woman can manage five kids and the vice leadership of the free world, said conservative defenders previously known for asserting a woman's need to submit to her husband. Of course she has no business putting her family through this, said liberal opponents better known for insisting women should submit to no one.
But in quieter places, such as my inbox and my subconscious, there has been nothing like that kind of certainty. Instead, it has been the conversation that never ends — the one about how we juggle and who we judge — and I don't think I know any woman, working or not, who feels she has gotten it exactly right. I do know we share a deep revulsion at having choices made for us and values thrust upon us, which is why Palin has our instincts tied up in such intricate knots.
We are accustomed, after centuries of experience, to ambitious fathers whose parental failures are glossed over and swept under the rug by devoted wives and complicit courtiers; we only learn about the train wrecks of famous families when we read the memoirs. When a man at the height of his powers announces he will be Spending More Time with His Family, it translates as: he messed up big-time, didn't have what it takes.
But now we are presented with the unfolding complexity of an ambitious woman, one prepared to be Spending Less Time with Her Family, to play by the boys' rules, to break the glass ceiling Clinton softened for her. I couldn't help thinking as I watched Palin's debut that she was the most macho candidate we've seen in years, the point guard turned sportscaster aiming her M-16, shooting her moose, taking on the good-old boys. And yes, balancing BlackBerry and breast pump, with a beautiful family that includes a son heading to Iraq, a pregnant teenage daughter and a 4-month-old with special needs. She's willing to put Country First. Should she be punished for doing something we reward men for doing?
Just to complicate the picture a little more: the week before the Republicans gave us Sarah Palin, the Democrats offered up Joe Biden as a man who could feel my pain; who, after his wife and daughter's fatal car accident, had to be talked out of giving up his Senate seat because he wanted to be at his sons' side; who, if voters know nothing else about him, know that he takes the train home to Delaware every night and has never missed a soccer game.
So I come back to the moment when John McCain invited Palin to become the first woman on a Republican ticket. Together they could make history, perhaps make the world a better place. I have to wonder: Did she know her daughter would become a late-night punch line? However unconditionally supportive, did she tell Bristol she'd have to stay backstage or hold her baby brother in pictures in a way that hid her own baby until a media strategy had been set for telling the public her most private secrets? Ordinarily, such revelations are choreographed well in advance — only this time, there was no advance. The pregnancy was something of an open secret in Alaska, where respect for privacy and small-town sympathy may have allowed a governor to imagine that the impact would be minimal. But America isn't Alaska, and the national stage is no small town. McCain may have given her a chance that women have been waiting for for years. But he has also been through this before, faced the kind of scrutiny for which nothing can really prepare you. Did he warn her about what lay ahead?
We don't really know Sarah Palin and can't possibly know what calculations and compromises she has made. We do know one thing, however: She was given very little time to make this choice. Every working mother lives a life of what-ifs and should-Is, birthdays missed for the important meeting and meetings missed because a child was sick. Yes, many men face these choices too, but it's mainly the women in my life whom I hear agonize over them, applauding friends who make the hard climb but also those who walk away. We still don't have many role models, because both professional success and successful parenting take so much time and heart and sweat and sleepless nights. So it's hard to watch an accomplished woman walk the tightrope under lights this bright and with stakes this high; we don't want it to look too easy, but we don't want to see her fall.
http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1838535,00.html
Does not matter that the leader they would chosse for this country doesnot know how to use a computer yet they buy his speech on taking us into the future?
Really?
Can Palin Escape the Parent Trap?
Thursday, Sep. 04, 2008
Almost overnight, Sarah Palin replaced Hillary Clinton as the screen on which we project our doubts and hopes about women and success. In noisy public forums, everyone seemed suddenly certain of beliefs they used to reject: of course a woman can manage five kids and the vice leadership of the free world, said conservative defenders previously known for asserting a woman's need to submit to her husband. Of course she has no business putting her family through this, said liberal opponents better known for insisting women should submit to no one.
