Opinionated Fool

Aside from the fact she’s apparently managed to actually finish her book, entitled “Going Rogue: An American Life”, that is. The book, which according to one online magazine is supposed to be a display of her foreign policy qualifications among other things, is said to weigh in at 400 pages. I can’t imagine what she could possibly find to say–particularly in the department of things we would actually want to read–that could possibly take up 400 pages, but there you have it. The book’s not due to come out until November 17th, and already it’s renewed the calls of many of her supporters for a 2012 presidential run. God help the USA in that case. On the bright side, though, it does give me something more to mock. And I did say I might be tempted to get my hands on a copy.

Miss Palin, for all her… well… charm, is not a good sellebrity. But, that hasn’t stopped some poor clueless shmuck from selling an xbox signed by her for a cool million on ebay. The depressing part is someone with a million to spare will probably end up buying it. Because, you know, obscure know-nothing governors from obscure states just have that kind of appeal. Of course, on the other side of the spectrum, it can probably be argued she just might be the only person in recent memory to have become famous by losing an election. Hey, maybe if she runs in 2012 and loses she’ll be legendary.

Not literally, of course. But effective today, her career most asuredly is. She resigned as governor today, with still absolutely no clue whatsoever as to what she plans to do post-politics. The hopeful–or, as some would say, delusional–are still trying to encourage her to run for president in 2012. Beyond that, she may write a book, host a talk show, become a full-time mom, disappear off the face of the earth, or do something completely and totally unheard of in the Palin household–get an education. No one has a clue, including the one person who probably should. Until she figures it out, she can take a nice, relaxing swim in the opinionated deadpool. Gonna miss ya, Sarah.

Sarah Palin surprises me again. Though it probably shouldn’t. Her pre-governor life consisted of driving home the point that there was corruption at the state government level by the then republican governor and his associates. She went through her pre-election days doing, well, exactly what she’s now criticising others for doing. When she believed there to be an issue of state laws being violated, not only did she pressure the Attorney General to investigate, but she went public with those investigations–again, much as she’s now criticising others for doing.

When she was elected, she championed the new, and now current, ethics law in Alaska which gives citizens the right to launch inquiries of their own into the activities of the government in the name of accountability. Then, she slipped up. She pressured a state commissioner to fire her former brother-in-law. When he wouldn’t, she fired him. She started claiming expenses normally reserved for one’s time living in the governor’s mansion while she spent that time at her regular, usual family home. She used private, Yahoo email addresses for the conducting of state business. She CC’d her husband on some of those emails, in spite of the fact he was not a state employee or politician. And of course, most recently, there is the small matter of her illegal defense fund. And she’s now being nailed to the wall on all of those, plus probably more.

The fun doesn’t stop there, though. Palin ended up resigning, using the various ethics complaints against her as an apparently large part of the reason she couldn’t remain in politics. Still clinging to the notion that they’re costing the state millions of dollars, in spite of the fact that’s been refuted already. She ended up saying the best thing she could do for the state of Alaska was resign to minimise the amount of money being spent on these complaints–some of which are still on-going, and some of which have already been ruled against her.

Now, though, is where it gets just a little bit confusing. She resigned her position under fire for supposed ethics violations, under a law she enacted during her time as governor. She’s still taking heat for some of those complaints, and may or may not–she still hasn’t really given us any indication of that yeet–be running for president in 2012, which would lead to about 50 billion other varieties of ethics complaints against her, among other types of criticism, I’m sure. Only now, she says she’ll be reviving her image as a champion of ethics. Maybe before you go out and start trying to educate others on that whole ethics thing, you might want to consider getting a little education for you. Quitting in the middle of your term, when people are making full use of a law you wanted to make sure you’re not doing anything naughty, isn’t exactly going to be very inspirational if you do actually intend to get back into the ethics fight. No one likes it when the rules are set against you. But they were Palin’s rules. Palin set them up. And Palin broke them. And now she wants to lead the charge for ethics reform nationally. Well, I guess anything to stay in the spotlight a little longer. Maybe we won’t have to miss her after all.

