Open Thread – Sarah Palin Book Contest Winner!
11 07 2009REMINDER – AKM is offline this weekend. Please read the Comment Guidelines above and keep it classy. Be patient with comments in moderation and don’t repost comments that don’t appear. Try out the Mudflats Forum (side bar) for great discussion on a wide variety of topics. Explore the chat feature (upper right corner of forum) for real-time conversations. Have fun with I Heart Mudflats! Blogging will return on Monday.
******************************************************
And now…the moment you’ve all been waiting for! Flyinureye presents the Gold Medal winner in the Mudflats’ Sarah Palin Book Naming Contest! Sarah – Vain and Simple. Would we have ever imagined that we’d be enjoying this book cover in her fleeting last 3 weeks of lameduckitude? Or would that be lameduckery? Ah, well. If the book jacket fits…
July 11th, 2009 at 11:33 AM
The summer my brother died Ted Nugent was playing the Alaska State Fair. Late one beautiful summer evening my extended family and I went to the Best Western Lake Lucille for dinner. Walking across the loading area in front of the door my small children were nearly hit while holding my uncles’ hand – by Ted, driving his own rented SUV. He swerved into that relatively small parking lot at about 50 mph.
If we hadn’t been grieving, Ted might’ve gotten his ass kicked by a couple of middle aged men from Texas.
I should have seen the omen in that encounter, so close to Sarah’s yet-to-be-built house and her new BFF Ted.
July 11th, 2009 at 11:33 AM
That last tweet just proves, once again, that she is uneducated and frankly, delusional.
July 11th, 2009 at 11:34 AM
Paula at @ #142…The link to Andrew Halcro’s article is an unbelievable story…..a must read for those who missed the Dairy Debacle. Another article talks about that new Palin Dairy being under investigation by the Legislative Audit Committee. I am sure there is more of that dirty little story to come out yet. It was Palin’s first real blunder in her term (er….2/3 term).
July 11th, 2009 at 11:36 AM
Polly, this does not suprise me. Over that last 50 years Americans have become stupier than most people in 3rd world nations. They have no understanding of WHY the founding fathers created seperation of church and state. They have never lived through things -like the Jews did in WWII for instance. American reject science at every turn while the world laughs (and while the same anti-science crowd used antibiotics and cancer treatments). On and on I couyld go. But Gump said it best, “Stupid is as stupid does.”
Americans are stupid as He11. Truely sad.
July 11th, 2009 at 11:38 AM
Newt slapped down by fisherman:
http://crooksandliars.com/john-amato/newt-gingrich-gets-slapped-fisherman-wa
“Newt Gingrich tried to take a page out of Sarah Palin’s playbook and took to the waters for a photo-op. However, a fisherman ripped him.” (a new one – SJP)
July 11th, 2009 at 11:39 AM
BooBooBear Says:
July 11th, 2009 at 11:34 AM
Paula at @ #142…The link to Andrew Halcro’s article is an unbelievable story…..a must read for those who missed the Dairy Debacle. Another article talks about that new Palin Dairy being under investigation by the Legislative Audit Committee. I am sure there is more of that dirty little story to come out yet. It was Palin’s first real blunder in her term (er….2/3 term).
_____________
Our ag secretary her in PA -Dennis Wolff, is an awesome guy. Really knows his stuff and does his job.
Palin puts someone in the same position who “likes cows.” That is so -Palin, what else can I say.
Try to imagine a Palin White House Admin? We’d have Tripp as sec of state or some wacky thing. She cries socialism, but I feel sure she is the one who wants to be the socialist who controls all things.
I am babbling -too many thoughts at one time!
July 11th, 2009 at 11:42 AM
Comapre and contrast:
Dennis Wolff
Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture
Dennis Wolff of Millville, Columbia County, Pennsylvania, was appointed Secretary of Agriculture by Governor Edward G. Rendell and confirmed on May 5, 2003.