But in quieter places, such as my inbox and my subconscious, there has been nothing like that kind of certainty. Instead, it has been the conversation that never ends — the one about how we juggle and who we judge — and I don't think I know any woman, working or not, who feels she has gotten it exactly right. I do know we share a deep revulsion at having choices made for us and values thrust upon us, which is why Palin has our instincts tied up in such intricate knots.
We are accustomed, after centuries of experience, to ambitious fathers whose parental failures are glossed over and swept under the rug by devoted wives and complicit courtiers; we only learn about the train wrecks of famous families when we read the memoirs. When a man at the height of his powers announces he will be Spending More Time with His Family, it translates as: he messed up big-time, didn't have what it takes.
But now we are presented with the unfolding complexity of an ambitious woman, one prepared to be Spending Less Time with Her Family, to play by the boys' rules, to break the glass ceiling Clinton softened for her. I couldn't help thinking as I watched Palin's debut that she was the most macho candidate we've seen in years, the point guard turned sportscaster aiming her M-16, shooting her moose, taking on the good-old boys. And yes, balancing BlackBerry and breast pump, with a beautiful family that includes a son heading to Iraq, a pregnant teenage daughter and a 4-month-old with special needs. She's willing to put Country First. Should she be punished for doing something we reward men for doing?
Just to complicate the picture a little more: the week before the Republicans gave us Sarah Palin, the Democrats offered up Joe Biden as a man who could feel my pain; who, after his wife and daughter's fatal car accident, had to be talked out of giving up his Senate seat because he wanted to be at his sons' side; who, if voters know nothing else about him, know that he takes the train home to Delaware every night and has never missed a soccer game.
So I come back to the moment when John McCain invited Palin to become the first woman on a Republican ticket. Together they could make history, perhaps make the world a better place. I have to wonder: Did she know her daughter would become a late-night punch line? However unconditionally supportive, did she tell Bristol she'd have to stay backstage or hold her baby brother in pictures in a way that hid her own baby until a media strategy had been set for telling the public her most private secrets? Ordinarily, such revelations are choreographed well in advance — only this time, there was no advance. The pregnancy was something of an open secret in Alaska, where respect for privacy and small-town sympathy may have allowed a governor to imagine that the impact would be minimal. But America isn't Alaska, and the national stage is no small town. McCain may have given her a chance that women have been waiting for for years. But he has also been through this before, faced the kind of scrutiny for which nothing can really prepare you. Did he warn her about what lay ahead?
We don't really know Sarah Palin and can't possibly know what calculations and compromises she has made. We do know one thing, however: She was given very little time to make this choice. Every working mother lives a life of what-ifs and should-Is, birthdays missed for the important meeting and meetings missed because a child was sick. Yes, many men face these choices too, but it's mainly the women in my life whom I hear agonize over them, applauding friends who make the hard climb but also those who walk away. We still don't have many role models, because both professional success and successful parenting take so much time and heart and sweat and sleepless nights. So it's hard to watch an accomplished woman walk the tightrope under lights this bright and with stakes this high; we don't want it to look too easy, but we don't want to see her fall.
http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1838535,00.html
Who wrote the 'MOM of the YEAR' speech?
The Man Behind Palin's Speech
Thursday, Sep. 04, 2008
By MASSIMO CALABRESI / WASHINGTON
As Democrats and Barack Obama's campaign scrambled to attack Sarah Palin's well-received acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn., on Wednesday night, they latched on early and hard to the fact that it was penned by former Bush speechwriter Matthew Scully. But the story is more complicated than just the recycling of a Bush staffer into John McCain's fold, and it tells you more about how McCain's camp intends to use Palin than it does about the continuing influence of the current White House.
The clues are in the text itself. Scully started working on the vice-presidential speech a week ago, before he or anyone else knew who the nominee would be, and it's not hard to pick out the parts that would have been the same regardless of who delivered it. Scully unspooled two centrist themes via Palin that have been key to the McCain message: the idea that the Republican nominee puts service to country ahead of career and the notion that he's the true representative of Middle America. Both themes implicitly push Obama and Biden to the left, and Scully made them explicit with lines accusing the Democrats of élitism and talking down to working-class voters.
