I attended the Welcome Home rally for Sarah Palin this morning. Hooo. It was an experience. About a thousand (maybe) hard-core Palin supporters showed up to hear her speak at the new Dena’ina Convention Center in downtown Anchorage.
After shaking it off with a good double shot of espresso, and a brisk walk back to my car, it was time to head to the Alaska Women Reject Palin rally. It was to be held outside on the lawn in front of the Loussac Library in midtown Anchorage. Home made signs were encouraged, and the idea was to make a statement that Sarah Palin does not speak for all Alaska women, or men. I had no idea what to expect.
The rally was organized by a small group of women, talking over coffee. It made me wonder what other things have started with small groups of women talking over coffee. It’s probably an impressive list. These women hatched the plan, printed up flyers, posted them around town, and sent notices to local media outlets. One of those media outlets was KBYR radio, home of Eddie Burke, a long-time uber-conservative Anchorage talk show host. Turns out that Eddie Burke not only announced the rally, but called the people who planned to attend the rally “a bunch of socialist baby-killing maggots”, and read the home phone numbers of the organizers aloud over the air, urging listeners to call and tell them what they thought. The women, of course, received many nasty, harassing and threatening messages.
So, as I jettisoned myself from the jaws of the ‘Drill Baby Drill’ crowd and toward the mystery rally at the library, I felt a bit apprehensive. I’d been disappointed before by the turnout at other rallies. Basically, in Anchorage, if you can get 25 people to show up at an event, it’s a success. So, I thought to myself, if we can actually get 100 people there that aren’t sent by Eddie Burke, we’ll be doing good. A real statement will have been made. I confess, I still had a mental image of 15 demonstrators surrounded by hundreds of menacing “socialist baby-killing maggot” haters.
It’s a good thing I wasn’t tailgating when I saw the crowd in front of the library or I would have ended up in somebody’s trunk. When I got there, about 20 minutes early, the line of sign wavers stretched the full length of the library grounds, along the edge of the road, 6 or 7 people deep! I could hardly find a place to park. I nabbed one of the last spots in the library lot, and as I got out of the car and started walking, people seemed to join in from every direction, carrying signs.
Never, have I seen anything like it in my 17 and a half years living in Anchorage. The organizers had someone walk the rally with a counter, and they clicked off well over 1400 people (not including the 90 counter-demonstrators). This was the biggest political rally ever, in the history of the state. I was absolutely stunned. The second most amazing thing is how many people honked and gave the thumbs up as they drove by. And even those that didn’t honk looked wide-eyed and awe-struck at the huge crowd that was growing by the minute. This just doesn’t happen here.
Then, the infamous Eddie Burke showed up. He tried to talk to the media, and was instantly surrounded by a group of 20 people who started shouting O-BA-MA so loud he couldn’t be heard. Then passing cars started honking in a rhythmic pattern of 3, like the Obama chant, while the crowd cheered, hooted and waved their signs high.
So, if you’ve been doing the math… Yes. The Alaska Women Reject Palin rally was significantly bigger than Palin’s rally that got all the national media coverage! So take heart, sit back, and enjoy the photo gallery. Feel free to spread the pictures around (links are appreciated) to anyone who needs to know that Sarah Palin most definitely does not speak for all Alaskans. The citizens of Alaska, who know her best, have things to say.
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- Right wing radio talk show host Eddie Burke, getting shouted down as he tries to talk to the media.
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- Eddie Burke and the sign he created to show off the depth of his intellect.
UPDATE – Eddie Burke suspended without pay for one week. Better than nothing!
Congratulations!!
You must be exhausted keeping up with all of this.
Thank you Mudflats! Brilliants stuff (and to all the others who were there taking pictures, reporting). Something tells me that the Republicans have vastly underestimated the power of the Internet/bloggers/e-mail…
This is amazing and needs to be picked up by the MSM so all the WORLD knows that the largest political rally ever in Alaska just took place to REJECT SARAH PALIN.
Great work by the folks who risked their personal safety organizing the event, and great work reporing AKM!
BTW – I found this on the web and wanted to make sure its readily available too – from this document all can see how vindictive the Heath/Palin clan can be.
http://media.adn.com/smedia/2008/07/25/20/Memo_of_findings_10-29-05.source.prod_affiliate.7.pdf
Hey you made The Washington Post and it has enough hits to make Taegan Goddard’s Political Wire..YES!!!
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/09/13/in_anrchorage_an_anti-palin_pr.html
All the best from the lower 48!!
Just Tried To Find Local Coverage, TV and Vids, only one station had it but it was good:
KTUU
The Writeup with Vid
The Video
The code on the Embed is huge, you might try it here to see if it posts.
The other stations looked like they haven’t updated their pages in a few days.
And I left a message on the open thread:
The Women who oragized have another task, They’ve Gotta Go After The Radio Jock, File Charges. According to the vid the station is going to discipline him, Not Enough, that kind of Speech and Call Out Actions Need To Stop On The Public Airways. The fat clown ‘chickenhawk’ isn’t going to anything but he knows he’s inciting others who will than he’ll claim Innocence, can’t Happen, Have Him Arrested and he Needs To Be Tried!!!!!!!!!!!
This Democrat Abroad in the Netherlands is delighted to see that we’re finally fighting back. Given enough time, the truth would probably put an end to the infatuation with Palin, but I’m not sure we have enough time for that.
AKM, this is a very heartening post! I read with trepidation the beginning paragraph and your concern of a few being surrounded by many hate-filled, non-platform aware Pro-Palin protesters. I am so proud of USATODAY reporting the truth; that the Pro-Palin rally was “smaller.” If media was smart, they would be talking to the Alaskan people and asking what they think. Congratulations! Well done!
P.S. Knowing the causes that North Face sponsors, I wonder what they would think of small-minded Eddie having their logo plastered on his jacket as he tries to promote anti-choice, anti-environment, pro-War candidacy….just sayin’
Just fantastic to see so many women standing proud and telling the world what they think – the signs are great.
Thankyou SO much for covering this, let’s hope the word really gets out!
I heard the mosquitos were big up there- but that Burke doofus is the biggest maggot I’ve ever seen !!!!
Well done, rally attendees. You stood up for what you believe in. It is never an easy thing to do. Good on you!
In this case everyone please remember this was an act of enormous bravery to just show up there given what that Eddie Burke guy did. I was worried about what was going to happen, and I’m half a world away. I’m glad he was outnumbered so greatly.
I firmly believe he should be fired – and if all the people who went to the rally jumped up and down I think it could happen. If he would do that to the rally organisers just because he doesn’t agree with them, what else is he capable of?
Worst case scenario – finding out the names of pregnant teenagers who had abortions and airing them on his show calling them baby killing maggots, complete with their home telephone numbers?
When you put your heads together great things happen, and I think Eddie finding a new job would be a great thing for Alaska.
Being in the media is a big responsibility and people have to do the right thing. Eddie did not. A big thumbs down all the way from Australia, Eddie!
SNL:
Saturday Night Live: Hillary and palin
AKM you’re the best, thank you. Keep safe.
I’ve always assumed Alaska was actually Democratic at heart. I think most Alaskans are so independent that voting feels too linked to The Man. There’s too many hippies up here to be a genuine red state. We’re a freaken tie-dyed state, for gawd’s sake.
To quote my favorite non-politically correct t-shirts: Alaska Girls Kick Ass! and The media is not fooling me.
Get your Pop Art portrait of Sarah Palin as Mooselini t-shirts and pins here! Mooselini. That’s right, I said it and I meant it!
To coincide, had my Independent Friends who need Enlightenment Dinner last evening. I had invited approx. 20 people and they ALL showed up; some whom I never knew were really Republicans. Here’s the consensus from last evening, so take heart:
1) More die-hard Republicans are going quietly against their Party this year than I thought. The Bloomberg article is quietly circulating. Palin is killing McCain among the moderate Repubs who are smart enough to know there is another agenda that is not being shared by having her on the ticket. The Obama tax hike hysteria is being debunked all over the place by financial analysts and planners (and we had several there last evening who agreed). The war mongering b.s. is not playing well after 8 years.
2) People with even a gumption of morals are disgusted by the smear and out and out lies McCain and his troops are spreading. They are not being fooled by his “aw shucks” POW routine. As one man said: “Reagan helped usher out the Cold War, and McCain wants to bring it back in.”
3) A LOT of people are oblivious to the Extreme Right connection. I know McCain prefers to keep it that way (deceit – there’s another one of those virtues he’s left behind), so get that out as much as possible. The extreme right are not the vast majority. The Republians need for the moderate Christian to believe s/he is voting for something else.
4) Palin’s naivete is showing. I was so proud of one woman who stated just because one can see Alaska does not make one a foreign policy expert!! YESSS!!!!!!
Now, understand there is this “pride” thing so many Repubs are stating publicly that they are aligned with their Party. Do not expect that to change.
At the end of the evening, we encouraged each couple to hold a dinner of their own and discuss the issues. I encouarge y’all to do the same. This is the way the campaign will be won. It feels great to know there are more like-minds than different and the shrill of hypocrisy, hate, and deceit circulating with McCain/Palin will be drowned out.
VOLUNTEER. DONATE. VOTE.
Alaska,
Go make us proud!!
[...] in Anchorage, organized by a group of local women over coffee. Attendance, according to the blogger Mudflats, was comparable to attendance at the official pro-Palin rally. The “HYPE” poster [...]
Let’s all give a shout out to “Frisco” Eddie Burke
9075228921 9073370388 9073370388
ROCK ON! This just made my weekend!
We shall show them what Community Organizers can do!
Congratulations to everyone for a great rally. Keep up the good work!!!!! By the way..If you want some comic relief watch the SNL Clinton/Palin skit. It was awesome!
Maybe it is Frisco, just nobody ever bothered to tell him?
I have some Skype credit.. what numbers are those BigSlick?
To ‘borrow’ a phrase from the best commnetator on television, be it politics or sports, Keith Olbermann:
Eddie Burke — Today’s worsttttttttt person in the worldddddddddd !!!!!!!
Happiness here in PA. Hugs to all the wonderful people of Alaska who made their voices heard. And, Mudflats, YOU ARE THE MAN!!!
This is AWESOME to see. Made my weekend, as a women I realize that it’s not just that we want a women for President or Vice President, we want a QUALIFIED women. If Sarah get’s into office I just feel this would set us back 50 years, she is a talking head and not the mover and shaker that she tries to portray, anyone can read from a script. She is being used, when John McCain asked her to run on his ticket, that is when she should have said THANKS, BUT NO THANKS…..
When there is a great need, sometimes communities even begin to organize themselves!!! Fantastic and many kudos to those women over coffee…great things happen that way. Keep the faith.
Good on you.
Wish I wasn’t so pessimistic about Obama’s chances. Seems as though the low informed voters will determine the outcome of this election. The McPhalin campaign relies on this, so they lie, lie, lie(say it three times and it’s true) with no repurcussions and will win.
Eddie Burke=Michelle Malkin in pants
Watch the video of the corwd. Impressive.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNlcYaEOLRM
Thanks! I had some video, but this is better. I put it in the post. I remember when that woman drove by with the camera. Awesome.
AKMuckraker
Great to see that despite their apprehensions, people were brave enough to go out and join the rally – the desire to make their voices heard is what made it such a success!
The head of a major Belgian political party was the guest on a midday talk show, and at the end, she was asked for her Top and Flop of the week. She praised firefighters as a group (two recently perished in a blaze in Brussels) and gave a resounding thumbs down to “the Vice-Presidential candidate of the Republican Party in the United States, who thinks war is God’s plan – God deserves to be associated with better things than war.” (an off-the-cuff translation here, I’ll have to listen to it again to be sure.)
Unfortunately for Americans, more and more people abroad are beginning to associate “Americans” as a whole with the policies of the Bush administration and the far right, which are viewed in a very negative light. I hope the results of the November 4 election will change their minds!
AKMuckraker- YOU are my hero/heroine for the day!!
Between this and the front page of the NY Times I’m gonna
be smiling all day.
Have already emailed my girls across
the country so they can take a look at your blog and to
ask if they’d like to have rally’s in their cities. If so, I’ll
do all I can to help them get it organized.
It would be great if we could one date in October that women
across the US could have rallies at the same time????
Of course our brothers, fathers, sons, husbands, and
male friends can join in too.
How about a National Women Reject Palin Day ??
Any ideas on how to make this happen- email me
berta@birthsearcher.com
Subject Line: Women’s Rally
Let me tell you, I think this election may be decided by women discussing things over coffee, like everything else. The signs were witty and terrific…my favorite is ‘Reckless/Inexperienced’ that looks like the McCain/Palin graphics. Priceless!
Nice polar bear, too.
Stay safe…I just printed out a listing of Dems in my neighborhood to call and I was surprised to see how many there are. More than anything, it’s good to get out and see that you are not alone, in Alaska or anywhere else.
Here’s a link to the Banerjee photos of ANWR, the ones that were moved around in the Smithsonian 2 years ago. He continues to do a lot of important work in the arctic. The comments are really good in terms of illustrating how human activity has impacted this part of the world.
http://www.subhankarbanerjee.org/selectphotographs.html
I see big slick beat me to it. This is an analog of people who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones. anywho.com is your friend. Only 1 Eddie Burke listed for Anchorage. Keep it clean folks.
907-522-8921
WOOHOOO!!! MAKING POLITICAL HISTORY!
I noticed how many men were protesting with you – even better!!
After all the news coverage on “ignorant” Alaska enabling the Pitbull, this gives me hope that the truth will overcome the lies. THANKS FOR DOING THIS => AND KEEP IT UP.
@lemonfair, did you say keep it clean???
Anchorage Daily News (AK) {PUBLICATION 2}
July 22, 1994
Section: Metro
Edition: Final
Page: E3
BURKE TO PAY $1,500 FINE IN INCIDENT BUSINESSMAN PLEADS NO CONTEST TO ASSAULT, COMPOUNDING CRIME
LIZ RUSKIN
Daily News reporter
Staff
A tearful, apologetic Eddie Burke pleaded no contest Thursday to misdemeanour charges for grabbing at a waitress’s crotch, then offering to pay her $400 to keep her from reporting him to the police. Burke, owner of a downtown gas station and former Anchorage Assembly candidate, was fined $1,500 for assault and compounding a crime. Prosecutor Susan Wibker said Burke was out carousing that April night, going from strip joint to strip joint in a white limousine with friends. After midnight, Burke stopped by the Peanut Farm, a restaurant and bar on Old Seward Highway.
“He was intoxicated and he was sexed up,” Wibker said.
Burke approached a waitress from behind, pinned her against a cash register and stuffed his hands into the front pockets of her apron, groping her between the legs and laughing, Wibker said. Later, he assaulted a bartender, putting him in what Wibker described as a headlock.
Defense attorney Carmen Gutierrez said it was more like a bear hug.
Gutierrez argued that Burke, 32, should be given credit for all the good deeds he has done, which include fund raising for the Special Olympics, volunteering for the Chamber of Commerce and giving free turkeys to the needy on Christmas Eve.
“He’s been punished,” she said. “It will take him years to overcome the humiliation.”
When it was his turn to talk, Burke said he was truly sorry.
As his wife and children looked on, he stood to address District Court Judge Gregory Motyka.
“I’ve prepared a statement, your honor, and I’d like to read from it,” Burke said. But the businessman paused, looked down at the defense table and cried. After a brief break, he continued. He said he’s given up drinking.
“If there’s a silver lining in this dark cloud, it is that I have learned my lesson,” Burke said. “By the grace of God, this courtroom will not see my face again.”
In February, in a different courtroom, Burke was tried and acquitted on a charge alleging he assaulted a motorist who followed him to his house to complain about his driving.
Judge Motyka ordered Burke to write apology letters to the waitress and the bartender. If Burke complies with a host of conditions, including alcohol screening and an aggression-awareness program, the assault conviction will be wiped from his record. Motyka, however, decided to make permanent the conviction for compounding the crime.
Copyright © 1994, Anchorage Daily News
My faves:
Candidate to Nowhere
Hey Hockeymom. Keep the puck out of DC
Here’s a heartfelt thank you to a small group of people who have lifted the spirits of many.
