Terrorists, Secessionists, Sarah Palin and Guilt by Association

I was appalled (and annoyed) this weekend by the newest wave of hypocrisy to come spewing perkily forth from the ever-smiling, ever-smirking, perfectly lipsticked mouth of Governor Palin. I'm actually starting to enjoy (for comedic reasons only) her interviews that are nothing more than disconnected prepositional phrases laced with stock GOP pablum. But accusing a sitting U.S. Senator of "palling around with terrorists" is crossing the line.

Finally informing us what she reads, Palin said that yesterday, while leafing through her daily copy of the New York Times, she came across a story on Senator Obama and William Ayers, the 1960s militant and member of the Weather Underground, the radical and violent anti-war group. And faster than you can say "Darn right!"she saw her opportunity - and her duty. Clearly, she must inform an unknowing nation that Obama is guilty by association with Ayers.

You, Governor, should know better. As I and many journalists have noted, you have strong ties to the Alaska Independence Party. While it was finally revealed that you technically were not a card-carrying member of the AIP, it was discovered that the First Dude, between his life of high adventure in helping you rule your northern fiefdom, his competitive snowmobiling and fishing, was a member of the organization for many years.

Yes, it is a free country. You get to associate or marry whomever you want, no matter how distasteful. Yes, Senator Obama served on a board with William Ayers, a former member of the Weather Underground and now a college professor and activist in Chicago. However, Senator Obama has clearly distanced himself on numerous occasions from Professor Ayers' actions in the 1960's. This is a non-issue. Perhaps that is why you have decided to focus on it -- better a non-issue than having to learn and think about real problems that affect everyday people, like health care, the economy and education. Those, I suppose, are just too gosh darned hard.

All snarky comments aside, I do have a concern, Governor. A big one. You have never distanced yourself from a radical secessionist movement aimed at the breaking up of the Federal Union. You, Governor, have never stated a single time that the AIP is not only wrong-headed, but outright dangerous. Instead, you have videotaped welcoming comments for their annual conventions. Instead, you have a "close association" with a known former member of a radical, right-wing, well-armed and well-funded political party whose founder damned the United States as virulently as Reverend Wright did. While Reverend Wright enjoyed his 15 minutes of fame, and was rightly slammed for his vitriol by patriotic writers on both Left and Right, the AIP happily continued along its way, spewing anti-Americanism more in line with something Fidel Castro would say on a May Day celebration in Havana.

And you stood there Governor, like a caribou caught in the headlights. And you still stand there, but now with the audacity to stand at the top of your glass castle throwing rocks at other people. There is a big, big difference between a limited association with someone who had committed a crime 40 years before, and being married to a man who supports the destruction of the United States.

Who has the closest terrorist association, Governor? Who? If you believe Senator Obama to be the buddy of terrorists, don't make an unsubstantiated claim. Call the FBI and demand an investigation. If you are just grandstanding for a crowd of racist isolationists who fear the idea of a successful black man who worked his way up from nothing to become a success--a modern day Horatio Alger story if there is one--you should be deeply ashamed of yourself. Look to your own house before you start throwing rocks Governor. For who among us can cast the first stone? Seem like you can Sarah, seems like you are the only exception to the Scripture since about 32 AD.

I am a loyal American. When Election Day happens, and if the GOP wins, I want to know that the person who is literally a heart beat away from the Presidency is a person I can trust to do the right thing. Someone who will place national well-being above some perverted concept of secessionism, who will not associate with people who are worse, far worse, than a liberal college professor who was immensely foolish -- and wrong -- in the 1960s.

Yes Governor, I question your patriotism and your loyalty to this Republic. And I have a hell of a lot more evidence to question your loyalty to the Republic than you do to question Senator Obama's.

Comments

[tryharder2think]

Bravo! This needs more coverage..­.

Digg it. Blog it. Reddit it. Get it out folks.

This is the best spoken article of it's kind.

[Palmz]

I felt your anger.

I am angry too.

Yes Governor, I question your patriotism and your loyalty to this Republic too.

[debibrand]

Can we all say "Gen. Zia? Taliban in Afghanistan, Afgani Freedom fighters--The budding al-Qaeda?" "9-11?"


"Musharraf was a hawk who backed the Taliban (and very likely al-Qaeda) in Afghanistan and who nearly provoked two wars with India. Yes, a pillar of stability, as McCain says."

..........­........

"Having backed the radical Muslim extremists in Afghanistan in the 1980s, having winked at Zia's dictatorship and nuclear program, having coddled Musharraf's authoritarianism, is McCain going to bring us more disasters like September 11, done by his good friends, Reagan's Freedom Fighters?"


Informed Comment: McCain's Holiday from History in Pakistan;
Will any Old Military Dictator Do?;


http://www.juancole.com/2008/02/mccains-holiday-from-history-in.html





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[SandraM]

Here! Here!

I have wondered these long, endless 5 years (oh, 5 weeks), why the mainstream liberal media haven't made more of an issue of this.

[jhb90277]

I suspect the Obama campaign would prefer to take the high road. Still, there must be a surrogate or a high profile liberal commentator who can get this stuff out there without undermining Obama's determination to stick to the issues. Hmmmmm, I wonder if Moveon will put out some nifty ads.

[lola85]

Thank you, well said. I am passing this on!

[FromADistance]

Jesus would forgive William Ayers, why can't Sarah Palin? Guess she doesn't believe in redemption or the words of Jesus.

Sounds to me that William Ayers is using his time well, involved in helping the poor and educating people.

[555Joanie]

It is Ayers who must pray for forgivenes­s....only God can forgive. Did Ayers ask for forgiveness?

However, Ayers does not believe he needs forgiveness. He is still a radical. Is this wrong?

