This piece is aimed at those of you who have placed this pseudo netting of protection around Sarah Palin and her family. Running for political office is nothing more than an invitation to have your past opened, judgments critiqued, words construed and fortitude tested. The Kennedys, Clintons, Bushes and Obamas have all withstood this same scrutiny. No politician has ever been (or ever will be) exempted from, or too sacred for, this public litmus test.
Since Barack Obama revealed himself as a formidable contender for the presidency, every fiber of his life has been ripped apart, dissected into a million pieces and placed under a microscope. He has been accused of attending a Muslim preparatory school, associating with known terrorists, supporting the rhetoric of Jeremiah Wright, not being patriotic enough, living in too big a home, having too much net worth…BLAH, BLAH, BLAH! Though none of these accusations may be true or even relevant, all are rightfully called into question. Anyone claiming to posses the credentials and resilience to rule the free world (or any office for that matter), should have their lives, qualifications, associations, current or former spouse(s), education and background scrutinized.
With that said, let's go back to the matter of Sarah Palin. What the heck is she running for - Vice President or God? This woman is by no means beyond inspection. Her family, children, work history, political virtues, voting records and associations are all fair game. So when I hear this crap about not delving into her personal life or inquiring about the pregnancy of her unwed, pregnant, teenaged daughter – I cringe! Since when does it not make sense to draw parallels between a candidate’s personal and political decisions? When did questions about the way a candidate governs her home or children constitute smear or sexism? This is fool’s talk, and not to ask such questions is negligent and reckless. Though it can obviously sometimes be one, a question does not always suggest an attack,
The Bush girls were constantly poked and prodded for their partying and alcohol induced escapades. The Reagan children didn’t have a cakewalk either. Patty and Ron Jr. had the covers pulled back on their lives, long after their father left the White House. Even spouses are not immune. Michelle Obama was subject to this sort of blindsiding aggression, when Fox News referred to her as Barack’s “baby mama”. This was an obviously unnecessary and unjustified comment, having nothing to do with Barack’s worthiness as president, or Michelle’s as a first lady, but certainly a kind of callousness and ridicule that often comes with the territory.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - jamminsue
Inconsistency Boxed: Palin and Neo-Con Republican Values
If we liberals are going to continue Palin bashing, let’s present dialog that speaks to items that have been presented, rather than manufacturing some. The main issue is how she holds ideas that are irrational, for instance she is pro life " don’t abort a human fetus, but it’s OK to hunt and fish, and use the environment in ways that destroy life. LIFE is LIFE; no one part should be more precious than another. Further, killing others for ideological issues as is being done in Iraq is OK, which is again irrational. She supports continued use of coal-based (there is no such thing as “clean coal”) and nuclear energy sources when we don’t know how to take care of the waste, (which incidentally, will kill those precious babies) and water is getting scarce. One way to side step irrationality is to keep each idea in a separate compartment, so it does not come near the logical extensions of the idea, and cause one to have to address their irrationality.
1. When McCain was first introducing her, the fact she is a mother of five got a big ovation. How does that make someone qualified for office? The last baby is only six months old; do we want a VP that may have another baby while in office? Let alone the Zero Population movement that should be respected.
2. We probably shouldn’t use this, but this really pushes my buttons. She is not a Soccer Mom; Soccer Moms are in touch with their children. I would not have let my 17-year-old daughter go around with someone like Levi. I was a working Soccer Mom, running my daughters everywhere, they are now 20 and 21. When they were 17, I knew their friends and where they were, neither of them has been pregnant, both are now in college, making good life decisions. This is where neo-cons are accepting a really perverted spin " they are afire with joy that 17 year-old Bristol is having a baby and getting married. Further is just rapturous that Bristol’s family is showing unconditional love. Isn’t that what a family is supposed to do? That is a basic requirement, not something to be elevated to such a high ideal. To a neo-con, isn’t premarital sex a sin? Oh, yeah, and isn’t it within the neo-con creed to keep one’s children unworldly? Palin supports teaching abstinence as the method of choice for birth control; Palin’s own daughter’s actions disprove that misguided idea. This is compartmentalization on so many issues by so many, and something I cannot be rational about.