Hi-
What is Ms Palin’s current approval rate? All we hear in the lower 48 is that she has an 80% approval rate, but I can’t find the source of that rating.
Please help.
btw…I live in New York and I sure know a lot about England. I can almost see it from here!
Thank you,
David
Her approval rating went from the low 80s, to about 67% after Troopergate started to hit the news. Then she bounced back to 80%. The latest polls have her at an 80% approval rating as governor, but only 65% as a vice presidential candidate. And that was over a week ago. I’ll be interested to see where the polls go from here.
AKMuckraker
AKM: What an absolutely surreal moment it must have been for you to drive up to the library and see all those people, mostly women, carrying signs. I know I would have been choked up and probably starting crying.
This has reaffirmed my faith in so many ways. I think many of us were starting to feel helpless and depressed as we watched the blatant effort by the Republicans to hijack our morality and to insult our intelligence by their disgusting campaign of lies and deception.
Thank you to all the wonderful women of Alaska who made a huge statement yesterday that will reverberate around the country blog by blog by email by post.
I’m so glad I’m on the right side in this one. I would hate to have to justify my position if I were a Republican. And so far I haven’t run into one who can’t do it without telling lies or distorting the truth.
I know I speak for all mudflatter when I say, how very proud we of you! And the pictures are fantastic!
Thank you from the bottom of my heart…
Best way to deal with a bottom feeder like Eddie Burke? Have the rally attendees call his show sponsors and gently let them know that they are sorry to see that they support that type of person and they will keep that in mind when making shopping decisions.
Might not get him fired, but could get some on air groveling.
OMG! That’s awesome! Thanks for updating everyone on this.
Sponsors of Burke’s radio station (don’t forget, the station manager came out in support of him)
Alaska House of Yamaha, Big Lake 907-892-1000
Today’s Window Fashions® — (a national brand)
Jeff and Jan Stoeckle
Palmer, AK 99645
907-746-6822
877 99-TODAY
Prudential Jack White Vista Real Estate (Anchorage)
Michael Schwartz
Phone 907-351-4228
Mobile 907-351-4228
Fax 907-762-3189
Email alti2d@gci.net
First Frontier Mortgage (Anchorage)
Office 907-222-6001
Direct 229-2287
Fax 907-222-1478
Email info@FirstFrontierMortgage.com
Aussie puck mule.
Yeah, I did say keep it clean, and i meant it. It’s really important to keep the story on Eddie Burke’s childish, crude, antics, and on Palin, and not on any of us in a negative way.
Besides, I’m sure he’d just love to sue anybody who threatened him.
Thanks for posting that ADN article. Absolutely amazing. What a pity anybody listens to him.
WONDERING_LAKE
I recommend the proceeds of your Mooselini T-Shirt sale be used in two ways:
1) Donations to Obama campaign
2) Set up a trust fund to pay for rape kits in Wassilla on behalf of victims without health insurance that covers those costs
Aussie puck mule
Thanks for posting those advertiser addresses.
I encourage those of you who plan to email them to create new addresses on Yahoo, hotmail, or with one of your extra accounts on your server, so you don’t end up getting harassed by email yourself.
Hey, great stuff. Please create a Flickr account and post all these and any other photo’s there. It is much easier to share and get the images around the world. Let me know if you need any help doing so and I will be glad to.
Keep it going. We only have a short time to keep the true information going.
Cory
This warms my heart – wish I could personally hug each and every prson at the rally!. Thank you all so much for standing up and expressing yourselves, and thanks to AK Muckraker for bringing us the unfiltered view, as always. This blog is a national treasure.
@gc – I just had to post this in full from the Washington Post !!
In Anchorage, an Anti-Palin Protest
By Karl Vick
ANCHORAGE — A couple of hours after Gov. Sarah Palin returned to the Outside, as Alaskans call the Lower 48, her local critics swarmed an Anchorage intersection to correct the widespread impression that the whole of the Last Frontier endorses her candidacy.
The midday protest outside a city library drew a crowd in the high hundreds — perhaps surging past a thousand — from the city’s relatively liberal environs, who seemed very happy to see one another and be reminded that they are not alone.
“The whole thing grew out of frustration,” said Charla Sterne, one of the organizers, who like several people at the rally declined to say where they worked (several said they were state employees and feared retribution).
“Last week this was just ten women sitting around talking about this perception that all of Alaska supports Sarah Palin. We apparently hit a nerve and started a movement,” Sterne said.
A sense of festival obtained. There was a woman in a polar bear suit representing “Polar Bear Moms Say: No Palin.” Drivers on 36th Avenue saw a little girl waving a sign “Don’t Ban My Books.”
Maia Nolan, 29, wore a sticker reading, “My Mom for V.P.”
“My mom is from Alaska. She’s a working mother. She’s good looking,” said Nolan. “So she seems to be qualified to be vice president.”
There were also a few score Palin supporters in the mix, most of them alerted to the event by a conservative talk show host.
Eddie Burke of KBYR-AM showed up in person, but while there was no evident friction between the two camps, cheerful chants of “O-bam-ah” effectively drowned out whatever he was saying to the cameras in the center of a mini-media scrum.
The din did not prevent reading the signs, pro and against:
Bush In A Skirt
Palin: She Be Failin’
I Love My Alaska Girl
Jesus Was a Community Organizer
We Luv Our Lady Guv
Palin: Thanks But No Thanks
Smearing Alaska’s Good Name One Scandal @ a Time
Candidate To Nowhere
Rape Kits Should Be Free
Voted For Her Once: Never Again!
Community Organizers are the Real Patriots
Barbies for War
I Shall Not Be Pandered To
Give Palin Your Vote AND Your Draft Age Child
Sarah Palin: So Far Right She’s Wrong
Sarah Palin Is My Hero
Alaska Is Not Frisco
Gun Rights
Coat Hangers for McCain
Sarah Palin, Undoing 150 Years of American Feminism
Hockey Mama for Obama (on a hockey stick)
@gc – thanks, it’s brilliant!
Great job, Mudflats!!! Didn’t someone say “it may only be 10 people or it may be a hundred” ? Well, it looks to me like there were more than expected. I just donated to Defenders of wildlife (for the second time) to help get their ad on air about aerial hunting of wolves and bears. I’d like to ask everyone here (especially those of us from the lower 48) to go to http://www.grizzlybay.org/SarahPalinInfoPage.htm and read what they have to say about it then follow their link to Defenders of wildlife and match (or hopefully beat) my donations. I’m disabled and have a very low income so I wasn’t able to donate much ($25 the first time, then another $50 this morning), but every penny helps to spread the word.
Let me just end this with one of my favorite lines from our great President George W. Bush.
“Sometimes we repeat ourselves, we need to keep saying the same things, uh, — over and over, to,–uh–to, uh, to,– catapult the propoganda”
Only this time we need to catapult the truth.
MSN has another Palin article on the front page today.
Palin cut own duties as mayor of Wasilla
This article honestly chronicles her time as Wasilla’s mayor. I think the picture is starting to emerge clearer and clearer that this is an ambitious woman who rules by cronyism and favoritism, who doesn’t tolerate dissentors and really doesn’t have a lot of interest in actually ‘doing’ the job she is elected for. She is pure raw ambition of the scariest kind.
Keep them coming MSM. And the beautiful part is all the MSM is doing is just telling it like it really is and was. No distortion necessary.
Oh yeah, can I steal a few of your pictures for a couple of my own sites? I’ll link them back to you of course.
Yes! Yes! Get them anywhere they can be helpful. AKM
Does the red meat crowd know that McCain is quietly telling illegal immigrants that he’s really their friend?
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/09/13/mccain-ad-slams-obama-senate-democrats-on-immigration/
This is the lowest of the low. He tells small town America he’s going to put up a wall, then slips in a Spanish-language commercial denying it all.
And the beautiful part is all the MSM is doing is just telling it like it really is and was. No distortion necessary.
Vetting the Resume, which is what the Mac camp and the Repugs should have done, or if anyone knew they went with their tried and true, their Base wouldn’t Give A Crap!!!!
“Frisco” Eddie needs to hear what you think of his mysoginistic alcohol addiction, anger management issues, and his tearful confession of drunkenly groping a waitress to a judge!
8921 BOULDER BAY CIR
907 522 8921
832 E 6TH AVE
907 337 0388
6416 COLGATE
907 337 0388
The NY Daily News has fun a “Palin-tology quiz in today’s paper.
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/toplists/palintology_what_do_you_know/palintology_what_do_you_know.html
For instance — Do you know who ” Iceman ” is ?
That’s the code name the Secret Service uses for Todd Palin !
(Somewhere, Val Kilmer just threw up)
Nicely done Mudflats, very nicely done. Though I don’t have the time to write great and inspiring pieces like yours I do appreciate reading them. I write what I can in the time I have and hope the message is clear enough, but you go above and beyond, and for that I appreciate you. Keep up the phenomenal work.
Thank you so much for the photos….it’s one thing to read reports….but when you get to see visuals – the report some how last longer.
Those voter really had some fantastic lines on those signs….it showed their passion…..Two thumbs up!!!
I’d like to recommend this site for fellow mudflats readers – http://freedocumentaries.org/
I’m not associated with that site or the particular film I’m recommending in any way, but I think it’s awesome that they make full length films available online for free. Of particular interest in this election cycle when we can clearly see how the media treats or doesn’t treat the candidates, is a film called “Orwell Rolls in his Grave”. Interesting stuff. We should all be thankful that – for now – we have open access to the internet, and blogs like this to offer insight and opinion that we’ll never get mainstream.
awesome!! I wish I could have been there!
Great article today in the Boston Globe
For Palin, political issues still unresolved in Alaska
Likely to share ballot with two GOP stalwarts
By Sasha Issenberg, Globe Staff | September 14, 2008
ANCHORAGE – The signs said “Welcome Home.” The brooch on Sarah Palin’s black suit glimmered “Alaska.” The Wasilla High School pep band in which she once played flute added Sarah-specific lyrics to its version of Offspring’s “Pretty Fly (For a White Guy).”
“I thank you for what you have instilled in me. There is no better place to come from than Alaska,” Governor Sarah Palin told a morning rally yesterday, suggesting that she might not return before November.
Despite the exuberant sendoff, Alaska might not be done with her yet. The governor leaves behind several unresolved issues that could force her in coming weeks to renegotiate the tenuous political divorce from the state’s Republican establishment that she has used to cast a “maverick” silhouette as a vice-presidential candidate.
“What she’s saying on the national stage is not at all what she’d say in Alaska,” said Ivan Moore, an Anchorage pollster unaffiliated with any state or national campaigns.
While Palin brags outside Alaska that she battled the state’s “old politics-as-usual . . . big good-old-boys network,” she will likely share a ballot in November with two of its charter members: Senator Ted Stevens and Representative Don Young, erstwhile rivals both struggling in their bids for reelection due to related corruption scandals.
Palin has so far not said whether she would endorse – or even vote for – either of her fellow Republicans. A McCain campaign spokeswoman did not respond to a request for comment on the subject. When asked yesterday if he expected that Palin would back Stevens and Young, state party chairman Randy Ruedrich said only that “we’ve talked to the governor about the election. . . . We’ll work with all kind of people and see what happens.”
While Palin’s campaign rallies elsewhere in the country last week were festooned with placards promoting local Republican candidates, the walls were bare in Anchorage. Stevens and Young will hope nonetheless to be pulled up by her coattails, according to a longtime strategist for both who said that finding common cause with them in the interest of party loyalty would not damage Palin politically.
“When you look at the contradictions that are around her, I don’t see how it would complicate her anymore,” said Art Hackney, who is working for both this year. “You could safely say there is a basic team dynamic that everyone recognizes when it comes to McCain-Palin, and Stevens and Young.”
The two Alaska legislators are facing reelection under dramatically different political and legal circumstances. While Stevens faces trial later this month, a federal investigation around Young has not brought charges. Yet polls show Stevens closely trailing his opponent, Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich, while Young lags his, former state representative Ethan Berkowitz, by a significant margin.
“She has campaigned with him, and they are enjoying a good relationship,” Hackney said of Stevens. “She certainly has not got as good a relationship with Young as with Stevens.”
Palin backed her lieutenant governor, Sean Parnell, in a challenge to Young in the state’s Aug. 26 primary. The counting of votes has yet to be completed: Young currently holds a 239-vote advantage, with 280 outstanding absentee votes to be tallied on Thursday, according to an election divisions spokeswoman. At that point the election is likely to be certified, but given the closeness of the race either Parnell or a group of voters could demand a recount.
Parnell has not conceded the race or said how he intends to proceed, and Palin has given no indication whether she would support a recount. Polls show Parnell, a close ally who was the only Alaska politician to appear with Palin at the Anchorage rally, would be a far stronger Republican nominee than Young.
Both Stevens and Young have built their political careers on success financing Alaska projects through the congressional earmarking process, one of the favorite targets of McCain’s reform agenda. It is a subject hard for Palin to avoid when she returns home: her new campaign charter plane took off yesterday from Anchorage’s Ted Stevens International Airport for a rally in Nevada last night.
Since joining the ticket, Palin has repeatedly claimed that she said “thanks, but no thanks, on that bridge to nowhere,” referring to a $400 million Ketchikan-area bridge whose earmarked funding had been largely engineered by Stevens and Young. Like many Alaska politicians, Palin initially backed the bridge, withdrawing support only after Congress eliminated the earmark in 2005 and the project became politically toxic.
In an interview with ABC News on Friday, Palin said “the abuse of earmarks, it’s un-American, it’s undemocratic, and it’s not going to be accepted in a McCain-Palin administration. Earmark abuse will stop.”
Yet another project also known as a “bridge to nowhere” – to connect Anchorage to the area near Palin’s Wasilla home across the Knik Arm Crossing – continues to receive state support, though its congressional earmark was eliminated at the same time. Championed by Stevens, the Knik Arm Bridge will be twice as expensive as the Ketchikan project.
“Governor Palin’s been in the news and she’s been talking about one ‘bridge to nowhere’ and not the other,” said Lois Epstein, director of the Alaska Transportation Priorities Project. “She canceled one bridge, but that was the easier of the mega-projects her predecessor left her with.”
A local quasi-public authority responsible for construction is negotiating with private investors and waiting for the Federal Highway Administration to accept a study of the project’s impact on local communities and to sign a “record of decision,” according to a department of transportation spokesman.
Democrats have pushed Palin to impose a public review and legislative oversight on the process, claiming that the project has been mismanaged and that the authority has underestimated its cost.
At her Anchorage rally, Palin did not once mention the “bridge to nowhere” or address the subject of earmarks, staples of her stump speech elsewhere but still broadly popular with Alaskans. A decision this fall on how to proceed with the Knik Arm Bridge could force Palin to again choose between the state’s political establishment and burnishing her national reputation as a reformer, observers say.
“It’s pretty much a Republican-driven entity. It’s a good-old-boy kind of a deal down there,” said Moore. “If she killed it, she would [anger] her base here.”
“But if she doesn’t win in November,” he added, “She’d have to come home.”
Sasha Issenberg can be reached at sissenberg@globe.com.
Thanks for the report, AKM. I can’t even imagine what’s going on in your head. We’re listening and looking hard, but you’re in the eye of the storm.
I was listening to ABC talk radio late last night and they reported that the Welcome Home rally had 10,000 people. They said it was so packed that they had to put people in another room to view it on the monitors. I don’t get it! I’m hoping that erroneous report will self-correct but I’ll take action if I hear it again (I would have last night but I was half-asleep at the time).
10,000??? I don’t think so. I posted a picture in the ‘Infiltrating the Palin Rally in Anchorage’ post that shows the entire crowd, smushed in behind the tape lines. The room capacity was 5000. The crowd may be 1000 but no larger than that. And they definitely didn’t need to open another room.
AKM
Wasn’t the “Iceman” the crook that Nick Nolte was looking for in “Another 48 Hours”?
Congrats Mudflats! Score one for the good guys. Everyone did such a great job with the signage. You guys made an important statement. And it looks like everyone enjoyed making it.
