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<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>I
wrote:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>“</span><span
style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Also, your above
recounting of events is quite a bit different than all the accounts I’ve
read, so please cite your source.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>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 </span><span
style='font-family:Wingdings;color:#1F497D'>J</span><span style='font-family:
"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>As
for the rest of your screed, LOL – what’s the matter, Jeff:
are you upset that I’m focusing on the <b>issues</b> rather than on the personalities
the spin docs think will win this election?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>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 </span><span style='font-family:Wingdings;
color:#1F497D'>J</span><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'> 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
</span><span style='font-family:Wingdings;color:#1F497D'>J</span><span
style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Jeff
Harkins wrote:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>“</span>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 . . . ”<span
style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>LOL
– and it seems crystal clear to me that you can’t handle the heat
of Palin being examined <b>on the issues</b> rather than on her personality or her
ability to deliver basically the same carefully scripted speech over and over
and over again.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Actually,
I find it quite telling that you trot out your vitriol when I bring up <b>issues</b>
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.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>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. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>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.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>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.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>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!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>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.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>I
could go on and on and on about the <b>issues</b> rather than the
personalities, but I really don’t want you to whip yourself into a frothy
frenzy again.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Jeff
Harkins also suggested:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>“</span>try
picking an issue - say economic development and see how she has performed as a
Mayor and a Governor in that realm”<span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>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.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>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 <b>history</b>
seemingly puts her at odds with McCain’s pledge to end special interests.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>Saundra Lund<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>Moscow, ID<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good
people to do nothing.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>~ Edmund Burke<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>***** 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.*****<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<div>
<div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>From:</span></b><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'> Jeff Harkins
[mailto:jeffh@moscow.com] <br>
<b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, September 09, 2008 3:23 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> Saundra Lund<br>
<b>Cc:</b> vision2020@moscow.com<br>
<b>Subject:</b> RE: [Vision2020] Palin and library books<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>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.<br>
<br>
I have seen no evidence that she is scrambling to cover her tracks. Do
you have some?<br>
<br>
What is clear (from the AK Main Library Association) no books have been
banned.<br>
<br>
Wouldn't you want your elected officials to be fully informed about proposed
policies from a department they were responsible for.<br>
<br>
You, somewhat sanctimoniously, declare: <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'>of <b>great</b> interest and
concern to me is that banning books was a topic in which Palin had <b>any</b>
interest and tells me a great deal about her. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>What exactly does it tell you? Are there no books that
should be taken off the shelf?<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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. <br>
<br>
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. <br>
<br>
Your "sky is falling" strategy is boorish and painful.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
Anyway, I'm done. I will wait for the appropriate officials to release
their findings.<br>
<br>
At 01:23 PM 9/9/2008, you wrote:<br>
<br>
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Jeff Harkins wrote:<br>
“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.”<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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<br>
<br>
Also, your above recounting of events is quite a bit different than all the
accounts I’ve read, so please cite your source.<br>
<br>
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!<br>
<br>
Jeff Harkins also wrote:<br>
“Cut to the chase - contact Kim Garnero, Alaska State Finance Director,
whose responsibilities include expense reimbursement for state
employees.”<br>
<br>
Here you go:<br>
<a href="http://tinyurl.com/5nffv8">http://tinyurl.com/5nffv8</a><br>
Palin Billed State for Nights Spent at Home<br>
<b>Taxpayers Also Funded Family's Travel<br>
</b>By <a
href="http://projects.washingtonpost.com/staff/email/james+v.+grimaldi+and+karl+vick/">James
V. Grimaldi and Karl Vick</a><br>
Washington Post Staff Writers <br>
Tuesday, September 9, 2008; Page A01<br>
<br>
“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."<br>
<br>
However, the article also informs us:<br>
“In separate filings, the state was billed about $25,000 for Palin's
daughters' expenses and $19,000 for her husband's. <br>
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.”<br>
<br>
The article goes on to say:<br>
“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.”<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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?<br>
<br>
Personally, I have a <b>big</b> 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.<br>
<br>
<br>
Saundra Lund<br>
Moscow, ID<br>
<br>
The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good people to do
nothing.<br>
~ Edmund Burke<br>
<br>
<b>***** 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.*****<br>
</b> <br>
<b>From:</b> Jeff Harkins [<a href="mailto:jeffh@moscow.com">
mailto:jeffh@moscow.com</a>] <br>
<b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, September 09, 2008 10:08 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> Saundra Lund<br>
<b>Cc:</b> vision2020@moscow.com<br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [Vision2020] Palin and library books<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
What is a bit murky, the librarian - reportedly a democrat - chose to use the
incident in a political move.<br>
<br>
Perhaps we will learn more about this.<br>
<br>
>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. <br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
Thanks.<br>
<br>
t 04:16 PM 9/7/2008, you wrote:<br>
<br>
Content-type: multipart/alternative;<br>
boundary="----=_NextPart_000_0515_01C91105.069D71A0"<br>
Content-language: en-us<br>
<br>
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:<br>
<a href="http://www.adlerbooks.com/banned.html">http://www.adlerbooks.com/banned.html</a><br>
<br>
The specific titles of books Palin was interested in banning is of no interest
to me; of <b>great</b> interest and concern to me is that banning books was a
topic in which Palin had <b>any</b> interest and tells me a great deal about
her.<br>
<br>
<br>
Saundra Lund<br>
Moscow, ID<br>
<br>
The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good people to do
nothing.<br>
~ Edmund Burke<br>
<br>
<b>***** 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.*****<br>
</b> <o:p></o:p></p>
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