3. Palin answers that she hasn't thought about the war in Iraq. With a son in the military, soon to be shipped out, that is one strange answer. Either she is lying, incredibly callous, or doesn't have clue what say. Two things come to mind: a VP that may be only a figurehead when the Pres is 72? So very cold to not care about what her son is facing? I sure don’t want someone for VP who is a liar or so cold or just plain unengaged about what is important to most people in this country.
4. Pro Life, part 1: Palin is against all abortions, regardless of reason. The offices of President and Vice President have very little to say about changing those laws; that issue belongs to State governments. Having abortion as a plank on a Federal Office ticket is just rhetoric. The one chance a President has to change Roe v. Wade is by choosing Supreme Court judges. Which I believe has backfired in the past so does not help all that much. Ditto the overall neo-con agenda to put prayer and creationism back in schools. Those also are not Federal, only State issues. On these issues the Bully Pulpit is not effective. So this is purely noise, and waste of ink and paper.
5. Pro-life part 2: Palin hunts and is willing to compromise the environment for a few more drops of Alaska oil. She is objecting to putting the polar bears on the endangered species list. She wants to allow people to shoot wolves from planes thinking they are responsible for the problems with big game. The issues of debunking wolf depredations and the fragility of the polar bears are scientific facts. If you are pro-life, then you should be pro-life for everything, not one thing and not another. This is compartmentalizing.
6. Pro-life part 3: The choice to carry the Downs baby does not qualify her for office, is not a Pro-Life celebration, and should be off limits to her and the liberals. What would the life of that Downs baby be is she became VP? If he is institutionalized, then what was the point in having the baby? If he ends up living at busy 34th Street and Massachusetts Avenue, without the quiet loving atmosphere that has been proven to be the best environment to allow development, it would be a shame. She should have been more responsible to this child.
7. Alaska Oil: Palin is touted as being an enemy to Big Oil, how can she be when her husband works for BP? No one pays income tax in Alaska and in fact, money from the state government is paid to the citizens as “dividends” from oil tax revenues, a major bribe by the oil companies. How can this reconcile? A careful look at that supposed “standing up to” should be arranged to see if it really was as suggested. This would be a great job for the press. This too is possibly compartmentalization.
8. Feminism: Palin’s pro-life stance, and wanting to limit access to birth control as well, could put women back to Kinder, Küche, Kirche, which will contribute to more social stratification within this country. For the average workers, earning less than $20/ hour, it takes two or three breadwinners to create the money for “middle class” living. Usual supporters of women’s rights are interested in equal pay for work, stopping the excessive cost for strictly feminine goods and services, and breaking the “glass ceiling.” I find it distressing that women who are for equal rights are excited by someone like Palin just because she is a woman, who will do all she can to stop any further advances, and roll things back if possible. Palin seems to have some desire to be seen as a feminist, because of echoing the “eighteen million cracks” comment but that again is compartmentalizing, touting one part of women’s rights and rejecting the logical extensions. I believe the employment laws, including wage control are made by the Federal Government, and supplemented by State law.
9. Vindictiveness: No matter how you cut it, the issue of the dismissal of her ex-brother-in-law’s superior is a clear indication of a streak of vindictiveness, which is really, really, a bad trait for a potential POTUS. I have not heard a response to this except she didn’t do it, which will, if the investigation is finished in time, be her undoing. Here is a place for the press to do the job they are best suited " stay on top of that investigation ad be sure it is completed on schedule.
10. What is so cool about selling a plane on E-Bay? Did Alaska get a reasonable price with reference to the original investment? When do political candidates tout businesses? What about the story of returning the “bridge to nowhere” money and claiming it is a defining moment, when she accepted other federal earmark funds, which are properly an anathema to John McCain? This absolutely is compartmentalization.
Other unacceptable positions come to mind. I have not seen if Palin is a supporter of Faith-Based Initiatives, but believe she probably is, considering what else we know. The Faith-Based Initiatives are unconstitutional, so are again an empty issue, and a waste of time, paper and ink. Whose faith is okay and whose isn’t? This is so very wrong in so many ways.
