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Though many of us suffer from Palin Factor Fatigue, it is irrefutable that there is a nagging curiosity to have the question answered, ?How in the world did Sarah Palin become so popular and why do we still need to hear about her?? My book answers these questions in detail and urges us all to be vigilant. She is one of a small pool of ?rising stars in the republican party? as John McCain stated as recently as January 25, 2009 on Fox News Sunday.
As unbelievable as her meteoric rise was we cannot delude ourselves, turning our backs once again, into thinking that she and those like her are going away. This woman is joined by millions of loyalists whose perception is that she was persecuted in the media, stifled by McCain, and mocked by liberals - and now the theocratic conservatives are regrouping with a vengeance!
"Blue Oasis" began in 2005 in its Blogger format (now an archive) and became possibly the first Alaska Blog on Progressive Politics. At the 2008 Democratic National Convention, Celtic Diva's Blue Oasis was honored to represent Alaska as the state blog.
Transition--Community Blog
In September 2008, Celtic Diva's Blue Oasis moved to a Soapblox Community Blog format. Readers can become full participants by registering on the blog to comment and write "diaries." Diary titles appear on the right sidebar for folks to read and provide comments. Blog editors may choose to move some of these diaries to the front page.
While this Community was formed specifically with Alaska in mind, all "friends of Alaska" are welcome as members!
**Note about registering** Scroll down the right side until you find the link to register. Then, just follow the instructions!
**Note about comments** To comment on a story, click on the heading and then look for the "comment bar" at the bottom (it's light grey, I can't seem to change it). I believe the font color NOW permits you to see the "post comment" text.
YOUR BLOGMISTRESS
My name is Linda Kellen Biegel and I am a former 15-year Federal employee. Thirteen of those years were spent working for the US Army Corps of Engineers. I am also semi-retired from the Alaska music scene (singer, sound tech, stage manager, logistics).
When the blog was chosen to represent Alaska in the DNCC State Blogger Pool at the Denver Convention, I attended with the help of Alaska Real blogmistress, Writing Raven and my daughter Morrigan. On August 29th, one day after Barack Obama's inspiring speech at Invesco Field , my life took another turn as it did for all Alaska bloggers when Gov. Sarah Palin was chosen to be John McCain's VP running mate. Since then, I've either assisted or have been interviewed by media from the UK, Italy, Australia and Germany as well as national media outlets such as Wall Street Journal, NY Times, ABC Good Morning America's Kate Snow, National Journal, Dallas Morning News, LA Times, and NPR.
Presently, I work as a freelance writer, PR, event coordinator, community organizer, wife to computer programmer Josh and mother to 11-year-old Morrigan. Our family especially enjoys our summers in Alaska where we get to subsistence set-net fish Sockeye salmon as well as halibut fish/whalewatch in the family's homemade aluminum boat, "The Neverdone" (when it's working). We reside in Anchorage, Alaska.
Origin of "Celtic Diva"
I've used "Celtic Diva" as a screen name since the early 1990's on Web TV.
"Folks have asked about my Celtic heritage, especially in light of my name. What they don't realize is that I'm adopted. I was born Valerie Morehead of the Clan Muirhead. I was adopted at three-months-old by the Kellens. I always "knew" I was Celt even before really knew. I was drawn to all things Scottish, especially music. That's why my parents eventually told me at age 16."
"Linda is well-known in Alaska & beyond as the prominent progressive political blogger Celtic Diva of Celtic Diva?s Blue Oasis. But back in the day, the early 1990s, I knew her as Linda Kellen, a member of the local folk/rock band Sky is Blu, which amongst other things performed in at least a couple or so of the annual women?s show Celebration of Change, in which I also performed. And if you don?t already know, let me tell you: Linda is one fine damn singer."
I went on after the break-up of "Sky is Blu" to perform with various Alaska musicians and work with national folks like Bo Diddly, Coco Montoya, Debbie Davies, Taj Mahal, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Bad Company, Creedence Clearwater, Carny Wilson, etc...
USA Women's Olympic Hockey Team Star Kerry Weiland with our friend Isabella and my daughter Morrigan at St. Baldrick's Day
(Scroll down to find posts.)
(Please register to participate in diaries and comments! We'd love for you to join our Community!)
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A quick post about something that caused me to lie in bed, completely awake this morning.
I wasn't going to bother with the custody story, but I made the mistake of going to YouTube and watching yesterday's Today Show report (embedded below).