IF Ayers is, as you state, involved in helping the poor, then why does he spout hatred for America?

Anyone who does not like it here in America, should leave immedicately. Bye Bye

[GoBarryGo]

And they should go to Alaska, which apparently has a pretty large contingent of 'folks' who don't want to be part of America.

[ccrane]

"Anyone who does not like it here in America, should leave immedicately. Bye Bye"

Please tell that to Todd Palin the next time you see him at one of Sarah's illegal fundraising events.

[FromADistance]

You say "only God can forgive" ?? That kind of undercuts, "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us"

[Indubio]

I'd love to see this spelled out in the media. Can you imagine the howls from the GOP! But sadly, Mackey has a legitimate point about Palin. What are her real feelings about AIP? And what about her husband. How about some light shed on this subject. Write letters to editors and point this information our clearly. Demand coverage!

[wildishka]

How can anyone in their right mind be supporting the venomish garbage that comes out of this woman's mouth? Thank you Robert for writing this! I just hope people from both parties denounce this. It is one thing to differ on issues, but real dangerous to walk backwards to old shameful extremism. God knows we have had plenty of that kind of hatred to divide and rule this country...­for many many years.
McCain lost his mind and balls when he selected this governor whose self proclaimation for foreign policies and our Planet/Country's energy crisis is embarrassing on all accounts. And Mr. Mackey you are right, they should be careful when throwing stones. Cindy McCain, John McCain and Sarah Palin's background, if investigated by unbiased people can surface couple of spots and more than just few stains. Do we really want to go there??
Kerry and Dukakis, both highly qualified candidates, lost as they didn't agressively defend their attacks. Barack and Joe should stay focused on their issues but also be prepared that in coming weeks these people will stoop to any level to conquer...­.they will go to any length. A prime example is that our present administration took our country to war on wrong/false accusations. We should come together to help our country and not have our own wars! This is sad. very sad!

[janchris]

Can you spell hypocrite, you betcha

[RiggsMD]

Karma!

[CharlesJ]

Great article LTC Mackey. I am a retired MSG USA, Viet Nam vet. I was hoping to see some articles like this showing up. I wish there was a way for article and other simular articles like this to hit prime time Cable news. I have been beating this drum since Palin opened her mouth with out further research on Ayers. I find it amazing that she thinks this will work let alone McCain allowing it. There are skeletons in McCains closet too as guilt by association yet Obama is too nice to use them. I guess it is up to us to point out the facts. Thanks again so very much for bringing this up in more detail.

[wildishka]

I too wish that there was a way for public to see these kind of articles on prime time TV or regular newspaper. When an anti Palin rally took place in Alaska, none of the Prime time cable covered it. They will have a round table of pundits but no punditery to sort out what real garbage is. Actually I think media should be raising the bar, questioning her any chance they get and not leave these issues alone. It is scary to think that these kind of people can rule our country, are ruiiling our country and people like us are completely helpless other than excersing our right to vote. And even then we do not know whether the voting will work.
It is wonderful to see a Vietnam Vet like yourself, Sir, has written and acknowledged McCain's closet skeleton. Wonder if Obama should bring those out ot leave it alone?

[Indie2008]

The media's lax treatment of the Alaska Independence Party story is probably the primary reason we have been forced to endure the Palin candidacy for 30 days. Just by association this would normally be a game-ender for a politician on the national stage. Regarding Palins guilt by association (barely) charge against Obama, it's doubtful that she is even aware of McCain's past friendship with the late anti-war radical David Ifshin. It was even referenced on their campaign website. No,really, McCain supporters- You can look him up on Google. Then cast your stones.

[ladyv]

Can you imagine if, say, California or the Northeastern states decided they were tired of financially supporting the dozens of backwards states that think of them as the root of all evil even while enjoying a lifestyle they could not possibly achieve if not for the wealth of those states and they began a secession movement and a Democratic nominee for office was a member of that movement?

[UpstateNY]

Now that her debate is over, the McCain campaign must have promised her that she wouldn't have to talk to those pesky reporters or do real interviews (FOX and Hannity/Limabaugh do not count) anymore. So, she can just go around the country 'talking straight to the American people'. Of course, that talk is written by other people.

Guess what, Governor Palin, you are running for VP not First Spokesperson! AND you are not yet in office so you don't get to talk directly to the American people. We are still evaluating whether we want McCain or you in office. We need to see you answer OUR questions - not easily deliver your campaign's talking points!

AND at the most perilous time in our nation, the real patriot would not stoop to trying to divide in 'them vs us' - a real leader would try to unite us as ONE America! That's the only way WE, as a country, can WIN.

More and more, I am delighted with my choice of Obama/Biden for 08.

[JennyJay]

The Obama team should bring Palin's association with nut jobs up every chance he gets.
Nobody with intelligence gives a squat about Palin herself.
But this speaks loud and clear on what poor judgement little John has.
How could sane, intelligent Republicans, who actually care about their country vote for their
own ticket this year ? ? ?
Boggles the Brain!

[555Joanie]

This is the United States of America, founded on Christian principles.
There are many of us who are not perfect; in fact there are none who are perfect!
That said, yes, I believe one's close associations, people and groups with whom we associate affect our beliefs, opinions, actions.
What you say about Governor Palin's intelligence shows your lack of intelligence. Are you a Governor? Have you been a Mayor? etc.....??­? I'm an undecided voter but the more I read on this Blog, the more convinced I am that it's the wrong way to skew opinions. It is only an emotional venting. Relax, have some good food and study the positions so you can make an intelligent comparison and vote intelligently.

[ladyv]

No undecided voters read this - or probably any other - blog.

Undecided voters are undecided because they are low information voters. Low information voters do not participate in political blogs.