June 12, 2009

On Letterman's Lack of Humor

This is going to be stream of consciousness, because if I wait to know precisely what I want to say, I'll never get this post up.

David Letterman is a jerk. He has been for a very long time.

I remember when he began Late Night, it took me a while to get used to him (I was a Tom Snyder fan) but I eventually found him funny - and even endearing. Over the years, however, he started to get...mean. His monologue became almost cruel and his interviews were often snippy. I no longer found much reason to watch, but would if the guest or musical act were interesting.

I had always enjoyed Leno as a guest host on The Tonight Show, not least because he seemed to be a real fan and conducted interviews that gave the guests a chance to shine. When he took over The Tonight Show, and he was just starting to go head-to-head with Letterman, he changed his style a bit. For a while it seemed Leno was attempting to be Letterman-lite; he told mean jokes, he was a bit of a bully during interviews. Thankfully, he reverted to his old style and The Tonight Show became enjoyable again. (It has been less so lately, but that is another topic)

I haven't watched Letterman in years - why would I? The few times I've happened upon CBS late night while channel surfing my opinion of the show was reinforced - just not funny. I felt the same way about Conan, though I could understand his appeal to a niche audience. I had very low expectations for Conan in Leno's slot and, in the few shows I've watched, I appear to have been right. Perhaps he will find his footing in that time slot, we'll see.

During Conan's first week, I happened to be up and, not being impressed with Conan, thought I'd give Dave another try. Bad idea - as in couldn't even get through the monologue bad. Just. Not. Funny - and his jokes were severely dated. I turned away.

Now he is in hot water for his tasteless attacks on Sarah Palin - and, more specifically, his attack on her daughter. He certainly should be, within reason.

  1. They were tasteless, they were crude, they were over the line, they were sexist - all those things. And, they were unfunny.

  2. Greg Gutfeld was right; it is pathetic that with an entire inept administration to choose from for his jokes, Letterman is still so obsessed with Sarah Palin. It is also pathetic that he couldn't come up with something funny.

  3. It is conceivable, and even likely, that his staff was too stupid, too lazy, or too disinterested to check which daughter was with Palin in NY. Had it been Bristol, the jokes would have been stupid, the fact that it was Willow puts the jokes in beyond-the-pale territory. And don't forget that Letterman also targeted Palin herself.

  4. He would never have made those jokes about a female, left-leaning politician, let alone her children. You can imagine the outrage had Rush said something about the Obama girls, or if Treacher's Ashley Biden joke was not merely in illustration of the double standard. There was hell to pay when Chelsea Clinton was maligned during her father's campaigns/terms - and even much gnashing of teeth when it was suggested that as a grown woman she was being "pimped out" during her mother's failed Presidential run.

That said.........we do ourselves no favors by becoming "hysterical" over these things the way the left does. I know that in most cases it is an attempt to give as good as we got, but I don't think that is always the best strategy in a PR battle. Think about how idiotic lefties appear when they bluster and foam at the mouth over every perceived slight, is that what you want for yourself? These were obviously comments that needed to be addressed, but not hammered over and over. Letterman needn't be fired, though an actual, sincere apology would have been nice.

A-Rod having sex with Willow Palin would quite obviously be statutory rape (though pushing Letterman's idiocy into giggles at statutory rape is a stretch), besides being disturbing on other levels. But statutory rape is quite a different animal from RAPE. To continue referring to Letterman's comments as advocating the rape of a child trivializes the word, much the same way as moonbats calling Bush "Hitler" and Republicans "Nazis" trivialized the evil that was done by the Third Reich. It also has undoubtedly caused the child in question, whether Willow or Bristol, more harm than anything he said in the first place. We need to stand up for our principles, we need to defend smart, conservative women who are brave enough to step into the political arena, and we need to ensure everyone understands the limits of humor stop long before the family gets attacked. We also need to keep our heads and not risk becoming like the loonies on the left. We are bigger than that, we are smarter than that - and we need to stay true to who we are.

We also don't need to give a jackass like David Letterman any more attention than he deserves. He can't win on the humor front but he always has controversy. Since his Palin digs, and for the first time in a very, very long time, David Letterman won the ratings battle in his time slot.

It would behoove clear thinking lovers of humor to allow Letterman to fade into the obscurity he has been toying with for decades.

UPDATE: Found this quote

"If the right goes after Letterman, they make him look big and themselves small," says Mark McKinnon, a former campaign adviser to George W. Bush and Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.). "It's win-win for Letterman."

UPDATE: Regarding giving Letterman more attention than he deserves.

UPDATE: Here is Greg Gutfeld's take.

Posted by Vox at 10:53 PM | Comments (2)

November 11, 2008

What She Said

RightwingSparkle lays out the case for Sarah Palin - now and in the future.

Posted by Vox at 08:57 PM | Comments (0)

November 10, 2008

The Apologies Roll In

Well, sort of. Hey, it's a start.

Posted by Vox at 12:36 PM | Comments (0)

November 08, 2008

Finally

At least somebody is speaking up:

In general, according to Beigun, Palin had a steep learning curve on foreign issues, about what you would expect from a governor. But she has "great instincts and great core values," and is "an instinctive internationalist." The stories against her are being "fed by an unnamed source who is allowed by the press to make ad hominem attacks on background." Biegun, who spent dozens and dozens of hours briefing Palin on these issues, is happy to defend her, on the record, under his own name.

Posted by Vox at 09:34 PM | Comments (2)

BWAHAHAHA

I heard Carl Cameron once answered his hotel room door in a full Wonder Woman costume

I'm not sayin' it's true, I'm not sayin' it's not. That's just what I heard. And no, I won't tell you who said it. Under the new standard of journalism, it's plausible until proven otherwise. And I get to decide what constitutes proof.

Better get out in front of this one, Carl!

Posted by Vox at 12:29 PM | Comments (1)

November 07, 2008

Step Up, Mac

John McCain is coming dangerously close to irredeemably reinforcing my view of him in the primaries. The view that had me supporting almost any of the other candidates over him.

