Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has announced that she will resign from office on July 26th. The news has led bloggers and comedians to breath into paper bags and use emergency dial-ins for their analysts across the country. Palin has been God’s gift to bloggers, including this blog. But fear not, this announcement may actually promise more not less Palin!
There was no explanation given for the news, though there is speculation that she is committing herself to run in the 2012 presidential election. One spokesperson, however, blamed the onslaught of ethics complaints as the reason, here.
She insists that, since she does not intend to run for a second term, she is simply avoiding that awkward lame duck period. She stated that she is “determined to take the right path for Alaska even though it is not the easiest path. … Once I decided not to run for re-election, I also felt that to embrace the conventional lame duck status in this particular climate would just be another dose of politics as usual, something I campaigned against and will always oppose.”
That is a curious rationale since voters probably thought that they were voting for a full term — since that is what she was running for when she asked for their vote. Under this logic, every term would be cut short by roughly a year if the incumbent was not looking for a second term. Moreover, instead of serving as a lame duck governor, she has given Alaska a governor who was not elected to that particular office. Since when is completing one’s promised term “another dose of politics as usual.” That would seem more like a promise as usual.
Palin has long had trouble with quotations, particularly with regard to the Framers. Her departure speech is no exception. The most notable line was a quote attributed to Gen. Douglas MacArthur: “We are not retreating. We are advancing in another direction.” For those of us who are military history nuts, the line is well-known and not the words of MacArthur. 
Some attribute it to General Lewis B. “Chesty” Puller (left) at the Battle of Chosin Reservoir when the 1st Marine division was surrounded. However, Puller is more often quoted as saying “”We’ve been looking for the enemy for some time now. We’ve finally found him. We’re surrounded. That simplifies things.” Some attribute it to Gen. Oliver Prince Smith (right). Others deny the quotation was actually ever made, here.
What was clear is that it was not MacArthur. I am not sure why Palin wants to portray herself as surrounded in the first place and coming up for another word for retreat. The more apt paraphrased quote from MacArthur would be something along the lines of “Alaskan Governors never die, they just fade away.”
Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell will be inaugurated as the new governor at the end of the month.
For the full story, click here.
She’s getting ready to out Palin herself.
Right decision; wrong right-wing hypocrite governor. Those neocons will get it correct one day!
Maybe one of those dozen or so ethics complaints that have been filed against her is turning into problem or a potential problem. I’ll be interested to see if that’s a possibility that’s explored in all the speculation by the MSM.
Mespo,
Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth, even when it’s a gift to someone else.
15 complaints were deemed meritless. As I understand it one complaint related to airfare for her family and she did repay that. If she is going to run in 2012 then recent history says she would have to start in about 5 months and that would make her a lame duck Governor.
Gyges,
I’ll second that.
Unlike Mark Sanford, Sarah Palin is doing the honorable thing, she is resigning her position as spokesmodel/Governor which just did not pan out in terms of power or graft, and begin her true calling, hunting the three toed sloth along while hiking the Pan American Highway with her lover, a very connected Paraguayan television personality.
Jon, please let your friends here know that the majority of your family and friends have repect for Sarah Palin and are ashamed and embaressed by your appearances on MSNBC, especially Keith Olbermann’s hate fest.
Why I’ve never seen a piece of Renaissance kitchen furniture that was not only psychic and interested in right wing Neocon politics, but is also associated with all the friends of family of a well respected and internationally recognized Constitutional Law scholar. That’s truly some of the finest cabinet making I have ever seen.
I can see a pot of gold from my house …
Big Fella,
Sarah Palin has violated her charge as Governor in many respects, but I am not aware of any way in which Gov. Sanford has violated his. Sanford only flouted his promises of marriage, not those of public service. http://blogs.usatoday.com/ondeadline/2009/07/sanfords-book-deal-on-fiscal-conservatism-canceled.html
Quote from
http://www.unconfirmedsources.com/index.php?itemid=4077
Palin said she received a vision from Jesus in which the savior stated, “stop making an ass of yourself”.
The Artist Formerly Known As FFN: “I am not aware of any way in which Gov. Sanford has violated his. Sanford only flouted his promises of marriage, not those of public service.”
———-
No one has correlated the 77 times he was out of pocket without his security detail and the Governor’s expenses yet- I bet there are some interesting stories there.
