Inspire Political Discourse

FUNERAL CRASHER! Sarah Palin Knows No Boundaries - Crashes Wally Hickel's Funeral

Stepping firmly down on to a new low, today Palin crashed the funeral of a man said to despise her, Wally Hickel (R), the former Alaska governor and the Secretary of Interior under Nixon.

Shannyn Moore, an Alaskan blogger, wrote a moving tribute to Hickel as she smote Palin's latest outrage with her well-inked superpen.

Half-Governor Sarah Palin crashed twice-Governor Wally Hickel's funeral today. Trust me, if Sarah Palin was paying her respects, the check would bounce. The guest list was impressive with many Alaskan dignitaries. And then there was Palin with her daughter Piper, the 8-year-old human shield, in tow.

Ms. Moore wrote of Hickel's accomplishments, of Hickel as a human being, and of Hickel's unfavorable opinion of Sarah Palin.

My friend, Geoffrey Dunn asked Hickel last year for a formal, on-the-record response to Palin's stunted career as governor. Dunn wrote, "He took a deep pause. "She fell in love with the national spotlight and lost her ethical compass," he said thoughtfully. "That was a sad day for Alaska and America."

After the 2008 election, Hickel's Anchorage Daily News article eviscerated Palin's race baiting on the campaign trail."Palin became the spokesperson for the divisive voices in American politics. She dismissed the greatness of our immigrant heritage, indeed of today's Alaska, where in Anchorage alone nearly 100 languages are spoken in the homes of the children in our public schools."

And from Geoffrey Dunn, there is this:

Hickel viewed Palin with personal disdain, describing her "political opportunism" in the most condemnatory terms possible. He had lost all respect for her. She "used" him like she would use many other patrons as she scratched and lied her way to a strange form of national political celebrity, and Hickel was not afraid to call it like he saw it. He was not bitter--he was a much bigger man than that--but at the same time, he was not afraid to show his disgust. "I don't give a damn about her," he told me.

She did not belong at this man's funeral, and the depths to which Narcissus, er....Sarah Palin, will sink, never ceases to amaze me.

---

IPD Political News Summary: Wednesday, April 15, 2009

               Pete Souza/White House

| The biggest story of the past couple of days was the introduction of Bo Obama, the newest resident of the White House, on Tuesday. A Portuguese Water Dog, Bo is completely adorable. If you'd like to see his intro to the press, the best video is from the BBC, and NYT has the best pics.
__________________________

| On Tuesday night, Reuters reported that another U.S.-flagged and U.S.-owned ship, the Liberty Sun, was attacked by Somali pirates. The pirates attacked with rockets and automatic weapons, but failed to board the ship. The crew was unharmed, but the ship did suffer damage, and contacted the U.S. Navy for help. They are now under escort by the USS Bainbridge. __________________________

Anonymity, Political Commentary, and Why Alaska Democrat Mike Doogan is an Asshat

This country has a long, and revered history of anonymous political commentary, beginning with Thomas Paine, the author of the widely read pamphlet, Common Sense (1776), which advocated for America’s independence from Great Britain, and The American Crisis (1776–1783), a pro-revolutionary pamphlet series.

Our founding fathers also utilized the ability to anonymously make political commentary in the creation of our country. The greatest example of this is The Federalist Papers.

The Federalist Papers are comprised of 85 articles advocating the ratification of the U.S. Constitution, and were originally published between October 1787 and August 1788. They were written by  Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay, using the pseudonym "Publius," in order to preserve anonymity and to ensure that the ideas were considered on their own merit, separate from the authors of the ideas. These papers are still today a primary source for interpretation of the Constitution, being that they outline both the philosophy and the motivation for the system of government being proposed.

Another Attack on Roe V. Wade

:: This one is in the form of H.R. 35 in Alaska, a bill which seeks to require parental consent for anyone under 17 to receive an abortion. And as you might have presumed, the bill is supported by Sarah Palin. From the Anchorage Daily News:

 

Gov. Sarah Palin on Thursday threw her support behind a controversial bill that would generally require parental consent before girls under age 17 could get an abortion.

