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The Iquitarod!: Sarah Palin's Latest Arctic Sport
Oh My God!!! My friends in Alaska are having all the fun: Shannyn Moore and AKMuckraker, legends both, squires of free speech, calling up the spirits of Lexington and Concord on the Fourth of July, no less, and challenging the wannabe Queen of Alaska, "the deranged frostvixen quitterface" (to borrow a phrase from HuffPo's Jason Linkins), and her duplicitous court jester of an attorney, Tommy Van Flein, who apparently fancies himself barrister for the House of Hanover.
It's been a helluva Independence Day weekend in the Last Frontier. Wow! First the Governor resigns (I had her nearly incoherent speech translated into English to make sure this was confirmed), then she allows no questions, no open media coverage, provides no serious explanation (save for the most banal and insipid basketball metaphors) and expects no one to wonder why in the world she would step down from the governorship, which is the only platform from which she can claim any political legitimacy. And we're not supposed to speculate? Come now.
Leave it to Paul Begala to muster up the ghost of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson's all-mighty line: When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro. If only the Doctor of Gonzo were around now to turn Palin and her circle of sycophants into mincemeat. For us mere mortals, we can only have her for lunch.
And just when you think it can't get any weirder--the trailer trash revelations of Troopergate; the McCain camp calling her a "whack job from Wasilla"; the turkeys being slaughtered in the background on Thanksgiving; her on-again, off-again, on-again, off-again, on-again attendance at GOP fund raisers--then Palin's shill of an attorney sends out the most inane, pathetic and ridiculous press release that I have ever seen in my 35 years in journalism. It's a full-fledged assault on the First Amendment. He's threatening to sue the indomitable Shannyn Moore, HuffPo, the New York Times, Washington Post, and half the internet for speculating as to the real reasons that Palin stepped down from Governor--and in the end, there were only two possible explanations: 1) that there was some sort of bombshell about to explode; or 2) that Palin did such an absolutely wretched job as Governor that she couldn't do anything but quit.
Van Flein is telling us it's Door No. 2. As Tommy Boy's letter indicates, and I quote:
[S]everal unscrupulous people have asserted false and defamatory allegations that the "real" reasons for Governor Palin's resignation stem from an alleged criminal investigation pertaining to the construction of the Wasilla Sports Complex. This canard was first floated by Democrat operatives in September 2008 during the national campaign and followed up by sympathetic Democratic writers.
Then came the threat: "To the extent several websites, most notably liberal Alaska blogger Shannyn Moore, are now claiming as 'fact' that Governor Palin resigned because she is 'under federal investigation' for embezzlement or other criminal wrongdoing, we will be exploring legal options this week to address such defamation." No one has claimed anything as fact. What radio host and blogger Moore and others, including myself, reported was that there were rumors of a pending investigation. The rumors have been circulating everywhere. Why? Van Flein tells us the answer:
Wayne Barrett, a writer for the left wing Village Voice, published these insinuations, on October 7, 2008 in a story entitled "The Book of Sarah." This was written in the style of one pretending to be amazed that so many people in a small town like Wasilla appear to know one another, support one another, and take on big projects together. Apparently that is uncommon in New York. Rather than recognize that leaders of a community often mobilize to accomplish projects, the writer offered this up as an unusual and questionable association of special interests.
Left wing! The cheap shot at New York!!! What would Rudy Giuliani say? What the fuck does Van Flein think that the people of New York did after 9/11 when he and Palin sat on their asses in Anchorage and Wasilla respectively? The provincialism is as disgusting as it is disingenuous. Let me say this for my peep in Brooklyn: Tommy Van Flein, vaffanculo! You're a punk. And Sarah: No more Yankee tix for you! Rudy's gonna take away your Big Apple privileges.
Van Flein then reminds us that Palin played politics on the Sports Arena project as well. Just as she's always done. Wherever she's been.
In addition, Sarah Palin was then criticized by some of not showing enough interest in the project. The Frontiersman reported that at a public meeting with the Chamber of Commerce, an opponent of the project "accused Wasilla Mayor Sarah Palin of staying quiet about the arena because of her campaign for Lieutenant Governor."
That would be the campaign for lieutenant governor where Palin was later caught using City of Wasilla resources to run her campaign. Yes that one. The same one in which she accepted tainted contributions from VECO (10 percent of her campaign funds), the same company at the center of Ted Steven's corruption scandal. And the same Sports Arena that has been an economic disaster for Wasilla. But I digress.
So I thank Van Flunky for reminding us of all that.
I disagree with some of my friends who say this is "out of character" for the good governor. Sarah Palin quit five colleges in her otherwise unremarkable collegiate career, before finally graduating from the sixth. She quit her job in television. She and Todd quit their snow machine dealership in Big Lake. She quit her job as Mayor of Wasilla to run for lieutenant governor. She quit as chair of the Alaska Oil & Gas Conservation Commission. Now she has quit the governorship of the state she supposedly loves. Sarah Palin is a quitter. When the going gets tough, Sarah Palin quits.
Sarah Palin has no game.
My 14-year-old daughter just told me that someone on Twitter has come up with a new term for Palin's resignation: Iquitarod.
Perfect.
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Sarah who?
Palin loves all the publicity good or bad. She needs the spotlight. It has nothing to do with the right thing.
The true reason why Palin resigned: she was in violation of Alaska Statute AS 39.52.170. Outside Employment Restricted.
As Governor she is NOT allowed to have any other employment as long as she is Governor.
Her book deal was in violation of that statute.
In addition she was also supposed to report how much money her PACs had received by July end, another violation to Alaska Statute.
