They play for real money in the league Palin has just joined; Respect
has nothing to do with it. She has been governor of Alaska for two
years, and has some accomplishments -- but made at a time when the
Republican establishment that opposes those policies is in a shambles
because of ethics violations. She is under ethics investigation herself
(whether or not there is much to the allegations remains to be seen,
however).
So far, she was mayor of a Podunk town (fact).
She is governor of one of the smallest, least diverse states in the
nation (fact).
She spreads the Republican mantra of self-reliance while coming from a
state that was second only to Wyoming in the amount of per capita
federal aid to state and local governments (as of 2006;
http://www.census.gov/prod/2008pubs/fas-06.pdf).
All of this, however, is off-topic for ECOLOG.
What is on-topic is her record regarding science and the environment.
For example, she regards much of the concern over climate change as
excessive. She opposes listing of polar bears as "threatened" under the
Endangered Species Act and filed a lawsuit intended to block such
listing
(http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5i536jfOol1gh7ago3QLE3rrEvhZgD92BSE780).
In doing so, she ignored -- despite claiming otherwise -- the advice
of scientists in her own administration
(http://www.mcclatchydc.com/254/story/51169.html). Where have we seen
that before?
She publicly opposed a ballot initiative that would have prevented metal
mines from discharging pollutants into streams that serve a sources for
drinking water as well as spawning areas for salmon
(http://www.adn.com/money/story/507096.html). Her vocal opposition
contributed to the measures defeat.
She also supports teaching creationism in public schools
(http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5g4-w_DCWffagBaQb8Il9a0R2hkPAD92SL7E00).
Dave
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
Indeed, as Dave Lawrence puts it, politics involves some roughing up but
must one be disrespectful, unfair in doing it? When one says, "It's ludicrous to
think that being mayor of that Podunk town qualifies anyone to be
president," it certainly confines her resume in a less truthful way. I heard that she's
also a courageous crusader for good government, an achieving governor, has
held some other responsible positions in addition to being a morally upright
mother. Are those qualifications good enough for a vice president? I don't
know, I myself is not into politics; just my opinion.
Dion Grava
In a message dated 8/29/2008 3:29:54 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time,
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
Palin is all about blood sports, but in a different way from the current
administration.
Take a look at how she's dealt with the 3 major oil companies that operate
in Alaska - BP, Exxon and Conoco Phillips. She's been extremely aggressive
with them, to the point of taunting some of their executives in print and in
press conferences. She was a whistle blower against the head of the
Republican Party here, who still hates her guts.
In the last year, she's threatened to pull Exxon's North Slope gas leases,
led the push for a dramatic increase in North Slope oil tax rates, and went
outside the BP-Exxon-Conoco club to pick an independent pipeline company to
get the license for a North Slope gas line. (She basically rejected
counter-proposals from the 3 majors, who didn't want to work under the terms
she dictated)
Her decisions involving the oil industry that have made her Public Enemy No.
1 w/ most of the business elite in Alaska.
On Fri, Aug 29, 2008 at 2:12 PM, David M. Lawrence <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
The question is not whether we all have a right to aspire to elective
office. The question is whether we are qualified for the elective
office we may aspire to. Gilbert's comment is germane. There's a big
difference between running a small town and being the go-to person in
charge of the nuclear strike codes.
Palin has joined the big leagues now. Politics is blood sport. If she
can't handle getting roughed up, she don't belong in the game.
Dave
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
I thought all Americans have equal right to aspire for any elective
position
in this country -- including that of the presidency. Please let's not be
too
spiteful on a fellow human being just because she has a different view
of
things.
Dion Grava
Los Angeles
>
In a message dated 8/29/2008 1:42:38 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time,
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
> Well, I've been to Alaska (but not Hawaii), and I've been to Wasilla,
where Palin is from. It's ludicrous to think that being mayor of that
Podunk town qualifies anyone to be president.
Debbie Gilbert
-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On
> Behalf Of Valerie Brown
Sent: Friday, August 29, 2008 4:37 PM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Re: SEJ-TALK: Sarah Palin
I was just thinking: for most of the country, Alaska is just as exotic
as Hawaii, isn't it, at least in terms of how many people have been
there? Pundits keep saying Obama has to overcome the notion that he's
> from some faraway place that's not like where we live so he's not like
us and therefore we can't vote for him (such sublime logic!). But I'm a
born and bred Pacific Northwesterner and I've never even been to Alaska
- it's almost more remote, because more rugged, way bigger and far less
dense population than Hawaii. So do people think Palin will not face
> this same purported handicap? I suppose the voting public may identify
with the rugged lumberjackette (lumberjackess? Lumberjackass?) more
readily than a guy named Hussein whom they think sits under a bromeliad
studying the Koran.
**************It's only a deal if it's where you want to go. Find your travel
deal here.
(http://information.travel.aol.com/deals?ncid=aoltrv00050000000047)
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David M. Lawrence | Home: (804) 559-9786
7471 Brook Way Court | Fax: (804) 559-9787
Mechanicsville, VA 23111 | Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
USA | http: http://fuzzo.com
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"We have met the enemy and he is us." -- Pogo
"No trespassing
4/17 of a haiku" -- Richard Brautigan