"Wherever you fall on the abortion issue, right or left, this legislation is about family, and it's about parents' rights and protecting our children, and it's supported by legislators on both sides of the aisle."

__________________________

Random Politics: Oh Those Republicans.....

Wow, it's only Tuesday, and the Republicans are having quite the week already.

The politicizing GOP govs were chastised by Sen. Schumer, who told them, and everyone else, that the stimulus for their states is not a multiple-choice sort of deal. Um, duh. And then, to make it sweeter, the Pres himself had a go at them.

Obama gave a great, inspiring speech, outlining huge reforms, and touting as the end result a USA that will be better and stronger than ever.

In a masterful and entertaining stroke of PURE GOLD HYPOCRISY, Sen. David Vitter (R-LA) called on Sen. Roland Burris (D-IL) to resign his Senate seat. Vitter is the idiot who refused to resign when caught in his own ethical shortcomings a couple of years ago. Think DC Madam + Vitter. You would think Vitter would be smart enough to lay low. Not.

In July 2007, published reports identified Vitter as a client of "D.C. Madam" Deborah Jeane Palfrey, whom federal prosecutors convicted of running a prostitution ring. Vitter responded by publicly admitting "a very serious sin in my past," but never offered specifics and was never called to testify in Palfrey's 2008 trial. Palfrey committed suicide last spring between her conviction and sentencing.

Vitter refused calls seeking his resignation and is running for re-election in 2010.

But the most interesting stuff about Vitter's own ethical issues is here, and involves....diapers.  Heh.

Meanwhile, Sarah Palin is told to pay $7000 in back taxes because she charged the taxpayers for her kids travel and had an ethics complaint filed against her. Poor, poor Sarah.

The Republican gov of Utah, Jon Huntsman Jr., calls the GOP congressional leadership irrelevant. Gasp.

Michael Steele threatened to punish GOP Senators Susan Collins, Olympia Snowe, and Arlen Specter because they voted yes on the stimulus package. He would do this by withholding RNC monies for their re-election bids. Steele, you are a FOOL. Really.

We learned that web pages mocking Bush, rank higher in Google than his own library site. Way to go, Google!

George Will has brought down the rep of the Washington Post, which has moved towards becoming a right-wing rag since Katherine Graham died (RIP). Stick to baseball, Georgie.

The GOP has caused Schwarzenegger to rethink his party affiliation. Remember people......this is the guy that 43 called "Conan the Republican". Ouch.

Bobby Jindal gave a really sad speech in response to the Pres' inspiring speech. In fact he sounded like he was talking to a kindergarten class ---what a blooming IDIOT!!  ps.....Overheard during Obama's speech: the Republicans claiming that they have tried to be bi-partisan, but Obama has not. OMG, give these people a CLUE, please!

Obama kicks GOP ass with one hand tied behind his back, and makes it look nice and easy.

So tell me, what goes better with schadenfreude - a good brandy or a nice Pinot Gris or Merlot? Think I'll opt for an Amaretto.

Ashley Judd on Sarah Palin's Slaughter of Wildlife

The organization, Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund, and Ashley Judd, take on Sarah Palin's predator control policies.
The thing I find interesting, is that on the articles re this video, at least on the newspapers and larger blogs, the comments center around Judd's postion on abortion. She is pro-choice.
The room-temperature IQ Rushpublicans are going after her claiming that she is all for "killing babies", yet fighting for animal rights.
What a completely ass backwards view of both issues.

RELATED ARTICLES:

Palin dishonors Alaska with excessive 'predator control'

Geoffrey Dunn: White Fangs: Judd vs. Palin Battle Gets Nasty

Shannyn Moore: Elisabeth: The Tribe Has Spoken, Ashley Judd has the View

Ashley Judd Slams Sarah Palin For Promoting Aerial Killing Of Wolves

Weekend Political News Summary: January 24-25, 2009

:: SURPRISE....No comprehensive case files on many Guantanamo detainees. From the Washington Post:

President Obama's plans to expeditiously determine the fates of about 245 terrorism suspects held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and quickly close the military prison there were set back last week when incoming legal and national security officials -- barred until the inauguration from examining classified material on the detainees -- discovered that there were no comprehensive case files on many of them.