All by itself, this national "report" proves that the Alaska judge made EXACTLY the right call by keeping the Tripp Palin-Johnston custody battle open. As a matter-of-fact, I haven't heard a single Alaskan say it was a bad idea...we know the score when it comes to Sarah Palin. The Today Show hosts as well as the female lawyer "expert" clearly have no source of information other than spin from the Palin camp (i.e. Thomas Van Flein, perhaps?).
The female lawyer even goes so far to state that there's "no proof" that Sarah Palin is vindictive. Excuse me? Have you read her book?
And on a side note, we saw a couple of Alaska faces on the video:
--Our own Shannyn Moore got some national attention with a clip from the "Moore Up North" show of her discussion with Tank! Congrats, Shannyn!
--Plus, Alaska Dispatch's Maia Nolan weighed in during an interview. That's the same Maia Nolan that wrote a piece for Alaska Dispatch talking about the "Palin-obsessed bloggers," including yours-truly in that designation. That's the same Alaska Dispatch that's now financed by the wife of a billionaire, who also wants the State of Alaska to fork out six figures from their yearly budget for her pet project/retail outlet in New York.
Anyway, Alaska Dispatch and their important, unbiased journalism had Nolan represent them on the Today Show yesterday NOT discussing Palin's political chances, NOT discussing Palin's still-pending ethics problems, NOT discussing the possible fate of ACES or the Gas Pipeline. What was the online magazine for important Alaska journalism discussing? They were discussing PALIN'S GRANDCHILD and the CUSTODY BATTLE FOR HIM.
I spoke to Maia Nolan when she contacted me about this piece. She did not feel I portrayed her nor the Alaska Dispatch accurately in their relationships to Alaska Blogs.
To clarify: I have always liked and respected Maia. I feel her blog "Own the Sidewalk" has always been one of the best written in Alaska. I also cheered when she won a Rassmusson Grant and am eagerly awaiting the appearance of her first novel. None of that has changed.
In her writings as a journalist on Anchorage Press and Alaska Dispatch, however, she has to realize that there may be moments where the two worlds (blogger and journalist) collide. Her Anchorage Press article featured me prominently from the mouths of others (Les Gara and Rebecca Mansour) yet never contacted me for an opportunity to correct inaccuracies or omissions. While Maia expressed that the title calling us "Palin-Obsessed Blogs" was written by Krestia George, the title was far from the only issue.
The Alaska Dispatch has not only authored anti-blog stories, it figured prominently in the "gloating-over" the outing of Mudflats if not the outing itself. The Dispatch also took a claim MADE IN AN ANONYMOUS COMMENT regarding my group Alaskans for Truth...never bothered to check the accuracy (which would have been as simple as calling the APOC)...and then printed it in a post as if it was fact. Of course, this all happened before, during and after they were touting their journalistic integrity. (Granted, this WAS before Maia's time with them.)
It will take me a long time to let that one go. While I understand there have been a number of changes at the Dispatch, the editorial staff has not completely changed. I'll take a wait-and-see stance.
So, Maia, don't take my snarkiness as a personal assault...take it as a reality check to the organizations you work for. While they like to portray themselves as superior to the Alaska Progressive blogs, they are not above doing stories on Palin's kids.
There are so many parties, fundraisers and BBQs planned for this weekend because the last several weeks have been SO gorgeous!
Of course it's raining like crazy today!
I don't mind because then I don't have to feel guilty for being behind the computer when there is so much yard work to do. (Yes, folks, that's what 16-years of Catholic school will do to you! My permanent companions sound like a popular Irish band, Shame-n-Guilt!) I just recently found my IPod (yay!) while unpacking boxes so I'm listening to my version of rainy-day music...Me'Shell Ndegeocello's album "Bitter." ("Grace" is one of my favorite songs of all time.)
Anyway, it seems that, like the leaves on the trees outside, news, emails and comments are just springing up all around me and it's impossible to keep up. I'm working on several other analytical posts, but I decided I needed to do a summary post of news I haven't had time to cover:
Homer Fire
While I have mentioned the flooding my friends in Rural Alaska have been experiencing and suffering through, I have NOT mention my good friends in Homer fighting and fleeing from the East End Fire. The link is to an facebook group started to follow the fire. Information about the fire can be found at Homer News, including the shared photos section:
The fire, originally estimated at about 1,200 acres, is more accurately about 1,075 acres, said spokesman for the fire command team Pete Buist on Friday morning.
