South Korea Partnership Shows Palin’s Experience While North Korea Endorses Obama
Sunday, October 5, 2008 at 10:24PM (hat tip: Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea Studies blog)
In many ways, Sarah Palin has more international experience than Democrat VP nominee Joe Biden and in particular Barack Obama. No, she hasn’t met with as many heads of state as Biden, but her experience doesn’t consist of bloviating as Chairperson of a Senate Committee. Instead, she has hands on experience with oversight and engagement of economic trade relations, international markets and partnerships with foreign countries and their leaders.
What exactly has Joe Biden done? As Chair of the Foreign Relations Committee he’s given speeches, promoted ideas and legislated….
In the meantime, Sarah Palin in her 2 short years as Governor of Alaska produced hands on results from international relationships with neighboring countries. Her partnerships include Japan, China, Russia, Korea, Canada and dozens of other foreign countries. She has fostered a particularly important relationship with her Pacific neighbors such as Guam, the Philippines and in particular South Korea. Note the strategic location of Alaska:
The importance of Gov. Palin’s emphasis on good relations with South Korea cannot be overstated, particularly with the current instability of North Korea, it’s human rights abuses and ailing leader Kim Jung Il. In June, Gov. Palin emphasized Alaska’s relationship with South Korea (Republic of Korea) in this proclamation:
Dated: June 20, 2008WHEREAS, the state of Alaska honors the commitment of the Republic of Korea to the citizens of Alaska to continue strong international relations with the re-establishment of the Korea Consular Office in Anchorage.WHEREAS, the Republic of Korea has been an important trading partner with the state of Alaska for almost four decades, accounting for over $700 million of the state’s exports in 2007.WHEREAS, Korean air carriers, Korean Air and Asiana Airlines, provide vital air cargo links between Alaska and Korea and between Asia and North America.WHEREAS, Alaska celebrates the contributions of over 7,000 Korean citizens and Korean-American citizens who add to our state’s rich and diverse cultural heritage.WHEREAS, the state of Alaska thanks the Republic of Korea for the excellent public service provided to Alaska by Consul Hee-chul Kim, Consul General Ha-ryong Lee, and Alaska Honorary Consul William Bittner.NOW, THEREFORE, I, Sarah Palin, Governor of the state of Alaska, do hereby proclaim June 20, 2008, as:Korea-Alaska Friendship Dayin Alaska, and encourage Alaska and Korea citizens to celebrate the strong ties of friendship, culture, trade, and education between the state of Alaska and the Republic of Korea.
There’s also:
Date: September 23, 2008WHEREAS, the friendship between the people of Alaska and Taiwan continues to foster increased understanding of the importance of international cooperation.WHEREAS, the state of Alaska and Taiwan have enjoyed a mutually beneficial trade relationship for more than 40 years.NOW, THEREFORE, I, Sarah Palin, Governor of the state of Alaska, do hereby proclaim October 5-11, 2008 as:Alaska Taiwan Friendship Week
And of course fostering good friendships between the people of America and other countries is how peace is won and maintained. I recently had the privilege of attending a People to People Good Neighbor Tour here in Korea which fosters peace through understanding and friendship and it is very effective.
And of course GEN David Petraeus said that the way to win and keep the peace is through good relationships on every level.
Gov. Palin also has a record of reaching out to Filipino citizens of Alaska to foster multi-cultural relationships and overseeing international markets, exports and imports, international education exchanges.
Alaska ’s partners include Japan, China, Korea, Canada, Germany, Spain and many more with nearly $4 billion in exports. The top rankings to go vital Pacific countries. According to the 2007 Exports report (pg 18), Russia is a vital partner with Alaska, governed by Sarah Palin:
Interest by Russian officials in Alaska’s economic development models is strong. In recent years, numerous Russian delegations have visited Alaska to discuss a broad range of issues – the Alaska Permanent Fund, the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, the structure of Alaska native corporations, and the state’s natural resource development. The delegations included the Russian President’s Representative to the Russian Far East, the Russian State Duma’s Committee for Issues of the North and Far East, the Council of Federation’s Committee on Northern Territories and Indigenous Minorities, and more than ten Governors and ten parliament leaders of provinces of the Russian Far East as well as numerous mayors.