And, I read her convention speech; if she commented on the economy I missed it. The economy is always #1 on the minds of American voters, so mentioning that lack is again an indication of callous lack of care, and shows the bankruptcy of the Republican Party’s platform with reference to the economy.
These are the issues that make her unacceptable. These are the issues that show inconsistency. This election will not be won by sensationalizing non-issues that are pure speculation, which should be private things. Our country is over 200 years old; we should be past the sex stuff and addressing more mature issues. Clean up the rhetoric; get back to the real issues.
Remember the last successful mantra: “It’s the economy, stupid”
2 - Jet
The one Bible axium that the Conservates can't and won't live by-Judge not lest ye judged thyself.
3 - Holden Mcgroin
I did a google search on palen - she's was never the gov. of Alaska - she works at a Circle K in Fairfax, ca. - certainly lacks the experience for VP of US.
Plus DorkCain is about ready to keel over. SCARY
4 - Eagle Eye
she is pro life - don't abort a human fetus, but it's OK to hunt and fish, and use the environment in ways that destroy life.
Don't forget the liberals which probably should have been aborted
5 - Ruvy
jamminsue,
Reading your summary of liberal talking points, my eyes glazed over. They sound so boringly familiar to me, so painfully pathetic.
The point of of impaling Sarah Palin on a phallus of sexual controversy is that Sarah Palin likes to get laid - and she got pregnant getting laid. Her daughter Bristol is the same way. The apple does not fall far from the tree, and this particular tree grows in huge forests in America, lumbering not-withstanding.
And jamminsue - sex sells. And that is what is really wrong with your country - its spelling has been changed to "cuntry".
Sorry if that seems offensive - it is a painful truth.
6 - Arch Conservative
"The one Bible axium that the Conservates can't and won't live by-Judge not lest ye judged thyself."
Gee Jet, you're nothing if origianl.
The bible also says judge righteous judgement.
The bible is full of verses that say we should judge other as long as that judgement is in accordance with god's will.
Not that I am a bible thumper or seeking to judge your lifestyle, that's your own business. It's just so tired and annoying to hear someone yet again quote that passage from the bible.
"she is pro life - don't abort a human fetus, but it's OK to hunt and fish, and use the environment in ways that destroy life."
Equating the life of a baby with that of an Alaskan salmon. Yeah we really need people like you in the debate to choose our leaders Eagle eye.
7 - Zedd
Ruvy,
In Palin's church they preach that Israel is in peril because you haven't turned to Jesus. Would you agree?
8 - Ruvy
Zedd,
Let's repeat this one more time. You seem to have trouble comprehending me.
Palin may be a Christian, and she may be a Pentecostal and doctrinally her church might seek the conversion of my people. So, doctrinally, her church is an enemy of my people. But your country is basically a Christian country, so why should I be upset? Christian doctrines don't scare me; they don't impress me. I'm no ghetto kike who gets worried about the goyim or what they think. If someone wants to kill me, spiritually or otherwise, my philosophy is to kill them first- spiritually or otherwise.
The key point is that Sarah Palin will not laugh at a person who says that G-d surrounds her like a warm blanket on a colds day. G-d, the Creator of the Universe, is real to Sarah; and the blunt fact of the matter is that you Americans need someone to whom G-d is real. I may not agree with her on all the details of Redemption, as I do not agree with Irene Wagner on all the details of Redemption. But someone like me can explain clearly to Governor Palin why dividing this nation to create an Arab terror state is wrong, is a sin against G-d - and Sarah Palin will understand me. A hypocritical prick like Bush or Carter would not.
Zedd, let's summarize that for you in one simple easy to read sentence. I don't give a shit what her church preaches.
Capisce?
9 - Condor
Jet,
What are doing reading the bible? I thought you were a baseless atheist.
10 - Condor
Ruvy,
Spoken with the truth of conviction of every good solid Jewish practitioner out there.
Christians take note, the muslims aren't the only ones who hate you.
Jewish take note, the Muslims hate you, but the Christians don't, well certain denominations of the Christians anyway.
Ruvy, am I out of line or is this not fundementally correct?
