(CNN) — Sen. John McCain has picked Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate, a senior McCain campaign official told CNN on Friday.Palin, 44,who’s in her first term as governor, is a pioneering figure in Alaska, the first woman and the youngest person to hold the state’s top political job.She catapulted to the post with a strong reputation as a political outsider, forged during her stint in local politics. She was mayor and a council member of the small town of Wasilla and was chairman of the state Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, which regulates Alaska’s oil and gas resources, in 2003 and 2004.The conservative Palin defeated two so-called political insiders to win the governor’s job — incumbent Gov. Frank Murkowski in the GOP primary and former two-term Democratic Gov. Tony Knowles in the 2006 general election. Palin made her name in part by backing tough ethical standards for politicians. During the first legislative session after her election, her administration passed a state ethics law overhaul.Palin’s term has not been without controversy. A legislative investigation is looking into allegations that Palin fired Alaska’s public safety commissioner because he refused to fire the governor’s former brother-in-law, a state trooper.Palin acknowledged that a member of her staff made a call to a trooper in which the staffer suggested he was speaking for the governor.Palin has admitted that the call could be interpreted as pressure to fire state trooper Mike Wooten, who was locked in a child-custody battle with Palin’s sister.”I am truly disappointed and disturbed to learn that a member of this administration contacted the Department of Public Safety regarding Trooper Wooten,” Palin said. “At no time did I authorize any member of my staff to do so.”Palin suspended the staffer who made the call.
McBush has just thrown the election — a VP in her first-term as governor of Alaska, one heartbeat away from the presidency. No real experience, no clout, no knowledge, and no fame.OH, and she’s ALREADY INVOLVED IN A CORRUPTION SCANDALAlso, McBush can no longer challenge Obama’s qualifications to be president, and indeed Obama can rip apart his judgement (as he began to do last night) for placing someone so woefully inexperienced in such a position of potential power. Palin is conservative, but unlikely to woo the Christian conservatives because she is a woman, and social liberals will still never vote for this ticket over the Obama camp.I look forward to the VP debate.
Atomic has never heard of Dick Cheney. Too funny.
The more important question is what can somebody with no expertise in anything do about anything?
It is sosss much fun watching the rethuglicans here try to put lipstick on this pig.
Comment from: What
OK “What…do I know”…name one thing Cheney implemented on his own without being guided by the President…?
Phreedumb,
I would ,first, rather mention something Cheyney didn’t do. That is stand up and admits to his daughter’s rights as a gay person.
Then those things he implemented, not against Bush, through him, like trillions of dollars of no bid contracts awarded to Haliburton in Iraq.
NeoWolfe
Now both of you, Atomic Testicles and Phreedumb,
This is a website that people come to trade ideas on a level that has risen above the fog of religion. I’m not saying none of your ideas have any merit, and even if they didn’t, this is obviously an open forum, otherwise I would probably not be welcome here either.
And you are right that both major political parties have been poisoned with the influence of the religious right. But, let me state it in a way that everyone here knows is true, the Republican Party represents a constituency that would like nothing better than to make the Ten Commandments a radified admendment to the constitution. They are like the Nazis making that last desperate blitzkrieg through the Ardenne forest. If you are Patton, do you send your resources to ward them off, or deploy them along lines that are already stailmate? I think you’ll find no converts among those who understand what our movement is about.
Which I think you must at least suspect? Are you trying to rival Stephen Colbert by entertaining us with a pretense of having a point?
NeoWolfe
Neowolfe
Atomic is a lower-my-taxes-at-any-cost libertarian. And I mean ANY. He would praise Allah or Jeebus while children die in corporate initiated wars just as long as the party in power gives his libertarian religion lip service.
Comment from: neowolfe
You should study Hitlers form of government a bit closer…
Let’s simplify things…
Which party is for freedom and less intrusion into each individuals life…?
Ren, welcome back. I hope all is well with you.
cry4turtles,
Thank you, it is nice to be back. I have been lurking all summer, but was busy being daddy to two young’uns and even got to be a husband a couple of times. Now it is back to being bachelors, so I have more free time on my hands. Uh oh, watch out!
