The odd lies of Sarah Palin

[Brettmcd]

And, to clarify, the reasons you were in favor of the war before you'd thought about things ..

An evolution of my own thoughts on the US intervening militarily in any country is the biggest reason for the change.

[Dan_Theman]

I was just a kid in the 80's, so I can't comment with much authority here, but I will say this. It's hard for me to imagine that a press that voted against Reagan 2 to 1 was that friendly to him. Here's a link (http://newsbusters.org/blogs/rich-noyes/2008/11/02/democrats-most-reliable-constituents-press) to a source you'll probably hate, but they cite msm surveys.

Money quote from Howard Kurtz: “Clearly anybody looking at those numbers, if they’re even close to accurate, would conclude that there is a diversity problem in the news business, and it’s not just the kind of diversity we usually talk about, which is not getting enough minorities in the news business, but political diversity, as well. Anybody who doesn’t see that is just in denial.”
Oh, I think you misunderstood my intent - there certainly is a general liberal bias in MSM and there has been from quite some time. I was just wanting to share the Preisdent that received the greatest benefit of the press in my lifetime. He was referred to alternatively as either "The Teflon President" or "The Great Communicator," depending on who you ask - both of which indicate how well the media served him.

Interestingly (to me), the treatment that candidates are given is often quite independent of how a news anchor personally feels about the polictician in question. Back in the 80's, the airwaves were not filled with the same level of vitriolic opinion whores like they are now. For instance, when Reagan was first elected: Glenn Beck was in Catholic high school, Keith Olbermann was doing sportscasts on a small radio station, and Rush Limbaugh was working for the Kansas City Royals.

The news presented to the public was still just as slanted, but much more commonly for profit/ratings than political ideology. With that in mind, supporting a popular president served the networks quite well. Nationalism surged upward during a time of economic revival, clashes with the "Red Menace," Olympic heroics (including the boycott by the Soviet Union), and numerous other moments that fed into it.

In the presentations provided by MSM, it was Reagan that freed the hostages, tore down the Berlin wall, and ended the Cold War. While his Presidency played a role in everything that occurred during those 8 years, logically we all know that none of that is exactly true. George H.W. Bush's "Voodoo economics" slur also didn't survive too many news cycles until Ferris Bueller was saved in '86, but even then it didn't stain his Presidency in the MSM's portrayal - it just became a catch phrase for teenagers. In the Iran-Contra affair, Oliver North was elevated to the status of cult hero by MSM despite being found guilty of fraud and theft (however, it should be noted that those convictions were later vacated due to a potential violation of his 5th Amendment rights). Even jelly beans enjoyed a revival of sorts as their popularity was heightened by the man. To heck with rotten teeth, destroyed braces, and diabetes ;)

That's some pretty favorable press in regards to Reagan.

Anyway, I'll let you guys go back to your raging debates. I just wanted to throw in my 2 cents worth and reflect upon the past a little bit.

[BennyProfane]

You're right. I should have said the humanities, which is more accurate.



Just to be clear: the word "liberal" has nothing to do with the term "liberal arts." Nor does it have anything to do with the humanities. And as noted above, statistically, hard science students trend toward what I prefer to call "progressive" politics. My personal suspicion is that this is due to their scepticism about religion, but that's a topic for another thread.

And for the record, you are sounding more and more like a Rand fanatic. Which is also a topic for another (already existing) thread.

[Bahimiron]

So if they think I'm a dumbass and I'm still getting paid $160/hr, what does that make them?

I was cheering for you, and then you lost.


Yes my feelings have changed from 4 years ago, that happens with people when they actually think about things you know.

I look forward to four years from now when you've had a chance to 'actually think about things' you've been saying in this thread.

[mcphee]

I don't think his legal/academic career was a direct result of the Chicago Democratic political machine. I think his elections to the state and U.S. senate were a direct result of the Chicago Democratic political machine. Nice strawman though.

It's not a strawman by any stretch. I compared his career prior to holding public office to Palin's and Bush's. Your response was that his career was a result of the political machine. Mine was a serious question in response to something you said.

[zengonzo]

An evolution of my own thoughts on the US intervening militarily in any country is the biggest reason for the change.

And before then, the reason you were in support that had nothing to do with the party? What was the independent position from which your original thoughts evolved, assuming that they are distinct from Blackadar's position based purely on party loyalty?

[Jason McCullough]

Obama was a direct result of the Chicago Democratic political machine....

Really? How? (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_machine) Show your work.


Howard Kurtz

Oh god.


What do you think Fox News is? They are a result of a market unfulfilled.

They're just the latest in Murdoch media (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_Ailes) - partisan, entertaining, trying to help Murdoch's business interests. Throw in the angle that he's got Ailes running it and it's an entirely owned PR wing of the Republican party. That's their first loyalty, not conservatism.


Hard science leans Republican?

He's probably referring to what I saw in college: undergraduates going into "implementation career" stuff who only get a bachelors, like petroleum engineering and computer engineering, are more conservative than the student body in general. Dunno on a dataset.

[Brettmcd]

And before then, the reason you were in support that had nothing to do with the party? What was the independent position from which your original thoughts evolved, assuming that they are distinct from Blackadar's position based purely on party loyalty?

I am more of a conservative libertarian then anything else so I was going against what that party believes when I was in favor of the war. I used to believe that the US military might have a place in humanitarian or protection of human rights in other nations. I dont believe that anymore.

[Telefrog]

God, I really missed these crazy P&R threads. After the election, things just weren't the same around here, but Brettmcd and Inuvix are really bringing the laughs.

[Pogo]

Is this a bit of revisionist history, or are you just referring to your feelings now?

http://www.octopusoverlords.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=22925&p=436836&hilit=iraq#p436836

"I actually support the war and what we are doing in iraq". brettmcd, November 22, 2005



Fucking burn.


You were against it for one reason, and one reason only, the wrong party was the in charge doing it. That is the full extent of how you think about anything political. I dont call that actual thought.

Just in case anyone forgot already (http://98.175.67.242/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=34833)

Yeah, "we" couldn't have been against the war because a) we knew any ties of Iraq to Al Queda were fucking bullshit and everyone knew it b) we knew any "evidence" displayed by the Bush administration was fucking suspect the moment it came out c) it was completely fucking transparent what kind of neocon slimebags Bush and Cheney were before 9/11 or Iraq ever happened.

[Brettmcd]

Fucking burn.



Just in case anyone forgot already (http://98.175.67.242/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=34833)

Yeah, "we" couldn't have been against the war because a) we knew any ties of Iraq to Al Queda were fucking bullshit and everyone knew it b) we knew any "evidence" displayed by the Bush administration was fucking suspect the moment it came out c) it was completely fucking transparent what kind of neocon slimebags Bush and Cheney were before 9/11 or Iraq ever happened.

So you believe 100% of the things in the exact same way as you did 4 years ago?

As for the rest, I never commented on the reasons for anyone other then Blackadar. My experience dealing with that specific idiot show me that his partisanship is the only thing that drives what he believes. I didnt speak on that for you or anyone else here.

[Pogo]

So you believe 100% of the things in the exact same way as you did 4 years ago?

Yeap, because I was right the first time.

[Blackadar]

So you believe 100% of the things in the exact same way as you did 4 years ago?

As for the rest, I never commented on the reasons for anyone other then Blackadar. My experience dealing with that specific idiot show me that his partisanship is the only thing that drives what he believes. I didnt speak on that for you or anyone else here.

Partisanship? 3 Republicans, 3 Democrats and a write-in?

Obviously, "partisanship" doesn't mean what you think it means. Much like everything else.

Brett, for all your railing against big government and so forth, when are you going to get off your ass and actually serve your country for once? Or, as I suspect, are you just one of these losers who bitches about any little thing, does nothing and expects everything?

[salwon]

Partisanship is when someone does something you don't agree with, right?

[Brian Rucker]

I can't help but thinking what Howard Kurtz would say about the overwhelming proportion of liberals in science? Should we include more conservatives on a quota system? And if they don't believe in evolution, or that germs cause disease or that there's a flat earth should they still be treated with kid gloves?

I suspect more journalists lean liberal for the same reasons most scientists do. By and large, it's a reality based approach to the world. One based on understanding complexity and nuance rather than just waving flags and yelling scripture over empiricism or investigation as a means to ascertain truth.

Yes, this is a very crude generalization I'm painting here but we're talking brass tacks and not outlayers. There are reasonable, thoughtful Republicans and conservatives out there who I may even agree with on some issues. But the nuts have them by the balls. Pun intended.

[Lizard_King]

I just thought this review (http://www.ginandtacos.com/2009/11/17/going-rogue/) of Palin's new book would provide a welcome break from this party. I know it cheered me up. It starts off without much drama, but

Millions of copies will be sold of a book written by someone who can’t write, intended for an audience that doesn’t read, about the thoughts of a person who doesn’t think. God is dead.
is the reddit quote that got me to read it, and the rest was enjoyable from then on.

[zengonzo]

That was good stuff.


But Palin once again sets straight the record, depicting Schmidt throughout as a profane, hysterical misogynist hell-bent on destroying her and, she bizarrely claims, forcing her to abandon the Atkins Diet.

?

[asspennies]

Journalism is where people go when they fail at everything else in college. Conservatives usually go into engineering, economics, and other sciences. Liberals go into, well, the liberal arts. And journalism.