The way he is allowing his staff to attack Sarah Palin, and the way he has left her twisting in the wind, do not impress me as the actions of a real man or a real leader.

What are you waiting for, Senator? Step up.

Posted by Vox at 10:15 AM | Comments (1)

November 06, 2008

On McCain's Cowardly 'Anonymous' Staffers

WindRider has a great analysis:

I thought McCain’s choice of Palin was absolutely brilliant, and said so at the time - and I still do think it was a brilliant pick, that was horrendously and ultimately fatally mishandled at almost every step of the way afterwards. Starting with a total disregard of the biggest reason for picking her in the first place; who she was, and what she’d managed to accomplish on her own merits - by misguidedly, awkwardly, and buffoonishly trying to desperately “re-package” her for “wider national consumption”. If she needed such a major overhaul, then what the hell did the people of Wasilla, the people of the State of Alaska, people like me, and candidate John McCain see in her in the first place? I’ll tell ya -we saw grit, determination, and a proven ability to get the job of shaking up the status quo done - which, if properly amplified, would have been absolutely more than essential for a winning effort. Instead, McCain’s boneheaded staffers imagined they had to “prepare” her, or “fix her up”, not trusting her own natural abilities as a politician to do what she’s proven she knows how to do - campaign for elected office!

readitall

BTW: That paragraph echoes my earlier comments

Posted by Vox at 07:55 PM | Comments (0)

November 03, 2008

Palin in 2036

I am loving this picture of Piper.

She sure looks like she has that working, campaigning, traveling thing down.

Piper for Prez

Posted by Vox at 07:56 PM | Comments (0)

October 31, 2008

A Winks As Good As A Nod

From Team Sarah

Posted by Vox at 10:29 PM | Comments (0)

October 18, 2008

"Fruits of the Devil Evil"

I made a comment over on YouTube, and it turned into a bit of a flamewar, complete with me being called an idiot and Sarah Palin being called "Evil. As in fruits-of-the-devil". (that from someone who thinks Palin actually claimed dinosaurs roamed the earth 4,000 years ago)

So much hate.

(my comments will probably be hidden due to repeated thumbs down, go figure)

BTW: Why is it that Sarah Palin's uterus is a threat to women, but radical Islam is not?

Posted by Vox at 01:45 PM | Comments (4)

'Scuse Me?

New York Magazine* recently celebrated their 40th year with a giant issue noting all that has happened since they started publishing. So, one of the articles was an interview with older feminist Gloria Steinem and younger feminist Suheir Hammad.

On the issue of Sarah Palin, said feminists remark that her selection "is such an insult"

Then after Hammad speaks of 'having it all', Steinem says, "But you can't", then goes on to say the 'we' need to require government-supported child care and - here's the kicker:

Now we have two smart, male candidates, Obama and Biden, who are campaigning on a theme that men should want to be-and can be-home for their kids. And that is Huge!

Sarah Palin, successful working mother whose husband left his job to stay with the kids in support of her career is an insult? Obama & Biden are "campaigning on a theme that men should want to be-and can be-home for their kids"? What sort of Through The Looking Glass world are they watching this election in?

*yes, this month the mag has the articles "The Right's Class Warfare" and "Joe the Plumber. Exposed!" Sigh

Posted by Vox at 11:20 AM | Comments (1)

October 07, 2008

No Big Loss

Seeing as how Sarah Palin is a Van Halen fan (making her a rocker chick), I doubt missing a Madonna concert will cause her any grief.

Especially the older, extra sleazy Madonna currently on tour.


(I love the fact that she says it's "nothing personal" - really, then what is it? And the sound of Todd Palin's snowmobile crashing - nice.)

Posted by Vox at 09:57 AM | Comments (1)

October 04, 2008

Sarah Smile

I love this shot of Sarahcuda. She looks so gorgeous and natural and sincere..and just...real

Even if you don't agree with her, how could people hate her so vehemently? What about her is actually hate-able?

BTW: Piper and Todd look great, too.

Posted by Vox at 10:16 AM | Comments (7)

October 02, 2008

My Advice

The one piece of advice I would offer to Sarahcuda: less is more.

You don't have to fill all the time you are given. You don't have to keep repeating or expanding on a straightforward point. You look weak when you are rambling, and you seem to ramble when you need to fill the silence. You don't - make your point and stop. Let Biden do his shtick, his loquaciousness is legendary and fodder for comedians everywhere - show the very obvious difference. Think John McCain at Saddleback only more so.

You're welcome.

Posted by Vox at 08:42 AM | Comments (1)

October 01, 2008

Finger Lickin'

Somehow, according to this genius, a woman voting for McCain/Palin is like a chicken voting for Colonel Sanders.

I'll take a bucket of right wings....

Posted by Vox at 09:16 PM | Comments (2)

Palin Speaks

To the local press, and it works.

Posted by Vox at 08:25 PM | Comments (1)

The Palin Effect

She may have boosted ratings for SNL, but for CBS, not so much.

[NY Times article below]


October 1, 2008

Palin Effect on Ratings Only Modest for CBS

By BILL CARTER

Katie Couric’s newsmaking interviews with the Republican vice presidential candidate, Sarah Palin, last week had only a slight impact on the ratings for her CBS newscast. But if the network could have added up all the other viewers the interviews (and its spoof) racked up, on places like CNN, YouTube and “Saturday Night Live,” Ms. Couric would surely have been more seen and talked about than in any week since she began her tenure as anchor.

Ms. Couric received a rush of attention for the two interviews, in which Ms. Palin, governor of Alaska, spoke haltingly on, among other topics, her state’s “narrow maritime border” with Russia. Clips turned up across the spectrum of television and Web sites.

The first interview last Wednesday, for example, has been viewed more than 1.4 million times on YouTube, while the parody of the interview on “SNL” was streamed more than 4 million times on NBC.com, viewed in full more than 600,000 times on YouTube and in shorter clips many more hundreds of thousands of times.