Let me be the millionth person to congratulate you. You have singlehandedly proven to us all that yes, indeed, anyone can run a government when it’s coasting on oil profits that come off a price tag above $100. You have proven that facts are optional when you’re an elected official. But most importantly, you’ve proven that you really don’t have a clue when it comes to anything outside of Alaska. Which begs the question of whether or not you really knew anything about what goes on inside Alaska.

I give you as an example, your claim that rather than look for ways to decrease your reliance on energy resources that have a tendancy to be priced well above $100, the US government should simply order that more oil be produced locally. Because, you know, there’s just such an abundance of the very things God gave us and all that. There’s just one niggling little problem with your claim, Sarah. The US uses more oil in an average year than it has locally available. In any way, shape or form. You increase oil production, you dry it up faster. You dry it up faster, you need to import more. You need to import more, the price goes right back above $100. But you knew that already, didn’t you Sarah? Sure you did. You’d have to be an idiot not to.

So, let’s ignore this whole global warming thing for about 30 seconds. Pretend like it never existed. You never heard that term. Now, let’s focus on the fact there’s probably a metric ton of proof available to you, and all you’d have to do is read, that says sooner or later, the world is going to run out of oil–it’s not water, Sarah. It’s not a renewable resource. But you knew that too, didn’t you? Sure you did. Again, you’d have to be an idiot not to.

I’m left scratching my head, then, Sarah. What’s your major problem with the idea that the government actually has the nerve to try and encourage companies, by any means necessary, to lay off the oil and such? Obviously it’s not an environmental one. And you’re no longer running Alaska so it’s not really a state issue for you. Or are you just one of those “say no because it’s an Obama proposal” type politicians? That can’t be it, though–that would be un-Amarican, wouldn’t it? Inquiring minds really would like to know. Of course, since I doubt you’ll actually read this, I’ll simply just choose to be content with the fact that mother Sarah knows best. Enjoy your break from politics, Sarah. We’ll all miss you.

Instead, it would appear Sarah Palin’s illegal defense fund may have been a case of her abusing her position. The investigation, for which there was found probable cause to continue, claims that due to her position as a public official, Palin had an advantage on the fund raising front when it came to paying for her legal bills–bills she still says she’s collected to the tune of 500000 dollars. The investigating officer went on to say she should refuse payment from her defense fund, particularly until such time as it can be decided whether or not she actually did abuse her position in order to milk 250000 dollars out of her supporters for her defense against the supposedly unwarranted ethics complaints–one of which she filed against herself. Not to put too fine a point on it, but when an attempt to defend against ethics complaints results in a potential violation of your own ethics law, you may want to think about a strategy change. Or, at least, a career change.

Sarah Palin seems to be an awefully tormented person, to hear her lawyer go on and on about how she’s having to deal with yet another ethics complaint–now totaling 20–against her. This one, according to the article–of course, the article comes from Fox News, so apply sault as needed–says that this particular complaint claims Palin received a salary as Alaska’s governor, and had members of her staff with her, during the campaign run for vice president in 2008. The complaint goes on to say this constitutes an abuse of her position as governor of Alaska.

Palin’s lawyer claims this is no different, really, than anything then Senator Obama did during his own campaign run. He also is rather insistant that she hasn’t undertaken any kind of stress or frustration over this whole mess–I believe the expression used was water off a duck’s back. Wasn’t 3 days ago that camp, mostly her plus a few friends, were crying a different tune. The one thing the two of them can seem to agree on, though, is the outrageous amount of money the state’s had to put forth to review the ethics complaints, and how much money she’s had to put forth defending against them–things that, oh yeah, she already got caught exagerating. Not to put too fine a point on it or anything, but she and her lackies really aught to get back on their collective medication. This cry for pity’s only really working with Fox News. And they seem a little out in left field anyway.