Since 1992, the US Coast Guard’s 17th District and the Russian Federal Security’s North-Eastern Coast Guard Department have cooperated closely in observing and protecting marine resources in the North Pacific Ocean . Their cooperation promotes safe and legal operations in convention areas and their regular exchanges on fisheries related situations are part of successful management of the North Pacific and Bering Sea.Exchanges between Alaska and Russia include scientific, cultural and educational exchange. The National Park Service administers a program to celebrate the shared Beringia heritage between Alaska and Chukotka and to promote research and cultural development. NPS continues work towards establishment of a Beringian Heritage International Park. For more information, see:The U.S. Consul General in Vladivostok, Mr. John Mark Pommersheim, visited Anchorage, Juneau and Sitka in 2007 and met with state and federal officials and local community leaders on aviation and transportation links, city planning exchanges, education, parks, and energy. Mr. Thomas Armbruster is the newly appointed U.S. Consul General in Vladivostok. The Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Seattle covers territory including Alaska. The Consul General is Yuri Valentinovich Gerasin.
Learn more from the State of Alaska Office of the Governor 2007 Exports.
So while skeptics make fun Alaska’s relationship with Russia, it is real substantial international experience. Perhaps “We can see Russia from Alaska” just means more to those who actually can.
No doubt Palin’s political opponents will contnue to minimize her leadership and qualifications, but the fact remains that she has managed and led more than either Barack Obama or Joe Biden in an executive capacity.
Meanwhile, the extent of Barack Obama’s international experience is earning a glowing endorsement from the North Korean regime. That’s right, Kiim Jung Il’s regime endorses Barack Obama for President.
Can the choice be any clearer?
PREVIOUSLY: Obama Offers Change Kim Jung-Il Can Believe In
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Reader Comments (54)
Well done, Amy. This was all news to me - and I read a LOT of blogs! You've just presented a very effective argument against those who continue to criticize Gov. Palin's experience with regard to international relations. Her experience, as set forth in your commentary, surely beats Obama's "foreign policy experience" growing up in Indonesia:)
Very impressive resume of international relations. Alaska is not only strategically located in the north Pacific, it is the largest US land mass and has no border with any of the continental US. Strategic missile and space defense sites are nested on the Alaskan coastline. Alasaka operates more like a separate country than any other state - at least it would seem so.
Thanks for doing all this research, Amy. this really puts the 'experience' issue in the proper perspective.
Thanks, Denise-Mary.
Johnny, I recall you menting the first night Palin was announced as the GOP VP that Russian proximity was an asset to Palin's resume.
Years ago, almost two decades ago now, I was on a flight to Germany after attending a conference in Arlington VA. On that flight I met a group of parliamentary members for a newly formed country in Africa. We spent the entire flight talking about their country and their hopes for it and the reason for their trip to the United States. The first was to study our Constitution with Constitutional lawyers as they wanted a similar government for their own country. The second and just as important was to visit states with industries tapping resources similar to the ones they have in their own country.
Until Obama's overseas journey of speeches, I believe I had more foreign policy experience than he had.
Steph, you'll get no argument from me on that!
This is one of the best posts I've ever seen on Sarah Palin, Amy. I wish that at least Fox News would get more of this out... we know that the majority of the MSM won't!
Wonder why Palin never brought up this seeming wealth of international experience herself?
Odd, don'tcha think? Wink, wink.
I dunno, grumpy, how do you make this into a sound byte? Maybe by saying "I can see Russia from Alaska." But then, you guys poo-pooed that.
Or are you suggesting the Alaska state website is lying?
Don't be jealous just because our candidate is cuter and more experienced than yours.