Still, the “CBS Evening News” gained only about 10 percent in audience from the previous week — and it was actually down from the same week the year before. The newscast averaged just under 6 million viewers for the week, up from 5.44 million the previous week. A year ago Ms. Couric’s program drew about 6.2 million viewers. (CBS was also a distant third last week behind ABC, which won with 8.07 million viewers, and NBC, with 7.98 million.)

The CBS newscast didn’t even record its highest audience totals last Wednesday and Thursday, when the interviews were broadcast. Monday was the network’s best-rated night of the week.

But the week was still considered, by executives from both CBS and its rivals, to be among the best Ms. Couric has experienced since she joined the newscast two years ago. Jon Klein, the president of CNN’s domestic operations, said, “It was brand-building for a woman who is still one of the very best journalists out there.”

Sean McManus, the president of CBS News, extolled Ms. Couric’s interviewing skills, but he acknowledged that Ms. Palin had something to do with the attention. “We benefited from having an interview subject that most of the American public wants to see,” Mr. McManus said. “So the fact is this was a great opportunity, but you have to be able to take advantage of that opportunity, and we did.”

Ms. Couric has more material to come with Ms. Palin. Continuing a series begun during the primary season in which Ms. Couric poses the same questions to each candidate, the program will have questions for Ms. Palin and her vice presidential opponent, Senator Joseph R. Biden Jr., on Wednesday and Thursday nights.

Mr. McManus noted that despite the harsh reviews Ms. Palin has been getting for the interviews with Ms. Couric, no one in the McCain campaign had registered complaints with CBS.

The newscast has made more of an effort to work interviews into the daily content, Mr. McManus said. Monday’s program included not only another interview involving Ms. Couric and both candidates on the Republican ticket, but also interviews with Democratic and Republican Congressional leaders about the failed vote on the Wall Street bailout package.

Ms. Couric has been battered for most of her tenure at CBS News over the sagging ratings of the newscast, and some discussions had been held at CBS earlier this year about her future at the network. Mr. McManus said the network and Ms. Couric were moving past all that.

“I’ve been saying for some time that what we need to concentrate on is the content, not the ratings,” he said. Asked whether the Palin interviews might be a chance to change the ratings momentum of the newscast, he said: “I hope so. We’ll see.”

Posted by Vox at 11:11 AM | Comments (0)

Palin's Greeting to Ifill

Campaign Spot reader Bill offers a good idea:

Maybe Governor Palin could compliment Ms Ifill on her book.

Palin (to Ifill): I understand you’ve been writing a book about black political progress, including Senator Obama’s campaign. I’d just like to take a moment to congratulate you on your literary endeavor and wish you great success. Having written many speeches, political and others, I find that it’s very rewarding to translate your personal, original thoughts to text — don’t you agree, Senator Biden?

Heh, indeed

UPDATE: Oh, yeah, she'll be objective. She's already displayed her disdain for Palin, boldly and publicly.

UPDATE: I'm sure glad I was only drinking water when I read ExLg's list of Ifill's prepared questions. Cola would have been much harder to clean out of my keyboard.

BTW: I don't want Ifill to recuse herself or be replaced. This may be the closest we will get to transparency in this whole campaign. Her bias is well known. Her conflict of interest is obvious and documented. Better her than someone the general public believes to be "objective".

UPDATE: Treacher has some questions, too.

Posted by Vox at 09:10 AM | Comments (0)

September 23, 2008

Where Have You Gone, Sarah Palin

When Sarah Palin was announced as John McCain's running mate, there was much enthusiasm on the right - and much shock/dismay/hatred/venom on the left.

These were both good, reassuring reactions. She had the GOP base charged up, she scared the dickens out of the Dems. Bingo.

All the things that made her such a great choice, everything about her that made 38 million people tune in to hear her speak, all that we loved and they despised....has been dampened. The McCain campaign seems to be turning her into a 'candidate'

I know that they are keeping her away from the press because they haven't 'earned' the right to interview her. Whatever. So they give us Gibson. Ugh. And Hannity. Sheesh. And soon, Couric. Spare me.

I want her to stop giving the same damn speech. I want her to talk to the press, make it the local press if you must. I'd love to hear what she has to say to some guy reporting for the Smallville Daily Press (or whatever).

She connects with people. She has things to say. She can hold her own and charm the pants off the electorate. She is a genuine weapon that needs to be unleashed.

The lefties have continued their assault while Palin has been effectively neutered. Keeping her at arms length only gives them more ammo.

Bring back the Sarah Palin we knew before McCain picked her - so the country can see all the reasons he did.

Posted by Vox at 11:39 PM | Comments (3)

September 20, 2008

Fly Over Country

Posted by Vox at 12:40 PM | Comments (0)

September 19, 2008

What Makes A Successful Woman

She built a family, which they seem to frown on.
She built a career, which they seem to resent.
And she has made them completely lose sight of everything they claimed to represent.

Then along comes the beautiful and accomplished governor of Alaska, who has a successful political career, a loving (and faithful) husband, and a large and beautiful family. She appears to be the living validation of the feminist dream that it is, after all, possible to have it all. They eagerly look into the mirror of her soul hoping to catch a glimpse of themselves only to discover--horrors of horrors--that she is not one of them. Instead, she is a bona fide builder of the Culture of Life, who eschewed an abortion to give birth to a Downs syndrome baby. She is an advocate of traditional marriage, a serious Christian believer, a fiscal conservative who believes in local government, and a card-carrying member of the National Rifle Association.

No wonder the feminists feel angry and betrayed.

As they say, read it all.

(Hat Tip TCHOTP)

Posted by Vox at 03:17 PM | Comments (0)

September 18, 2008

Too Cute

At an event where Michelle Obama said voters shouldn't base their decision on "she's cute", the audience proved that Barack is no longer running against McCain.

She did not talk about Palin directly in her remarks. Her supportive crowd did, chanting "No Palin" before the event started.

They realized they can't beat the top of the ticket, now they aren't even trying to hide it.