Wolff is a dairy farmer and owns Pen-Col Farms, a 600-acre dairy cattle operation specializing in purebred Holstein genetics. He currently serves as a member of the Pennsylvania Dairy Stakeholders and Penn State University Board of Trustees.
Wolff was recognized as a Master Farmer in 1994 for his outstanding management skills, land stewardship and role in the agricultural community. Wolff is the President of the Nicholas Wolff Foundation, Inc. and Camp Victory, a non-profit summer camp for handicapped and chronically ill children.
Since becoming Secretary, Wolff has worked with Governor Rendell on a variety of initiatives designed to strengthen Pennsylvania’s agriculture industry, including the Center for Dairy Excellence, PAgrows, Marketplace for the Mind.com, and the PA Preferred marketing program.
Wolff has also made great strides in improving Pennsylvania agriculture’s position regionally, nationally and internationally. He is an appointed member of the Agriculture Technical Advisory Committee to the World Trade Organization; past president of the Northeast Association of State Departments of Agriculture; and has organized and led several trade missions to key trading countries including Mexico and Cuba.
July 11th, 2009 at 11:46 AM
Diva is asking for questions she can ask Levi tonight.
pop on over there, if you’re not signed up, post your question here and one of us can post them for you.
July 11th, 2009 at 11:51 AM
For you researchers in Alaska (Palin connection?):
Coonrod, Metcalfe, and ACLU of Alaska v. State of Alaska
Issue: property tax exemption for religious school teacher housing
Case Number: 3AN-06-8866CI (Superior Court)
Status: active litigation
Summary: In 2006, the Alaska legislature passed a law that exempts from taxation any property owned by religious organizations and used as housing for teachers in religious or parochial schools. Both the U. S. and Alaska Constitutions bar the government from showing favoritism for one religion over another, or for religion generally over non-religion. The ACLU of Alaska believes that this legislation has the impermissible effect of carving out special privileges for religion that do not apply to non-religious interests. The ACLU of Alaska filed a lawsuit on behalf of two Anchorage residents to challenge the law and have it declared unconstitutional. Oral argument was on February 28, 2008.
Prayer at Wasilla Planning Commission Meetings
Issue: Sectarian Prayer at Wasilla Planning Commission Meetings
Status: settled; Planning Commission agreed to cease sectarian prayer at meetings
Summary: In 2005, the Wasilla Planning Commission was opening its monthly public meetings with sectarian prayer in violation of the strict constitutional prohibition of such activity. After receiving numerous complaints from residents of Wasilla, the ACLU of Alaska sent a letter to the City Attorney requesting that the Planning Commission immediately cease this practice. The City Attorney agreed with the ACLU of Alaska’s analysis and advised the Commission on the unconstitutional nature of including sectarian prayer at public meetings. The City Attorney confirmed to the ACLU of Alaska that the Commission agreed to follow his advice.
July 11th, 2009 at 11:55 AM
@Seagull Junker Palin
Thanks for the link. Newt deserved that and more. Go, Mr. Kipp.
July 11th, 2009 at 12:01 PM
Diva states no Levi on tonight. Apparently he “had a better offer …at NBC” and needs to fly there.
So? It will always be good if anyone and everyone booking them (even for books?) has a backup plan, because the Palin and Johnstons seem to have such disregard for “promises” and appointments. “Show me the money” would seem to be a good slogan for identifying these folks. They are only interested in the highest bidder, which is probably the only ones their promoters are interested in as well.
July 11th, 2009 at 12:03 PM
Paula, whether Scarah is out of office or not, it does matter if she did something wrong or underhanded while in office. Just because she’s walking away doesn’t mean her credibility and accountability don’t count. She’s still responsible for decisions she’s made. And further more, if she is guilty of any wrong doing she deserves her reputation to be tarnished. She doesn’t get a halo if she doesn’t deserve it.
July 11th, 2009 at 12:03 PM
@jhop – I peeked at the chat again late last night. Saw you were with friends so I stopped worrying.
