Area Soldier Killed In Fort Hood Rampage
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Put Down Your Nanowrimo And Leave The House
Sox Shuffle Continues
John McCain has chosen Governor Sarah Palin of Alaska as his running mate.
According to a statement from the McCain camp,
In Alaska, Governor Palin challenged a corrupt system and passed a landmark ethics reform bill. She has actually used her veto and cut budgetary spending. She put a stop to the "bridge to nowhere" that would have cost taxpayers $400 million dollars.As the head of Alaska's National Guard and as the mother of a soldier herself, Governor Palin understands what it takes to lead our nation and she understands the importance of supporting our troops.
She's the first female governor of Alaska, an office she's held since 2006, and she's the mother of five, a lifelong NRA member, a fiscal conservative, an abortion opponent, and she's known as a reformer. [NYT, Trib, LA Times, photo via facebook]
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Well this is a good setup for Tina Fey guest spots on SNL at least.
But how is this Chicago-related?
For the first time in history, we have the possibility of seeing a VPILF.
Hey...A woman who hates women as your VP! What a perfect way to convince Clinton supporters to vote for a delusional old coot. Nice work, McBush. See you in 2012.
Holy cow, the fact that McCain just picked Sarah Palin betrays his desperation. In one simple act he basically just admitted that the whole experience/inexperience "agrument" ain't gonna wash ... as DailyKos puts it, "Two years ago, Palin was part-time mayor of a village of 6,000. Today, she's supposedly ready to step in to run this country in the eventuality that Sen. McCentury can no longer perform those duties? Right." And let's not forget that she doesn't even know what a vice-president DOES: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0808/12969.html
duh, its chicago-related because she'll be up against Chicago's Very Own Barack Obama. Hello, it would be like announcing 'the cubs will be facing the anaheim angels in the world series' its newsworthy to chicagoans. Also, thanks to the HUGE efforts made by the Senator from New York (by way of Arkansas and Park Ridge), Sarah Palin is essentially riding into the white house because the GOP can't afford to lose the female vote.
As a bonus, its the first time that either a black man will be president or a woman will be vice president after this election is over -assuming, of course, that she doesn't wash out before then with some scandal...
@dayofthedaleks:
Agreed. This isn't Chicago related at all, and kinda puts a cramp in the argument about Chicagoist's constant coverage of Obama because he's an Illinois senator and a Chicagoan.
LOL at Rev Slappy's VPILF comment.
Dang, I was hoping for Lieberman. The comedy gold mine would have run so deep!
I thought it was too big a news story not to mention.
Darn, I was hoping for a Biden-Mittens debate.
Just when McCain had a chance to give a big middle finger to the bible nuts by picking someone who, at least in general, favors abortion rights, he picks this woman. The Jesus freaks live to see another day.
I do like how she took on some of the corrupt Republicans in her state, though. I wonder how much of a fiscal conservative she really is--Alaska, with its oil money and slightly odd economy, is a bit different from most parts of the US.
A beauty queen who parrots the hard-line of the right-wing. A candidate with no national experience, from a state mired in corruption. A VP chosen based on her gender alone in an appeal to whatever embittered Hillary supporters are still flailing about.
This is how John McCain sees women.
BTW: The "bridge to nowhere" was a republican pork-barrel put into play by Alaska's own Ted Stevens. Currently on trial for ethics violations.
McFail is not going to win. No.
I guess Kay Bailey Hutchison's pro-choice views were too much of a risk for McCain in the end. Palin, though. Really???? Are the majority of woman that supported Clinton really likely to vote for someone with Palin's political views? Mayor of a small town and two years as governor of Alaska does not a viable vp candidate make.
A beauty queen
So you dislike pretty people as much as you dislike old people, as evidenced by your constant ageist comments about McCain? Well, at least you stand up for black people, I guess, so that makes you a progressive.
This is how John McCain sees women.