I can't tell you how wrong you are. My sister graduated Summa Cum Laude from Harvard, was accepted into both Chicago and Harvard Law, but decided she wanted to persue a career in journalism because that was her passion. It infuriates me that you believe this absurd and disgusting preconceived and pre-sold narrative simply because it reinforces your outdated and insulting beliefs.

People can choose what they want to be. Isn't that the essence of freedom? You, sir, are a menace.

[Jason McCullough]

Remind me not to ever piss off that gin and tacos guy. Man.

[Inuvix]

Hard science leans Republican? Man, where do you get this stuff?

Awesome. (http://people-press.org/report/?pageid=1549)

Of course, I didn't say that. What I said was:

Conservatives usually go into engineering, economics, and other sciences.

Which is absolutely true. I should have included business related fields. You do understand the difference between what I said, and "Hard science leans Republican", don't you?

Are you disputing my assertion that conservatives tend toward these fields? Do you think that conservatives tend towards the journalism and the humanities?



So if they think I'm a dumbass and I'm still getting paid $160/hr, what does that make them?

Poorer than you, probably.

I'll point out that you're not even close to GWB levels when it comes to earned income. What does that make you?



Suggesting that journalism is primarily the result of a field of washouts doesn't exactly suggest a high opinion. I might be with you were we talking about communications - but that's something else.

I don't have a high opinion of journalism degrees. Sorry, but that's how it is. That's totally different than saying that journalism itself is worthless. To the contrary, I think it's very powerful. I wish more conservatives went into that field, and I'm sorry they don't. Probably because the pay is so crappy.

And communications degrees suck too.


So if conservatives can't be bothered with journalism because they're too busy in the real industries, then the failure of representation is pretty clear and entirely up to them.

Good point. But, in the meantime, can't journalists quit pretending that they're objective reporters.


He was referred to alternatively as either "The Teflon President" or "The Great Communicator," depending on who you ask - both of which indicate how well the media served him.

Not sure I agree with this. My impression is that he's called these things because the people loved him, in spite what the press said about him.



Just to be clear: the word "liberal" has nothing to do with the term "liberal arts." Nor does it have anything to do with the humanities.

Right. I've corrected my error on this issue. Do you want me to do so again?



And as noted above, statistically, hard science students trend toward what I prefer to call "progressive" politics. My personal suspicion is that this is due to their scepticism about religion, but that's a topic for another thread.

I agree with this, for the most part.


Really? How? (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_machine) Show your work.

Way beyond the scope of this thread.


Oh god.

I take it you're not a Howard Kurtz fan?


I can't tell you how wrong you are. My sister graduated Summa Cum Laude from Harvard, was accepted into both Chicago and Harvard Law, but decided she wanted to persue a career in journalism because that was her passion. It infuriates me that you believe this absurd and disgusting preconceived and pre-sold narrative simply because it reinforces your outdated and insulting beliefs.

Your righteous indignation aside, I stand by my claim. Having said that, there are certainly exceptions, so you shouldn't take is so personally.



People can choose what they want to be. Isn't that the essence of freedom? You, sir, are a menace.

Did I suggest somewhere that people shouldn't be allowed to choose journalism as a profession?

[bago]

Remind me not to ever piss off that gin and tacos guy. Man.

Gin and Tacos are pretty bitchin at bimbo's burrito kitchen.

By the way, how does Sarah's "worthless" Journalism degree and experience on a city council of a city smaller than the number of people in my current building make her resume longer than that of the editor of Harvard Law Review? Is it the same way that passing a windfall tax to redistribute the wealth of oil companies to her constituents is "small government fiscal conservatism"?

Inquiring minds want to know.

[Brettmcd]

Did I suggest somewhere that people shouldn't be allowed to choose journalism as a profession?


No I dont think you did, but its far more convenient for them to argue what they want you to have said, or what they made up you said, rather then actually read what was written and respond to that. They have to think less that way.

[madkevin]

"I'm not sayin' your mom's a whore, I'm just sayin' that men she doesn't know will give her money in exchange for sexual services, no disrespect."

In the same way, you didn't say that journalism was worthless. You just said that the only people who go into it are abject failures who couldn't succeed in anything else and therefore grasped at journalism as a last resort. No disrespect.

[FoRmaT]

Are you guys a tag team?

[mrmolecule88]

No I dont think you did, but its far more convenient for them to argue what they want you to have said, or what they made up you said, rather then actually read what was written and respond to that. They have to think less that way.

*giggle*

Just like you're doing now, amirite?

[MattKeil]

Are you guys a tag team?

Looks more like a support group to me.

[Brettmcd]

*giggle*

Just like you're doing now, amirite?

Nope, just took a basic level of ability to read and comprehend what is written. You might want to look into that sometime.

[mrmolecule88]

Nope, just took a basic level of ability to read and comprehend what is written. You might want to look into that sometime.

Sorry! I'm too busy learning English in my useless Liberal Arts Degree. Is there a class on that I can take?

[Bahimiron]

Nope, just took a basic level of ability to read and comprehend what is written. You might want to look into that sometime.

It's odd you'd say this, as it is an ability you've yet to demonstrate.

[zengonzo]

Nope, just took a basic level of ability to read and comprehend what is written. You might want to look into that sometime.


Yes my feelings have changed from 4 years ago, that happens with people when they actually think about things you know. You might try it at some point in your life.


Nope, i don't need to reread it, I understood it the first time I read it. Now I understand that words with more the one syllable were used and such things confuse you, but some of us aren't as limited in our mental abilities.


Sorry if too big of words were used there for you, Ill try to make it understandable even to someone like you next time.


I think it's time for a Turing test.

Brett, you're in a desert, walking along in the sand ..

[Eilonwy]

Can you see Russia from this desert? Because if not that's pretty off topic, zengonzo :(

[mrmolecule88]

I could always switch to french. Would that help, Brett?

[Blackadar]

I could always switch to french. Would that help, Brett?

Doubtful. His head is too far up his ass.

[asspennies]

Your righteous indignation aside, I stand by my claim. Having said that, there are certainly exceptions, so you shouldn't take is so personally.

Any data to back up that claim? Any evidence whatsoever? Is it all just parroted points from talk-show hows and right-wing blogs, all repeating the same endless sophistry and using deception and fear to keep people from actually thinking for themselves? Do you have any integrity whatsoever, or are you just content to attack people, whole wide groups of people, for choosing a profession or career, contending that it is their failure alone that led them to that choice?


Journalism is where people go when they fail at everything else in college.

You are categorically, emphatically, objectively and undeniably a idiot, buffoon, and charlatan.


Did I suggest somewhere that people shouldn't be allowed to choose journalism as a profession?

No, you only insisted that journalism is for failures and all journalists themselves are failures. You are the failure. A disgusting example of the depths of human behavior and propensity for self-delusion. I suspect your rabid defense of political idiocy leaves you in a deeper and deeper hole of darkness and despair and self-loathing. I'd be interested in having further contact with you only when you find your way out.

[Pogo]

No I dont think you did, but its far more convenient for them to argue what they want you to have said, or what they made up you said, rather then actually read what was written and respond to that. They have to think less that way.
Nope, just took a basic level of ability to read and comprehend what is written. You might want to look into that sometime.
It's odd you'd say this, as it is an ability you've yet to demonstrate.

Don't even try to put yourself on the same level as Inuvix, seriously. He actually responds to the statements that own him in the face, and does some masterful reverse-trolling work, whereas you just ignore them and continue to do exceptionally shitty and transparent trolling work.

also, http://98.175.67.242/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=34833

[Bahimiron]

You are the failure.

Don't forget that he's a liar.

He's lying about journalists, he's lying about what he said and he didn't even defend himself earlier when I conclusively proved that he said liberals like Sarah Palin.

[Drastic]

you guys



"you guys"?



"you guys"



"You guys"



you guys



you guys



you guys



you guys



'You guys,'



you guys



you guys



you guys



you guys



you guys

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm50/WonderlandsRave/Goonies.jpg

[pogozorro]

You are categorically, emphatically, objectively and undeniably a (sic) idiot, buffoon, and charlatan.

This always makes me giggle. At least he said "you are" instead of the traditional "your" that tends to occur.

Also, the usage of the Oxford comma, or avoidance thereof, should be consistent.

[/pedant]

[asspennies]

Well, if a typographic error is your only argument, I guess that says a lot.

[Waltzer]

This always makes me giggle. At least he said "you are" instead of the traditional "your" that tends to occur.

Also, the usage of the Oxford comma, or avoidance thereof, should be consistent.

[/pedant]

The Oxford comma is the worst.

[asspennies]

For God's sake, if I'm writing a vitriolic take down of a post that insulted me and my family directly, and if I'm in a heated and disgusted mood while I'm doing it, a few things might slip past my filter for small grammatical mistakes. If you insist on focusing on the tiny technical minutia of the text instead of the ideas expressed for the purpose of distracting from the post or ignoring it entirely, I have no patience for you.

[pogozorro]

The Oxford comma is the worst.

Considering that Messr. Asspennies used an adjectival phrase to modify his redundant list, the Oxford comma would at least aid in prosody of the declaration. Try to say what I quoted before without your head exploding; it is undeniably, absolutely, and categorically impossible, inconceivable, and preposterous.


Well, if a typographic error is your only argument, I guess that says a lot.

I've only just entered the thread and decided to pounce on the low-hanging fruit.

