Open Thread – Fin Whales
I found that after watching the entire Sarah Palin Tea Party speech and accompanying interview last night, I needed to find a “happy place.” It ended up being the Deep Oceans episode of the incredible series Planet Earth. And it was probably that that got me thinking about whales.
The dvd had some incredible footage of blue whales. I’ve never seen one in person. I know that they do swim in arctic waters, but don’t often make it close to shore. But a very respectable runner-up on my whale wish list is the fin whale. They don’t get all the glamor and attention of the largest whale. They live in the perpetual shadow of their larger cousins as the second-largest whale. I didn’t know much about fin whales until I had the good luck of ending up in the middle of a pod of them.
These whales, unlike the big blues, swim right up into Resurrection Bay near Seward. I’ve been on a boat in Resurrection Bay more times than I can count, but I’ve only seen these gentle giants a couple of times, and never quite like I did this day.
There’s realy no good way to describe their bigness. No matter how many ‘really’s I put in front of “big” it just doesn’t do it. And multiply that indescribable bigness by nine whales and you’ve got a moment you’ll never forget. The engine was cut and the only sounds were the sloshing of the waves against the side of the boat, a few sea birds, and the incredibly loud, forceful puffing spouts of a pod of 80-foot whales.
They are baleen whales (filter feeders) and are also known as common rorqals. Unfortunately they are uncommon when you go by the numers, and are considered to be an endangered species.
There was no doubt they were curious about the boat. We weren’t going anywhere, and with the whole big bay at their disposal, they headed our way, and the nearer they got, the more amazing it was. They finally swam right past the boat, two of them gliding directly underneath as we held our breath watching their long sleek bodies through the water as they kept going and going and going.
If I’d been wearing dive gear, nobody could have kept me in the boat.
Wow! Just Wow!
Amazing!
Fantastic! I understand. There is nothing like nature to heal a troubled spirit.
Great Mike Lupica column on Sarah Palin:
Crib notes or not, Sarah Palin has delusions of grandeur if she thinks she can be President
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2010/02/08/2010-02-08_sarah_believe_me_you_have_delusions_of_grandeur.html#ixzz0ewOdBR8G
I was on a small boat off Maui during whale season once — it was truly incredible to see these creatures in person. Our captain had an underwater mic that he dropped off the side of the boat so we could listen to their calls.
They’re beautiful and that water – what a wonderful blue.
Deepak on sarah
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/deepak-chopra/sarah-palin-spikes-the-te_b_452903.html
Don’t know if this has been posted before, but I’m sure it’s not a position palin has considered.
http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2010-02-05/the-dirty-secret-of-the-terror-war/?cid=bs:featured1
Oh that’s so cool.
beautiful creatures and i worry about their future
I consider a moment like that as being blessed by God.
Alot of nature species to see in, Alaska. However, you constantly seem to have people there that wants to destroy it.
‘megacephalus’ is the great white whale… from ‘Moby Dick’…
We were on the ferry last year returning to Puerto Rico from Isla de Culebra when suddenly the engines were cut and the boat stopped! We all ran to the side of the boat to see a whale breaching a few hundred yards away. We stood there for several magical minutes with breath held in total silence. When the whale was not longer visible, you could hear everyone breathe a collective happy sigh, the engines started up and we went on knowing we had seen something wonderful.
AKM, thank you for these wonderful stories that restore our souls and bring beauty and sanity again into our days. The ugliness to which we are exposed 24/7 from all sides can be daunting. Coming to the Mudflats is balm to lift the American spirit.
Namaste
I have Blue Planet on DVD, but I still watch it every time APL runs it. I am awestruck by the underwater world, always have been. Anyone else old enough to remember “The Undersea World of Jacque Cousteau”?
IMO, Hi-Def exists only for nature footage.
Wow. I was there with you. AKM your writing is fantastic. You can take me places I want to be, and then there are places I should be but don’t want to.
Thanks
From that NYDN article:
“Maybe she would have done better with Wallace if she’d written down talking points on her hand, the way she did at that Tea Party convention, the superpatriot version of Halloween in the Village.”
The Village Halloween is a BIG step up from the Tea Baggers.
AKM, thank you for that description. I felt as if I were beside you! What a gift!
Thank you for bringing the bay and the whales into my dark landlocked February winter morn
We were alongside a Blue Whale once, where Monterey Bay meets the Pacific. I hope one day you get to meet one.
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2010/02/08/2010-02-08_sarah_believe_me_you_have_delusions_of_grandeur.html#ixzz0ewOdBR8G
Poll Results
What career path should Sarah Palin pursue?
A run for the presidency. 14%
An Oprah-like talk show. 3%
A late-night talk show. 1%
A full-time job as a TV news commentator. 5%
None. Just disappear from the public eye, please. 76%
Just in case you feel like voting (for your mental health).
Maybe this is off topic – but this is open thread . Ever since the week-end saturation of Palin, I’ve been dwelling on the absolute hypocrisy. When Eddie Burke announced on his TV show that he was being approached to run for a senate seat, the repubs reared up and demanded that he quit his TV show. Against the rules, said these so-called experts. Now we have scarah coming right out and saying the possibility of her running is right up front in her mind. At the same time false news is building a studio in her new house for her to preach from. My blood pressure can’t take much more of this evil woman. What can we do?
Incidentally, love the whale story AKM, you always seem to start Monday off with something we can enjoy.