Yeah, faulting a politician for being political is like complaining the sun gives off heat through a series of nuclear reactions. Besides, did you ever consider that beyond the political considerations--and McCain is trying to get elected, after all--McCain might actually think this woman adds something to the ticket--she's relatively young, and seems to be on the rise, and could represent the newest class of the GOP's stars (Jindal being another one).
No, not a huge fan of McCain, or his VP pick, but even less a fan of unfair, unreasonable people.
At least some think she has the tools to be Cheney to McCain's W.
Certainly, Obama-Biden aren't going to underestimate her.
And she's under investigation for abuse of power charges.
http://www.ktva.com/ci_10026165
Interesting...
Given all that, my personal take on her is that she's Dan Quayle with a vagina.
C'mon, that's not fair... She's no Dan Quayle.
Dan Quayle had six times the experience in elected office that she has when he was nominated for VP.
that she doesn't wash out before then with some scandal...
I think she slept with Edwards' film-making mistress too.
Given all that, my personal take on her is that she's Dan Quayle with a vagina
I thought Dan Qualye HAD a vagina...
See, this choice actually riles me deeply.
She was picked because she's a pretty woman who happens to jibber the inane garble that the right likes to call a platform (No abortions! More executions! Less government! Morality enforced by law!) with some success.
Success in Alaska. Where Moose outnumber people.
She was picked because she doesn't look minutes from the grave like McOld and because they think that any woman will woo women.
Any woman will do. That's not feminism or equality, it's tokenism writ large. She's an empty suit. McFail is putting the genitalia first.
I didn't care for Hillary, but she was accomplished. I don't vote based on X or Y chromosomes or how much melanin you have in your system. I vote on ideas and Palin's ideas are repulsive to me. This is the right desperately trying to put a face other than the emperor from Star Wars on their ideaology.
Palin brings nothing to the table save 2 years of experience running a state mired in corruption and an expensive, and on-going, investigation into petty corruption on her part.
Again, Biden will eat her alive.
"Palin brings nothing to the table save 2 years of experience running a state mired in corruption and an expensive, and on-going, investigation into petty corruption on her part."
no, nothing except being a woman and a mother of 5, a union member and married to a union member, has a daughter in the military, same generation as Obama...
none of that will have any kind of appeal to any significant demographics, you're right.
So you dislike pretty people as much as you dislike old people, as evidenced by your constant ageist comments about McCain? Well, at least you stand up for black people, I guess, so that makes you a progressive.
Spare us. Some people definitely would consider that the kind of people who compete in beauty contests definitely have a character flaw. You may disagree, but still. Also lol @ comparing beauty contests to being black or old.
"Palin brings nothing to the table save 2 years of experience running a state mired in corruption"
Albany- Are you talking about Obama or Palin?! Have you not noticed how the state of Illinois has trouble finding any elected official NOT corrupt over the past 10 years? Seriously, all of your arguments in your above post have absolutely zero forethought.
Chuck- seriously, your too old.
No, Navin, just point out the double- and triple-standards some like to employ, that's all.
I dislike beauty contests. They are insulting. But I dislike ageism and related discrimintions, too. Attack her on her ideas and views, not the fact that, to some, she is considered pretty. You can't have it both ways, as some would try to.
In case you don't believe me:
She was picked because she doesn't look minutes from the grave like McOld and because they think that any woman will woo women.
McOld? So, we are being both ageist and also resorting to silly nicknames? Didn't you hear Obama say we can be better than this crap? Hell, we need to listen to old people more in this country. Some actually have wisdom that younger people generally lack. And being in one's 70s these days is hardly the same as being in one's 70s a generation or two ago, in case you have failed to notice medical and health advances since then.
At least some think she has the tools to be Cheney to McCain's W.
Certainly, Obama-Biden aren't going to underestimate her.
Did you even read the article, Chuck? Nearly the entire piece was written tongue-in-cheek. I don't think either Obama or Biden has anything to worry about. Most likely, they're still exchanging high-fives since last night...
Albany- Are you talking about Obama or Palin?! Have you not noticed how the state of Illinois has trouble finding any elected official NOT corrupt over the past 10 years?