I could have swore Sarah Palin had said not all that long ago she was going to concentrate on her book deal. Of course, then she said she’d be getting back into the national scene by running for… well… whoever. And now, her supporters have managed to throw together a fund raising campaign, to the tune of $733000 so far. For someone who may or may not bother with running for president 3 years from now. I’m curious, though, about just one thing. Just what do these people think the chances of a redneck from nowhere land are of actually getting into the whitehouse? Have people not learned from that other republican redneck they were foolish enough to elect–twice? Well, whether you agree with Obama’s policies or not, assuming Palin actually manages to secure herself a nomination for 2012–and, of course, assuming that’s her intention to begin with–she might just serve to be the best, if not only, reason to reelect him. Of course, if she’s not planning to run for office, what the hell’s with all the early fund raising? Does she have another ethics complaint she needs to pay for?

That’s Sarah Palin’s latest claim, which was reportedly posted today on her Twitter account. The post in question referenced what she calls a statement by her chief of staff escentially calling those who filed complaints against her a bunch of meanies–only done slightly more professionally. That statement also reasserts Palin’s claim that significant amounts of money are being poured into these ethics complaints–something that’s already been proven as false. Without beating this thing to death, I’ll just make one suggestion. Rather than rewrite the rules, how about people in charge start following them? Since this current ethics policy was a Sarah Palin idea, one would think she’d be a little more inclined to stay within it. But then, we’re talking about Sarah Palin. Rule, meet exception.

Apparently the model for politics south of the border has become one of maybe, maybe not. And this episode of maybe, maybe not still focuses in on the soon to be former Alaska governor. The claim now is she may or may not have resigned for the money, and that she may or may not plan to run for president. Or, that she may or may not have decided to resign not for the good of Alaska, but for the good of Sarah Palin.

The latest person to say she resigned for the money is Levi Johnston, also known as the former fiance to Palin’s oldest daughter–who, for whatever reason I could care less about, was given the royal boot from the Palin household after her attempt at the vice presidencial job got shot in the rear end. Of course, Palin–or rather, Palin’s spokesperson–is insisting that’s not it at all. Rather, that camp’s continuing to trumpet the fact that ethics complaints–one of which she filed on her self–were sucking up millions of dollars in state funds–also proven to be false. But, they’re clinging to that claim, false or not.

For my sake, the only thing I can really come up with to respond to it is who cares? Palin resigned. Or, rather, is resigning. She’s reaching for every last crum of media attention she can get pre-resignation. And they’re giving it to her. Hell, she’s not even out of office yet and the Palin faithful, assisted by Fox News, are already preparing her 2012 nomination speech. The only thing the reasonable majority can hope for, and it may be a stretch to do even that, is that after her end of July resignation the spotlight that seems to be permanently above her head gets switched off. Of course, in the event it doesn’t, the second best thing we can hope for is she gives us yet more soundbites with which to spend the next 3 days mocking her. I wouldn’t complain about that, either.

Update: The maybe maybe not approach seems to be just perfect for the governor of Texas, who wants Palin to campaign with him for reelection. Anyone feel like placing bets?

That’s certainly the impression when you look at a lot of news papers and websites this morning. Many wonder if Palin even has enough left in the tank to actually survive what she’s effectively brought on herself. And a few have even gone so far as to argue there’s no way. She’s more than likely damaged her political career with an early departure from her position as Alaska’s governor, neverminding the fact that her reasons for doing so–criticism by media and others, ethics complaints, etc–would likely only get worse were she to actually run for president in 2012, to the point now that nomination for president would more than likely secure another democrat victory.

Palin has been rather endlessly criticised, by republican loyalists and not-so-loyalists alike for both the way she carried herself in the 2008 election, as well as her early and, some would say cowardly, resignation from her Alaska post. The fact that she came off as not really understanding a whole lot of anything didn’t exactly help her situation either. But what’s making many scratch their heads is the post-announcement Sarah.

