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2008-08-31 Home Front: Politix

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Posted by Bobby 2008-08-31 07:56|| || Front Page|| [11141 views ] Top

#1 This is much ado about nothing. She saw a problem and acted as a Governor instead of trying to cover for a family member.

Good on her. No wonder the establish beltway boys are afraid of her.

Posted by DarthVader 2008-08-31 08:07|| 2008-08-31 08:07|| Front Page Top

#2 ""Wooten's words were, 'I will kill him. He'll eat a [expletive] lead bullet, I'll shoot him,' if our father got the attorney to help Molly," Palin said in an e-mail she wrote in August 2005 to the chief of the state police. "I heard this death threat, my 16-year-old son heard it (Track Palin), Molly heard it, as did their small children."

Good on her. That this action can even be twisted into an issue of beltway-style "ethics" shows that Sarah Palin has all the EXPERIENCE she needs. That is, real life experience.

Posted by Slats Glans2659 2008-08-31 08:32|| 2008-08-31 08:32|| Front Page Top

#3 The greatest power comes from not needing to be in power. Palin could go back to being a 'hockey mon', manager of the family fishing company, chief fan of a world-champion racing husband etc. and be fine with herself. That scares the establishments of both parties to their roots, I suspect.

Posted by lotp 2008-08-31 08:33|| 2008-08-31 08:33|| Front Page Top

#4 To be perfectly blunt, I'm not sure why a smart person with all Palin has going for her would want to take the job unless it truly is for love of country. I've been both places and I'd far sooner live in Alaska than D.C. What is more, I'm sure that Alaska would be far better for my family and I KNOW that's important for Palin.

It's all too clear that for many living inside the Beltway, reality and perception seem to become suspended/different. It seems sometimes like powerful people there act as if they were wearing the One Ring. I'd be concerned for myself in that snakepit, much less for spouse and children.

I'm grateful she's willing to serve since I believe it to be a sacrifice. She's going to be very good for the country; I sincerely hope she doesn't come to regret her decision because of the personal costs to her and her family.

What is her husband going to do in D.C.?

Posted by Jolutch Mussolini7800 2008-08-31 09:02|| 2008-08-31 09:02|| Front Page Top

#5 Has she committed to move her family?

Posted by Nimble Spemble 2008-08-31 09:37|| 2008-08-31 09:37|| Front Page Top

#6 I suspect they'll work that out fine. Not to say that there won't be hard choices, but remember: he has worked the north slope oil fields for years and that's a hell of a commute as well.

The kids will - at a guess, and they might do something quite different - spend time both in DC and with the grandparents, who sound sane and well connected to reality. Hillary likes to say that it takes a village to raise a child, but what she really means is that it takes bureaucrats. The Palins come from a place where family and village actually are at the center of life.

Posted by lotp 2008-08-31 09:38|| 2008-08-31 09:38|| Front Page Top

#7 Has she committed to move her family?

Why would she make any commitment publicly, one way or the other, until after the election? Folks, we should wish the Palins well and support them but it's a trap to focus discussion of Sarah Palin's VP candidacy on family issues.

God, I am soooooo tired of people who use that to deflect conversation away from policies, leadership and the job itself when a woman is under consideration. Not to say that people here are doing that but the femlibs are out in force banging that drum. Let's not do it for them, 'kay?

Posted by lotp 2008-08-31 09:42|| 2008-08-31 09:42|| Front Page Top

#8 cingold told me that "well, the oldest son and daughter are adults, and Mr. Palin's job is to take care of the two youngest girls and the baby--which he totally CAN DO, while Sarah is being VP." Plus, the eldest daughter will probably help with the baby is my guess. I was worried for them last night because DC is so yucky, but look on the grizzly bear link on rantburg today, and there is a picture of their family. cingold thinks they'll be just fine, so I'm going with that.

Plus, the Trooper sounds like a total jerk, dangerous, abusive. According to wikipedia, he also tazed his 11-year-old son. The person who is heading up the "investigation" is a democrat in government. Go figure.

Posted by ex-lib 2008-08-31 10:39|| 2008-08-31 10:39|| Front Page Top

#9 I asked a question of fact because it appeared to me that everyone was making an assumption that it was a fact. And family issues are not irrelevant, especially when contemplating a job change or a hire.

Posted by Nimble Spemble 2008-08-31 10:55|| 2008-08-31 10:55|| Front Page Top

#10 Had Col. Grimes done the correct thing, as in, arresting his sorry ass, no one would have needed to call anyone regarding this guy.

