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Sarah Palin is a mirror for each of us
I am posting a message I read elsewheres. I think this says a lot.
Sarah Palin is a mirror for each of us. Those who are haters are already spewing hate - "piece of ****" for a mother of five is a new low for this list.
Feel free to do a little research before posting. There are two rumors that are already gospel which just ain't so. With respect to the claim Gov. Palin shoots lions, tigers and bears (and wolves) from helicopters, there is no evidence she herself used or uses them for hunting. Rather, she signed a bill passed by the (democratically elected) legislature that provided 700 permits which permitted people to give it a try, necessary for hunters to even make the (very costly) attempt.
Given the size of Alaska, and that most people (OTHER THAN THOSE ON THIS
LIST) could not hike 100 miles (or risk it) going deep into wolf territory, I can't blame the people of Alaska for voting for representatives who responded to their constituents and passed this legislation.
My personal preference is to turn large areas of the US into wilderness, a la Bruce Sterling's short story "Our Neural Chernobyl" in which wild animals get smarter and can defend themselves. I am saddened by the killing of wild animals. That said, I'm more saddened by a poisoned political dialogue in which anyone running for office is subject to so much slander and libel that only the most callous or ambitious would participate.
I worked for Paul E. Tsongas in the US Senate (D-MA), whom Kerry succeeded. Tsongas had a great reputation as a good, ethical and honorable man, and I was proud to work for him. Then one day he told me the dark side of many of the Senators, the same people I would take bills to get their signature on. I asked him what his dark side was. Among other things, he said that, as an attorney, he never once defended an innocent person, but that he took the money and went for the win so that he could do greater good in political office.
I would think that, on this list of all places, that a person who places themselves in touch with the earth and trees, ice and snow, and can run a 4 hour marathon, haul fish, a la the Deadliest Catch, and is willing to face wolves and bears face to face, is someone who is less likely to fear political pressure to conform, and who is more likely to look out for nature and wilderness if and when she had the chance.
As for the polar bears, her objection was to them being placed on the endangered species list, which, like the Interstate Commerce Commission, is trick or technique used by the federal government to subvert what I (as an amateur Constitutional structuralist) would see as very clearly a STATE, not federal right. The Constitution gives the federal government the right to handle weights and measures, the coinage, defense, and interstate commerce, and explicitly leaves everything else to the states.
Say what you wish about Obama, virtually everything this purported Constitutional scholar promised to shower upon the miserable suffering masses in his speech was, in fact something that the Constitution clearly states is left to the states.
I don't care who you vote for, but I'm on this list for signs that a tribe that runs long distances is smarter (a la the book, SPARK), happier (a la the book THE ATHLETE'S Way), longer lived (a la LORE OF RUNNING), and more flexible and adaptable (my own theory). Sarah Palin is as close to the mean (and I mean that in multiple senses of the word) of this group in terms of being a distance runner and an outdoors person, so I hope that the conversation about her continues, and that at least some of you are capable of taking the dialogue to a level that would give a glimpse of a special, deeper understanding. Perhaps I'm asking too much, but occasional phrases, like Robert Self's transcendent, " The beauty of trail races and ultras (and practice for an ultra) is the unfolding panarama and the natural views
during the run. It would be a shame to run the same course again and
again, to the point where it held no more drama" makes it worth posting and finding the needles of brilliant insight that are on offer from this list.
Then again, if you are interested in spreading hate, then let fly the dogs of war, and go with the juicy rumor that her son screwed her daughter, and the Down's Syndrome baby is actually (a la Bree in Desperate Housewives) her daughter's baby that Palin is pretending is her own. The choice to see her as a kindred spirit runner and embracer of the wonderful world of nature, as most of us are, or as the new Wicked Witch of the North, and to tell the list, will say as much about us as it does about her.
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Scott, that's disgusting...It's very tempting to sink down to their level and fire back but, that's exactly what they want!. I've never been actively involved in a political race until now.
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Perry
Remember!, there's a huge difference between a 'parts' changer, and a mechanic.
Cobra Make, Engine: ERA 428 FE 4-speed CR "TL" heavy spline
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Launching a political career as a small-town mayor creates one of the most interesting resume items a candidate for higher office can have. A small town mayor doesn’t just blabber in the legislature about theoretical soutions to vaguely defined problems but has to actually SOLVE REAL PROBLEMS.
And more than that, they operate in an environment of complete accountability and transparency. Their constitutents know where they live, where their children go to school, their home phone number, etc. It’s far easier for a legislator to hide himself away in a body of 100 other speechifiers than it is for a small-town mayor to duck the public.