Artist etc:
“I am not aware of any way in which Gov. Sanford has violated his. Sanford only flouted his promises of marriage, not those of public service.”
****************
Leaving aside the fact that a lie to a trusting loved one to satisfy one’s own carnal desires is about the worst breach of trust one can imagine and truly indicative of character of the rogue, what would you call a public official, say an armed sentry charged with protecting only a few other soldiers, who, during a time of crisis abandons his post, lies to his superiors about his whereabouts, and then, when caught, finally comes clean and tells an incredible story that he did it for his own reasons and would likely do it again? I’d call him the worst sort of human, and the other thing I would call him is “fired.” Deserters claiming reform make poor public servants, but apparently admirable Christians, and neo-cons to be pitied. In nobler times, Roman public servants, so charged, would fall on their swords; Sanford apparently seeks others to swallow his.
According to a story at Huffington Post, Gov. Palin spoke with a guy named Ayres who is connected to the Republican Governors’ Assoc., a little bit before she went public. He told news agencies she was planning to campaign more for candidates, raise her visibility level, etc. This seems all geared to try to become the new leader of Republican Party.
So, to bolster her national image as a national leader she QUITS her only elected position of trust before the end of her very first term in order to continue her desperate chase for further political office and expects to gain the nation’s trust? Are Republicans really stupid enough to swallow that? Really?
Wow, talk about your ultimate take out the trash day! Friday, July 3 – I can just imagine Jon Stewart’s anguished cries when he learned that Sarah Palin resigned on the Friday afternoon before his vacation…
Oh crap! July the 27th the Russians will be coming…
did anyone else get the background scenery at her press conference? was this in her backyard with a few neighbors present? were there like maybe 15 people there? did anyone else hear the ducks quacking in the background and wonder like I did that it sounded just like laughter? does anyone do any advance for this woman? first the turkey killing machine in the background and now the quacking of ducks?
McCain must’ve been on drugs when he picked her to be his running mate. She was supposed to bring the “base” out and instead brought nothing but crazy salad to his campaign to the point where he was embarrassed to stand next to her. Does she really think that the RNC will support her in 2012 after quitting her job as governor because she got tired of being laughed at in the press?
Poor poor rush. he is having one bad day after another.
GWLSM,
Just a guess, but I don’t think that Sarah Palin is in politics anymore.
Agreed, we’ll be hearing about the scandal soon enough. Jon Stewart won’t be crying too long!
whooliebacon,
Don’t frighten me like that. I know you’re right but I don’t need to hear about it. I will be p[acing yet another order at Brigade Quartermaster. (Brigade’s Action Gear® – equipment, clothing and knives for outdoor adventure, camping, survival, military, tactical, Law Enforcement & Spec Ops use.)
http://www.brigadeqm.com/cgi-bin/tame.exe/store/index.tam
Their 4th of July theme is very nice this year.
just another cheesy politician. She is a woosy. Oooh they were mean to me so I am leaving.
She talks about the troops not giving up and she caves like a house of cards. Go fishing and stay in Alaska populist princess.
I hear a lot more scandals are coming out something about the Alaskan Iceberg. I do not know what that means totally.
Shes as frozen as the land, thats why Todd mopes around in the background.
AY:
by the way I enjoy your sparing with Patty C-
I do hope you keep it up, it is certainly a recreational interlude.
@The Artist Formerly Known As FFN
Governor Sanford abandoned his post.
Indentured Servant,
AY:
by the way I enjoy your sparing with Patty C-
I do hope you keep it up, it is certainly a recreational interlude.
*************************
Uhmmm you are going to be on the receiving end now. This is how is all starts. You get sucked into the vortex and you can never get out of the conundrum. The web attaches itself to you and you will feel like you have had your first prison love from a real wanna be woman. Strap on Shaft in, your sweet A** better learn to bend.
B-Ball will be played and a rim shot will be taken. You will know why the sheep in Missouri are nervous but ready. Baaaah
slartibartfast writes:
Just a guess, but I don’t think that Sarah Palin is in politics anymore.
was she ever really in politics? I know she was governor of alaska but she always seemed to be in the entertainment business.
now she gets to be one of those folks who is famous for being famous.