We need to subtract people who felt compelled to spend their Saturday afternoon at Sarah’s rally for fear of not being a ‘team’ player.
@Proud2BUSA aka Krinkle Bearcat (04:01:02) :
I can see why you have so many friends. WTG!!
@Amused and Bewildered (05:07:48) :
AKM has posted several pics to demonstrate the crowd pushed together to look a bit bulkier.
Perhaps you could email one to ABC talk radio in your area.
@Aussie… left a comment for you on open thread
Thank you for your unique insight into this election. This runaway freight train is so depressing, your positive report brought tears to my eyes.
this is so so so absolutely cool. i feel honored to have been a lurker and sometimes poster to mudflats and to have had the glimpse this site provides into the hearts and minds of Alaskans.
when i heard the audio of the Burke fellow – i felt shame that our country has this kind of derision festering inside. someone on the list mentioned the need to fire him – well, look what his cold calculating words has produced? maybe that is the true value of free speech. to KNOW what is on the minds of others and to be able to shout back with equal freedom.
when i explain the details of the pipeline and the natural gas sales, etc to friends and such (including the cashier at the grocery store) by citing Alaskan legislation and USGS reports and Canadian treaties and the testimony presented to the legislature — not one person misunderstands the depth of the lie. but that takes time and patience on both my part and the listener. (i talk fast) they all agree that news cannot or will not take the time to report that type of detail. so we get lipstick.
as you well know – there are so many people that will not pursue that depth of information needed to make a qualified election decision. some will not even read certain newspapers or any papers at all……..and therefore restrict their knowledge base considerably.
many will never read the blogs, the comments, or watch the videos or even know that those sources of varied opinions and facts are available. the fact is that not every family has a computer and internet access.
certainly few will spend 100’s of hours learning about the candidates and the issues surrounding them – including religion, lobbying, budget realities, the war(s), and that huge concept called foreign relations.
they still believe there is a walter cronkite to tell them how it is. we lost tim russert. we have new rising stars in newsmedia – but it takes time to learn their biases and to hear the facts in all the innuendo and in some cases, paid rage.
this blog has been so fantastic – so levelheaded – so compassionate – wow.
from here i have scoured the ‘net to read for myself all of the various tones and opinions and to do a bit of vetting myself via more document-laden sources. again – with the help of excellent posts and links on this blog.
and there cannot be enough said of the value of youtube – to watch the raw footage of speeches, meetings, etc and to learn from the montages and opinion pieces found in abundance there as well.
whatever McCain, et al had in mind for this election – they have done one thing very well – they have awakened a herd of sleeping giants and the stampede to the truth is on!
i have to head out on the road for a week and i am homesick for this blog already (smile). i will keep the AWRP signs and messages in my heart and even now typing this it brings a comfort that the vigorousness of thinking america can plow through the horror that “win no matter what lies you say” is the republican code of this time in us history.
i want to stand with the people that know that this country is not the priveleged playground of a few persons or corporations — but hundreds of millions of real people that deserve the best information and resources to build our nation on a foundation of honesty and integrity.
dear alaskan protesters…i think i luv ya…
an obama mama from texas
AKM and Alaskan women….you continue to inspire. Thank you.
I have a tradition of reading with my kids before they go to bed. Our current book is “The Chosen” by Chaim Potok….and last night, we read the section where Potok describes how Americans reacted to the announcement of Roosevelt’s death. Stunned sense of loss….sadness…..bewilderment. Crying in the streets.
That was before my time, but I remember that even in Hong Kong, we sat around the radio every day when Kennedy was running for President…..feeling much the same emotions that I feel today about Obama’s candidacy. How people in Hong Kong cheered when Kennedy won! Then…..Potok’s words could have been used to describe the world’s reaction to Kennedy’s assassination. Stunned sense of loss….sadness….bewilderment.
As we read the book, I realized that my kids (the youngest is 12) have never experienced that sense of respect and trust in a leader. It’s been a long time since we’ve had someone the country believed in. It’s been a long time since we’ve shared common goals and were united in our direction.
There’s a poignant article in WAPO today about how black people would react to an Obama loss. I think you could take the word “black” out of the article, and it would express how all Obama supporters would feel.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/12/AR2008091202414_2.html?nav=hcmodule
Wasn’t the “Iceman” the crook that Nick Nolte was looking for in “Another 48 Hours”?
——–
Yes – but I referencing the movie Top Gun.
But……….”Another 35 Hours” until Keith and then Rachel are on the air again. Can’t wait……….
Aussie, as stated above, if I hear it again, I will. These things often have a way of self-correcting. Especially with it being Sunday, which is a very big news day here. Getting ready to for my Sunday dose of political talk shows right now! It’s going to be goooood.
I woke up this morning hoping that the AWRP rally would start a trend and wondered where we would go to try to rally the troops in each of our areas. Went to http://www.womenagainstpalin.com and saw that there’s something in Golden, CO on 9/15. Here’s the info.:
Colorado WAP Rally Monday, Sept. 15th
Women Against Palin
Action
Go to…HomeForumTake Action!MediaAbout Colorado WAP member, Michelle, is organizing a peaceful rally during Sarah Palin’s visit to Golden,
Colorado on Monday.
When: Meet 7 a.m. on Monday, Sept 15th
Where: Meet at Starbucks Highway 93 & Washington. We’ll all carpool from there to Jefferson County
Fairgrounds
What: Peaceful rally against Palin at Palin’s speech at Jefferson County Fairgrounds
Who: Women & Men
Go to to http://www.womenagainstpalin.com and register to commune with like-minded people in your neck o’ the woods! I just did. I really do think that the AWRP rally is just the beginning and the http://www.womenagainstpalin.com site seems like a good place to convene.
Oh, Aussie. I just got what you wrote (morning brain!). Yes, I am well aware of the true number.
BTW, wonder if Rachel might be up for a run at the Presidency in 2016 – she’d get my vote !
Great job at being fair and balanced and I mean that in truth. The MSM long ago gave up any pretense of reporting facts and now spins the news however they wish. Thanks for your courage in the face of the hostile partisans who are trying to cover up everything shady. Report the facts and let us decide.
I can hardly wait to click on each picture and enjoy the protest!
Alaskan women, THANK YOU!!!! From the bottom of my heart I will be forever grateful.
I honestly think it will be women who can save our country this time. We had the Founding Fathers. But this time it’s the Ladies at Last!!!
How was Ed SChultz’ forum last night? It will be broadcasted on his showw tomorrow. 12-3 EST
Excellent work, sir!
– an encouraged reader from Seoul, Republic of Korea, formerly from Berkeley, CA
@Froth and misskae – thanks, have replied.
Thank you for your reporting on the scene! All of us together from all over the country will get the truth out, whether the McCainstream media and the Very Important Pundits in the Village of DeeCee want to hear it.
Learned of this story at dailyKos, and I appreciate the opportunity to pass along your reporting at my blog. Keep up the good work!
Can anyone from Alaska please tell me when Eddie’s radio show is on air? (and the number for the station) I’d like to give him a call while he’s on the air.
@Proud2BUSA aka Krinkle Bearcat (04:01:02) :
That’s good to hear. It was apparent Republicans were forced to settle for John McCain as the front runner. With the exception of the neocons – the War Baby War crowd, I don’t think any other faction – theocons (religious right), supply-siders, values voters, libertarians,etc – ever really trusted him. He’s proved them right. It looks like the Sarah pick is McCain’s sacrifice to the theocons in order to put Country First – I mean get elected. I’ve heard thecons comprise as much as 40% of the electorate.
http://www.beliefnet.com/story/153/story_15355_3.html
From ‘The Real News Network’
Video: The “lipstick pit-bull” goes to war
As usual Escobar gives it like it is Reality!!!!
Stunning, it gave me the chills. The power of women to speak back against threats is awesome. Congrats to all the Alaska women who turned out for the rally.
@Cartoon Pig Dog, the radio station address is http://www.kbyr.com – they even have a special ‘rant’ line
All I can say is ZOMG.
You are wonderful.
Mr. TheraP just had a good idea: Somebody (you, AKmuckraker?) needs to put this on youTube. Just the series of photos. Get some nice music for background.
Surely someone can make the vid – and it will be viral like nobody’s business!
You go, Alaska. I’m from Texas and constantly filled with shame at what we provided to the nation. I hope you are more successful at keeping your shameful politician at home. I love seeing the pictures from this rally–it gives me the first positive view of your state that I’ve seen in a couple of months!
Thanks for telling us about this when the national news media is not. The fact that there are women in Alaska who are showing their lack of support is very heartening. Keep it up and hopefully your efforts combined with ours down in the lower 48 will keep this trojan moose out of the White House!
Thanks Aussie, I love to rant
and I have a good one for him. Wonder if I can piss him off enough to get him to come all the way to PA to see me, I have a lot of women friends here that would just LOVE to meet him.
Please, Please post this article on your blog at Huffington Post. More people read the Post than read or listen to the MSM now adays.
bawdywench (05:34:24) :
i was sitting here thinking the same thing how in the heck can the MSM media report such nonsense when clearly the Anti Palin rally was much bigger!!! What a joke!!!
WAKE UP AMERICA!!! they are not on our side…we have to make them be!!!!
Great photos. I am lifting a couple and of course will provide a link. Thank you for all the great work you’re doing.
OMG! My favorite picture of Palin so far!!!! I clicked on an article called “Obama tries to blunt Palin, by attacking McCain”. LOOKEE AT THE PICTURE! Best one yet! I hope it appears aaaalll over the web.
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5iLjQnanGwe-0Mst6UJiA8xD7JcHw
Congratulations to all the wonderful people in Alaska who came out to protest Sarah Pahlin. Great job!
As a Democrat Abroad living in Venezuela, it is heartening to see that there are so many people in Alaska opposing McCain-Pahlin’s fascist policies and working to restore American democracy.
The whole world, not just the U.S., is heavily impacted by the actions of the U.S. government. The last eight years of Bush-Chaney crimes have tragically affected millions around the world. Thus, the world is watching us and praying that U.S. returns to political sanity by electing Obama.
My thanks to Mudflats for being such a wonderful source of factual news and interesting comments about Pahlin.
return to sanity
That’s wonderful!!
It makes me question the 80-90% approval rating she has gotten. I guess people can think she is doing a good job for Alaska but is not ready to be VP.
But I love to see these types of rallies.
BTW, did anyone see that she spoke in Nevada yesterday giving the exact same speech — plane on Ebay, bridge to nowhere, blah, blah. Ugh.
Thanks Mudflats. What are we going to do about voter caging? It is happening in Ohio and Wisconsin as we speak. The tide is turning toward Obama away from the lies but will the votes count? Thia is my major concern.
Thanks to mudflats for your accurate and enthusiastic reporting of what for you must have been a looong day! I have a few pics of rally at my blog if readers want to see more!
You just made my day. I sent some of the photos out to my e-mail list with the title:
Behold the power of women.
I encourage you to show your discouraged women friends what is possible. Time to mobilize.
UK lady (05:54:12) :
Wow, just saw this, they don’t mince their words or worry about being pc do they.
http://english.pravda.ru/opinion/columnists/12-09-2008/106354-palindevil-0
Please, please read this, you will be gobsmacked.
Did anyone see the Mooselini babywear that Wondering Lake posted?
http://www.cafepress.com/mooselini
Poetic justice!
OK folks, this is the type of rediculousness we are dealing with:
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bal-op.palin14sep14,0,4638337.story
The last paragraph takes the cake:
“Right now, for me, gender trumps everything else. If Democratic women wait for the perfect woman to come along, we will never elect a woman. I will vote for McCain-Palin. I urge other women to do the same. I promise to be the first person knocking on her door if Roe v. Wade or any other legislation that goes against the rights of women is threatened. But in Governor Palin, I find a woman of integrity, who not only talks the talk but walks the walk. I can work with that. I will work with that.”
YEAH, you go ahead and knock on her door and watch how she opens it and slams it right back in your face. Don’t let it hit you in the ass on your way out. Is this woman really that naive?
Heartwarming, to say the least. I love your website. Thanks for giving us in the lower 48 a taste of what is really happening up there. I love the photos and a great job on the signs!!
WOW! Consider me gobsmacked!
[quote]UK lady (05:54:12) :
Wow, just saw this, they don’t mince their words or worry about being pc do they.
http://english.pravda.ru/opinion/columnists/12-09-2008/106354-palindevil-0
Please, please read this, you will be gobsmacked.[/quote]
As we say in Australia – bloody hell!
saturday night live clip…. tina fey as palin and amy poehler as clinton… too damn funny!!!!
Thank you Alaska, women. And please support OPRAH on Monday 9/15/08 or online (despite the Oprah boycott being urged by FOXNEWS over a faux Palin-related matter) for her program urging passage of S.1738 PROTECT Our Children Act. The grassroots must unite on this nonpartisan issue, in fact, GOP women may be the key to the bill’s passage.
9/15 TOPIC:Internet Predators: How Bad Is It?
No one knows how bad it really is or fast it spreads…it’s time we all found out. Online sex predators—we’ve got to change the law. Interviews with Wyoming FBI Special Agent Flint Waters and others.
The related House bill passed almost unanimously.
http://www.house.gov/list/press/fl20_schultz/PROTECTmediapage.html
http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2007/roll1091.xml
Due to inadequate funding, 2% of KNOWN INDIVIDUALS involved in online ‘child sexual exploitation’ are investigated, yet US SENATE FAILS to authorize additional funds to FBI/DOJ, and despite 30% of offenders identified by ICAC databases being typically associated with local child victims.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2008-04-15-childporn-main_N.htm
Limited funds hinder child porn fight (interview with Agent Waters)
http://www.protect.org/childPornography/
Thank you!
Great job akmuckraker! I’m grinning ear to ear with my coffee this morning!
Gotta love the crowd that turned out to show the rest of us what Alaska really thinks. The hand made signs were a brilliant idea. So many clever signs and quips. I just love people with brains.
Worst repub bumber sticker I’ve seen all week: “Republican, because not everyone can be on welfare.”
UK lady:
Yep, no mincing of their thoughts, can only imagine what others are saying as well, probably Very Similar!!!!!
Great stuff. Forwarded this to my mother in Seattle one of those dreaded community organizers, asking her to please spread the word. Also its time to encourage Stewart and colbet to have Ole man mudder on their shows. I am emailng them today.
AUSSIE PACK MULE – glad someone read it, just – bloody hell!!!
@fixthebroken (06:06:12) :
Read the Russian article I just reposted and then she can talk about walking the walk!
Game on!
[...] and awe-struck at the huge crowd that was growing by the minute. This just doesnt happen here. Alaska Women Reject Palin Rally is HUGE! Mudflats Pictures of the rally can also be seen at the site (above). __________________ Change will not [...]
Thank you so much! You have brought back sanity in my life that Palin has taken away. For weeks I though I was stuck in a bad episode of the Twilight Zone. I just made another donation to the Obama/Biden campaign. I encourage everyone to do the same.
That rally is inspiring! I certainly couldn’t get that many Democratic women with signs to show up in my conservative Southern community for fear of censure and shunning by their own church members!
This makes my day ~ Go Alaskans! Lead the way back to sanity.
@aka Mustache Warthog Palin (06:10:46) :
geez, I hope you’re not a girl!
@Aussie… OMG– totally different press “rules?” Great link. Made me feel kind of naughty reading it. Bloody Hell indeed!
Aussie, re: http://english.pravda.ru/opinion/columnists/12-09-2008/106354-palindevil-0 — good find. IMHO, this hasn’t been brought enough but I’m hoping it will be. Just by virtue of what she said, I worry. Just unreal.
@UK lady (06:11:53) :
I’m proudly Aussie PUCK Mule Palin.
Like the other Palins, I didn’t ask for a weird name……
Amused and Froth, UK lady posted that some time ago, I just reposted it ….
Scary, huh?
thank you , thank you, thank you!!!!!
sorry for typo puck mule, so excited by my Russian story, fingers not working.
Well done Alaska Sistas ( and bruvvas…LOL)
I really love seeing Democracy ‘happening’
Off topic….I watched CNN ‘Biden revealed’ today…..