Amy: "... In many ways, Sarah Palin has more international experience than Democrat VP nominee Joe Biden and in particular Barack Obama. "
SG: It isn't about EXPERIENCE anymore. McKane abandon the EXPERIENCE argument (one that was working, as I keep saying), with the pick of Sarah "ready-for-command-but-not-for-Couric" Palin. Absent some cataclysmic event, the race is over, as argued by a former campaign strategist, Howard Wolfson:
An election dominated at its inception by the war in Iraq is now overwhelmingly focused on the economy. More than half of voters in polls say that the economy is their top concern and Senator Obama enjoys double digit leads among voters asked who can better fix our economic mess. Put simply, there is no way Senator McCain can win if he continues to trail Senator Obama by double digits on the top concern of more than half of voters.
[...]
Oh, Senator McCain will try to make issues of Bill Ayers and Tony Rezko and Rev. Wright, and that might hurt Senator Obama around the margins -- but it will not prevent him from winning. The economy is simply bigger than the rogues gallery that John McCain is conjuring up.
Snerd
Gosh, these writers are good. This type of journalism makes me afraid to read or listen to the news. There are so many embellishments here, unbelievable. You know when the GOP first chose Sarah Palin..they listed her PTA membership as one of her credentials. I remember FOX when they made movies in the late 50's and in the sixties as a little child. Yes I am old as dirt and let me tell you that journalism in many cases has become fictional news. Not only FOX but also MSNBC is good at it too. It is a shame you have to filter through the news with your own research looking for the truth.
Once you filter through all the fluff, this is real:
Palin Foreign Policy Experience Timeline
2006 - Elected Governor of Alaska, a state which borders Canada and is near Russia.
2007 - July - Palin applies for US passoport
2007 - August - Palin visits Kuwait and Germany where she meets with wounded soliders, Alaska national guard unit(s) I believe.
2008 - September - Palin meets with various foriegn leaders because they are available due to an UN conference.
Even if she had a long laundry list of experience, does she have the right unscripted answers to the issues. The last unscripted interview she had John McCain was sitting right beside her in the interview and corrected her. She has not shown she has the right judgement yet. To call a it like it is, this is all new to Palin, Up Front and Bottomline.
If you generate news that is more than it really is, then you are polarizing people. Unlike most politicans feel, the American people are not stupid.
Instead of trying to fluff her up and make her more than she is, McCain's campaign should focus on their dreams for American instead of all the trash and finger pointing. It might be too late now and John McCain with most independents has lost his credibility. Now they are planning a smear campaign if you can believe the news. That is not what the uncommited voters what to hear. Unless things change, this election is going to be a slaughter and John McCain is going to be on the short end of the stick.
Just being honest Amy, right or wrong...
~Peace
Practically and absent some cataclysmic event, I just don't see where McKane can come back.
I mean, just look at the Battleground states, alone:
(27) Florida ................. +3.0 (leading since Oct 01)
(21) Pennsylvania ....... +9.4 (leading since May)
(20) Ohio .................... +3.0 (leading since Oct. 01)
(17) Michigan ............. (Abandon last week, and didn’t tell Sarah)
(13) Virginia ................ +4.9 (leading since Sept 26)
(10) Wisconsin ............ +5.0 (leading since forever)
(09) Colorado .............. +3.0 (leading since Aug)
Where is McKane going to pick up the necessary votes?
Snerd
"I dunno, grumpy, how do you make this into a sound byte? Maybe by saying "I can see Russia from Alaska."
Yeah, that's it. She was just being cagey all this time. Just playin' games, don'tcha know. Wink, wink.
lol.
Gloating about a current lead in the polls is dangerous, given that Bush, also, was behind at this time in both elections.
Obsessing on Palin's foreign policy experience seems a little odd in that it isn't an issue for Obama and wasn't for Reagan and Clinton.
You provide Alaska and South Korea-Taiwan Friendship Day as the example of how Palin's foreign policy experience is greater than Biden or Obama's? Is this really the best you could find Amy? I'm sure living in South Korea, you are already well aware...these are already our allies, Amy. These are not groundbreaking foreign policy initiatives here, although admittedly folksy and cute. And the bottom line is when asked several times to state examples where Palin herself has directly engaged in negotiating trade missions with Russia or any other country, meeting with world leaders or delegates (other than Iceland), she could not come up with a SINGLE example. Why? Because she's had no direct experience doing this. She's brokered none of these partnerships, these were pre-existing before she arrived on the scene. So your investigative reporting here was a nice effort but has been exposed.