It is one thing to be from a place, another to be of it. That's not hair-splitting either.
And Obama has been tied to what exactly? Buying an easement from Tony Rezko's wife? An issue he addressed frankly, simply and honestly months ago. Oh and he knows a guy who was in the weather underground, who is now a respected professor and community leader.
Palin is currently under investigation for firing a state employee because he refused her nepotism. It's an investigation that's already cost Alaska 100,000 dollars. Ted Stevens, her senator is on trial for some breath-taking ethics violations.
Seriously, all of your arguments in your above post have absolutely zero forethought.
And yet you've refuted none of them. Try harder.
no, nothing except being a woman and a mother of 5, a union member and married to a union member, has a daughter in the military, same generation as Obama...
Like how Obama is a Harvard grad from a working class background, father of two, Bi-Racial, son of an immigrant, grandson of a WWII veteran and midwesterner?
You're right, he's clearly an alien to us all.
Demographic tick boxes are bullshit on either side. She's a cynical choice from a campaign with nothing new to offer but attack ads and more failed policies.
Also lol @ comparing beauty contests to being black or old.
Beauty Queens have it pretty rough man. The Beauty Queen ghetto at night can be a scary place.
Well it does seem that she's done some good work against corrupt Republicans in Alaska (good for her) but McCain's lost his main (but still weak) card in choosing her.
"Experience", so much for that argument dude. Mayor of a "town" of 5,000 and just 2 years as a governor of an unpopulated state has just undermined his pet talking point.
She puts the "vice" in vice president. RAAWWWR!
Albany- Your arguments refute themself if read with any logic.
Seriously- So although Obama's resume entails stricly Chicago/Illinois community organizing and representation he is not FROM Chicago or Illinois, just OF it?! Even though he has worked here for years, he and his wife have been entrenched in the south side chicago scene for many years, his family chooses to raise their children here, and his family has worked and lived here for many years- according to you he is not a Chicagoan, he is just 'OF' here?!?!
But all of this of course doesn't matter to you. You will believe whatever they tell you and critically exam nothing because they have already critically examined it for you.
You my friend are the joke that politics plays on. Unbelievable.
Nice bangs ...
McCain is going to play wife swap with that NRA-backing Alaskan.
Beauty Queens have it pretty rough man. The Beauty Queen ghetto at night can be a scary place.
You know that was not what I meant. I merely meant you seem to have a bias against pretty people, as well as old people.
"Like how Obama is a Harvard grad from a working class background, father of two, Bi-Racial, son of an immigrant, grandson of a WWII veteran and midwesterner?
You're right, he's clearly an alien to us all."
?????
In caps, so you don't miss it: YOU SAID PALIN 'BRINGS NOTHING TO THE TABLE'. I POINTED OUT A FEW THINGS SHE DOES BRING.
I never even once said anything about Obama being "alien". You are seriously swinging at ghosts.
But all of this of course doesn't matter to you. You will believe whatever they tell you and critically exam nothing because they have already critically examined it for you.
*Sigh* Yes. I'm a drone in the Obama army.
No.
I voted for Judy Barr Topinka in the last election. I've voted for a number of republicans at the state and local level. Party is generally a distraction, I vote the person. Hence the from and not of statement. She's part and party to the corruption of her state, Obama isn't. You think if Hillary or McCain had anything other than guilt by association they'd have tagged the man with it by now? Palin heads state that gets more money per capita than any other in the union. Believe me, we're going to learn so much about the ugliness that is Alaska in the coming weeks, Illinois will look like bible school.
You my friend are the joke that politics plays on.
Do you mean politicians? See, words have meaning. I know that's something the right likes to ignore (It's just speeches! Just words!) but words mean things. Choose them carefully.
Believe me, we're going to learn so much about the ugliness that is Alaska in the coming weeks, Illinois will look like bible school.
Uh, yeah.