***Off Topic
For those who haven’t been following the progression of the H1N1 Pandemic in the U.S.:
On June 3rd we had 11,054 cases and 17 deaths
As of today we have 33,902 cases and 170 deaths
http://flutracker.rhizalabs.com/
is a pretty good site to help you keep abreast. All updates are verified. Concerned citizens from around the world, including medical doctors and scientists, are working hard to keep up with the info. The CDC is about a week behind, and the WHO is about two weeks behind. -That doesn’t include the delay in getting test results.
AY, This story explains the ‘Iceberg’ thing- possible problems with the ‘buddies’ Todd said helped him build their 3.400 sq. ft. lake house. There is a comment that alludes to some major dirty dealing (corrupting Alaskan politicians) that are the focus of ongoing Federal investigations and tied to the Veco/Stevens scandal.
Whatever it is has got to be big- Governors just don’t resign.
http://www.bradblog.com/?p=7280
Jim Byrne,
I have wondered how much about the H1N1 is hype, in order to push some products. In the past decade or so there have been a march of “new” infectious diseases every couple of years or so. They have not investigated if this strain of virus is more virulent than the usual flu virus commonly encountered in the cold season. And that site does not provide a comparison in virulency, morbidity or mortality with the “common” flu virus, and I not sure how valid, or unbiased their statements are.
I respect epidemiology. It’s a valuable science. I’d like to throw out a couple of things to consider though.
1) Epidemiology is by its’ very nature is more political than some sciences as you are dealing with subject matter that transcends the borders and laws of nations yet still “reflects” upon them to the ego-bound within the system. Because of this, politicians will meddle and point fingers – see the recent “I know you are but what am I?” exchanges between the US and Mexico over H1N1′s origins.
2) The most common secondary infection in a pandemic of any sort is fear. It’s a natural reaction. But it’s not like anyone has ever used fear as a political weapon, have they? It also provides a nifty excuse to interfere with travel. Something else no politician would abuse now, would they? I’m not saying there’s a conspiracy. I’m not saying H1N1 isn’t a real flu or addressing its’ potential severity. I’m saying there is a political value in pimping a non- or semi-existing public health emergency. After all, who can concentrate on details like holding criminals within the system accountable when the citizens are all worried about the “killer” flu? Or hemmoragic fever? Or Cootie X? Fear isn’t just for motivation. It can be used for distraction and confusion as well.
Just something to consider when looking at reporting surrounding epidemiological issues.
Buddha,
I understand your concern, and I think you have good reason to be wary. However, in this case, due to the economic crisis, I think the opposite may be occurring.
I think the Novel H1N1 is the real deal. We don’t currently have a vaccine available, so it is being downplayed to avoid panic.
If panic ensued, the hardest hit would be the travel and tourism industries. In tough economic times, that could be devastating to some areas. In addition, the general public doesn’t really need any more bad news.
There are indications that the virus has started to mutate. As long as it doesn’t become extremely deadly, and since we don’t currently have a vaccine, the correct course is to downplay it.
My only real problem with the current coverage is the failure to identify high-risk areas. The Chicago-Milwaukee area has consistently produced about 26% of the cases in the entire country. -With such a consistent high percentage, the people should be informed so that they make an informed decision as to their risk.
To quote General McCarthur: “I think I just stepped on a duck.”
the decision taken by Sarah Palin is not so cool to avoiding the decision of reelection and now we have to wait for new governor.
From the New York Daily News:
I think this nails it.
WASHINGTON – Sarah Palin’s bizarre bailout dooms her chances of ever being President, Republican mandarins said Friday – but she was already finished.
The Alaska governor’s disastrous star turn as John McCain’s running mate, followed by her lurching, controversial encore on the national scene, had already sealed her fate – except, perhaps, with the GOP’s most far-right wing.
Still, the experts were unanimously stunned to hear her walk off the job with 16 months left in her term – shrinking her résumé even more and surrendering the best platform she has beyond her double-edged celebrity status.
“If you aspire to the highest office in the land, then suddenly think your lieutenant governor can do a better job – not exactly a profile in courage,” one party pro told the Daily News.
Few GOP insiders were surprised Palin decided against running for reelection. The Alaska statehouse is too isolated a locale for any politician aspiring to high national office, they said.
“You need to be in the Lower 48 to be credible politically,” a senior adviser to several Republican Presidents noted.