He is HOT ! ‘Common’ ladies….(I am over 50) Who agrees with me ….?
BTW AKM…..I have noticed there are Mudflatters world wide….how about a supporter map…..?
PS….Palin sounds like Mary Murphy….( DYTYCD) !!!!
I have tried to do that, with no luck. Not particularly skilled with widgets and the like…can you tell? Also been trying to figure out how to transfer this blog to a different version of WordPress. ARgh. AKM
Nice put down by Tony Knowles in NYT…..and he didn’t even name names. In the paper’s op-ed pages today, they asked a number of people w/ similar experience to the candidates to write about how (and if) their life experience would contribute to the Presidency.
Knowles: “My state has a partnership with the federal government to provide health care for children whose working parents cannot afford it. Giving incentives to families to continue to work is a moral, social and economic mandate. Yet today, sadly, fewer children in Alaska have a chance for this vital service than when it was initiated in 1998, even though the state now has huge surpluses as a result of the high price of oil.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/14/opinion/14knowles.html
The series is here: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/14/opinion/14intro.html?hp
Mary Nagle Chicago, the idea is to try and prove someone doesn’t live there any more, evidenced by the return-to-sender. I think it’s just a fishing exercise.
SOMEONE, please some advice about caging!!!!
@Zim, I would consider a decent proposal from him.
@UK lady
Thanks for the Pravda article — We HAVE to elect Obama/Biden
Ill be checking this site often thanks.
Together we can win.
Bravo, one and all! You are the Americans who speak the truth. My heart and thoughts are with you!!! Thank you, a million times over.
I have sent this to my daughter who has suffered with Multiple Sclerosis for 21 years. Her over all condition is deteriorating. No longer can drive, severe vision damage, loss of bodily functions, nerve pain, mobility issues. Her husband is a diabetic suffering with the on going results ofchildhood diabetes. He has had mutiple heart problems, nerve damage, inability to swollow, digest food, and now vision damage. My daughter will be 40 in a month, my son in law is in his early 40’s.
Both are faced with tremendous medical bills and worse yet will have to decide what they can and cannot afford. Stem cell research would help them both.
As a mother, watching my child suffer from this terrible condition, and seeing my son in law struggling to keep his job, caring for my daughter, and in the midst dealing with probable vision loss is heart breaking.
So, please accept my heartfelt gratitude. Our country’s future is at stake.
AKM (and everyone else who attended/posted) – Thank you for the reports and pictures. They’re so inspiring.
Lots of talk about Palin on the Sunday news shows, but nothing about the rallies, at least so far.
@Sarah, SNL was priceless. SP should have hired Tina Fey to do the interview w/ Charlie Gibson. I’m guessing Tina has at least thought about the issues, and if not, she’d have done a better job spouting the talking points.
As a Canadian who has been a mudflatter since early days….I cant tell you how excited I was for this post.
Those people have much more gumption than many would think. Imagine how this could have gone, given that gross Conservative radio personality. What I wouldnt give to have him in a room all by myself for 10 min.
Bravo my friends….;you have done far more than you know. Thankyou for doing what you did. You make this woman proud.
Great reporting! Thank you.
Please remember that not everyone who knows the truth about Palin is an Obama supporter. Your excellent blog is attracting all kinds of people, many of whom are disaffected Republicans (like myself) who are disgusted with the two-party system in general so will be casting a third-party vote. Thank you.
THIS HAS BEEN A PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT.
Wow, that Pravda article is not for the faint of heart. Of course, the last line doesn’t speak to Russia’s many problems with health and social issues.
Nuclear war is not something to mess around with. End of discussion.
Has anyone found any other international articles on this? I know some English and Irish posters have listed some…interested in what they are saying in France.
Wow. Just wow. I haven’t cried such tears of joy in a long time.
Thank you.
[...] AKMuckraker over at Mudflats went to Palin’s Welcome Home rally in Alaska, got bored and went to a bigger, more exciting party. [...]
Thank you women of Alaska!!
I’m just sorry she’ll be back as your governor when the Repub ticket is defeated in Nov. (Start that recall petition!)
Oh Laura…I so wish I could help you. My mom was diabetic and had cancer. She had the best medical care….not a dime out of her pocket. This is what nationalized health care is about.
Obama will be elected my friend. Then….you all will have healthcare. That is my prayer.
congratulations on the success!
i just wish the media would cover it. good Lord.
i really love reading your blog, keep up the good work!!
[...] http://mudflats.wordpress.com/2008/09/14/alaska-women-reject-palin-rally-is-huge/ [...]
ok, i am looking for my nerf brick to throw at my tv… Carly Firiona is making me crazy and needs toust hush. Claire McCaskill is a class act and was just so eloquent on ABC This Week.
Aussie Puck Mule:
Oh, and caging. I tried to post a longer thing about it the other day, but it got lost. I live in MN and we got a very tacky ‘absentee ballot’ mailer with a terrorist gallery the day after 9/11. There are lots of online reports about it in swing and purple states. The idea is to get voters to fill out the form and then certain ones get ‘lost’ in the mail.
I am going to my local DLF office to show it to them, and then to the Secretary of State’s office. It looks very official, and was actually addressed to my husband, who is registered but is a busy type who might do absentee ballot.
Document what you got, research the addresses on it, and report it to local political authorities and the Secretary of State. They take things like this very seriously in MN, other states vary a lot.
Why would I trust anyone else with my vote?
Oh, and sorry, the source was the McCain campaign, I should say. No Palin on the mailer, interestingly.
Go Alaskan women! I was wondering why everyone up there was willing to lie down and act like a doormat for this woman, and it turns out it isn’t true. Love the pictures.
@ Agate – this is Le Monde’s US election site: http://www.lemonde.fr/web/sequence/0,2-829254,1-0,0.html
Thank you so much for your outstanding report and pictures on this Rally! If it were not for the internet, I would not have known about this HUGE RALLY.
Fixthebroken —
Yes, it IS the kind of ridiculousness we are dealing with! And I have seen it with Hillary supporters as well (we must elect a woman at all costs!). AND Obama supporters (we must elect this black man all at costs, so we can make history and we may never have another chance!). These mindless idiots can’t even tell you the positions their candidate takes on the issues — all they care about is the sex (not gender! that is incorrect) of the candidate and/or the color of the skin. And in Palin’s case, what they look like — many males are voting for Palin because she is “hot.”
The American populace is so dumbed down it IS ridiculous! They have no critical thinking skills. That is why so many sheep are voting for one of the major party candidates.
Alaskan Women rule. I am so proud of ya’ll. Thank you for standing up and being LOUD for the rest of us in the lower 48 + Hawaii. thanksthanksthanks.
Great coverage Mudflats. Thank you for this heartening news.
I was wondering what you know about this woman: http://syrin.vox.com/
Her Palin’s “Abuse of power” entry is worth reading yet I’ve never seen this posted anywhere. I saw her name buried in the middle of a NY TImes article from yesterday and found her blog. Here’s the article: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/14/us/politics/14palin.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin
Have you done any pieces on her?
@swineprincess
I wonder what Carly Firiona expects to get from McSame. She is so repugnant.
Intrigued, where are you getting this “at all costs” you have heard from Hillary and Obama supporters… I have been pleasantly surprised at the lack of that type of thinking. I would argue that we are “over” that kind of thinking in the Democratic party and that the nomination of Sarah Palin shows (for one thing) that the Republicans entered into that thought process. Democrat Women and African Americans are much more thinking than to be “single gender voters”.
I am a white southern woman from a small town. I live in Wales (in the UK) right now, but am very concerned about what is happening in our country. Way to go, Alaskans. Way to go, Mudflats. Don’t let SP get to stay in her ‘witness protection program’ bubble. If we all do all we can for the next few weeks, we have a chance to move the country away from gutter politics. I’m so glad that there are so many true patriots in Alaska.
Thank y’all so much.
PS Intrigued… not slammin’ here just would like to know your sources
That video of the anti-palin rally is heartwarming. For the first time I’m beginning to feel a sense of optimism. Keep up the good work muckraker and your fellow Alaskans.
antsy absolutely… on a quick google she was, back in may, mentioned briefly for VeePee — but obviously she’s not hot enough
ooops
“single gender voters” or “single race voters”
I don’t know who posted this video earlier on, but thank you — it’s brilliant!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_T_mdeLaUA
Barbies for war!
Just browsing through some web sites and ran across this article. Guess how much Obama raised in August? Click here to find out: http://news.yahoo.com/story//ap/20080914/ap_on_el_pr/obama_3
AKA
Slap Spears Palin
I LOVE TINA FEY’S interpretation of Sarah Palin!
@swineprincess: Carly Firiona is making me crazy and needs toust hush. Claire McCaskill is a class act and was just so eloquent on ABC This Week.
Same here. Maybe people should examine her own economic record a little more closely so they understand who they’re listening to! Do people so quickly forget the circumstances under which Fiorina was dismissed by Hewlett-Packard??!! (I know, rhetorical question!)
On a brighter note, Debbie Wasserman Schultz did a very good job on “Face the Nation”. (Had to tape “Meet the Press” — it makes me crazy that these shows are on at the same time.) Now looking forward to what’s sure to be a lively discussion on “The McLaughlin Group”!
Intrigued,
I am voting for Obama because his policies are guaranteed to steer this country back on course, while McCain’s will drive is deeper into disaster. Trust me, I am very informed. Plus, McCain has lost all my respect for the campaign he is running.
I would have voted for Hillary Clinton as well.
Race, gender, whatever doesn’t matter. Trust me.
I’ll try this again. Guess how much money Obama raised in August? Click here to find out: http://news.yahoo.com/story//ap/20080914/ap_on_el_pr/obama_3
YES!!!! McLaughlin Group is starting out with the NATO and Georgia comment!!!
Mudflats:
I’ve been reading your blog for the past couple of weeks. It’s great to find a site that not only shares truthful insights, but in such a excellently written way. Congrats to all who turned out yesterday at the Anchorage Library. Keep up the good work. And not all us saddle tramps are Republicans.
This gives me hope – thank you so much! The comparison between the two rallies makes me wonder about the Obama approach for the rest of the campaign. Since we know the Repubs are going to continue playing to the tightly controlled “performances” being called town halls, I am hoping that the Obama rallies continue to show the energy and enthusium of real (normal) people as a stark contrast.
This is Spiegel in Germany
09/10/2008 02:24 PM
SARAH PALIN’S RELIGION
God and the Vice-Presidential Candidate
By Alexander Schwabe
Sarah Palin’s Pentacostalist past explains a lot about what she says in public, but the McCain campaign wants to play it down. Can a gas pipeline really be a manifestation of God’s will?
More than once, vice presidential candidate and current governor of Alaska Sarah Palin has shown a habit of investing secular matters with religious meaning. A $30 billion gas pipeline in Alaska was “God’s will,” the war in Iraq was a “task that is from God.” She’s argued for creationism to be taught in schools, alongside evolutionary biology, and she’d rather do away with sexual education completely.
Now the real reason for Palin’s fixation on God — obscured in official biographies — has emerged: For more than two decades, she was a practicing Pentecostal. Until 2002 she belonged to the Wasilla Assembly of God, a Pentecostal community in Wasilla, Alaska, the city of 10,000 where Palin also served as mayor. Since leaving the Assembly of God, Palin has attended the non-denominational Wasilla Bible Church.
The Pentecostal movement emphasizes “expressions of the Holy Spirit” in the form of “spiritual gifts” such as the ability to speak in tongues, prophesize or heal. Assembly of God members also believe in faith healing and “end times,” a massive upheaval that will supposedly herald Jesus’ second coming.
Tim McGraw, Palin’s pastor until 1998, told American broadcaster CNN that the Wasilla Pentecostal community has members who adhere to these beliefs and who speak in tongues, although he has never seen Palin herself in that trance-like state. Caroline Spengler, a member of the Pentecostal community, described the experience as follows: “When the spirit comes on you, you utter things that nobody else can understand … only God can understand what is coming out of our mouths.”
The Republican Party, hoping John McCain and Sarah Palin will bring home a win in the November presidential election, has played down this religious background of the 44-year-old mother of five. Through spokeswoman Meghan Stapleton, McCain has freely admitted that Palin is deeply religious. That fact should be well received by conservative American voters, especially in the so-called Bible Belt. At the same time, campaign strategists have been careful not to let their candidate’s religious enthusiasm loom too large. Biographies of her online and the McCain campaign itself avoid too much detail about her past. Governor Palin does not consider herself a Pentecostal, is the succinct and official word.
McGraw told CNN he could imagine why the Republican Party was trying not to emphasize Palin’s Pentecostal leanings: “I think there may be issues of belief that could be misunderstood or played upon by people that don’t know.”
But what is so difficult to understand? Hasn’t Palin already gone far too far for her political views not to be seen as a consequence of her beliefs? And can her faith truly be judged only by those who believe the same?
McGraw tries to allay these fears. He says he’s sure Palin’s religious convictions don’t influence her political decisions in office.
Until recently, though, Palin was returning to her original congregation, where she attended discipleship classes to strengthen her Pentecostal beliefs and to become a better leader, McGraw says. By then she was already mayor of Wasilla. And when Palin returns to the Pentecostal flock, it is by no means only in a personal capacity, but also as a government official.
Just this June, Palin attended a graduation ceremony for ministry students at the Wasilla Assembly of God. The governor didn’t just offer a few edifying words. Instead, she spoke to these students in Alaska about the war in Iraq. “Pray for our military men and women who are striving do to what is right,” said Palin, whose son had voluntarily enlisted to join the U.S. army and be deployed to Iraq. The graduates were encouraged to pray “for this country, that our leaders, our national leaders, are sending them out on a task that is from God. That’s what we have to make sure that we’re praying for — that there is a plan, and that plan is God’s plan.”
Palin acts as though all political decisions emanated directly from a divine resolution — and as if the Republican understanding of this resolution were the only one that could be correct.
On the issue of the gas pipeline as well, Palin linked political and economic business with her personal concept of divine providence, calling on her audience to pray for the controversial planned $30 billion pipeline project. “I think,” Palin told the audience at the Wasilla Assembly of God, “God’s will has to be done in unifying people and companies to get that gas pipeline built.”
And there’s more. On August 17, shortly before she entered the wider public spotlight as vice presidential candidate, according to CNN Palin attended an event at her current congregation, the Wasilla Bible Church. One of the preachers there was David Brickner, founder of the “Jews for Jesus” movement. He made clear to the assembled that in his opinion, terrorist attacks in Israel revealed God’s judgment on Jews who had not found Christ. “When a Palestinian from East Jerusalem took a bulldozer and went plowing through a score of cars, killing numbers of people,” according to Brickner, he was unmistakably an instrument of God’s judgment.
The McCain camp tried to de-emphasize attitudes in Palin’s religious circle, making it clear that Brickner’s comments didn’t reflect the vice presidential candidate’s views. Palin, they said, is pro-Israel.
Pastor Ed Kalnin, one of the congregation leaders at Palin’s former Pentecostal church, comes from the same circle. Four years ago he campaigned against John Kerry, then the Democratic candidate for president. Whoever voted for Kerry, Kalnin told his congregation, wouldn’t go to heaven.
The Assembly of God later released a statement: They apologized, saying Kalnin had meant it as a joke.
All of you rock! Great job organizing and making your opinions known. It’s obvious Palin is a HUGE mistake for this country. We are all proud of everyone in Alaska who thinks rationally and logically.
Hello all from eastern Canuckland. Just wanted to let you folks know that I caught wind of the rally on a blog. Thank you so much. This is very heartening. Although I cannot vote and this isn’t ‘my’ election what happens with you folks affects us and we watch with held breath and trepidation. I, we those like me want the best for everyone no matter where they come from. There’s been so much BS and illusioning (yes it’s not a word but I think it’s fitting to create it) that’s been circling around the nether about how Alaska and absolutely everyone (especially women) in Alaska loves Palin (and ergo one should vote for her because of it) that sensibly even though I know it’s not true it’s makes such a difference to actually see it and hear about it! So I’m doing my part to get the word out and have posted the links in several places.
Keep up the great work and keep up the fire in your hearts!