"The weatherman is making us look like heroes," he said.
The forecast for the day was cloudy skies and temperatures in the low 50s, the National Weather Service said. The area might even get a few scattered rain showers later this afternoon.
Meanwhile, residents of three Russian Old Believer communities were still holding out in the face of the smoldering wildfire.
No injuries have been reported.
I hope that some of the rain we are getting here finds its way South to you guys who need it!
My readers are smart and wonderful and really, really observant!!
One item was noticed by a number of you (bravo!) and was summed up nicely in this email from a reader:
Van Flein writes in his letter to Svobodny that "the Governor may spend time in the Governor's Mansion writing and editing drafts and use state provided equipment, such as a fax machine, phone, internet connection, etc. to do so, based on the premise that the Governor's Mansion is to be used as her personal residence and personal activities are permitted there. However, if this uses causes an additional cost to the state, such as long distance charges, the Governor will reimburse the state for any such additional costs."
Despite this statement, Svobodny responded that "Ethics Act precludes use of state equipment and resources to benefit your (Palin's) financial interests. You have made representations that you will not use state equipment....in connection with your book project." He also says it's ok to have "incidental, inadvertent, or insignificant... use" of state equipment. It seems clear that Palin's is planning to use it (it's not inadvertent) and Van Flein's statement does not state any intention to limit the use.
Does the ethics act does say that the governor can feel free to use state equipment, and then reimburse the state? Or can a state legislator use his or her office/equipment for campaign purposes, and then only reimburse the state if there are incremental costs?
More to the point, didn't someone rise to prominence in large part that she accused Randy Ruedrich of using state equipment for personal purposes?
Why yes...yes she did!
Expect to see more about that on a future post!
Sarah Palin attends Bristol's graduation...and still manages to make it all-about-her!
Yesterday, Bristol Palin walked down the aisle, graduating with other Seniors from Wasilla High School. Eddie Burke even congratulated her on the air.
However, could this day remain simply about Bristol's graduation? No-friggin' way...
Conservatives4Palin, the same blog that spins those rare moments that Governor Sarah Palin is actually DOING HER JOB into supreme acts of courage, "reported" that Palin was "uninvited" to speak. (Gee, I wonder who made sure they found out THAT information?) After harassing the High School for information (and then their readers subsequently doing the same thing), Sean Cockerham from the ADN picked up the story. He talked to Senior Class Advisor Tony Jenson, who told him:
Jensen said Palin, who had been chosen as governor since she last gave the school's commencement address, was the favored pick. School officials were discussing the speaking engagement with the governor's staff even as late as August. When Palin was picked as the vice-presidential nominee, those discussions took a backseat to her national election campaign. Jensen said he wasn't sure that she'd ever agreed to speak.
After the election was over, school officials began discussing graduation plans again. Their thinking about asking Palin to speak had changed, Jensen said. The school was already in the national media spotlight because of the election and Palin's alumni status there. Here's Jensen's synopsis:
"We didn't want that to distract from the graduation ceremony itself. The other idea was, we'd had a political figure speak at the last three or four ceremonies ... the idea was floated by our administration that maybe she had had her turn."
Gee...imagine that...thinking that Palin was going to be a "distraction" from the ceremony itself...from the graduates...hell, from her own daughter. Why, that's MADNESS!!!!
Her mom, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, the former Republican vice-presidential nominee, was not always so sure. Palin said in an interview that one of her first thoughts when Bristol announced her surprise pregnancy last spring was, "Oh, there goes her education." "And that's why I'm so proud of her ... really relieved," Palin says. "It's been a challenging and exciting year - her senior year - and I'm just so pleased that we are where we are today."
Sarah's motto: There is no major event in my children's lives that I cannot use to publicize MEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
Those Palin kids are going to need some serious therapy down the road. On the other hand, their tell-all books should be awesome!
CONCORD, N.H. - Gov. John Lynch said Thursday he will sign a bill to make his state the sixth to legalize gay marriage as soon as the Legislature makes some changes, which legislative leaders immediately said they would back.
Lynch asked that the already-approved legislation be revised to better protect churches and their employees against lawsuits if their beliefs preclude them from marrying gays. Gay marriage supporters said they do not object.