While every state has its problems, tell me which of these states does not belong in the following group: Louisiana, New Jersey, New York, Illinois, Alaska. Feel free to research how many agents the FBI has investigating political corruption in each state, as well as the history of state and local officials getting convicted for corruption. Then get back to us when you have learned a bit more.
See, words have meaning.
Irony, thy name is Albany.
We're fucked.
We're fucked.
Tsk, tsk.
John McCrotchety didn't get more appealing with this grasping move. He just continues to abandon whatever "maverick" cred he'd been wrapping himself in for years. If he'd picked Lieberman or Kay Bailey Hutchinson then he'd be on interesting ground.
Here's the thing, he gutted his only real attack on Obama with this choice. Obama's not ready but Palin is? Obama's the light, Biden's the heat, they work. Palin's just a cynical vote grab, a gimmick, a token, a trick.
McAncient and Palin look like they're going to have a daddy/daughter dance not run the country.
@Matilda
I'm really not reading your posts, I see your name and skip down. Unread, ignored.
But keep writing. Sooner or later Shakespeare is bound to appear.
Here's the thing, he gutted his only real attack on Obama with this choice.
Only if you live in bizzaro world where the only voice is your own.
Many voters will respond to charges that Obama tilts too close to socialism (their view, not mine); that he favors too much diplomacy; that he is elitist; that his tax policies are stupid; that he has the wrong ideas on health care; that he is too protectionist on trade; that he ...
Well, you should see the point by now.
Keep it up with the nicknames. Shows you have the same cheap propaganda skills as the mindless ideologues you pretend be above.
Albany: Who cares. Some of your points deserve challenge, and it is like shooting fish that are floating, dead, in the water in a bucket.
But I know you read them or else you wouldn't tell me you don't. You can't resist. Like me, you love yourself and your own brilliance far too much.
No, they won't. Most people understand what is socialism and what isn't; I'd encourage you to read up on it so you can become one of them.
No, they won't.
Mmmyeah, no.
They're "stupid"? Thanks for the enlightened viewpoint.
Wrong again.
Your notion that these are all things that voters are against demonstrates pretty clearly that your understanding of the political landscape in this country is quite deeply flawed. Have a look at http://www.pollingreport.com/ and I think you'll see that you're way, way out of touch with what the American people believe -- as is Senator McCain.
Seriously, you people are arguing as if this was a policy decision? McCain has given up the "inexperience" card. He just has, because most people are not snarky Chicagoist-posting poseurs, but normal, reasonable people. She looked like his daughter when they appeared together. That's the end of that line of attack.
Also, and I really hate to say this, Spook is right when he says that people have preconceptions about the type of people who would enter a beauty pagaent. It isn't good.
Finally, she does bring a sort of authentic, everyperson vibe to the Republican ticket. However, so would I, and I would not be prepared to be Vice President.
VPILF indeed, though.
Look at Obama's socialist nightmare of a tax plan!
http://alchemytoday.com/obamataxcut/
Oh...wait...that cuts my taxes nearly a grand.
Bush's tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires put the burden on the middle and lower classes. And the trickle down effect? Mostly them pissing on us as they shipped jobs out of the country, cut wages, cut benefits and posted record profits for shareholders and deepened the divide between rich and poor.
McCreepy's whole platform is predicated on more of the same. Stay the course, right into the iceberg.
Reverand: You really don't think some voters will vote against Obama because of the issues I listed? You really don't think there are millions of voters out there who think Obama has the wrong ideas on taxes and on, say, Iran?
Respectfually, I think you are out of touch. (I cannot tell if you realize that I am not making my own case against Obama, only that these are issues people will use to vote against Obama.)
Sure, those issues might be bunk, but that doesn't mean voters will vote against Obama for those things (as well as his race).
What on earth do you think voters will vote against Obama for, then?
I'd encourage you to read up on it so you can become one of them.
I am sure I have a deep understanding of socialism. I am also sure that for millions of Americans, anything that smacks of, say, greater investment in mass transit, or alternative energy, is, to them, socialist. I am not saying that's accurate, only describing a certain perception.