Didn’t have Deep Oceans here and after a 2nd day of shoveling by hand, I chilled by watching the N’ohleans Saints beat Robert Irsay’s Colts. Of course, being a Patriots fan I am just a little bit biased. I was thinking of having a s’error free day, but could not resist the temptation of checking in on the mudflats.
It’s sunny here now, but another foot expected bigging tomorrow afternoon. Time to get that tractor fixed.
*beginning*
At the end of August, 2009, we were in Dana Point, CA and decided to join Capt.Dave’s Dolphin Safari. Blue whales had been seen off the California coast and we were hoping to see one. (We chose Capt.Dave because Mrs.Dave gave out free brownies at the end of the boat trip).
We saw a huge pod of dolphins racing alongside the boat, rising up out of the water in graceful arc and quickly diving again. Many had calves, so we were treated to the sight of the pairs swimming together. Yes, you get much better pictures of dolphins at Sea World, but seeing them in their natural habitat was thrilling.
Suddenly, just like Moby Dick, there was the call of “thar she blows!” All that we could see was the grey back of the blue whale, and a huge blast of steam rising above the ocean. The whale arched, and started to dive. All of a sudden, the sea was crimson. Capt.Dave was a little cautious when he made his announcement over the loudspeaker, since the boat had many families aboard. The big red floating splotch was whale poop, seriously. He explained that as unusual as it is to see a blue whale, seeing what they leave behind is even more unusual.
The other thing that the whale left behind was a perfectly smooth spot on the ocean, a sign that it had been there. Quickly the waves erased the smooth spot. Capt.Dave then announced that the whale could stay below 15-20 minutes; if we want to wait that long we might see it again. We waited and were rewarded with a second look at the top of the huge animal. There is a characteristic hook on its back which is one of its identifying marks.
If you go to Capt.Dave’s website http://www.dolphinsafari.com he posts pictures of what they see each day. When the politics of name calling and division become frustrating, looking at the wonders of nature is the perfect medicine.
I think Whales are my totem. Funny for a person who lives in the mountains and desert. I spent the past 4 days in the beautiful snowy mountains without any news of Sarah Palin. It was wonderful.
I saw a pod of fin whales when whale watching in the Bay of Fundy (eastern Canada). Your illustration is very helpful re size, because these whales don’t breach like humpbacks, so it’s hard to appreciate their tremendous size from a surface sighting.
I’ve seen many wondrous things under the ocean’s surface (sharks, manta rays, eels, lobsters the size of a golden lab, and sunken WW II ships and planes) but the sight I would most treasure would be a whale – any kind of whale. However, it will have to a warm water whale – my son talked me into cold water diving once – Orcas Island – 42 degree water, in a 7 mil wet suit – it was beautiful – but it was like diving in a bulky survival suit. Hats off to you cold water/Alaskan dry suit divers, but I’ll stick to the BVI/Leeward Islands warm waters .
One of the best memories I have of my kids, and of course I did not get good pictures, is in the Museum of Natural History.
To see their faces when they saw the skeleton of a blue whale suspended on the ceiling was just amazing. And the dinosaur exhibit!
I did take them on a whale watch off of Cape Cod. It was so cold but we did see whales. The funniest part was the couple who took some Benadryl before the tour started, fell asleep, and had to be woken up to leave. They thought that was a riot!!!!
The Whaling Museum in New Bedford, MA is another great museum with a whaling ship down sized in it.
On Fox yesterday, Palin back peddled and defended Limbaugh’s use of the word “retards”; this is after the Special Olympics sent a letter to Limbaugh complaining about his use. I’m sending my two cents to the Special Olympics and suggest that they send Ms. Palin a letter for her defense of the indefensible. Either she is truly supportive to their cause or she is not and is only using this for her own political gain. I think that their organization needs to receive a few hundred emails about this.
Mandy Murphy is listed a public affairs contact:
mamurphy@specialolympics.org
Oh goodness, how I miss the oceans! For the first 40 years of my life, I was always close enough to get to one of the coasts or the gulf. For more than 20 years, I’ve not been near anything but the “cricks” and puddles in KY that pass for running water. At this stage of my life, I’d even take the nasty smell of low tide! Such glorious photos again AKM, and at least I can live and dream vicariously through you!
gran567 @19 – You are so right on this issue. I read somewhere a few weeks ago, that there are many FEC and FCC restrictions on politicians having media outlets. It was pointed out in the article that if Huckabee decides to make a run again, he would have to give up his talk shows (both TV and radio). Also, JD Hayworth who is running against McCain just had to give up his talk show. It seems like a double standard that Palin is getting away with having a media platform and her PAC, continually hints at the possibility she might run, yet no one calls her on possible conflicts of interest, let alone law-breaking.
Really enjoyed Mike Lupica’s take on her – he is so right and no one dares to call her or Limbaugh out. I can understand people not wanting to offend Rush with his listening audience, but how much damage can Palin really do to Republicans who speak up against her?
One of the articles yesterday, mentioned Palin wearing the double flag pin (USA and Israel), but she wasn’t called on it by any except the one writer. She’d have us in such a mess with her backing Israel that we’d be annihilated in short order. That same article mentioned that she had 3 strands of *opera length* pearls (2 white and 1 colored). In my opinion, how tacky to mix the two, and is points to the fact that she really lacks class and is simply spending money on ostentatious things. A single (and shorter) strand would have been much more appropriate with the suit she wore. Hillbilly pops to my mind once again.
