Alaska Party's Founder: "I've Got No Use for America or Her Damned Institutions"

Sarah Palin addressing Alaska Independence Party convention

The words of founder Joe Vogler are proudly displayed on the Alaska Independence Party's website (at least as of this writing): "I'm an Alaskan, not an American. I've got no use for America and her damned institutions."

Given that one of America's "damned institutions" is the Department of Defense, this raises a few questions about Gov. Palin's strength on national security issues.

In covering Sarah Palin's reported membership in this extremist party (see update), Jake Tapper quotes its current leader as saying that Sarah Palin is "a fine individual. She's forthright and she puts Alaska first."

She puts Alaska first. There's an endorsement to remember. And in case we think her past association in this party was just some youthful indiscretion, she addressed them by video hookup earlier this year. In the video shown above Palin says she is "delighted" to be addressing the group, that the party "plays an important role," and wishes them "good luck on a successful and inspiring convention."

The Alaska Independence Party wants to open all Federal lands (like state parks) to private ownership - presumably by the people who live nearby. It also wants to abolish all property taxes. It has a few other pretty extreme views, too.

"Her damned institutions." Imagine if those out-of-context remarks of Obama's preacher had been codified into a political organization - and that he had joined it. Then imagine he had come back and given a speech there a few months ago.

Joe Vogler asked that he not be buried underneath the American flag. He did, however, deny that he ever said he wanted to "nuke the glaciers."

Vogler's unsourced Wikipedia entry says cryptically that he "had an antipathy towards aspens." Yes, the trees. If true, this would be the second time a Republican VP was linked to someone with strange feelings toward that fir. (Remember Scooter Libby's note to Judy Miller, with its mysterious reference to "aspens turning in clusters"?)

I find myself struggling, Hamlet-like, with an aversion to writing pieces about the Vice Presidential candidate's wacky past. Instead of an inner child, I have an inner civics teacher that keeps saying "Why can't we talk about the issues?"

Well, this is the issue: Not just the viability of Sarah Palin as a possible President of the United States, but the judgment of John McCain. In his first and only Presidential decision so far, McCain has shown himself to be reckless, careless, and unconcerned about the effective functioning of government. Whether Palin stays or not (which has become a legitimate question) is only half the issue.

The problem with the GOP ticket is the candidate at the top.

__________

UPDATE: The McCain campaign is denying that Palin was a member of the AIP and denying she attended the 1994 convention. Another AIP leader has come forward, however, to say that Palin was there. And the authenticity of the video above is not in question.

RJ Eskow blogs at:

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Comments

[plafayette]

OMG...She is the gift that just keeps on giving. Democrats have for years railed against the republican spin machines but repugs have always been able to pull the rug from underneath the truth. Not so this time. I think it is a great indicator that the press is actually vetting this candidate. It tells me that Americans are willing to put America first even if McCain is not willing to do so. It is high time that we as Americans get off our collective a$$es and fight for what is in our own best interest. Sarah Palin is not in the BEST Interest of America at this time. McCain will not reach that point in his lifetime. It is extremely important that the media and various press continue to dig deeper into the Palin's lives. I think they have just hit the ole tip of the iceberg!

[XME]

Since selecting Palin, McCain has made it very clear he doesn't put "country first". Maybe he and Palin will adopt the more accurate slogan: BIG OIL FIRST.

[rich3324]

The more I hear about the Alaska the more I feel they are out of touch with the rest of the US and the world. Sounds like a place to go hide.

[MajorKong]

You're not too far off. Some people up there have a "Fortress Alaska" mentality.

[murnatam]

For a story more controversial than Rev. Wright's "God damn America," I'm surprised why it is not covered with the same intensity by the Mainstream Media. Double standards? You betcha!!!!!

[Dap]

Dear Brother RJ,

Well said, You and I have come to the same conclusion, and we are in the same stream of consciousness, with regard to the top of the Republican ticket.

