McCain: A maverick no more

AS GOVERNOR, PALIN BILLS STATE TAXPAYERS FOR APPEARANCES IN WASSILA CHURCH

By GARANCE BURKE
Associated Press Writer



WASILLA, Alaska (AP)-- The camera closes in on Sarah Palin speaking to young missionaries, vowing from the pulpit to do her part to implement God's will from the governor's office.

What she didn't tell worshippers gathered at the Wasilla Assembly of God church in her hometown was that her appearance that day came courtesy of Alaskan taxpayers, who picked up the $639.50 tab for her airplane tickets and per diem fees.

An Associated Press review of the Republican vice presidential candidate's record as mayor and governor reveals her use of elected office to promote religious causes, sometimes at taxpayer expense and in ways that blur the line between church and state.

Since she took state office in late 2006, the governor and her family have spent more than $13,000 in taxpayer funds to attend at least 10 religious events and meetings with Christian pastors.

INVESTIGATION TIES PALIN TO EXTREME RIGHT WING FRINGE GROUPS

The story at Salon.com by Max Blumenthal and David Neiwart offers an in-depth examination of the crucial role played in Palin's political career by two members of the secessionist Alaska Independence Party (AIP).

When Blumenthal appeared on Thursday's Rachel Maddow Show, he began by explaining that AIP -- which has links to both neo-Confederate parties in the South and the theocratic Constitutional Party -- serves as "a haven for anti-government extremists, anti-government militia members, and conspiratorial figures who believe that the United States government plans to implement a New World Order."

AIP advocates secession from the United States, and its founder, Joe Vogler, is known for having proclaiming "I'm an Alaskan, not an American. I've got no use for America or her damned institutions."

The extent of Palin's connection to AIP has previously been uncertain. Her husband Todd was a member of the party until 2002, but although Palin attended some conventions and sent them a message earlier this year saying, "Keep up the good work," she herself never belonged to the group.

However, Blumenthal told Maddow that when he and co-author David Neiwert, who has been investigating anti-government militias since the 1990's, interviewed people in Palin's home town of Wasilla, they found that "Sarah Palin is far more intimately associated with the extreme right-wing fringe of Alaska than the media has acknowledged or than she is willing to acknowledge."

Blumenthal said that Palin used former AIP chairman Mark Chryson and a local John Birch Society activist known as "Black Helicopter" Steve Stoll "to advance her political career on a local and state level -- and she sought to reward them with plum political appointments."

Good Morning Jaime;

Was that you the other day going down Skyway, down near Spanish Gardens? I was obeying the 55 MPH speed limit when some guy in a sedan blew-off my doors as he passed me. I could see his seatbelt buckle in view, so he wasn't wearing his seatbelt. His left rear tire was low on air and I noticed that he had an Obama bumper sticker on the back of his car. My first thought was that it might have been you on your way to Chico or Los Molinos.

Did you hear that Michael Savage announced this week that he is organizing a new third party? He is doing this since the Republicans have gone liberal and the Democrats are now embracing Socialist-Communist values.

http://michaelsavage.wnd.com/

McCAIN'S INCREASINGLY ERRATIC BEHAVIOR ON ECONOMY PERPLEXING SUPPORTERS

'Economists For McCain' Trash McCain's New Mortgage Plan
The Huffington Post | Sam Stein & Seth Colter Walls | October 10, 2008 04:18 PM

Many of the professional economists who formally endorsed John McCain's economic plan are expressing bewilderment with his most recent proposal to rectify the home mortgage crisis.

In interviews with the Huffington Post, roughly a dozen of McCain's economist supporters said they disagreed with the Senator's recent proposal -- for the government to buy distressed mortgages at face value from banks and renegotiate them with homeowners. Several viewed it as a gimmick, driven mostly by political circumstance. Only one pro-McCain economist spoke up in favor of the plan.

"This is just political gamesmanship," said Robert H. Heidt, a professor at the Indiana University School of Law. "The bill is wildly over-ambitious in trying to rescue home buyers from the downturn in real estate appreciation. It's costs would never end. I will end up voting for McCain but this is ridiculous."

Added George Viksnins, a retired professor of economics at Georgetown University: "Even though I support McCain I think this is an ill-considered program. This was something to get press time and face time, and that is the problem with our political system. This was done as a sound bite and without analysis."

Horse Country wrote:

A MUST READ BY ALL
THEN DECIDE!!!
www.theobamafile.com

Well if this doesn't make up your mind, I don't know what will. That these people have no ideas, and will stoop this low, make the choice easy.
VOTE FOR NEW, HONEST FOR AMERICA LEADERSHIP.
VOTE FOR BARACK OBAMA.

Horse Country wrote:

A MUST READ BY ALL
THEN DECIDE!!!
www.theobamafile.com

all lies another ploy to keep change from coming

Jeff & Mike should get on your horses & ride out of town, what a pair of idiots.Talk shows have always turned me off. I like to see who's spouting all the crap they bring forth.

