Posts Made By: Jim E. Gleason

September 19, 2008 08:37 PM Forum: Politics

More Myth-Busting on Sarah Palin!

Posted By Jim E. Gleason

Jim E. Gleason said:

Up to 84 of them now and counting, 8O

1.Yes, she is Governor of Alaska. No, she’s not the Lieutenant Governor. No, she’s not currently Mayor of Wasilla. Yes, she was Mayor of Wasilla, some years ago.

2.Yes, as Governor of Alaska, she’s the Commander in Chief of the Alaska National Guard. And yes, her professional military subordinate is quite impressed with her in that role.

3.And yes, the New York Times says the job of Governor of Alaska is one of the harder, and more powerful, jobs in state government.

4.Yes, there are people in Alaska who think she’s too liberal.

5.Yes, she did giggle when someone called Lyda Green a “bitch.” Yes, Lyda Green is a cancer survivor. Yes, it was the same Lyda Green who tried to force a scheduling conflict that would make Palin miss her son’s high school graduation. Yes, this would also be the Lyda Green who complained no one had asked her about Palin during the vetting process.

6.Yes, she did push for and approve the Wasilla Sports Center. Yes, it did cost a lot of money. (People keep saying $20 million, that article says $14.5 million, but then they also added a $1.2 million dollar food service/kitchen piece. This year, after Palin was out of office as Mayor.) Yes, the city went into debt to do it (how did you buy your house, bunkie?) and raised the city sales tax from 2 percent to 2.5 percent to pay for it. Yes, the city is paying it off early. Yes, there is an ongoing dispute about title (following a struggle with the Nature Conservancy and another buyer. And yes, at the time it was built, Wasilla had a Federal judge’s decision that they had title to the land.

7.Yes, she did want authority to have wolves culled from the air, because they were taking too many moose and caribou. Which people hunt for food in the back country in Alaska. No, she isn’t shooting them herself. I mean, not that she couldn’t, but I’m sure she doesn’t have time. (Thanks to bluemerlin in the comments.)

8.No, the Downs baby (Trig) isn’t Bristol’s kid, and no, the kid wasn’t born with Downs because (a) Palin flew on an airplane (b) went home to have the baby after an amniotic leak (c) because he was the result of incest between Todd Palin and Bristol.

9.No, Track (the kid who is leaving for Iraq) didn’t join the NG because he was a drug addict. He may have joined the NG because he was tired of people saying his Mom was getting him into the good hockey leagues. (Yes, that one was original reporting. I’ve got sources in Wasilla.)

10.No, Willow and Piper aren’t named for witches on TV. Among other things, Willow was born before Buffy came on TV, and Piper was born before Charmed.

11.Yes, Trig’s name may be misspelled. Isn’t it usually “Tryg” as in “Trygve”? In any case, I doubt he’s named for the Secretary General of the UN (1948-1952), either. But at least that was before he was born, unlike the others.(Thanks to Chris, via his blog

12.Yes, it appears that she has a Big Dipper tattooed on her ankle. She lost a bet.

Please click here for the other 72, 8O

http://explorations.chasrmartin.com/2008/09/06/palin-rumors/

The debunker will be interviewed about his work to get the Facts out on different cable networks this month.

It looks like it`s time for this again. 8)

September 19, 2008 09:02 PM Forum: Politics

Palin - SMEAR CLARIFICATIONS: (9/5/08)

Posted By Jim E. Gleason

Jim E. Gleason said:

More smear clarifications, courtesy of FactCheck.

1) Palin “Joined a Secessionist Political Party”

The Charge: Unsubstantiated Internet reports insisted Palin was once a member of the Alaska Independence Party, which critics call a secessionist political movement and supporters say is dedicated to seeking greater state control over federal lands across Alaska.

The Facts: Palin has been a registered Republican since 1982. There is no record of her ever being a member of the AIP, or any party but the GOP. Palin’s husband has been a member of the AIP in the past, but since 2002 has been a registered independent.

2) Palin Supported a “Nazi Sympathizer”

The Charge: “Palin was a supporter of Pat Buchanan, a right-winger or, as many Jews call him: a Nazi sympathizer,” Obama Florida spokesman Mark Bubriski was quoted as saying in a Miami Herald article.

The Facts: While mayor of Wasilla, Palin wore a Buchanan button during the sometimes presidential candidate’s 1999 visit. But Palin actually supported Steve Forbes in 2000, and served as a co-chair on his Alaska campaign.

In the weeks after the 1999 report of her wearing the Buchanan button, Palin said: “When presidential candidates visit our community, I am always happy to meet them. I’ll even put on their button when handed one as a polite gesture of respect. … The article may have left your readers with the perception that I am endorsing this candidate, as opposed to welcoming his visit to Wasilla.”