[Inuvix]

I'm leaving this thread. It's lived well beyond it's shelf life. See "you guys" in other threads!

[zengonzo]

I've only just entered the thread and decided to pounce on the low-hanging fruit.

Well, to your heart's content, little worm - it's a veritable cornucopia in here!

[pogozorro]

Well, to your heart's content, little worm - it's a veritable cornucopia in here!

Glee!

[Bahimiron]

See "you guys" in other threads!

So now you're threatening us?

[Pogo]

I'm leaving this thread. It's lived well beyond it's shelf life. See "you guys" in other threads!

"We" can't wait.

[Warning]

The Oxford comma is the worst.
Who gives a fuck about an Oxford Comma? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5yisUInmQs)

[Telefrog]

It's okay. We'll have Brettmcd to entertain us.

[zengonzo]

No, Brettmcd's just explaining to you the facts which you're only finding entertaining because of your basic inability to be smarter and reading comprehension. You might want to check up on that eventually at some future point.

[Telefrog]

No, Brettmcd's just explaining to you the facts which you're only finding entertaining because of your basic inability to be smarter and reading comprehension. You might want to check up on that eventually at some future point.

No thanks. I'm content to let him and his ilk wallow in their misconceptions and willful ignorance. Don't let that dissuade you. Take up the baton and continue the race! I'm sure you'll eventually convince me if you try really hard and wish with all your might.

[mrmolecule88]

basic inability to be smarter

I think I found your problem right there.

[bago]

By the way, how does Sarah's "worthless" Journalism degree and experience on a city council of a city smaller than the number of people in my current building make her resume longer than that of the editor of Harvard Law Review? Is it the same way that passing a windfall tax to redistribute the wealth of oil companies to her constituents is "small government fiscal conservatism"?

Inquiring minds want to know.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Last edited by bago; 11-18-2009 at 07:41 PM.. Reason: I'm feeling ignored.



I'm leaving this thread. It's lived well beyond it's shelf life. See "you guys" in other threads!

Yes, I AM rubbing it in.

[Lum]

My recollection, as a foreigner without too much interest in domestic politics, is that Bush started getting it in the neck from the media after Katrina -- but not, by and large, before.

This is mostly correct. There was quite a bit of criticism from lefty blogs, Salon, and the like but mainstream media didn't start seriously challenging Bush administration assumptions until ~ 2005. Until then, especially in the wake of 9/11, they were very leery of right-wing attacks about being unpatriotic in "wartime". (And no, you don't get to be called a war-without-ironic-quotes until you actually find a real nation-state to be at war with. Until then it's called police work.)

[Joe M.]

Yes, I wonder if "inability to be smarter" includes grasping the difference between mainstream and what the Right likes to characterize as "extreme leftwing" independent or alternative media.

McClatchy was the only major news group that did notable investigative journalism and then didn't routinely bury it on page 23, as I recall.

[LesJarvis]

At least we can all rest safe in the knowledge that the media learned absolutely nothing from that experience.

[scharmers]

I do not want to read this whole thread, but if somebody could hook me up with the handles of the folks that honestly were backing Palin, so I can put them on my ignore list, I'd appreicate it. Thanks.

[Joe M.]

LJ: this is why I think Jim Hightower is on the mark when he says it "isn't about left versus right; it's about top versus bottom."

[Lizard_King]

Poorer than you, probably.

I'll point out that you're not even close to GWB levels when it comes to earned income. What does that make you?
This is the biggest problem conservatives have, by which I mean the inability to distinguish between being born on third base and hitting a home run. I think understanding that was the first step away from that direction for me, apart from being deeply invested in those worthless liberal arts.

[Sebmojo]

I do not want to read this whole thread, but if somebody could hook me up with the handles of the folks that honestly were backing Palin, so I can put them on my ignore list, I'd appreicate it. Thanks.

Wish/command! (http://www.quartertothree.com/game-talk/showthread.php?p=1454487&highlight=sarah+palin+smart#post1454487)


Looks like Sarah Palin's the choice. Very smart move by McCain.

[bago]

PALIN: I disagree with the Obama administration on that. I believe that the Jewish settlements should be allowed to be expanded upon, because that population of Israel is, is going to grow. More and more Jewish people will be flocking to Israel in the days and weeks and months ahead. And I don’t think that the Obama administration has any right to tell Israel that the Jewish settlements cannot expand.
_
WALTERS: Even if it’s [in] Palestinian areas?
_
PALIN: I believe that the Jewish settlements should be allowed to be expand.

Rapture ready, Palin approved.

[Stepsongrapes]

Rapture ready, Palin approved.

I await Palin's support of Mexico's expansion into our border states, as their population grows. We have no right to tell Mexico not to expand.

In return, we will of course expand into Canada.

[Joe M.]

Texas has been begging to leave, I say we hand it over to Mexico directly.

[arctangent]

Every time someone thinks of Sarah Palin, she gets a little stronger, a little more real, due to some obscure metaphysical effect or something. For the love of America and all that's good and kind and decent, ignore her and let her die a well-deserved metaphysical death. Think of the children.

[Lum]

Someone should probably let Ms. Palin know many Palestinians are in fact Christian.

[Eric T Cheng]

In return, we will of course expand into Canada.

You don't want to do that. We have socialized universal healthcare and cheap drugs!

[Eric T Cheng]

Texas has been begging to leave, I say we hand it over to Mexico directly.

Wasn't Texas originally part of Mexico?

[Eric T Cheng]

Rapture ready, Palin approved.

Does she know who Hamas is yet?

[Skipper]

Texas has been begging to leave, I say we hand it over to Mexico directly.

Alaska wants to leave too. Lets take care of two birds with one stone and ditch Palin and Alaska. Merry Christmas Canada!!

You guys are chasing away our new found hard-rights. We can't play with them if you wear them out in one thread. You have to nurture these guys, let them grow. Then they become thread chuckles for countless days ahead.

[zengonzo]

I expect we haven't seen the last of them.

[zengonzo]

Perfect summation:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXKuDYvM6Wk


'I don't think she was .. I think if you asked her today .. she's .. '

[Skipper]

What a revealing look at Sarah fans. Thanks for that link Zengonzo. Sarah is an even bigger celebrity now post election. Good or bad, people will go see her.

As we've said many times in many of these threads, she's got charisma at least. Even if she's under qualified and semi-looney, she gathers crowds. I agree with the previous poster, all she's leading this to is a rift in the Republican party. Those republicans who don't support her will be ridiculed as not being "true." She's nearly started this rhetoric herself in her own damned book. Going Rogue indeed. If I were a Republican I would fear what Sarah Palin brings to my party, especially at a time when the party needs rebuilding and unity.

[bago]

What a reveling look at Sarah fans. Thanks for that link Zengonzo. Sarah is an even bigger celebrity now post election. Good or bad, people will go see her.

As we've said many times in many of these threads, she's got charisma at least. Even if she's under qualified and semi-looney, she gathers crowds. I agree with the previous poster, all she's leading this to is a rift in the Republican party. Those republicans who don't support her will be ridiculed as not being "true." She's nearly started this rhetoric herself in her own damned book. Going Rogue indeed. If I were a Republican I would fear what Sarah Palin brings to my party, especially at a time when the party needs rebuilding and unity.

You need purity! Purge, PURGE, Scozzafava!

[Skipper]

You need purity! Purge, PURGE, Scozzafava!

Hey, I'm a registered Dem. The mantra is "Welcome, welcome, Scozzafava!"

Seriously though ... they should use Palin like the media grabbing frenzy that she's become. While she's talking they should continuously have her put on different hats and t-shirts emblazoned with the Republican names up for re-election in various districts, like a race driver with sponsors. At least that way she would serve more purpose than just providing one-liners for late night comedy.

She could even charge them for this service, say a few grand for the t-shirt, double that if she mentions their name in conversation, and quadruple that if she also looks at the camera and winks.

[Talisker]

Perfect summation:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXKuDYvM6Wk


'I don't think she was .. I think if you asked her today .. she's .. '
While West Michigan is conservative on the whole, the reporter was wrong about last year's election -- Grand Rapids and Kent County actually went to Obama, not McCain. It's the surrounding towns and counties that are Palin-land. Like, say, where I live -- McCain got nearly double as many votes as Obama; the last time Ottawa County voted for a Democrat was when Lincoln was ran for re-election in 1864, and we voted for George McClellan.

[madkevin]

Goddamn, that video is hilarious. The interview with the surprisingly hot girl is painful. "Did you know Palin was in favour of the bailout?" "Where did you hear that?" "... during the Vice Presidential debate?"

[WarrenM]

"She supports upholding the constitution."

"Specifically...?"

"Uh..."

[zengonzo]

"Where did you hear that?"

Dissonance .. cracking ..

Fortunately, if you asked Sarah today, she would tell you she was opposed to it.

Rupture sealed!

[bago]

Sarah doesn't know the difference between Iraq and Iran (http://wonkette.com/tag/pt-she-can-see-iraq-from-iran/), also.

[Skipper]

Sarah doesn't know the difference between Iraq and Iran (http://wonkette.com/tag/pt-she-can-see-iraq-from-iran/), also.

That's just "gotcha journalism," don't cha know. You betcha.

[Lorini]

Hopefully she'll get her own talk show once she's trounced in the 2012 primaries and the Republicans can get on with trying to pull their party together.