Great idea NY DEM,
“To ‘borrow’ a phrase from the best commnetator on television, be it politics or sports, Keith Olbermann:
Eddie Burke — Today’s worsttttttttt person in the worldddddddddd !!!!!!!”
If everyone emails Keith, I wonder if this jerk could really be showcased on Monday’s Countdown. Here is the email:
countdown@msnbc.com
Common sense from Craig Ferguson…
http://laughlines.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/09/12/craig-ferguson-on-citizenship/
I am currently watching my favourite Canadian Sunday news program. For anybody who tells you, that Canucks dont have a right to desire a positive outcome of this election…please note.
Banking issues…..affect us too. The mortgage companies crisis is the worst since the great depression and Canadian monies are invested there too.
AKM, didn’t you say that Maureen Dowd from the NYT was at the rallies yesterday? For those who haven’t seen her op-ed piece, it’s worth re-posting http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/14/opinion/14dowd.html And I loved the link from the NYT home page: “Dowd: Palin vs. Thinking”
@fixthebroken (07:00:56) :
My household was hoping to vote for a white woman, now they will vote for a black man …. we would vote for the drover’s dog if he had good policies!
Common sense from Craig Ferguson:
http://laughlines.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/09/12/craig-ferguson-on-citizenship/
I read somewhere that there Secret Service names are “Denali” (Sarah) and “Driller” (Todd)
@ A&B
In the CDT I am still stuck on the Round Table…. can’t wait for McLaughlin… Nato/Georgia huh? Hapily Meet the Press gets delayed in the KC area because of local news and The Chiefs (oh please).
On another note… has anyone noticed how the McCain campaign ads use pictures of Obama that show him mostly scowling? They are trying so hard to paint him as the “angry black man”. Of course Obama campaign ads are using every picture of McCain looking goofy so I guess it is tit-for-tat.
Finally: Arrrrghhhh! at 55 I am a “senior citizen” (at least as defined by the AARP) and I am NOT voting for John McCain!
[...] This totally made my morning. I love Mudflats, a blogger from Alaska. [...]
@pamela – I loved the phrase ‘positive UNthinking’
ROVE-BOTS MUST WAKE UP
Thank you AKMuckraker and women of Alaska for standing up!!!!
I live in a small town in the south and the bullying that goes on here is incredible. So many people are afraid to come out and talk about their views if they differ from the Republican Party line.I’ve started my own email news report for those who believe there must be a better way to run this country. Most people do not or cannot do their own research, so I send real articles and links from the Internet. Today we are a hopelessly RED state, but hopefully we can find more people who don’t want to live like a Stepford Wife or a Rove-bot.
Speigel’s recap of other German media
THE WORLD FROM BERLIN
‘Sarah Palin Will Cost the Republican Party Dearly’
Sarah Palin is a fresh-faced fishing and hunting wild card in the US presidential race. She just might be able to lure the media away from Obama. But can she attract enough voters from the right to make up for those she might lose McCain in the center?
Who is Sarah Palin? More importantly, what does McCain’s pick for vice president think or know about foreign policy? Even after her speech at Wednesday’s Republican National Convention, Palin remains both a mystery and a subject of intense curiosity. She is by turns characterized as a savior of the Republican party, an enormous mistake and something in between.
“Here’s how I look at the choice Americans face in this election,” said Palin during her speech Wednesday. “In politics, there are some candidates who use change to promote their careers, and then there are those, like John McCain, who use their careers to promote change.”
Some, however, see her very candidacy as a cheap ploy to steal some of the limelight from a charismatic opponent. Palin’s family drama has certainly splashed her name all over the media. “Our family has the same ups and downs as any other, the same challenges and the same joys,” said Palin at the convention as she introduced her husband and five children — including her pregnant 17-year-old daughter, Bristol.
As a plucky outsider, though, she may appeal to some voters who want change, though not Obama-style change. Palin is thoroughly uncompromised by national politics. “And I’ve learned quickly these past few days that if you’re not a member in good standing of the Washington elite, then some in the media consider a candidate unqualified for that reason alone,” she said at the convention. “But here’s a little news flash for all those reporters and commentators: I’m not going to Washington to seek their good opinion; I’m going to Washington to serve the people of this great country.”
German papers appreciate Palin’s maverick qualities — especially since McCain’s “straight talk” turned into straight talking points once he became the Republican candidate. But they fret about her lack of foreign-policy knowledge and argue that the narrow scope of Palin’s experience has deflated one of McCain’s primary criticisms of Obama.
Left-leaning Die Tageszeitung writes:
“If anyone’s nominating party congress stands for change this year, for flouting conventions, it is that of the conservative Republicans. The Democrats’ mobilization show in Denver ran just like people are accustomed to from past conventions. Highly emotional and professional and staged down to the very last detail. Obstacles were overcome; love of country and love of family were celebrated. Not so for the Republicans …. With the nomination of Sarah Palin as vice-presidential candidate, John McCain took on exactly what Obama avoided at all costs with Biden: a much-talked-about risk. McCain/Palin — this is where real life romps.”
“The McCain campaign can be sure of one thing while running with Sarah Palin: unceasing media coverage of the type reserved until now for Obama. If Palin is regarded as having managed to deliver a good talk as an engaged politician, mother and non-fanatical middle-aged pro-lifer on Wednesday, she might peel off her label as an ‘Oh my God!’ choice and advance as a ‘Hey, wow’ candidate. It might just be enough to steal the show from political comet Barack Obama in the last two months of the race.”
Center-left Süddeutsche Zeitung argues:
“McCain used to look like an ideal candidate for the party. The conservative free spirit repeatedly defied the current president and thereby emanated seriousness and self-assurance.”
“Sarah Palin threatens to demolish [McCain's] halo. The part-amusing and part-dramatic details that people are discovering about their potential vice president are in themselves no reason for panic. On the contrary, many Americans sympathize with this full-of-life 44-year-old woman, who hunts and fishes and governs a state for good measure and who will be a grandmother sooner than she expected. Destiny! However the the lingering impression that McCain called this fresh face to his side purely out of strategic campaign calculations and without adequate vetting could be fatal. Palin’s selection comes across as imprudent, unserious and, yes, dangerous.”
“McCain has miscalculated: those Democrats who were disappointed by Hillary’s failure and might possibly have voted for the Republican veteran will hardly be lured by the ultraconservative pro-lifer. … McCain only hopes that the evangelical base will gather behind him with new fury. That is important — but not enough to win the election in November. The payoff for this deputy from the right is less than the price of the risk that McCain runs with the center. Sarah Palin will cost the Republican Party dearly.”
The Financial Times Deutschland writes:
“McCain’s hubris and irresponsibility are by now blatant. Hubris — because only a belief in his own immortality for the next four years could justify the choice of a vice president whose only experience, aside from two years as governor of Alaska, was as mayor of a suburb of Anchorage. Irresponsibility — because US presidents run a high risk of being attacked, as exemplified by John F. Kennedy’s assassination, but also by the attack on Ronald Reagan. That occurred on March 30, 1981, 69 days after Reagan took office, and almost cost the new president his life. Imagine what would happen if a President McCain were shot on the evening of March 30, 2009. The world would wake up the next morning to a President Palin, who in an interview about the Iraq war less than two years ago said: ‘I’ve been so focused on state government, I haven’t really focused much on the war in Iraq.’”
“More has been publicized in the last few days about Palin’s person and family than about her views on domestic and foreign politics, which doesn’t show either the American intellectual condition nor their public media in the best light. A minister moderated the first debate between presidential nominees Obama and McCain during which they had to answer questions on faith and how they would handle the evil bad guys of the world. A politician whose attitude toward war and peace are largely a mystery could become president in five months — and people discuss the implications of her daughter’s pregnancy. The country where all this is happening is the most powerful in the world. But for how much longer?”
[...] bunch of Sarah Palin Cronies September 14, 2008 Posted by alleee in Uncategorized. trackback ‘Alaska Women Reject Palin’ Rally is HUGE! Never, have I seen anything like it in my 17 and a half years living in Anchorage. The organizers [...]
I read your blog every day and post some of your columns to my Facebook. Thanks for doing all of this to keep us informed of what’s really happening in your state. Much appreciated.
s.
voter caging and the rest
The Republican war on democracy
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/aug/20/uselections2008.civilliberties
Good Morning Mudpals,
Bravo!!!! It will get out to MSM. If you notice we are about 3 days to one week ahead of everyone on the scoops. But the images (all the negative SP/MC stuff) are making a difference. I would love to see the Veterans come out big now. If I had made the honorable sacrifice that they have and then had to listen to McBlowhard pontificate about his experience I would be screaming. Especially when he has voted AGAINST them over and over again. How can we help them do what our brave souls in Alaska are doing? Many veterans, current enlistees and POWs have a problem with him and his voting record. Let’s try to point the spotlight on McCain from all sides and then the American public might finally see him for who he really is, warts and all. http://www.votesmart.org for the voting record truth.
@Laurie, With the world so “flat” (to borrow a phrase from Tom Friedman) we all have stakes in each others’ elections. The news media here doesn’t cover it much, but I know there’s an upcoming Canadian election, too. How does that look?
Great post. Once again, you’re doing amazing work on behalf of all of us.
***ATTENTION MUDFLATS READERS***
Send the link to this post to Huffington Post, to Andrew Sullivan, to mainstream media in your state, to any reporter you can.
That this rally was so huge deserves the same attention as the insane level of coverage of Palin getting off the plane in Alaska.
SPREAD THE WORD!!!!
Eddie Burke’s tactics bring to mind what Michelle Malkin did to the Students Against the War, publishing their phone numbers and email addresses. Reminded me of your blog about Rove Coming to Alaska. Makes one wonder doesn’t it where Burke got his idea to do this.
I too thank you and be careful you never know what the Evil Penguin (Rove) and Peter Sellers look-a-like Cheney (movie, BEING THERE) and their gang are ready to do. It takes the pressure off the so called, “Maverick McCain.” Thanks again and keep it up.
Thank you Alaska! Keep hope alive!
I can’t believe I got teary-eyed when looking at the pictures! with all the drooling over Palin we have to see it is SO refreshing to see and hear that Alaskans are making their voices heard! phew!
@mk2000 (07:05:25) :
[quote]“To ‘borrow’ a phrase from the best commnetator on television, be it politics or sports, Keith Olbermann:
Eddie Burke — Today’s worsttttttttt person in the worldddddddddd !!!!!!!”
If everyone emails Keith, I wonder if this jerk could really be showcased on Monday’s Countdown. Here is the email:
countdown@msnbc.com [/quote]
I just emailed, and told them where they could get all their resources, too -including pics
[...] Never, have I seen anything like it in my 17 and a half years living in Anchorage. The organizers had someone walk the rally with a counter, and they clicked off well over 1400 people (not including the 90 counter-demonstrators). This was the biggest political rally ever, in the history of the state. I was absolutely stunned. The second most amazing thing is how many people honked and gave the thumbs up as they drove by. And even those that didn’t honk looked wide-eyed and awe-struck at the huge crowd that was growing by the minute. This just doesn’t happen here. The Alaska Women Reject Palin rally was significantly bigger than Palin’s rally that got all the national media coverage! Mudflats [...]
This Obama–supporter in the Netherlands won’t vote in your election – so in that regard, you’re on your own.
But we will wave our banners from the Right Side of the Atlantic: Go, Barack, Go !
Thanks AKM…..keep up the good work.
WOW! That’s what I call a real grass roots effort! I’m sending this around to my friends. I believe that similar sentiments exist in the lower 48, as well, it’s just not getting through the corporate media.
(Maybe you need to send a “Thank you” to Eddie Burke for stirring the pot.)
WE still need to get out the vote in November. Watch out for “voter caging.”
Remember they can only win if they cheat.
I have an off-subject question for people who were dresses: what is the STORY with Cindy McCain’s wardrobe?
I don’t follow women’s fashions very much but it seems to me lately she has been dressing in garish bad taste. And that weird CW-style hairdo! To me, it doesn’t belong on a woman older than 25.
I saw a clip from the McCain’s appearance on The View. All the panelists were dressed in professional-looking black and cream. Cindy came out in a flaming red outfit, showing a bit too much cleavage for a mature woman in public life, and with a pearl choker big enough, if real, to buy half of Wasilla.
She’s also taken to wearing Jackie O style dark glasses. She’s an attractive woman– I don’t know why she has to make herself look so blatantly gauche.
My experience says women often use their clothes to broadcast messages about their state of mind. My question is, what is Cindy saying here? Is she trying to look younger than Sarah Palin? Is she starved for attention? Is she deliberately ignoring advice or just not getting any? Is she playing the role of the ex-trophy wife who has been superseded?
Any ideas?
Thanks so much from Tennessee! We, and Obama, need you guys for the next 50 days….we in the lower 48 have to make sure that the 24/7 ‘entertainment’ media pick up on your great web sites and gets the message out.
You guys are doing your job, now we have to do ours. ENOUGH is ENOUGH….FIRED up and READY TO GO!
As a foreigner this is what I love about the USA – the factor that changed my mind from cordial dislike of the USA (mainly linked to foreign policy), to taking every opportunity to visit various bits of the USA as often as possible. Not specifically Democratic policies or Obama-support or whatever, but just the general existence of large numbers of people who are able, reflective and have the strength of mind to think and act independently, and to do so in a humanitarian manner and with a sense of humour.
So much more than the stereotypes implied by opinion polls, you’re the best, all of you.
Support “Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund” , and denounce “Sarah Palin’s support for Aerial Hunting of Wolves. SPREAD THE WORD !!!
http://www.willpen.wordpress.com
What an amazing story! My heartfelt thanks and appreciation goes out to all of you brave people!
Sprite,
Not to get too hysterical, but this was the same tactic that was used in the Rwandan genocide.
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.
Margaret Mead
WE ARE SO PROUD OF ALL OF YOU!!!!
Keep up the good work and we will do the same!!
PEACE
WOMEN OF ALASKA,
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! You have stood up bravely for liberty, freedom, truth and justice, in the face of one of the biggest and most ruthless propaganda machines in US history!!!!! I AM AMAZED AND AWED BY YOU! HOW CAN WE EVER THANK YOU ENOUGH?
Next week, I will be canvassing in PA for Obama, and I am doing it to try to thank you in “action”–one citizen to another–and to try to help elect our great candidate Sen. Obama,
http://www.wsj.com/article/SB122100226859616967.html?mod=hpp_us_inside_today
This is a great article from Thomas Frank, author of ‘What’s the Matter With Kansas?’ and ‘The Wrecking Crew.’ It’s called ‘The GOP Loves the Heartland to Death,’ appeared in the WSJ on 9/10/08.
Good for forwarding to fence-sitters.
@Intrigued…..where are you getting your info? The ONLY women I ever heard talk like that were the PUMAs …and they havent had much to say lately.
Any person who would vote for someone because they are female/male/black/yellow/whatever…doesnt deserve the privelige of having a vote.
The issues….thats what you need to focus on…man or woman
[...] one has to wonder if that was in reference to her pandering to special needs? Hop on over to the mudflats to read more. Tags: Alaskan women, democrats, demonstration, government, Politics, Rally, Reject [...]
To plwalsh – my take on Cindy McCain is that she is dressing the way Mr. McGoo wants her to dress. McGoo likes cleavage and likes bright colors. The jewelry – that’s all Cindy (it’s a way for her to ‘wear’ her wealth).
I also sense that Cindy does not like the attention that Palin is getting. Cindy, unlike McGoo, is sensing that Palin is moving quickly to be known as the Palin/McGoo ticket and Cindy, unlike McGoo doesn’t like the idea. I am beginning to believe McGoo’s only wish is to be called Mr. President, not really have any of the responsibility that comes with the job – Palin will have more clout than we saw with Cheney – that’s darn scary!
Cindy is just trying to get the attention of McGOO, that’s all.
Whoooooooo…… (jumping up and down with JOY!). Thank God people are coming to their senses. Just had a conversation with a close friend last night over Palin. Her daughter and son-in-law are voting for McCain based on the usual misinformation spread by the Republicans about Obama. I spent over an hour “setting her straight” about those issues mostly due to your wonderful coverage and info about Palin and Alaska! With deep felt thanks to you and prayers that all of our efforts will succceed in creating a more humane world with Obama as our next President.