But quitting mid-term with a rambling rant is not the way to get there.
“She proved she couldn’t play in the big leagues last fall and now she’s proven it again,” one of the party’s most prominent kingmakers said. “If you can’t even handle a governorship, there’s no way you can handle the White House.
“She couldn’t win – but now she can’t even run,” added the official, who once was among her most fervent boosters.
“She has an incredibly thin résumé, a serious lack of gravitas, no coherent philosophy and the people around her are amateurs,” another top Republican pol argued. “She’s finished.”
From the Anchorage Daily News;
“Palin decision mystifies some, thrills others”
http://www.adn.com/palin/story/852787.html
A picture is worth a thousand words:
“She stated that she is “determined to take the right path for Alaska even though it is not the easiest path. … Once I decided not to run for re-election, I also felt that to embrace the conventional lame duck status in this particular climate would just be another dose of politics as usual, something I campaigned against and will always oppose.”
************
Personally I was hoping she would have realized she didn’t want to run for a second term before her first run for office and then decided not to run at all to avoid being a “lame duck” back then. I noticed the mis-attributed quote too, but after suffering through the first part of that rambling, helter-skelter address where she somehow mentioned our troops, her Down’s child, and all those nasty ethicists after her, I rather thought it the highlight–sort of like whipped cream on a dunghill.
enoibob:
Thank you, I do love that scene. I can picture Cousin Sarah on that bunting draped podium now, “… and those wonderful people out there in the dark [who voted for me]. Alright, [Mr. Chief Justice], I’m ready for my close-up.”
Mespo or Buddha:
Can you resolve this?
Three men go to a hotel and pay 10 each for one room. The manager realizes that they have been over charged by 5 dollars and decides to refund 5 dollars. He/she wants to make sure that each is given back equally so he pockets 2 giving each one dollar back. What happened to the other dollar?
@AFK-FFN: some people dismiss Stanfard’s dereliction of duty as not being that serious, but it really is. Sometimes you really do need the governor, or someone who knows he can function in his absence, around.
Two examples off the top of my head:
- tornado hits hard, governor must issue ‘state of emergency’ order (iirc) so feds can get involved in rescue and recovery. Otherwise the feds must stay on the sidelines.
- prison riot.
Imagine either happened, or one of the other things that require a governor’s immediate action. The Lt. Gov. can’t act without legally knowing that the governor is unavailable and Stanford probably won’t know there’s a problem if he’s in Argentina. He left his citizens in real, even if unlikely, peril. He should be impeached if he doesn’t resign. He must never hold a position of public trust – not elected, not appointed. When will he ‘abandon his post’ again, as others put it.
As for Palin, again there’s no defense. It’s one thing to leave your office early when to be asked to serve as Vice President, but to do it because the state has had to spend a few million dollars on “frivolous” ethics complaints? First, that’s small change to a state, and second many of those complaints were legitimate (taking family along on trips at state expense, claiming ‘per diem’ charges while living in your own home) and/or dismissed only because you stacked the judges (the whole mess with the fallout of a relative divorcing a state trooper). If you want the ethics charges to stop, stop acting in an unethical manner!
What would she do as president when the same thing happened, especially after she’s already demonstrated that she will cut-and-run under the slightest pressure? Why should anyone believe it would be different?
I’m in the camp that thinks that she’s trying to get in front of a major corruption scandal, that she inexplicably thinks that it’s politically motivated and it will be dropped once she leaves office.
edit: disaster declaration to get feds involved. But would probably need a state of emergency declaration to get the national guard out, for rescue, security, etc.
AY
5-2=3: 3/3=1 No dollar is missing.
Palin’s move puts yet more pressure on Obama to finally get some results, as the soaring rhetoric isn’t hypnotizing the plebes like it used to. This week Helen Thomas, Colin Powell, and Warren Buffet all turned on him. Polls are looking droopy for The One lately.
Obama’s porkulus program is a train wreck, all it’s done is bump interest rates and tank the dollar. We are being laughed at by bad guys like Tehran, Pyongyang, and Al Qaida who amazingly turned-down Barack’s friend-requests.
Palin could trounce him in 2012, when Americans would vote for the Gipper-in-Heels in drones- while begging for lower taxes, free enterpise, and a defense posture with some backbone- and an end to the radical, anti-American nightmare we’ve got now.