Once Palin was chosen, Scully tailored the speech to the Alaska governor, highlighting her biography and using her PTA background and local political experience (contrasted so memorably with Obama's work as a community organizer) to bolster his two themes. Where much media attention in the wake of her surprise naming has focused on Palin's views on cultural issues like abortion, the speech carefully steered away from ideological touchstones. Palin was shown as an average mainstream American looking to bring change to Washington, further bolstering McCain's overarching message of reforming the wasteful Federal Government.
Scully was a good choice to help moderate Palin's right-wing image. A veteran of the early Bush White House, his specialty was crafting Bush's pro-life message in a way that would not offend soccer moms or mainstream Catholics who get nervous around some of the more extreme Evangelical rhetoric. A former protégé of the late pro-life Democratic governor of Pennsylvania, Bob Casey, Scully has a history of finding rhetorical unity for voters on the right and in the center.
The Palin-Scully pairing is anything but a guaranteed fit, though. Palin is known as an avid hunter; Scully is best known for his vigorous defense of animal rights. A vegetarian who is regularly critical of the NRA and much of the hunting community, he is a passionate advocate for doing away with the more brutal versions of blood-sport, including aerial hunting, which Palin supports.
Don't be surprised, though, if the combination continues. McCain wanted to pick a centrist Vice President not just because he liked candidates such as Joe Lieberman and Tom Ridge, but because he badly needs to close the gap in swing states like Ohio, Iowa and Wisconsin, where he trails Obama. But he had to pick a cultural conservative like Palin because he couldn't risk alienating an already demoralized base. If Palin was viewed as the most likely right winger to sell in the swing states, Scully is the right pick to help repackage her from a base pleaser into a bridge builder. (See photos of Sarah Palin here.)
http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1838808,00.html?xid=feed-cnn-topics
Thursday, Sep. 04, 2008
By MASSIMO CALABRESI / WASHINGTON
As Democrats and Barack Obama's campaign scrambled to attack Sarah Palin's well-received acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn., on Wednesday night, they latched on early and hard to the fact that it was penned by former Bush speechwriter Matthew Scully. But the story is more complicated than just the recycling of a Bush staffer into John McCain's fold, and it tells you more about how McCain's camp intends to use Palin than it does about the continuing influence of the current White House.
The clues are in the text itself. Scully started working on the vice-presidential speech a week ago, before he or anyone else knew who the nominee would be, and it's not hard to pick out the parts that would have been the same regardless of who delivered it. Scully unspooled two centrist themes via Palin that have been key to the McCain message: the idea that the Republican nominee puts service to country ahead of career and the notion that he's the true representative of Middle America. Both themes implicitly push Obama and Biden to the left, and Scully made them explicit with lines accusing the Democrats of élitism and talking down to working-class voters.
Once Palin was chosen, Scully tailored the speech to the Alaska governor, highlighting her biography and using her PTA background and local political experience (contrasted so memorably with Obama's work as a community organizer) to bolster his two themes. Where much media attention in the wake of her surprise naming has focused on Palin's views on cultural issues like abortion, the speech carefully steered away from ideological touchstones. Palin was shown as an average mainstream American looking to bring change to Washington, further bolstering McCain's overarching message of reforming the wasteful Federal Government.
Scully was a good choice to help moderate Palin's right-wing image. A veteran of the early Bush White House, his specialty was crafting Bush's pro-life message in a way that would not offend soccer moms or mainstream Catholics who get nervous around some of the more extreme Evangelical rhetoric. A former protégé of the late pro-life Democratic governor of Pennsylvania, Bob Casey, Scully has a history of finding rhetorical unity for voters on the right and in the center.
The Palin-Scully pairing is anything but a guaranteed fit, though. Palin is known as an avid hunter; Scully is best known for his vigorous defense of animal rights. A vegetarian who is regularly critical of the NRA and much of the hunting community, he is a passionate advocate for doing away with the more brutal versions of blood-sport, including aerial hunting, which Palin supports.