__________________________
:: Palin aides being charged with new ethics violations. From HUFFPOST:

In her current complaint against McAllister, McLeod sites a series of activities that she contends violate Alaska's "Executive Branch Code of Ethics," which prohibits public officials from using or authorizing "the use of state funds, facilities, equipment, services, or another government asset or resource for partisan political purposes."

"These campaign activities have absolutely nothing to do with the public's business, and everything to do with promoting Palin's personal endeavors and political aspirations," McLeod declared in an exclusive interview. "This must not go unchallenged."

__________________________
:: According to the complete dick, Rush Limbaugh, Republicans should be against the stimulus plan because it could hurt their electoral chances. Politics as usual. From Think Progress:

Sarah Palin and the Turkeys

Almost surreal. Yesterday, Palin visited Wasilla in order to pardon a local turkey in honor of Thanksgiving. Meanwhile, after she pardoned the turkey, she continues talking to the local tv station [KTUU], seemingly oblivious to the turkeys being slaughtered in the background. Excuse me, but WTF?

Be forewarned - you might find the video gruesome.

On another, truly catty but satisfying note, ahem, Palin looks like she is now making do without her stylist, makeup artist and her designer wardrobe. She looks every minute of her age, and more. Heh. Sometimes justice does prevail, at least in the little ways.

Lieberman Goes Unpunished by Senate - DPN - Wednesday, November 19, 2008

►ABC News reports that P-E Obama has appointed a blogger, the first ever to fill a cabinet position, for his cabinet. | Source

►Lieberman crows to Couric about his lack of punishment, and says he feels "closer to Dems" than he has since 2000. *gagging*

Watch CBS Videos Online

“Asked to respond to critics who are angry at how little punishment Lieberman received for campaigning against Barack Obama in the election, the Connecticut Independent pointed to Barack Obama's appeal against retribution.”  »Huffpo

:: Lieberman: Dems didn’t punish me »Politico

►Not really political 'news' persay, but nevertheless of interest to many online, Andrew Sullivan, at The Atlantic poses the question "Will Blogs Kill Political Magazines?" Interesting and well written, Sullivan is one of my favorite writers online.

:: James Joyner responds to Sullivan »Outside the Beltway
:: Sullivan responds to Joyner in Will Blogs Kill Political Magazines?, Ctd.

Begich Defeats Stevens in Alaska Senate Race

Breaking News: from the Anchorage Daily News:

Democrat Mark Begich has defeated Republican Sen. Ted Stevens in the election for U.S. Senate. The Anchorage mayor widened his lead to 3,724 votes in today's counting of absentee and questioned ballots.

This is FABULOUS because it means that Palin will not be going to Washington. YAH!!

Political News Round-up - Tuesday, November 18, 2008

►Eric Holder to be named Obama's attorney general [Holder was Clinton's deputy attorney general], and thus the first Aftrican-American US Attorney General. According to Charles Gibson on ABC World News, two senior Democratic senators told ABC that they expect Holder to be confirmed.

“President-elect Obama has decided to tap Eric Holder as his attorney general, putting the veteran Washington lawyer in place to become the first African-American to head the Justice Department, according to two legal sources close to the presidential transition.”  NEWSWEEK
:: Holder to be named attorney general   »MSNBC
:: Barack Obama picks Eric Holder as first black attorney general  »Weekly Telegraph - UK

►As we told you yesterday that he would, Lieberman has kept his chairmanship of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee but lost his chairmanship of the Environment and Public Works subcommittee, which is a minor post. This so ticks me off. Update: New movement - LOL- today is "International Laugh at Joe Lieberman Day".