I have heard of officers losing their right to carry under VAWA and getting busted for far less than he has done. Col. Grimes and her subordinates simply didn't care enough to enforce the law and make it happen.

Posted by Swamp Blondie in the Cornfields 2008-08-31 11:00|| 2008-08-31 11:00|| Front Page Top

#11 Understood - they are relevant to her and the family. Somewhat but a lot less so to us, I would argue.

Posted by lotp 2008-08-31 11:01|| 2008-08-31 11:01|| Front Page Top

#12 I asked a question of fact because it appeared to me that everyone was making an assumption that it was a fact. And family issues are not irrelevant, especially when contemplating a job change or a hire.

You are absolutely correct, NS. That's why I appreciate that you brought up this issue in previous discussions about Senators McCain, Obama and Biden.

Posted by Swamp Blondie in the Cornfields 2008-08-31 11:03|| 2008-08-31 11:03|| Front Page Top

#13 That last was in response to NS, sorry. And it's JMO, but as a woman I'm pretty sensitive to those issues becoming the focus when discussing a woman in a potential executive slot.

Posted by lotp 2008-08-31 11:02|| 2008-08-31 11:02|| Front Page Top

#14 It is not less relevant to us as the hirer. Less important, perhaps. But we deserve to know if there are any constraints on her ability to perform on the job.

I think this is a big deal for her. Does she want to bring her family into the cesspool of DC for 4 years? Or will she be a mom in absentia? Does hubby tie up the boat for four years? It's a tough call. I'm not saying there's a right answer nor that I know what it is. But how she identifies evaluates the important factors are important insights into her decision making process that everyone can identify with.

We don't elect policies, we elect people. And we elect them for very human reasons.

Posted by Nimble Spemble 2008-08-31 11:10|| 2008-08-31 11:10|| Front Page Top

#15 And how exactly would you evaluate her if she DID give you a 3 sentence statement of her intent ahead of the election, NS?

Sure: character and judgement matter. There were many times when I as a hiring executive would have loved to know exactly how someone would respond to tough tradeoffs. But the proof isn't in the words they say, nor even necessarily in the course of action they announce. It's in the way in which it is carried out, which you don't find out until after the hire is made.

Look at how she and her husband have managed their family so far, including in Juno. Look at her overall judgement and character.

And then focus on her stance on VP level issues. You either do or do not trust her to make good family choices -- and frankly, I doubt you have the insight to judge those if you did have data ahead of the election.

Posted by lotp 2008-08-31 11:14|| 2008-08-31 11:14|| Front Page Top

#16 I'm glad we can rely on your insight.

Posted by Nimble Spemble 2008-08-31 11:15|| 2008-08-31 11:15|| Front Page Top

#17 By which I mean that none of us have that insight. That last comment of mine wasn't addressed to you specifically but to what can and cannot be judged in these cases.

Look: she and her husband could make any of several choices about the kids and could make it work. Or not make it work. And there is no way to predict that for sure. Judge her overall character and then let's move onto policy issues please.

Posted by lotp 2008-08-31 11:16|| 2008-08-31 11:16|| Front Page Top

#18 And if it sounds as if I have a personal stake in this thread, well I do. I spent over 27 years competing for leadership jobs in industry. I got really really tired of people who were far less interested in what I would do as VP, executive VP or COO than in where my kid went to school and whether Mr. Lotp would come to corporate social functions.

Curiously, my male competitors never seemed to get the same questions.

Posted by lotp 2008-08-31 11:18|| 2008-08-31 11:18|| Front Page Top

#19 "I think this is a big deal for her. Does she want to bring her family into the cesspool of DC for 4 years? Or will she be a mom in absentia? Does hubby tie up the boat for four years?"

And I think she and "hubby" are adults and can (and already have, before she accepted the nomination) made those decisions - and a whole lot more.

BO also has young children and a spouse who works. When was the last time anybody asked of BO whether he was going to uproot his kids and move them to the D.C. cesspool if he gets elected, or what his wife was going to do about her job?

When people start asking him those questions, then I'll consider similar questions fair game for Governor Palin. Until then, it's ye olde double standard. And I'm sick of it.

Posted by Barbara Skolaut">Barbara Skolaut 2008-08-31 11:21|| http://ariellestjohndesigns.com/]">[http://ariellestjohndesigns.com/] 2008-08-31 11:21|| Front Page Top

#20
Flopping Aces has an incredible timeline on this alledged 'scandal'.