Don't be surprised, though, if the combination continues. McCain wanted to pick a centrist Vice President not just because he liked candidates such as Joe Lieberman and Tom Ridge, but because he badly needs to close the gap in swing states like Ohio, Iowa and Wisconsin, where he trails Obama. But he had to pick a cultural conservative like Palin because he couldn't risk alienating an already demoralized base. If Palin was viewed as the most likely right winger to sell in the swing states, Scully is the right pick to help repackage her from a base pleaser into a bridge builder. (See photos of Sarah Palin here.)
http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1838808,00.html?xid=feed-cnn-topics
Thursday, September 4, 2008
LETS GET THIS RIGHT!! MEDIA better PAY ATTENTION!
September 4, 2008
To set the record, I come from a family of ten children, and in a hospital bed, on my mother’s dying bed, unable to speak, she motioned for a paper and pen Her last wish was for all of us siblings to take care of our oldest sister, who is mentally retarded. I know what a special needs child does to the dynamic of a family. My mom voted for JFK.
When I travel outside of this country with my current passport, my third one issued, (one every TEN years) I am often asked why TWICE, TWICE, and this country and its IGNORANT, ANTI-INTELLECT people voted BUSH into office?
The McCain supporters are the majority of people that put BUSH into the White House for EIGHT YEARS! This intellect needs to be questioned.
Let us not forget the media took a beating for not asking enough or the right questions prior to the invasion of Iraq. I do not believe the media will be forgiven twice if they allow the same group of people that played the media to do it once again. They need to earn the forgiveness that the American people were so gracious to give and not only ASK the RIGHT questions in 2008, but get the ANSWERS to those questions prior to NOVEMEBER 2008!
OK! Now, let’s get a grip on the POW action!
This morning on C-Span, Michele Bachman, a state representative of Minnesota, was not aware of the fact that her newfound hero, Sarah Palin, collected $24 Million dollars of EARMARKS! She was informed of this fact by a call in AMERICAN HERO, a Korean Veteran from Iowa, who received a SILVER STAR. He informed her of this FACT of her newfound hero. He also commented on how the number of UNKNOWN POWS are not ‘bragging up’ their POW time and their service as John McCain does.
It is a fact that the education for the people in the United States of America has been on a FAST decline and still going, DOWN! How is it that the same party that voted Bush in twice will have nominated the man, John McCain, to lead their party, without any ability to use a computer? I have mentioned before, Osama Bin Laden knows how to use a computer. Asking that anti-intellect crowd if this is relevant might be too invasive? Is it sexist or maybe inflicting the AGE factor? How does this lead to the future as the Vice President nominee proclaimed he would do?
After last night’s DIV ISIVE speech, it was very clear that the McCain Party is not going to fool us with a UNITY ticket. For those of us that take advantage of the God Given gift of intelligence I could only hope that we will not go through EIGHT MORE YEARS OF THIS!
To set the record, I come from a family of ten children, and in a hospital bed, on my mother’s dying bed, unable to speak, she motioned for a paper and pen Her last wish was for all of us siblings to take care of our oldest sister, who is mentally retarded. I know what a special needs child does to the dynamic of a family. My mom voted for JFK.
When I travel outside of this country with my current passport, my third one issued, (one every TEN years) I am often asked why TWICE, TWICE, and this country and its IGNORANT, ANTI-INTELLECT people voted BUSH into office?
The McCain supporters are the majority of people that put BUSH into the White House for EIGHT YEARS! This intellect needs to be questioned.
Let us not forget the media took a beating for not asking enough or the right questions prior to the invasion of Iraq. I do not believe the media will be forgiven twice if they allow the same group of people that played the media to do it once again. They need to earn the forgiveness that the American people were so gracious to give and not only ASK the RIGHT questions in 2008, but get the ANSWERS to those questions prior to NOVEMEBER 2008!
OK! Now, let’s get a grip on the POW action!