Imagine my surprise when I woke up this morning, looked at your map Amy, and found the poles had shifted and North Korea was now the North Pole ... Luckily their country's name sorta fits, though ... so they can save on using the same letterhead, etc.
I was thinkin' of bookin' a winter get-a-way ... So where's the equator now?
Snerd
p.s. Is it just me, or does Iceland's President Grimsson not look a lot like Clinton? I woulda thought the Clinton-behind-everything crowd woulda seen it first ...
Mack: "... Gloating about a current lead in the polls is dangerous, given that Bush, also, was behind at this time in both elections."
SG: Wasn't gloating ... I was asking a legitimate question.
The Bush example is a poor one, since the NeoCon coup which took over the (R) party, has run the (R) brand into the group. Secondly, people are fed up with Bush and those Fear, Smear and Queer tactics, which is all McKane has left at this point. Thirdly, I don't think the polls are close enough where voter suppression and Diebold can help McKane sufficiently, this time. By the way, has anyone come up with a good reason for paperless, audit-less voting machines, other than fraud!? Fourthly, "It's the ECONOMY, silly" and Keating-5-de(R)egulation John is on the wrong side of history. Finally, Reagan-omics are dead, so tickledown tax cuts for the rich aren't goin' ta fool Main Street anymore ...
So the question stands ... Where are the votes goin' ta come from for EXXON-John ...? Sarah "ready-4-command-but-not-4-Couric" Palin, exciting the base ...!?
Snerd
The Thunder Run has linked to this post in the - Web Reconnaissance for 10/06/2008 A short recon of what’s out there that might draw your attention, updated throughout the day...so check back often.
I'm voting for the ONLY Conservative running for President. His name is Bob Barr.
You can say less about Obama's qualifications.
MCKANE FUMBLE SWIFT BOATING TOO ...
McKain 'Ayers' attacks against Obama ... and up comes a de-regulation banking crisis that embroiled Keating 5 John ... So, has McKane's Swift Boat campaign 'Ayered' ...!?
Snerd
How cranky is Keating-5 John going to be on Tuesday about the 13 minute documentary ...!? Will he be able to SUSPEND his angry temperament in the (D)ebate ...!?
Another train wreck watch ... again!?
Imagine my surprise when I woke up this morning, looked at your map Amy, and found the poles had shifted and North Korea was now the North Pole ... Luckily their country's name sorta fits, though ... so they can save on using the same letterhead, etc.
I was thinkin' of bookin' a winter get-a-way ... So where's the equator now?
Snerd
How do you control your knee-jerk reaction or do you always walk around with your foot in your mouth??? The map was showning North Korean missle ranges, not that North Korea was the new north pole. If you can look away from your Obama shrine you can see that they can hit Alaska with their missles.
By the way have you been to North Korea??? They obviously named their missle after you Taepo"DONG" 2, which translates to SNERD GRONK!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! lolololololol
YEEEEEEAAAHYUUUUUUUHHHH!
Keep living in your alternate universe, Steph C, where up seems to be down, right is wrong and mediocrity = excellence. When you think that someone who talks about "Putin rearing his ugly head over Alaskan airspace", writing Mickey Mouse "Friendship Day" decrees with Allied countries, and who can't answer her way out of a paper bag about an example of a specific foreign policy initiative/trade mission she's been involved with has more experience than a Senator who works on the:
1. Senate Foreign Relations Committee
2. Is Chairman of the European Union committee
3. Has primarily cosponsored bipartisan legistlation (Lugar–Obama), which expanded the Nunn–Lugar cooperative threat reduction concept to conventional weapons
4. Was the primary sponsor of the Democratic Republic of the Congo Relief, Security, and Democracy Promotion Act.
5. Introduced the Iraq War De-Escalation Act
6. Sponsored an amendment to the Defense Authorization Act adding safeguards for personality disorder military discharges
7. Sponsored the Iran Sanctions Enabling Act supporting divestment of state pension funds from Iran's oil and gas industry, and co-sponsored legislation to reduce risks of nuclear terrorism
8. Sponsored a Senate amendment to the State Children's Health Insurance Program providing one year of job protection for family members caring for soldiers with combat-related injuries, and
9. Has traveled extensively abroad, and as member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has made several official trips to Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia...