Go get ‘em Sarah-
Gyres
After the $1 refunds, each of the 3 guys has paid in $9 for the room (3 x 9=27) and the manager has $2 in his pocket
(27 + 2= 29). ???
Rcampbell,
Everyone paid $10. Of that 30 dollars: 25 went to the room, 2 went to the manager (so far 27 bucks) and 3 went towards a refund. The 9X3 is just a distraction.
AY,
The problem is flawed. You’re seeking to solve for a false X as delineated by the implied “1″ rcampbell is trying to account for.
If they paid a net of $30 and had a $5 remainder to split between them, the room cost was actually $8.33/guest or $24.99 but we’ll round that to $25. Out of the $5 remainder, two are pocketed by the clerk and $1 each goes to the guests for a total of $5. There is no missing dollar except the $2 the clerk kept by way of either conversion or theft. Had the clerk given all three men $1.67 each, there would have been no crime, no missing money and the rounding of the $25 is nullified by recouping the fractional cent lost in dividing 5 by 3 as he would have returned a net of $5.01 ($24.99+$5.01=$30). But as it is, the only $2 “missing” are what the clerk pocketed. $1 doesn’t have squat to do with it.
One more before starting the 4th,celebrations.Be Safe All.
Buddha,
I like my explanation better, less decimals.
My wife and I were glued to CNN last night, MSNBC played “Lockup,” despite the interminable Michael Jackson intrusions.
This is fascinating. Does anyone else remember a more bizarre
3 weeks in gubernatorial politics, sans disasters/attacks? If you add in the Texan secessionist, Blago, Spitzer and Patterson’s admission of infidelity after being sworn in, I would say that thus far 2009 has been a bad year to be a Governor.
Well, I shoulda’ knowed a Sister Sarah thread would get Off-Topic since she always was.
Sister S. has contributed to virology and epidemiology, though. JB brought up the swine flu virus and Palin is squarely implicated. Once she stated that “lipstick on a pig” phrase, lonely men and women everwar started lipstickin’ and kissin’ pigs and therein lies the etiology of the zoonotic swine flu. I know this is true because I had 1 virology class in college and this is classic ‘cause and reflect.’ Some of the greatest minds have been overlooked for the No-bell Piece Prize in Sighants.
Ex-Gov Palin can always get a job at that Alaskan turkey-chokin’ joint we saw in the video ‘Feeser T. shown us. After sometime, she could buy the business—with that saved-up govmit’ pur dayum she forgot to return n’ the unner the table oil company revenooh she aint claimed on taxes—and call the joint : “Turkeys for Christ”…with ‘appropough’ meanings in many more ways than one.
I wish Sarah Louise well…well, not really.
Now ifin’ y’all don’t git back on topic, I’m libell tah….
Admittedly, Palin was a voluminous source of material that will be missed. Easy to beat and intellectually beat up, Sarah was nothing short of a herky-jerky half-cocked gift of a failure any artist or comedian would die for.
Ready at the drop of a hat to do the bidding of Neo Cons, Palin was the perfect ideological tool in such minds as Billie Kristol and Norm Podhoretz. Sad to say, she talked too much, which threatened Neo Con schemes of world domination on the sly. Sabotage by airhead seems to reflect a real paranoid, totalitarian mentality. Cons should have that checked. The future doesn’t look so bright for Neo Cons of the Irving Kristol/Leo Strauss kind.
Neo Cons aren’t smart, only persistent sociopaths in suits with Fox connections. The results speak for themselves. They got exactly what they deserved. And so did the likes of yours truly. Bye, bye, Sarah.
http://www.light-to-dark.com/palin_speaks_to_god.html
lthuedk,
Good art. Next time, and we all know with Ms. Palin there will be many next times, please consider adding a witch doctor/hunter in your Palinized art.
Thank You, Former Federal LEO.
I hope Gov. Palin isn’t discouraged from trying to add to the disastrous Republican version of the Big Tent including, but not limited to, every aberrant, anti-social misfit on the fringe Right.
May I attempt to explain the big glaring cross on the so side of ca 91 …
http://www.light-to-dark.com/witches_tongues_and_sarah_palin.html
thanks again, Leo – if that’s O.K. – Steve
Perhaps she’s pregnant again. (Just speculating, of course.)