July 11th, 2009 at 12:04 PM
# Eye On You..I think the letter from Van Fleece is very interesting and very important. What does Mr. Ward’s past have to do with his ethics complaint? I think those were just listed so VFlee could point out that Rex Butler had been Mr. Ward’s attorney? Is this a shot across Butler’s bow? An attempt to malign Butler by suggesting these are the types of clients Butler represents? I am not a lawyer, but it is it usual to vilify a person in the press before evidence has been presented?
I hope she took money for appearances and I hope it was from John Ziegler. Now that would be poetic justice.
I have also looked for the Van Fleep letter on the web, only able to find it on one site. Apparently, it was for immediate release on proPalin sites (sorta like the spreadsheet that took days to materalize). Which makes me wonder how they get these things ahead of everyone else?
Every time I see a picture of “the house”, I am struck anew by how ugly it is. You would think for 1/2 a mil, you could get something more attractive. I don’t live in AK nor have I ever been, but I wouldn’t think it would be common practice to put that many huge windows on a house in the frozen North. Heating bills must be astronomical.
Now for a positive note…Sarah Palin and her family is the best soap opera in America. I try not the miss a single episode.
July 11th, 2009 at 12:05 PM
…try not to miss. I’m having the hardest time being coherent these daze.
July 11th, 2009 at 12:08 PM
Re: $arah & Levi, et al……
“How ya gonna keep ‘em down on the farm. After they’ve seen Paree”
July 11th, 2009 at 12:10 PM
Betzy, actually if you think about it, it may be in Diva’s best interest not to get in the middle of Levi and Scarah’s mess. Diva has enough wrath comin her way.
Let the big guys be the bad guys, at least we gave them plenty of fodder to ponder, lol……or we could repost our questions to the tv website, lol, since the bloggers seem to be more on top of “what” should be done and “what” should come out.
And let Levi make good money, he deserves is more than Scarah. Did you read on Gryphen’s site her book deal is for 10 million dollars. AHHHHH, she so does not deserve that money. And here she’s milking her cult groupies, shameful.
July 11th, 2009 at 12:16 PM
I’m amazed that I heard the other site has spent the week trying to justify the bogus spreadsheet. I’m a die-hard on many things, but I haven’t had my loyalty tested that hard yet. Blind Faith.
July 11th, 2009 at 12:21 PM
# 207 @ pearl89
Van Fleece’s letter is now posted in several places, including Sarah’s Facebook page:
Google this phrase: “When Governor Palin announced that she would be resigning, in part” to find it.
July 11th, 2009 at 12:21 PM
JHop…
Make sure you read Phil Mungers piece on Progressive Alaska posted today. He comments on the ADN story that was talked about earlier and to which you had some opinion. His comments are right in line with what you were saying and backs up your point.
http://progressivealaska.blogspot.com/
July 11th, 2009 at 12:42 PM
Paula at #200-Wow…our Director of Agriculture could not hold a candle to yours, Dennis Wolff. Our Francie Havemeister once owned a basket business, loved cows as a child and worked part time real estate for Kristan Cole……(Palin’s best friend and also the SOLE Trustee for the Alaska Trust Fund AKA $arah $lush Fund.) Francie also is the daughter in law of Palin’s childhood babysitter and largest dairy farmer (one of 5 left) in the state. So, don’t you think that would qualify her for a $95,000 job with these illustrious qualifications? Sheesh…….only under the Palin administration does stuff like this happen.
July 11th, 2009 at 12:47 PM
Some one on the Mcclatchy blog said someone should file an ethics complaint to open the books, to find out where all the money went. Is that possible, like an audit to find out a detailed account of where all the money went????
July 11th, 2009 at 1:12 PM
189 Say NO to Palin in Politics Says:
July 11th, 2009 at 11:25 AM
Victoria has popped in on their blog to say hi and share some pics.
What are you talking about? Who’s Victoria? What blog? Photos of what?