I used to believe it was the Republicans that wanted to be less intrusive into our personal lives, but after the last eight years, I no longer believe that. What with the passage of the Patriot Act, wiretapping without a warrant, suspension of Habeus Corpus for anyone the president decides is an unlawful combatant… Why, the Republicans even want to tell you what you can and cannot do in the privacy of your own bedroom and with whom you can do it, not to mention interfering in the relationship between a woman and her doctor. Then there is the growth industry known as the never ending war on drugs. I could go on, but I will leave it at that.
In your eyes, interfering in your life is taxing you for your fair share of the common good. If becoming energy independant, providing healthcare to those without it and providing improved benefits to veterans in the form of increased college benefits is interfering with your personal life, then so be it.
And another thing, why is it that people that call themselves pro-life, are the exact same people that harp about programs that help the poor? Is life only sacred inutero?
Ren,
Very nicely stated; the same occurred to me.
Ren
Welcome back my friend, to the show that never ends!
For Palin, apparently, cos she’s pro-death penalty too. And it only applies to human life, cos she likes to kill animals. And she doesn’t think polar bears are really endangered, either. But hey, she gave everyone in Alaska $1200, so she must be ready to step in as president, should McBush meet the Grim Reaper. On the bright side, Tina Fey will be a dead ringer to play her in comedy skits.
(Ren and atomictesting)
Oh, and it’s the Libertarians who like freedom and less gov’t. intrusion, hands down. Nuclear Nads will confirm that for ya, right Atomic? (though I’m not sure how anyone could really disagree, isn’t that kind of the definition of Libertarianism?)I love the way you let that Atomictesticles jab roll off your back and even claimed it as a nic! Way to stand up for yourself against the majority. I’m with cry4turtles- I wish we could disagree without all the namecalling and the absolute statements.
Karen,
Soon the gypsy queen, in a glaze of Vaseline, will perform on Guillotine. What a scene, what a scene!
Love Tina Fey, but I think I will pass on the McCain/Palin administration. If for no other reason than the potential appointments on the SCOTUS, I will be voting Obama this year. Yes, I will be holding my nose when I do it, but some issues are simply too important to let something like principle get in the way of things.
Look, I was a registered Republican for 17 yrs. I was a Libertarian for almost 3 yrs, until they failed to get 5% of the vote several years ago in my state, so I became an independant. I only registered Democrat this spring so I could caucus. Something I have never done before! I plan to reregister as an Independant as soon as the General Election is over.
I have been describing myself as a fiscal conservative and social liberal since before I ever heard of a Libertarian. Even when I was a dyed in the wool Republican, I hated the fact they cozied up to the RR. Hell, I would vote for Bob Barr in a heartbeat, if I thought he had a chance to win. I still wish Ron Paul had won the Republican nomination. Unfortunatly, I believe Obama is the best bet we have to get the warmongers out of office. At least he is bright and articulate, unlike the current occupant of the WH.
Hey What,
I must be the one Phreedm is talking about when he says we deify Obama. I’m sure he can see right through my thinly veiled disguise and that I truly worship the ground he walks on. groan
Pretty much. If one listened to the staunch liberal take on Libertarians we’re really the devil incarnate. I mean, we only support big business, we hate children (sink SCHIP), environmental regulation, the poor, etc.
If you listened to the staunch conservative take on Libertarians we’re the devil incarnate. I mean, we side with the homosexuals (everyone should hate them), we hate children (most of us are pro-choice), Jesus, etc.
Nice to see that you have at least a general idea about what we stand for. If anyone bothered to take a bite of a Libertarian they’d probably exclaim “Hey, where’s the hate filling?”
I could not help but laugh. Trying to even envision nuclear nads gives me the giggles.
Testicular fortitude is a common idiom for having some guts, showing some spine, etc. Ha! I used an idiom to define an idiom. The term “nuclear” has been occasionally used as an adjective to indicate that the subject is exceptionally potent in strength. Therefore, I surmise that I possess exceptionally potent testicular fortitude. Considering the harsh treatment I occasionally receive here, I guess I need it!