Unfortunately for them, Palin is pretty strong, too.

Posted by Vox at 01:24 PM | Comments (1)

September 15, 2008

Carly Fiorina Takes Aim

Hits the McCain campaign squarely in the foot.

What is wrong with these people? To borrow a line from the sketch in question -grow a pair.

Geez, it was FUNNY. Get over it.

Posted by Vox at 12:07 PM | Comments (0)

September 14, 2008

Casting Coup

There is no way they could have missed the opportunity for Tina Fey in this role. I don't know if she will be able to continue to be their Sarahcuda, particularly if we are lucky enough to get McCain/Palin in the White House. But she nailed it - which only made Amy Pohler's Shrillary less convincing. Still funny, though.

UPDATE: Hate NBC, YouTube has been scrubbed. Here is the clip at the SNL site

Posted by Vox at 08:50 AM | Comments (2)

September 12, 2008

Palin Interview

I haven't seen it, but I did read the transcript and found this comment which seems to ring true:

I agree with flhal 100%, who said:"Gibson was friendly, kind and deferential to Obama in this interview (June 2008). His interview with Palin was a quiz not an interview. He was condescending, cold and unfriendly. I think he was afraid if he treated Palin fairly the other media folks would have trashed him. This just confirms the polls that say the media is biased against McCain/Pailin by a 5 to 1 ratio."
With Gibson asking such hard hitting questions to Obama like " Is the hardest part of all this behind you or ahead of you?", the bias is evident. Lose the glasses Charlie ! Palin is refreshing, and did fairly well under the circumstances. As an educated, business owning, veteran/ working mother Palin and McCain have my vote. It gives me great satisfaction to know I will cancel out Charlie's!

Sounds about right from what I read and from what you will see in the Obama interview. We'll see if I still feel that way when I see the body language and hear the tone of their voices.

From the transcript, I would say she did fine. I like the answers she gave - now lets hear how she gave them.

UPDATE: About that Bush Doctrine question.

RightWingSparkle gives us her take

UPDATE 2: I still have not seen the broadcast version of the speech, but have been hearing commentary. In listening to the chattering, I was confused as to what interview they had watched, since they seemed to be contradicting what she actually said. Now I know why - they weren't referencing the same interview I read. The version that aired was carefully and selectively edited to give a much different picture. I shouldn't be surprised.

Posted by Vox at 08:48 AM | Comments (0)

September 10, 2008

C'Mon, Doris

Gov. Palin has gotten under Obama's thin skin. And Barack fights like a girl. You almost want to say "C'mon, Doris–hit her with your purse!"

Heh

Posted by Vox at 10:09 PM | Comments (0)

Uppity

I've been thinking lately about early in the campaign when Obama and his people were trying to pull the race card by claiming that his opponents thought he was "uppity" and didn't "know his place".

Funny thing is, that is exactly the argument they have been using against Sarah Palin.

Just listen to their barbs; small town, small state, 'nothing' college, PTA member, hockey mom.... What right does she have to be running for such a high office? Doesn't she know her place?

I wasn't really sure what more I had to say about it, then I saw this - which just reinforces my view. Matt Damon: "I know she was the mayor of a really..really small town"

BTW: Matt Damon thinks it is scary, he moves on to 'terrifying' about half way through, that she might be president (why is everyone so sure McCain is going to die?) because he doesn't know anything about her, and he doesn't think in 8 weeks he is going to know anything about her. That says more about you, doofus, than it does about her. Big surprise, Matt Damon hasn't paid any attention to Republican politicians - certainly no reason he would know about one in Alaska.

There are a lot of people out there, however, who do know who she is. Even D, who is not into politics at all knew who she was. Doesn't matter, she slipped under the radar of the MSM and the Hollywood idiots, therefore "nobody has ever heard of her" "nobody knows anything about her"

BTW 2: "I think this pick was made for political reasons" Duh! You think Obama picked Biden for his charming dinner conversation?

BTW 3: No, she didn't try to ban books. By the time he filmed this clip, that was common knowledge, having been disproved almost immediately. If he was really interested (as he says, "I need to know, I really need to know"), it would have been very simple to find out. Idiot.


Geez, look who is Ms Ranty McRantypants now!

Posted by Vox at 02:26 PM | Comments (1)

re: Lipstick & Pigs

It was a stupid thing to say in light of Palin's hockey mom joke. Moreover, it was inexpertly delivered. The most painful part of listening to that clip is waiting for Obama to get to a point - how many sentences does he start before he finishes one?

However, though there is little doubt how the crowd took it, I doubt Obama was calling Palin a pig. Here's the thing, though - I don't really care if he was.

The McCain campaign blew it.

They blew it in 'demanding' an apology.
They blew it by producing a commercial highlighting it.

They are whining like the Dem's and I don't like it. I want my candidates to grow a pair, brush it off and just get on with the campaign. I want "Reagan in a skirt" to do what Reagan would do and deflect Obama's clumsy comment with humor and a wink.

Those of us who are fans of hers were won over by her backbone and her wit. I want that back.

BTW: Stuff like this does still crack me up.

UPDATE: I agree with Rachel, though, that Obama blew it, also. He should have just said - "oh my goodness, I certainly never meant to imply anything" But, being an arrogant doof, he couldn't bring himself to do anything but dig himself in deeper.

UPDATE 2: Kind of hard to bill yourself as an agent of change when you have trouble coming up with original thoughts.

Heh

Treacher and the pig

Posted by Vox at 09:09 AM | Comments (7)

September 09, 2008

Fun With Google

"Rachel Lucas and 83% of her readers are uncouth mouth-breathers."

Ok, seriously, I like that as a search term, but the post it relates to is, in fact, worth reading. But, I shouldn't have to tell you that, it's Rachel fer-petes-sake.

Posted by Vox at 04:08 PM | Comments (0)

September 08, 2008

Loving This

Palin rumor central - seriously

Dismiss a Sarah Palin Smear - humorously

Posted by Vox at 11:26 PM | Comments (3)

Hit Piece

Here is the headline:

Palin billed state of Alaska for nights spent at home

Sounds bad, right?