I see desperation on the Democrat's side.

Posted by CrazyFool 2008-08-31 11:21|| 2008-08-31 11:21|| Front Page Top

#21 I agree Barb. Contrast the MSM's jumping on this non-event with the MSM's absolute refusal to even mention BO's links to an unrepentant terrorist, and a convicted felon and who knows who else.

Double Standard indeed.

Posted by CrazyFool 2008-08-31 11:35|| 2008-08-31 11:35|| Front Page Top

#22 AND ... it's on the front page of The Washington Post. BIG news, indeed!

Posted by Bobby 2008-08-31 11:53|| 2008-08-31 11:53|| Front Page Top

#23 Why stop there, NS?

Do you want to know what she uses for birth control, too? If it fails, would she be willing to schedule a c-section so that her "problem" won't interfere with important national business? What does her husband do all day, anyway.....sit on his butt, watching soaps and popping bonbons?

First rule of digging a hole.....know when to stop digging......and you are violating it, big time. Unless you are willing to ask the other candidates the same questions, which I don't recall you ever doing on the 'burg, you really should stop now.

Posted by Swamp Blondie in the Cornfields 2008-08-31 12:02|| 2008-08-31 12:02|| Front Page Top

#24 This whole thing is a result of a CRIMINAL state ttropper and the head of the trooper's refusal to really do anythign substantive.

ANd note - almost all this action was well BEFORE Palin was elected. SHe was a private citizen trying to dealwiht a state trooper that had made a death threat against her father.
After she took office, she tried to clean house on the corruption ninthe trooper office.

The main person who elected to leave government there (he was offered another positon) has been cuahgt lying about "pressure" from people to fire that officer.

All in all, this is nothing.

The WaPo is putting this front page?

Where's the front page for the other scandals Obama has been involved in - the lawsuits to silence critics, the arrest of news reporters showing the Dem Fat Cats, etc?

BIAS.

Posted by OldSpook 2008-08-31 12:17|| 2008-08-31 12:17|| Front Page Top

#25 Where's the front page for the other scandals Obama has been involved in - the lawsuits to silence critics, the arrest of news reporters showing the Dem Fat Cats, etc?

BIAS

I concur Old Spook
Thru and Thru Bias!

Posted by Red Dawg">Red Dawg 2008-08-31 13:15|| 2008-08-31 13:15|| Front Page Top

#26 agree. No front page scandal for Obama or Michele Obama re: Rezko, Ayers, their work on the Anneberg Education committees or their black seperatist church, etc. etc., etc.

WAPO and the rest of the MSM shot their wad a long time ago and conservatives don't care what they say anymore. The only thing the MSM can do now is hope that their own choir will stick around to hear them preach.

Posted by Betty Grating2215 2008-08-31 16:03|| 2008-08-31 16:03|| Front Page Top

#27 When there's no difference between a father and a mother I'll agree.

Posted by Nimble Spemble 2008-08-31 17:31|| 2008-08-31 17:31|| Front Page Top

#28 God, I am soooooo tired of people who use that to deflect conversation away from policies, leadership and the job itself when a woman is under consideration

ditto that. So, Nimble, is it your contention that father's are not worthy to raise children if mother's are the major breadwinner in the family? What exactly is it that you have a problem with in regards to it being a woman moving her family from Alaska v/s a man?

Posted by Betty Grating2215 2008-08-31 18:14|| 2008-08-31 18:14|| Front Page Top

#29 I'd say NS hates men, and wymyns!

/backs slowly away from the thread and runs before the fuse goes off

sorry NS ;-)

Posted by Frank G">Frank G 2008-08-31 18:17|| 2008-08-31 18:17|| Front Page Top

#30 Imma hidin' behind this big rock.

Posted by Deacon Blues">Deacon Blues 2008-08-31 18:27|| 2008-08-31 18:27|| Front Page Top

#31 OK, NS, you lost me there.

Are you implying somehow that men aren't as capable of caring for a child as a man is? Because if you are, you just insulted my father, and my brother (who incidentally shares the child raising duties for a Downs Syndrome child with my sister-in-law....he does it 100% on his days off so my sister-in-law gets a break), not to mention other men I know who have stepped up to the plate and done an admirable job raising children.

