Gee, now I almost feel bad for her

Now McCain doesn't even respect Palin (if he ever did):

"Seeking to downplay her remarks on Sunday, McCain did Palin the disservice of suggesting her musings on the stump were a one-off mistake, reflecting precious little about the campaign's policy. "I don't think most Americans think that that's a definitive policy statement made by Governor Palin," McCain said on ABC's "This Week." He also noted, somewhat curiously, that Palin "was in a conversation with some young man," as though the need to accurately define a policy is somehow different for a young person than for other voters." - Huffington Post

Leigh: "To McCain, 60 is young."

In other news, is Obama the Anti-Christ?

Julie: "Yes, because the Anti-Christ would look good in a suit and shop at Whole Foods."

Thought for the Day

Does Palin watch top model? Because she is awfully like Hannah who, in case you didn't know, is from Alaska. And they're aren't that many people in Alaska. Did you know she's from there and being on a reality TV show is HUGE for her? She's from the middle of nowhere, Alaska. Let's hope she isn't registered to vote because I'll bet she's a HUGE Palin fan.

Women seem to be sympathizing with Palin because she's in over her head. Or rather, this NY Times columnist is. Duh, she's in over her head. She's from Alaska! There are less people in the entire state than live in lower Manhattan. It's really sad when our nation becomes a reality TV show. It's almost like Survivor. Will McCain survive until election day? Will hockey mom Palin survive her next interview? Even this conservative columnist is starting to have her doubts about wonder woman and hockey mom Palin. Where do we go from here? I could use a margerita down in Mexico...

White Privilege

Thanks to Jen for telling me about this article which highlights how Palin is judged radically differently from Obama because she is white.

What I found the most shocking was that Palin referred to racism as as a "light" burden. Is there a reason this hasn't been bandied about more? Or is just assumed all people of color and different ethnicities are voting Obama???

You Might Need This Shirt

Hey, it benefits Planned Parenthood in Alaska.

Be fashionable this campaign season.

Free Michael Moore Film

Who doesn't like free stuff?

Download Michael Moore's new film for free.

A Reporter Infiltrates Palin's Church

I'm waiting to see the footage.

No news is...good news?

Due to lack of news on Sarah Palin in New York the Metro decides to interview New Yorkers about what she should be doing while she's here.

The best quote, from Brooklyn Borough pres Marty Markowitz: “As you may know, Brooklyn has four times the population of Alaska, and Ms. Palin could get lots of quick foreign policy tips from Brooklynites, who represent 93 ethnic groups and 150 nationalities,” he said, “and she could meet some bona fide Russian-speakers in our ‘Little Odessa’ without ever having to cross the Bering Strait."

Palin Avoids the Press

Palin is in New York but but the campaign is not allowing reporters access to her meetings with high profile diplomats. As previously mentioned, she is really only meeting with people in McCain's pocket. Still, what could they be discussing that's so hush-hush? A few outrageous possibilities:

1. Blowing up Afghanistan. Unlikely, unless Karzai is offered a position on the McCain cabinet.

2. The best strip bars in NY.

3. Palin's trip to Iraq that never really happened.

4. Russia.

5. Lipstick brands.

Feel free to add your own top secret topics.

More UN

Somehow, it sounds better in French to know that McCain-Palin promise us four more years of "la diplomatie du cow-boy". Not better as in, bring it on! But better as in, incredibly ludicrous sounding and unlikely to happen.

Palin Could Not Run Hewlett Packard

A few days old already, here is CNN coverage of the Carly Fiorina, former HP CEO, comments on Palin and McCain as well not being able to run a large corporation...yet seemingly able to run this country of ours.

Time for a trip to the UN

And so Palin comes to our fair city, New York, to try and rub elbows with all friends of Bush.

According the Guardian, Palin will not be meeting with Western European leaders. Sure, you might be like a few of my college friends and think the West is the root of all evil, but neither will she meet with Chinese official, or the Russians, not surprising since she clearly wants to take them on, which is in line with her party's line. Essentially, she will only meet with people friendly with Bush. So, if you were planning on voting McCain-Palin and visiting London or Paris anytime soon, uhhh, better go before we declare war on them or cease diplomatic ties.