Then you read the body of it and find; she did nothing that wasn't explicitly authorized, she billed for fewer expenses than expected, her bill for 2007 was $370,000 less than her predecessor, none of it was hidden (She wrote some form of "Lodging - own residence" on the forms).....

Seriously, they are just itching to find SOMETHING, anything.

Heh

Posted by Vox at 10:03 PM | Comments (0)

Palin Dodges Tough Questions

On page 2 here

Palin Dodges Tough Questions About Existence of "Alaska"

By Elizabeth Bumiller, New York Times, Wednesday, September 3, 2008; A1

Media Bubble, Sept. 2 - Embattled former beauty queen Sarah Palin* continued to wilt yesterday under the pressure of numerous fair, evenhanded media questions regarding the alleged state of "Alaska."

Palin has claimed to be "governor" of the legendary northern land mass, which, while heretofore undiscovered by explorers, was once rumored to contain vast expanses rich with oil, gold, and "eski-mos." Palin first made the "Alaska" claim during an Aug. 29 public appearance alongside elderly, mean-looking cancer victim John McCain.


McCain, a white man with even whiter hair, has long publicly blocked efforts by Barack Obama, a youthful black man with a certain indefinable aura about him, to move into Obama's new house. Palin, also white-skinned, has been linked to the McCain offensive.

After four days of telling silence from the McCain camp, Palin finally deigned to reappear in public yesterday. In a followup press conference, Palin, who is a girl, lashed out at the media. "Listen to me: Alaska. Is. A. State. Seriously. The 49th state, in fact. Way up north there. What, did somebody go around your newsrooms and hide all the maps underneath the ethics manuals? Or are you idiots just completely insane?"

Shaking her head in a transparent attempt to feign exasperation, Palin — who is perhaps not as pretty as she thinks she is — then left the podium without answering followup questions regarding her plagiarism of CBS's Northern Exposure. Internet reaction to the unfit mother's unhinged rant was swift. Andrew Sullivan, right-wing blogger for The Atlantic, saw Palin's comments as a major misstep. "She's working the refs. This is what they do. Sure, blame the media. Is it their fault she's too chicken to back up these suspicious claims? Look, I'm willing to entertain the idea that there really is a place called ‘Alaska.' We've all heard the old wives' tales, and I've dreamed about such a rugged, outdoorsy paradise since I was about 13 or 14. But why is she so afraid to give us some proof? I mean, I've never been there, have you?"

Yukon Cornelius could not be reached for comment.

Update: After consultation with the Association of American Geographers and several DC-area kindergarten students, the Times can now report that many current world maps contain a small area in the northwest corner of North America labeled "Alaska." Palin's relationship with the mapmaking industry is currently under investigation.


Posted by Vox at 03:34 PM | Comments (0)

Political IMs

I have no time to blog today, which is a shame, I got a bunch of comments that need addressing (later, I guess)

Anyway, I had a chat online with a friend that I thought I would post. She didn't give me permission, so I won't say who - but she may out herself in the comments.

Here it is, good luck deciphering it, there are actually some decent points hidden in there ;-)
*****************************
Chicky: just wasting time blogging lol
Chicky: taking a break and thought I'd browse some bloggy poos
Me: that'll definitely kill some time
Chicky: I know. I can't believe how into it I am again. har.
Me: I haven't been excited about politics in so long
Chicky: Well it's bound to get worse I'm sure as the elections near

Me: OK, I don't have time to blog it - but, damn, why does it have to be Hilary going after Palin? I think she is being smart by sticking to issues (she is a good pol)
Me: Why can't Biden give it to her?
Me: that is like the GOP looking for some black guy to attack Obama - stupid
Chicky: EXACTLY!!!!! I was thinking the exact same thing!
Chicky: Oh I know! I was going to blog that yesterday but didn't have time
Me: If they are discussing issues, there is no problem, they are both up for the same damn job
Chicky: Funny how LOLbama is using her to do this now
Me: if he goes after her for being female/a mom/her daughter, then yeah, he will come across as a schmuck
Chicky: *bwok bwok*
Chicky: chickens
Me: but she hasn't bitten, Ferraro is being pretty gracious and above board
Chicky: It makes me laugh because it tells me how scared the Obama camp is
Me: Hilary is being sure to stick to issues
Chicky: Yes I noticed that too with Ferraro
Me: oh yeah
Me: the Dems need to get off the male / female thing
Me: they keeps saying she is whining about being attacked and she ought to be able to handle it if she wants to run
Chicky: Are you serious?
Me: but she hasn't said CRAP
Me: and she has no problem being hammered on the issues
Chicky: I know, she only made one comment to the media and it was pretty smart. About, I'm not going to DC to please you... going for the people.
Me: have you seen that clip from one of her earlier campaigns where she says, "you know, I am perfectly capable of dealing with this" or some such to people asking about running as a woman
Chicky: no sure haven't
Chicky: It's others that have been defending her
Chicky: and rightly so
Me: and even they aren't saying "don't question her record" or "don't look at her stand on the issues"
Chicky: exactly
Chicky: that's what is so funny... they can't
Me: they are saying, "don't suggest it is wrong for her to be a working mother or attack her kids"
Me: idiots!
Chicky: the only thing they can pull out of their @$$es is the whole - well she's a family values preaching rep. and her daughter getting preg is despicable
Chicky: that Whoopie article you linked made me sick
Me: yeah - STUPID
Chicky: Like SHE should friggin talk man
Me: McCain & his wife are going to be on the View for an hour this week..Friday, I think
Chicky: yes I heard that
Chicky: that should be interesting
Me: I can't imagine it will be fair - or that he will get a word in edgewise
Me: you know they will attack Cindy for her $$$
Chicky: That Joyce beeyatch will be all over him
Me: yeah
Me: he really needs to make it clear that he didn't pick her because she is a woman, but that he picked her because she is the right leader to join him in the White House
Me: or something to that end
Chicky: Well too bad John and Cindy can't do a Michelle/Barrack knuckle knock on the show. That would be funny
Me: heh
Chicky: I think there will also be an interview with George Bush on Fox news this week too
Me: tomorrow morning - 6, I think
Chicky: Damn girl... you are just all over it! lol
Chicky: I'm going to you if I need to know something. You'll be my election Headquarters. ha
Me: she's going on with Charlie Gibson - not sure how I feel about that choice
Me: just not sure he is up to it, might end up being deadly boring
Me: oh, I meant the Palin interview could be boring with Gibson
Chicky: oh lol
Me: not sure Gibson is up to interviewing her
Chicky: ahh yes now I see
Chicky: Damn... too bad her first interview couldn't be more fun like on the Tonight Show or something
Chicky: Have her do some shooting an' shizz
Me: another thing - as long as it looks like I am working...
Me: they keep saying how Bush McCain voted with Bush 95% of the time (like it is a bad thing)
Chicky: yeah true
Me: Obama voted with the Dems in congress 97% of the time (that he actually voted) and their stuff passed - and contributed to the problems we are dealing with
Chicky: YUP
Chicky: It makes me laugh
Me: GOP needs to find a way to make that point
Me: The approval rating of Congress is much lower than Bush's
Chicky: I know, it's crazy