Posted by Swamp Blondie in the Cornfields 2008-08-31 18:28|| 2008-08-31 18:28|| Front Page Top

#32 Crap....I meant to say,"men aren't as capable of caring for a child as a woman is?"

Too much caffeine today.....

Posted by Swamp Blondie in the Cornfields 2008-08-31 18:30|| 2008-08-31 18:30|| Front Page Top

#33 When my wife died, my youngest had just turned 16. That is a time when a young woman needs her mother. I had to fill in. She is now 24, is engaged to a wonderful young man, has a saving's account, a steady job, and I would like to think I had something to do with it.

Posted by Deacon Blues">Deacon Blues 2008-08-31 18:35|| 2008-08-31 18:35|| Front Page Top

#34 Gee, and here I've been thinking that the slew of dual-military-career couples I know well were raising a gaggle of incredibly smart, well-adjusted and productive kids while alternating 6-18 month deployments in theater.

I'll have to let these O3s, O4s, O5s and O6s (and a few senior warrant officers) know that they're not doing it right according to NS. I'm sure it will cause them to seriously re-evaluate their career and childraising decisions, throw out the carefully selected au pairs and welcomed grandparents living with them and get with the NS program.

Only the women, of course .... in fact, they should probably just resign their commissions right now. A couple of 'em probably should send back their medals too. And their senior aviator badges.

Posted by lotp 2008-08-31 18:35|| 2008-08-31 18:35|| Front Page Top

#35 I'm saying two parents are best. But most women are better rearing kids than most men. That's not the deck we're all dealt and some make the choice to do it the other way 'round and it works better for them. But all other things being equal, yeah, for most mothers do a better job rearing kids.

Posted by Your supervisor 2008-08-31 18:38|| 2008-08-31 18:38|| Front Page Top

#36 Blew that cover.

Posted by Nimble Spemble 2008-08-31 18:38|| 2008-08-31 18:38|| Front Page Top

#37 LOL NS, sockpuppetry has its' risks. As Emily Littella, or the Flyash Liberation Army, I can assure you

Posted by Frank G">Frank G 2008-08-31 18:41|| 2008-08-31 18:41|| Front Page Top

#38 She is now 24, is engaged to a wonderful young man, has a saving's account, a steady job, and I would like to think I had something to do with it.

I'm sure you did, Deacon! As did the several divorced Dads here who fought for their kids and raised them well.

It's so very very situation dependent, raising healthy, secure and well-adjusted kids. I agree NS - all things considered, 2 parents actively involved in raising their kids together tends to produce the best results.

But the mix and degree of roles between the parents, and how that might shift over time in response to unusual situations (military deployments, Mom a governor or Vice POTUS), that depends on a whole lot of variables IMO.

Posted by lotp 2008-08-31 18:56|| 2008-08-31 18:56|| Front Page Top

#39 well done, Deacon. I still get Mother's Day cards from my 23 yr old daughter because I played both roles (divorce, absent Mom). Those mean the world to me

Posted by Frank G">Frank G 2008-08-31 18:59|| 2008-08-31 18:59|| Front Page Top

#40 I know wherefrom you come, Frank G. My oldest was married and had her own children when Elizabeth died so she had the benefit of both. Any single parent has a tremendous challenge. Mothers with sons and fathers with daughters I think is the most chalenging.

Posted by Deacon Blues">Deacon Blues 2008-08-31 19:35|| 2008-08-31 19:35|| Front Page Top

#41 Three cheers for Deacon Blues. You da man.

Sorry Nimble. Lots of families share parenting roles today and raise great kids. All this phoney baloney "concern" for Sarah Palin and her family is just the worst kind of politics. I hope you won't stoop to it.

Posted by Betty Grating2215 2008-08-31 23:17|| 2008-08-31 23:17|| Front Page Top

23:53 Pappy
23:52 Barbara Skolaut
23:47 bigjim-ky
23:36 Pappy
23:20 Betty Grating2215
23:17 Betty Grating2215
23:10 trailing wife
22:56 tipper
22:20 OldSpook
22:15 lotp
22:06 OldSpook
22:05 Nimble Spemble
22:04 Nimble Spemble
22:03 Angie Schultz
22:03 john frum
21:48 Frank G
21:45 Nimble Spemble
21:30 Procopius2k
21:26 Slats Creack aka Broadhead6
21:25 CrazyFool
21:18 Slats Creack aka Broadhead6
21:01 49 Pan
21:00 OldSpook
20:53 SteveS