then I seriously question your judgment. Do your homework next time. But don't take it from me, take it from members in your own party who continue to seriously question Palin's astonishing lack of qualifications ( Senator Lugar, George Will, Peggy Noonan, Kathleen Parker, David Brooks, David Frum...the list goes on and on).
Peter of the Statement Dept.: "... The map was showning [sic] North Korean missle [sic] ranges, not that North Korea was the new north pole."
SG: Ahhhhhh, yes ... The PUNCH LINE .... Eh! Peter?
Snerd
Hey Pete(R) ... Depending on how you spin the Polar Shift ... it could mean Santa Claus is now North Korean ...!
Snerd
p.s. If I were within range of a Korean missile [note the spellin']. would I too be more qualified to be VP?
No worries, MD, I will continue living in my "alternate" universe no matter who wins. However, if it's Obama, one wonders how long you'll continue to live in yours... all things considered.
Let's see, Kathleen Parker had to apologize because she ended up with egg on her face over her diatribe. As did Peggy Noonan who did it with more grace. George Will is not a Republican no matter how much he claims to be. I don't read David Brooks or Frum so, yeah, I'll have to look for them to see what they've said since the VP debate. As for Lugar... who cares?
Well, it looks like David Brooks had to do a reversal too.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/03/opinion/03brooks.html?_r=1&ref=todayspaper&pagewanted=print&oref=slogin
Quote:
Do your homework, MD.
Palin's executive experience trumps Obama's agitator experience.
SG: Ahhhhhh, yes ... The PUNCH LINE .... Eh! Peter?
Snerd
The thing is you're the only one that thinks you're funny. OOUCH!!!!
Well Peter of the Statement Department ... I think you (R) pretty funny ... so that makes up for it with me.
Snerd
MACK: "Palin's executive experience trumps Obama's agitator experience."
SG: Obama's experience as a campaigner trumps all that.
Snerd
p.s. I find it telling that you've got Obama running against Sarah "ready-4-command-not-4-Couric" Palin .... What about Mr Cranky?
Wow, StephC, you say some scary stuff sometimes. I love it when Consevative commentators who criticize their own candidates are suddenly no longer Conservatives in your book. George Will too elite for you to be Conservative? Does his wit. reason, intellect and perfect syntax remind you more of a liberal? Is Lugar too bipartisan for you? Who exactly meets your test for Conservativism, anyway? Poor Kathleen Parker was flooded with thousands of threatening, vicious hate messages from rabid Palinistas calling her a "traitor, idiot, that her mother should have aborted her and thrown her in a dumpster, that she should kill herself" (and other dispicable things I cannot say on this blog or I'll violate the ROE)..all this for merely expressing the view that millions of Americans believe...that Sarah Palin is attractive, nice and has some accomplishments but is out of her league. www.orlandosentinel.com/services/newspaper/printedition/wednesday/opinion/orl-parker0108oct01,0,2245461.column
The right-wing definition of free speech: Say whatever you want, but if you dare express a dissenting voice or criticize your own party, you will be blackballed, threatened, called names, vilified, banned from consideration as a Conservative (or not considered a "real" conservative, and worse. Conjecture about free speech protections under the adminstration of a former civil rights attorney is nothing compared to the the what I see happening every day from the the far right. Little Republicans: you'd better all fall in line with the right-wing Republican school of thought...or else!