@Laurie, swineprincess, it’s possible intrigued is a troll. Always seemed that way to me.
CAGING from wiki
“A political party [guess which] sends registered mail to addresses of registered voters. If the mail is returned as undeliverable – because, for example, the voter refuses to sign for it, the voter isn’t present for delivery, or the voter is homeless – the party uses that fact to challenge the registration, arguing that because the voter could not be reached at the address, the registration is fraudulent. If a political party challenges the validity of a voter’s registration; for the voter’s ballot to be counted, the voter must prove that their registration is valid.”
So if you receive registered mail – sign for it, track it down, whatever!
McLaughlin Group wasn’t as riveting as I’d hoped. And FYI, Mudflatters — seems that Charlie Gibson actually did make a mistake about the ‘Bush Doctrine’, specifically by reciting content from 2002. It was revised (possibly several times) but last, in 2006 and the content did change. I know it doesn’t change the fact that she didn’t know what the heck it was at all (her response when Gibson asked her what it is was “His world view?”) That is, IF you care. Some don’t care that she knew or not in the first place. However, for those who do care, I’m just sorry that Gibson got it wrong — that’s what they’ll pounce on.
At the end of the show when they do their “predictions” part, McLaughlin’s prediction was about Palin and that the events of last week will hurt her. His line was priceless and made the whole show worth watching. The exact words might be slightly off but it was something like:
“In romance, as in politics, slow introductions are usually better than fast ones.”
[...] Alaskan blog Mudflats has photos and their own account of the rally, including this little tidbit regarding a right-wing talk radio host named Eddie Burke, who tried to [...]
Mudflats rocks! Thanks for letting America know what’s REALLY going on in Alaska.
http://redstaterebels.typepad.com/redstaterebelsnet/2008/09/pro–anti-palin.html
Mary:
That’s more or less my take on the wardrobe issue. Since Palin was picked, Cindy has been looking pretty miserable to me.
As for who will run the country if the ticket wins, I would review I CLAUDIUS for clues. Palin strikes me as the 21st century spiritual descendant of those ruthless shallow Roman women, interested only in power and pay back, whose political tool kit included heavy does of sexual politics and exotic poisons.
And remember what happened to all those Republican men who helped Palin’s career in Alaska? McCain’s biggest rival may well be on the bottom of his own ticket.
Did a post and gave you some linky love over at our site BRILLIANT!!!
http://thepoliticalpendulum.wordpress.com
ooohhhhh… Pat Buchanan just called McCain supporters “McCainiacs” now that one I haven’t heard. I like it!
Kudos! I hope the women and men of the lower 48 will follow your brave example! The emperor has no clothes, and you were willing to put yourselves out there. Thank you women of Alaska, and many thanks to Muckraker!
Speechless :with joy: What an amazing group of women you have up there, I’m sorry Palin twisted that to her advantage.
@Aussie… I am thinkin’ you’re right. I have seen several posts by Intrigued that bother me. S/he is very subtle… not a planted troll, you know… just a troll. I hereby decide to ignore Intrigued from here on out!
More photos from the Anchorage Daily News
http://www.adn.com/photos/v-gallery/story/525182.html
A funny thing happens when you look-up Eddie Burke’s radio sponsors on google maps.
They lied about their crowd size:
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601070&sid=a1J0tfV3XJYs&refer=politics
Awesome, thanks, Mudflats – keep up the good fight!
What a wonderful piece! This woman from California is so proud of all of you in Alaska!! It warms my heart to know that you can go just about anywhere & find true, thinking, good-hearted women and men of purpose and morals.
Makes me a little sad that you can’t find them on the Repub ticket.
You all deserve a terrific pat on the back and a warm hug for attending the rally and showing the world your view.
Tricia Ellis Christensen
Way to go AK. women and men with open minds. I’m so excited for you. To listen to the MNM the whole nation is on the Sarah band wagon. I’m off to several small ratherings of friends that support Obama. Keep up the great coverage, the world needs to know.
Thank the stars above! I was beginning to think all the women and men in Alaska had lost their minds and were following Palin and her VP choice McBush to the ends of the earth. You go girls!!!!!!!! If you need any help protesting that animal killer and book burner, let your sisters in California know and we’ll be there!
Extremely well done. McCain thought he would throw in
another of his sleazy moves. Thought he could pair up
with another like minded Liar. Well done again! We
support you and will send the link around.
Truth really does speak!
This is really interesting. From the Bloomberg piece:
“In recent days, journalists attending the [McCain-Palin] rallies have been raising questions about the crowd estimates with the campaign. In a story on Sept. 11 about Palin’s attraction for some Virginia women voters, Washington Post reporter Marc Fisher estimated the crowd to be 8,000, not the 23,000 cited by the campaign.
“The 23,000 figure was substantiated on the ground,” McCain spokesman Tucker Bounds said. “The campaign is willing to stand by the fact that it was our biggest crowd to date.”
“Since day one, this campaign has been consistent that we’re not going to win or lose based on crowd size but the substance of John McCain’s record,” Bounds said.”
[...] Luckily not all Alaskan women are as stupid, and have been organising a rally against Palin. A radio host has had the bad manners, and lack of decency, to read out the phone numbers of the organisers, with the incentive to call them and let these women think how you feel about them. So much for democracy, and being a free society. As Palin likes to point out. read here [...]
Wow, I love this place – sensible politics in the US, up north.
What’s the weather like, around solstice (I biked up to the North Cape in Norway, 1989).
No biking for me now – walking is better when you’re 50+ …
Send me your prospectus !
Hmm. Here’s a thought. Maybe Palin’s popularity has been inflated by the McCain campaign? If the campaign has been fooling the media about the size of the crowds at the rallies, maybe they have somehow been manipulating the polls as well?
Certainly, AKM’s photos of the Palin ralley in Anchorage suggested that there is a disconnect between image and reality when it comes to Palin’s following.
This is a well written article in today’s Independent newspaper in England:
http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/janet-street-porter/editoratlarge-no-woman-is-an-island-mrs-palin-929884.html
Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!!!! John McCain picking Sarah Palin and doing so simply because his campaign decided woman are so stupid they’ll vote for any woman regardless of her experience and positions on issues is beyond offensive. What’s worse is that picking her so far has worked. Last night I received an email with a link to a group of woman organizing around the this theme and now I just got a link to your blog talking about this successful rally. It’s the 1st time I’ve felt encouraged in 2 weeks. We’ve got work to do!!!
Lady MacDeath – A Faustian Bargain of Sinister Deception
When you sell your soul, you never really know the ultimate price at the time of the sinister bargain. It all seems so easy at first. A vote here. A vote there. And pretty soon you’re all the way up to 90% – Prisoner of W – POW-90%! But that’s never enough! Mephisto wants your complete subjugation. Till finally you have to agree to a wedding with Death. A deadly consort is chosen. *Call her Lady MacDeath.*
Jesus, the community organizer – executed by a governor – chose the opposite path. If you don’t know your bible, then maybe you don’t know know the third temptation of Christ – where the devil took him to a high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world. And told him, you can have all that you see – just bow down and worship me.
Jesus refused the Faustian bargain. John McCain did not. The result? His consort – Lady MacDeath.
Back in the summer I boiled the race down to this formula: Obama versus The Corpse. Little did I know!
Here’s how I see it now. Once upon a time we were worried that W would prevent an election and we’d end up with a Dictatorship. Cheney and Rove had a better idea. Hold an election. But insist on a Faustian bargain with the candidate. W endorses – if you sell your soul. And the price of the sale? Well, I doubt that was ever really discussed. Because the thought of all those kingdoms, the thought of all that power…. Well, some can reject the bargain and will never sell their soul for an election. Obama won’t. But John McCain did.
Now we have Lady MacDeath.
“Waiting for a Corpse” could be one title of this play. We’ve had the first two acts. W. And W. One act of W was enough for many. Two acts of W has been too much for more. But the third act here is POW – or not. Our choice. We hope. And POW – The Faustian Bargian is not really Senator MacDeath alone – it includes Lady MacDeath, his Handmaiden “Lady in Waiting.”
Death and his Consort.
We know by now that bush/cheney/rove was nothing more than a criminal enterprise disguised as government. It’s a stinking pile. It reeks. Secrets, deceptions, and lies. Needing to be hidden. By more lies. More disguised government as a criminal enterprise. And who better to do that than someone who has sold his soul? Someone of pretense. And no, I will not bother to count the ways.
But the secret is getting harder and harder to hide. Because to cover secrets, you need lies. Lies and deception. More and more lies. More and more deception. But at some point it all piles up so high – that even the press can’t pretend ignorance any longer.
The Himalayan size pile of secrecy, lies, and deception is hidden in plain sight now.
The Corpse or Obama.
The Corpse and his Handmaiden, Lady MacDeath – a siren of secrecy and lying – but oh, so enticing!
Or a couple of guys working hard every day and asking us to work right along with them.
(posted earlier at tpm Cafe: http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/2008/09/lady-macdeath-a-faustian-barga.php#comments)
I’ve been following your blog from Canada since you started reporting on this campaign. Kudos to you for giving us daily insights from Alaska, and to the many many women (and men) who clearly told the world that they do not endorse the McCain/Palin recklessness.
Hi all, I would be very interested in rally here in Central FL. Who would I need to get in contact with?
VetTheVeep, I would like to know more about your efforts. I have the same issues here in SC and would LOVE to support something similar.
With 66 million in donations for Aug. and 500.000 new donors for Barack, I’m feeling very hopeful!
@plwalsh, there is a post up near the top on an ABC radio report on the welcome home gathering on Saturday morning, saying there were 10,000 and they had to open another room and folks were hanging from the rafters (or whatever) ….. yeah, right!
While my distaste for the tactics being applied to this race by the Republicans
remain solidly intact, the race itself has done much to raise my hopes for America in terms of world view. I am an American living in another country.
For the last ten years I have been a resident of the beautiful country of Canada.
I have been afforded this opportunity due to marriage. My husband is a Canadian. When I first arrived here to begin my life with my new husband, I came with a heart that always considered Canada my second ” home “.
I had previously visited Canada many times before meeting my husband, usually for day trips and twice for extended long week-ends. I had always been greeted by Canadian citizens with respect and always wondered what it would be like to live here.
Ten years ago I found out that my view of Canada was correct, the ciizens of this beautiful country were exactly the same as the citizens of America.
They were hard working, loving and giving and respectful to a ” hilt ”
as my Gram used to say. Upon discovering I was an American, new people I was introduced too often had many questions but welcomed me with open arms.
The tide seemed to change however after the Iraq War began.
Due to the nature of the work my husband does, not only have I been blessed with the opportunity to live in six of the Canadian Provinces,
I have also met many people from all walks of life and varying
financial ” categories “, from a myriad of different nations of the globe and from differing religious beliefs. In all but a very few cases, these people again never once disparaged me for having been American.
And for the most part, this has remained true even after The Iraq War began.
Then something seemed to change. Not towards me as an individual, rather in the conversation. Questions from people I know and meet now are geared
more towards political viewpoints and religious and racial viewpoints rather then the typical ” Have you ever been to the Grand Canyon?, Isn’t it the most beautiful place on earth? ” I am sure you know what I mean, “Have you ever seen Fishernman’s Warf and what is the weather like in Maryland?
Now I am asked, “Are people racist in the United States?, or is that limited to the southern portion only? ” { an actual verbatim question by the way }
I am constantly asked questions about Mr. Obama and why is it that most Americans seem to simply hate him. I am asked “Why in the world would anyone in in America even consider Mr. McCain given the current state of affairs when they have been presented with such a wonderful alternative
for your country to go in a different direction?”
My response to them is ” I have not got a clue ” and sadly, I do not.
The world is watching ladies and gentlemen, make no mistake.
The world is rooting for America.
The world is actually rooting for the world.
It seems that the only stumbling block to peace, prosperity
and equality for all the citizens of the world is America itself.
America needs to let go of its fears, prejudices and ” religion ”
and welcome all ideas, people of all faiths and ethnic background.
In conclusion, America needs to wake from its slumber and enter the 21 century.
If it does do that and do that soon, there will be no more America.
Indeed, there be no more world.
God Bless America, my home, my country, land that I love.
Thank you world for caring, and keep praying for America and all of us.
this is awesome. thank you for the report!
[...] ‘Alaska Women Reject Palin’ Rally is HUGE! [...]
From Frank Rich’s column in the NYT:
“No longer able to remember his principles any better than he can distinguish between Sunnis and Shia, McCain stands revealed as a guy who can be easily rolled by anyone who sells him a plan for “victory,” whether in Iraq or in Michigan. A McCain victory on Election Day will usher in a Palin presidency, with McCain serving as a transitional front man, an even weaker Bush to her Cheney.
“The ambitious Palin and the ruthless forces she represents know it, too. You can almost see them smacking their lips in anticipation, whether they’re wearing lipstick or not.”
@Sharon: At http://www.my.barackobama.com, you can create an account that informs you about all that is happening in your local area. There are also tools to plan events of your own, contact neighbours who are Obama supporters, etc. You can even create your own blog there. Hope it helps.
oh i forgot to include a link to the bloomberg story about how the mccain campaign is basically MAKING UP and INFLATING the “record number of people” who come to their rallies. these people have no conscience and are lying with a straight face, and it’s time we all call them out on it.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601070&sid=a1J0tfV3XJYs&refer=politics
Sharon Hi all, I would be very interested in rally here in Central FL. Who would I need to get in contact with?
Sharon, the central source I’ve found that seems to have the most potential is http://www.womenagainstpalin.com. Other than that, look for something local. I hope that the WAP site gets hopping though — it would be a great way for all of us to communicate and join forces to plan rallies!
There is hope America. This group of Woman, without
the resources of Signs, Money, had something far more
important. The Integrity and strength to tell the World
that all you need is “I AM NOT GOING TO TAKE THE PALIN
LIES SITTING DOWN.
Wonderful inspiration & good sample of the power of
Community Organizers!
Thank you Woman Against Palin! Ladies – spread this
Link to every woman you know in every small town!
Womans Group in Canada!
Beautiful. I am speechless. Thank you.
I need someone at this point to reassure me that all the information we are getting daily on this ticket will even matter. I live in Switzerland and just last week helped to register over 100 expats to vote. And am now wondering if it was even worth it.
When I see the stories that go ignored such as this one, and then how then media refuses to put this ticket in a media blackout due to the fact that they refuse to allow her to be interviewed; I am losing hope.
All I have had for the past 19 years of living abroad is hope. I was hoping that in the next few years , under a President Obama , I would be able to return home.
I was with the Senator in Berlin( I am a Co-Chair for his campaign in the German Region of Switzerland), and there were thousands of Expats there , all making plans to return home if Sen. Obama is sucessful . Now on our Expat blogs , mostly everyone has lost hope. We read the blogs stateside. But most of all we see and hear the blatant racism that has taken control of our country.
I grew up in Portland Oregon. A place with a very small African American population. But I can tell you this, never in my life was I ever made to feel less than a human due to the color of my skin. I feel like my Paradise has been lost!
Come on y’all, give me some HOPE! I’m all OUT!
Renee
Great rally, loved the photos!!!
What an outstanding rally – and excellent diary by frsbdg at Daily Kos:
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/9/14/103042/902/965/597033
Regards
Pohjola (also living above 60th latitude = Finland)
You ladies should be so proud of yourselves. I am so excited for how this turned out. Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!
Raye1, don’t give up! Your efforts are badly needed. Ex-pats need to vote! The Palin bubble has burst, the more she speaks the more people realize how inexperienced she is.
But let’s not forget, this is about McCain. How dishonorable he is acting now.
Kudos to you guys for speaking out like that – I admire you.
theys pailins gonna be havin a long list of them enemies whut they be limpin back tuh thet there seaplane….
Excellent work Alaskan Women! Glad to hear it!!!!
You go raye1
keep registering !
I do my part by sending emails to family and friends.
I wonder how many ” ex-pats ” are here in Montreal?
