The Rant & Vent about the Right Wing thread

[ggould]

Minnesota Supes rule Franken the winner. OK, Norm, you can give up now.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2009/06/30/national/a111549D97.DTL

this makes me happy, almost as happy as I would feel if I had shaved 4 strokes off my game today!

[urth]

Sarah Palin is resigning as governor of Alaska, ostensibly to focus on a run for the presidency in 2012.:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2009/07/03/national/a125257D32.DTL&tsp=1

And a few well chosen words of analysis from HuffPo:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kimberly-krautter/sarah-palin----what-a-sch_b_225530.html

[ggould]

Sarah Palin is resigning as governor of Alaska, ostensibly to focus on a run for the presidency in 2012.:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2009/07/03/national/a125257D32.DTL&tsp=1

And a few well chosen words of analysis from HuffPo:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kimberly-krautter/sarah-palin----what-a-sch_b_225530.html

what a freakin' bombshell!  People can't figure out what the hell she's doing!

[RGMike]

Sarah Palin is resigning as governor of Alaska, ostensibly to focus on a run for the presidency in 2012.:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2009/07/03/national/a125257D32.DTL&tsp=1

And a few well chosen words of analysis from HuffPo:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kimberly-krautter/sarah-palin----what-a-sch_b_225530.html

what a freakin' bombshell!  People can't figure out what the hell she's doing!

Wow. CNN just replayed the entire 6-minute speech. Her spokesperson (who is on vacation in upstate NY!) is on the phone with Anderson Cooper and she sounds as confused as everone else.  It *would* happen on a holiday without OlberMaddow.

[Tinka Cat]

Sarah Palin ....

what a freakin' bombshell! 

yeah, she's hot.   

[urth]

Sarah Palin is resigning as governor of Alaska, ostensibly to focus on a run for the presidency in 2012.:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2009/07/03/national/a125257D32.DTL&tsp=1

And a few well chosen words of analysis from HuffPo:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kimberly-krautter/sarah-palin----what-a-sch_b_225530.html

what a freakin' bombshell!  People can't figure out what the hell she's doing!

Wow. CNN just replayed the entire 6-minute speech. Her spokesperson (who is on vacation in upstate NY!) is on the phone with Anderson Cooper and she sounds as confused as everone else.  It *would* happen on a holiday without OlberMaddow.

Maher would have had a field day with this, too.

Lots of conjecture that there's a big scandal that's going to break, and this was preemptive damage control:
http://www.bradblog.com/?p=7280

Apparently Ted Stevens wasn't the only Alaska politico who got his house paid for by some of his "buddies."

[Gazoo]

I'm on the e-mailing list of Ned Sublette, a scholar of Cuba and New Orleans and the musics and cultures therein (and a hell of a snappy dresser).  He sent us this, which I'm sure he would appreciate my posting here.

Happy Fourth of July.

My usual stance with right-wing politicians is the same as with computer
viruses -- to give them no more time than necessary to deal with the threat
they pose and to quarantine them as much as possible.

But what Roland Barthes would have called the pleasure of this text has to
be savored in full to draw out its pure nuttiness.  It's hard to know what
to appreciate more: the all-caps prepositions; the sentence fragments that
begin the fifth and sixth paragraphs, the run-on sentences, the frequent
exclamation points!, the quotation from her parents' refrigerator magnet,
the basketball analogy, the proposed logic of quitting so as not to be a
quitter, or the grammatically incorrect final sentence framing the
misattributed punchline, which was actually said not by General Douglas
MacArthur but by General Oliver P. Smith.  I especially like the capital O
of "Outside" in "Outside special interests," which reminds us that the world
consists of two parts: Alaska, and Outside.

But what I most enjoy is the authenticity of this text; there can
be no question that Governor You Betcha wrote it herself <wink>.