[Lum]

You crazy optimist. She'll get her talk show next year and use it as her platform to launch a campaign, bypassing all those annoying "media figures" with their insistence on "facts".

[foogla]

Anybody who pretends that Sarah Palin has the slightest chance of winning the GOP nomination for President, or even making a significant showing, is clueless. The only reason she exists, as an entity, now, is because she has the full and unconditional support of the Republican party which recognizes the power she has to energize the conservative base. But when primary season starts there is not a chance she'll be able to withstand Mitt Romney or Mike Huckabee or anybody with even slight campaign acumen.

Palin is a phenomenon borne entirely of the collective will of the Republican party to create and uphold an inspiring figurehead. The only thing that allows Palin's star to shine is the Republican party's collective decision to let her shine for as long as it benefits them. Once primary season starts, that's over. Romney and Huckabee will fault her for losing the 2008 election. Any Republican candidate will be able to challenge her grasp of the issues. They will lambast her for quitting her governorship to highlight their own dedication. They will unravel her, because that's how presidential primaries work. They're not going to handle her with kid's gloves for the health of the party. They're going to destroy her to fulfill their own ambitions.

The role she fills in politics, for the Republican party, is that of mascot. She can wield a surprising amount of political power from that position. She can rally a lot of people, bring in a lot of money, and alter the national discourse. But she can't run a national campaign.

I forgot who I copied this from :x

[Lorini]

See if she would recognize and be satisified with her role as a mascot, she could go places. But as that quote mentioned, she will be destroyed in the primaries if she runs and completely discredited. She's actually a lot richer as a mascot than she ever will be as a candidate.

[mrmolecule88]

I can't help but feel she's secretly hiding her intelligence. Primary season will roll around and she'll be dominating questions and interviews left, right, and center, and all of the democrats will be flabbergasted at this tremendously on-topic and clever women.

And that's when the Martians will strike!

[Matthew Gallant]

Her inability to get nominated will result in voter apathy amongst her fans, significant enough to (further) doom the nominee.

[Ezdaar]

I don't think she's going to run for office again. Running for office creates the chance of losing.

[bago]

Holeeee sheeeyat!


Steve Schmidt apparently thought Palin's brain wasn't getting enough carbohydrates to function properly, which is why we've been hearing Palin complain about being told what to eat. Palin relates on page 285:


He then launched into a discussion of nutrition physiology, holding forth on the importance of carbohydrates to cognitive connections and blah-blah-blah.

[Jazar]

Perfect summation:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXKuDYvM6Wk


'I don't think she was .. I think if you asked her today .. she's .. '

Hahaha! I think it was Chris Rock who said, "Yeah, they're keeping it real alright. Real dumb."

[salwon]

Wait, is blah-blah-blah the actual quote?

[madkevin]

Yeah, bago, what's that quote from?

While we're waiting, Slate (taking a page from the late, great Spy Magazine) presents the unauthorized index to Going Rogue (http://www.slate.com/id/2235917/).

[Ezdaar]

sentence, actual
"As the soles of my shoes hit the soft ground, I pushed past the tall cottonwood trees in a euphoric cadence, and meandered through willow branches that the moose munched on," 102


It's ... indescribably beautiful.

[jeansberg]

Yeah, bago, what's that quote from?

While we're waiting, Slate (taking a page from the late, great Spy Magazine) presents the unauthorized index to Going Rogue (http://www.slate.com/id/2235917/).
If you google the quote in the quote, this is the first hit:
http://www.tnr.com/blog/the-plank/palin-and-the-attacks-carnivores

To be fair, here's Palin's comeback:

As he lectured, I took in his rotund physique and noted that he used nicotine to keep his own cognitive connections humming along. Hehe.

[Adam B]

It's ... indescribably beautiful.

No way. That's not actually a published sentence. That can't be. That's impossible!

[bago]

Wait, is blah-blah-blah the actual quote?

Actual quote, written down and published. One heartbeat away from nuclear weapons.

[jeffd]

To be fair there's no way that quote comes from her; that whole book was writtne by some other hack.

[zengonzo]

Pretty sad to hire a professional to write your book and still have it come out like that.

[zengonzo]

It amuses me that the cover itself looks like a ridiculous parody of that sort of book.

http://img190.imageshack.us/img190/3714/goingroguem.jpg


And yet that's really it ..

[Christien Murawski]

No way. That's not actually a published sentence. That can't be. That's impossible!

Well, to be fair, it was written during NaNoWriMo.


-xtien

[Anaxagoras]

Pretty sad to hire a professional to write your book and still have it come out like that.

Sarah is too much of a maverick to listen to the so-called "rules" of elitist professional writers.

[Eric T Cheng]

It amuses me that the cover itself looks like a ridiculous parody of that sort of book.

There's an anti-Palin parody book already. Try to figure which one it is...

http://a11news.com/images/sarah-palin-going-rouge.jpeg

[kerzain]

This one?

http://www.jillstanek.com/quote/assets_c/2009/10/Sarah%20Palin,%20Going%20Rogue,%20Going%20Rouge-thumb-500x378-6899.jpg

[alexlitel]

This one?

http://www.jillstanek.com/quote/assets_c/2009/10/Sarah%20Palin,%20Going%20Rogue,%20Going%20Rouge-thumb-500x378-6899.jpgStrangely, both of them are actually X-Men fan-fiction.

[bago]

You mean this (http://wonkette.com/411426/look-at-all-of-the-funny-sarah-palin-book-cover-blingees)?

[Mister Widget]

I don't think she's going to run for office again. Running for office creates the chance of losing.
She could always just withdraw from the race on election day. That would get her some nice juicy attention, and without any risk of losing anything!

[bago]

Heh, so in addition to quitting as governer to be an author, she is quitting her own book signings (http://www.rumproast.com/index.php/site/comments/video_of_angry_wingnuts_booing_sarah_palin_calling _her_a_quitter_chantin/#When:14:48:31Z).

[zengonzo]

Oh, man - is that for real? She is such a fucking mess.

[Skipper]

Wow. Stay classy Sarah.

[ydejin]

Heh, so in addition to quitting as governer to be an author, she is quitting her own book signings (http://www.rumproast.com/index.php/site/comments/video_of_angry_wingnuts_booing_sarah_palin_calling _her_a_quitter_chantin/#When:14:48:31Z).

Anyone else think that video seemed faked? Couldn't say with certainty one way or the other but seemed like the audio might have been added after the fact on top of the video. I didn't see much action on screen indicating a lot of upset people in the crowd, or any direct connection between any of the audio and the video, like closeups of people chanting "Sign our books."

[Blackadar]

Anyone else think that video seemed faked? Couldn't say with certainty one way or the other but seemed like the audio might have been added after the fact on top of the video. I didn't see much action on screen indicating a lot of upset people in the crowd, or any direct connection between any of the audio and the video, like closeups of people chanting "Sign our books."

Considering I hear only about 3 or 4 voices doing that chant, it's likely those are the same folks who are holding the camera (and those in that same party).

[Spam]

Palin's got that most-popular-middle-schooler thing to live with. And the mentality to match. Like most highly successful poli-sci people. The fact that they have tons of friends somehow creates a blind spot over their inability to actually do anything difficult or demanding.

ride around in planes? check. deliver speeches? check. deal with adversity without resorting to ad hominem/bunker mentality/quitting? not so fast!

Actually far less insidious/insipid/annoying than the nosy busybody prescriptive hanger-on her type attracts-she's oblivious to the machinery of real power and is more of an icon ala clinton/obama. Now Hilary, otoh...

[scharmers]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v222/scharmers/therealpalin.jpg

[kerzain]

Palin quits again (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8mAZhOJIfI)

I don't really have anything to add. I mean, the jilted families were Palin fans after all.

[Tankero]

What, seriously?

[ydejin]

Palin quits again (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8mAZhOJIfI)

I don't really have anything to add. I mean, the jilted families were Palin fans after all.

Kerzain, that was posted on the last page. I still think there's a good chance the audio is fake -- I see absolutely no sign of anyone in the crowd chanting at all. It certainly would be easy enough to add in the chant after the fact.

Blackadar might be right, there might be a group of 3-4 people with and behind the camera holder, but why not show them? If your video is meant to demonstrate that there are people ticked off at Palin, why not have those people on camera?

[kerzain]

Before I posted the link I did a standard search for dupe youtube links (for the youtube file A8mAZhOJIfI) and didn't see the link on the other page (which goes to another site embedding the vid), sorry about all of the fuss.

[Skipper]

Before I posted the link I did a standard search for dupe youtube links (for the youtube file A8mAZhOJIfI) and didn't see the link on the other page (which goes to another site embedding the vid), sorry about all of the fuss.

No biggie, I think the fuss is over folks thinking it's fake, not about the second posting.

[Soapyfrog]

No biggie, I think the fuss is over folks thinking it's fake, not about the second posting.
And by folks, you mean ydejin. There is no evidence the audio was added in after the fact. That seems very unlikely. In fact one gentleman in picture holds up his book and waves it to the time of the chant quite early in the vid.

[ydejin]

And by folks, you mean ydejin. There is no evidence the audio was added in after the fact. That seems very unlikely. In fact one gentleman in picture holds up his book and waves it to the time of the chant quite early in the vid.

There is absolutely no one shown chanting. There is absolutely no one reacting to the chanting. If you were at an event and a group of folks started chanting, don't you think a natural reaction would be to turn and look and see who that group is? No one turns and looks to see who is chanting. You'd expect some angry Palin fans to turn and confront the group.