Years ago I went on a whale watching boat out of Boston and we spotted some fin whales. From what I remember, fin whales are one of the more curious of the whales seen on these kinds of trips.
One of the whales swam right next to the boat (which was substantially smaller than the whale!) and apparently decided to take a closer look because it rolled to the side so its eye was looking right at the people crowded along the side of the boat. There we were, no more than 10 feet from this enormous creature that was swimming placidly alongside our boat. With one swipe of its tail, it could easily have swamped the boat, but chose to just quietly accompany us on our journey.
It was a fascinating moment of connection between this huge animal and all of us tiny humans gathered to watch it. I often wonder what was going through the whale’s mind when he turned over to look at us!
Wow! Thanks leenie, and all who have shared your whale watching stories. I haven’t been that close to whales, having just watched from very far away while at the Oregon coast. My grown son did get to go out whale watching last summer, out on the sea off the coast of Sta. Barbara, and that was an amazing experience.
Oh,listen to Morning Joe, no one has a good word to say about Mrs. Paylin!
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036789/#35294362
That is so funny, I did the exact same thing. I had had more than enough of you know who this week (how does Todd DO it?) I put in the Planet Earth dvd and had a bit of R&R time. It helps.
Irishgirl…thanks for the link. Fingers crossed that more and more people see through the facade of Sarah Palin (although, once you look past the pretty face there is nothing there).
I never watch Morning Joe, but did just watch the clip as pointed out by Irishgirl – THANKS!
So Joe is afraid of being burned at the stake if he says the wrong thing about Sarah.
The funniest part to me was that Andrea Mitchell wrote her notes in the palm of her hand.
Great photo. I’ve seen a lot of wonderful things in nature in my travels, but I’ve only seen a whale in the far off distance. How I would love to have an experience like some of you have had.
Since this is open thread: To Scarah: declare war on Iran? Seriously? That’s what you’ve got? PLEASE stop embarrasing yourself and go sell lip gloss on QVC.
OMG: thanks for your letter to the Special Olypics. And BTW, they are starting some movement to eliminate the R word forever!! So, they ought to start with Miss O’silla.
Wow, great photo & story, AKM! Thanks!
My only “wild” whale encounter in the water was with a pod of Orcas while I was on a Washington State ferry up towards the San Juan Islands. But I’ve seen Grey Whales from the shore – once on the Strait of Juan de Fuca (between Washington’s Olympic Peninsula and Vancouver Island, BC) and once off Oregon’s coast. They are fantastic creatures!
Thanks for the Morning Joe clip Irishgirl. I also believe SP has no burning desire to become president. I think she is thrilled to have three years of stringing her puppetmasters and fans along on a ride of celebrity. She will pocket as much money as possible in that time and have a blast campaigning for others. She won’t be put on the spot for policy opinion (she’ll have the basic talking points and FB, of course) but the pressure will be on the politicians she endorses. I think if she thought she could delegate EVERYTHING as president, she might try it. Mostly, I think she wants to be Paris Hilton.
..Say No to Palin .. you might dble ck to see if your Cobra payment can be reduced with the Obama supplement – I used it last year, and it was a BIG help! basically brought the payment back to what I’d been paying before being laid off.
Also, if you check “E-Health” website, you may be able to find at least disaster insurance that is affordable… been there, know the worry and frustration..
Paris Hilton had a sex tape.
OMG, I sent my email,and included a request to chide her for exploiting her D S child.
Costa Rica, population 4.5 million, elected it’s first woman president yesterday in a landslide victory. Fifty year old Laura Chinchilla Miranda studied political science at the University of Costa Rica and went on to earn her master’s degree in public policy at Georgetown University. She is a protege of Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and current president, Oscar Arias. The United States, population 305 million, is home of sarah palin who thinks she is qualified to be president. Mrs. Palin attended five colleges over a five year span and has a bachelor’s degree in communications/
journalism. Palin is advised by todd palin, a high school graduate who was a long time member of the AIP, an Alaskan secessionist group. Palin is credited with the invention of the palm prompter, a hand devise used much like a teleprompter.
Whales are beautiful animals, I hope I can see one up close (well, as close as I can get…) some day =)
In the mean time – I had some happy reading this morning! See links below – summary: Real Tea Partiers none too pleased with (newly minted neocon) Sarah Palin hijacking their movement!
http://firedoglake.com/2010/02/08/palin-drives-libertarians-out-of-tea-party/
http://politics.nashvillepost.com/2010/02/07/the-begining-of-the-end-sarah-palin-hijacks-the-tea-party-movement/
http://dailypaul.com/node/124275
http://caivn.org/article/2010/02/04/sarah-palin-and-rand-paul-are-having-tea-party
Palin does what she does best – divide, get paid, lose supporters.
Here’s a good article about torture and why it doesn’t work. Somebody please record it and send it to Sarah so she can listen. If you can make it a youtube and use sock puppets to act it out, so much the better. Have the sock puppets write the talking points on their hands. That should help.
http://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/Walter-Rodgers/2010/0203/Survivors-know-best-Torture-is-always-wrong
Just sent my e-mail to the Special Olympics, too.
Hey Mudflatters, time for fun and games!
http://www.dscc.org/whiteboard
@jc in co. Well said!
No matter what she does, Palin’s hypocrisies will continue to haunt her:
She said Obama palled around with terrorists: Todd Palin, her husband, was a registered member of a sessionist party, she said recently that he is NOT a registered Republican and she herself taped opening remarks for AIP convention whilst she was governor.
