Palin's Trip To Ireland? A 'Shannon Stopover'

At some point, one has to expect that we will finally come to know all there is to know about Sarah Palin. But until that day comes, here's another tidbit, courtesy John Aravosis. See, back when Palin was announced as McCain's Veep, inquiring minds wanted to know: had she ever traveled abroad? Her spokeswoman told Politico's Ben Smith that she had been to Germany, Kuwait, and Ireland.

At least one Irish blogger, Suzy Byrne, stepped forward to call blarney on that:

Two words to describe that visit to Ireland I think.

SHANNON STOPOVER! *

...

*For US readers the Shannon Stopover refers to planes landing at Shannon Airport to refuel when on their way to and from parts of Europe/Middle East. Shannon Airport sees many US Military and contractor flights arrive there each month for refueling -- passengers get off the plane for a while and then get back on again. Hardly a visit to Ireland?

Well, give it up to the international blogosphere, folks, because as it turns out, Byrne was absolutely correct. Ben Smith, today:

The Ireland trip was a refueling stop on her trip to military installations in Germany and Kuwait, spokeswoman Maria Comella said.

Do you need anything from duty-free, America?

Comments

[cathyn518]

I am so afraid with all of this criticism that Sarah will wtihdraw. First of all, many fundamentalist groups were praying that Barack's speech be rained out and he had a perfect night. Poor John has had both Huricane Gustof and natural disaster Sarah to deal with. The news has never been so much fun. Who says God doesn't have a sense of humor?

[Annette]

I suspect that "God" is tired of being a political prop.

[worldwisdom]

Absolutely. Also I think God is tired of being used by the Republic Party to win elections at the expense of those naive, gullible far right "christians" that trust the Republic Party, rather than do some fact finding for themselves.

[PrinceKeith]

Surely this provres the Good LORD is actually one them DEMONCRATS?

[emmaspeaks]

Nothing Natural about Sarah Palin.

[drec1500Madrid]

People are being unfair. The McCain campaign explained that the vetting process was much more than a couple of phone calls from the candidate.

They gave her an 80 question form to fill out and she had a nearly 3 hour interview before they gave her the nod. Oh and she had to hand over her tax returns.

guess that form didn't have the right questions...

[SUNRAI]

1. What's your name? Sarah Palin
2. Do like to play with guns? yes, I'm a hunter
3. How many kids do you have? 4 or 5 - it just depends

And it goes on like that....

[BLinCincinnati]

Yeah, it was only 70 questions. Apparently the really good 10 questions got left off ;)

[enlighteninglad]

Yeah, that sounds thorough. I went through more just to get my drivers license. (1st time.)

[faithfully]

I want to see her medical record. This woman and her family are a mess!

[gluvox12]

I've been to paradise, but I've never been to me.

[rcwblessed]

Country First... scratch that.......Politics First!

[psychmaj323]

wow, you've got to be kidding me! LOL, more and more stuff will come out about this chick and when it does, landslide victory for Barack.

[enlighteninglad]

Only if Diebold is stopped. No one is talking about that and it is STILL a major concern. No fingerprints and the repubes will just scream "sour grapes" if dems bring it up AFTER the theft.

[Reab44]

Does Visiting Incirlik Air Base Count as Experience in Turkish Culture?

Sen. McCain maintains that he has a great deal of foreign policy experience. In support of this piece of supposedly vital information, he lists all the countries he has visited. But could it be that he travels mostly by US military transport? If so, then he probably never interacts with anyone from another country, explores local cultures, or (perhaps most importantly) has no idea what the nation is like except through the lens of the US and/or local military. Landing at American bases in Europe, for example, gives one no idea of the place one is visiting. The Green Zone is not Iraq, Rota Naval Base is not Spain, Aviano Air Base is not Italy, and Ramstein Air Base is not Germany.

[enlighteninglad]

I was stationed in Mannheim, Germany. Learned the language and got along great with the people. Very smart as a nation and they don't like the repubes too much at all.

[messy]

If she got off the plane she was THERE. I find her abhorent, but when someone is right ten percent of the time, you should defend her ten percent of the time.

[jgaines7]

You don't claim stopovers. You don't get you passport stamped at a stopover. If we can claim stop overs, I'd add four more countries to my list of countries visited.

[Manchurian]

If you've touched the ground, you've been there. You may know nothing of the people, their culture, their customs or their cuisine, so your "visit" is essentially meaningless - but, hey, you've been there.

[MadeinAmericaProud]

If you are a republican "WE the People" are always allowing them to make of the rules by anyone in front of a camera. If they don't hear We the People feedback of negative comments, It means the new rules are acceptable.

Every Sunday, Key Repub get on TV with their talking points. No negative feedback from We the people, again, they start repeating these one liners.

The one major problem with the democratic party. We not have very warm, loving and compassionate people the party also have leftovers no other party will accept. Due to the open arms policy the party has, the nuts think our actions are weak when we turn the other cheek instead of hitting back quickly.

I also say at this time with the democrats, if we keep doing the same thing expecting a different results we should get our A$$ kicked. I am ready tofight fire with fire to win this.

I do not want Bush and gang pardon.
I am sick and tired of being sick and tired of people not knowing the truth, to lazy to do the work to get our nation back.

I learned years ago, letting big business know I will not support your business and tell them why. in mas you get their attention. Paying a cable bill does not say I am unhappy with the programs.

[KaAp]

Lied again ... wow

[johnnygoodwud]

someone said this has all be preplaned to take the focus off of obama's jump in the polls. in a few days she will resign for family needs and someone, (trying to figure out who is and who isn't pregnant and who the rightful parents are.)maybe mitt will step in.

[Daly]

Mitt has played and been play for a fool; but there is a reason that "blind ambition" is a saying

[enlighteninglad]

I said that a few days ago. She was nothing but a ploy to mitigate O's bounce from the convention. If Mc didn't do it he would be completely defeated already, forget about debates.

[johnnygoodwud]

probably alot of snipers and couldn't get off the plane.

[nowRnever]

Oh darn! You mean she lied?

[ggirl00]

At this point, all I can do is LMAO

[siciliabel]

For what it's worth, until you clear customs you're not even technically in the country you're intending to visit. Shannon is a gateway. When you get off the plane, you're in no man's land. There's a duty free shop and a bathroom. Erin go bragh!

[rich3324]

In her mind there is only one country worth going to, Alaska.

[lioness39]

Thanks Mac for taking a d u m p on A merica.