Posted by Vox at 01:34 PM | Comments (2)

September 07, 2008

"But I *SAID* To Be Nice"

Barack Obama has promised he wouldn't wage a smear campaign against Sarah Palin but a number of his surrogates are sure getting their hands dirty. Too many to be a coincidence.

Either Obama is encouraging/allowing these tactics (and lying about it) - or, since his staff is directly ignoring his publicly stated stance, he is not a much of a leader.

Either way, who would want to vote him into the White House?

Posted by Vox at 04:31 PM | Comments (9)

Back On His Heels

Talk about being off balance. Just today, Barack Obama has said that his answer to the abortion question at Saddleback may have been, "too flip", that he "wouldn't rescind the Bush tax cuts right away" and that, "Sarah...uh...Palin....uh...is....probably.....uh.....probably.....even closer....uh....to...uh George...uh...Bush....than John...McCain...OK?" (honestly, these are the people that complained about George Bush's speaking ability?)

Heh

UPDATE: Geez, how scared must Obama be to make this claim?

Somehow, he left it out of his two memoirs, but this morning, Barack told George Stephanopoulos that he really thought about joining the military, but chose not to because we weren't in a war at the time.

Posted by Vox at 02:34 PM | Comments (5)

September 06, 2008

Oops, We Did It Again

The "Republicans are stupid" meme, continues:

"Sure Bush is defeating the terrorists, and McCain may very well defeat me. But not because they meant to…"

Posted by Vox at 06:59 PM | Comments (6)

"We Dreamed of a World"

I think someone on the left is about to defect to our side...but I may be reading too much into this.

Posted by Vox at 01:09 AM | Comments (1)

September 05, 2008

The Messiah's New Clothes

From a comment over at Ankle Biting Pundits' place:

Obviously Bulldog, if you cannot see the beautiful new clothes that Emperor Hopey-Changy is wearing, it is because you are stupid.
Only the enlightened and most intelligent among us can see the exquisite fabric of his robes - or should I say ‘outfit’?

Same goes for his ‘legislation’ and ‘experience’ - not being able to see it is your fault. Stupid realist!

/sarc

heh

Posted by Vox at 09:25 PM | Comments (1)

The Problem With Palin

Ah, I get it.

Because she is successful, it makes it harder for other women to be successful...

Besides, Palin certainly won't be much help to those women trying to nudge the country into embracing more family-friendly workplace policies. John McCain doesn't actually have any work-family policies to speak of anyway, but now, when women argue for the need for paid family leave, the Republicans will only have to trot out Palin to illustrate why women don't really need it.

(Hat Tip Dizzy Girl)

Posted by Vox at 05:46 PM | Comments (6)

No Sexism At All

From Whoopi Goldberg:

"This is a very dangerous woman, because I believe for her intents and purposes, she’s OK if everybody lives a certain way, that is to say, the way God ordained men and women to be. Well, already she’s breaking that because she’s the daddy. She’s going to run the country and the husband is going to take care of the kids. I just found the whole thing sad and very musty and very much like a Bund rally, but maybe that was just me."

Goldberg, incidentally, was a single working mother - I guess that is OK because she was the mother & "the daddy". Somehow it is OK to work outside the home if you don't have an intact family unit and help at home.

(Warning, article and comments are LOADED with rumors and inaccuracies)

Posted by Vox at 01:56 PM | Comments (1)

Celebrating The Hunt

Now we know, thanks to her triumphant debut at the Republican convention on Wednesday, that Mrs Palin not only slaughters her prey. She impales its head on a stick and parades it around for her followers to jeer at.


(Hat Tip TCHOTP)

Posted by Vox at 06:19 AM | Comments (0)

Palin Power

Heh

Posted by Vox at 12:13 AM | Comments (0)

September 04, 2008

Ringing Endorsement

I've been trying to convince my fellow conservatives that they have been wasting their time in a fruitless quest for a new Ronald Reagan to emerge and lead our party and our nation. I insisted that we'd never see his like again because he was one of a kind.

I was wrong!


Welcome back, Dad

 

Posted by Vox at 11:56 PM | Comments (0)

The Future of the GOP

I don't know whether Sarah Palin will be the first female president of the United States*, but I can hope.

Whether she wins or loses, however, I know who I'll vote for in 2036...


UPDATE: Looks like Amanda agrees with me, though she wants her to be a bit older.

Piper for Prez

Sarah Palin with her daughter, Piper

UPDATE: * Yes, I realize that Sarahcuda is running for Vice President this year. My hope is that, win or lose this time, she will run at the top of the ticket in the future. And win. And then be the first female president of the USA.