Palin's Email

Some of us were able to read Palin's yahoo email last week. It wasn't all that exciting and most of what I saw was just a list of contacts. But PC Magazine has an article on what is easy to break into Palin's email.

In others words, good reasons not to be a suddenly famous politician with few credentials:

1. Her security question about where she met her husband was answered in her acceptance speech at the RNC.

2. It's easy to find her date of birth and other general information.

3. A lot of people dislike her and think she is, to put it mildly, a poor choice as second in line for pres after an already poor and ailing choice for pres. So, what would you do? Maybe I wouldn't hack into her email account but I'd certainly send the Mormons after her....

Finally, the Daily Show comes back from vacay to mock Palin

Is it wrong to love the Daily Show so? In less than 3 minutes, Jon Stewart gets down to Sarah Palin business in this past Monday's episode and brings up a fact I didn't know (and apparently neither did most audience members!). Not only is Sarah Palin against abortions in the case of rape, she made rape victims in Wasilla pay for the medical kits used to test them for evidence of rape. There are a lot of words to describe this woman, the best may be a vulgar word for a woman's vagina beginning with C and ending with T.

I also had to post this episode because I get a kick out of thinking that I interviewed the guy on the show for a work podcast, Barton Gellman, and his book Angler is awesome. Read it and see the inner workings of Cheney. OK, that's scary. Maybe you should wait until Halloween?

Choose or Lose

I wonder if this concert might just be a bit too late. Im hoping thats not the case and any show that urges people to get out and vote is AOK by me.

Apparently the Highline Ballroom is into charity-friendly shows for the month of October (although this one is in early November).

MTV Choose or Lose Presents
Locksley
Hymns

November 1,2008

Concert starts @ 6:30PM
Doors open @ 6 PM
Tickets $10.00 in advance
$12.00 at door.
General Admission Standing Room Only / All Ages

For and Against Palin in Alaska

Not that I follow Alaska politics but after the article in the NY Times a few weeks back about how she has a hardcore fanbase there of Christian women, it was refreshing to see this blog post with pictures of a pro-Palin rally and an anti-Palin rally during her recent trip back to her home state.

To be brief, there were more people at the anti-Palin rally than the pro-Palin rally.


Picture from Mudflats, where you can read more about Palin and Alaska.

Healthcare

While not strictly Palin, this is certainly something she supports and another reason NOT to vote for her and McCain. Simply put, an editorial yesterday in the NY Times outlines how the McCain-Palin ticket wants to tax employer provided health insurance so that people stop opting for it and go out into the "marketplace" to find cheaper health insurance.

What these means for us young types in more people our age will choose to go without insurance. I, for one, find the whole concept of choosing my own plan very confusing. I wouldn't even know where to begin. At least now, by having a job, I'm covered and I don't have to worry about it.

Basically, as this editorial puts it, the repubs want to destroy the American healthcare system, those m*****f**kers! (Apologies to mothers everywhere but I needed a vehement exclaimation)

Palin things to watch

Excerpts, Huff Post style, from her TV interview (if you're like me and don't really watch online vids, there are text bits too):
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/11/sarah-palins-charlie-gibs_n_125772.html

A Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund ad about how Palin is just plain mean (ie she likes to kill animals for fun):

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/12/brutal-ad-targets-palins_n_125975.html

McCain on the View

While not strictly Palin, I'm glad the TV types are making McCain explain himself about things, including Palin:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/12/mccain-grilled-on-the-vie_n_125972.html

More lies about Palin's acheivement

At the RNC, one of Palin "accomplishments" was that he helped secure a deal for her state gas pipeline project. Today, the NY Times reports that the company, TransCanada, doesn't actually have to put in an application to start working on this until 2011 (so naturally, despite Palin's boasts, they haven't). They don't also don't actually have to have a pipeline up and running until 2018. Let's see, in Julie years, that means I'll be halfway to 40 by the time they have to have anything in place...and who knows if they'll even do it. The state is now showing regret over the agreement and several members of the Alaska legislature now wish they hadn't signed the agreement.