In fact, I would argue that the reason you do NOT see many Sarah Palins rise to the top of the political heap from such environs is that most who reach the top would never take the risk of being a mayor, small-town or otherwise, or do so well at the job as to merit a step up to governor and beyond in the first place.
In FACT, I would argue that had Barack Obama taken his empty-rhetoric, barely-in-the-closet Marxist approach to governing a town of 9,000 his career in politics would have stopped dead right there.
Newly created, called "Clear Choices" ......
Last edited by cobra de capell; 08-31-2008 at 10:34 AM..
Cobra Make, Engine: My Shell Valley Coupe is here! Now the building begins....
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cobra de capell
Launching a political career as a small-town mayor creates one of the most interesting resume items a candidate for higher office can have. A small town mayor doesn’t just blabber in the legislature about theoretical soutions to vaguely defined problems but has to actually SOLVE REAL PROBLEMS.
I have served 3 terms as a small (2000 pop) mayor, beside raising kids it was the single largest learning experience of my life.
I was always amazed at how wimpy other politicians were in making decisions.
Scott S
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Scott S
I have served 3 terms as a small (2000 pop) mayor, beside raising kids it was the single largest learning experience of my life.
I was always amazed at how wimpy other politicians were in making decisions.
Scott S
Well, WOOHOO! to you for geting involved at the mayor level - it's a thankless task most of the time, depending on politics in the area. Apparently Palin likes to get things done, make decisioins - as I imagine you did as mayor.
By the way, with your background you have an excellent view of how voting 'present', in the case of Obama in the Illinois Legislature impacts getting things done and taking a firm stand on important issues.
From Real Clear Politics:
"While some conservatives and Republicans surely will harp on what they call his "liberal record," highlighting applicable votes to support their case, it's Obama's history of voting "present" in Springfield - even on some of the most controversial and politically explosive issues of the day - that raises questions that he will need to answer. Voting "present" is one of three options in the Illinois Legislature (along with "yes" and "no"), but it's almost never an option for the occupant of the Oval Office.
We aren't talking about a "present" vote on whether to name a state office building after a deceased state official, but rather about votes that reflect an officeholder's core values.
For example, in 1997, Obama voted "present" on two bills (HB 382 and SB 230) that would have prohibited a procedure often referred to as partial birth abortion. He also voted "present" on SB 71, which lowered the first offense of carrying a concealed weapon from a felony to a misdemeanor and raised the penalty of subsequent offenses.
In 1999, Obama voted "present" on SB 759, a bill that required mandatory adult prosecution for firing a gun on or near school grounds. The bill passed the state Senate 52-1. Also in 1999, Obama voted "present" on HB 854 that protected the privacy of sex-abuse victims by allowing petitions to have the trial records sealed. He was the only member to not support the bill.
In 2001, Obama voted "present" on two parental notification abortion bills (HB 1900 and SB 562), and he voted "present" on a series of bills (SB 1093, 1094, 1095) that sought to protect a child if it survived a failed abortion. In his book, the Audacity of Hope, on page 132, Obama explained his problems with the "born alive" bills, specifically arguing that they would overturn Roe v. Wade. But he failed to mention that he only felt strongly enough to vote "present" on the bills instead of "no."
And finally in 2001, Obama voted "present" on SB 609, a bill prohibiting strip clubs and other adult establishments from being within 1,000 feet of schools, churches, and daycares.
If Obama had taken a position for or against these bills, he would have pleased some constituents and alienated others. Instead, the Illinois legislator-turned-U.S. senator and, now, Democratic presidential hopeful essentially took a pass.
Because it takes affirmative votes to pass legislation in the Illinois Senate, a "present" vote is tantamount to a "no" vote. A "present" vote is generally used to provide political cover for legislators who don't want to be on the record against a bill that they oppose. Of course, Obama isn't the first or only Illinois state senator to vote "present," but he is the only one running for President of the United States.
He will need to explain those "present" votes as a member of the Illinois Legislature if he hopes to become America's commander-in-chief."
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So, when BO came up with "above my pay grade" responding to a question relating to when life begins - it was more of the "present" approach to issues - what would he do as POTUS?
Warren,Jamo
I am on this site every day I think it is amusing some of the things I read.I won't use this site to air my polictial views and thoughts.I would rather read about your weekend at the races or shows.
If I was a PITA activist would you want me to have a signature or tag line that says
"All animal killers are maggots and should exit the earth at the next rotation."
I apologize if these are inside jokes that I am not aware of.
I won't even go into the Florida thing.
