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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:
<dl>
<dd>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.
</dl>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>
<blockquote type=cite class=cite cite="">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" eudora="autourl">
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" eudora="autourl">
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> <br>
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