She said Obama is nothing but a professor with a teleprompter…..whilst using notes herself AND scribbles on her hand.
She says she is an authentic, every day American…..then swans around the country in expensive clothes paid for by someone else during the campaign and after the campaign, hopped her way thru her “book” tour in a private jet paid for by someone else, with a book written for her by someone else and a “best seller” status for the NYT book list because of her PAC buying up HER books. PLUS she owns a big mansion on Lake Lucille complete with tanning bed paid for by tax payers, not to mention the cabins in the woods (ex property tax of course). AND she got paid $100k for 40 mins work. Not many Americans can boast a lifestyle like this.
She says that the Obama’s a held to a different standard…….yet thousands of emails from her own administration prove that not only did she flout ethics and fiscal responsibility, she coached her staff and family members to do it as well! Tax payers in AK paid for family trips, per diems and a tanning bed and she was outraged when they couldn’t use a private plane.
She says that the media should quit making things up……..then takes a job at Fox News where “making things up” where lying and making things up is considered a job well done.
She calls for Rahm to be fired but Rush gets a pass so she doesn’t risk offending him. That’s all her high principles are worth – zero. She made fun of the President and said that he makes policies depending on which way the wind is blowing then promptly goes on Fox News and does exactly that. She has no convictions or real opinions or any independent thought whatsoever. “More For Me” should be her campaign slogan.
The list continues. The more she is in the public eye – the more she shows herself to be an opportunistic amoral person she truly is. And now we not only have permalinks on record but interview footage as well. The DNC better be prepared.
Sorry….Obama’s a = Obamas are.
Excellent post on Huffpo:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/steve-marmel/the-good-news-about-sarah_b_452738.html
Good lines from the above article:
“She doesn’t have opinions, she has opportunities. She doesn’t have convictions, she has convenience.”
I went whale watching (I believe they are Right whales.. huge) off Provincetown, MA once a long time ago. It was amazing. The whales know when the boats come and they come right up to them. They dive underneath and resurface, shooting air and water from the blowhole, as if on command. People were running from one side to the other, so that the boat tipped accordingly. I got great pictures (though I “lost them in the divorce”.) I looked into the eye of a whale that was bellying up to the side of the boat I happened to be on. It was incredible. Oh, to reach out and touch them… they were that close. I got so seasick on the way back though! Good thing it was only chocolate ice cream! *yuck*
I might get my chance to touch a whale though! We have a Beluga here at the Mystic Aquarium who’s ill and needs to be medicated. They put out a call for volunteers to help hold him while they do his feedings and medications. I have been in contact and hope (*fingers crossed) for a call today! An hour and a half in a wetsuit, holding onto the beautiful Beluga. I’m IN!
Sarah Palin will not run for the nomination for the same reason she didn’t play college basketball. She just doesn’t measure up. She needs to launch a wig and makeup line and sell it on QVC or one of the Christian channels. Godly Lipgloss and Holy Roller Hair Swags.
For your whale viewing pleasure here is a link to a great show about a trip to the Gulf of CA to get up close and personal with the critters.
http://www.calgold.com/specials/Default.asp?Series=6&Show=683
It is by Huell Howser who is seen on PBS in LA.
The NY Daily News link ( Mike Lupica ) that someone posted was a pretty fair and accurate assessment of ” Cheater Barbie “…. ” let me count the ways ”
( watch out Tawdry… she was cosying up pretty close to Perry…. just saying.)
Back to ” Cheater Barbie “. I thought this quote by Lupica was a pretty good assessment…
——————–
“Palin probably did the same thing with the word “maverick” during her talking hairdo campaign to be vice president, “maverick” being pretty much her whole act. The very best news of the weekend? It’s now official that she can fit her entire political philosophy in the palm of her hand.”
———————–
So… ‘ Cheater Barbie ‘ runs ” talking hairdo campaigns “…. with lots of fluff. Does this mean Jessica BeeHive automatically assumes the role as her ‘ Chief of Staff ‘ ?
” Quick we have an emergency… MORE AquaNet… the bumpit won’t stay in place !! “
Speaking as a diver, I know exactly what you mean about staying in the boat. I’ve dived
with turtles, sharks, moray eels, and still the most exciting moment is HEARING the
whales singing when we were in Maui. If I had been in their area, I think I would have
had a cow. Just hearing those sounds gave me massive chills. Congratulations on having a wonderful opportunity to see these magnificent creatures.
Shannyn’s on – http://bit.ly/hDX48 Guest in the first hour – Former Senate Pres. Lyda Green
The Nation: Welcome To Palinland
With a nod to Rick Perlstein, Welcome to Palinland. Atop Palinland’s Mount Rushmore are Ronald Reagan and Barry Goldwater. Palinland’s Bill of Rights has been edited and redacted, reordered and revised with red ink: in Palinland, the Fifth and Sixth Amendments that ensure due process and the rights of the accused are merely suggestive measures to be administered based on the emotional whim of a carefully-harnessed fear and a fervently-stoked anger. And in Palinland, the Tenth Amendment’s reservation of power for the individual states is paramount, a necessary protection for a people whose government is supposedly hell-bent on destroying them.
