The arrogance of Palin critics

From Voice of America: “In Louisiana and other states on the Gulf of Mexico there is frustration over what many residents see as a slow response by the U.S. government to protecting coastal areas. Some critics of the Obama administration cite offers by the Netherlands in April to supply sophisticated skimmers and dredging devices, and the administration’s failure to accept the offer. The issue is as murky as the oil slick now threatening regional beaches.

“A Houston-based company is now cleaning oil off surface water in the Gulf of Mexico using sweeping arms that attach to a boat and help gather large amounts of oil. These sophisticated devices were provided by a Dutch company with years of experience in such operations, but instead of using the Dutch ships and crews immediately, when The Netherlands offered help in April, the operation was delayed until U.S. crews could be trained.”

And 20% of the land in the Netherlands is below sea level, protected by dikes. Unless you live in New Orleans, you try to make sure your dikes are maintained.

In a Fox News interview, Sarah Palin alluded to this turn down of the Dutch offer.

From Tod Robberson of the Dallas Morning News: Bill O’Reilly “asks her how she would stop the leak. After a bit of hesitation, she blurts out: ‘The Dutch and the Norwegian. They are known for dikes and for cleaning up water and for dealing with spills.’ Hmmm, I do seem to remember that childhood story.”

regurgitate Rat talking points

doesn’t that leave a foul taste in your mouth?

surprised you didn’t tell us she said she could see Russia from her front porch

“Face it, Mrs Palin has more personal baggage than an airport carousel at peak flight time. This has been and will continue to be used against her”

yes, and Geroge W Bush is an idiot.

stop listening to them

focus on what the lady actually says and does....not what the managed media presents

here is your first clue

she is pro life

Trig is actually her child....

(mc's original commentary in bold italics. reasonisfaith's responses in standard italics. mc responses in regular font)

“For starters, assuming she wins the GOP nomination, and actually were elected, would she finish a 4 year term?”

Given her record of upholding her duties to the Alaskan people, and the fact that a president is shielded from the kind of attacks in the form of moronic ethics charges she endured as governor—yes, without question.

Hello? The ethics charges were not "moronic". IMHO, the legislation itself was "moronic". The AK law was vaguely written, which is one reason why there were so many complaints filed. Ethics reform was one of the centerpieces of the Palin gubernatorial campaign. Ergo, she needed to conduct herself a little more circumspectly.

“I also want a satisfactory answer to the question of precisely what role Todd Palin played in the AK governorship.”

But you will only call it “satisfactory” not when it’s the simple truth but when it does her real damage, regardless of how false it is.

Well, what is the truth? You have no problem with an unelected spouse sitting in on meetings and being a "Shadow Governor"? Sorry, but I do. We will simply continue disagree on this.

“She has serious ethics problems. The ethics issue was the centerpiece of Mrs Palin’s campaign. Did she not read the law that she championed and eventually signed? Yeah, that’s what we need—more pols in Washington who don’t read (and understand) the legislation before them. (BTW—I think the AK ethics law was rather vaguely written, which is why there were so many complaints—in order to define the legislation. I could be wrong)”

The only reason she was targeted in such a way was that her attackers followed the Alinsky advice of using your enemy’s methods against him. (Oh, I get it—political judo. Real genius, Saul. Duhh. You doofus.)

Oh, Bravo Sierra. Mrs Palin used her office to retaliate against a soon to be ex-family member, among other things. Yeah, just keep up the "she was Alinskyed" line. Again, she needed to behave better.

“Based on her conduct in the most egregious of the ethics complaints (Troopergate) I think she would misuse the office of POTUS in a similar fashion.”

I think you’re using your keyboard in an illegal manner. So I think you would also use illegal drugs. (Not really, but it has as much validity as your absurd statement.)

I was going to delete this bit of lunacy, as a courtesy to you, but then, I thought "Oh, what the heck? Let it stand." I stand by my original post.

“Face it, Mrs Palin has more personal baggage than an airport carousel at peak flight time. This has been and will continue to be used against her.”

So far all you’ve done is to say, in so many words, that you hope she isn’t nominated as the Republican candidate, and you’ll throw anything at her to that end. You tend to think that if enough verbal horse manure is thrown at her it will somehow take her down.

Um...no. I didn't say that. You should realize that this interaction is not face to face, rather, it is written and posted for any willing reader to see. I merely pointed out that she will have to prevail in the primaries. You should not say "in so many words" if the person did not actually say that.

Thanks for playing. Have a great day.

Excellent talking points, RIO! Well done!

However, I almost quit reading after The AGIA part. Again...unless I'm misinformed, this AGIA pipeline thingy is NOT repeat, NOT a done deal. I agree with Hospice Nurse--more unfinished business.

This caught my eye: Governor Palin accepted less state per diem for herself and her family than her predecessors even though she had a larger family. Personally, I wouldn't mention the per diem stuff if I were you. But, apparently, in keeping with fiscal responsibility and all, she will be paying taxes on that per diem income...

I stopped skimming again at the Governor Palin signed Alaska’s Clear and Equitable Share (ACES) bill into law. Apparently, ACES isn't all it's been cracked up to be.

I'm sorry, I have neither the time, nor the inclination, to do any more unpaid research.

Again, very well done. Thanks for not saying, "She sold the plane on eBay."

...surprised you didn’t tell us she said she could see Russia from her front porch...

I wouldn't do that. You know that was Tina Fey.

Mrs Palin actually said, "And, Charlie (Gibson), you're in Alaska. We have that very narrow maritime border between the United States, and the 49th state, Alaska, and Russia. They are our next door neighbors. We need to have a good relationship with them. They're very, very important to us and they are our next door neighbor."

In response to the next question, "What insight into Russian actions, particularly in the last couple of weeks, does the proximity of the state give you?" She repeated the "neighbors" thing, "They're our next door neighbors and you can actually see Russia from land here in Alaska, from an island in Alaska."

Hey! Depending on where I am working/shopping/goofing off on any given day, I can see Canada, another next door neighbor!

...focus on what the lady actually says and does....not what the managed media presents

Alright, I will.

In the "say & do" department, I think it is perfectly monstrous on a couple levels that Mrs Palin would use Baroness Thatcher as a photo-op. First, because Lady Thatcher's mental capacities are declining and I think it is rather cruel to impose upon her. Second, this visit, (IF it takes place) is slated for October. Let's see...October 2010, oh, right...nothing going on then. No need to do any actual campaigning, the primaries are over, right?

I'm not going to discuss Trig, kralcmot.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.