[Vision2020] Palin and library books

[Saundra Lund]

I wrote:

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

 

Do you have some deeply-held aversion to providing cites requested of you?
Don't you want us to be able to critically evaluate the veracity of your
sources and statements?  Or, do you expect us to just take your word for it?
Not too likely  J

 

As for the rest of your screed, LOL - what's the matter, Jeff:  are you
upset that I'm focusing on the issues rather than on the personalities the
spin docs think will win this election?

 

Guess what?  You don't get to tell the rest of us what issues are - or
should be - important in evaluating the fitness of any candidate.  Good try,
though  J  I can't blame you for giving it a shot when you clearly recognize
that's the only rational approach available to you.  You're enchanted with
Palin's personality - bully for you.  I prefer to choose my candidates based
on the issues.  And, that's the flaw as I see it with the Republican spin
docs' strategy:  they're selling the American people short if they think
they can substitute fluff for facts for too long, post-RNC bounce
notwithstanding.  But, only time will tell  J

 

Jeff Harkins wrote:

"It seems ever more clear to me that you would go to almost any length to
discredit Gov. Palin. . . to engage in the kind of destructive dialogue that
you are pandering on this engaging and successful candidate . . . "

 

LOL - and it seems crystal clear to me that you can't handle the heat of
Palin being examined on the issues rather than on her personality or her
ability to deliver basically the same carefully scripted speech over and
over and over again.

 

Actually, I find it quite telling that you trot out your vitriol when I
bring up issues you know the American people are going to have concerns
about with Palin and that tarnish the imaginary persona you sooo desperately
want us to buy.

 

Fact:  Palin has an interest in censorship I find repugnant.  You can try to
spin the multiple discussions initiated by Palin on book banning until you
make yourself dizzy, but you're not going to change the minds of people like
me who believe that censorship is wrong.  

 

Fact:  Palin is campaigning at least partly on a claim for small government
and fiscal conservatism, claims her record don't support.  I don't need any
"investigation" to tell me that just because you can get away with taking
money from the taxpayers' pockets for living in your own home and for taking
your family on "official" trips cum vacations doesn't mean that you should
do it.  That's not what fiscal conservatism means to me or to millions of
other average Americans.

 

Fact:  while mayor, Palin supported the policy of charging rape victims for
the evidence collection costs of forensics exams, a policy peculiar to
Wasilla necessitating statewide legislation to prevent this travesty.  That
matters to me . . . it matters a whole lot.

 

Fact:  Palin's environmental record is completely unacceptable to people
like me who value the environment in its own right rather than solely as a
means to the end of lining pockets.  "Drill, baby, drill" isn't a smart
mantra for an administration that's got a pathetic record of handling the
existing problems.  More accurate and appropriate would the mantra of
Alaska's own environmentalists' description of Palin's environmental
policies:  "Cut, kill, dig, and drill."  But, I guess that wouldn't get her
too many of those swing votes she was brought to the ticket to provide!

 

Fact:  Palin continues to tell the tall tale about how she sold the state
jet on eBay, a claim that's been factually proven to be false.  Why does she
continue to be dishonest?  Most of us care about honesty and don't want to
vote for a candidate we know from the get-go is less that truthful and will
change facts just to make the story sell better.

 

I could go on and on and on about the issues rather than the personalities,
but I really don't want you to whip yourself into a frothy frenzy again.

 

Jeff Harkins also suggested:

"try picking an issue - say economic development and see how she has
performed as a Mayor and a Governor in that realm"

 

Well, since she's a VP candidate, I'm a lot more concerned about her
economic illiteracy as evidenced by her Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac
commentary <shaking my head> yesterday.  Palin is clearly scarily clueless
about some pretty important economic issues facing this country.

 

And, you know as well as I, Jeff, that there are plenty of good people in
Alaska who pretty compellingly make the case that some of Palin's "economic
development" ideas didn't quite work out for her and others succeeded only
at making the rich get richer at great cost to  the environment.  Indeed, I
think a valid statement is that Palin's economic development history
seemingly puts her at odds with McCain's pledge to end special interests.

 

 

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 3:23 PM
To: Saundra Lund
Cc: vision2020 at moscow.com
Subject: RE: [Vision2020] Palin and library books

 

Well, fortunately, the issue is being investigated, ad nauseum, and I am
sure we will have a rather clear picture of what actually happened.  Is was
reported today that the Municipal Library had initiated (at the time of the
incident) a revision of the then stated "book challenge" policies.  Perhaps
a citizen wanted to be sure that the library was pursuing "acceptable"
challenge policies. It could very well be that Palin intervened to be more
informed about the issue before it became divisive.

I have seen no evidence that she is scrambling to cover her tracks.  Do you
have some?

What is clear (from the AK Main Library Association)  no books have been
banned.

Wouldn't you want your elected officials to be fully informed about proposed
policies from a department they were responsible for.

You, somewhat sanctimoniously, declare: 

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. 

What exactly does it tell you?  Are there no books that should be taken off
the shelf?

It seems ever more clear to me that you would go to almost any length to
discredit Gov. Palin.  You know, it is one thing to conclude how you intend
to vote - you do get one vote, just like the rest of us.  It is quite
another to engage in the kind of destructive dialogue that you are pandering
on this engaging and successful candidate - presumably with the intent of
persuading others to vote for your candidate.

For example, rather than speculate about Gov. Palin's intent and involvement
in the book ban issue, why don't you simply make your case to the
appropriate AK officials and then wait for the investigation. 

Same line of thinking applies to the expense reimbursements.  From the AK
press, it is evident that the fiscal affairs folks in AK government are
reviewing those expenses. Wait for their report, then read and disseminate
their findings.   

Your "sky is falling" strategy is boorish and painful.

OTOH - I could encourage you to continue your "unfounded assertions"
outbursts.  It does seem that the more the left uses this tactic to attack
Gov. Palin, the more folks show their support for her.

In the meanwhile, try picking an issue - say economic development and see
how she has performed as a Mayor and a Governor in that realm.  Lots of
facts about that one.

Anyway, I'm done.  I will wait for the appropriate officials to release
their findings.

At 01:23 PM 9/9/2008, you wrote:



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 James
<http://projects.washingtonpost.com/staff/email/james+v.+grimaldi+and+karl+v
ick/>  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>  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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