This is truly the best work she's done since that November 20 live TV
interview at an abbatoir while a turkey was being gruesomely
slaughtered in the background. (sanitized version at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYxn2vlhtWo )

None of which means i don't take this person seriously.  With Reagan we
learned definitively that malevolent clowns can indeed wind up in high
places.

I'll offer a wild guess that she's had a lucrative offer from Fox News that
will allow her to continue to build her brand while improving her bottom
line.

Palin's successor, lieutenant governor Sean Parnell, is to be inaugurated on
July 26th, perhaps in honor of the assault on the Moncada garrison in
Santiago de Cuba on that date in 1953, or perhaps not.

Enjoy the fireworks and throw one on the grill for me.

http://www.gov.state.ak.us/exec-column.php

Office of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin
Executive Column
Palin Announces No Second Term
No Lame Duck Session Either

Hi Alaska, I appreciate speaking directly to you, the people I serve, as
your Governor.

People who know me know that besides faith and family, nothing's more
important to me than our beloved Alaska. Serving her people is the greatest
honor I could imagine.

I want Alaskans to grasp what can be in store for our state. We were
purchased as a territory because a member of President Abe Lincoln's
cabinet, William Seward, providentially saw in this great land, vast riches,
beauty, strategic placement on the globe, and opportunity. He boldly looked
"North to the Future". But he endured such ridicule and mocking for his
vision for Alaska, remember the adversaries scoffed, calling this "Seward's
Folly". Seward withstood such disdain as he chose the uncomfortable,
unconventional, but right path to secure Alaska, so Alaska could help secure
the United States.

People who know me know that besides faith and family, nothing's more
important to me than our beloved Alaska.

Alaska’s mission – to contribute to America. We’re strategic in the world as
the air crossroads of the world, as a gatekeeper of the continent. Bold
visionaries knew this - Alaska would be part of America's great destiny.

Our destiny to be reached by responsibly developing our natural resources.
This land, blessed with clean air, water, wildlife, minerals, and oil and
gas. It's energy! God gave us energy.

So to serve the state is a humbling responsibility, because I know in my
soul that Alaska is of such import, for America’s security, in our very
volatile world. And you know me by now, I promised even four years ago to
show my independence… no more conventional “politics as usual”.

And we are doing well! My administration's accomplishments speak for
themselves. We work tirelessly for Alaskans.

We aggressively and responsibly develop our resources because they were
created to be used to better our world... to help people... and we protect
the environment and Alaskans (the resource owners) foremost with our
policies.

Here’s some of the things we’ve done:

We created a petroleum integrity office to oversee safe development. We held
the line for Alaskans on Point Thomson – and finally for the first time in
decades – they’re drilling for oil and gas.

We have AGIA, the gasline project – a massive bi-partisan victory (the vote
was 58 to 1!) – also succeeding as intended - protecting Alaskans as our
clean natural gas will flow to energize us, and America, through a
competitive, pro-private sector project. This is the largest private sector
energy project, ever. This is energy independence.

And ACES – another bipartisan effort – is working as intended and industry
is publicly acknowledging its success. Our new oil and gas “clear and
equitable formula” is so Alaskans will no longer be taken advantage of. ACES
incentivizes new exploration and development and jobs that were previously
not going to happen with a monopolized North Slope oil basin.

We cleaned up previously accepted unethical actions; we ushered in
bi-partisan Ethics Reform.

We also slowed the rate of government growth, we worked with the Legislature
to save billions of dollars for the future, and I made no lobbyist friends
with my hundreds of millions of dollars in budget vetoes... but living
beyond our means today is irresponsible for tomorrow.

We took government out of the dairy business and put it back into
private-sector hands – where it should be.

We provided unprecedented support for education initiatives, and with the
right leadership, finally filled long-vacant public safety positions. We
built a sub-Cabinet on Climate Change and took heat from Outside special
interests for our biologically-sound wildlife management for abundance.

We broke ground on the new prison.

And we made common sense conservative choices to eliminate personal luxuries
like the jet, the chef, the junkets... the entourage.