And more news from the kind of Republicans who care so much about protecting free speech:
When one of the largest protests in Alaskan history: the peaceful "Women Against Sarah Palin March" was advertised in Anchorage last month on a Conservative radio show. the talk show host, Eddie Burke, called the protest organizers "socialist baby-killing maggots" , advertised their personal cell phone numbers on the air, and encouraged listeners to give the organizers a call. Needless to say, the women received numerous insulting calls, sometimes vicious and threatening. While the radio station suspended Burke for one week (a minimal punishment) because the station does "not condone inciting violence or harm in any way to people wanting to voice their opinions with peaceful protest", it does not take away what happened to these women for peacefully expressing their right to free speech. Burke certainly has his right to free speech as well, but violating the organizer's right to privacy and putting forth inflammatory hate speech that incited a barrage of threatening phone calls to innocent people is beyond pathetic and unacceptable.
The constant regurgitating of the Couric interview meme: Palin couldn't name a single MSM publication that she reads, is very revealing.
It's obvious that she just chose not to dignify the question. But those who use it against her are offended that she doesn't feed out of their trough. She has better things to do than read about Brittany Spears, Maddonna and Lindsey Lohan.
You lefties don't understand that Reagan endured the same criticisms that Palin is receiving. The few "token conservatives" that criticize her are not the heavyweights on the right. Reagan scared the country club Republicans too.
The comparisons to officials like Reagan are so silly. Reagan may not have been an intellectual, but he was far more accomplished and experienced than Palin when he took residence in the White House. He was a two-term governor of a diverse state more populous, and with a much larger economy than most countries! By the time he took office, he had also endured two failed presidential bids. So he had spent 10-15 years engaged in serious national level politics before becoming President. Again, Sarah is not in the same league.
And Mack, there are far more than a few "token" Conservatives criticizing Ms. Palin and you know it. The entire Republican party was scared ----less about how she would perform at the debate. When she can memorize her talking points, she performs quite well. She didn't/couldn't answer most questions in the debate, especially any which required follow up, but hey she looked fabulous, winked a lot and confidently faked her way through it like only "mavericks" can do. But the very next day, in her Fox interview, she was right back to her bizarre, incoherent non-answers. I, for one, demand intellect and coherence in an elected official, especially a VP or Prez. More importantly, I want someone to have sound ideas. One of your own Senators, Olympia Snowe, once said "People shouldn't live by ideology alone, they should live by solutions." What solutions has Palin proposed in any of her speeches other than "we're going to reform Washington". What does that mean???
It's time to put aside the partisan bickering and look at which ticket is providing well-thought- out solutions to America's problems and which ticket is spending all its time trying to convince voters that the other guy is "not like us" and "likes to hang out with terrorists in his spare time." McCain: you used to be such a force; an ethical and independent voice in the Senate. What has happened to you? You're out of ideas and out of touch with what America needs.
MD,
• Telling me what I know is risky.
• The overwhelming majority of Republicans ,that follow these things, are thrilled at the Palin selection. Just look at her crowds ( over 20,000 twice this week).
• It's nice that you "demand intellect and coherence" in your candidates. But how do you explain Biden and Obama. Neither are ever held accountable for their lies, exaggeration and vacuity.
• To demand an accounting of Obama's very bad associations, illegal foreign money and role as a paid ACORN trainer, is not to smear. And "you know that."
• I'm a Californian who supported Reagan. The comparison to Palin is fair. Even Michael Reagan said so.
• "Reform Washington" means standing up to Pelosi, Frank, Dodd, Reid, Shummer, Jefferson, Kerry, Obama, Rangle........... These folks balked and lied when Bush and McCain said Fanny Mae and Freddie Mac needed reform. Then they tried to load up this bailout" with money for ACORN. And they have used the congress to impede everything this President has tried to do, even when it hurt the country.
Obama: No Hand on Heart for National Anthem
http://illegalprotest.com/2007/10/28/
barack-obama-should-not-be-allowed-to-run-for-president/
Photo tells the story.
Men not in uniform should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. -- United States Code, Title 36, Chapter 10, Sec. 171
Have a look at the photo from the October 1, 2007 edition of "Time."
Video proof of Barack Hussein Obama’s plans to destroy America.
his plan to disarm America.
http://nukegingrich.wordpress.com/
2008/05/20/video-proof-obama-will-destroy-america/
The Obama Ayers Relationship
http://www.gop.com/News/
NewsRead.aspx?Guid=768aa784-72f3-4b43-acb6-c5fe81d901cd
The Weather Underground Produced A Manual Which Begins, "We Are A Guerrilla Organization. We Are Communist Women And Men, Underground In The United States For More Than Four Years."