So Trig’s mom is leaving??
What about Sarah??
Governor Sanford is a little off topic here but he keeps getting mentioned. Not only did he abandoned his post, he used government funds to pay for his trip to see his mistress. The MSM simply will not touch or elaborate on that latter fact. That he paid $3000 back is lame, as if crooks could wipe the slate clean by giving back the money only when caught.
Sanford wants Christian sympathy. To my knowledge, Christians are defined by Christ who suffered great harm to himself out of compassion for others. Sanford, on the other hand, insists on impeachment for others and forgiveness for himself. He is the quintessential Republican.
Which brings us back to Palin, another quintessential Republican. In her case, the purity of her alignment to the party of hate comes from the purity of her service to self alone.
lthuedk,
Good witch doctor drivin’ out demons cartoon! Thanks.
“Karl Rove who successfully guided President Bush to the White House twice, was remarkably cold on Sarah Palin’s decision to resign as governor of Alaska during an appearance on Fox News Sunday. The former Bush strategist and current Republican commentator argued that it was “not clear” what Palin’s strategy was in resigning just two-and-a-half years into office, adding that the move was risky,m left her vulnerable to her critics, and would damage her chances of becoming president.”
“WASHINGTON — One of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin’s potential presidential rivals said Sunday that her abrupt resignation won’t help her dodge scrutiny. President George W. Bush’s chief political adviser said her strategy is, at best, unclear.
Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee said Palin’s announcement that she would not seek a second term — and leave office before finishing her first — simply doesn’t make sense in a conventional political setting.”
Here is the kicker:
“McCain says Palin to play leadership role as ex-Governor”
http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSTRE5624MB20090704
If Gov. Palin seriously believes she can make a run for the presidency in 2012, quitting her present job is hardly an intelligent decision. Although I am certainly no fan of hers, I continue to be mystified by the poor quality of the advice she receives from her political team, assuming she has one. My opinion has always been that she doesn’t have the intellectual heft to handle a national office. It may be that she doesn’t have the stomach for it either.
Mike Appleton: “My opinion has always been that she doesn’t have the intellectual heft to handle a national office.”
I agree, but I didn’t feel that George W. had the requisite intellectual capacity either. Palin is a puppet, in my opinion. (She wasn’t John McCain’s choice as a running mate, I’ve heard.) I believe that that there are others who are pushing Palin in order to advance their agenda.
anon, you’re probably right. I had a discussion with my father-in-law this weekend about Sarah Palin and offered my opinion that she could never be elected to the presidency. He emphatically disagreed, which gives you an idea of how strongly her supporters feel. But her appeal doesn’t extend beyond the hardcore. Perhaps there are some insiders who believe she can be molded to bring in the hardcore vote behind a more moderate Republican, but the whole thing makes no sense to me. Then again, no one has ever accused me of being a brilliant political strategist.
Most of my relatives, especially the women, love Ms. Palin. They say she is a strong-willed, god-fearing woman and she is there for a *reason*.
There are simply many decent, good, smart, caring familys who like Palin; I know, that defies all logic, but it is a fact.
Mike A,
I agree that this seemed to play very well with her base, and my guess is that this is strategy. Wether or not it is good or bad strategy or what it is meant to accomplish, I have no idea. If she still has political designs this seems like terrible strategy as it makes independents view her as erratic – maybe she’s trying to be elected queen of “real America”.
Former Fed,
If it is true that many caring families like Palin, then why did she(and McCain) lose the election? She is a far right wing religious nutjob that was not able to work in the center ring the last time, so why do you think she has what it takes to attract moderate Americans to her religion and government mixture?
Karl Rove guided ex President Bush into office once, if at all, in 2004. In 2000, the supreme court guided Bush into office by a 5 to 4 partisan vote.
I suspect Rove is right about Palin nonetheless. What ever the motive may be, the act has eliminated any possibility of her being nominated in 2012. If the Republican party is in such disarray that it actually did nominate her, the gift would fall exclusively to who ever was running against her. It is pure fantasy.