“How about we make the rest of the calendar year International Grow Some Mother Fracking Balls Day, and deluge the rest of the Senate Democrats?”  Jason Linkins

Todd Palin Should Be Ineligible for a Security Clearance

Todd Palin's Past Political Associations A Likely Security Clearance Disqualifier

Although Sarah Palin smack talks Barack Obama for "palling around with terrorists," it turns out that the Palin family has its own history of palling around with Alaska's own unique brand of America-haters. Palin's husband Todd was once an actual member of the secessionist Alaskan Independence Party (AIP). Palin herself was not a member of AIP -- but many AIP luminaries claim her as a kindred spirit and "one of their own."

A charitable characterization of AIP might be "quirky down-home Alaska politics." However, the security processes that govern access to our defense and national security institutions might not look so kindly on Todd Palin's past political associations. Indeed, if Todd Palin were applying for a job in the US government or at a contractor that required access to sensitive classified information -- a security clearance -- he would very likely be ineligible.

What's so bad about the AIP? The party officially renounces violence and disloyalty to the United States

Read full article.

Lawsuit to Freeze the Troopergate Investigation Goes to Court

Inspire Note: What is Palin hiding? If she is innocent, let the investigation go forward, and allow the public to know the truth.

►Troopergate suit heads to court - The Anchorage Daily News

A lawsuit aimed at freezing the Legislature's abuse-of-power investigation of Gov. Sarah Palin hits the courtroom this week.

Troopergate documents

Troopergate from the beginning

Colberg files suit to quash subpoenas

RELATED ARTICLES: 

►Legislative subpoenas go unanswered

►Palin, Monegan comments on Troopergate changed over time

►Alaska Politics blog: The Troopergate papers

►Colberg files suit to quash subpoenas

►Video: Colberg Friday news conference

►Video: What Palin has said about Troopergate, and what the campaign says now

►Todd Palin Ignores Subpoena in Troopergate Investigation

►Todd Palin Ignores Troopergate Subpoena - CBS News

►Todd Palin Subpoenaed in TrooperGate Investigation

►Alaskans Against Sarah Palin Rally

Anti-Palin Rally on Saturday Angry About Troopergate

►Anti-Palin rally calls for Colberg removal - The Anchorage Daily News

TROOPERGATE: More than 1,000 protesters gather in downtown Anchorage park.

A protest slamming Gov. Sarah Palin's handling of the state's so-called Troopergate investigation -- and calling for the attorney general to lose his job -- drew more than 1,000 people to the Delaney Park Strip in Anchorage on Saturday. Continue reading here.

RELATED ARTICLES:

►Legislative subpoenas go unanswered

►Palin, Monegan comments on Troopergate changed over time

►Alaska Politics blog: The Troopergate papers

►Colberg files suit to quash subpoenas

►Video: Colberg Friday news conference

►Video: What Palin has said about Troopergate, and what the campaign says now

►Todd Palin Ignores Subpoena in Troopergate Investigation

►Todd Palin Ignores Troopergate Subpoena - CBS News

►Todd Palin Subpoenaed in TrooperGate Investigation

►Alaskans Against Sarah Palin Rally

Palin in Alaska - The Troopergate Investigation

►Today's Headlines on Anchorage Daily News

Legislative subpoenas go unanswered

With state officials again defying legislative subpoenas in the investigation of whether Gov. Sarah Palin abused her power, the war between state lawmakers and Alaska's attorney general is escalating.

Palin, Monegan comments on Troopergate changed over time

Alaska Politics blog: The Troopergate papers

Colberg files suit to quash subpoenas

Video: Colberg Friday news conference

Video: What Palin has said about Troopergate, and what the campaign says now

RELATED ARTICLES:

>Todd Palin Ignores Subpoena in Troopergate Investigation
>Todd Palin Ignores Troopergate Subpoena - CBS News
>Republicans Shaping Palin's Image - Carefully - and Angering Alaskans as They Do So
>Todd Palin Subpoenaed in TrooperGate Investigation
>Kathleen Parker, a Conservative Republican, Calls for Palin to Step Down
>Media Literally Revolt Over McCain Campaign Severe Limitations of Palin's Foreign Relations Tutorial at the UN
>Alaskans Against Sarah Palin Rally
>Newsweek Calls for Palin to Step Down
>The Palin Pick -- The Devolution of McCain

Republicans Shaping Palin's Image - Carefully - and Angering Alaskans as They Do So

►McCain campaign takes over shaping Palin image - Anchorage Daily News

GOP vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin is effectively turning over questions about her record as Alaska's governor to John McCain's political campaign, part of an ambitious Republican strategy to limit embarrassing disclosures and carefully shape her image for voters in the rest of the country.