(Obama campaign advisor quote is from an e-mail sent to the Miami Herald: linke here:

http://miamiherald.typepad.com/naked...camp-conn.html

3) Palin “Wants Creationism Taught in School”

The Charge: Palin opposes the teaching of evolution, and would mandate the teaching of creationism in the state’s public schools.

The Facts: Palin said during her 2006 gubernatorial campaign that she would not push the state Board of Education to add creation-based alternatives to the state’s required curriculum, or look for creationism advocates when she appointed board members. She has kept this pledge, according to the Associated Press.

Palin has spoken in favor of classroom discussions of creationism, in some cases. “I don’t think there should be a prohibition against debate if it comes up in class. It doesn’t have to be part of the curriculum,” Palin told the Anchorage Daily News in a 2006 interview.

4) Palin “Was Nearly Recalled” While Mayor

The Charge: Palin was so controversial as mayor of Wasilla that she was almost recalled by a popular voter movement.

The Facts: The Wasilla City Council considered but never took up a recall motion after she fired a longtime police chief, who subsequently brought a lawsuit. A citizen’s group dropped their recall bid, and a judge ruled Palin had the authority to fire the chief.

5) Palin “Opposes Sex Education”

The Charge: Palin opponents say she supported the end of all sex education in public schools. In light of her daughter’s presumably unplanned teen pregnancy, this has been a particularly well discussed Internet topic.

The Facts: “The mostly explicit sex-ed programs will not find my support,” Palin wrote in a 2006 questionnaire distributed among gubernatorial candidates. Palin favors abstinence-based sex education programs.

6) “This Picture Proves Palin is …”

The Charge: A slew of fake, Photoshopped or misdated photographs on the Internet purport to show Palin in any number of embarrassing or compromising poses. One photo claimed to show Palin standing poolside, wearing an American flag-themed bikini, toting a rifle with telescopic sight.

The Facts: The various photos are being discredited and shown to be fake on a number of Web sites. The original of the so-called bikini shot, probably the best-known of the pictures, was shown to have been taken of another woman, with Palin’s head Photoshopped above the body.

7) Palin is the grandmother, and not the mother, of Trig Palin

The Charge: The most salacious rumor of all, this theory holds that Palin did not give birth to her son Trig in April, and was actually covering up for her daughter, Bristol.

The Facts: There are a number of photographs showing an apparently pregnant Sarah Palin, as well as a number of published eyewitness accounts of her pregnancy. These include First Lady Laura Bush, who says she spoke with a pregnant Palin at a governor’s conference in February. An assignment manager for KTVA news in Anchorage, Cherie Shirey, has also been quoted saying: “We worked with Governor Palin many times in 2008. Our reporters worked her on location and in the studio and I worked with her myself. She was definitely pregnant. You could see it in her belly and her face. The whole idea that Sarah Palin wasn’t pregnant with Trig is completely, absolutely absurd.”

The McCain campaign, in an apparent effort to counteract the rumors, announced last weekend that Bristol Palin is five months pregnant, which indicated she would have become pregnant before Trig was born.

There are additional links to substantiate the facts here,

http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/09/05/top-7-myths-lies-and-untruths-about-sarah-palin/



Time for this again, too!

September 21, 2008 06:25 PM Forum: Politics

Thanks for the memories George

Posted By Jim E. Gleason

Tom Rodstrom said:

Thanks for the memories George ...

The memories of the $5,700,000,000,000 you have squandered in the last 8 years. The national debt was $5.6 trillion when you took office. Now the national debt limit has been raised to $11.3 trillion to cover the $700 billion cost of bailing out your trickle down economy. You have more than doubled the national debt. It seems that all that trickles down is taxpayer debt.

Let's see, $5.7 trillion, that's $41,304 for each one of us 138 million taxpayers. I don't recall getting a $5,163 yearly break in my taxes. For each family of four, the debt grew by $73,442 or about $765 for each month you have been in office. I know that $765 a month is chicken feed for you, you oilman buddies, and the man you hope replaces you, but for most of the families I know it would make a big difference.

Once again George, thanks for the memories.

... I wonder how many memories it takes to get a cup of Starbucks? cwy

Your points are well-taken.

And, regardless of who`s elected, that debt figures to go up significantly more in the next 4-8 yrs. cwy

September 21, 2008 06:31 PM Forum: Politics

Thanks for the memories George

Posted By Jim E. Gleason

William Green said:

Don't forget, too, that George has got us mired down in TWO wars at the same time, in MOSLEM countries no less. Quite predictably, neither war is going to have a happy outcome. We've been in Iraq close to six years, in Afghanistan almost seven, and, realistically, there is no end in sight in either case. Thank you, George!

And let's not forget that the economy has done poorly throughout his tenure, and that now the financial system is close to collapse. Thank you, again, George!

Oh, and thank you, George, for appealing to the worst in your countrymen, and for pitting group against group.