"Throughout history, our society's views of civil rights have constantly evolved and expanded," Lynch told reporters. "New Hampshire's great tradition has always been to come down on the side of individual liberties and protections."
And now, the part that blew me away:
Lynch said he personally opposes gay marriage, but decided to view the issue "through a broader lens."
And that, my friends, is the way it's SUPPOSED to work! I can only hope that this will be Alaska someday.
Here is her appearance on Good Morning America, which she also did this morning:
She appeared on The Today Show with her dad, Todd, who inadvertantly called Tripp "a mistake." Ooops... (note: my blog hates the MSNBC video code...sorry)
And Levi appeared on The Early Show today, talking about how the new "abstinence only" message is "unrealistic"...much like what Bristol said earlier on Greta's show (video below)...before the abstinence message suddenly became more important. Hmmm, wonder why? (h/t to Palingates for embed of video...I couldn't figure it out this morning)
Matt Lauer is going to ask her some of those hard-hitting questions...like whether or not she's met the other Candie's spokesperson, Brittany Spears.
I'm sure he won't ask her how she's justifying her new spokesperson role with this interview on Greta's show:
It's official...Bristol is her mother's daughter:
Maria Dolgetta, a spokeswoman for the foundation, said Palin will be paid for her appearance but declined to disclose how much.
Not a lot of "open and transparent" there either. Nice that they could get someone to fund Bristol's "anti-Levi damage-control" tour. Do you think Matt Lauer will ask her how she justifies that when Levi wasn't paid for his interviews?
Nah...
I had such high hopes for Bristol...perhaps Willow can still be saved?
1) That between the three women, it's two-to-one believing that Palin has brought this on herself and showing visible sympathy for Levi
2) They missed the most important issue and one reason why he's doing this -- to gain full access to his child. If he tried to pull that off up here with no media attention, he probably wouldn't have a prayer.
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Oh, and don't forget your popcorn and a frosty beverage!
**UPDATE**
I chose pretzels over popcorn. I like to dip mine in mustard, Philly style!
12:00 HIGH NOON: Here we gooooooooo!!!!!!!
12:03: Isn't Tyra a fashionista? How could she let him on the air looking like that. I feel bad for him.
12:06: Here we go..."you moved into the Palin household"--he says "yes."
There is the "sharing a room" comment...that he and Bristol did share a room.
He said he proposed in June. He got a tatoo, Bristol got a ring. And he hasn't figured out what he's going to do about the tatoo now.
Question: do you guys believe he really is the father? There's lots of debate over that in Wasilla.
12:12 -- Ooooh...momma and sister now. Mercede states that the problem is between her and Bristol. Her friends all dated Levi...bwahahahahahahahahaha...and Bristol doesn't want the baby around them.
Sherry talking--used to see Palins through hockey. Things were good, now it's a nightmare. Never expected media reaction...(waiting for her to say "arrest"--betting it's not going to happen)
Aha...Bristol is accusing Johnstons of greed through SarahPAC...Tyra read a statement.
Tyra emphatically states that Johnstons not being paid for interview.
12:20 Whoa, Sherry IS going to talk about the drug charges in another segment!
12:25 Tripp's birth--Levi was in the room and wouldn't cut the cord. Mercede talks about not getting to see Tripp when he was born...that all of Bristol's family and friends got to come in but not Levi's. She finally got a call to get there in 10:00 minutes if she wanted to see him. She got to see him for 3:00 minutes.
Sherry--talks about not being able to see Tripp. She hasn't mentioned the little detail about the drug charges possibly influencing their decision to keep him away from her.
Looks like drug charges will be discussed next segment.
12:33 Mercede has tried to reconcile--hasn't worked. Levi talks about not being able to take Tripp anywhere. Bristol doesn't seem to want reconciliation and is short with him when he comes over. He may have to go to court to be able to see Tripp more.
Sherry--Secret Service "They" hacked into her computer twice. (Corrected that thanks to a commenter...Sherry was too vague to tell for sure who she was talking about.)
Good Lord--Mercede has Levi's name tatooed on her wrist because of their bond as brother and sister?! So when did tatoos replace greeting cards?
12:40 Talking about headlines:
"Redneck and don't want kids"--old quote on MySpace by Levi...several years old.
"White trash" comments came from text messages from Bristol and her friends to Mercede. Mercede doesn't know how it got out to the news. (Ummm, we do!!!!)