Tomorrow, my goal is to find out and see what I can do about it.
However, I really do not think too many people here are against Obama.
But hey, every little bit helps
@Sharon, if you read all the blog posts (not the comments), you’ll learn how the rally came about. It wasn’t sponsored by an organization, it was truly a grassroots thing that just grew.
Basically, you’ll need a group of friends to start with ……. and a dollop of anger and frustration that you have been take for a fool if they think Sarah Palin is going to swing your vote.
If I were you I would contact women’s groups in FLA tomorrow – you might find someone is already planning a rally.
I hope things go well in Florida, I understand it’s not looking too healthy this week.
Good luck, Sharon
Lizzie & Amused and Bewildered, Thanks so much – This rally has really inspired me to get involved more. Thanks
Thanks Aussie – I will
I want to share the pictures with my McCain-leaning Mom. Is there a way to view all the photos without viewing one > pressing Back > viewing next one > pressing Back etc.? A slideshow, I guess? We need to share these pictures far and wide.
Knik Arm Bridge??? Alaskans, shed some light?
Article from the Boston Globe
For Palin, political issues still unresolved in Alaska
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2008/09/14/for_palin_political_issues_still_unresolved_in_alaska/?page=1
Yet another project also known as a “bridge to nowhere” – to connect Anchorage to the area near Palin’s Wasilla home across the Knik Arm Crossing – continues to receive state support, though its congressional earmark was eliminated at the same time. Championed by Stevens, the Knik Arm Bridge will be twice as expensive as the Ketchikan project.
Susan, Daily Kos has a post with a slide show of the photos.
amr – is there anyway to see the photo’s in a slideshow? Maybe there is, but I’m not seeing it.
@raye 1: IT IS NOT A LOST CAUSE!!!
Although the world seems focused on Palin right now, there’s tremendous groundwork going on for Obama. He collected $66M in August….a historical high. Many here feel that the backlash against McCain/Palin is taking hold; if you’ve noticed, most recent news about the pair has been negative.
AKM and Alaskan women have been remarkable in making their voices heard….the effort must, and will continue.
Thanks Aussie – I will, I just join the N2N friday night and had some volunteers stop by Saturday that signed me up. Hopefully we can change the polls here in FL. I think alot of the problem is people are listening to the lies and believing them or they are just staying quiet. I am keeping my fingers crossed. Thanks again, I am glad I joined.
Sharon Craig’s List might be another good idea — I’d check (and get the word out) everywhere possible!
@raye1 (08:09:32) :
RENEE – never give up hope! HOPE is what Obama represents!
Don’t be fooled by the mainstream media, they have masters to serve. And don’t be fooled by all these so-called polls.
This is a time when every citizen in every country should be working towards a Democratic America. So much depends on it.
Patience. And steel.
@Amused “Knik Arm Bridge??? Alaskans, shed some light?”
Is this the second bridge to nowhere? I’ve seen a blog somehwre in all my googling asking when it’s going to see the light of day…
Sharon, you’re about to get a visit from Botox Boy McCain in Florida in a few hours, aren’t you? Make your sign right away! Show him what you think today!
Heck, show him what we ALL think.
[...] is a link to a blogger in Alaska: http://mudflats.wordpress.com/2008/09/14/alaska-women-reject-palin-rally-is-huge/ It is a first hand account of a rally that was the same day both Fox News (?) and CNN [...]
Thanks for all the kind words of encouragement. In case there are any Expats out there who are not registered to vote, or have teens who have not yet registered, please go to http://www.votefromabroad.org It only takes about 5 minutes with the registration wizard.
If you are military personale we recommend you use http://www.overseasvotefoundation.org
To all the rest of you, please when sending mails to friends who are Expats, include both links in your signatures.
Once again thanks, and I am preparing as we speak to send out a link to this page to our groups over here in the German Regions of Central Europe.
Huggles,
Renèe
While all voices are important in the Palin debacle, the voices of women could very possibly emerge as being the most important. Not only in terms of Roe v. Wade, etc. — I really think she could set back women’s opportunites for higher office in the future and the best way to circumvent this is by women speaking opposition. She does NOT represent us as we want to be represented in regard to her abilities (lack thereof). She is an incompetent selection for higher office but not all women are.
Alaskans! You remind me of Iowa. You know what they did, rght?
@ Susan and anyone else who wants the pics
I have made the pics available for anyone
on my server. I have zipped them all, I have also rar’d them all or you can grab individual picks.
You can grab them HERE
@A Brit abroad aka Flag Cobra -
Yes. This was the first thing I’ve seen on it. You too?
F Y I
CAPE COD TODAY (front page)
This email has been landing in countless Cape Cod email boxes this week.
We pass it along for your consideration – The Editor
Please take a minute to participate in this effort if you believe, as I do, that with the addition of Palin to the ticket, the risk of McCain winning has become graver than ever.
“Friends, compatriots, fellow-lamenters,
We are writing to you because of the fury and dread we have felt since the announcement of Sarah Palin as the Vice-Presidential candidate for the Republican Party. We believe that this terrible decision has surpassed mere partisanship, and that it is a dangerous farce on the part of a pandering and rudderless Presidential candidate that has a real possibility of becoming fact.
Perhaps like us, as American women, you share the fear of what Ms. Palin and her professed beliefs and proven record could lead to for ourselves and for our present or future daughters. To date, she is against sex education, birth control, the pro-choice platform, environmental protection, alternative energy development, freedom of speech (as mayor she wanted to ban books and attempted to fire the librarian who stood against her), gun control, the separation of church and state, and polar bears. To say nothing of her complete lack of real preparation to become the second-most-powerful person on the planet.
We want to clarify that we are not against Sarah Palin as a woman, a mother, or, for that matter, a parent of a pregnant teenager, but solely as a rash, incompetent, and all together devastating choice for Vice President. Ms. Palin’s political views are in every way a slap in the face to the accomplishments that our mothers and grandmothers and great-grandmothers so fiercely fought for, and that we’ve so demonstrably benefited from.
First and foremost, Ms. Palin does not represent us. She does not demonstrate or uphold our interests as American women. It is presumed that the inclusion of a woman on the Republican ticket could win over women voters We want to disagree, publicly.
Therefore, we invite you to reply here with a short, succinct message about why you, as a woman living in this country, do not support this candidate as second-in-command for our nation.
Please include your name (last initial is fine), age, and place of residence.
We will post your responses on a blog called “Women Against Sarah Palin,” which we intend to publicize as widely as possible. Plese send us your reply at your earliest convenience the greater the volume of responses we receive, the stronger our message will be.
Thank you for your time and action.
VIVA!
Sincerely,
Quinn Latimer and Lyra Kilston
New York, NY, email ; womensaynopalin@gmail.com
PLEASE FORWARD WIDELY! If you send this to 20 women in the next hour, you could be blessed with a country that takes your concerns seriously. Stranger things have happened.”
Thanks, from the American West
http://www.BadChili.blogspot.com
It isn’t right. What does Ms. Paylin run the news too??? What can we do NOW to get the word out that just because we are female we would vote for this very scary lady.
This is too important to leave anything to some ? women.
It’s in Jacksonville
, but tomorrow will be in Tampa 
– Thanks
I am floored as to how well your rally went! Bravo to all of you Alaskan woman, men and children. It gives me a spark of hope that come Nov. we will see Obama/Biden in the white house and a change. Huggs to our Alaskan neighbors. You are truly a great inspiration to America and the world.
And a BIG GOODLUCK to the woman who are rallying in other states in the near future.
Thank you so much for posting this! What a positive display of community democracy. You made my weekend!!!
Harley, you’re a genius!
The first thing I’ve done since waking up this morning has been to immediately log on to Mudflats as I anxiously awaited the report of the rally. Simply amazing!!! The contrast of the pic of the pro-Palin rally with the vast expanse of empty space and the crowd bunched together for effect vs the exhuberant anti-Palin rally of clearly more than 1000 is incredible. The MSM must report on this. I am so proud of my sisters up in AK taking the risk and speaking for the rest of us. I loved the “hockey mamma for Obama with her sign tacked to a hockey stick”
Thanks for the tips on viewing the pictures! Off to send the email to Mom.
Here we go: (re: Knik Arm Brige)
Palin yet to say ‘no thanks’ to other big earmarks
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/sep/05/palin-yet-to-say-no-thanks-to-other-big-earmarks/
LMAO, there is nuttin to it !
I too can see the St Lawrence Seway from mywindow……..guess I can
I can now navigate the world and be vee pee!
holy cow no amount of cnn polls can refute this. huge grassroots effort. i am stunned that is in her home state. great to see a lot of people get involved in politics.
tragically, I can not type well however
Good work! Now get it out to the MSM.
Please send the story and photos to MSNBC’s “first person” at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18616878/
They do not accept html tags, only first person accounts.
To all the women of Alaska and the men who support them–
Well Done!
We can thank you, and believe me, we do! But each and every one of you now shares a secret, don’t you? It is one you will carry through the rest of your lives.
Think about your rally…and if I’m not mistaken, there was a moment, some fractional second during your voicing your heartfelt opinion, that YOU FELT THE EARTH SHIFT…EVER SO SLIGHTLY…a little more toward center.
And that moment was more than empowering, it was ENLIGHTENING.
I am so happy for all of you, and I’m happy for those of us who could not be with you.
Jeep Pike Palin (but I wish I were Jeep Trout Palin, because I keep having this feeling that I’m diving, rather than swimming!)
@Harley
What a great post my friend. I am glad that we Canadians made you welcome, but I am not surprised. Canadians love our US neighbours, but since the Iraq war…we have quite often felt slapped in the face. I dont know if you remember, but when; the Iraq war started, many neocons in the US publicly berated us, because we were not part of bushies “coalition of the willing”. No we werent, and our Prime Minister knew ;better than to try. He would have been chased out of Ottawa with a kick in the pants for good luck.
We are in Afghanistan though. Things are desperate there, and you never hear McCain talk about that. Is he so senile he forgets about it.
There was some talk here…..not sure if its the same; but the US was told that we would leave Afghanistan by 2009 unless and until the US and the rest of the world sent in more troops.
Osama Bin Laden is NOT in EYE RAK …..he is in Afghanistan.
If John McCain wins…our politicians will be in a pickle of their own.
219,303 hits on Brutal and the Palinites are there again.
Hey, I’ve actually BEEN to Russia! Maybe I should run!
If it had not been for the bloggers and the websites like this, the silenced media would have buried the truth. Our basic right to knowing the truth was denied both by the Republican Party and the intimidated media. That’s when the blogges went to work and showed the world that this is, after all, a country of ordinary citizens where the real power rests. Now the question is if our strength will/can persuade the other half to see the real difference between McCain/Palin and Obama/Biden. We must demand the media to do their job of objective reporting. We must NOT allow Karl Rovian negative campaign to be part of our democracy! Our country is or should be better than this! Keep fighting! Thanks, Alaskan Women, for taking the risk to show us your courage!
@Amused and Bewildered (08:44:10) :
I’ve couldn’t find Russia on a map but why should that stop me?
Sarabots have got go be kidding!!!
Send her packing back up North!!!!
Oh, AKM, I am so energized by this posting. When you said there will be lots more to come in the previous post, you weren’t kidding. I looked closely at every photo and I love the women’s faces (and the men’s and children’s, too) and their obvious energy towards stopping this Palin mess. Tears were rolling down my cheeks as I read those wonderfully home-made signs that express exactly how I feel, too. Thank you so much.
Your blog scoops the MSM media by 5-7 days. I have been reading your blog since Aug 29 and almost every comment.
In regard to Cindy McCain…ever since that rally in Sturgis, she seems to want to appear more “sexy” and youthful. At the beginning of the campaigns, before I knew how wealthy she was, I thought, wow, how does she always have such a different “do” every day? Does she travel with a stylist? Now I think, with her straggly messy style, she is trying to look like she just came from a “roll in the hay” with her “ever-so studly … NOT”… hubby. You see, he is much more virile than his 72 years convey. What a man!
What a joke!
AKM and Alaskan Women Rebel Against SP are everywhere this morning!!!!
On Obama’s website: http://www.positivelybarack.com/2008/09/13/alaska-women-unite-against-palin/
And…
http://www.adn.com/sarah-palin/story/525510.html
http://www.horsesass.org/?p=6903
http://www.openleft.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=8218
http://tpzoo.wordpress.com/2008/09/14/hockey-moms-speak-up/
Congratulations!!!
Thanks to all of you who braved the wrath of Sarah to rally for Obama. I’m praying daily for your safety and for an Obama victory!!
I hope you’re not tired of praise!
This is a great story, and I’m so happy to see the posting at Kos and the many references at The Field to this blog. Please keep up your excellent, and important, work reporting to us from Alaska!
A former Alaskan
Thank you Laurie, I love Canada ! I love America too !
I do NOT HATE Sarah Palin however.
She does terrify me and I do hate what the republicans are doing.
I just wanted to make it very clear I do not hate Sarah, I just cannot support anyone with her views and obvious inability to run my country on ANY level in any regard.
She and Mr. McCain Do Not Reflect What I Stand For and I will do anything in my power to help stop them in their tracks.
@ Snoskred
You previously posted on “Infiltrating the Palin Rally in Anchorage” that you thought I was a troll. So I wanted to make it clear that I am NOT a troll. And I apologize if I gave that impression.
I’ve actually never really been on a blog until Palin was announced as VP candidate and I came across this site, and like many others, have become addicted. I didn’t even know what a troll was until a few days ago. lol
I am definately for Obama!! The thought of McCain/Palin being in office makes me ill. And I think it is a HUGE insult to the American people for McCain to pull Palin out of a hat to help run this country and not expect people to want to know who this person is and what they’re about. After all it is OUR tax dollars that’s paying their salary.
I haven’t really posted much here, just a few links to articles. I posted the one about the Paline interview because I saw the article on several different sights. I didn’t get to see the 20/20 interview.
There seemed to be a lot of comments about it on all the sights, so I figured it was going to be the next thing they were going to scream foul play about. Just thought it was good to know what the other side was doing/saying.
Sorry if the link was inappropriate.
Keep spreading the word – you fantastic Alaskan women! We need you all speaking up like this!
@Amused and Bewildered (08:44:10) :
That depends – are you willing to wear red peep-toe stillettos to run in?
It is amazing though — searching the ‘news’ section of Google, only 17 hits come up for Knik Arm Bridge.
http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&q=%22knik%20arm%20bridge%22&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wn
[...] Here is a post about the beyond-their-wildest-dreams success of an anti-Palin women’s rally in Anchorage: I attended the Welcome Home rally for Sarah Palin this morning. Hooo. It was an experience. About a thousand (maybe) hard-core Palin supporters showed up to hear her speak at the new Dena’ina Convention Center in downtown Anchorage. [...]
Can’t read all the posts right now but thanks for the pics and the good news!
Well done alaskan women! This and the NYTimes page 1 story made my day.
Many shout outs for the peeps in Alaska!!!
As to Fiorina (not calling her Carly as she likes being an icon), ask any of the HP folks what they think. She did the same twist the truth and lies at HP. She is of the “wink wink” genre. It has many parallels to Palin. Most of the women of HP were overjoyed that one of theirs was finally getting a chance. It was like watching smart people become not so smart just on gender.
It was dark days and about the same time W became president. It felt like the world had gone wacko. She was clearly for herself. She fired Antonio Perez because he challenged her (in fact, it parallels Palin very well) and something about the jets “being an east coast thing”. She got rid of a lot of good people because they challenged her. She brought in people who said “yes” “nice shoes”. She made herself chairman and CEO so no one would challenge her.
Just when they thought it would only end in the company imploding, HP still had some smart people left to rise to the challenge and still had a board that wanted to do what was right. Here is hoping AMERICA gets it and does the same… and a lot of the women wised up to the game. Some too late. They lost their jobs.
Moral of the story: it is not about you.. it is about them. What they can get for their ambitions. We are pawns for them to get to their positions and the morality of their desire does not include telling the truth or destroying lives…
If Carly could destroy a great company with her “thinkin”, imagine what that thinking could do to America?