Frank wrote:

INVESTIGATION TIES PALIN TO EXTREME RIGHT WING FRINGE GROUPS
The story at Salon.com by Max Blumenthal and David Neiwart offers an in-depth examination of the crucial role played in Palin's political career by two members of the secessionist Alaska Independence Party (AIP).
When Blumenthal appeared on Thursday's Rachel Maddow Show, he began by explaining that AIP -- which has links to both neo-Confederate parties in the South and the theocratic Constitutional Party -- serves as "a haven for anti-government extremists, anti-government militia members, and conspiratorial figures who believe that the United States government plans to implement a New World Order."
AIP advocates secession from the United States, and its founder, Joe Vogler, is known for having proclaiming "I'm an Alaskan, not an American. I've got no use for America or her damned institutions."
The extent of Palin's connection to AIP has previously been uncertain. Her husband Todd was a member of the party until 2002, but although Palin attended some conventions and sent them a message earlier this year saying, "Keep up the good work," she herself never belonged to the group.
However, Blumenthal told Maddow that when he and co-author David Neiwert, who has been investigating anti-government militias since the 1990's, interviewed people in Palin's home town of Wasilla, they found that "Sarah Palin is far more intimately associated with the extreme right-wing fringe of Alaska than the media has acknowledged or than she is willing to acknowledge."
Blumenthal said that Palin used former AIP chairman Mark Chryson and a local John Birch Society activist known as "Black Helicopter" Steve Stoll "to advance her political career on a local and state level -- and she sought to reward them with plum political appointments."

Frank, that's been debunked by factcheck.org .
Sarah Palin "was never a member of the Alaskan Independence Party, a group that wants Alaskans to vote on whether they wish to secede from the United States. She’s been registered as a Republican since May 1982." (She was 18).

1958 girl wrote:

<quoted text>all lies another ploy to keep change from coming

Change is coming alright. Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it.

Frank wrote:

<quoted text>
Well if this doesn't make up your mind, I don't know what will. That these people have no ideas, and will stoop this low, make the choice easy.
VOTE FOR NEW, HONEST FOR AMERICA LEADERSHIP.
VOTE FOR BARACK OBAMA.

Frank, if you want to vote for honesty, don't vote for Obama.

If you want honesty, don't vote for McCain either - vote for Alan Keyes.

Publius2 wrote:

<quoted text>Frank, that's been debunked by factcheck.org .
Sarah Palin "was never a member of the Alaskan Independence Party, a group that wants Alaskans to vote on whether they wish to secede from the United States. She’s been registered as a Republican since May 1982." (She was 18).

Publius,
My article also stated she was never a member.
Your vote for Alan K is fine with me. He is probably a smart, honest man who would be a great President.
Unfortunatly we will end up with one of the other two, and between them, well, you know how I feel.

No matter what your political convictions are, this is an eye opener....What a thankless people we are!!!

David Letterman, on President Bush.(Surprising)

David Letterman wrote this; it's the David we don't often see....

'As most of you know I am not a President Bush fan, nor have I ever been, but this is not about Bush, it is about us, as Americans, and it seems to hit the mark.'
'The other day I was readingNewsweek magazine and came across some Poll data I found rather hard to believe. It must be true given the source, right?
TheNewsweekpoll alleges that 67 percent of Americans are unhappy with the direction the country is headed and 69 percent of the country is unhappy with the performance of the President. In essence 2/3 of the citizenry just ain't happy and want a change. So being the knuckle dragger I am, I started thinking,'What are we so unhappy about?'

A. Is it that we have electricity and running water 24 hours a day, 7 Days a week?

B. Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter?

C. Could it be that 95.4 percent of these unhappy folks have a job?

D. Maybe it is the ability to walk into a grocery store at
E. Maybe it is the ability to drive our cars and trucks from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean without having to present
identification papers as we move through each state.
F. Or possibly the hundreds of clean and safe motels we would find along the way that can provide temporary shelter?

G. I guess having thousands of restaurants with varying cuisine from around the world is just not good enough either.

H. Or could it be that when we wreck our car, emergency workers show up and provide services to help all and even send a helicopter to take you to the hospital.

I. Perhaps you are one of the 70 percent of Americans who own a home.

J. You may be upset with knowing that in the unfortunate case of a fire, a group of trained firefighters will appear in moments and use top notch equipment to extinguish the flames thus saving you, your family, and your belongings.

K. Or if, while at home watching one of your many flat screen TVs, a burglar or prowler intrudes, an officer equipped with a gun and a bullet-proof vest will come to defend you and your family against attack or loss.

L. This all in the backdrop of a neighborhood free of bombs or militias raping and pillaging the residents. Neighborhoods where 90% of teenagers own cell phones and computers.

M. How about the complete religious, social and political freedoms we enjoy that are the envy of everyone in the world?

Maybe that is what has 67% of you folks unhappy.

Fact is, we are the largest group of ungrateful, spoiled brats the world has ever seen. No wonder the world loves the U.S., yet has a great disdain for its citizens. They see us for what we are. The most blessed people in the world who do nothing but complain about what we don't have, and what we hate about the country instead of thanking the good Lord we live here.