Matilda said "I am sure I have a deep understanding of socialism. I am also sure that for millions of Americans, anything that smacks of, say, greater investment in mass transit, or alternative energy, is, to them, socialist. I am not saying that's accurate, only describing a certain perception."
Not at $4 a gallon it isn't. At $1.25 a gallon Priuses were for Communists and hippies. At $4 a gallon, they are for real 'Mericans. I think you are out of touch on those examples.
Matilda: You are absolutely right; I am out of touch.
I thought you were actually *making* those (quite obviously absurd) arguments, not simply pointing them out. My bad... Guess I'm on a hair-trigger today.
Man, you F*cks are Hellarious! Especially this McOld, McFail, McBush, etc,! Reading this post is the only thing keeping me gowing until I can have some hair of the dog that bit me last night
Slappy, I think it should be V.P.M.I.L.F, least she get cofused with Cheny or Biden!
P.s and Fattilda, I as a pretty person see no anti pretty people remarks in the above comments, so go to your corner and come back out swinging with a new line of b.s
Is that the eyeglasses model from LensCrafters?
Could we stop making ridiculously sexist remarks and maybe focus on her platform?
Palin was answering a question from the moderator near the conclusion of Wednesday night's televised debate on KAKM Channel 7 when she said, "Teach both. You know, don't be afraid of information. Healthy debate is so important, and it's so valuable in our schools. I am a proponent of teaching both."Anchorage Daily News
Eagle Forum AlaskaHere's the bottom line in all this mess and Rham Emmanual said it ...
"On his 72nd birthday, is this really the one-heartbeat-away he wants to put in the White House?" said Rep. Rahm Emanuel, the No. 3 Democrat in the House. "What does this say about his judgment?"
She was the mayor of a town with 6,500 people in it -- that's it. She said in the past that she didn't "even know what the vice president does."
What does this say about McCain? Fuck that progressive politics line that we've been hearing over and over again - this is just flat out dumb politics. This is betting on a 50-1 shot and praying. I don't know about you, but I would not be thrilled to have someone like Palin, who has no idea about the shit she's about to get into, running this country if something happens to McCain.
It's Chicago-related because she looks like Nia Vardalos, whose "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" was set in Chicago? Anyway, get to know Sarah Palin with some of her past interviews, and marvel at our generation's Dan Quayle.
Oh goodness. A Creationist too?
Just remember, teach the controversy!
http://controversy.wearscience.com/
Hey look! A fire!
Here's some gasoline
http://wonkette.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/mccainpalin.jpg
She's a creationist, but on a national level, creationists will never be able to do any damage. If you're going to vote against her, don't use that as a litmus test.
I think her being a creationist is a great litmus test. Being resistant to science can't bode well for the environment or many other things.
Here's her proud commercial from 2006 featuring future federal inmate #45645...erm...Senator Ted "Bridge to Nowhere" Stevens.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nTX-oJUCaU&eurl=
Creationism is FANTASTIC litmus test. There is no scientific controversy regarding evolution, NONE. Creationists have tried to invent a controversy, give 'another side' when there is none. It's about pushing a Christian agenda in schools.
I believe in God, but I want science in the science class not someone's spurious religious doctrine.
No matter how much she favors creationism, there is no way she is ever going to get it taught in a public school classroom. Over and over, judges have stopped that. Even in Bible-thumping states.
That was my point.
However, I will yield some ground on the good point made above, i.e., that it suggests that she might ignore science on other matters, too.
This person will get eaten alive if she goes to Washington or does any form of foreign policy. It's not just mere speculation, it's fact.
oh, and she has the charisma of a dead fish.
"I am pro-life. With the exception of a doctor’s determination that the mother’s life would end if the pregnancy continued. I believe that no matter what mistakes we make as a society, we cannot condone ending an innocent’s life."
no exception for rape/incest? What about THAT mistake?
"I guess Kay Bailey Hutchison's pro-choice views were too much of a risk for McCain in the end."