And the Lt. Governor and I said "no" to our pay raises.

So much success in this first term – and with this success I am proud to
take credit... for hiring the right people! Our goal was to achieve a
gasline project, more fair oil and gas valuation, and ethics reform in four
years. We did it in two. It’s because of the people… good public servants
surrounding the Governor's office, with servants' hearts and astounding work
ethic... they are Alaska's success!

We are doing well! I wish you'd hear more from the media of your state's
progress and how we tackle Outside interests - daily - special interests
that would stymie our state. Even those debt-ridden stimulus dollars that
would force the heavy hand of federal government into our communities with
an “all-knowing attitude” – I have taken the slings and arrows with that
unpopular move to veto because I know being right is better than being
popular. Some of those dollars would harm Alaska and harm America – I
resisted those dollars because of the obscene national debt we’re forcing
our children to pay, because of today’s Big Government spending; it’s
immoral and doesn’t even make economic sense!

Another accomplishment – our Law Department protected states’ rights – two
huge U.S. Supreme Court reversals came down against that liberal Ninth
Circuit, deciding in our state’s favor over the last two weeks. We’re
protectors of our Constitution – federalists protect states’ rights as
mandated in 10th amendment.

But you don’t hear much of the good stuff in the press anymore, do you?

Some say things changed for me on August 29th last year – the day John
McCain tapped me to be his running-mate – I say others changed.

Let me speak to that for a minute.

Political operatives descended on Alaska last August, digging for dirt. The
ethics law I championed became their weapon of choice. Over the past nine
months I've been accused of all sorts of frivolous ethics violations – such
as holding a fish in a photograph, wearing a jacket with a logo on it, and
answering reporters’ questions.

Every one – all 15 of the ethics complaints have been dismissed. We’ve won!
But it hasn't been cheap - the State has wasted thousands of hours of your
time and shelled out some two million of your dollars to respond to
“opposition research” – that’s money not going to fund teachers or
troopers – or safer roads. And this political absurdity, the “politics of
personal destruction” … Todd and I are looking at more than half a million
dollars in legal bills in order to set the record straight. And what about
the people who offer up these silly accusations? It doesn’t cost them a dime
so they’re not going to stop draining public resources – spending other
peoples’ money in their game.

It’s pretty insane – my staff and I spend most of our day dealing with this
instead of progressing our state now. I know I promised no more “politics as
usual,” but this isn’t what anyone had in mind for Alaska.

If I have learned one thing: life is about choices!

And one chooses how to react to circumstances. You can choose to engage in
things that tear down, or build up. I choose to work very hard on a path for
fruitfulness and productivity. I choose not to tear down and waste precious
time; but to build up this state and our country, and her industrious,
generous, patriotic, free people!

Life is too short to compromise time and resources... it may be tempting and
more comfortable to just keep your head down, plod along, and appease those
who demand: "Sit down and shut up", but that's the worthless, easy path;
that's a quitter's way out. And a problem in our country today is apathy. It
would be apathetic to just hunker down and “go with the flow”.

Nah, only dead fish "go with the flow".

No. Productive, fulfilled people determine where to put their efforts,
choosing to wisely utilize precious time... to build up.

And there is such a need to build up and fight for our state and our
country. I choose to fight for it! And I'll work hard for others who still
believe in free enterprise and smaller government; strong national security
for our country and support for our troops; energy independence; and for
those who will protect freedom and equality and life... I'll work for and
campaign for those proud to be American, and those who are inspired by our
ideals and won't deride them.

I will support others who seek to serve, in or out of office, for the right
reasons, and I don't care what party they're in or no party at all. Inside
Alaska – or Outside Alaska.

But I won’t do it from the Governor’s desk.

I've never believed that I, nor anyone else, needs a title to do this - to
make a difference... to help people. So I choose, for my State and my
family, more "freedom" to progress, all the way around... so that Alaska may
progress... I will not seek re-election as Governor.