This morning on C-Span, Michele Bachman, a state representative of Minnesota, was not aware of the fact that her newfound hero, Sarah Palin, collected $24 Million dollars of EARMARKS! She was informed of this fact by a call in AMERICAN HERO, a Korean Veteran from Iowa, who received a SILVER STAR. He informed her of this FACT of her newfound hero. He also commented on how the number of UNKNOWN POWS are not ‘bragging up’ their POW time and their service as John McCain does.
It is a fact that the education for the people in the United States of America has been on a FAST decline and still going, DOWN! How is it that the same party that voted Bush in twice will have nominated the man, John McCain, to lead their party, without any ability to use a computer? I have mentioned before, Osama Bin Laden knows how to use a computer. Asking that anti-intellect crowd if this is relevant might be too invasive? Is it sexist or maybe inflicting the AGE factor? How does this lead to the future as the Vice President nominee proclaimed he would do?
After last night’s DIV ISIVE speech, it was very clear that the McCain Party is not going to fool us with a UNITY ticket. For those of us that take advantage of the God Given gift of intelligence I could only hope that we will not go through EIGHT MORE YEARS OF THIS!
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Foreign Policy, Connection to Canada, National Guard Alaska
Drug Abuse, Addiction and Treatment and Rehabilitation Situation in Alaska
Due to it’s non-centrally location compared with the rest of the United States and common border with Canada, Alaska has become a transit zone for drug smugglers. The state also has become a major consumer of illicit drugs despite is remote location. The majority of the drug trade is carried out by the Mexican and Dominican drug organizations/cartels.
Over the past 2 decades, Alaska has seen some of the highest per capita use of controlled drugs and large drug seizures have become common. Associated with the illicit drug trade is one of the highest incidence of alcoholism, money laundering, violence, rape and suicide when compared to the rest of the United States.
The major drug trafficked in Alaska is crack cocaine. The trafficking is usually done by the Mexican and Dominican organizations. The cocaine originates from the Southern USA arriving via South America. Because of Alaska’s remote location and difficulty bringing in drugs, the drug cartels resell cocaine at exorbitant prices. In addition to cocaine, black tar heroin is also available in Alaska. The spread of this drug is done by the Mexican organizations.
Today, Oxycontin and methamphetamine have replaced heroin as the drug of abuse. Like all other states, methamphetamine abuse has become an epidemic in Alaska because of its easy availability and cheap price. To counter the methamphetamine abuse, legislation has been passed to remove pseudoephrine from cold remedies. This legal maneuver has helped decrease the abuse of methamphetamine. Drug trafficking organizations obtain the majority of methamphetamine for sale in Alaska from the Southern USA and transport it across state lines using various couriers systems.
Club Drugs are also becoming widely abused in Alaska and the business is very profitable for the traffickers. The club drugs are easily available at most night clubs and are the drugs of choice for abuse among college students.
Marijuana is the most abused and widespread drug in Alaska. Unlike other states, Bill HB49 has been introduced which re-criminalizes the use and possession of marijuana. The majority of marijuana is home grown in sophisticated laboratories. However, the potent and more pure form of marijuana known as BC Bud continues to be smuggled in from Canada.
Prescription drugs are the second most commonly abused drugs. These drugs are easily accessed by illegal dispensing and prescribing by physicians/pharmacists, prescription forgery, doctor shopping, drug thefts from pharmacies and online sales. The drugs most commonly abused include oxycodone (OxyContin®, Percocet, Percodan), hydrocodone (Vicodin, Lortab), and anabolic steroids.
DEA Mobile Enforcement Teams
To counter the drug traffickers, various DEA mobile enforcement teams have been established in Alaska. This cooperative program with state and local law enforcement counterparts were established in response to the escalating problem of drug-related violent crime in the State. While these mobile unit have not eradicated the drug problem, they certainly have led to more arrests of criminals and gangs.
Alaska has recently allowed patients to use medical marijuana if they have specified medical conditions, a state registry ID card and the advice of a physician. Caregivers must also have the ID cards to avoid prosecution for distribution of marijuana. This law was enacted in March of 1999 after voters passed Ballot Measure #8.However, a proposal is now being considered to over turn the state's lenient marijuana laws.