I also had to add this link to Digg after my "Palin big oil" google because of the heinous pic of Palin in fur.

Matt Damon

I saw this in AM New York this morning but thanks to Leslie for sending me an online version of it. Oh Matt, you're so hot. You make our hearts beat. (Actually, in this pic he looks kinda gross, he was prob hotter a few years back). Since he's from the People's Republic of Cambridge, MA, I'm not really surprised that he has good politics.

Troopergate

How could I have forgotten Troopergate wherein Palin first tried to get her ex-brother-in-law fired and then later his boss. What a great story about trying to use your power to harm people you dislike. I really must run for public office.

It starts like this. Before Palin becomes governor, her sister files for divorce. Allegedly, the brother-in-law threatens Palin's father in front of Palin....but she doesn't tell anyone about it until the divorce trial because she wasn't actually worried about it.

The Ex finally gets suspended from the state troopers, for among other reasons, killing a moose illegally (did you know if your spouse's name is on a permit, you can't kill the moose? remember that, kids) and tasering his stepson. Not because he was trying to abuse the kid but because his stepson asked him too! What a family.

Troopergate continues with the Palins bothering the ex's boss and firing him, though she claims it had nothing to do with his reluctance to deal with her sister's ex. Suuuurrreeee. Whatever you say Madame Governor.

Small town America

This is a good article from the Wall Street Journal about how people like Palin say they love small town Americans yet screw them over with legislation. I think there must be some truth to the fact that voters in small towns are often more conservative and Christian. So the Republicans strive to present a veneer of catering to this less wealth sector who is stereotyped as preferring the quiet life to the big city elitists. But all politicians are elitists. You can't run without money and connections. Palin pretends to be a simple hockey mom with a husband who is an oil worker. But she's not. She has so many kids because she doesn't believe in family planning. Her husband is supposed to have a pretty cushy job at the oil field. And this nonsense about them earning money through fishing has been proved to merely be a hobby of theirs. Duh, politicians will never be like me and you.

The other interesting point the above article brings up is that Palin quoted an anti-semite in her RNC speech. Oooo, it warms the cockles of my heart. ;p

The Bridge to Nowhere

To be honest, I had no idea what the Bridge to Nowhere was until this all happened. By "this" I mean Palin consistently bringing it up in her campaigning. The media seems to like this one and it's possible to find many instances out there about how Palin has continuously lied about saying "no" to this project when she actually supported it at first.

Here is just one blogger from the Huffington Post. They also have a video montage showing her flip flopping on this issue.

Palin's Looks

A poll posted on Boston.com shows that Palin is more popular than Biden.
Yesterday, I had the happy chance to run into a former roommate who brought up a very valid observation. Ask people what they say about Palin and the first thing is usually that she's a very beautiful woman. Which she is. But to me, that doesn't qualify her to be VP.

In a beauty contest, Palin beats Biden and McCain, no contest. But it's disgusting how obsessed with image we all are in this country. People like Obama because he's fresh and new, I leave it up to you whether you think he has enough experience. I, personally, like the pairing of him with Biden because Biden knows how to play the game and plays it admirably well. But cynical McCain then goes in and decides he needs "fresh and new" and picks this incredibly reactionary, pro-fetus life, anti-animal and raped mother life woman to be his running mate. Does anyone else feel queasy when you reflect on it? I almost want to breathe in a paper bag. I feel nauseous that this woman could be our next president should McBush find himself out hunting with her and suddenly a gun goes off in the wrong place. It happened to Cheney, whose to say it wouldn't happen with Palin?

Let Palin be the next Martha Stewart. Let her be Mrs. January in the Governors of the USA calendar or even Hot Republicans (that would be a short year). But please don't let her be the next VP of the USA based on the fact that she's an attractive woman.

Palin's Spending

Whoa Nelly! Not that I'm surprised about this but Palin charged the state of Alaska for added expenses such as charging the state for working on Thanksgiving because she went to a basketball game. She also had them pay for her family's travel to Juneau. With such a large family, the daughters alone were $25,000 (see link above for WP article).