"Drug charges" Sherry can't elaborate on it. (ya think?) But claims that she'd come back on Tyra to talk about it when it was all over because it was "made out to be a lot different than it is."
If Palin runs for 2012--Levi said he'd vote for her over Obama. However, whole family thinks that it would make their lives even more difficult than they already are.
Levi, how much more of a wake-up call do you need about Palin?
Tyra's segment on Johnstons is done. What did you think?
Todd Palin's half-sister was arrested Thursday after police say she broke into a Wasilla home for the second time this week to steal money.
Palin is the husband of Gov. Sarah Palin. He declined comment.
Diana Palin, 35, entered a home near Wasilla's Multi-Use Sports Complex and attempted to steal cash from the owner's bedroom, police said.
She also broke into the same house on Tuesday and stole $400, they said.
She was arrested Thursday morning on felony charges of first-degree burglary and misdemeanor charges of criminal trespass and theft, police said. Friday morning, she remained jailed at Mat-Su Pretrial Facility in Palmer in lieu of $10,000 bail and court-approved third party custodian.
Diana and her husband, Scott McLean, live in a different neighborhood from the location of the home she is accused of burglarizing.
Ummmm...can things get much worse for her? I'm afraid to ask!
The most amazing thing about this...while the Governor has hit the "bad decision trifecta" in Alaska today (more on the next post), she's now going to take a hit in the "hearts and minds" of her right-wing base if they believe what the Johnstons are saying.
At least we are starting to understand the reason for Palin's wild and wacky behavior. When all of these family issues come crashing down and there's goin to be a quite unflattering interview between the Johnston family and Tyra Banks, I guess I'd feel the need to try to control SOMETHING!
**UPDATE** My girl at Alaska AP, Rachel D'Oro, is on it:
Levi Johnston told The Associated Press on Wednesday that he and Bristol Palin mutually decided "a while ago" to end their relationship. The 19-year-old Johnston declined to elaborate.
Eighteen-year-old Bristol Palin says in a statement to the AP that she is "devastated."
The two are the parents of a boy named Tripp, who was born Dec. 27.
Sarah Palin revealed her daughter's pregnancy days after being named John McCain's running mate on the Republican presidential ticket.
I'd like to emphasize this part:
In an interview that aired on Fox News last month, Bristol Palin said her fiance saw the baby every day and described him as a "hands-on" dad.
So, I guess one of the "Palin family values" is lying effectively to the press!
The teen love affair that rocked last year's presidential race is over.
Sarah Palin's daughter, Bristol, has ditched her baby daddy, Levi Johnston!
Now's Levi's sister, Mercede is telling all exclusively to Star and the picture she paints of life in Wasilla, Alaska is not a pretty one. Bristol, 18, has virtually cut Levi out of the life of their two-month-old son Tripp.
"Levi tries to visit Tripp every single day, but Bristol makes it nearly impossible. She tells him he can't take the baby to our house because she doesn't want him around 'white trash'!" Bristol won't even allow him to watch the baby for a few hours -- unless he's babysitting!
The worst part, Mercede continues, is that the former vice presidential candidate supports Bristol's treatment of Levi, 19. "I used to love Sarah," Mercede says sadly. "But I've lost lots of respect for her."
I had several emails awhile back referencing similar comments on a My Space page from someone in Mercedes circle of friends.
According to the Star website, there is much, much more in their March 23rd version of their magazine, supposedly on the shelves now.
Family court attorneys, start your engines! I foresee a nasty custody battle brewing! Can you hear the banjo music a-playin' in the background?
(P.S. I've suddenly become very sensitive to "trailer trash" references, as I live in a very nice, totally redone mobile home in a very nice park.
Also, my husband doesn't run around shirtless nor does he wear white tank-tops.
Ed Schultz made reference to said "trailer" and suggested (jokingly) that Jerry Springer might be on his way up to Alaska. I think I need to send a little note to Ed Schultz!)
Lee Tompkins, BSN, is a labor and delivery nurse I met in September. She has been disturbed by the focus on the conspiracy and lack-of-focus on the medical implications of Governor Palin's fateful ride from Texas to Wasilla and subsequent birth of Trig in April 2007.
In light of the recent exploitation of that conspiracy by Palin herself, I am honored that Ms. Tomkins chose to write this article for our little blog. You've never seen an article like this one before because this is the first time someone in the medical profession has chosen to speak of it publicly.