Also of note, atomic testicles is a bit sexist. I prefer that the term “nuclear nads” be used as a non-gender-specific substitution term – both men and women have “nads.” It’s a nod to the liberal concept of political correctness!
(Ok, I lied, it just has an alliterative quality to in that Atomic Testicles does not.)
Nuclear nads are fast breeder reactors.
Yeah, I did it. I made a pun and a joke that most people are going to have to look up to get all in one!
Yeah, but in a way it contributes to a bit of humor later. Neowolfe and What aren’t gonna get any thanks from me about it. I had to do the work to make the funnies there.
Last I checked there isn’t a call for socialized humor…. Yet.
Hear ye, hear ye. From here on out, all attempts at humor will be funneled through the department of redundancy department, to ensure it’s potential for actual humor. That is all.
How do you do that little box thang??
“Which party is for freedom and less intrusion into each individual’s life”.
Surely not the Republithugs. We are now one nation under survailence. Don’t check out any books from the library or the FBI might come knocking on your door and want to find out why?
Watch what music you want to buy (and don’t charge it) because it might be on their list and you wouldn’t want to listen to something they don’t like.
Say hi to that other person on the phone.
From the misnomered “Patriot Act”, through a slew of legislation and just doing what the fuck they want behind our backs, the Republithugs have made destroying freedom (so they won’t hate us so much in the muddle east) policy.
But this was all done with Democrat support (including Obama supporting FISA) who have backed down groveling when they dared not agree.
Once again, it’s a choice between the Nazi Party (R) and the Not-So-Nazi party(D). The only real issue in this election is which wing of the Republicrat Party gets to stuff their face fully down the middle of the trough.
About the prayer meeting, er, convention, it made me feel unwelcomed. “Get out but you better vote for us and pray when we tell you to” Or you’ll heve to follow the police outside.
If you’re voting Democrat because of the outside chance Obama is going to appoint Justices who will uphold the Constitution, don’t hold your breath.
But at least there’s an outside chance. Though not much after leaving us out of the big tent. McCain picking Palin is just telling the Evangelicals that the 1st Amendment will be repealed as soon as Kennedy, Bader Ginsburg and/or Souter retire/die.
Is the Derartment of Redundancy Department intentionally department-redundant?
Should it be a department of redundantly redundant departments, for the sake of having more redundancy (and departments)?
Is anyone’s brain hurting after that?
It is. It is.
Ren,
Emerson, Lake, and Palmer, Brain Salad Surgery, I believe. But you left out “Welcome back my friends to the show that never ends.”
I hear welcomes back into the fold from people I have come to respect. Nothing I’ve seen written by you has put me off or made me wonder except why you were a republican for seventeen years. It’s not a fishing expedition for a reason to accuse, I am genuinely curious how a person with such a history came to make so many friends among free thinkers.
I doesn’t matter the answer, my answer is stanger.
NeoWolfe
Damnit, I missed Karen’s post and upstaged myself. “So glad you could attend, come inside, come inside.”
Am I redeemed? Damn, guess I need a rosary.
NeoWolfe
NeoWolfe,
You’re good, but it is Karn Evil 9. Also, I didn’t leave out the first chorus, I was replying to Karen, whom welcomed me back from my brief absence in that way.
As for being a Republican: Well, I came of age during the Reagan years and, for good or bad, he WAS popular at the time. I also come from a long line of military men, and have always been in favor of a strong (albeit defensive) military, and I am still a conservative when it comes to money. I don’t think we shold ever spend more money than we take in. It should be raise taxes, cut spending, or both, but never deficit spending.
Aditionally, it is pretty hard to be a Democrat while on active duty. Armed Forces Radio and Television Service force feeds a constant stream of conservative propaganda at the troops.
I am proud to say that I have voted against dumbya THREE times. I voted for Ann Richards for Gov. of TX, and I voted Libertarian in the last two general elections. I consider myself a moderate, but I hold views that can be alternately labeled anywhere on the spectrum from socia1ist, to just this side of fascist.