That said, she apparently spent less than the previous governor and often flies coach (according to this article but her husband paid $1,000 something to fly a governors convention and that doesn't sound like coach to me). She is also entitled to receive pay everyday even when she's not working. Ahhh, to be a governor. Will anyone vote for me? I'm thinking I might stand a chance in Rhode Island, they're small.

Norm Coleman: Running Man...

A break from Palin:

Let's watch a good Minnesota Democratic Senate ad, pointing out Republican Norm Coleman's allegiance to GW Bush. Go Al Franken! Go ahead, it's only 30 [very good] seconds:

Palin hates wolves too

Palin encourages wolf hunting in Alaska. Sorry, not regular wolf hunting, did you think she was sportsmanlike, giving the wolves a chance? Nope. She wants to shoot them from planes, just like a video game! Even though, conservationist say she's using shoddy science to back up her claims.

For awhile, in 2007, she actually used state money to pay those who cut off the wolves' paws and brought them in to prove they'd killed them.

Read more on Salon.com.

Palin's Pregnancy

Talk about Freudian slip, I accidentally wrote "presidency" instead of "pregnancy".

This seems like a fairly balanced article about Palin's pregnancy.

I'm mostly shocked that she didn't tell her kids Trig would have Down's Syndrome.

Old 97's Rock Obama at Sonar Baltimore

If you're in the Baltimore/DC/VA area tonight, this is a great show to check out. Tix are only $25 while the VIP tix are $100 and the proceeds are going to help elect Obama.

OLD 97'S
ROCK OBAMA
CALEB STINE & THE BRAKEMEN : DESERT BOYS

A very special fundraising event - All proceeds go to the campaign to elect Barack Obama in the notorious swing state of Ohio! (That's right - even the bands and our employees are working for free!)

VIP tickets include a special reception and acoustic performance by Rhett Miller & Murray Hammond in the Club Room, as well as priority entry for the Old 97's performance.

VIP ADMISSION 5 PM DOORS : GENERAL ADMISSION 7 PM DOORS : ALL AGES

Official: Palin hates Polar bears

Palin hates these little guys, she wants them dead. Read the article Leigh posted below. She is actually suing the Bush administration for making them an endangered species *tear*.

Actual Palin anti-environment quote: "What does [Obama] actually seek to accomplish, after he's done turning back the waters and healing the planet?" Umm...if he did that, it would be an awesome accomplishment!

Another Good Article

Here is another good article, mostly looking at her shabby environmental views (think to the right of GW Bush):

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/palin-the-real-scandal-920803.html

The Scariest Thing About Palin

I think the scariest thing about Sarah Palin (among many, many possiblities here) is that even if her (or other) children were RAPED, she would force them to have the baby. Let's think about this. You, a woman, are raped. A terrible, terrible thing. Then, you get pregnant by this bastard, and are forced by the govt (in Sarah Palin's America) to have this child?? Every time the baby kicks, etc, you think of the rape. Children are supposed to be born of love, not hate or crimes. This woman is scary beyond belief. Even most of the right-wing zealots support abortion rights in cases or rape or incest. But not her. No, go have your rapist's child and relive the experience every day.

My mom and I discussed this this afternoon and decided that is one of the worst things about her. If McCain kicks the bucket while president (a distinct possibility), this monster will be our president. I say NO!

Colbert Report Says It Best

OK, maybe we should just stop the blog after two days because this says it all:

The Higher Education of Saran Palin, Part 2 (wherein she finally graduates)

Let's look at some more places where Palin tried to get some learnin' in (this is kinda like the Discovery Channel, can I get some native wildlife in here?)

4. The University of Idaho. In Moscow, Idaho. Not to be confused with Russia, which, to paraphrase Desiccated Barbie McCain (uhh...I mean Cindy McBush), Palin knows a lot about being she lives in Alaska. What the U of I says about itself, "There's no better way to learn, think and live than at the University of Idaho. Expect more from a leading university. We'll deliver." They would eventually deliver Palin her degree...but not yet!