The Birth of a Conspiracy; Delivering the Real Issue
by Lee Tompkins, BSN
"Captive Alien Held in Area 51 by U.S. Military!"
"Elvis Is Alive!"
"U.S. Government Fakes Moon Landings!"
"Sarah Palin Fakes Pregnancy, Claims Daughter's Child as Her Own!"
All very sexy headlines and all conspiracy theories that some continue to believe to this day. Are any of them true? Who knows? What is more interesting is how and why such claims are picked up and seized by a segment of the American public. The first three are ones that I can't really comment on but the Sarah Palin one I can, having watched the story closely from the time the Anchorage Daily News reported the curious story of Trig Palin's birth last April, and having the requisite background in the medical field as a labor and delivery nurse as well as the necessary swiftness of foot and mind to avoid stepping in any BS in the field.
To some extent these stories are all crazes that took hold because people wanted to believe them. The world has been enchanted with the idea of space aliens all the way from a love affair with H.G. Wells to the Great Gazoo. The idea of E.T. being held captive in Roswell was one that our Star Trek-Star Wars-Lost in Space generation of baby boomers would latch onto with all the fierceness of a lassoed Bantha.
Everybody loves Elvis. Who wouldn't want to see him alive and performing at the Sands in Vegas?
The faked Apollo moon landing theory rocketed during a time in which Americans had a high degree of distrust in the government, who were either trying to draft you to go fight a war in a rice paddy or up to their usual dirty tricks breaking into the Watergate hotel. Would it really be a stretch that such a government would totally fabricate their proudest, most historic achievement?
Which bridges us to the case of Sarah Palin.
Let me say categorically that I think the widely disseminated rumor that Sarah Palin is not the mother of her child Trig is totally false, although I know many well-informed and well-educated people who believe otherwise, and I certainly understand their theory.
I'm going to spend some time discussing the reasons why I think the Palin faked pregnancy story is not true, but first I think it is of interest to comment on why this story has really caught hold of the imagination of many.
Sarah Palin, after being thrust into the national consciousness as a Hail-Mary VP pass by McCain and the Republican Party, gave disastrous interviews with Charlie and Katie, which allowed the public begin to see the real unscripted Palin. All the while Troopergate was coming to head in Alaska, as well as other ethical issues dug up by a curious national news media. And a general consensus was formed about Sarah Palin by the public, and that consensus, held by all but her most ardent supporters, was that they disliked her. They saw her as phony, hypocritical and frightfully unprepared to be anywhere near the White House. She ended up with the highest negativity rating ever for any VP candidate, and an all-you-can-eat late night comedy feast.
So, the public loved Elvis and wanted to see him alive and there was a hopeful expectation that maybe he was still. And the general public disliked Sarah Palin and when the bizarre circumstances of the birth of her child Trig became generally known, the public wanted to believe that she was capable of faking a pregnancy in order to bolster her standing as a "family values" candidate by avoiding the baggage of a daughter who was about to become an unwed teenage mother. Avoiding that didn't quite work out for Palin as it turned out, but that didn't stop a vocal minority of conspiracy theorists to believe Palin capable of such chicanery earlier. The public wanted to believe the worst of Sarah Palin.
Which is kind of funny in a sad way when you think about it, because what the evidence very strongly suggests is that Palin was guilty of recklessly endangering the life of her unborn child, which to me is far worse than faking a pregnancy, to protect her political ambition and perhaps the reputation of her daughter. It's just not as sexy of a story, not one the public could latch onto with such fervor. Discussing ruptured membranes ain't exactly something to talk about at the dinner table. And since "life imitates art more than art imitates life" it's highly doubtful the Desperate Housewives' writers will be opening next season with one of the wives flying transcontinentally with preterm premature rupture of membranes.
However, the quote he wanted was on the Trig Palin issue:
Up in Alaska, liberal blogger Linda Kellen Biegel urged readers to ignore the Trig story: "I don't believe that the 'Trig is her grandson' story is true and I think it could end up decimating the credibility of those folks who continue to push it."
I remember feeling quite passionate about that at the time while now that's not at all the case.
You see, I believe that Governor Palin has been purposefully mysterious about the births of Trig and Tripp because she WANTS the blogs to speculate on this so she has something to make her into a victim.
Secondly, as Eric Boehler has discovered in his article, it's NOT TRUE that many "liberal bloggers" and the MSM were pushing this story. So, Governor Palin just makes it up to...say it with me...make her into a victim.