Hmmm...you're on this site every day, but unaware of the long-running on-line personas and shower towel slaps that have continued unabated since the last election?
So why come on now and make annoying comments in the middle of a flowing give and take. Best you just walk on to some other part of the playground if you're not going to add to the discussion. I've had a thing lately about newbies and lurkers disturbing my slumber.
As to your threatened sig...looks fine to me. PITA means Pain In The Ass. Perhaps you meant PETA. Personally, I think of them as PITA-PETA.
Really...don't make this thread about you...or I WILL make it about you.
Thank you for your expected cooperation.*
*Since you have trouble with long-running commentary despite your ponounced presence around here, this phrase usually means your next stop might be the Twilight Zone.
Cobra Make, Engine: Building 289 Lemans / FFR mkIV chassis w/ Bruce Chervenak
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GlynMeek
Mike, I NEVER claimed to be a 'conservative', but I do vote Republican and, believe it or not, there CAN be a difference between 'Republican' and 'conservative'...LOL...the depressing thing is that I feel McCain just diminished the Republican ticket!
I see you're a lawyer, so you must be one of McLain's "middle class", that makes 5 million a year. If that's true, you're right, I don't belong on "your side of the playground". I'll just head over to my "liberal" swing set, and be glad I don't have to play with you!
I hope Obama wins and knocks you off your teeter-totter!
I made a response to a general comment that you made about liberals, but I refuse to get into a political discussion with someone so narrow minded. Perfect example of why you should never talk politics or religion, because people really show their backsides!
Have a wonderful discussion, as I will make sure from now on, I just look at the posts that have to do with the hobby that I love, and let the smaller minded people continue to argue this!
I see you're a lawyer, so you must be one of McLain's "middle class", that makes 5 million a year. If that's true, you're right, I don't belong on "your side of the playground". I'll just head over to my "liberal" swing set, and be glad I don't have to play with you!
I hope Obama wins and knocks you off your teeter-totter!
I made a response to a general comment that you made about liberals, but I refuse to get into a political discussion with someone so narrow minded. Perfect example of why you should never talk politics or religion, because people really show their backsides!
Have a wonderful discussion, as I will make sure from now on, I just look at the posts that have to do with the hobby that I love, and let the smaller minded people continue to argue this!
Good...enough about you. Back to the thread.
BTW...the quote you refer was to a comment I made months ago. Lurkers always appear out of step...liberal lurkers even more so.
Cobra Make, Engine: Building 289 Lemans / FFR mkIV chassis w/ Bruce Chervenak
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Aspmann
Hey Jim!
How's the Panoz running? Love the post you put on here. Are you going to Starke? Hope things are going good.
Hi Jim, the Panoz is great and I just donated $200 to McCain/Palin yesterday. McCain's "$5 Million" comment was said in jest and completely misses his main point - we should be concentrating on creating wealth for everyone - not penalizing success and wealth redistribution. Class warfare is for perennial losers although some people will always take solace in attacking others' achievements.
I'm running the full course at Sebring on the 13th and probably Starke on the 27th. See you around.
The dirt on Palinfrom Born Again Redneck by noreply@blogger.com (Patrick Joubert Conlon)
That investigation:
Palin's seemingly bright future was clouded in late July when the state Legislature voted to hire an independent investigator to find out whether she tried to have a state official fire her ex-brother-in-law from his job as a state trooper.
The allegation was made by former Department of Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan, whom Palin fired in mid-July.
"It is a governor's prerogative, a right, to fill that Cabinet with members whom she or he believes will do best for the people whom we are serving," Palin told CNBC's Larry Kudlow in an interview on Aug. 1. "So I look forward to any kind of investigation or questions being asked because I've got nothing to hide."
Some little known facts about Sarah Palin:
Global Warming doesn't kill polar bears. Sarah Palin does - usually with her bare hands.
Sarah Palin's hotness is the largest single contributor to melting polar ice caps.
Chuck Norris wishes he was Sarah Palin trapped in a man's body.
Sarah Palin paid her way through school by hunting for yeti pelts with a slingshot.
Sarah Palin knows the location of DB Cooper's body because she threw him from the plane.
Sarah Palin used to wrestle kodiak bears in Alaskan bare knuckles fight clubs.
Sarah Palin once bagged a caribou by staring it down until it died.
Sarah Palin turned down a job as skipper of a Deadliest Catch boat because it wasn't challenging enough
Sarah Palin fishes salmon by convincing them it's in their interest to jump into the boat.
Sarah Palin's brain is three times the size of Joe Biden's. It's science.