5. Matanuska-Susitna College . In the Valley...but not the one where Valley girls come from or even the Pioneer Valley (it would probably give Palin hives). Two year college, Palin attended for a semester.

6. U da ho? No, I da ho! I'm sure Palin often said that about her alma mater, the University of Idaho. Does this really count as a sixth college? Well, second time is a charm. Only five years after she graduated from high school, so not too bad. I know people who need five years at just one college (and I do sympathize, Hofstra grads, where they don't tell you what your requirements are). Oh and she majored in journalism, for those curious. Not that she ever really worked as a journalist, so there's hope for all you J-school grads after all, VP of the USA.

Palin's Former Church

Since such a big deal was made of Obama's pastor, now his former one, I think it's worthwhile to mention some things about the church Palin grew up in and the one she attends now:

1. Palin attended the Assemblies of God with her family when she was young and when she was elected governor in 2006, contacted her former pastor from there for spiritual advice. She had left the church in 2002.

2. Assemblies of God is known for (from The NY Times)"speaking in tongues and miraculous healings."

3. Her new church, Wasilla Bible Church, recently hosted a talk from Jews for Jesus, which seeks to converts Jews to Christianity, while masquerading as Jews themselves. Please mention this to any anti-Obama Jews you may know who are voting for McBush because he "supports Israel and Obama is secretly a Muslim".

4. One of Palin's acquaintances quoted in the above article says that WBC is "safe" for politicians more so than AoG, which is Pentecostal, them of the tongues, due to less crazy Christian-ness.

5. That said, WBC believes in trying to "cure" homosexual people.

6. Click here to read about the fundamental beliefs of Assembles of God, Palin's long term church.

7. Click here to read Palin's more current church, Wasilla Bible's statement of faith.

The Higher Education of Sarah Palin, Part 1

While the beans are on the boil and Gustav is coming to dinner, or lunch, or tea...I thought I'd reflect on Sarah Palin's love of higher education.

Sarah loves college so much that she didn't just go to one undergrad college (or...uhhh, two like some of us transfers!) she went to six! Pretty impressive, huh?

Let's take a look at some of these places.

1. The University of Hawaii at Hilo. The web address is actually "www.uhh.hawaii.edu" I kid you not. And it seems "uhhh" is exactly what the registrar there is saying as they have no record of Palin! What was she doing, hanging out at the beach? Czech out Hilo on wikipedia. According to Palin's bio (can you believe there is one? Hardcover is out of print, paperback going cheap) she and her girl chum left after a few *weeks* because it was too rainy. Excuse me?

2. Hawaii Pacific University. It looks like Palin and Obama share something in common: Hawaii. Except that no one seems to have really know her there and I used to work with a guy who once met Obama in line somewhere in Hawaii. So there ya go: real proof that Obama has been spotted in the state of Hawaii.

3. North Idaho College. Their motto is "Changing Lives Every Day." Except for Sarah Palin. Not that I blame her, I mean, Hawaii to Idaho? When I think of Idaho I think of that scene in Napoleon Dynamite where he's walking down that looooooong stretch of road in the middle of nowhere. A friend of mine also moved there to be with her boyfriend (ha!) and I think I read about kids sniffing OxyCotin (sp?) in Coeur D'Alene, where this college is.

Anyone else starting to get tired? I need to go chop some vegetables, be back in awhile....

Palin Mania

I wake up this morning and what do I find but like 5 Palin emails from Rachel and one from Leigh. Luckily, Leigh already posted hers ;)

First off, Palin and God below, geez louise! Why can't we have a politician who doesn't talk about religion! Religion is a personal matter, leave me alone Jesus freaks (incidentally, all contributors to this blog are Jewish, though not necessarily religious, does that = Hannukah party, a shared dislike of Lieberman, and unrequited love of Jon Stewart? Probably)!

Second, Track Palin, oh where do you get a name like that? Clearly, Sarah decided that 1. she was going to be famous and decided her kids *had* to have weird names and 2. she liked the bible but not the names in it like Hezekiah. Anyway, allegedly, from Rachel's co-worker, Track is in the army...to avoid going to jail?? WTF? Is that one out of the National Enquirer? And yet, it is probably being confirmed as we speak. Just like Babygate.