It's another "straw man" like the catch phrase "anonymous blogger." The vast majority of Progressive blogs are NOT anonymous and we nail her on behavior all the time...yet I haven't heard from any lawyers.
So I think everyone should just post what they want. Governor Palin is going to make up her own stories about us anyway.
Bristol Palin, the 18-year-old daughter of former Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin, gave birth on Sunday to a healthy 7 lb., 4 oz., baby boy in Palmer, Alaska.
"We think it's wonderful," said Colleen Jones, the sister of Bristol's grandmother Sally Heath, who confirmed the news. "The baby is fine and Bristol is doing well. Everyone is excited."
The baby's name is Tripp Easton Mitchell Johnston, according to Jones.
Baby Tripp takes his surname from his dad, Levi Johnston, an apprentice electrician and former Wasilla High School hockey player who has been dating Bristol for three years.
Bristol Palin is currently residing in Wasilla and completing her high-school diploma through correspondence courses.
Johnston is studying to become an electrician. He told the Associated Press in October that he and fiancée Bristol plan to wed in 2009 and raise the child together.
Anchorage Daily News had to find out from the People Magazine website. Anyone still questioning whether she gives a damn about her Alaska constituents anymore?
Note: A friends wrote me in an email, "Couldn't they give him a name that wasn't a drug reference?"
If you follow the Anchorage Daily News and our awesome Alaska bloggers who have been more vigilant about posting during this holiday season than I, you've learned all kinds of interesting things about local politics:
- That Bill Wielechowski and Hollis French left many Alaskans perplexed and scratching their heads at the motivation...and timing...of their joint Compass piece. The editorial welcomed all the help and support we can get from the Obama Administration with the pipeline. (Question: Which one?)
"We need your administration's help to make this pipeline a reality. Help with permits, with rights-of-ways, and with completing the complex bureaucratic steps necessary for putting the federal loan guaranties to work."
Gov. Sarah Palin also caught the spoor of massive federal project handouts, but -- to the chagrin of road builders at the state Dept. of Transportation and Public Facilities -- she directed officials to focus all the state's efforts on getting a massive federal subsidy for the TransCanada gas pipeline. Dept. of Revenue Deputy Commissioner Marcia Davis explained to me on Friday why her department is in the process of retaining consultants to help with the subsidy proposal. "If you ask the rest of the nation to build the ... line they may have a lot of questions, about the carbon effects, for example."
(Hat tip: AndrewHalcro.com)
- That Sherry Johnston, mother of Levi "possibly-daddy-of-Bristol's-so-far-absent-baby-and-maybe-future-son-in-law-of-the-Guvna" Johnston, enjoys her "Coffee Time" like Dan, but for a totally different reason.
- That Bristol's December 20th due date having come and gone without a peep...and that she's now presumably nine days overdue...is a point of:
...contention at TeamSarah.org:
Reply by haiyaku 1 day ago
jennabee said:
I think it was because there were a few postrs were having some questions and raising the Trig issue again. ALthough I didn't see the end of the thread before it went poof! :)
I don't knwo how I feel about this. There was actually one nice poster who I don't think was a troll at ALL, some might have been, but I don't think she was. SHe was on another group I beong to here and she seems to have been banned completely. You know what, I think that is a serious problem, the same way I thought that turning a completely blind eye to the fact that Bristol has not had her baby yet is a problem, too. It doesn't matter how I feel or how you feel about Sarah, it's going to be about what the world out there feels, and if you can't think ahead to see how it mght not hurt to be prepared for the quesitons at least if the baby isn't born soon, then I don't know how I feel about this site. Banning evryone who doesn't agree is not a solution. Just my 2 cents again, feel free to flame because I can take it (unless i get banned, then who cares! :) )
As I understand this site, it was created to help promote and support Sarah Palin. It should be a place where the Palin family might even feel comfortable to visit - we're their "Team Sarah."
When a poster/thread deteriorates to the level of gossip and rank speculation, it should cease to exist. There are plenty of general purpose sites out there that will fit your need.
I have been checking everyday since the 20th and so far there is no blessed event reported from the Palin household. Which has caused even those with less conspiratorial minds to start asking WTF?
When Gryph says "those with less conspiratorial minds to start asking WTF," he means me and any woman who has ever had a child.
Yes...I've promised more catch-up and that will happen after I call more contractors...