And so as I thought about this announcement that I wouldn’t run for
re-election and what it means for Alaska, I thought about how much fun some
governors have as lame ducks… travel around the state, to the Lower 48
(maybe), overseas on international trade – as so many politicians do. And
then I thought – that’s what’s wrong – many just accept that lame duck
status, hit the road, draw the paycheck, and “milk it”. I’m not putting
Alaska through that – I promised efficiencies and effectiveness! That’s not
how I am wired. I am not wired to operate under the same old “politics as
usual.” I promised that four years ago – and I meant it.

It’s not what is best for Alaska.

I am determined to take the right path for Alaska even though it is
unconventional and not so comfortable.

With this announcement that I am not seeking re-election… I’ve determined it’s
best to transfer the authority of governor to Lieutenant Governor Parnell;
and I am willing to do so, so that this administration – with its positive
agenda, its accomplishments, and its successful road to an incredible
future – can continue without interruption and with great administrative and
legislative success.

My choice is to take a stand and effect change – not hit our heads against
the wall and watch valuable state time and money, millions of your dollars,
go down the drain in this new environment. Rather, we know we can effect
positive change outside government at this moment in time, on another scale,
and actually make a difference for our priorities – and so we will, for
Alaskans and for Americans.

Let me go back to a comfortable analogy for me – sports… basketball. I use
it because you’re naïve if you don’t see the national full-court press
picking away right now: A good point guard drives through a full court
press, protecting the ball, keeping her eye on the basket… and she knows
exactly when to pass the ball so that the team can win. And I’m doing that –
keeping our eye on the ball that represents sound priorities – smaller
government, energy independence, national security, freedom! And I know when
it’s time to pass the ball – for victory.

I have given my reasons candidly and truthfully… and my last day won’t be
for another few weeks so the transition will be very smooth. In fact, we
will look to swear Sean in – in Fairbanks at the conclusion of our Governor’s
picnics.

I do not want to disappoint anyone with my decision; all I can ask is that
you trust me with this decision – but it’s no more “politics as usual”.

Some Alaskans don’t mind wasting public dollars and state time. I do. I
cannot stand here as your Governor and allow millions upon millions of our
dollars go to waste just so I can hold the title of Governor. And my
children won’t allow it either.

Some will question the timing. Let’s just say, this decision has been in the
works for awhile…

In fact, this decision comes after much consideration, and finally polling
the most important people in my life - my children (where the count was
unanimous... well, in response to asking: "Want me to make a positive
difference and fight for ALL our children's future from outside the
Governor's office?" It was four "yes's" and one "hell yeah!" The "hell yeah"
sealed it - and someday I'll talk about the details of that... I think much
of it had to do with the kids seeing their baby brother Trig mocked by some
pretty mean-spirited adults recently.) Um, by the way, sure wish folks could
ever, ever understand that we all could learn so much from someone like
Trig - I know he needs me, but I need him even more... what a child can
offer to set priorities right – that time is precious... the world needs
more "Trigs", not fewer.

My decision was also fortified during this most recent trip to Kosovo and
Landstuhl, to visit our wounded soldiers overseas, those who sacrifice
themselves in war for our freedom and security… we can ALL learn from our
selfless Troops… they’re bold, they don’t give up, they take a stand and
know that life is short so they choose to not waste time. They choose to be
productive and to serve something greater than self... and to build up their
families, their states, our country. These Troops and their important
missions – those are truly the worthy causes in this world and should be the
public priority with time and resources and not this local / superficial
wasteful political bloodsport.

May we all learn from them!

*((Gotta put First Things First))*

First things first: as Governor, I love my job and I love Alaska. It hurts
to make this choice but I am doing what’s best for Alaska. I’ve explained
why… though I think of the saying on my parents’ refrigerator that says “Don’t
explain: your friends don’t need it and your enemies won’t believe you
anyway.”