11 - Joanne Huspek
I see your point about investigating Palin, especially since many of us never heard of her before last week. However, I think that the high number of online searches are due to 1. Just that fact, we don't know her, and 2. Bloggers and others in the media (especially online) are looking specifically for dirt, and that's the fastest way to find it.
However, I knew nothing about Michelle Obama (except that she shops off the rack at Black Market/White House)until I purchased Barack's book. The media is taking a hands off approach with her, which they should. Michelle Obama is not running for office. Contrast that to the mounds of dirt and speculation that has been thrust on 17 year old Bristol Palin in only a short week. Bristol Palin is also not running for office.
I have said it before, and I'll say it again, tying the actions of an impulsive 17 year old who no doubt thinks she is a grown adult woman (I know, I have an 18 year old) to her parents generally and her mother specifically is not relevant. No matter what a parent says, believes, or has guided in the past, the kids - especially at that age - will do what they want. Witness the examples you gave of the Bush girls and Ron and Patty Reagan. What difference did that make? It is just as curious to me that people took to using kid gloves with Amy Carter and Chelsea Clinton.
If the media wants to get to the meat of the matter, I am all for it. If they want to provide glossy celebrity-type coverage, forget it. I won't listen.
12 - Condor
JamminSue.
What you wrote in Number 1, is not a comment, it's a piece. You need to post it as an article so more people can read it.
13 - Arch Conservative
Has anyone seen Obama at one of his events lately?
I saw footage of him from the O'Reilly interview and froma campgin stop.
He looks like absolute shit. He looks tired and worn out. I also thought I saw some grey hairs.
He better start getting more sleep at night or something. He's got a rough tough eight weeks ahead of him.
Maybe he'll just do what he used to do back in the day and score a couple of eight balls to give him that quick pick me up that he needs on the campaign trail.
14 - troll
Ruvy - is there an ethical difference between someone who 'wants' to kill you and someone who 'intends' to kill you - ?
15 - Lolapete
Have you even thought about changing your name to Arch A**hole? Your comments are so unnecessary and juvie! In true form, much like your conservative "kind", it's much easier for you to launch an attack, rather than a fact. Why is your "KIND" so angry? Why do your speaking points always seem to be laced with venom and hatred? Sounds like you're the one whose had one too many "eight balls"! Why don’t you snap out of your stupid, crack-induced stupor and for once in your life --- say something worthy of remembering!
16 - Ruvy
Condor,
I do not hate Christians. I have little use for their doctrines. There is a big difference between the two. While there is a huge doctrinal gulf, a Christian who is an honest believer in G-d will have a great deal in common with a Jew who is an honest believer in G-d. For the most part, we work from the same Tana"kh.
An honest believer in prophecy will understand why it is a sin - not to mention a disaster - to try and divide this country up, giving a portion to the Arabs as a terror state. If Sarah Palin is an honest believer in prophecy, she will understand a Jew referring to Jewish works of prophecy.
So for my money, if she is such a person, she needs to be reached and spoken to - not by some bent backed Jew who has no faith in the mission G-d has given us, but by someone like me (not necessarily me, of course).
Because of the basic gulf in doctrine (three gods, three gods, three gods in one!), there can be no realistic "ecumenical diaglogue" between Christians and Jews. Either you accept Christian salvation or you don't. Everything else is bullshit.
But there can be an understanding on the part of Christians not to mess with Jews or curse them - lest all Christians become cursed as a result of cursing Jews. The actions of the sitting regime in the United States is tantamount to exactly that - cursing the Jews by seeking to divide the Land.
Someone needs to get that across to Sarah Palin - not for our sakes, Condor - for yours, and to protect you.
17 - Arch Conservative
I'm the angry one Lolapete?
Hey it's not my fault that your messiah's nickname (one of them) used to be eight ball Barry.
I was merely making an observation. He's looked very tired and worn out in his recent appearances.
The logical conclusion to be drawn form that is to wonder wether or not in an attempt to meet the rigorous demands of the camapign, Barry will fall back into his old habits of paying a visit to Southside Johnny for a little tuneup the next time he is in Chicago.