Yeah, thanks for the memories.

--------------------------------------

All why McCain`s trying to distance himself as far as possible from Bush!...

September 22, 2008 01:07 AM Forum: Politics

Alaskans PO'd at Palin

Posted By Jim E. Gleason

Rod Kaufman said:

http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-troopergate21-2008sep21,0,829160.story

It looks like Alaskans are sick and tired of having to be on hold with the McCain sleaze-machine in order to get a hold of their governor.

Well, with an 86% approval rating, I`d want her back too! 8)

Btw, kind of like BO vacating his Sen. seat to run for Pres. a Pathetic 143 days in! 8O :S

September 22, 2008 04:46 AM Forum: Politics

Fox News Interviews Palin/ Her Road...

Posted By Jim E. Gleason

Rod Kaufman said:

Fox news, via Hannity, interviewed the minx. What a joke:
http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-onthemedia20-2008sep20,0,2749199.story
But her fellow Alaskans recall what she told them:
http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-bridge19-2008sep19,0,3279132.story
Whom to believe...

The LA Times article jumps around in an attempt to confuse the issue.

Regardless, I was still able to get the passage out of it which matters the most and is contradictory to most of the article...Therefore, imho and to the point, this is all anyone needs to know from that article:

"But in 2006, Palin stood before residents in this region during her gubernatorial campaign and expressed support for the bridge. It became apparent after she was elected that the state's portion would be too costly, and Palin ordered transportation officials to abandon the project.

She held on to the $223 million in federally earmarked funds for other uses, such as the Gravina road, approved by her predecessor.

The main parts are in bold for emphasis.

September 22, 2008 09:00 PM Forum: Politics

But wait, send $29.95 by midnight

Posted By Jim E. Gleason

Repubs try socialist solutions the few times it`s pragmatic to...Dems try it as a philosophy.

September 24, 2008 10:14 PM Forum: Politics

McCain Suspends Campaign to Help Rescue Economy!

Posted By Jim E. Gleason

It must have really shook BO up...here is part of what he said.

On the different cable networks, they showed him talking about being ready to take over and said something about what would be facing the new president when they "took over in 40 days."

What a Clown!

September 26, 2008 06:10 AM Forum: Politics

Come on John, don't fail me now...

Posted By Jim E. Gleason

Mike Strieber said:

I think I'm where you guys were a few weeks ago when Palin was announced as McCain's VP choice and all (many) of your post seemed so gloomy with all the pro-McCain hype in the media. Unfortunately today I'm left here wondering why McCain might pull such a stunt; suspend his campaign, make profane announcements that he's got the nation's business to conduct, America first!, announce his hair is on fire...and go to Washington to be a fly on the wall in meetings? Ok buddy, you can do better than that....I think. It's one thing to pull what many perceive to be a political stunt, but to do it poorly? I'm one of those folks that would probably vote for McCain but wouldn't be totally disgruntled if Obama wins. I suspect there are many folks out there like me. He hasn't lost my vote yet but man is he working hard at it. There's plenty of time yet until the election so many boneheaded things are yet to happen; however, Obama may very well come out on top in this fiasco. Just makes the debates even more interesting I guess.

Purely commentary from my foxhole.

Mike

I`m not exactly sure what you`re trying to get at here, but give McCain more credit than that...He was on the phones with Repubs for hrs. after that meeting...while BO was playing politics on every station he could get his mug on! :S

McCain`s also there to wait and provide input once he gets all the necessary info...once that happens and a plan is finalized, he will help bring Congress, especially R`s, together on it like he`s been so great at doing in the past...also remember that it was Dems, who on Tues., were pleading for McCain to come to Wash. and straighten his R buddies out!

I see absolutely no political stunting in any of that!...in fact, the Dems asking for him got what they thought they wanted.

September 26, 2008 06:57 PM Forum: Politics

McCain Lies to the Country

Posted By Jim E. Gleason

Rod Kaufman said:

McCain will show up at the debates even though a bailout deal hasn't been reached:
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/09/26/debate.mississippi/index.html
Of course, his bull-speak was his presence was critical in resolving the economic disaster wrought on this country by his party but now he feels comfortable in participating because he's given his input. I'm sure we will all sleep better tonight knowing he's given his all and he's content with the progress!

McCain did not lie!...What he stated was that he would go to Wash. and help get the R`s and D`s together on the same page just like some Dems asked him to, including Harry Reid...who has flip-flopped and is now blasting him and outright lying as part of damage control...further, if McCain saw progress and he has...since current reports are saying something will be passed by midnight tonight!

McCain stated that if he saw that kind of progress, then he would debate...therefore, he did not lie...the Repubs are giving him the credit for helping them to get their concerns out there and getting enough of them on board with the D`s to pass something by midnight!...thus, there was no lie!