I suppose it's possible that the group has been agitating the entire book signing and people know who they are and are sick of them, so that there's no reaction. At minimum the video is completely mislabelled. It's labelled as "Angry Crowd Shouts at Sarah Palin Book Signing." Even if it's real it should say "Crowd Watches Sarah Palin Get on Her Bus, While Four Planted Agitators Try and Fail to Get a Reaction."

There is absolutely no evidence of anyone angry in the crowd. Even if it's real the way it's labelled and represented is bullshit. This is the exact type of stuff we call Fox News out for, and it should be completely beneath us.

[Pogo]

I think ydejin is making it reasonably hard to take that video seriously.

"This... this is... making insanely good sense to me."

[Lizard_King]

OK, I'm pretty sure this Sarah Palin video isn't fake. Palin 2012 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiWgXUuWX-s).

[Lum]

Matt Taibbi, awesome as always. (http://trueslant.com/matttaibbi/2009/11/20/sarah-palin-wwe-star/)


The really beautiful thing about the culture war, from an entertainment standpoint, is that it is fundamentally irresolvable. There isn’t a concrete set of issues involved, where in theory both sides could give in a little and find middle ground, reach some sort of compromise.

That’s because there are no issues at all. At the end of this decade what we call “politics” has devolved into a kind of ongoing, brainless soap opera about dueling cultural resentments and the really cool thing about it, if you’re a TV news producer or a talk radio host, is that you can build the next day’s news cycle meme around pretty much anything at all, no matter how irrelevant — like who’s wearing a flag lapel pin and who isn’t, who spent $150K worth of campaign funds on clothes and who didn’t, who wore a t-shirt calling someone a cunt and who didn’t, and who put a picture of a former Vice Presidential candidate in jogging shorts on his magazine cover (and who didn’t).

It doesn’t matter what the argument is about. What’s important is that once the argument starts, the two sides will automatically coalesce around the various instant-cocoa talking points and scream at each other until they’re blue in the face, or until the next argument starts.

And while some of us are old enough to remember that once upon a time, these arguments always had at least some sort of ideological flavor to them, i.e. the throwdowns were at least rooted in some sort of real political issue (war, taxes, immigration, etc.) we’ve now got a whole generation that is accustomed to screaming at cultural enemies as an end in itself, for the sheer dismal fun of it. Start fighting first, figure out the reasons later.

Sarah Palin is the Empress-Queen of the screaming-for-screaming’s sake generation. The people who dismiss her book Going Rogue as the petty, vindictive meanderings of a preening paranoiac with the IQ of a celery stalk completely miss the book’s significance, because in some ways it’s really a revolutionary and innovative piece of literature.

[Hanacker]

I caught the end of an interview of hers with Rush Limbaugh while flipping through channels and it sounded like she'd been replaced by a robot that said "hard work" and "common sense" a lot and stuck completely to the Republican party line. She actually sounded competent (in a garden-variety Republican way).

[Lorini]

Sarah Palin is the Empress-Queen of the screaming-for-screaming’s sake generation. The people who dismiss her book Going Rogue as the petty, vindictive meanderings of a preening paranoiac with the IQ of a celery stalk completely miss the book’s significance, because in some ways it’s really a revolutionary and innovative piece of literature.

I don't understand this. How is it revolutionary?

[mdowdle]

I don't understand this. How is it revolutionary?

Read the rest of the article. Very interesting (with apologies to Henry Gibson).

[Matthew Gallant]

Very interesting (with apologies to Henry Gibson).
You mean Arte Johnson.

[madkevin]

I don't understand this. How is it revolutionary?

If you read the rest of the article, Taibbi goes on to explain that Palin has taken the next evolutionary step forward as a rallying point for idiot conservatives*:


Palin — and there’s just no way to deny this — is a supremely gifted politician. She has staked out, as her own personal political turf, the entire landscape of incoherent white American resentment. In this area she leaves even Rush Limbaugh in the dust.

The reason for that is that poor Rush is an anachronism, in the sense that his whole schtick revolves around talking about real political issues. And real political issues are boring.

Listen to Rush any day of the week and you’ll hear him playing the old-fashioned pundit game: he goes about the dreary business of picking through the policies and positions and public statements of Democrats and poking holes in them, arguing with them, attacking them with numbers and facts and pseudo-facts and non-facts and whatever else he can get his hands on, honest or not, but at least he tries. The poor guy nearly killed himself this summer trying to find enough horseshit to arm himself with against the health care bill, coming up with various fairy tales about how state health agencies used death panels to try to kill cancer patients who just wanted to live a little longer, how section 1233 is Auschwitz all over again, yada yada yada.

Rush is no Einstein, but the man does research. It may be fallacious and completely dishonest research, but he does it all the same. His battlefield is world politics and most of the time the relevant action is taking place in Washington. As good as he is at what he does, he still has to travel to the action; he himself isn’t the action.

Sarah Palin’s battlefield, on the other hand, is whatever is happening five feet in front of her face. She is building a political career around the little interpersonal wars in the immediate airspace surrounding her sawdust-filled head. And in the process she connects with pissed-off, frightened, put-upon America on a plane that’s far more elemental than the mega-ditto schtick.

* By which I mean idiots who are also conservatives.

[Lizard_King]

I like how Palin is so terrible she can inspire a "say what you like about the tenets of Rush Limbaugh's conservatism, at least it's an ethos..." moment for Taibbi. I think her phenomenon is interesting, but not that frightening in the long run. You can only stay ahead of natural selection for so long.

[bago]

I like how Palin is so terrible she can inspire a "say what you like about the tenets of Rush Limbaugh's conservatism, at least it's an ethos..." moment for Taibbi. I think her phenomenon is interesting, but not that frightening in the long run. You can only stay ahead of natural selection for so long.

As long as you have great tits. Darwin gave a word to our pathologies that is incredibly bitter yet true.

[foogla]

As long as you have great tits. Darwin gave a word to our pathologies that is incredibly bitter yet true.

haha damn

[Lorini]

Thanks for reminding me I should read the entire article...sometimes I don't because they make me upset, but this one was very good. Apologies for not doing that to begin with. Rush Limbaugh has never run for political office because he doesn't want to have the obvious FAILURE tag that would result if he did so. Will Sarah have this same tag after 2012 and be able to get away with it? We'll have to see because there is no way she can even get out the primaries.

Tits have nothing to do with it, at least for me. I mean, a woman should be able to have 'great tits' and still be coherent and intelligent, in fact I know some that are.

[WarrenM]

I mean, a woman should be able to have 'great tits' and still be coherent and intelligent, in fact I know some that are.
Pics?

[Lorini]

Pics?


Find me on Facebook :) :) :)

[madkevin]

Tits have nothing to do with it, at least for me. I mean, a woman should be able to have 'great tits' and still be coherent and intelligent, in fact I know some that are.

Oh, I thought bago was talking about Rush.

[quatoria]

He does have an impressive rack.

[WarrenM]

God damn it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKKKgua7wQk

[zengonzo]

Watching that now ..

Love the guy in the Steeler's jacket.

[Anaxagoras]

God damn it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKKKgua7wQk

Universal Franchise was a huge mistake.

[WarrenM]

I've seen a bunch of videos like this and what I've learned is that the best way to shut down a Palin supporter is to ask them : "What do you mean, specifically?" Their eyes glaze over and they start humming America the Beautiful...

[CLWheeljack]

God damn it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKKKgua7wQk

String of obscenities goes here.

[krise madsen]

God damn it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKKKgua7wQk

"Realness"?

[scharmers]

Matt Taibbi, awesome as always.

This guy's blog basically makes me want to shoot myself in the face because of despair.

[Jazar]

I've seen a bunch of videos like this and what I've learned is that the best way to shut down a Palin supporter is to ask them : "What do you mean, specifically?" Their eyes glaze over and they start humming America the Beautiful...

Hey now that's gotcha journalism and just plain not fair!

[Cosmic Hippo]

Okay, we need a reality check. Obama supporters are also susceptible to this kind of interviewing tactic. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mm1KOBMg1Y8) The moral of the story is that people are dumb and misinformed everywhere. If you ask me I'd wager it's more the conservatives than the liberals, but hey.

[Anaxagoras]

Okay, we need a reality check. Obama supporters are also susceptible to this kind of interviewing tactic. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mm1KOBMg1Y8) The moral of the story is that people are dumb and misinformed everywhere. If you ask me I'd wager it's more the conservatives than the liberals, but hey.

No, that isn't the moral of the story. The problem isn't the ignorance; ignorance can be remedied. It's how incredibly sure the Palinites were of their wrong answers. If Fox news told them that Obama wasn't an American citizen, no amount of proof would convince them otherwise. Oh wait... that actually happened.

The Obama folks in the clip that you linked were rather ignorant, but they weren't strident in their ignorance, and they had the good grace to look embarrassed when they didn't know.

That's the key difference between the two groups, and those interviews give us a representative sampling of that key difference.

[Cosmic Hippo]

Hm, valid point!

[ydejin]

Okay, we need a reality check. Obama supporters are also susceptible to this kind of interviewing tactic. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mm1KOBMg1Y8) The moral of the story is that people are dumb and misinformed everywhere. If you ask me I'd wager it's more the conservatives than the liberals, but hey.