John Mcain's judgement *(and it's of import to note, the judgement of the junta that John McCain has chosen to play follow the leader with)* is clearly impaired, and is concern for alarm. He/they have made a Faustian bargain, without question, and have choosen to do so by Machiavellian means.

There is a clear concerted effort to conduct a coup d'etat on our Constitutional Republic by those that do not have the best interest of our beloved Country and our People in mind. "Country First" my arse. Especially that our Country is vested in We, the People. Agape.

[demfriend]

When questioned deny, deny, deny but the proof of her being invloved has to come ut as a MSM news release to show it is true in the mediums where it cannot be denied. This woman scares me more every day as she has no experience and her way to govern is not unlike the Rove playbook with Bush used as examples. She isn't intelligent enought to be a Cheney lite. Her background is horrible and the nasties are rooting out the bag she has tried to hide them in. I had a special needs child and my niece is downs and they need so much care and attention by the mom I believe, that cannot be given by a father or nanny. In the old days the non-perfect kids were put away in institutions and hidden but now we know the kids do better with their families and the extra care needed. I would hope Palin has not given over the care of her child to another so she can be in politics. I fail to see how she can be doing a good job at home with her five kids while being on the road.

[Durango]

They got no use for America or American values.

But they have all kinds of use for American tax dollars. Without the rest of us kicking in our share the Alaskans would be flat broke. That Bridge to Nowhere was not the exception, it was the RULE!

BTW That oil up there? It is owned by those of us in the Lower 48. Oh sure Alaska has a stake. But it is FEDERAL OIL.

I am so sick of these fools railing against the Federal Government and then they ARE THE FIRST IN LINE WITH THEIR HANDS OUT.

Welfare Queens is what they really are.

Only no one on welfare ever had as lucrative a payday as these idiots.

[PrairieDog]

Very good point. It's "country first" unless you well-connected & on the take like Enron, big oil, Halliburton, Blackwater, etc etc

[ThoughtAboutIt]

Why is her husband's REAL employer never mentioned? Forget the commerical fisherman line. He has been an employee of BRITISH PETROLEUM for over 18 years. Its is common knowledge for Alaskans because he took a leave of absense for a period because of conflicts of interest when she becamse governor. He has since returned to BP and is employed there TODAY.

[Dap]

DearBrother RJ,

Well said, You and I have come to the same conclusion, and are in the same stream of consciousness, John Mcain's judgement *(and it's of import to note, the judgement of the junta that John McCain has chosen to play follow the leader with)* is clearly impaired, and is concern for alarm. He has made a Faustian bargain, without question.

Their is a clear concerted effort to conduct a coup on our Constitutional Republic by those that do not have the best interest of our beloved Country or its People in mind. Agape.

[Post-it]

You're right about Palin: she is not qualified to be vice-president. But you're wrong about the aspen: it is not a fir.

[handyallen1]

alaska was purshased from russia with taxpayers money supplied from the 48 lower states the us government has title to that land anwr belongs to the us government legally we the people will decide if and when anwr will be open to oil exploration

[dnels14]

Joe Lieberman) or offend social conservatives (like Mitt Romney) or be seen as inexperienced (like Bobby Jindal) or simply be too boring and generic (like Tim Pawlenty), John McCain finally made his worst choice. mcpalin

[priscianusjr]

An aspen is not any kind of fir. The aspen (genus populus) is a deciduous tree, a fir (genus abies) is a conifer.

[RJ Eskow - Huffpost Blogger]

my bad.

[Jaid]

I don't care about Palin's pregnant daughter, nor Palin's grandchild. I am however interested in the backwards policies espoused by John McCain which are now also supported by Palin. That is what I care about?

[saami]

So let's see now, she will have to swear to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States?!?! How can she do that with a straight face. Actually easy, she probably can lie about anything and still smile her cheerleader smile. I am a woman and find her candidacy an insult to all women.

[lvdragonlady]

Not very patriotic if you ask me.
Won't trust her as far as I could throw her.
She is worse the Rev.Wright and GWB put together.

Nice going Mac