In this case, the post-announcement-Sarah is almost giving the appearance of looking for attention, as after her resignation announcement, she became very active on both Twitter and Facebook, as well as courting the media even more so than before–I believe there was a vague mention of a fishing trip over the weekend? When you look at all of that, it’s not hard to see why it is many journalists are now thinking Sarah Palin for president would probably result in political suicide. And they’re not alone. Even the voters, now, are thinking maybe she’s not exactly choice numero uno for running one of the most powerful countries in the world. With feedback like that, it’s hard to see Palin making a run at the whitehouse. Granted, she still has some support, and I’m sure if she decides that’s something she wants to pursue her supporters will certainly see that it happens–I just can’t sit here and say it’d be the best idea she’s ever had. It most asuredly won’t be the best idea the republican party’s ever had. And that may not go well in 2012.

Update: If Sarah thought an announcement of resignation would quiet those calling for her head, she was so sadly mistaken I wanna cry. Seems she still has to defend herself from a half ton of those complaints. Guess she didn’t run fast enough.

An article posted to the Fox News website begs the question of just how far into the realm of epic failure the US political system will actually fall. Andrea Tantaros, of Fox News, has effectively branded Sarah Palin as the new face of the US’s conservative movement. And, um, why? Okay, so she’s not bailed out the auto sector. She’s not driven the country into debt. She’s also not in the whitehouse. And before the pro-Palin bandwagon pulls up outside my front door, let me just remind the apparently forgetful that she already took a crack at being elected. Yes, it was for vice president. Be thankful. Had she took a run at being president, she’d of gotten herself stomped probably 3 times as bad. Why? The girl doesn’t have a clue. At all.

Over the weekend, Palin resigned as Alaska’s governor. When asked what she’d do instead, she didn’t know. And then she accused everyone who didn’t agree with her decision to resign of having a double standard. She blames ethics investigations and supposed insults thrown at her from reporters and other such critics for her resignation. And then there’s speculation she wants to run for president. Am I missing something here?

If you can’t, as a state governor, or Canada’s equivalent provincial premier, handle criticisms thrown at you from those who aren’t in complete agreement with you, why would you be so stupid as to take another running shot at the whitehouse? That makes about as much sense as George Bush being elected for a second term. And I shook my head at that, too.

I won’t take a shot at Palin’s apparent lack of world knowledge. Nor will I take a shot at her seeming lack of understanding of exactly what the vice president’s role actually is. Because at the end of the day, none of that matters. She resigned from state politics citing criticism. And she may or may not take another shot at federal politics, thus bringing forth yet more criticism. Which she said herself she can’t handle. Sarah, if you want to stay home and raise your family, great. Please do. If you want to even go about the business of writing a best-selling book, go nuts. I may even get my hands on a copy. Just please, for the love of god, stay the hell away from the whitehouse. You don’t know what you’re doing. And every day, it shows.

Update: Hey, Andrea? I invite you to dispute.

Folks on both sides of the Canada/US border were sort of half shaking their heads after Sarah Palin proceeded to both resign as Alaska’s governor and somehow provoke speculation of an eventual bid at the whitehouse (do I hear 2012?). And this article posted on a Chicago Tribune blog pretty well nails it re: why that is. Sadly, I don’t think Palin reads the Chicago Tribune. Or this blog. But I’ll spell it out in plain terms anyway, because it’s the only way I might be able to wrap my head around why it is folks find it easy to jump on the “Sarah would make a good president” bandwagon.

The girl has virtually no political experience. Like, at all. I mean, yes, she ran for vice president in the 2008 election. And ran herself off a cliff. And now she’s not even Alaska’s governor as of last week. Sarah, my dear, I really hate to say it, but could you do much worse if you tried? Quite probably… well… not.