The questions are not at all comparable. Compare for example some of the questions asked of Palin supporters:


What are some particular issues that you would like to see Sarah bring to office?
What do you think [Palin] would bring in terms of policy to office?
How about Foreign Policy? What would you like to see [Palin] do in terms of Foreign Policy?
What are some of the problems you see with Cap and Trade [after the interviewee brought up Cap and Trade]?"
What are some of the problems you have with what Barack Obama wrote about [after interviewee brought up Barack Obama's books]?
What are some of the problems you have with Czars [after the interviewee brought up Czars]?


vs. the questions from the Obama supporters:


Who is Barney Frank?
What do you know about Harry Reid?
What do you think of Bill Ayers?
Which candidate said that Obama would be tested in his first six months by an International crisis?
Which candidate said they had campaigned in 57 states?

Heck, I followed the election pretty closely and I didn't know the answer to one of the questions they asked Obama supporters "Which candidate won their first election by getting all of their opponents kicked off the ballot?"

The Palin supporters were asked general questions and only asked questions on specific issues which they themselves had brought up. The Obama supporters were asked about specific individuals below the Presidential level who were not directly associated with Obama. They were also asked about specific news items which frankly weren't that important (although they were widely played in order to give the 24-hour news something to play for a news cycle or two).

If you went on vacation for a week, you might have missed the whole "tested in the first six months" or the "57 states" news cycles and you honestly wouldn't have been any less informed of a voter for it. On the other hand if you don't have any idea what issues your candidate supports, what policies you'd like to see your candidate bring up, or where they stand on foreign policy, that's far more embarrassing. Also bringing up specific terms unprompted (like Cap and Trade or Czars) and then showing you have absolutely no idea what you're talking about is not at all comparable to not knowing who Barney Frank is. Even with the financial crisis going on, honestly what percentage of Americans know who Barney Frank is?

Finally the Palin supporters are buying a political book released in an off year of the election cycle and thus should be more informed than the average Republican voter (although I presume the ones in the video were cherry-picked for the stupidity of their comments). The Obama interviewees are only identified as Obama voters -- not even people who supported the campaign, contributed to the campaign, or purchased Obama books. The line shown behind some of them suggests that these interviews were taken outside a polling station. So the Obama supporters are not necessarily especially politically active. The text over claims that the Obama voters were the most informed Obama reporters we could find, but that's pretty meaningless without more information -- the most informed supporters at an Obama foreign policy speech at the Commonwealth Club is going to be a very different population than the most informed supporters in a line of random voters in a lower-middle class neighborhood.

[Shadarr]

Granted it doesn't exculpate the Palin supporters, but can someone who has followed her closely actually say what Palin thinks are the problems with cap and trade or the czars? It's not like Palin has a coherent platform that her supporters just haven't bothered to read, she's as guilty of repeating the talking points without understanding them as any of her supporters.

[Lum]

Re: cap and trade, a keystone of the current conservative platform is that global warming is a myth, and cap and trade tariffs are a money grab conspiracy justified by that myth. It's asinine (anyone who doubts global warming has been taking its toll should just take a look at recent maps of Greenland) but it's been their response to Kyoto, Copenhagen, and alternative energy (which they oppose, since oil works just fine to fuel their SUV panzerwagens).

As for the "too many czars" crap, it literally is that the word sounds Russian and Russian = socialism. The fact that the Czars were who the Communists *overthrew and killed* is apparently beyond Palin, despite being right next door to Russia and thus an expert on Soviet history.

[bago]

Yeah. How many video games have a "winners don't do drugs" screen thanks to the first American "czar"?

[Anaxagoras]

Granted it doesn't exculpate the Palin supporters, but can someone who has followed her closely actually say what Palin thinks are the problems with cap and trade or the czars? It's not like Palin has a coherent platform that her supporters just haven't bothered to read, she's as guilty of repeating the talking points without understanding them as any of her supporters.

Palin's idiot followers brought those points up. If they knew nothing about those points, they shouldn't have mentioned them. The fact that Palin herself brings up those points in a vacuous, soundbite-y way isn't an excuse for her followers; it actually highlights their lack of critical thought.

Those morons will buy into whatever they're told to buy into. They're a disgrace, and a democratic country can't have healthy or productive politics so long as people like that are involved in the process.

[Calistas]

Holy crap, scary video. The US enters a post-issues political landscape. Who needs policy when you have "fairness" and "reality" as your campaign positions?

[Skipper]

Palin's idiot followers brought those points up. If they knew nothing about those points, they shouldn't have mentioned them. The fact that Palin herself brings up those points in a vacuous, soundbite-y way isn't an excuse for her followers; it actually highlights their lack of critical thought.

Those morons will buy into whatever they're told to buy into. They're a disgrace, and a democratic country can't have healthy or productive politics so long as people like that are involved in the process.

I present to you the "misinformed American public." Palin is like a beacon to that very group, weaving her web of short, vapid one liner form of politics where there is a clearly defined good and evil but there is no defined future state . She's like the pied piper of lunacy, lies, and non-thought, merrily dancing her form of leadership direction on a literal bridge to nowhere.

For those not enraptured by her tune, it's scary thinking of someone like her in our most important political duty, that of President. The scariest part though Anaxagoras .... there are a hell of a lot of those voters.

[Brettmcd]

Holy crap, scary video. The US enters a post-issues political landscape. Who needs policy when you have "fairness" and "reality" as your campaign positions?

I agree. but then having "change" and "hope" as your campaign positions is just as scary. We have fools on both sides right now, its a sad time for american politics as a whole.

[bago]

I agree. but then having "change" and "hope" as your campaign positions is just as scary. We have fools on both sides right now, its a sad time for american politics as a whole.

10 Trillion dollars in Stasis, War, and Depression 2012!

[Lorini]

There is no way in hell I'd stay in this country if that woman became President. I have money, I can leave here!!!!

[Calistas]

I agree. but then having "change" and "hope" as your campaign positions is just as scary. We have fools on both sides right now, its a sad time for american politics as a whole.

That would be a fair point if those were the only "policies" Obama stood for and the only ones his supporters knew about and reapeated to camera.

While it is dangerous to over-generalize populations I don't think that the average Palin supporter strays far from the type of thinking displayed in that video, whereas the average Obama supporter can probably rattle off a couple of policies.

That being said those features aren't the only scary thing in that video. Particularly troubling are the complete and utter lies that these folks have been told and support. How can GOP or Dem even have a discussion when one side lives in a different reality?

[Flowers]

In my experience, the truly stupid are ever ravishingly unaware of the common man's power to unravel their carelessly woven falsehoods.

[bago]

Sarah Palin quits Thanksgiving (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdFq3yiZmk0&feature=player_embedded).
"It's too much work".

[arctangent]

"http://Sarah Palin quits Thanksgiving" isn't gonna do it.

[bago]

"http://Sarah Palin quits Thanksgiving" isn't gonna do it.

Fixed it. The best part is that the race she is shown participating in, well, she quit that too (http://www.tri-cityherald.com/kennewick_pasco_richland/story/808281.html).


She didn't finish the race, opting to leave the course early to avoid more crowds at the end.

[Brettmcd]

This obsession some people here seem to have with Palin is disturbing to say the least.

[arctangent]

She's on a roll there, she is, unless she quits quitting things, too.

[arctangent]

This obsession some people here seem to have with Palin is disturbing to say the least.

Unlike Sarah, the folks here don't quit. :)

[bago]

This obsession some people here seem to have with Palin is disturbing to say the least.

What can I say? As a native-born Alaskan currently in Washington DC with roots in Washington state where the Tri Cities exist, I feel thoroughly qualified to comment on yet another chapter in the life of the quitter from Wasilla.

[krise madsen]

This obsession some people here seem to have with Palin is disturbing to say the least.

Obsession is perhaps a bit strong. Though I do find her most fapilicious.

[Lum]

Ms. Palin needs to take some moves from MC Hammer, who last we checked was too legit, too legit to quit.

http://www.boston.com/ae/music/blog/mc-hammer.jpg

Ah haaah!

[Munky]

quitter from Wasilla.
Shouldn't that be "Quitta from Wallisa"?

[MattKeil]

Ms. Palin needs to take some moves from MC Hammer, who last we checked was too legit, too legit to quit.

I think she'll have trouble getting the "legit" part down.

[Skipper]

This obsession some people here seem to have with Palin is disturbing to say the least.

I wouldn't call it a Palin obsession as much as a "oooh, lookie what thread got bumped" obsession. It's what feeds a number of threads that come and go here to be honest. I will admit to enjoy watching a strange bird in action though. To summarize I've written* a song:

She's creepy and she's kooky,
Mysterious and spooky,
She's all together ooky,
the Palin tragedy.


*perhaps I'm stealing a line or two from elsewhere.

[Calistas]

Saying I have an obsession with Palin is like saying I have an obsession with Sponge Bob Square Pants. Not at all, I find both a great hoot to watch, though!

[Nellie]

There is an element of "Wonder what she's done this time?" whenever this thread gets bumped. That's a level of obsession I think I can live with.

[Bill]

There is an element of "Wonder what she's done this time?" whenever this thread gets bumped. That's a level of obsession I think I can live with.

Definitely. I would say it's like watching a train wreck but I think it's more comparable to "overdramatic teenagers on facebook".

[Nellie]

I think that's fair enough. Every now and again you get a couple of pages of boring back and forthing before the next epic post comes along to justify you clicking on it every visit.