Welcome to Palinland. You do not have the right to remain silent.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=123491708&ft=1&f=1057
Really great interview with Lyda Greene is underway on Shannyn’s show. They just played the clip of Palin laughing at Lyda being called a cancer and a b*tch.
http://bit.ly/hDX48
i still don’t get what is so wrong with using teleprompters..they all use them including Sahra. This is just so childish and stupid to harp on it.
Houston, we have a problem. Get Motivated seminar featuring $P was apparently very badly organized. http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=news/local&id=7264787
Shannyn reminds us that theMudflats broke the cabin property tax story
well now i understand things a bit better, so the way Shannyn tells it i doubt anything will ever come of cabingate
Andrew Sullivan, as he often does, says it best, reacting to Sarah’s suggestion that Obama could win the next election if he just bombs Iran:
“My view is that, until you understand the depths of Palin’s Christianism – she explicitly called for “divine intervention” in her Q and A – you can’t understand her foreign policy. It’s about the End-Times. And how to follow God’s will.”
http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2010/02/palin-obama-should-bomb-iran-to-get-reelected.html
Cabingate will, I think, reach its high point when the assessor let’s us know the amount of back taxes due, and the amount of the penalties. It won’t be alot. But it will be in stark contrast to Van Flein’s claim that they have paid the taxes they owed.
The value of the cabins will also be a help in making this story a little more important. And remember that this can come back again and again when Palin brings up taxes, which she is sure to do!
BREAKING NEWS – Congressman John Murtha, tabbed as one of the most corrupt in congress, has passed on after complications from gallbladder surgery.
thanks for the reminder to listen to Shannyn.
And a corrupt bastard dying of gall. How poetic.
Yes, that is a happy place. Thanks.
Celtic Diva talking to Shannyn now
A good discussion about Palin’s hypocrisy and the bigotry witnessed at the tea party gathering on The View:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/02/08/meghan-mccain-calls-out-t_n_453778.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/05/nyregion/05trefousse.html
This is terrific. From an obit in the NYT. The man was an interregator during WWII and had a very effective very non violent means of getting german POW’s to spill the sauerkraut.
Worth a read ’cause it’ll make you smile and the RepoTaliban whine.
Last year, I was out in my kayak when a whale surfaced right next to me, not ten feet away. He then proceeded to blow. So, not only was I covered with sea water, I figure there was, uh, whale snot in there too. Not that I minded. He got close enough that I could have touched him with my paddle. I’ve surfed with dolphins before–body surfing and in the kayak (but I can’t do it without capsizing)! All great experiences.
Whale watching trips and the like are all well worth it.
Nice little piece about the Good News about Sarah
regarding the “r” word ….
[snip]
I will naively say that left or right, a person can have a strong opinion – one that can be hopefully debated like adults (regardless of how little that seems to be happening these days). If that opinion is consistent, you might not like it… but you should try to at respect it.
But we don’t have to do that with Palin anymore. This was a litmus test – She doesn’t have opinions, she has opportunities. She doesn’t have convictions, she has convenience. [end snip]
read more @ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/steve-marmel/the-good-news-about-sarah_b_452738.html
Love his last line!
Nate Silver: “There’s something which, if you’ve ever been in the business of trying to sell consulting services, you’ve probably grown accustomed to. It’s what I call the ‘consulting paradox’. Namely, it’s the idea that the people who are most in need of help are often the least aware of it. Indeed, the range of potential clients who (i) aren’t smart enough to solve all their own problems and (ii) are smart enough to know it … is generally very narrow.”
“Sarah Palin needs help. So does almost every politician — but Palin needs it more than most. She is young. She is inexperienced. She’s not especially well connected. She’s strong-willed and a little impulsive. And call me a hater, but the woman just ain’t that bright.”
http://caffertyfile.blogs.cnn.com/2010/02/08/what-would-you-advise-sarah-palin-to-do-next/?hpt=T2
lol check out the opinions on what you would advise Palin to do next, get tissues, you’re going to need some.
At least Trig has company under the bus. Can you imagine letting anyone talk about your child that way. Or other’s children. I was embarrassed by Emanuel’s behind closed doors remarks and outraged by Limbaugh’s nation radio remarks. Someone who knows how, put up a list of the national advertisers on his show. I’m letting them know that I, at least, am outraged and ready to put my money on the line for my convictions.
I’ve given more to special needs children than Palin ever will. And it’s all been in putting in time. Whether badly paid to work with special needs or volunteer work, she’ll never ever put it in.
Does Palin volunteer for anything other than having demons cast out and getting blessed by witch doctors?
@ # 73 Baker’s Dozen
“Does Palin volunteer for anything….?”
——————————————
She volunteers her ignorant opinions every chance she gets.
Whales fascinate me. They come into Puget Sound – the orcas, and sometimes a grey whale or two. I’ve never been near the water when the orcas are there. Once, there was a ferry full of kids going to Camp Sealth for a weekend and they had to stop the ferry to let the orca pod pass. Apparently, that was the highlight of the weekend for all who saw them. I missed that weekend, sadly. I was over at Camp Sealth one weekend though, and we stopped what we were doing when someone sighted a grey whale in the sound, near the other shore. Even as far away as that whale was, it was incredible and memorable.
That’s a great pic, AKM, and I love your description of the experience. Thanks for sharing. I think we alll needed something positive and calming after all the blathering by and about SP.
The comments on Cafferty’s site are closed. So I’ll write here what I would have told him about what Palin should do now.
