[Vision2020] Palin and library books

Tue Sep 9 13:23:34 PDT 2008

Jeff Harkins wrote:

"Of course, you have overlooked the fact that it has been reported that a
constituent (or group of constituents) had asked her what the procedure was
for challenging the book inventory.  As a proper role for an elected
official, she researched the issue (with the librarian, as I am to
understand) and informed the constituent of the procedure and protocol for
challenging the book inventory."

I think you must be confused, Jeff:  what constituents?  There's nothing in
the official record to support Palin's explanation of her behavior, and not
a single person came forward at the time (or since) to support Palin's tale.
Her claim is nothing more than wholly unsubstantiated rather than "the fact"
you want us to believe.

Now, if you want to start believing the claims of politicians scrambling to
cover their tracks absent any proof, you go right ahead and do so - and let
us know how that works out for you.  And, I'm sure you'll be objective about
it and extend your folly to both sides of the aisle  J

Also, your above recounting of events is quite a bit different than all the
accounts I've read, so please cite your source.

Further, I'm surprised  to know that you think informing make-believe
constituents about how to pursue book banning is a legitimate role of an
elected official.  I'm happy for the eye-opening information and will
gratefully keep that in mind!

Jeff Harkins also wrote:

"Cut to the chase - contact Kim Garnero, Alaska State Finance Director,
whose responsibilities include expense reimbursement for state employees."

Here you go:

http://tinyurl.com/5nffv8

Palin Billed State for Nights Spent at Home

Taxpayers Also Funded Family's Travel

By
<http://projects.washingtonpost.com/staff/email/james+v.+grimaldi+and+karl+v
ick/> James V. Grimaldi and Karl Vick

Washington Post Staff Writers 
Tuesday, September 9, 2008; Page A01

"Asked Monday about the official policy on charging for children's travel
expenses, Garnero said: "We cover the expenses of anyone who's conducting
state business. I can't imagine kids could be doing that."

However, the article also informs us:

"In separate filings, the state was billed about $25,000 for Palin's
daughters' expenses and $19,000 for her husband's. 

Flights topped the list for the most expensive items, and the daughter whose
bill was the highest was Piper, 7, whose flights cost nearly $11,000, while
Willow, 14, claimed about $6,000 and Bristol, 17, accounted for about
$3,400."

The article goes on to say:

"But Leighow said many of the hundreds of invitations Palin receives include
requests for her to bring her family, placing the definition of "state
business" with the party extending the invitation."

To which a reasonable fiscally-minded person would maintain that those
requesting the governor to bring her family be the ones to foot the bill,
rather than the taxpayers.  But, not Palin - she seems to view her "official
duties" as justification for her family members to take nifty vacations on
the backs of hard-working taxpayers, something we should all keep in mind
given that McCain has repeatedly said attending funerals is one of the VP's
main duties.

Perhaps Palin is against government pork and excess only when she & her
family don't stand to personally benefit from them?  For Palin, maybe it's
OK if you bilk we-the-people a little instead of a lot like her predecessor?

Personally, I have a big problem with government paying for the travel
expenses of our elected officials' children to see the sights -- I don't
think family fun trips should be paid by the taxpayers.  But, I'm just
middle America  J  I'm personally am eager to see the spin Palin supporters
will use to try to explain this away . . . and to see precisely how far
they're willing to sell out their values to accommodate Palin's blatant
schizophrenic contradictions.

Saundra Lund

Moscow, ID

The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good people to do
nothing.

~ Edmund Burke

***** Original material contained herein is Copyright 2008 through life plus
70 years, Saundra Lund.  Do not copy, forward, excerpt, or reproduce outside
the Vision 2020 forum without the express written permission of the
author.*****

From: Jeff Harkins [mailto:jeffh at moscow.com] 
Sent: Tuesday, September 09, 2008 10:08 AM
To: Saundra Lund
Cc: vision2020 at moscow.com
Subject: Re: [Vision2020] Palin and library books

Of course, you have overlooked the fact that it has been reported that a
constituent (or group of constituents) had asked her what the procedure was
for challenging the book inventory.  As a proper role for an elected
official, she researched the issue (with the librarian, as I am to
understand) and informed the constituent of the procedure and protocol for
challenging the book inventory.

What is a bit murky, the librarian - reportedly a democrat - chose to use
the incident in a political move.

Perhaps we will learn more about this.

>From a cynical perspective, I do hope that the pundits, the democrats, the
liberals, the far left and others continue to attack Gov Sarah Palin on
family and personal issues.  These petty attacks on her character, her
religion, her children go a long way to raising her visibility with the
voting public.  

Even the demo candidate Sen Obama has asked for the personal attacks to
stop. That hasn't seemed to stop the tenor and vitriol of the attacks.
Obama doesn't seem to have much control over those elements.

Are the issues not relevant?  Maybe we could talk about Biden's 3 sector
plan for Iraq.  How does Palin feel about that? Perhaps we could explore the
VPs' positions on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.  What about education - both
candidates have a record of positions on education.

Raise the bar, please.  A recent post (by Hansen) insinuating that Palin was
inappropriately using state funds for travel and overnight stays, and using
her home for overnight reimbursement.  This kind of penmanship terror should
stop - Hansen should know better - his tactics are an insult to our locals .
You folks are all better than this - and smart enough to ask penetrating and
relevant questions.

There are numerous articles and newsreports, fully researched, that would
reveal the "real story" about Palin's expense reimbursements.  Cut to the
chase - contact Kim Garnero, Alaska State Finance Director, whose
responsibilities include expense reimbursement for state employees.

Thanks.

t 04:16 PM 9/7/2008, you wrote:

Content-type: multipart/alternative;
         boundary="----=_NextPart_000_0515_01C91105.069D71A0"
Content-language: en-us

While there's no doubt that Palin discussed (a discussion she's subsequently
labeled "rhetorical") banning books with the City's librarian, the book list
below canNOT be attributed to Palin.  Its origins seems to be this:
http://www.adlerbooks.com/banned.html

The specific titles of books Palin was interested in banning is of no
interest to me; of great interest and concern to me is that banning books
was a topic in which Palin had any interest and tells me a great deal about
her.

Saundra Lund
Moscow, ID

The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good people to do
nothing.
~ Edmund Burke

***** Original material contained herein is Copyright 2008 through life plus
70 years, Saundra Lund.  Do not copy, forward, excerpt, or reproduce outside
the Vision 2020 forum without the express written permission of the
author.*****

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