[Lum]

Definitely. I would say it's like watching a train wreck but I think it's more comparable to "overdramatic teenagers on facebook".

Sarah Palin IS an overdramatic teenager on Facebook. (http://www.facebook.com/sarahpalin)


Really? A tax on national defense? I hear liberal Congressional proposals and I, like most Americans, wonder if they’re serious. We’re going to put a price tag on security?

Freedom isn't free, Sarah. It costs a buck oh five.

Note that the whole "death panels" thing originated from a rambling Palin post on Facebook as well.

[Bahimiron]

Clearly what Sarah really means is that American defense contractors, recognizing the importance of protecting American freedoms via the use of weapons and machines of war, should stop charging us for airplanes, guns, tanks and missiles. After all, how could they put a price tag on security?

[milo]

"A tax on national defense?" How do you tax national defense? Are we going to increase tax rates on military pay or something?

[Lum]

Apparently she's all higgedly piggedly that Congress may authorize a special tax to fund the military in Afghanistan and our military should only be funded by the proceeds from sales of magic beans.

The rest of her brief note:


With Congress and President Obama spending money on everything at breakneck speed, it’s interesting that they are only now getting nervous about spending – but only when it comes to providing the necessary funds to complete our mission in Afghanistan. They don’t need a new “war tax” to fund a strategy for victory in the war zone. They simply need to prioritize our money appropriately.

I find it telling that the Pelosi-Reid Congress is only cost-conscious when it comes to our national defense. Scary. Nonsensical. Unacceptable.

Because as 8 years of George W. Bush taught us, extremism in the funding of defense contractors is no vice.

[Drastic]

Hmm, that might be onto something. Not just national defense, though. If we can tax the government's tax revenue by a tax tax, and that additional revenue gets added and leads to a tax tax tax and iteratively so on, it generates infinite money. Someone should make a graph explaining that.

[Brettmcd]

"A tax on national defense?" How do you tax national defense? Are we going to increase tax rates on military pay or something?

Nah some idiot dems want to put another tax on the 'rich' to specifically fund national defense. I wish someone in either party would just stand up and start talking about cutting spending rather then new taxes. This is sadly something both parties have been a failure on.

[Lum]

Yeah, actually raising revenue to fund what you spend is so wacky.

[MikeSofaer]

I wish someone in either party would just stand up and start talking about cutting spending rather then new taxes. This is sadly something both parties have been a failure on.
That because to make a difference you have to cut Medicare, Medicaid, or Defense. Which do you want to cut?

Why shouldn't taxes go up in wartime? Wars are necessary but paying for them isn't?

[Brettmcd]

That because to make a difference you have to cut Medicare, Medicaid, or Defense. Which do you want to cut?

Why shouldn't taxes go up in wartime? Wars are necessary but paying for them isn't?

Its the stupid part about it only being a tax on the 'rich' that makes it especially idiotic.

As for what to cut, medicare and medicaid are good places to start.

[Bahimiron]

Its the stupid part about it only being a tax on the 'rich' that makes it especially idiotic.

As for what to cut, medicare and medicaid are good places to start.

This is the perfect post.

I want to bronze it and put it on a pedestal.

[Lum]

The Republicans disagree. (http://barackobamaexperiment.com/posts/1502)

Is Sarah Palin not a Republican? I know she's mavericky!

(and yes, that's really a site run by the RNC. Apparently all the good web designers work for Obama.)

[Midnight Son]

Yeah, actually raising revenue to fund what you spend is so wacky.

*whispers* Socialism.

[MikeSofaer]

As for what to cut, medicare and medicaid are good places to start.
Well, I don't think you're going to see a lot of politicians calling outright for major cuts in those programs. Maybe something that can cut them as a consequence, so they have some cover? Sounds risky. Got any ideas on how to get Medicare and Medicaid cuts through the legislature?

[Midnight Son]

Well, I don't think you're going to see a lot of politicians calling outright for major cuts in those programs. Maybe something that can cut them as a consequence, so they have some cover? Sounds risky. Got any ideas on how to get Medicare and Medicaid cuts through the legislature?

You might just get old one day. But until then, CUT BABY CUT!

[Enidigm]

The super-hilarious pseudo-conclusion you possibly can drawn from the end of the Cold War was that the reason capitalism "won" wasn't because it was more sustainable but that it had a functioning credit market which allowed the NATO allies to borrow and outspend their Warsaw Pact opponents. Though it's increasingly looking like we both lost in the long run.

[MikeSofaer]

You might just get old one day. But until then, CUT BABY CUT!
I don't know why you are attributing Brett's priorities to me. I'm just trying to facilitate here.

[Midnight Son]

I put alot of effort into CUT BABY CUT! and would appreciate some acknowledgment of my effort. Else, I'll just QUIT!

[Lum]

or maybe cut yourself?

[Midnight Son]

or maybe cut yourself?

I'll cut but I won't RUN!

[pogozorro]

The Republicans disagree. (http://barackobamaexperiment.com/posts/1502)

(and yes, that's really a site run by the RNC. Apparently all the good web designers work for Obama.)

I love how the comments have been hijacked to support healthcare reform.

Also, does the picture of Obama look strangely 3D to anyone else?

[madkevin]

When is a bus tour not a bus tour? When you don't actually use the bus much (http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2009-11-29/palins-bus-hoax/full/).

[Omniscia]

The Barack Obama Experiment sounds like the name for a band, like the Alan Parsons Project or Bachman-Turner Overdrive.

[milo]

Nah some idiot dems want to put another tax on the 'rich' to specifically fund national defense.

Then it's not "a tax on national defense" after all, is it? It's a tax on income or property. By analogy, note that taxes on cigarettes aren't use to pay for cigarettes, neither are gas taxes used to pay for gas. So why call a surtax used to pay for defense "a tax on defense?" That doesn't make any sense.

[WarrenM]

http://www.thedailybeast.com/cheat-sheet/item/glenn-beck-vs-sarah-palin/trouble-brewing/

So great.

"She’d be yapping or something, and I’d say, 'I’m sorry, why am I hearing your voice? I’m not in the kitchen.'"

[RepoMan]

"'I’m sorry, why am I hearing your voice? I’m not in the kitchen.'"
http://img1.tvloop.com/img/showpics/cf/c6/l33d630190000_1_29799.jpg

[Skipper]

The Barack Obama Experiment sounds like the name for a band, like the Alan Parsons Project or Bachman-Turner Overdrive.

Bachman-Palin Overdrive?

[Union Carbide]

Bachman-Palin Overdrive?
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh286/mmarks_2008/robocop.jpg

[Midnight Son]

You ain't seen nuffin' yet.

[bago]

Alright, in order to ressurect this back up to epic status, check out the photo scam (http://breepalin.blogspot.com/2009/12/sarah-palins-fee-schedule-found.html).

If someone wants there's the freebie where she takes a private jet to each location so the whole tourbus is a scam bit, but for now I'm just going to focus on the no cameras but our cameras scam.

[BlueJackalope]

Alright, in order to ressurect this back up to epic status, check out the photo scam (http://breepalin.blogspot.com/2009/12/sarah-palins-fee-schedule-found.html).

If someone wants there's the freebie where she takes a private jet to each location so the whole tourbus is a scam bit, but for now I'm just going to focus on the no cameras but our cameras scam.

Its always seemed obvious to me that she has no intention of running for office again, and is instead concentrating on making Fat Bank, but this would seem to confirm it.

I can't imagine a real candidate who wouldn't want supporters to have and distribute as many pictures of them kissing babies and shaking hands with the adoring populace as possible.

[RepoMan]

I bet HITLER didn't allow cameras at HIS rallies, EITHER.

(Heeeere, brettmcd, heeere, lil' trollie!)

[kerzain]

I bet HITLER didn't allow cameras at HIS rallies, EITHER.

(Heeeere, brettmcd, heeere, lil' trollie!)Perhaps, perhaps not, but he went on camera with this sentiment:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WnodEflqIU

[arctangent]

Perhaps, perhaps not, but he went on camera with this sentiment:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WnodEflqIU

God help me, I love these things.

[Cosmic Hippo]

Hahaha, that video's worth it for "MEIN KAMPF, ALSO, TOO!!!"

[bago]

http://cmsimg.news-leader.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=DO&Date=20091203&Category=NEWS01&ArtNo=912030366&Ref=V2&MaxW=318&Border=0

[Athryn]

Palin trolls Americans yet again: She's a birther (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/12/03/palin-goes-birther-obama_n_379634.html).

What a fucking moron.

[Lorini]

Palin trolls Americans yet again: She's a birther (http://bit.ly/7MA9KX).

What a fucking moron.

Hey Ath, thanks for the link, but next time would you mind using the real link instead of a truncated one? There's really no need to truncate if you are using {URL][/URL} ([] replaced with {} so that it could be seen) and some of us want to know where we are going before we get there :)

[Telefrog]

Palin trolls Americans yet again: She's a birther (http://bit.ly/7MA9KX).

What a fucking moron.

Her Facebook update:


Voters have every right to ask candidates for information if they so choose. I've pointed out that it was seemingly fair game during the 2008 election for many on the left to badger my doctor and lawyer for proof that Trig is in fact my child. Conspiracy-minded reporters and voters had a right to ask... which they have repeatedly. But at no point - not during the campaign, and not during recent interviews - have I asked the president to produce his birth certificate or suggested that he was not born in the United States.