I'm sure that's not his only option though. I must admit I haven't been following his schedule but it doesn't seem to far fetched that it might not bring him back through Chicago any time soon. There's nothing from stopping him from sending a campaign staffer out in the middle of the night in the next city he stops in with orders to find the "good stuff."
No anger here lolapete...just commentary on how the campaign appears to be affecting Obama. You're the one that came off as angry in your post.....suggesting I change my name to Arch Asshole? You need to relax. All that anger will kill ya.
18 - Jordan Richardson
So the long and short of it is, Ruvy, that you have "no use" for Christian doctrine and, in fact, would even consider her church to be an "enemy of your people."
But when there is a benefit for your people, you beg the Sarah Palins of the world for help and claim that we're all in danger if she doesn't help. And this is because you believe that your people are God's Chosen People, correct?
What if you're wrong?
What if the OT was a collection of pagan mythology and cultural scraps, as many leading scholars are starting to believe, written by multiple authors? What if Moses didn't pen the words from Sinai at all? As scholars continue to sift through documents and the documentary hypothesis looks more and more likely, how would that, if at all, challenge your point of view? Or is this an issue purely of faith?
19 - Jordan Richardson
Hey it's not my fault that your messiah's nickname (one of them) used to be eight ball Barry.
I know it's a rough business asking you for factual evidence, but do you have any to back up this assertion, Archie?
just commentary on how the campaign appears to be affecting Obama.
And empty, baseless accusations.
20 - Arch Conservative
Barry himself admitted he used to be a cokehead.
The empty baseless accusations are what's being hurled at Sarah Palin.
Seriouly turn on your TV today and take a look at Obama. He's not looking so good.
I wouldn't be surprised if he turns otu to be the next Marion Barry...but then again that's not likely as the "hope" and "change" guru has much more security than Marion Barry had and is not likely to get caught.
21 - Arch Conservative
Or maybe he could be the next Harry belafonte.........
dya- day-o day-a-a-o
Da press come and me want an eight ball
22 - Jordan Richardson
Barry himself admitted he used to be a cokehead.
Barack Obama admitted to doing "a little blow" as a teenage boy. There's a big difference between your assertion and the facts, although if you want to get into cokeheads and drug habits in Washington, I'm sure we can do that. Just be consistent, Arch.
The empty baseless accusations are what's being hurled at Sarah Palin.
Name one. Just one that didn't come from some "blogger" or Us Magazine. And try to leave the supermarket tabloids out of it, too.
23 - Arch Conservative
Well firstthere was the Obama camp sending out a press release saying Palin supported Pat Buchannan who is a nazi sympathizer.
There's all the media outlets saying Palin is a bad mom because she won't be able tot take care of her kids if she's vp but they never felt it necessary to accuse Obama of being a bad parent for the same wanting to be president.
Hey Jordan.........do you know which cities have the best blow? Not having ever done it myself I don't. But I bet ol' "Eight Ball Barry does." It would be interesting to see what cities he has planned stops in over the next couple of days.
24 - Jordan Richardson
Regarding Pat Buchanan, there are scores of AP reports of Sarah Palin wearing a supportive button when he visited Wasilla. She was mayor at the time. Palin claimed that she was wearing the button in order to, paraphrasing of course, "be polite." Tap-dancing aside, it's hardly a baseless foundation. Somebody wearing a button supporting Buchanan is more likely than not to be considered a supporter. I wouldn't wear an Obama button to be polite.
There's all the media outlets saying Palin is a bad mom because she won't be able tot take care of her kids if she's vp but they never felt it necessary to accuse Obama of being a bad parent for the same wanting to be president.
What "media outlet" has made this claim?
do you know which cities have the best blow?
Not Vancouver, I can tell you that.
25 - Arch Conservative
The point wasn't that she supported him [Personal attack deleted by Comments Editor. Is your memory failing you again, Archie? Remember, my finger is never very far from the delete key...].
It was the Obama camp claimed he's a nazi sympathizer and trying to imply that Palin is as well.
Do you believe Palin is a Nazi sympathizer Jordan?
What "media outlet" has made this claim?
I remember it being discussed on MSNBC for one.