MORE information, please?
July 11th, 2009 at 1:18 PM
BooBooBear, “…a $95,000 job…”
You mean $126,825, don’cha? Remember, you gotta add in that 33.5% fringe benefits thing, you know, the cost to the state of employing staff.
Sarah makes $167,000, not $125,000. Without perdiem, car, lunch money, travel expenses, reimbursables.
July 11th, 2009 at 1:20 PM
Good Afternoon antiAntiMibbit!!!
honestyinGov,
I just went to Phil’s site that you speak in #213. There is so much going on in that post, it took me 3 times glancing through the post to even notice it.
July 11th, 2009 at 1:24 PM
#80 anon blogger @ July 11th, 2009 at 7:24 AM “”"Don’t know if anyone has mentioned this. Googling “insurance fraud palin” I found:
COMMENT #22 blady said: Palin is about to be indicted for insurance fraud. She is not the mother of Baby Trig; but claimed the maternity benefits for his birth.
The BRAD BLOG – http://www.bradblog.com/ “”"
That is clear proof the Brad Blog reads PalinDeceptions.com because I posted a question about that very item a week ago on PD.
July 11th, 2009 at 1:39 PM
@BahstinBoyo aka Wrangler Tractor Palin Says:
July 11th, 2009 at 9:48 AM
#135 SayNo…
And she will do all that for FREE?? REALLY?? So the earth IS flat after all!
Levi ‘The Hammer’ Johnston… Hit the nail on the head I see!
Palin on Letterman? To discuss WHAT exactly? At least John Stewart would plug her book, he’s good at that amoungst many other things newsworthy and comedic. Oh wait! That means he would have to INTERVIEW her as well! That’s gonna cost him! ‘Word salad’ is expensive these days!
One more thing, just how MANY ’spokes-people’ does she HAVE?
——————————————————————-
I don’t believe any of that for a nano-second. That is just to hype her “star power”. If any of these invitations were true for an instant, don’t you think she would have jumped on at least ONE of them. Not Oprah or Leno or even The View? She keeps playing coy like she’s playing a fish on the line and it keeps blowing up in her face. She can only “tease” for so long, before no one cares any more – witness the “un-invite from the Repubs.
July 11th, 2009 at 1:47 PM
LiladyNY@220
I think those offers are from last year.
July 11th, 2009 at 1:52 PM
Great work…. again, flyinureye. Scary good.
BTW….Her left index finger is problematic:
-Has she stopped with the “audibles” and now going with hand signals?
-Has her “Number One” status lost its erection?
-Has she just finished poking her loyal subjects in the eye?
-Is this her idea of being a good “point” guard?
-Is she pointing at the pile of hooey that she’s leaving in the Queen’s office?
-Has she just completed a prostate exam on her favorite attorney lap dog?
-Was Freud right about “penis envy?”
So many questions. So little time to laugh at her.
July 11th, 2009 at 2:04 PM
Flyinyreye – great visual for the book cover. Well done!
I voted for Ian.
Everyone have a great day – it’s beautiful here, if a little warm for me. We can all use a quiet weekend.
July 11th, 2009 at 2:32 PM
All I Saw @197:
What a really crappy “brush with fame”…
had been MY family he wouldn’t have had to worry about middle-aged men from Texas… grieving Kentucky women would have kicked his ass (and his SUV also too for good measure).
July 11th, 2009 at 2:42 PM
@CG:
Victoria is at Anonymous Bloggers, listed over on the right side of this page under the “Other Alaska Blogs” listing.
http://anonymousbloggers.wordpress.com/
July 11th, 2009 at 2:46 PM
Only her and her rabid followers would think of her that way.Has any one seen the movie Angles & Demonds or rerad the book. I am reading it now I know it is fiction but a lot seems to come from reality
July 11th, 2009 at 2:57 PM
@Dr. Patois Says:
July 11th, 2009 at 1:47 PM
LiladyNY@220
I think those offers are from last year
————————————————
Ah. Thanks for clarification. I still stand on my fishing premise, though. : )
And I think someone should take up the fact that she’s costing the state how many umpteen $$$ flitterin’ and twitterin’ all over Alaska! Since she’s so conscientious about how many dollars the state spends and all. Also too therefore. And she should stop twitting. She’s giving truth to the rumor that she’s an idiot.