Posted by Vox at 11:22 PM | Comments (1)

What She Brings

It isn't that surprising that people love Sarah Palin.

What is amazing is that people who were lukewarm about McCain last week have warmed up to him so much, because they love her

Posted by Vox at 08:46 PM | Comments (0)

Sarahcuda

Anyway, if you want to see a gorgeous blonde kill, gut, dress, and eat a gossip magazine reporter for breakfast, here you go (via Hot Air):

From Rachel Lucas, who has taken up using the name Sarahcuda. I am definitely stealing that.

Posted by Vox at 10:25 AM | Comments (1)

September 03, 2008

Sarah Palin Speech

AZ Family has video of the entire speech

Posted by Vox at 10:51 PM | Comments (0)

Preview of McCain's Speech

Governor Palin had not even finished speaking last Friday when the Obama campaign and the Washington and New York media began picking through her garbage and criticizing her in the most personal, most unprofessional, most despicable terms. And why? Not because of her record. Sarah Palin is one of the most experienced, effective, accomplished, successful public servants working in America today. They criticized her, I believe, because Sarah Palin is not one of them. She is a working mother, for sure, as all mothers are. But she is not their kind of working mother. The media and the Democratic Party--and I should note that it's hard to tell the difference these days--like their female politicians to be liberal, and pro-choice, to be patrons of the arts, to read the New York Times every day and agree with everything in it, and to enjoy hobnobbing with others like them at parties featuring Zinfandel and brie. Sarah Pallin, on the other hand, is a mainstream conservative. She's pro-life and pro-family. She appreciates the arts as much as the next person, but her hobbies tend toward hunting, and fishing, and even the occasional game of hockey. Sarah does read the New York Times every day, though I happen to know she doesn't particularly enjoy it. (Laughter.) She prefers her hometown paper and the latest edition of Outdoor Life. She'll drink Zinfandel and eat brie if she must, but she'd rather be home with her husband and her five children, cooking dinner--yes, Governor Palin still cooks for her family, even though the state of Alaska wanted to pay for a chef to cook for them--and catching up on everyone's day.

Oh, that's not what it is? Shoot.

Posted by Vox at 12:30 PM | Comments (0)

Your Experience Is Showing

Proof of Sarah Palin's lack of experience.

Posted by Vox at 01:24 AM | Comments (0)

September 02, 2008

All Palin, All The Time

I know, I know

Might as well continue the theme, though

Palin filmed in the company of known Communists

"Great Balls of Fi-ah"

UPDATE: Dang - they beat me to it

Posted by Vox at 10:32 PM | Comments (0)

It's Who You Know

Obama may indeed have more experience dealing with terrorists than Sarah Palin.

After all, some of his best friends are terrorists.

Posted by Vox at 06:06 PM | Comments (0)

Judging Palin

How about judicial appointments?

Let's see what Sarah Palin's record says.

...a review of the applications of the judges she named suggests that her appointments have been based on merit, not politics, and reflect a range of experience in criminal defense, criminal prosecution and civil practice.

Posted by Vox at 03:11 PM | Comments (0)

Really Reaching

Maybe they can get this one to stick:

Obama advisers and surrogates have also linked Palin to conservative former presidential candidate Pat Buchanan. An Associated Press story from Alaska, dated July 17, 1999, states that Palin, then the mayor of the small town of Wasilla, was wearing a Buchanan button during a Buchanan visit to Alaska.

Ooooh, scary [/sarcasm]

Posted by Vox at 02:28 PM | Comments (1)

What Media Bias?

There is no discernible bias to the MSM reporting, is there?

Posted by Vox at 12:40 PM | Comments (1)

I'll Go There

If families are fair game, then here ya' go.

Much more troubling than Bristol Palin's pregnancy

Posted by Vox at 12:28 PM | Comments (0)

Raising Contrasts

At Jill Stanek, on a tip from TCHOTP
(more here)

Interesting that the election is now about Obama vs Palin, rather than Obama vs McCain - I guess he has given up going after Mac and is instead trying to beat up on the girl. Too bad for him, he'll find out she is quite capable of taking care of herself.

Posted by Vox at 11:13 AM | Comments (0)

Attack of the 80's Hair


Sarah Palin (Heath) - Sportscaster

How cute is she? Even with those peacock bangs :-)

Not that I have any room to talk - I had some high hair myself, and in my passport photo, no less.

Posted by Vox at 12:31 AM | Comments (0)

September 01, 2008

That 3 am Phone Call

OK, seriously, I don't want this to become "all Palin, all the time" but there is just so much to say.

And stuff others have said that is too good not to share.

Like this:

I just don’t get the feeling from her that were the phone to ring at 3 a.m. with news of the Russian bear snarling at our door, she would mumble something about breast-feeding her infant or going to a school play and hang up. I do worry that Obama would convene a gathering of intellectual ditherers to come up with a plan for a conversation to have with world thought-leaders about what sort of image America wants to project in the face of understandable assertiveness on the part of an important member of the global community.

Faced with a charging moose, I want a president who would shoot the f*****.

Posted by Vox at 06:58 PM | Comments (1)

Bristol Bounce

Well, the news of Sarah Palin's daughter being 5 months pregnant seems to have worked it's way through the new cycle quickly.

And it appears to be working in her favor.

Those who were against her, are still against her, of course.

But those who were on the fence seem to see her as more human, as even more willing to walk the walk, as having a relationship with her daughter that many envy.

Those of us who were behind her all weekend, it seems, are still behind her today - perhaps even more strongly. I had a bit of a hiccup, but finding that not only did she tell McCain about the issue ahead of his picking her, but that it was fairly well known in Alaska, reassures me of her straight shooter bona fides.

I think that it could have been handled better, though I understand trying to keep some privacy for your 17 year old daughter. Having Bristol holding Trig (and his blanket) on stage during Palin's introductory speech does seem to have been an attempt to camouflage a burgeoning belly. I love that it makes the nutroots look even nuttier for suggesting a girl who is 5 months pregnant could have had a baby 4 months ago. That would be quite a story for the medical journals.