PS. Frank Fiorina was on the payroll but no one could figure out what he did to get paid that money.. they spent $1M in remodeling that Gulf stream…. because they didn’t like the decor. Must be nice when the previous CEO took commercial flights..
going to do volunteer work today!
@Aussie
No, I’d run on the Wodka Party. On a serious note, I was there when it was the Soviet Union and on the cusp of Estonia declaring their independence. It was quite eye-opening.
I owe my Brothers and Sisters up in Alaska an apology!! My Swiss hubby always says we should take a cruise up there . I have told him time and time again….”no way!!! they eat democrats for lunch up there!” Thanks for correcting my misrepresentation of your fine state!!!
If Barack wins (even if he doesnt ) I think I will have to take a spin up to Alaska. I am originally from Oregon, so I guess I should visit a sister northwestern state!
GO ALASKA!!!!!!
I manage a local bar in my town. We are considered to be “just a neighborhood bar”. Our customers are mostly white, middle to upper aged southern boys, although the surrounding neighborhood has become very racially mixed. Needless to say, I spend alot of time trying to calm the “boys” down. Over the last few months Obama’s ethnic background has stirred hundreds of years of hatred in some of them. But exciting things have been happening the last couple of weeks. They all know I am an Obama supporter, and while they have enjoyed staying away from the issues and speak only of race, and smear truths, I have continued to speak to them rationally and truthfully. A couple weeks ago, a very racially motivated republican gave me the “nod”. He let me know, although it was to be our secret, that he intended to vote for Obama. I was, to say the least, thrilled. It made me start thinking there might be others. I have been delighted to find out that there are many, who although in a crowd will deny, plan to vote for Obama.
I wanted to shout from the rooftop. But my husband made me understand that the fact that they trusted me with their “dirty little secret”, as he called it, meant that they trusted me to keep it. So I will. But rejoice Mudflatians, for there is Hope!
A big “Thank You” to the Woman of Alaska who dared to be heard.
The reality is that changes are coming… They must come. You must share in bringing them. ~John Hersey~
You all were Great . Thanks from the bottom of my heart for being brave and letting your voice’s be heard. Alsaka Women are HOT Palin NOT !!!!!!!!!!!
Great work, Muckraker.
You are at ground zero and
can bring us truth.
http://thehaikudiaries.wordpress.com/2008/09/14/september-14-2008/
Congratulations to all who organized and attended the anti-SP rally. You have done a wonderful thing for this country.
@Amused and Bewildered (08:53:54) :
Yes, I remember when the Lithuanians broke away, and the price they paid – being starved of oil and Ray-gun not lifting a finger. Brave people, I never forgot them.
Gives us all hope, doesn’t it?
here is this gorgeous War Barbie vid again in case you missed it – I love it!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_T_mdeLaUA
‘nite all
Does the fact that I can look up and see the stars make me qualified to be an astronaut?
@MissSue aka Barrel McRaven Palin (08:57:31) :
Brilliant! We won’t tell.
Aussie Pack Mule,
Are you actually in Alaska?
CK from Perth
@MissSue,
Thanks for sharing that. That is my hope too, that there are a lot of people that just won’t admit publically to voting for Obama.
Saturday Night Live – Hillary & Sarah
http://www.nbc.com/Saturday_Night_Live/video/clips/palin-hillary-open/656281/
@CK (09:02:48) :
no, I’m in Victoria, so you can see it’s way past bedtime
We are an Australian-American family.
You sure as heck don’t have to be from Alaska to support these incredible people – don’t even have to be American!
Everybody has a stake in this…..
‘k, nite
In the Open Thread posts was a question about Sarah Palin’s Choice
where many Down Syndrom are terminated
that article is on the http://www.salon.com
Sarah Palin’s choice
I greatly admire her decision to have a child with Down syndrome. But she would likely deny other women the right to choose for themselves.
Editor’s note: This story has been corrected since it was originally published. You can find Salon’s complete coverage of Sarah Palin here.
By Rahul K. Parikh, M.D.
Afternoon, morning, or night, whichever part of the world my fellow mudflatters are in.
This is fantabulous! I checked the Washington post first this morning and was extremely happy to see the coverage of the event.
You guys are the best! “Out of a few, there came many”
So how do we duplicate this. Someone mentioned picking a date in October.
If that’s the plan, why not be October 2 the day of Biden/Palin debate.
Swineprincess — My statement was based on numerous political discussions with people from all walks of life who belong to both parties. I was first introduced to the concept in the late 1980s when a neighbor of mine, a woman who was a member of the Green Party, implored me to vote for women on the ballots at all costs. “We must get more women into office!” was her constant refrain. Prior to that conversation I had no idea that people with that mindset even existed; I had made the mistake of projecting and assumed that everyone else carefully studied the issues and the candidates’ positions, as I did.
Ever since I have made it a point to broach the subject in conversation and “feel people out.” They are very enthusiastic with their respective mantra, so it doesn’t take long for them to reveal it. This election cycle I have encountered several blacks (via my good friend who is a black Democrat) who believe that this is “their” one shot to get a black into the Presidency, so they “can’t blow it.” When Hillary was still in the race, I met women who felt that way about her candidacy.
There you go with the “only Republicans do that.” That is patently untrue, and in your heart of hearts you must know that this is a HUMAN thing and is not relegated to any particular party. It really is about which group a person identifies with, which may be based on race or sex rather than political.
Great shot after great shot, AKM. You’ve got the knack for composition
I can confirm that there are plenty of people in this state who support Obama. I call 50 Alaskans almost every weekday from Obama HQ in Homer. At first, I wondered why we don’t call Outside (say , in Ohio or Florida) but my completed calls -about 10 out of every hundred attempts – reflect a close race in Alaska. Yes, I hear a few more “McCains”; only a very few say,”I’m voting for Palin”.
But when I note the tally at the end of my shift, the results are split right down the middle. I’m sayin it…Alaska is a battleground state. Wish I could have been there. Thanks, for using your skills and talent
(and wonky ferocity) to illuminate AK politics and for gracefully bearing the enourmous amount of attention you’re getting.
[...] Sarah Palin went back to Alaska for the first time since her nomination, and held a “Welcome Home” rally and speech in downtown Anchorage in front of around 1000 people. What was interesting, however, was that a nearby protest rally, called “Alaska Women Reject Palin” had a significantly larger turnout than the pro-Palin rally. Some reports say the protest rally was the biggest political rally in the history of Alaska. [...]
I cried when i read this. THANK YOU ALL so much!
more evidence that the poll numbers being released are skewed in a misleading way
http://thepage.time.com/2008/09/14/obama-smashes-his-fundraising-record/
AKM, my I get the video of this to create along with some music. I’ve got the perfect music I think would go with this.
if it is ok, can you email me a divatalk@helloworld.com
thanks
hi all-
i try to read all before posting,
but, may i say to you all, and uk lady…
i am completely totally GOBSMACKED!!!!
OMG
i can’t define it, but i sure as heck know what it is…………
everyone on my email list will be too, some of em need to hear it, others will just feel like we do. and if they don’t like getting all this from me? tough. like i said, this time its personal.
@Enjay aka Turbine Yukon (09:10:46) :
Enjay, the question was why was she tested for it.
SCDem ….I’m in south Carolina too. I have started a group called Thinking Freely. We are having our 1st meeting this Monday night. it went from 5 members to 40+ in less than a week, by word of mouth. Too many people don’t have the time or don’t know how to use the Internet to do research. So I am up late at night reading Mudflats (and comments), Huffington Post, Real Clears Politics, FactCheck.org, re-watching The View McCain Interview, Rachel Maddow, etc, etc… and capturing the best and putting into small readable chunks with links. This is why I have only posted a few times. I read, copy and paste all night long. Most here are still the ‘Inbox Generation’ but this is a step up from “I don’t do email.”
I’m just trying to figure out what to do to help.
I want to get people out of the closet….I would love to talk to you further. I don’t know how to get in touch with you through a forum.
@Laughing No Longer… (09:15:30) :
Game on!
Awesome! I can’t believe you were there. Wish we had met!
Here is my flickr stream of photos and videos. Please feel free to distribute them widely. You can credit Aliza Sherman with them – an Alaska mom of a 2-year-old girl! They are also on my mommyblog: Babyfruit.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/aliza/sets/72157607272845163/
Hope our paths cross for an espresso drink sometime!
Sorry, meant to say publicly – am trying to get the dinner and blog at the same time. Am addicted to Mudflats!
I just read on MSNBC that Obama raised $66 mil $10mil for Palin speech for month of August with 500K new donors. McCain raised $47 mil plus $10mil from since Palin speech.
Let’s keep it up. Donate, Vote, Donote
Apparently, you aren’t the only one who was covering the rally:
http://womenagainstpalin.com/blog2/2008/09/11/join-alaskan-women-to-reject-palin-rally-on-satuday-sept-13th/
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/9/14/103042/902/965/597033
http://babyfruit.typepad.com/baby/2008/09/babys-first-political-rally-and-mommys.html
This third one has videotaped interviews with rally attendees.
How does one get this coverage in the mainstream press?
if you are reading this blog and you understand the fierce urgency of now then of course, you need to do the thing which matters the most. be sure
to vote.
make sure that you are registered and able to do so
the Barackobama.com site is prepared to help regardless of party affiliation
http://www.voteforchange.com/index_obama.php
Calling all Floridians!!! I am game for a rally if you are. I have my coffee in hand right now and am ready to chat my “sisters in arms” about how we can put this in motion. I’m in Miami but will travel so let’s see what we can do. Any takers?
Remember back in the late 1960s (1967 I believe) when Barbara Garson skewered the Johnsons with her savage MacBird parody/spoof/political dramady of Johnson-as-MacBeth and Kennedy-as-Duncan (the character’s name was John Ken O’Dunc as I recall…)? The suggestion in the play was (obviously) that Johnson had a role in JFK’s assassination. Well, I don’t believe that it was true. What I do believe right now, especially after re-reading the NYTimes article, is that Sarah Palin is capable of almost anything. Maybe the next spoof we’ll see is McHamlet with Palin-as-Claudius. Mackie keep your ears plugged and only let Lieberman close enough to whisper in them.
Just wow. That was awesome to see.
Don’t lose hope, Renee – the game ain’t over yet. It’s still mid-September, and the election isn’t for another month and a half. Plenty of time left to work.
“It is a mistake to try to look too far ahead. The chain of destiny can only be grasped one link at a time.” — Sir Winston Churchill
I don’t believe that the republicans have any idea of what they have unleashed with the nomination of Palin. A lot of my friends here in Western NY and even my daughters rather lost interest in the campaign when Clinton lost the nomination BUT once Palin was nominated have become vehement Obama supporters. They are now insulted, angry and active. I’ve just sent off the link to this article to a lot of people and would like to add one I just received which gives a real insight into the absurdity of Palin’s candidacy.
http://michaelpalinforpresident.com/
MissSue aka Barrel McRaven Palin -
I was thinking what you wrote, about those racist, who may actually be considering Obama.
Racism and Sexism are two unpleasant realities, and over the years we have made strides in this country…yet we have a long way to go.
If you think of it, historically the “white male” has been quicker to accept race over gender.
It was the Black Man who got the vote before women. And while many may hate to hear it phrased this way, it was a black man who made it as a presidential candidate before a woman.
If McCain was a much younger man, without a history of cancer, his VP might not be such a hot issue. Sure, she would still be of media and public interest, yet the reality that she might step into the president’s shoes would not be as pressing.
Because of McCain’s age and health, the voters are going to give his VP more scrutiny than another candidate, with or without the Palin-factor.
The more I think about it, perhaps Obama was correct in choosing a white man. (I am sorry Hillary, nothing against you, simply the reality of our society.)
If it was Obama-Hillary ticket, many equality challenged voters would not consider the ticket.
History does have a tendency to repeat itself.
ENOUGHwiththetrainwreck (05:26:02) :
“whatever McCain, et al had in mind for this election – they have done one thing very well – they have awakened a herd of sleeping giants and the stampede to the truth is on!”
——————————–
BINGO!
Your entire post was excellent.
Kudos to the women of Alaska who stood up FIRST IN THE NATION to make a statement en masse.
“CANDIDATE TO NOWHERE” was my fave!
John Henry (05:42:24) : “That’s good to hear. It was apparent Republicans were forced to settle for John McCain as the front runner. With the exception of the neocons – the War Baby War crowd, I don’t think any other faction – theocons (religious right), supply-siders, values voters, libertarians,etc – ever really trusted him. He’s proved them right. It looks like the Sarah pick is McCain’s sacrifice to the theocons in order to put Country First – I mean get elected. I’ve heard thecons comprise as much as 40% of the electorate. ”
Thanks, JohnHenry! I’m counting on this as well. At the end of the day, MOST Americans do pride ourselves with a dose of commonsense.
We’re just getting back in from Church and of course, I had to catch up with the wonderful Patriots and heroes on this blog! Congrats again! I am so encouraged. We’re beginning to hear questions (EVEN at Church!), and I agree with earlier posts that the newness and curiousity with Sarah Palin is beginning to wear off.
This morning, I was walking our dog and was joined by a wonderful couple who travels quite a bit. The talk turned to politics, and I discovered this was the first election in which they could vote as they are new American citizens. Imagine that!
We talked rationally and gently over several minutes and then I sent them some links before we left for Church with the title: Food for Thought – Make Your Vote Count. Upon return this afternoon, I was greeted with a plate of cookies (this IS the South, after all!!) and a thank you for helping make the issues more real.
The key is we cannot let up! This election is all about who wants to win more. It’s a real game now, and we have to get out and be heard every day. Every day. Biden is in Charlotte this evening – is anyone going?
Talk with your neighbors and friends. YES WE CAN. YES WE CAN.
On CNN right now…there is a panel discussing Israel bombing Iran. They are thinking that it will happen either October or November. If McCain wins it will happen period
Hmmm….this about says it all:
“…Sarah Palin is the distilled essence of wingnut. She has it all. She is dishonest. She is a religious nut. She is incurious. She is anti-science. She is inexperienced. She abuses her authority. She hides behind executive privilege. She is a big spender. She works from the gut and places a greater value on instinct than knowledge.
And most dangerous of all, she is supremely self-confident to the point of not recognizing how ill-equipped she is to lead the country.”
http://www.balloon-juice.com/?p=11290
HamletsMill aka Rot Pipeline (09:26:45) :
I vote for your Palin Baby Name! It is so funny!
Go REAL women and men of Alaska! Sending support and tons of organic double shots of espresso from Boulder, Colorado!!
Obama-Biden for those with integrity!
Thanks again Mudflats! Clearly outstanding reporting…
I KNOW it may sound sappy to tell you that I am sitting here with tears streaming down my face…but I AM! I am off to go horseback riding with a small group of women with whom I have only discussed politics once, because the conversation was IMMEDIATELY and abruptly halted by the tantrum of one right-wing rider (try saying that 3 times quickly!). However, today I am going to give it another go. If only ONE like-minded woman is in the group, possibly we can start a bit of community organizing!
Can someone explain why NOBODY in Alaska has the cajones to start a RECALL PETITION?
@gelfling545 (09:22:40) :
thank you, that was gorgeous – I would vote for Michael Palin any day
MissSue:
I am so encouraged by your post, yet somehow saddened at the same time. Change is slow and difficult. I often wonder how much racism and sexism is for show. It’s good to remember that everyone casts their vote alone.
@mvngfwd (09:21:01) :
Just about to go to bed and I remembered reading that Obama has a couple of dozen offices in Fla – you might find some really pissed off sisters there.
@gefling545
Enjoyed that vid. Am a Michael Palin fan too!
an espresso stand? they don’t serve LATTE”S, do they?
anyone got a pic of SCARAH drinkin’ one o’ them there latte’s, do ya?
what’s next? chardonnay?
on one hand, latte Drinkers, on the other, war with russia. hmmmm. it’s all so dern confusin’!
[...] NOW, to read the rest of this post and see the great Pics of the rally, click HERE. [...]
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QUOTE:
Aussie Puck Mule (06:59:16) :
I don’t know who posted this video earlier on, but thank you — it’s brilliant!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_T_mdeLaUA
Barbies for war!
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