I guess so... considering Palin doesn't even support exceptions for rape/incest. She's hard core. She's also a lifetime member of the NRA. And while that might make sense for a Gov. of Alaska and the Republican base, how does that appeal to moderates? And then there's the Creationist thing...
I fail to see how any of that in any way appeals to someone who supported Clinton. Seriously, she's about as right wing as they come, ideologically. She's even endorsed Pat Buchanan in the past!?
Sure, it's great the Republicans saw fit to add a woman to the ticket. It's a shame she's just another cookie-cutter right wing ideologue. But what will *really* be interesting is to see how she stands up to the scrutiny of national politics. Considering she was the Mayor of a town of 6,000 and the Governor of a state with a population of less than one of the collar counties, McCain's folks had better be prepping the hell out of her for what lays ahead.
Anybody else think it's interesting that VPILF.com was registered August 4th?
Freaking McCain looks like a dumb old nut who can't properly vet his own candidate. Without talking unnecessary crap on Sarah Palin and her obviously hayseed, dysfuntional family; it says a lot that McCain passed over two totally qualified candidates (Joe Lieb and Tommy "Level Orange" Ridge) because they weren't "conservative" enough, for a token woman who is a functioning retard under investigation for ethics violations.
Also: Obama got a 7 point bump from his convention, which is impressive is such a "tight" race. As McCain is hated by God and Weather, and his stupid, homo convention is being held piecemeal, he will recieve no such bump and hoepfully be sent away to a nursing home by his black daughter.
@jenny: Many accounts report the Bush Administration did not want Lieberman (who was McCain's preferred choice) as the inclusion of an "independent," pro-choice Senator would have thrown the RNC into chaos. Their choice was Mitt Romney, which is typical and shows how in touch with reality they are.
The naming of Palin to the ticket was an end-around by McCain used to marginalize the Bush administration, cause some separation between he and Bush, reinforce McCain's "maverick" image and (of course) look good to those remaining Hillary holdouts and other undecideds.
Does it make McCain look like a buffoon. 'Course. But never underestimate the one-half of this country that twice elected Bush/Cheney.
@Chuck:
While I don't disagree with your take; I think it has more to do with the possibility of a floor fight at the convention than it does with a Bush/cheney intervention as McCain and Bush have a "difficult" relationship at best. (Great article in NYT mag this Sunday for more info at nyt.com).
So you just knee jerk blaming Bush for the Palin choice is a bit of a shrill, liberal reflex to blame Bush for every stupid decision that is ever made.
Truth is: this makes John McCain look like a panderer to a right-right wing that has been largely discredited, not a maverick. It would have been more maverick of him to say "Fuck you, you idiot evangelicals, it is more important in a McCain Admin to get it right than it is to pander to your disgusting social wedge issues any longer and I refuse to do it. My choice is my good friend Joe". The fact that two men got passed over so McCain could throw a token WOMAN on the ticket is mind boggling.
She just doesn't have enough experience to be teamed up with someone who has a definite chance of not surviving one term in office to make me comfortable with this choice.
Also, something to think about: All the folks who are praising her for the decision not to abort the little guy are not talking about what makes it possible for her to make that decision. Governors and national politicians have excellent health coverage - she will never have to worry that she won't be able to obtain the care she needs for him. If I were told that I was going to have a special needs baby and I didn't have legislator-quality insurance, you can bet that it would affect my decision on how to proceed.
But I digress. I believe Palin was just red meat for the fundies and was deliberately not vetted by the McCain team. Later in the campaign, once the press does the McCain team's job and vets her, she will have to leave the ticket for one scandal or another. Then McCain can bring his good friend Lieberman on board, having already appeased the fundies. "Well, hey, we tried."
Sarah Palin's speech deserves its own entry on Chicagoist. Like her or not that speech was electric. Republicans came away seeing a rising star and Democrats saw someone they cannot easily dismiss.
@Di:
I came away seeing someone shrill and vapid.
To describe Palin accurately, I would need to come up with a more acerbic word for "lightweight"