Shut up, Sarah

I just watched another Sarah Palin speech. She keeps saying the same shit--even though her speech is riddled by some flat-out lies and LOTS of hyperbole. You'd think she'd change it up when she realized everyone's on to her.

In any case, she just said, for about the billionth time, that she "stood up to Big Oil."

Uh-huh. Anyone else think it odd her husband works for BP???
Sure he quit for a while so it wouldn't look bad for Sarah. But then they needed more money(probably for those 5 kids--why do Republicans always have ridiculous amounts of kids??), and he was back at it again.

Yeah, she says no to special interests...

Tax Cuts

Take a look at this.

Under McCain's tax plan, if you are single with no dependents and make $35,000 (AGI), then you will receive a tax cut of $24.79. Under Obama's plan, you will receive a tax cut of $481.06. Now, under McCain's tax plan, if you are single with no dependents and make $500,000 (AGI), then you will receive a tax cut of
$4,205.22. Under Obama's plan, you will pay $12,098.69. Now, I ask you, which candidate will benefit the majority of Americans? I think the answer is clear.

Here's a chart comparing Obama's and McCain's healthcare plans.

McCain/Palin and the Community Organizer

Someone sent me this video late last night. I found it to be an interesting take on some of the highlights from the Republican convention.

Ozzy Osbourne Said it Best

Oh, Elisabeth. Do you really think people take you seriously? Didn't you lose on that reality show? BTW, I wasn't aware that Cindy McCain or Michelle Obama were running for office; however, Sarah Palin is running for office. Take a look at this video.



Who cares? I care, lady. She didn't make any points. She had some one-liners that battered Obama a bit, but there wasn't anything else. She then paraded her family around stage. While these people look like they walked right out of a J. Crew catalog, this really does nothing for the economy or foreign policy. On top of that, McCain followed her last night and said a whole lot of nothing. This entire debacle reminds me of the old Ozzy Osbourne song Crazy Train.

"Crazy, but that's how it goes
Millions of people living as foes
Maybe it's not too late..."

Oh, Sarah...

Putting aside the fact that VP candidate Sarah Palin has not nearly enough experience to step in if/when John McCain (if elected) dies (what's she gonna do? Toss a hockey stick at terrorists???), she's CRAZY!

Palin recently said that the war in Iraq is "God's task." She's even admitted she hasn't thought about the war much—just last year she was quoted saying, "I've been so focused on state government, I haven't really focused much on the war in Iraq." ^{1, 2} Seriously?? God sent our soldiers over there to die?? It's a Holy War?!?! WTF?!?! And also, doesn't she have a son who could potentially be sent to Iraq--but she hasn't thought much about it???

Palin has actively sought the support of the fringe Alaska Independence Party. Six months ago, Palin told members of the group—who advocate for a vote on secession from the union—to "keep up the good work" and "wished the party luck on what she called its 'inspiring convention.'" ³ Seceeding from the country definitely goes along with the theme of "Country First," no?

Palin wants to teach creationism in public schools. She hasn't made clear whether she thinks evolution is a fact.⁴ Of course, we all know evolution's a crock, no? So, I guess she ain't so nuts...

Palin doesn't believe that humans contribute to global warming. Speaking about climate change, she said, "I'm not one though who would attribute it to being manmade." ⁵ She's clearly been hanging out w/ George W. And hasn't been reading much.

Palin has close ties to Big Oil. Her inauguration was even sponsored by BP. ⁶ Ahem...reformer...ahem...yeah, Big Oil won't keep its stronghold on Washington with Ms. "Drill, Baby, Drill," will it? No wonder she thinks that drilling will solve all our problems

Palin is extremely anti-choice. She doesn't even support abortion in the case of rape or incest. ⁷ Enough said.

Palin opposes comprehensive sex-ed in public schools. She's said she will only support abstinence-only approaches.⁸ This is probably why her 17 y/o daughter is pregnant and being forced to marry her teenage boyfriend--but I'm just speculating on that.

As mayor, Palin tried to ban books from the library. Palin asked the library how she might go about banning books because some had inappropriate language in them—shocking the librarian, Mary Ellen Baker. According to Time, "news reports from the time show that Palin had threatened to fire Baker for not giving "full support" to the mayor." ⁹ Ah...forget BIg Brother! It's Big Sister!

She DID support the Bridge to Nowhere (before she opposed it). Palin claimed that she said "thanks, but no thanks" to the infamous Bridge to Nowhere. But in 2006, Palin supported the project repeatedly, saying that Alaska should take advantage of earmarks "while our congressional delegation is in a strong position to assist." ¹⁰ So, I really wish she would quit saying that. Why make a big deal out of it when you're clearly a flip-flopper??

