Spock mit kitteh!

I'm feeling: apparently I don't have an appropriate avatar for "OMG that's hot"

From someone on Ravelry re: the McCain campaign's unwillingness to let the press ask Palin specific questions about foreign and domestic policy¹ —

Media Decree #1:

Governor Sarah Palin is officially the Vice Presidential nominee for the Republican party and is therefore no longer under any obligation to answer the media’s ridiculous questions on any topic, including the origin or her vast executive experience, her righteous judgment decisions, or her family. Anyone wanting further information may reference the acceptance speech given on September 2, 2008.

There will be no need to talk.

Hem hem.

¹ Is it possible that Nicole Wallace, the McCain campaign's spokeswoman, is drunk in this video? o_O


ETA: Someone else's slightly more analytical take on it, with almost the exact same subject line. :D

Dolores Umbridge enforces a failing administration's desperate and unscrupulous attempts to silence dissent and retain power. Hateful and sadistic tendencies lurk below her thin veneer of cloying sweetness. She fires, or threatens to fire, anyone who does not obey her without question, as well as anyone she simply dislikes on a personal level. She is hungry for power, and she cruelly punishes anyone who opposes her. She is also a bigot, demonstrating extreme prejudice against anyone dissimilar to herself, including non-wizards, Muggle-borns, and non-human or semi-human magical creatures.

Why did Sarah Palin's speech last night bring Dolores Umbridge to mind? Because, like the fictional Fudge and Umbridge, McCain and Palin do not and cannot offer effective solutions to our problems. Because they attack those who do offer potential solutions. Because they sarcastically mock their opponents with pointed yet meaningless jabs. Because their rhetoric is full of hate and negativity. Because they are mean, and they seem to enjoy being mean. Because they lash out at anyone who disagrees. Because they would rather control people and restrict their choices than offer them greater freedom or improve their lives. Because they are deeply and desperately afraid of change.

I would rather be on Dumbledore's side, wouldn't you?

Indeed.
 

Tags: political science, wtf
I'm feeling: humor is the only way I'm going to survive the next few months

If this article doesn't scare the shit out of you, you're not paying attention. o_O

Palin's Church May Have Shaped Controversial Worldview

Som particularly interesting snippets:

Speaking before the [her one-time (Pentacostal) church, Wasilla Assembly of God], Palin painted the current war in Iraq as a messianic affair in which the United States could act out the will of the Lord.

"Pray for our military men and women who are striving to do what is right. Also, for this country, that our leaders, our national leaders, are sending [U.S. soldiers] out on a task that is from God," she exhorted the congregants. "That's what we have to make sure that we're praying for, that there is a plan and that that plan is God's plan."

Religion, however, was not strictly a thread in Palin's foreign policy. It was part of her energy proposals as well. Just prior to discussing Iraq, Alaska's governor asked the audience to pray for another matter -- a $30 billion national gas pipeline project that she wanted built in the state. "I think God's will has to be done in unifying people and companies to get that gas line built, so pray for that," she said.

...

A review of recorded sermons by Ed Kalnins, the senior pastor of Wasilla Assembly of God since 1999, offers a provocative and, for some, eyebrow-raising sketch of Palin's longtime spiritual home.

The church runs a number of ministries providing help to poor neighborhoods, care for children in need, and general community services. But Pastor Kalnins has also preached that critics of President Bush will be banished to hell; questioned whether people who voted for Sen. John Kerry in 2004 would be accepted to heaven; charged that the 9/11 terrorist attacks and war in Iraq were part of a war "contending for your faith;" and said that Jesus "operated from that position of war mode."

...

If the church had a political alignment, it would almost surely be conservative. In his sermons, Kalnins did not hide his affections for certain national politicians.

During the 2004 election season, he praised President Bush's performance during a debate with Sen. John Kerry, then offered a not-so-subtle message about his personal candidate preferences. "I'm not going tell you who to vote for, but if you vote for this particular person, I question your salvation. I'm sorry." Kalnins added: "If every Christian will vote righteously, it would be a landslide every time."

Months after hinting at possible damnation for Kerry supporters, Kalnins bristled at the treatment President Bush was receiving over the federal government's handling of Hurricane Katrina. "I hate criticisms towards the President," he said, "because it's like criticisms towards the pastor -- it's almost like, it's not going to get you anywhere, you know, except for hell. That's what it'll get you."

Much of his support for the current administration has come in the realm of foreign affairs. Kalnins has preached that the 9/11 attacks and the invasion of Iraq were part of a "world war" over the Christian faith, one in which Jesus Christ had called upon believers to be willing to sacrifice their lives.

For the love of little red cherries, will someone please tell me what is happening in this country?

Tags: political science, wtf
I'm feeling: shocked

Wow, the Republican party really goofed up this time. Here's a short list of political, non-gossip reasons that Sarah Palin is a ridiculous choice for the VP slot.

• As of July 2008, she had no idea what the VP does (with video!)


• The McCain campaign claims that her PTA involvement counts as experience and the start of her political career


• She was until recently a member of the Alaskan Independence Party, a secessionist party whose slogan is, "Alaska First, Alaska Always", and she spoke at their 2008 convention


• She was almost recalled as mayor of Wasilla for firing the Police Chief and Library Director as retribution for not supporting her in her 1996 mayoral campaign


• As mayor, she asked the Wasilla librarian how to go about banning books from the library, and threatened to fire the librarian when she objected


• Also as mayor, she put the town so far in debt due to mismanagement of a land deal that it amounted to $3000 per capita


• She served as director of Ted Stevens’ 527 group, Ted Stevens Excellence in Public Service, Inc.


• She claimed to have been against Stevens' Bridge to Nowhere, but actually supported it


• As mayor and as governor, relied on an earmark system she now opposes


• She's been placed under investigation for abuse of power -- former Alaska Department of Public Safety Commissioner claims that Palin's staff pressured him to fire her state trooper brother-in-law, who was in the process of getting divorced from Palin's sister


• She's hired a lawyer re: ongoing investigation; said lawyer has challenged the firing inquiry


• The replacement Commissioner of Public Safety, whom she appointed, had to quit after two weeks on the job due to renewed scrutiny of a 2005 sexual harassment complaint

But don't worry, they vetted her thoroughly! Or, y'know, not at all. Whoops!

ETA -- Palin’s Start in Alaska: Not Politics as Usual is a very interesting article about Palin's mayoral run and management.

Tags: political science, wtf
I'm feeling: enthralled

This journal is friends only. Comment to be added. :)