Go back to middle school where she can spend her time in the girls’ room messing with her hair, popping pimples, donning lipstick, and writing answers to test questions on her hand, and slamming other girls’ fingers in the john doors, just like she did last time she was there. She’s had so much practice with this stuff lately, she oughtta be better at it this time around, you betcha. Maybe she can write a reminder on her hand to pay her property taxes also, too. Then, she can make BFF Todd do all her work for her. (Wonder what he gets if she gets an “A”!)
Baker’s Dozen, I was able to comment, but I got moderated. lol I said she needs to STFU
AKM… or anybody else in the local area.
The Tax Assessors office went out immediately in their plane the next day, Thursday to take pictures.
Has their office released any of those pictures or have they shown up in the Media. The piece of info put out by them was that the 2010 assessment was going to be mailed out within a month ( was it April ?) as well.
Has anyone asked them what the amount was going to be… other than ‘ Zero ‘.
And if they work like the IRS… the back-penalty at times can be much higher than the original mount that SHOULD HAVE been paid.
They, Tax Office, could use the money I’m sure… and Cheater Barbie has like 3 different PAID speeches today as well as her SNL gig she did over the weekend.( You KNOW SNL is working on it ) She can’t be hurting for money to pay….UNLESS she stops at Saks on the way home.
Granny can pick up a New Louis Vitton bag replacement for Piper for working all this week. She liked the last one so much.
Scarah’s a celebutition, lol……doing things her way. Gah
At least the news is showing her stupidity and obvious ploys.
oh my gawd – went to the c4pee site….laughing sooo hard here…
stuck on stoopid they are…watching ed show…gawd sarah’s talking..that voice is sooo freakin weird that it could peel paint of the walls….
“how’s that hopey thing” workin for ya!!~! gawd i hate that woman..finally said it out loud….i feel great also, too…
HonestyinGov……heck now we may have to check into ‘who’ works in the assessors office and their higher ups.
At this point I don’t trust how anything is done in Alaska, and unless all Alaskans got their own deception scam going I’d think ANY that do not should and would be sittin up and paying attention because they are being TAKEN.
Where is that Frontier spirit? is it okay for politicians to screw the good people of Alaska? Are Alaskan’s too dang apathetic?
They need to wake up, because MANY in the lower 48 have been spending time and energy on their behalf. They need a kick in the rear (those who are not caring) not our good AK Mudpups.
The Churches join together to campaign against their extreme causes, they preach and stir up the masses from their pulpits.
The REGULAR folks need a means of coming together, it can be done via the internet. The REGULAR folks need organizing and a means of communication. Maybe this is already happening and I am not aware of it.
First thing I thought when I saw AKM’s post about ‘show up’ today for public input on ethics legislation, was gee, I think a little more build up and advertising would have been helpful. Perhaps this was to cut down on opposition, I don’t know. JMHO.
Went to my in laws for Superbowl. Nice people, but unfortunately they drink the kool aid of FOX, Rush, and Sarah. It’s funny how everything is roses when there is a Republican in the white house, but as soon as they get voted out everything is bad. I swear they must have amnesia from the last eight years. My mother in law is reading Sarah’s book and was saying that all the questions that Katie Couric asked were stupid because even Katie didn’t know the answers to them. Funny, I didn’t think being asked what you read is a stupid question, but then again, I am very cynical and question everything. I would love to give an answer to that one to her, but I am outnumbered and my in laws aren’t going to change their minds anytime soon. I feel like I am drowning in a sea of red. It is very hard to live in a red state where they would vote for a rock if it had an R next to its name. Maybe I should just invent something and advertise it on FOX just to make tons of money off of them. No I couldn’t do it. Just watching FOX and friends on Sundays raises my blood pressure through the roof.
PS, I know it’s been a very hectic news week, but we need to keep what is a priority in mind. I think Scarah had way more than her share of limelight and blog time.
Supporting something more important about day to day life affecting Alaskans, like legislation that becomes law, that will rob freedom rights from the public deserves attention before stupid but dangerous Scarah who has plenty of blogs watching her every move.
Perhaps it can be tied in to her somehow, lol.
AKM, I love the pics of the whales, they are amazing, I’d love to experience that myself sometime in my lifetime. Gonna put it on my list, when I get around to starting one. Their size is hard to imagine.
I kinda feel like I’ve defiled a good and beautiful post. I don’t like feeling like that, but it was the open one, so….
Boodog came up with this great idea on the forum. It is fish related too, thanks to Ghostdancer. We are all mellowing out over there…feel free to join us.
*I see a need for a nice, quiet retreat for those of us feeling a bit of Palin overload. A place to detoxify and rehabilitate. A year ago I thought we would be reminiscing about the good ole days of moose stew and ‘you betcha’ Palinisms. And now she is everywhere.
After you get your hosedown and let out a good, long primal scream, we’ll bring you a big, fluffy robe.
Now sit back and enjoy the healing powers of the virtual hot tub, close your eyes and order up your favorite refreshments. Let your mind go to your happy place and relax. Feel free to yell, cuss or discuss.