On a lighter note, if you haven't seen it, check out the Daily Show clip on Palin. It's worth a watch (I personally enjoy the comparison to Britney Spears' parents--it's a good point...oh,oh, and when Palin talks about sexism...good stuff):

Sources
1. "Palin: Iraq war 'a task that is from God'," Associated Press, September 3, 2008

2. "Palin wasn't 'really focused much' on the Iraq war," ThinkProgress, August 30, 2008

3. "The Sarah Palin Digest," ThinkProgress, September 4, 2008

4. "McCain and Palin differ on issues," Associated Press, September 3, 2008

5. Ibid

6."The Sarah Palin Digest,"" ThinkProgress, September 4, 2008

7. Ibid

8. Ibid.

9. "Mayor Palin: A Rough Record," Time, September 2, 2008

10. "The Sarah Palin Digest," ThinkProgress, September 4, 2008

WTF, Laura Bush?

I'm watching the RNC, and I really can't believe what I'm hearing. Is she serious? She just stood up in front of those cameras and praised her husband for giving children mosquito nets, so they don't catch malaria. Really? Really? Oh, and she finished up with, "And that's change you can believe in." No it's not. That's not change. That's bullshit. What about Walter Reed? What about our vets? What about the children here in the US who don't have any health coverage? Stupid, stupid, stupid!

I don't get women voters

I try to understand different points of view, to be open to new and different ideas. But some things I just don't get. Like how a woman can vote for John McCain.

Not only has the man shown a general disrespect for women (calling his wife a c*nt to her face in front of others), but his policy positions threaten to doom women to a life reminiscent of the pre-Civil Rights era.

Hear me out:

John McCain is anti-abortion (if this a hot-button topic for you, skip to the next paragraph). Regardless of how you personally feel about abortion, I don't understand women who would be willing to hand over their right to choose, to make informed, educated decisions for themselves. John McCain would put into place Supreme Court justices who would work to overturn Roe vs. Wade, so women would be back at square one: you're too dumb to decide for yourselves, so we'll decide for you--you have no choice. And excuse me, but that's bullshit.

As if that's not enough, John McCain has made it well known that he does not support sex education. So not only will he take away our right to choose whether or not to give birth, he will take away the one thing that will allow women to become educated enough to avoid accidental or unwanted pregnancy in the first place! Yikes! I mean, that's basically akin to wanting to put women back in "their place:" barefoot and pregnant in kitchens across America, slaving over three-course meals for their men. Thanks, John, but no thanks.

On top of that, his preference for the miserable failure that is abstinence-only programs threatens an increase in STDs, a rise in teen pregnancy, and, naturally, an increase in illegal (and dangerous) abortions. We will also see a steep decline in the availability of birth-control:

McCain opposed Title X, the nation's family planning program.
In 1990, McCain voted NO on legislation to extend the Title X federal family planning program, which provides low-income and uninsured women and families with health care services ranging from breast and cervical cancer screening to birth control. I mean, seriously, what could be more important if you're genuinely concerned about American families? About family values? How about educating women about birth control, so the issue of abortion is a non-issue? How about educating them about health and providing them with screenings that will save taxpayers millions of dollars by catching expensive and debilitating medical problems like cancer ahead of time? But no, I guess it's easier just to let the problem be and bitch about it later.

McCain opposed requiring insurance coverage of prescription birth control.
In 2003, McCain voted NO on legislation to improve the availability of contraceptives for women and to require insurance coverage of prescription birth control. Excuse me? If you really want to be pro-life, how about making birth control readily available?? That's just common sense! It makes no sense to make it harder to get and then just expect women to give birth to babies they didn't want, didn't plan for, and can't afford (and whom we taxpayers will end up paying for!).

This is just a tiny glimpse into the future of women in America if John McCain wins in November. It's not all about sex and health. Notably, McCain stayed out campaigning rather than attending the vote on the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act in April. This important legislation would have overturned the Supreme Court decision that said employees have six months from the date of discrimination--rather than 6 months from the date they discovered the discrimination--to sue their employers for equal pay. McCain didn't think the legislation was important. Had he attended the vote, he has said he would've voted against it. So much for cracks in the glass ceiling, huh?

Not even his choice of a woman for a running mate (a move I personally find almost nauseating in its transparency of purpose) can make up for McCain's distinctly anti-women political positions. And this is why I cannot, just cannot, understand women who would give this man their vote. I don't get it.