But I have given my reasons… no more “politics as usual” and I am taking my
fight for what’s right – for Alaska – in a new direction.

Now, despite this, I don’t want any Alaskan dissuaded from entering politics
after seeing this real “climate change” that began in August… no, we need
hardworking, average Americans fighting for what’s right! And I will support
you because we need you and you can effect change, and I can too on the
outside.

We need those who will respect our Constitution where government’s supposed
to serve from the bottom up, not move toward this top down big government
take-over… but rather, will be protectors of individual rights - who also
have enough common sense to acknowledge when conditions have drastically
changed and are willing to call an audible and pass the ball when it’s time
so the team can win! And that is what I’m doing!

Remember Alaska… America is now, more than ever, looking North to the
Future. It'll be good. So God bless you, and from me and my family - to all
Alaska - you have my heart.

And we will be in the capable hands of our Lieutenant Governor, Sean
Parnell. And Lieutenant General Craig Campbell will assume the role of
Lieutenant Governor. And it is my promise to you that I will always be
standing by, ready to assist. We have a good, positive agenda for Alaska.

In the words of General MacArthur said, “We are not retreating. We are
advancing in another direction.”

###

_______________________________________________

[mshray]

Paul Begala on HuffPost has a good take as well.

I wish Hunter S. Thompson had lived to see this.

As Hunter said, "When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro." Sarah Palin makes Mark Foley, the congressman who sent filthy emails to pages look almost normal. She makes David Vitter, the senator who was hanging out with hookers, look almost boring. She makes Larry Craig, caught hitting on a cop in a men's room, look almost stable. She makes John Ensign, the senator who was having an affair with a staffer, look almost humdrum (and compared to the rest of the GOP whack-jobs, he is). And she makes Mark Sanford, the governor with the Latin lover, look positively predictable.

 

[Gazoo]

I'm conflating "right wing" with "homophobic asshole" here, but oh well.  This is another example that in America, your level of justice is based on your socioeconomic status.  A vicious hate crime in P-Town:

http://www.capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090526/NEWS11/90526014/-1/NEWSMAP

A judge in Orleans District Court has rejected a prosecutor’s request for a $10,000 cash bail for Eric Patten, the 20 year old charged with assaulting two young gay women in Provincetown over the weekend.

Instead Judge Brian Merrick decided to maintain the existing $1,000 bail requirement, after Patten’s attorney used the professional status of his parents as a partial assurance for future court appearances.

[RGMike]

Nice analysis of the GOP's Palin problem from Mike Murphy (a Repub strategist and hardly a liberal):

http://www.nydailynews.com/opinions/2009/07/09/2009-07-09_to_go_forward_gop_must_snap_out_of_its_sarah_palin_spell.html

[Gazoo]

Nice analysis of the GOP's Palin problem from Mike Murphy (a Repub strategist and hardly a liberal):

http://www.nydailynews.com/opinions/2009/07/09/2009-07-09_to_go_forward_gop_must_snap_out_of_its_sarah_palin_spell.html

Murphy was one of our columnists for a very short while.  He didn't contribute much of value, and outright alienated the regulars at Time's political blog, "Swampland," by not engaging with the community in responses.  But he's correct here (though he misuses the phrase "begs the question," a phrase that should just be retired anyway).  I personally don't think Palin's aiming for the White House - I think she's aiming for a slot on Fox TV.  That would be a better fit for her charm, charisma, and sniping smallness.

[mshray]

Palin's grandbaby daddy sez it's all about the cash.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090710/ap_on_re_us/us_palin_resignation

[ggould]

This is starting to sound like The Onion:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/07/13/brownback-and-landrieu-in_n_230762.html

Mermaids?

[mshray]

American Conservative Union busted for "pay for play" extortion.

This probably happens on both sides of the aisle, but I hope progressives aren't quite so cynical in their methods.

[RGMike]

Good GAWD how I hate Peggy Noonan...

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124777884829553723.html