Apparently, Track also played a "prank" by vandalizing a school bus and putting school children in danger. He then had to spend his senior year of high school in Michigan. Uhhh....new Michael Moore doc in the works over this one perhaps?

That's us Cheerleaders, bring you the best rumors about anyone named Palin, woo!

Coming next: The Higher Education of Sarah Palin

Palin and G-d

Here is an article from today's NY Times about how Sarah Palin's goal in politics is to "follow God's will." : (may require login to NYT web site)

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/06/us/politics/06church.html

Sorry to tell her, but religion should be a personal thing, not dragged into a politician's policies. Has she not heard of the separation of church and state? But then again, all Repubs seem to have forgotten about that, and try to force their beliefs on the rest of us. Disguisting.

On the lighter side, here is a great clip from the Daily Show:
http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=184086&title=sarah-palin-gender-card

Palin and Ebay

Wait a second....are governors allowed to sell state property on the Internet? And why does McBush suggest that this show Palin's ingenuity?

Here's a paraphrased version: Palin sold a state owned jet that her predecessor as governor bought. She tried to sell it on eBay. No one bought it (I mean, if you don't live in Alaska, how would you pick it up? Have Palin fly it to you?) So she sold it again at a loss.

Here's a more complete coverage.

My dad sells stuff on eBay. Maybe he could give her a few pointers on how to make a profit.

Dance Dance (we're falling apart to half time)

Actually this is not for a Fall Out Boy show, but the song is beyond addicting.

Instead - Dance Dance Pro-Choice Nation which is far better than a FOB show or so Im told. I'd so be there if I wasn't in California.

$$$

This pretty much summarizes the results of Palin's speech:
$8 mil to the Dems, $1 mill to the Repubs.

An article in the Times also suggests that her strongest base of women is....in Alaska. Last time I checked, Alaska only has like 4 electoral points. So maybe....we're still OK. *breathes sigh of relief*

Rock For Change

As one day music will conquer the world (and bring peace and love and harmony) - I strongly believe that nothing but great things can come from Rock The Vote. And now there is Rock for nearly everything.

Living Colour - Cult Of Personality - yeah so worth it.
@ Le Poisson Rouge which Julie can attest to is a pretty swank club in the heart of the Village.

Brains - Use em Or Lose em

Obviously there are some lacking in this woman. I've never been pregnant, but even my own common sense tells me a few things which are just plain stupid. So the next question would be - how in my own conscience could I vote for someone who just doesn't use a brain.

1. At 8 months pregnant (yes - really - you read that as well as I did) she made a trip from Anchorage to Dallas. Then when her water broke - instead of delivering the baby in Dallas - she took another return flight home back to Alaska.

2. Speaking of sex (c'mon it sells, ya know) - isn't it a bit rubbish to really continue to believe that the comprehensive sex education classes should be banned?? Sure the media and others have painted Bristol's pregnancy as 'normal', but if I was pregnant at 17 - well there'd be hell to pay at the very least. And no - its NOT normal - EVER!

I just want to know how does she connect the dots from A-B. I've yet to figure out the connection which leads me to believe, she really hasnt been using her brain enough.

Go to this kids

Obamarama at the Highline.

Not that you should have to like Obama. I often wish, myself, that there were a third party candidate who stood a chance against the behemoth two parties. But Bollywood is awesome. Shouldn't it bring us together?

First things First

I got the wonderful inspiration to start this blog when I returned from Budapest to a glut of Anti-Palin-ness. So for my own satisfaction, it's time to start categorizing, bitches!

First, I should say that there are a few anti-Palin things that bother me:

1. People saying she's a bad mother is like saying she should be staying at home raising her kids. Does that not seem a wee anti-Feminist to you? That said, my mom worked my whole childhood and I'm not pregnant. I also don't live in Alaska.

2. [Reason 2 removed, see Palin Mania post for the real reason Track Palin is going to Iraq, not because he wants to serve his country]

OK, I think that's it! Let the bitch fest begin.