Republican efforts include dispatching a former top U.S. terrorism prosecutor from New York, Ed O'Callaghan, to assist Palin's personal lawyer working to derail or delay a pending ethics investigation in Alaska. The investigation, known as Troopergate, is examining whether the governor abused her power by trying to remove her former brother-in-law as a state trooper.

O'Callaghan is just part of a cadre of high-powered operatives ...........  Continue reading here.

►Palin Throws Alaska Under the Bus - Mudflats

GOP vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin is effectively turning over questions about her record as Alaska’s governor to John McCain’s political campaign, part of an ambitious Republican strategy to limit embarrassing disclosures and carefully shape her image for voters in the rest of the country.

That’s the lead in from the Anchorage Daily News story about the latest GOP strong-arm tactics to perform what many Alaskans feel is an outside political takeover of the state’s Troopergate investigation.  A pack of high-powered east coast lawyers are the new artisans of the Palin “image”.  If anyone has a question about Palin’s 20 months as governor, ask the McCain campaign, because apparently no one else can give you  the answers.

This is not going over well in Alaska.  I’ll use my usual caveat that there are lots of Alaskans who happily subscribe to the “Sarah right or wrong” mentality, and will continue to do so.  However, the progressive take on this whole latest mess is only slightly short of taking torches and pitchforks and surrounding the Attorney General’s office, demanding an end to the stonewalling. Continue reading here

Technorati Tags: Palin, Palin Colberg, Palin investigation, Palin stonewall, Palin subpoenas, Sarah Palin, Talis Colberg, Troopergate, 2008 election, 2008 presidential campaigns, Alaska, Republican machine, Alaska reaction to Palin stonewalling on Troopergate, Republicans

Palin Hired Friends and Smacked Foes

Once Elected, Palin Hired Friends and Lashed Foes - The New York Times

WASILLA, Alaska — Gov. Sarah Palin lives by the maxim that all politics is local, not to mention personal.

So when there was a vacancy at the top of the State Division of Agriculture, she appointed a high school classmate, Franci Havemeister, to the $95,000-a-year directorship. A former real estate agent, Ms. Havemeister cited her childhood love of cows as a qualification for running the roughly $2 million agency.

Ms. Havemeister was one of at least five schoolmates Ms. Palin hired, often at salaries far exceeding their private sector wages. Continue reading here.

Technorati Tags: Sarah Palin,2008 elections,2008 presidential campaigns,Wasilla,wasilla alaska,Palin and cronyism,politics,palin's ethics

Alaskans Against Sarah Palin Rally

"Alaskan Women Reject Palin" Rally - The Huffington Post

I attended the Welcome Home rally for Sarah Palin this morning. Hooo. It was an experience. About a thousand (maybe) hard-core Palin supporters showed up to hear her speak at the new Dena'ina Convention Center in downtown Anchorage.

After shaking it off with a good double shot of espresso, and a brisk walk back to my car, it was time to head to the Alaska Women Reject Palin rally. It was to be held outside on the lawn in front of the Loussac Library in midtown Anchorage. Home made signs were encouraged, and the idea was to make a statement  Continue reading here.

Related:

YouTube - Alaska rallies against Sarah Palin
YouTube - Alaska Women Rally Against Palin And Are Threatened

Technorati Tags: Sarah Palin,Alaska Women Reject Palin,anti-Palin groups,Alaska Women Reject Palin Rally,politics,2008 elections,2008 presidential campaign