To assist victims of drug abuse, the State is now using money collected from drug traffickers to pay for Rehabilitation/Treatment programs. A few in-patient and outpatient programs have been established to help the victims.
http://www.addictionsearch.com/pop_racial.php
Due to it’s non-centrally location compared with the rest of the United States and common border with Canada, Alaska has become a transit zone for drug smugglers. The state also has become a major consumer of illicit drugs despite is remote location. The majority of the drug trade is carried out by the Mexican and Dominican drug organizations/cartels.
Over the past 2 decades, Alaska has seen some of the highest per capita use of controlled drugs and large drug seizures have become common. Associated with the illicit drug trade is one of the highest incidence of alcoholism, money laundering, violence, rape and suicide when compared to the rest of the United States.
The major drug trafficked in Alaska is crack cocaine. The trafficking is usually done by the Mexican and Dominican organizations. The cocaine originates from the Southern USA arriving via South America. Because of Alaska’s remote location and difficulty bringing in drugs, the drug cartels resell cocaine at exorbitant prices. In addition to cocaine, black tar heroin is also available in Alaska. The spread of this drug is done by the Mexican organizations.
Today, Oxycontin and methamphetamine have replaced heroin as the drug of abuse. Like all other states, methamphetamine abuse has become an epidemic in Alaska because of its easy availability and cheap price. To counter the methamphetamine abuse, legislation has been passed to remove pseudoephrine from cold remedies. This legal maneuver has helped decrease the abuse of methamphetamine. Drug trafficking organizations obtain the majority of methamphetamine for sale in Alaska from the Southern USA and transport it across state lines using various couriers systems.
Club Drugs are also becoming widely abused in Alaska and the business is very profitable for the traffickers. The club drugs are easily available at most night clubs and are the drugs of choice for abuse among college students.
Marijuana is the most abused and widespread drug in Alaska. Unlike other states, Bill HB49 has been introduced which re-criminalizes the use and possession of marijuana. The majority of marijuana is home grown in sophisticated laboratories. However, the potent and more pure form of marijuana known as BC Bud continues to be smuggled in from Canada.
Prescription drugs are the second most commonly abused drugs. These drugs are easily accessed by illegal dispensing and prescribing by physicians/pharmacists, prescription forgery, doctor shopping, drug thefts from pharmacies and online sales. The drugs most commonly abused include oxycodone (OxyContin®, Percocet, Percodan), hydrocodone (Vicodin, Lortab), and anabolic steroids.
DEA Mobile Enforcement Teams
To counter the drug traffickers, various DEA mobile enforcement teams have been established in Alaska. This cooperative program with state and local law enforcement counterparts were established in response to the escalating problem of drug-related violent crime in the State. While these mobile unit have not eradicated the drug problem, they certainly have led to more arrests of criminals and gangs.
Alaska has recently allowed patients to use medical marijuana if they have specified medical conditions, a state registry ID card and the advice of a physician. Caregivers must also have the ID cards to avoid prosecution for distribution of marijuana. This law was enacted in March of 1999 after voters passed Ballot Measure #8.However, a proposal is now being considered to over turn the state's lenient marijuana laws.
To assist victims of drug abuse, the State is now using money collected from drug traffickers to pay for Rehabilitation/Treatment programs. A few in-patient and outpatient programs have been established to help the victims.
http://www.addictionsearch.com/pop_racial.php
War on Drugs in Alaska?
Drug Abuse, Addiction and Treatment and Rehabilitation Situation in Alaska
Due to it’s non-centrally location compared with the rest of the United States and common border with Canada, Alaska has become a transit zone for drug smugglers. The state also has become a major consumer of illicit drugs despite is remote location. The majority of the drug trade is carried out by the Mexican and Dominican drug organizations/cartels.
Over the past 2 decades, Alaska has seen some of the highest per capita use of controlled drugs and large drug seizures have become common. Associated with the illicit drug trade is one of the highest incidence of alcoholism, money laundering, violence, rape and suicide when compared to the rest of the United States.