Go ahead, just try to pigeon-hole me:-)
Ren,
Really sad to break it to you, but it was Emerson Lake and Palmer, perhaps before you were born.
And I don’t pigeon hole anyone, except Phreedumb, and he demanded it and left me no choice.
Ann Richards is the woman who said Bush was born with a silver foot in his mouth. You can’t help but love her.
You had your military brainwash, I had my parental brainwash, escaped at twenty three.
There is AA, and NA. But where is our support group? (Smile) Maybe, free thinkers don’t need one.
NeoWolfe
Neo,
FYI, Karn evil 9 is the music performed by Emerson, Lake and Palmer. Please take a minute now and then to do a little research before posting your criticism of others.
NeoWolfe,
What Satan said, only with a little less animosity:-)
On a side note, I had just listened to one of their albums (Brain Salad Surgery, like you said) and I thought you were talking about the song, not the album. I guess we were both confused. Anyhow, that is the reason I responded to Karen like I did. Also, Karn evil 9 came out in 1973 when I was five years old. I guess it depends on how you look at it as to wheather or not it was before my time. I was lucky to grow up the youngest of four children, so I grew up listening to music of the 60’s and 70’s, not the crappy music of my generation… the 80’s. Yuck!
Since we are already way off topic, I just wanted to add this little gem.
Because of Guitar Hero III, it does my heart good to hear my young children spontaneously break into “Sunshine of your love” by Cream, or “Pride and Joy” by Stevie Ray Vaughn.
Ren
Argh! I was graduating from HS that year! And now I definitely have to go break out the vinyl and listen to my ELP. I could use a shot of Knife Edge.
Ooh, and Cream! I think I may have a “best of” album by them. No Stevie Ray tho. Gack! Look at the time though. If I start pulling out vinyl now, I’ll stay up all night listening to old stuff. Maybe tomorrow, before Hanna hits.
Karen,
I have a nephew, my sister’s youngest, that is getting married on Saturday, in E City, OUTSIDE! That is to say, it was supposed to be outside. Now I just hope it happens. Family is comming in from all over the country. Wish I was going to be there. We could have had that shot of Knife Edge together!
Good luck this week-end. I hope you and yours are safe and you don’t have any damage to your home or things. I am about to get a new roof on my home and garage, as well as siding on two sides of my home, from a storm that came through our area back on June 27th. Probably 75% of all the homes in my town either have a new roof already, or will be getting one. (And) that was just from hail and straight line winds.
You will be in my thoughts this week-end.
Ren
Ouch! I hope they have a back-up plan. Hanna’s supposed to be here and gone by mid-afternoon Saturday, but we’re looking at rain for several days to follow. If your family arrives by early this evening, they shouldn’t experience any delays or problems. Winds are going to start gusting late tonight around midnight.
I wish you were attending too. I’d drive up to EC to have a drink with ya before you had to return home!
I feel safe. We weathered the big one (Floyd?)years ago that brought the flood here. Had to go rescue my daughter from Greenville when she was a student at ECU. We lost a tree and had a few shingles loosened in that one, but no real damage. Oh, yea- that’s when our chimney moved away from the house- was against it the day before, separated the day after. But the insurance adjustor said it was settling, not hurricane. Anyway, Hanna is much weaker.
Sorry you had to do so much repair from the storm that hit you, but I’m glad you and the family are OK.
I was going to talk about music. Now I want to wish all the best. Hanna is stalling, if Ike hooks up, we’re talking the perfect storm. Good luck to all of you, don’t take chances.
NeoWolfe
oh wow the stuff that the republicans have been throwing out there lately really make me laugh.
THEY PICK THE BULLDOG WITH LIPSTICK FOR A RUNNING MATE. ha ha they are really desperate. thats like they are saying that if we put a woman on the ballot then the hillary voters will come to us. if any woman votes for mcbush then they are just dumb. oh and i like how they keep throwing the private airplane thing out there. real cute.
actually thats all she is, a cute face thats only there to rope in women and stupid horny males, which we have alot of in this country… O_o on second thought they might have a chance. just kidding the american people will do the right thing … i hope. i did say the same thing after Bush’s first term and look how that turned out