I’m afraid we are in for a lot more of ‘her’ (her name is prohibited here) shenanigans. Just remember we’re in it together Smiley
No reservations required..*
You are more than welcome to join us in the Palin Detox Center and Spa.
http://www.themudflats.net/forum/index.php/topic,9390.0.html
I think we are turning the corner on the SP saga. With so much of her in our faces this week- Tea Party speech, Chris Wallace interview and the Perry endorsement in Texas- there is a lot to dissect. While we have been struggling to get the goods on her, hunting through emails being the latest endeavor, she has been gaining ground with her teflon skin. We can make fun of the handprompter, mixing up America and Alaska, and even critic what she looked like. But I have a feeling what she told Wallace (or didn’t say) about running in 2012 was important. It seems suddenly the media is freaking out. This is no longer a joke, she might just try to run. We have been yelling at the top of our lungs about the empty-headed, quitter for a long time now and I think we are about to see the cavalry come running around the bend. I hope.
Here is an interesting take on the Tea Party movement factions, and how Sarah and the convention are viewed.
Not as positive as the media would like us to think, it seems…
http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/02/08/tea-partys-internal-skirmishing-follows-gathering/?src=twt&twt=thecaucus
Oh, I just saw the invite Irish! Have the hors devours arrived?
Blue Eyes said: “Katie Couric asked were stupid because even Katie didn’t know the answers to them
lol, I feel for ya, been in that situation on occasion, sigh. But what your mother in law said is funny, I would have said to her, well I’ve always thought a person asks a question because they don’t know the answer.
Interviews are all about questions and answers, lol.
I wonder if your mother in law would be offended if someone who was interested in getting to know her asked what she likes to read? why would that question bother anyone? It shouldn’t. It’s a completely easy, human interest question.
Scarah was afraid to be honest. She didn’t want to say what she reads, because it would (most likely) be less than impressive. All of them, lol, nice blanket but lame and highly untrue answer, who can read all of them.
What teacher would except a lame answer like that from a student who obviously had no clue about the subject matter, one who had not done one’s homework or prepared for class.
Subject: Reading Material – Grade F- student: Scarah Liar Fake Palin
accept, lol
Yes Boo….munch, munch. And the massage is heavenly. We just need some good music now!
BooDog, don’t forget ScarahPac disclosure, paid Facebook writer, Mansour from C4P fan club not affiliated with Scarah, who fund raised for the GOV via the blog and all those Emails and Tax Evasion.
It was one intense info packed week. whew.
two gah’s……two posts in moderation limbo.
Snos, I’m interested in why my second post got snagged, I’ll try not to make the same mistake if I know the why.
#79 Say No to Palin in Politics Says:
February 8th, 2010 at 3:40 PM
Scarah’s a celebutition, lol……doing things her way. Gah
At least the news is showing her stupidity and obvious ploys.
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You might even call her a ” Celeb-Beautician ” the way she likes to hang out in Jessica Beehives Shop. She could spend the whole day in there….
And when she left she would still be ‘ ugly ‘. Beauty is formed from the inside-out. She will always be the Ugly step-sister and NOT Cinderella.
No matter how many shoes, slippers, peep-toe Monkey pumps or boots she tries on.
OK… she did go the ‘ Ball ‘ in Nashville this weekend , but she left looking like a Pumpkin-Head carved out Jack-O-Lantern. All empty inside…. AND Creepy!
Wow, we can now order SP’s book for only $4.97 and get a free subscription to Newsmax. Such a deal!
My local news just played the clip of Palin at the Tea Party speech where she wrinkles her nose and says in her most sarcastic mocking tone “How’s that hopey changey stuff workin’ for ya?”
Rage swept through me.
This is what she does best.
She’s a reductionist.
She reduces the political debate from an exchange of ideas and philosophy down to the basest impulses in people.
Regardless of whether you agree with PO’s agenda, the concepts of “hope’ and “change” are on a plane higher than any individual person or political party.
Palin reduces the best in people…..down to their worst: mockery, disrespect, ignorance……and rage.
PS…Very interesting link, Rob in Ca # 85, with good comments below it.
What should Sarah do next? How about gettin’ a brain transplant and learning how to stfu! Gee, if only we had better healthcare in this country.
Lee323 said, My local news just played the clip of Palin at the Tea Party speech where she wrinkles her nose and says in her most sarcastic mocking tone “How’s that hopey changey stuff workin’ for ya?”
Rage swept through me.
_____
OMG, I hate her.
#93 Lee323: hey sarah, how’s that inky-handy thing workin for ya? Stupid nitwit, I swear someone nneds to knock that snarky smirk off her surgically enhanced face…..
“needs” she just pisses me off so much I can’t even type…….
I hear ya’. Just poured more wine. Errrrrrrrrrrrrrr.
@ Trish and jc in co
————————–
Yeah…..she’s a blight of biblical locust proportions….. Or maybe she’s just a locust with a Bible….. Or maybe she’s just a blighter with the proportions of a locust….
Hi !!
I’m a tea-bagger and I love sarah.
http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs174.snc3/20160_1211471930487_1339414029_30544062_1334491_n.jpg
Check this photo of the space shuttle launch. Click on the photo to enlarge.
http://spaceweather.com/submissions/large_image_popup.php?image_name=Richard-S.-Wright-Jr.-LastNighLaunch_1265622144.jpg
Dear Senator McCain, although I mostly respect you and your career, I would just like to wish you and your presidential campaign a giant F^*k You for legitimizing Sarah Palin in the eyes of middle America. You have left us with political herpes. Sincerely, The rest of America.
******************************************************************
Hahahaha !!
Found that comment on reddit. Others were ….uh….off the chart.
Here is a link copied from someone posting on the Palingates thread.
It is from the Reading Speech today and has some pictures.