The major drug trafficked in Alaska is crack cocaine. The trafficking is usually done by the Mexican and Dominican organizations. The cocaine originates from the Southern USA arriving via South America. Because of Alaska’s remote location and difficulty bringing in drugs, the drug cartels resell cocaine at exorbitant prices. In addition to cocaine, black tar heroin is also available in Alaska. The spread of this drug is done by the Mexican organizations.
Today, Oxycontin and methamphetamine have replaced heroin as the drug of abuse. Like all other states, methamphetamine abuse has become an epidemic in Alaska because of its easy availability and cheap price. To counter the methamphetamine abuse, legislation has been passed to remove pseudoephrine from cold remedies. This legal maneuver has helped decrease the abuse of methamphetamine. Drug trafficking organizations obtain the majority of methamphetamine for sale in Alaska from the Southern USA and transport it across state lines using various couriers systems.
Club Drugs are also becoming widely abused in Alaska and the business is very profitable for the traffickers. The club drugs are easily available at most night clubs and are the drugs of choice for abuse among college students.
Marijuana is the most abused and widespread drug in Alaska. Unlike other states, Bill HB49 has been introduced which re-criminalizes the use and possession of marijuana. The majority of marijuana is home grown in sophisticated laboratories. However, the potent and more pure form of marijuana known as BC Bud continues to be smuggled in from Canada.
Prescription drugs are the second most commonly abused drugs. These drugs are easily accessed by illegal dispensing and prescribing by physicians/pharmacists, prescription forgery, doctor shopping, drug thefts from pharmacies and online sales. The drugs most commonly abused include oxycodone (OxyContin®, Percocet, Percodan), hydrocodone (Vicodin, Lortab), and anabolic steroids.
DEA Mobile Enforcement Teams
To counter the drug traffickers, various DEA mobile enforcement teams have been established in Alaska. This cooperative program with state and local law enforcement counterparts were established in response to the escalating problem of drug-related violent crime in the State. While these mobile unit have not eradicated the drug problem, they certainly have led to more arrests of criminals and gangs.
Alaska has recently allowed patients to use medical marijuana if they have specified medical conditions, a state registry ID card and the advice of a physician. Caregivers must also have the ID cards to avoid prosecution for distribution of marijuana. This law was enacted in March of 1999 after voters passed Ballot Measure #8.However, a proposal is now being considered to over turn the state's lenient marijuana laws.
To assist victims of drug abuse, the State is now using money collected from drug traffickers to pay for Rehabilitation/Treatment programs. A few in-patient and outpatient programs have been established to help the victims.
Due to it’s non-centrally location compared with the rest of the United States and common border with Canada, Alaska has become a transit zone for drug smugglers. The state also has become a major consumer of illicit drugs despite is remote location. The majority of the drug trade is carried out by the Mexican and Dominican drug organizations/cartels.
Over the past 2 decades, Alaska has seen some of the highest per capita use of controlled drugs and large drug seizures have become common. Associated with the illicit drug trade is one of the highest incidence of alcoholism, money laundering, violence, rape and suicide when compared to the rest of the United States.
The major drug trafficked in Alaska is crack cocaine. The trafficking is usually done by the Mexican and Dominican organizations. The cocaine originates from the Southern USA arriving via South America. Because of Alaska’s remote location and difficulty bringing in drugs, the drug cartels resell cocaine at exorbitant prices. In addition to cocaine, black tar heroin is also available in Alaska. The spread of this drug is done by the Mexican organizations.
Today, Oxycontin and methamphetamine have replaced heroin as the drug of abuse. Like all other states, methamphetamine abuse has become an epidemic in Alaska because of its easy availability and cheap price. To counter the methamphetamine abuse, legislation has been passed to remove pseudoephrine from cold remedies. This legal maneuver has helped decrease the abuse of methamphetamine. Drug trafficking organizations obtain the majority of methamphetamine for sale in Alaska from the Southern USA and transport it across state lines using various couriers systems.
Club Drugs are also becoming widely abused in Alaska and the business is very profitable for the traffickers. The club drugs are easily available at most night clubs and are the drugs of choice for abuse among college students.