The Relationship Between Barack Obama And Bill Ayers Is Much More Extensive Than Obama's Campaign Is Willing To Admit
Source GOP.
If Sarah Palin were the Dem VP candidate, I can garauntee her qualifications would be acceptable. How do I know? Look no further than Barack Obama.
There's no way around it. Palin has more experience than Barack Obama and Biden. Biden has made some impressive trips as senator but what experience does he actually have? What has he managed, or run?
Palin's experience speaks for itself. Short on time, more later...
By the way, all the criticism Palin is receiving is clearly sexist. Obama hasn't a fraction of her experience but if HE's criticized we're all racists, and his detractors actually have legitimate cause for concern.
Sexists!
Gee, MD, since when are awful threats such a crime according to the left? When it's against someone who shares their worldview?Let's see, Sarah Bernhart(sp?) said Palin would be gang raped if she ever came to New York... avid Obama supporter, ya know. And you just called her bizarre. Imagine that!
How about all the nasty things that have been said about Laura Bush since she became First Lady... from radio annoucers who got a pat on the back for saying them? How about Olbermann's and Matthews' on camera love affair with Obama?
Do you know how many times Michelle Malkin has had people utter a death wish against her? Do you have any idea how many vile things have been said about her?
And look at you... You don't like what I've had to say, especially when I throw the insults right back at you that you used to me and what do you do? You start getting nasty about it.
By the same yardstick you used, I could judge you by Code Pink who crashed a Congressional hearing to get in Condoleeza Rice's face with red painted hands or how they physically stopped people in Berkeley from entering a Marine recruiting station. By the same yardstick, I could judge you by the actions of the vandals who trash people's yards for daring to have a McCain/Palin sign in it or vandalize privately owned vehicles for the same reason. I could judge you by the people who have keyed cars because they dared to have a bumper sticker on them supporting the military. Or as Mack said, we can't even oppose Obama on issues and beliefs because to do so is to be racist.
Kathleen Parker desperately wanted Romney to be the VP pick. She allowed her personal bias infect her column. She had to later apologize for it. A lot of people wanted Romney. Romney would have been an okay pick but he wouldn't have brought home the reform message that McCain wanted us to hear. Palin did.
As for George Will, I have no clue what he is right now. I don't believe he's fully left but he's not conservative. His family, including his wife, are Democrats.
You talk about us supposed to get in lockstep with the "Party". Well, that's the beauty of the Republican Party. We don't have to, witness Ron Paul's avid supporters.
Now, we can go down this road if you want, but you're not going to like it one bit.
If even half-true this should be an eye-opener for all Democrats because it is essentially saying your vote doesn't count unless you vote for TheOne:
http://www.wewillnotbesilenced2008.com/video/index.htm
You don't have to watch the last part since it's just more of the closing music and credits.
Amy what is going on is reverse sexist! Prior to the debate, all you heard is that you have to be careful what you say to Sarah Palin because, if you lecture her, you will be seen as a sexist bully. If you act too smart, you will be seen as a sexist bully. If you patronize her, you will be seen as a sexist bully. It changed the rules where sex should not matter and yet it does...your own remarks confirmed that, well at least with you.
I do not think her experience or lack of experience would have been an issue if the GOP would not have made it an issue with Obama and then John McCain picked Sarah Palin and then the GOP fluffed up her qualifications. For almost two weeks after Sarah Palin was announced as John McCain choice for VP, the Obama campaign was quiet. They waited for the GOP to make their next move and then GOP screwed up by trying to make her more that she was instead of just letting her be who she is.
IF everyone would have stayed focused on the issues of national concern this would have been a non-issue.
~peace
Gold,
By bringing up Obama's relationship with the unrepentant communist Ayers, Palin opened the door to vetting McCain on his post-Vietnam War relationship with the late Vo Van Kiet.