It is not fantasy, however, that that there are ardent Palin defenders out there. And the more she sees Russia from her window, the more she claims to have read all newspapers without being able to mention a single one, the more total lack of experience she can point to as a badge of independence, the more she froths about ignorance as the passport of the patriot, the more ardent their support will be. And bailing out of the job she accepted in the interim is an excellent way of deepening and rounding out those very qualities. Her defenders, meanwhile, are a small group, many of who will be too busy shouting at cars on street corners to remember election day, never mind what precinct they are in.
Well, the retreat quote does go way back, and was attributed to Smith, not McArthur. It was reported by Time Magazine at the time. It only remains to be seen whether Time was accurate. (The link to Nexis requirees registration).
In those days, the reporters filed their notes with New York editors, who wrote the magazine in vivid, sensationsal Time-style, with no by-lines, giving the weekly news summary a fictional tone. There is no telling what happened in rewrite.
QUOTE ON Monday, Dec. 18, 1950
War: Retreat of the 20,000
“Retreat, hell!” snapped Major General Oliver Prince Smith, commander of the 1st Marine Division, with which he had fought on Guadalcanal, New Britain, Peleliu, Okinawa (TIME, Sept. 25). “We’re not retreating, we’re just advancing in a different direction.”*
“We’re gonna get out of here,” said Lieut. Colonel Raymond L. Murray, commander of the 5th Marine Regiment. “Any officer who doesn’t think so will kindly go lame and be evacuated, but I don’t expect any bites for that offer.” There were no bites.
Said Colonel Lewis (“Chesty”) Puller, famed battle-scarred commander of the 1st Marine Regiment: “We’ll suffer heavy losses. The enemy greatly outnumbers us.
They’ve blown the bridges and blocked the roads . . . but we’ll make it somehow.” UNQUOTE
rafflaw,
Many Republicans, especially those beyond 60-years-old, are seeing their world changing and they fear the future of what they see as impending socialism. Ms. Palin champions those concerns and, if she runs, she will gain much more support than she received on the McCain ticket because the Republicans are incensed with Obama, as I am.
Had McCain chosen Romney, I think that the Republicans would have done much better and might have won. I would still not have voted for McCain on any ticket but I *might* have voted for Romney and a moderate running mate had I known how abject a liar and a coward Obama is.
If Obama continues with Bush/Cheney style politics and lies, the Democrats are going to lose a lot of support from Independents and conservative Republicans like me who understood we needed dramatic change *and* retribution for war crimes, unlawful wiretapping, and the torture issue. Obama has backed away from all of those and we are losing as many or more rights under a Democratic Administration and Congress than we did under the Republicans.
The saving grace against Palin is that she is such a religiously fanatic fool that she will likely do something so stupid that enough people could not, in good conscience, vote for her.
AY:
“Three men go to a hotel and pay 10 each for one room. The manager realizes that they have been over charged by 5 dollars and decides to refund 5 dollars. He/she wants to make sure that each is given back equally so he pockets 2 giving each one dollar back. What happened to the other dollar?”
There is no other dollar.
$30 – $5 = $25
$25 + $3 to 3 men + $2 in manager’s pocket = $30
The trick is to corrupt the order of operations for the listener by saying…
“Now three men have spent $9 each; 9×3= $27, plus two the manger kept is $29 — where did the other dollar go?
Buddha,
“Had the clerk given all three men $1.67 each, there would have been no crime, no missing money and the rounding of the $25 is nullified by recouping the fractional cent lost in dividing 5 by 3 as he would have returned a net of $5.01 ($24.99+$5.01=$30).”
Eh hem…
“Excuse me, excuse me…and then I says, tell me I’m wrong! and he says, ‘I can’t, baby, ‘CAUSE YOU’RE NOT!’”
BIL:
“I respect epidemiology. It’s a valuable science. I’d like to throw out a couple of things to consider though.”
I agree with your conclusions. H1N1 is a political “bug” for whatever reason. I have thought that from the beginning of this “pandemic”.
FFLEO,
I have neighbors that believe exactly the things you write about. Saying someone is doing god’s will can cover many sins. It’s what The Family thinks and their membership are some of society’s richest and most powerful people. That belief isn’t open to any challenge because it’s already a closed circle at birth. You have to step outside the circle to see how it’s wrong but no one is told about that trick.
rafflaw,
I’ll have nothing more to say unto thee until ye have repented. You’re one of them Christians for separation of church and state and we don’t need your kind around here.