The 2nd speech is later tonight.
http://www.redding.com/news/2010/feb/08/sarah-palin-redding-today/
The story mentioned that there were about 25-30 protesters. Yesterday I had mentioned that one way to protest is with a ‘ Big Finger ‘ sign.( just looked up a company ) Colbert has this ” Wag of the Finger ” segment on his Show. You could also use these signs to ‘ give Sarah the finger ‘ and in the Palm have something written in … your choice. This Online company says you can order them for as little as $2… or less. ( I assume that is with the saying printed )
That’s cheaper than paper and wood for a sign.
About 30 of these fingers waving at the same time would look good on camera. Is she coming to your Hometown..?
Who wouldn’t spend $2 to give Sarah the finger..?
Rob in Cal @ 85
Thanks for the link. I found this excellent comment there (copying only part of it)
“I find you particularly egregious because you like to beat your chest about America’s yeoman culture of self-sufficiency as a strawman counterpoint to all this alleged Socialism, but then simultaneously excoriate President Obama for somehow not helping your wife get a job. Seems to me that, for consistency’s sake, you should be blaming your wife alone for her failure. Surely pioneer types like yourselves don’t need the government?”
Arghhhh. Too quick with the ‘ finger ‘…. ( post # 103 )
Forgot the link. And the spam filter doesn’t like my link. I will try to shorten it or search ” foam fingers for sale ”
Won’t take the link.. you will have to use the googles
@ 100 austintx
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Very tricky photo, austin!
For a second, I thought it was SP herself until I looked at his left hand. A true Palin fan will usually have a banana in his hand like this clown while the gen-U-whine scarah will always have cold, hard cash….or crib notes.
106 Lee323 Says: February 8th, 2010 at 7:10 PM
@ 100 austintx
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Very tricky photo, austin!
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Dang it… thought I hid “the package” better.
Must be what Marnee meant when she said I was being spilled. …
@ sauerkraut
Polyester knit never hides the package, my friend. Try a Scottish kilt next time. They work beautifully as long as you don’t do cartwheels.
# 104 tamara
That quote was a particular favorite of mine too except for the slight drawback that the person (s)he was responding to probably wouldn’t have understood it. In fact, I suspect the only part of that quote which percolated through the interstices of the brain of that person is “you should be blaming your wife…..”
Ooooooh. Am I being elitist here? Dang. Reality bites.
It’s illegal of course, but my brother, at age 16, jumped out of a small fishing boat to swim with the whales off the coast of Cape Cod. From the time he could walk, my brother adored the water — and later went on to work around the world as a professional diver.
Even today, years since the Cape Cod incident, I can still sit and listen to the story again and again. For thirty minutes, before he was finally noticed by a passing boat, Jim swam alongside a school of three colossal whales, listening to their voices and getting spun in circles every time they passed. My mother didn’t appreciate the FBI arriving at our house that night, but we weren’t completely surprised. It said something about the agents that when Jim told the story, they sat silently, in awe. He got off without a fine.
We have California grays in off our coast. I’ve been out on whale watching boats through the Natural History Museum and seen them.
I’ve petted dolphins and killer whales at Sea World.
I know the grays are small compared to fins and blues. I’ve only seen video of the big guys, some from under water by photographers who dive. Just awesome stuff. Makes me wish I could swim with the whales too.
If we weren’t turning our oceans into toilets and killing fish and animals like there was no tomorrow…..I’d love to come back as a whale.
Mlaiuppa
I share your sentiments.
I’ve been fortunate to meet whales in Hawaii, Puget Sound and SE Alaska. These creatures are so beautiful and seem so wise and curious about us. If you have ever been fortunate to have looked one in the eye, it is truly life changing.
Great story AKM…
OMG, Stephen Colbert just called SP a “F***ing Retard”, but said he was using satire! The audience roared!!!
I’ve seen whales close up in Hawaii (fishing boat), at a distance breaching in the Coral Sea (from a small plane to Lady Eliot Island, a southern outpost of the Great Barrier Reef), and from the boat in which I was learning to sail in St. Vincent and the Grenadines (we were approaching Bequia, and Captain Shawn told us not to tell anyone there, or the whale would be hunted). They always make my heart beat faster! I love, love, love them.
Health and peace.
# 116
jennywa Says:
February 8th, 2010 at 9:16 PM
OMG, Stephen Colbert just called SP a “F***ing Retard”, but said he was using satire! The audience roared!!!
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I saw the Show as well… I am 100% sure that Gryphen will post this one. He’s a big Stewart/Colbert Fan. Jon Stewart with Louis Black was hysterical as well with the sarah/rush hypocrisy.
She is sooooo short-sighted in her thinking by defending Rush with that lame excuse. ANY Comedian can now just say beforehand…I’m just Quoting SP… ” This is just satire.. ” and then say anything they want. She can’t take offense. She set the Rules for them and they will use them to their advantage. Just as in the past….with a professional comedian…she’s going to lose again.
zyggy i started reading the cafferty comments last night and am still at it. i think i just figured out why Willow isn’t on the trail with her mother anymore. she’s too embarrassed. poor lil piper doesn’t get a choice, but willow’s big enough to make a real scene.
My comment yesterday at #19 mentioned Eddie Burke and should have been Ed Shultz as the one being asked to run for a senate seat. Posted too early in the a.m. I guess. Or maybe my brain is getting totally distorted with all the failin palin everywhere. I think every major newscast yesterday gave her face time. I’m sending emails to all to tell them to stop the free air space they’re giving her.