July 11th, 2009 at 3:02 PM
@jojobo1 Says:
July 11th, 2009 at 2:46 PM
Only her and her rabid followers would think of her that way.Has any one seen the movie Angles & Demonds or rerad the book. I am reading it now I know it is fiction but a lot seems to come from reality
————————————————————————
That is a great book. I liked it much better than The DaVinci Code. I saw the Angels and Demons film recently, and it had me sitting on the edge of my seat! Excellent.
July 11th, 2009 at 3:55 PM
@ 205 Paula – The only connection to the prayer at the planning commission meetings is this: She appointed Pastor Stan Tucker to the planning commission. We have been stuck with him as chairman of that commission for years. The good news is we now have term limits, and he will have to leave for at least a year after his term ends in December of this year.
July 11th, 2009 at 4:06 PM
trouble posting, just testing, sorry
July 11th, 2009 at 4:11 PM
About that other site:
Sarah and Meg keep refusing to take any responsibility for anything said or done by their followers on that site, yet from the fast postings to their sites of things that have not yet appeared elsewhere, it looks like there is direct contact.
Given that there is this closeness and they are using her likeness and promoting her, she should take responsibility to remind her following to play nice and not engage in the kinds of personal attacks against others that they so abhor against her.
July 11th, 2009 at 4:49 PM
ValleyIndependent Says:
July 11th, 2009 at 4:11 PM
About that other site:
Sarah and Meg keep refusing to take any responsibility for anything said or done by their followers on that site, yet from the fast postings to their sites of things that have not yet appeared elsewhere, it looks like there is direct contact.
Given that there is this closeness and they are using her likeness and promoting her, she should take responsibility to remind her following to play nice and not engage in the kinds of personal attacks against others that they so abhor against her.
—————————————–
Ivy Frye is supplying them.
July 11th, 2009 at 5:54 PM
Holy cow – check out Peggy Noonan at the Wall Street journal:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124716984620819351.html
“A Farewell to Harms: Palin Was Bad for the Republicans – and the Republic”
“What she is, is a seemingly very nice middle-class girl with ambition, appetite and no sense of personal limits.”
But the enchanting part is the way Noonan dissects the prevailing Palin mythology and shoots down every piece of it.
And the scary clincher:
“Here are a few examples of what we may face in the next 10 years: a profound and prolonged American crash, with the admission of bankruptcy and the spread of deep social unrest; one or more American cities getting hit with weapons of mass destruction from an unknown source; faint glimmers of actual secessionist movements as Americans for various reasons and in various areas decide the burdens and assumptions of the federal government are no longer attractive or legitimate.”
Twits like Palin need not apply.
July 11th, 2009 at 6:20 PM
flyinyoureye…Great cover and congts again…Irish girl..Just put my vote in for Ian…Hope he makes it…
July 11th, 2009 at 6:25 PM
OMG Mudpups……3.30 am here in Ireland. I was asleep, woke up and checked out how Ian’s votes were going. He has 134 votes!!! You guys ROCK.
Thank you all so much. Looks as if we will have 3 representatives!!! Way to go….I am so excited I will never get back to sleep now!
July 12th, 2009 at 6:35 AM
Good blog about SP Vain & Simple:
http://www.anonymousliberal.com/2009/07/emperor-has-no-clothes.html
If this title hasn’t been mentioned before, I could see “THE NONCURIOUS CANDIDATE” as the title to her book.
Pretty disgusted with TIME having her on the cover – will she ever go away??? LOL…she looks fake just like the running article.