Posted by Vox at 04:04 PM | Comments (1)

Check The Mirror

I am not happy about the Bristol Palin revelation, but it isn't that surprising in this day and age.

I certainly hope that the left, particularly the Hollywood left, take a moment to think before launching an attack. After all, they nurture and glamorize the culture that encourages these types of things.

Occasionally, an out-of-wedlock pregnancy leads a celebrity to do the right thing. Ashlee Simpson and Pete Wentz got married before announcing her condition, Jessica Alba married Cash Warren prior to the birth of their daughter, Jamie Lynn Spears claims that she will be marrying the father of her child.

But, for all of those stories, there are plenty more that follow the finger in the eye to convention route. The Nicole Richie, Halle Berry, Angelina Jolie model of behavior. Heck Goldie Hawn was doing it ages ago.

I trust that Bristol and Levi have all the support they need to face this instant adulthood. And, like ExKevin, I am glad that Governor Palin and her family don't see a baby as a punishment.

Posted by Vox at 01:54 PM | Comments (0)

Behind the Scenes With McCain/Palin

Meghan McCain has some great backstage shots.

Posted by Vox at 01:11 PM | Comments (0)

Oh Fer Cryin' Out Loud!

Sarah and Todd Palin have announced that their 17 year old daughter is pregnant and planning on marrying her boyfriend.

Did she know this last week? Because that is something she may have wanted to mention during the vetting process.

D says that the announcement means nothing bad to him, and just makes her seem more real.

UPDATE: John McCain says he knew about it and does not consider it a problem.

Sure, handing the left a weapon like that - no problem. Of course, there is a possibility that will alienate 'regular' people if they focus too much on that - and miss the opportunity to attack her on something that might stick

UPDATE 2: Finally found it online.
"She and the campaign also are asking that the media respect the family’s privacy" - yeah, that'll happen

Posted by Vox at 09:22 AM | Comments (0)

August 31, 2008

Proof Palin is the Right Choice

Diddy is freaked out and wants all the "yoofs" to vote against McCain on Nov "forf".

Because, he says, there are no black people in Alaska.

I bet there are some black people, and Eskimos and other groups, in Alaska who could educate him about the diversity in the state.

WARNING: Dramamine recommended for viewing, Diddy has a serious case of the Spike Lee spins

Posted by Vox at 04:02 PM | Comments (1)

Second Thoughts

I am having concerns about the Palin pick. I really hope she thought it through, and discussed it with her family.

The Democrats political machine see nothing and no one as off limits, they will have no trouble trashing a person, or their family, with unfounded charges. They will now be going after the Palin children's school friends, Todd's friends and colleagues, Sarah's parents..... If the Clinton's decide they want Obama to win after all, the tactics get even lower & slimier.

I am happy to have her on the ticket, but I hate to see anyone put through that.


UPDATE: See, I told ya'

Posted by Vox at 02:19 PM | Comments (1)

On Experience

The MSM and the DNC have said that choosing Sarah Palin as the VP candidate removes the GOP argument about Obama's lack of experience.

Oh, really? Let's compare.

UPDATE: More on potential versus accomplishment

(Hat Tip TCHOTP)

Posted by Vox at 01:43 PM | Comments (0)

Rollin' Up Her Sleeves

I have to agree with ExJon, this is a woman who would have no problem shoveling muck, bailing water and cleaning up damaged homes.

Posted by Vox at 01:11 PM | Comments (0)

AmI Right On This?

Hasn't Sarah Palin spent more time in the Middle East than Obama?

Just askin'

Posted by Vox at 12:40 PM | Comments (0)

August 29, 2008

Ugly Is As Ugly Does

The main theme emerging in the comment threads around the internet is that Palin can't be smart because she is pretty.

"Just a pretty face"
"A trophy VP choice"
"Apparently he only cares about surrounding himself with attractive women"
"How long till the nude photos surface"
"Just wait till the sex tape shows up"
"It is an insult to serious women everywhere"

"blah blah blah"

Apparently, in order to be a serious, intelligent women, you have to scare small children on the street.

Interesting

UPDATE: "She may be a homophobe and an anti-feminist, but….

John McCain's Vice Presidential running mate, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin was a hottie back in the day.
She was probably a slut too!
Can't wait ’till all the skeletons start tumbling out of her closet!
How many dudes have done her up the butt and tapes it???
"

Way to stay classy and take the high road.

Posted by Vox at 03:10 PM | Comments (4)

Some of Her Early Work


Sarah Palin grants citizenship to Craig Ferguson

Posted by Vox at 02:07 PM | Comments (0)

Get The Tin Foil

A concern with the Palin pick, and this goes right in the conspiracy file, is the Clinton reaction. I had assumed that the Clintons, while appearing as supportive as possible, would find way to ensure Obama lost. Hillary's best, earliest chance would be 4 years from now after one McCain term.

Not so when the number 2 is also a strong woman.

Perhaps this pick actually encourages the Clinton machine to get on the Obama bus.

Posted by Vox at 12:47 PM | Comments (0)

Loves It

Sarah Palin

It ain't easy for a female to look that good in a flight suit - she looks completely comfortable.

Posted by Vox at 12:07 PM | Comments (0)

I'm Not The Only One Thinking It

Sarah Palin, the Republican VP candidate is a MILF. You know it's true.

What makes her an industrial strength, grade A MILF?
Strong, smart, ethical, charming, rugged, out-spoken...

The fact that she is good looking is just icing on that cake.

*****************************
I don't know that she would have been my first choice, but neither was McCain. I do like what she brings to the ticket (despite CNN proclaiming this morning that "the number 2 pick has no effect") and what she takes out of the debate.

Happy to have her :-)

UPDATE: From a comment here, predicting the Palin/Biden debates -
"I have hunted and killed big game Senator and you're not big game."
heh!

Posted by Vox at 10:56 AM | Comments (0)