Marijuana is the most abused and widespread drug in Alaska. Unlike other states, Bill HB49 has been introduced which re-criminalizes the use and possession of marijuana. The majority of marijuana is home grown in sophisticated laboratories. However, the potent and more pure form of marijuana known as BC Bud continues to be smuggled in from Canada.
Prescription drugs are the second most commonly abused drugs. These drugs are easily accessed by illegal dispensing and prescribing by physicians/pharmacists, prescription forgery, doctor shopping, drug thefts from pharmacies and online sales. The drugs most commonly abused include oxycodone (OxyContin®, Percocet, Percodan), hydrocodone (Vicodin, Lortab), and anabolic steroids.
DEA Mobile Enforcement Teams
To counter the drug traffickers, various DEA mobile enforcement teams have been established in Alaska. This cooperative program with state and local law enforcement counterparts were established in response to the escalating problem of drug-related violent crime in the State. While these mobile unit have not eradicated the drug problem, they certainly have led to more arrests of criminals and gangs.
Alaska has recently allowed patients to use medical marijuana if they have specified medical conditions, a state registry ID card and the advice of a physician. Caregivers must also have the ID cards to avoid prosecution for distribution of marijuana. This law was enacted in March of 1999 after voters passed Ballot Measure #8.However, a proposal is now being considered to over turn the state's lenient marijuana laws.
To assist victims of drug abuse, the State is now using money collected from drug traffickers to pay for Rehabilitation/Treatment programs. A few in-patient and outpatient programs have been established to help the victims.
Irl Stambaugh fired because Palin's campaign contributors
The Washington Independent reported on Monday that another Sarah Palin firing scandal had been overlooked:
Early in her tenure as mayor, the city council threatened to recall her over accusations that she fired the city's police chief, Irl Stambaugh, and the library director, Mary Ellen Emmons, without warning. She accused them in a letter saying: "I do not feel I have your full support in my efforts to govern the city of Wasilla. Therefore I intend to terminate your employment ..." (The Anchorage Daily News, via nexis)
Ultimately, Palin let the library director have her job back; though Stambaugh's position was not returned. The police chief took the matter to court, where a judge sided with Palin, saying city law allows the mayor to fire the police chief without cause.
ABC News today gives more information on this scandal. The police chief says he was fired because her campaign contributors, including bars and the NRA, didn't like his work:
After taking over as Mayor of the small town of Wasilla, Palin fired the longtime local police chief. The former police chief, Irl Stambaugh says he was fired because he stepped on the toes of Palin's campaign contributors, including bar owners and the National Rifle Association.
Stambaugh's lawyer, William Jermain, says the chief tried to move up the closing hours of local bars from 5 a.m. to two a.m. after a spurt of drunk driving accidents and arrests.
"His crackdown on that practice by the bars was not appreciated by her and that was one reason she terminated Irl," said Jermain.
Early in her tenure as mayor, the city council threatened to recall her over accusations that she fired the city's police chief, Irl Stambaugh, and the library director, Mary Ellen Emmons, without warning. She accused them in a letter saying: "I do not feel I have your full support in my efforts to govern the city of Wasilla. Therefore I intend to terminate your employment ..." (The Anchorage Daily News, via nexis)
Ultimately, Palin let the library director have her job back; though Stambaugh's position was not returned. The police chief took the matter to court, where a judge sided with Palin, saying city law allows the mayor to fire the police chief without cause.
ABC News today gives more information on this scandal. The police chief says he was fired because her campaign contributors, including bars and the NRA, didn't like his work:
After taking over as Mayor of the small town of Wasilla, Palin fired the longtime local police chief. The former police chief, Irl Stambaugh says he was fired because he stepped on the toes of Palin's campaign contributors, including bar owners and the National Rifle Association.
Stambaugh's lawyer, William Jermain, says the chief tried to move up the closing hours of local bars from 5 a.m. to two a.m. after a spurt of drunk driving accidents and arrests.
"His crackdown on that practice by the bars was not appreciated by her and that was one reason she terminated Irl," said Jermain.
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