There is great anticipation that Bristol Palin, Sarah's daughter, will be giving birth this weekend. Luckily, the baby's other grandmother, Sherry L. Johnston (Levi's mom), will be able to see her new grandchild because she was able to afford the bail.
WASILLA -- A 42-year-old Wasilla woman was arrested Thursday at her home by Alaska State Troopers with a search warrant in an undercover drug investigation. Sherry L. Johnston was charged with six felony counts of misconduct involving a controlled substance.
Johnston is the mother of Levi Johnston, the Wasilla 18-year-old who received international attention in September when Gov. Sarah Palin and her husband, Todd, announced their teenage daughter was pregnant and he was the father. Bristol Palin, 18, is due on Saturday, according to a recent interview with the governor's father, Chuck Heath.
Troopers served the warrant at Johnston's home at the "conclusion of an undercover narcotics investigation," said a statement issued Thursday by the troopers as part of the normal daily summary of activity around the state.
It was an undercover investigation...dang, I wonder what else they learned in the process?!!
Troopers charged Johnston with second-degree misconduct involving a controlled substance -- generally manufacturing or delivering drugs -- as well as fourth-degree misconduct involving controlled substances, or possession.
So, in other words, she's either the source or close to the source. This is not a little fish we are talking about.
Troopers released no other information, including the kind or amount of drugs, because details could jeopardize an ongoing investigation, spokeswoman Megan Peters said.
Asked how long the investigation had proceeded before Johnston's arrest, Peters would only say "a while."
I'll be looking for certain questions to be answered as this case progresses:
1) They are accusing her of being involved with manufacturing and/or distribution of the controlled substance--that would take money. Has Sherry Johnston had a sudden influx of money within the last five months?
2) Did Sherry ever provide drugs to her children? Her children's friends?
3) Did Sarah and Todd Palin know that they were palling around with drug dealers?
Golly, we are rolling in stories over the last few days about Sarah Palin's relationship with her family and the McPalin ticket's relationships with other people's kids.
It's not a pretty picture.
First, we'll start with the blog that originally talked about at least part of the story that the National Enquirer said they "broke"...Track Palin's legal troubles and the basis for his entrance into the military.
While I trust my sources, I don't have enough independent information to nail this. So I'll drop my editorial based on this and just offer the basic allegation.
Troopers did not release names of the juvenile suspects, but David Coon's mother confirmed her son was one of two Burchell High School students involved in the incident. The other two boys are Wasilla High School students.
We also have this story from Detroit's Free Press:
Her oldest son, Track, lived in Portage [Michigan] during most of his senior year in high school. He played junior major hockey. During an interview at the National Governors Association conference in 2007, she told a Free Press reporter that her son went back to Alaska in March to graduate with his class.
The story I was told is that Track Palin was one of them and that he chose to enter the army rather than go to jail (or have a record?).
*****************UPDATE*********************
Progressive Alaska has deleted their "National Enquirer" post for reasons detailed in the linked article. Since my article here only uses the Track and Bristol stuff (which blogs already knew about) and my post has many parts to it of which the NE stuff is only one, I'm not going to delete this. However, I will post this as a disclaimer.
********************************************
Then we have the Energizer Bunnies, the folks at The National Enquirer and their heartwarming story yesterday which included the Track-avoids-jail-in-the-army story, faithfully reported by Progressive Alaska:
The ENQUIRER has learned exclusively that Sarah's oldest son, Track, was addicted to the power drug OxyContin for nearly the past two years, snorting it, eating it, smoking it and even injecting it. And as Track, 19, heads to Iraq as part of the U.S. armed forces, Sarah and her husband Todd were powerless to stop his wild antics, detailed in the new issue of The ENQUIRER, which goes on sale today.
THE ENQUIRER also has exclusive details about Track's use of other drugs, including cocaine, and his involvement in a notorious local vandalism incident.
Of course, that was only the part about Track Palin, there is still the Bristol chapter:
"Bristol was a huge stoner and drinker. I've seen her smoke pot and get drunk and make out with so many guys. All the guys would brag that the just made out with Bristol."
When Sarah found out the teen was pregnant by high schooler Levi Johnston, she was actually banished from the house. As part of the cover-up, Palin quickly transferred Bristol to another high school and made her move in with Sarah's sister Heather 25 miles away!
And here's the money quote:
The friend also confided that both Bristol and Levi "broke up a few times and they definitely messed around with other people."