I know, I know. What about the president who took us into war and has no plan to get us out? The president who has a measly 31 percent approval rating? Is this the same president who guided the nation in the dark days after 9/11? The president that cut taxes to bring an economy out of recession? Could this be the same guy who has been called every name in the book for succeeding in keeping all the spoiled ungrateful brats safe from terrorist attacks? The commander in chief of an all-volunteer army that is out there defending you and me?

Did you hear how bad the President is on the news or talk show? Did this news affect you so much, make you so unhappy you couldn't take a look around for yourself and see all the good things and be glad? Think about it......are you upset at the President because he actually caused you personal pain OR is it because the 'Media' told you he was failing to kiss your sorry ungrateful behind every day.
Make no mistake about it. The troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have volunteered to serve, and in many cases may have died for your freedom. There is currently no draft in this country. They didn't have to go. They are able to refuse to go and end up with either a ''general'' discharge, an 'other than honorable'' discharge or, worst case scenario, a ''dishonorable' discharge after a few days in
the brig.

So why then the flat-out discontentment in the minds of 69 percent of Americans?

Say what you want, but I blame it on the media. If it bleeds it leads and they specialize in bad news. Everybody will watch a car crash with blood and guts. How many will watch kids selling lemonade at the corner? The media knows this and media outlets are for-profit corporations. They offer what sells, and when criticized, try to defend their actions by 'justifying' them in one way or another. Just ask why they tried to allow a murderer like O.J. Simpson to write a book about how he didn't kill his wife, but if he did he would have done it
this way......Insane!

Turn off the TV, burnNewsweek, and use theNew
York Times for the bottom of your bird cage. Then start being grateful for all we have as a country. There is exponentially more good than bad. We are among the most blessed people on Earth and should thank God several times a day, or at least be thankful and appreciative.''With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstormstearing up the country from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks,'Are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?'
-David Letterman

Frank wrote:

AS GOVERNOR, PALIN BILLS STATE TAXPAYERS FOR APPEARANCES IN WASSILA CHURCH
By GARANCE BURKE
Associated Press Writer
WASILLA, Alaska (AP)-- The camera closes in on Sarah Palin speaking to young missionaries, vowing from the pulpit to do her part to implement God's will from the governor's office.
What she didn't tell worshippers gathered at the Wasilla Assembly of God church in her hometown was that her appearance that day came courtesy of Alaskan taxpayers, who picked up the $639.50 tab for her airplane tickets and per diem fees.
An Associated Press review of the Republican vice presidential candidate's record as mayor and governor reveals her use of elected office to promote religious causes, sometimes at taxpayer expense and in ways that blur the line between church and state.
Since she took state office in late 2006, the governor and her family have spent more than $13,000 in taxpayer funds to attend at least 10 religious events and meetings with Christian pastors.

That was her political base, Frank - and what's wrong with that? Nobody criticizes the Democrats who make their perennial pilgrimage to churches in the Southern states; also to energize their base.

Frank wrote:

<quoted text>
Publius,
My article also stated she was never a member.
Your vote for Alan K is fine with me. He is probably a smart, honest man who would be a great President.
Unfortunatly we will end up with one of the other two, and between them, well, you know how I feel.

Unfortunately you're right. But this time I refuse to vote for the lesser of two evils. Even the lesser is evil. I think deep down everyone knows, despite the cheerleading for one candidate or the other neither candidate of the major party's has the skills, wisdom or where-with all or the advisors necessary to meet the challenges facing America let alone keep all their expensive and grandiose promises without fundamentally diverting America from the Constitutional path our founders set us on in the first place.

Dennis Partlow wrote:

No matter what your political convictions are, this is an eye opener....What a thankless people we are!!!
David Letterman, on President Bush.(Surprising)
David Letterman wrote this; it's the David we don't often see....
'As most of you know I am not a President Bush fan, nor have I ever been, but this is not about Bush, it is about us, as Americans, and it seems to hit the mark.'
'The other day I was readingNewsweek magazine and came across some Poll data I found rather hard to believe. It must be true given the source, right?
TheNewsweekpoll alleges that 67 percent of Americans are unhappy with the direction the country is headed and 69 percent of the country is unhappy with the performance of the President. In essence 2/3 of the citizenry just ain't happy and want a change. So being the knuckle dragger I am, I started thinking,'What are we so unhappy about?'
A. Is it that we have electricity and running water 24 hours a day, 7 Days a week?
B. Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter?
C. Could it be that 95.4 percent of these unhappy folks have a job?

I hate to tell you Dennis, but this same email came to me a while back but it had Jay Leno's name on it instead of Letterman's.

Publius2 wrote:

<quoted text>Change is coming alright. Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it.

anything has to be better than the last 8 yrs under bush

Publius2 wrote:

<quoted text>I hate to tell you Dennis, but this same email came to me a while back but it had Jay Leno's name on it instead of Letterman's.

It really doesn’t matter who said this first. The message is very clear that the media has often only informed the American people of half truth in their reporting. I think if America was reminded a little more often how nice they have it this country compared to the rest of the world, some would be a little respectful of their country and not be such whiners when things get tough and blame the leaders of this country for all their short comings and lack of responsibility.