[Midnight Son]

Dear Sarah,

What's your IQ? I just ask because you may be eligible for all kinds of gummint aid!

[Matthew Gallant]

I've pointed out that it was seemingly fair game during the 2008 election for many on the left to badger my doctor and lawyer for proof that Trig is in fact my child.
Well then I guess people who think that should just keep on doing it. Sarah seems to think it's OK.

[Skipper]

Palin trolls Americans yet again: She's a birther (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/12/03/palin-goes-birther-obama_n_379634.html).

What a fucking moron.

Wow. She just went from "not to bright" to "a stupid idiot" in my book. To be fair she was well on her way already.

[kerzain]

Some guys gets arrested for throwing tomatoes at Palin during a book signing. (http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/12/07/man-arrested-throwing-tomatoes-sarah-palin-police-say/)


Neither tomato came close hitting the former 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee, but did hit a police officer in the face, the station reported.

The unidentified man may face charges for assaulting a police officer, according to the station. Whoops.

[Eric T Cheng]

What a waste of a tomato.

[Pogo]

Food fight!

[bago]

Sully tags another one (http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2009/12/on-sacrifice.html).



"The attack on Pearl Harbor launched America into the Second World War, and our Greatest Generation did not hesitate when asked to sacrifice for their country. American men enlisted in droves, American women went to work in the factories that became our “Arsenal of Democracy,” and many Americans gave what little money they had to buy the war bonds that funded it all" - Sarah Palin, today.

"Really? A tax on national defense? I hear liberal Congressional proposals and I, like most Americans, wonder if they’re serious. We’re going to put a price tag on security? With Congress and President Obama spending money on everything at breakneck speed, it’s interesting that they are only now getting nervous about spending – but only when it comes to providing the necessary funds to complete our mission in Afghanistan. They don’t need a new “war tax” to fund a strategy for victory in the war zone. They simply need to prioritize our money appropriately. I find it telling that the Pelosi-Reid Congress is only cost-conscious when it comes to our national defense. Scary. Nonsensical. Unacceptable." - Sarah Palin, two weeks ago.

[Skipper]

Wow ... in two weeks, such a turnaround. (kidding)

Is it just me or does anyone else find her pimpage of American pride and miltary members a bit grating?

[bago]

Her sentence construction logic is barely that above a mad-lib.

Take some from column A: (adjective)
commone sense conservative
hard working
real american

and some from column B: (noun)
troops
americans
taxpayers

Throw in some connecting words and leave a dangling Also.

She can make negative sentences as well, you just swap the values of the columns.
Column A: (adjectives)
coastal
liberal
college educated

Column B: (noun)
government employees
Obama
elites

Also.

[Hanacker]

Sully tags another one (http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2009/12/on-sacrifice.html).

I don't get it. What's the discrepancy?

[foogla]

yeah

warbonds were bought voluntarily by citizens, a tax on national defense (peace tax? nah too positive) would force citizens to pay for something they don't want

[Lum]

And the linchpin of neoconservative foreign policy is that military adventurism is great, as long as it's off in the distance somewhere where no one has to think about consequences like blood and treasure.

[bago]

yeah

warbonds were bought voluntarily by citizens, a tax on national defense (peace tax? nah too positive) would force citizens to pay for something they don't want

Check out what happened to the tax rates during WW2.

[KevinC]

So Obama is cribbing Palin's text (http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/12/10/palin-on-obama-speech-i-liked-what-he-said/), apparently, and should be more like Bush:



Palin said the president's remarks had a familiar ring. "I thumbed through my book quickly this morning to say 'Wow! That really sounded familiar.' because I talked in book too about the fallen nature of man and why war is necessary at times."

[Matthew Gallant]

"I talked in book too"?

[Eric T Cheng]

"I talked in book too"?

Maybe she dictated to her ghost writer?

[madkevin]

So Obama is cribbing Palin's text (http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/12/10/palin-on-obama-speech-i-liked-what-he-said/), apparently, and should be more like Bush:

That's nothing. One time, I said the word "hope", and then I said not too long after the word "change". Where's my royalty check, Obama?

[Matthew Gallant]

Maybe she dictated to her ghost writer?
I was just commenting on her diction. I would have gone with "me did talk in book too!"

[Skipper]

I was just commenting on her diction. I would have gone with "me did talk in book too!"

, also.

[zengonzo]

It's most amusing that things in her book sound familiar to her, so she has to look it up to see if she had indeed said them.

[Lum]

To be fair, Palin isn't really talking like a caveman, CNN just has no copyediting whatsoever. The USA Today story they quoted (http://blogs.usatoday.com/onpolitics/2009/12/surprise-palin-likes-obamas-nobel-speech.html) has the correct quote.

When the USA Today makes you look dumb, you need to look in book more.

[Jason McCullough]

warbonds were bought voluntarily by citizens.....

True, but consumer goods were rationed during the war, so there wasn't much else to spend it on; it was that or savings accounts for most people.

[MatthewF]

"I'm on my knees more than ever..."

I bet.

[Calistas]

True, but consumer goods were rationed during the war, so there wasn't much else to spend it on; it was that or savings accounts for most people.

And bonds were savings, of a kind, right?

[Jason McCullough]

Yeah. I vaguely recall something about how the Fed and Treasury mopped them up as part of the inflation fighting and cost controls, but I'll defer that discussion until I get around to writing my The Wages of Destruction (http://www.amazon.com/Wages-Destruction-Making-Breaking-Economy/dp/0713995661) review.

Back on topic, this new yorker bit on Palin's book actually finds new ground (http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/books/2009/12/07/091207crbo_books_tanenhaus), chiefly in the way it compares the biographies of her, Powell, Obama, and Truman. Also points out that Palin's slapfight with Letterman was classic Huey Long populism.


In her speech at the Republican Convention, Palin cited the example of Harry Truman, “a young farmer and haberdasher from Missouri” who “followed an unlikely path to the Vice-Presidency.” But Truman’s early years were spent in preparation for some future exemplary role, and for the historical destiny that he hoped, against all odds, he might someday fulfill. He regarded his ordinariness as something to be overcome, not celebrated. Though often derided in his day as a “little man,” he closely studied the lives of the greats, with special emphasis on antiquity—Hannibal, Cincinnatus, Scipio, Cyrus the Great—and consciously patterned himself after them. “Reading history, to me, was far more than a romantic adventure,” he said. “It was solid instruction and wise teaching which I somehow felt that I wanted and needed.” As President, he formed a strong bond with his Secretary of State, Dean Acheson, a product of Yale and Harvard, and a bugbear of Joseph McCarthy and his congressional allies, whom Acheson described as “political primitives.”

[Calistas]

History books are probably among those books Pakin couldn't name ;)

[Matthew Gallant]

Her latest Twitter post:

SarahPalinUSA

Earth saw clmate chnge4 ions;will cont 2 c chnges.R duty2responsbly devlop resorces4humankind/not pollute&destroy;but cant alter naturl chng

It's rough out there for ions. The climate is always trying to add or take away electrons from them. GIVE IONS THE LIBERTY TO MAKE THEIR OWN ELECTRON CHOICES, YOU SOCIALIST CLIMATE!

Anyway, there's climate change policy from the perspective of someone who can't spell a four-letter word. We shouldn't pollute, but, uh, if we do it doesn't matter. I guess.

[kerzain]

Cut her some slack, she's retarded.

[bago]

I eagerly await the response of brettcmd. It should be out of this world. Or perhaps it will get stuck in the ionosphere.

[jerri blank]

In other news, apparently even Palin's vacations are too much trouble for her to finish (http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jygEIfCCHVOr_zu7VWQIGSGsJZTAD9CLV0S02).

[Eric T Cheng]

In other news, apparently even Palin's vacations are too much trouble for her to finish (http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jygEIfCCHVOr_zu7VWQIGSGsJZTAD9CLV0S02).

Maybe her Hawaiian vacation gave her flashbacks of her college days where she was swarmed by Asians and Pacific Islanders (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/12/06/palins-father-she-left-ha_n_381724.html)?

[MattKeil]

Her latest Twitter post:

Did Ed Harris type that at the bottom of the ocean?

[Christien Murawski]

Did Ed Harris type that at the bottom of the ocean?

Awesome.

[zengonzo]

In other news, apparently even Palin's vacations are too much trouble for her to finish (http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jygEIfCCHVOr_zu7VWQIGSGsJZTAD9CLV0S02).


Lord, her bizarre explanations always trump her bizarre actions.

She didn't want to be identified, so she decided to wear a visor that had some identifying information, and then black out all the details that might somewhat obscure such identifying information ..

[WarrenM]

This:

Cut her some slack, she's retarded.
And this:

Did Ed Harris type that at the bottom of the ocean?
were awesome, thanks!

[Calistas]

According to a biography — "Sarah" by Kaylene Johnson — Palin and three friends went to the University of Hawaii at Hilo after graduation from high school in Alaska in 1982. But they left after a few weeks because of the constant rain there, the book said.

....Who leaves because of rain? WTF? OMG WATER IS FALLING fROM TEH SKY! I CAN NOTS HANDLE IT!

[arctangent]

Yeah, but 130 inches of rain a year? Her hair would go limp from the humidity.

[Hanacker]

Hilo does get a lot of rain. I wouldn't want to go there either. And the too many Asians thing.