(c) The head of a principal executive department of the state may not accept employment for compensation outside the agency that the executive head serves.
http://www.touchngo.com/lglcntr/akstats/Statutes/Title39/Chapter52/Section170.htm
I listened to her speech about stepping down and didn't really get it. I really hope that she doesn't waste our time and run for president in 2012. If she wants to go and write a book or do a talk show or something at least I don't have to read it or listen to it. I like the Iquitarod term. If she's stepping down because she's tired of all the media and accusations about her then just say it. Don't use lame metaphors that no one cares about.
I believe she is so far out of it that it is time to ignore her altogether. please no more Palin in the media spotlight. Keep her with such People Gossip rag Regulars as Paris Hilton and what was that lil girls name? The one that makes babies then shaves her head to run away from rehab?
"Award-winning journalist, filmmaker and historian." The awards must have been for 'old news' and 'no news.' Personally I am tired of hearing about Palin and Obama. Half the country thinks one or the other is Superman or Superwoman. When 99% is just partisan politics. Possibly that is why you got an award?
So, if by "passing the ball" she can help her team, American I guess?, win, does this indicate that Sarah Palin has "won" at America? And I'm certainly glad she went to her children to help make this decision. It makes me wonder if Obama takes any advice from Sasha and Malia in organizing things like the economic recovery packages.
With that said, I'd put my money on the Obama children out-politicking the Palin brood.
Suggested title for Sarah's book.
"Palin: From Barracuda to Guppy"
enough of sara palin. she resigned,quit,gone fishing or what ever. just let it go. if she's fading away turn the spot light off. don't beat a horse thats not in the race. don't be like her. she could really dish out the dirt. now if she is stepping aside and won't be popping off at the mouth any more. we should follow obama's example and be gracious to her.
And if you notice whilst Ms Palin is fishing, she isn't dirty, has on makeup, her hair up. I think she expected the newspeople to show up. I work on cars a lot, get greasy and dirty, and I hate to go fishing because its so dirty. She looked far too clean to have been doing anything but standing around waiting for the media to show up.
I love the piece. As a New Yorker, I was especially pleased to see the author's argument about community and 9/11. Just one request: Can we please retire the phrase "a full-fledged assault on the First Amendment"? It's not exactly accurate for one thing.
Palin is so light weight. Can you imagine of the Democrat women who ran for President quitting. Think of Hillary Clinton quitting because Obama was beating her. How about our other women candidates quitting because their poles were low, or their family said so. Palin is a quitter and will quit the country if she has a chance. (Remember her husband is in "The Alaska to succeed the USA" Party)
Your Gnop'ers sure picked a winner. The Rebliquitters are the party that is Dead, we are watching your final days. Why don't you Republicians just quit.!!!
Well, there's one thing for sure. Palin is a polarizer. It doesn't seem to matter what latest inane thing she does; there's sure to be a media and blogger storm about it, so I just think of her now as the woman we love to diss...one misstep after another...one idiotic comment after another...no apparent loyalty to anyone, including her kids. I'm really sad that she didn't get to give a concession speech with McCain...her disloyalty to him would have been more evident. "Don't cry for me...Alaska." That's how you love your state; abandon it! That's how you put "Country First"; try to divide it with hate-charged rhetoric. Did I hear her say in her resignation that she loves animals? I think there may be a few wolves that would take exception!
I personally think she is addicted to the attention - She couldn't stand being outshined by the attention to Michael Jackson and had to get her smug mug out there in the middle of it.
Poor Sarah - such a victim.
Think about the hate she incited and the death of the abortion doctor and not to mention all the threats on the President of the United States partially due to her constant hateful rhetoric about him palling around with terrorists, being muslim, supporting partial birth abortions, ect., etc., ETC. - All lies and all inflammatory and full of hate. She's responsible whether someone else wrote the words or not - she chose to speak them.
Now you have to take the same medicine you dished out. The media despised you (the REAL media) because you were deploreable and completely unprepared for the leader of the free world. It was a sick joke to even suggest you were qualified in any way.
Go back into the hole you crawled out of Sarah. Your brand of hate is not needed or wanted. Your hypocrisy is so transparent and your narcissism is sickening.
Go away - I can't take anymore. You are a negative influence on our country. You have nothing to offer but negativity and irrational statements.
When will this obsession about trashing Sarah Palin end??? She is just a distraction while Nancy Pelosi
and her crooks in Congress flush our taxes down the toilet . We need to be talking about the billions of dollars that they spent on the Stimulus Bill. Paying their friends and family with our money. Who cares about Sarah Palin? She is history... and nothing to do with the economic mess that is crippling California and the country. Hello??? Is there not someone with a brain out there?
If it were true that she is history, I would consider any graft as money well spent. In answer to your last question, you are out there, and no.
If there is, it doesn't have a Republican wrapped around it. They're too consumed with negativity.
Good post!
Wow! Where will this end? She's like when small children cover their faces so thinking they'll disappear from view. She makes the announcement on the holiday weekend , goes fishing and she can't offer a believable explanation for this very extreme move. People don't usually leave office so cavalierly. Two weeks notice from the governorship! She was elected to office by the people of Alaska and she isn't going to finish her term? She was likely overhead, even in that office, and figures she'd better make her $$$$$ before her 15 minutes are up. Like someone said on TV it just wasn't any fun for her anymore. All ice cream and no veggies for this frostbitten quitter.
It is really sickening how such a blatant display of cowardice and greed is being spun as cleaver or savvy. This woman is a self-serving operator. She'll do anything that benefits her, never mind her family supporters or constituents. It also makes it obvious that the presidency is a figurehead wherein the handlers control the anyone that they can get elected--- even this undereducated, wannabe. Why else would the GOP leaders support her. Hopefully this show is finally over.
For Sarah Palin so loves Alaska that she's sacrificing her valuable TITLE.
See:
http://notionscapital.wordpress.com/2009/07/07/sarahs-sacrifice/
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