Kiet was a Viet Cong terrorist in South Vietnam who rose through the communist ranks to become Vietnam's Prime Minister and McCain's political friend. Kiet served as prime minister from 1991 until 1997.
There is a lot of onion to peel on John McCain:
http://www.usvetdsp.com/oct08/mccain_kiet.htm
Vo Van Kiet issue was proven false. He is the only source to that story. However, Ayers and Obama's love fest is even covered by the New York Times -- the very paper that supports Obama 100% and hates McCain. That was brought up as an issue for McCain a very long time ago -- it holds no weight.
Palin:
By Dana Milbank
CLEARWATER, Fla. -- "Okay, so Florida, you know that you're going to have to hang onto your hats," Sarah Palin told a rally of a few thousand here this morning, "because from now until Election Day it may get kind of rough."
You betcha. And the person dishing out the roughest stuff at the moment is Sarah Palin.
"I was reading my copy of the New York Times the other day," she said.
"Booooo!" replied the crowd.
"I knew you guys would react that way, okay," she continued. "So I was reading the New York Times and I was really interested to read about Barack's friends from Chicago."
It was time to revive the allegation, made over the weekend, that Obama "pals around" with terrorists, in this case Bill Ayers, late of the Weather Underground. Many independent observers say Palin's allegations are a stretch; Obama served on a Chicago charitable board with Ayers, now an education professor, and has condemned his past activities.
"Now it turns out, one of his earliest supporters is a man named Bill Ayers," Palin said.
"Boooo!" said the crowd.
"And, according to the New York Times, he was a domestic terrorist and part of a group that, quote, 'launched a campaign of bombings that would target the Pentagon and our U.S. Capitol,'" she continued.
"Boooo!" the crowd repeated.
"Kill him!" proposed one man in the audience.
Palin went on to say that "Obama held one of the first meetings of his political career in Bill Ayers's living room, and they've worked together on various projects in Chicago." Here, Palin began to connect the dots. "These are the same guys who think that patriotism is paying higher taxes -- remember that's what Joe Biden had said. "And" -- she paused and sighed -- "I am just so fearful that this is not a man who sees America the way you and I see America, as the greatest force for good in the world. I'm afraid this is someone who sees America as 'imperfect enough' to work with a former domestic terrorist who had targeted his own country."
"Boooo!" said the audience.
McCain:
His latest message: "We may not be good for your bank account, your mortgage, your health care, or your job security -- but none of that will matter if you are dead. John McCain: If You Want to Live." At one point someone in the audience yelled refering to Obama and told him to "sit down boy" McCain looked down and smiled???? What did he say that is enough, stop!
I am shocked McCain is using Sarah Palin as a hatchet mom to expose the "real" Barack Obama to the people of America? What is really happening here? What is happening is they are really exposing is how morally corrupt McCain has become. His has completely transformed from a noble reformer into someone willing to abandon his most deeply held values in his lust for the presidency?!
You guys want these Maverick? to be your next President and Vice President?
I waiting for all the reference to Obama being a Muslim again?
If my father is a brain surgeon does that make me a brain surgeon?
My parents became Mormon when I was a young teenager and I went with them to church out of respect, but I do not believe in their faith, but I still love them!
McCain and Palin, if they continue with the path they are on, we are going to set this country back 80 years...mark my words. I am hugely dissapointed with what is happening, take the blinders off please.
~ Embarrassed for the GOP
My point Gold,
The Ayers issue was proven a non-issue until it was brought up again as a smoke screen.
There is Keating, McCain was/is close friends with him, his family and associates. The senator and his family also flew in Keating's plane to the Bahamas...but you see with the exception of the economy, we are not talking about the issues of education, environment, ethics, faith, family, health care, service, technology and....
I am 54 years old and as long as I can remember, I can't remember a election like this and that question itself comes finger pointing...you started it, noooo you started it. Stalin if I remember right said he would take America without firing a shot.
Remember this:
"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."
Just Ed
I have already written my congressmen that this needs to stop. This is our country not Washington's country.
Actually, Ed, it was Kruschev.