McCain's Running Mate.... no surprises
 

Here's a link to the full article: Palin's Church May Have Shaped Controversial Worldview

For the sanity and safety of the world, not just the States'; I urge every American reading this to vote Obama. God, Thor, Zeus, the Flying Spaghetti Monster, or any other make believe being you wish to believe in has no place in state issues. Especially in ordering the President to send soldiers to their deaths in a farcical war. Let's get it straight - Bush, McCain and now Palin have all decorated the war in Iraq as a Christian version of Jihad. Cue jambutty...

Re: McCain's Running Mate.... no surprises
 

Totally disgusted/turned off with both parties choice of candidate, If I do vote and its looking like a big if , my choice will be a write in for Rep. Ron Paul . I know he doesn't stand a snowballs chance in Hell , but at least I will have made my feelings known .......not that the winner will give a damn .
Seems everyone I speak to in all parts of the country are of the same opinion ...." Surely we have someone better somewhere than either of these two".

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Ditto for UK, not one party that 'deserves' my vote

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On the surface, John McCain's choice of running mate is playing a blinder - get the women's votes!!!

But scratch below that surface and she does seem a bit too far out there! From what I've read she's advocating that Creationism is taught in all schools - for anyone who doesn't know what that is, it's the basic belief that every word in the bible, including the Old Testiment - i.e. Adam and Eve, is absolutely true. Scientific fact doesn't come into it!

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Problem is, in certain parts of the US she would not be considered "too far out there". Her views are shared by a large constituency.:mad: And it is this vote that I think McCain is looking at, not the women's vote. If you want American women to vote for you in large numbers, you don't threaten Roe vs Wade.

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...and the belief that the world is less than ten thousand years old.
There's not even a smiley to show the idiocy of these people.

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I agree. But, as the great English philosopher and mathematician Bertrand Russel pointed out there is no way that one can prove logically that the world was not created 5 minutes ago. Still that doesn't make people like Palin any less ridiculous or dangerous. Looks like the Democrats are the party of the relatively sane, and the Republicans rely on the vote of the certifiably loony.;)

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Didn't take long for comedy stuff to start

The Ballad of Sarah Palin from warpedcorp

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Very funny :D - but then- potentially tragic if McCain wins then snuffs it:eek:

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Only if one reasons like a petulant child. Berty is senile. He didn't prove a thing.

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Here in Canada and living next door to the Mercans you learn to differentiate between the image/presention and reality.

So far she has

1) A Knocked up 17 year old unmarried daughter (So much for her religious family values)

2) Accusations that she influenced the firing of her brother-in-law who divorced her sister.

3) Reports that she made a presentation at a political party who wanted to separate Alaska from the USA.

She's not exactly squeeky clean bit let's see if the Mercans buy it.

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That's all the regular dirt you can dig up on any political figure, but I am disgusted at what the article in my first post revealed. I'm not shocked, but I do not understand why Americans put up with such idiots.

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Shaker , what you have to realize about the US is that for all the supposed 'modernity' the place still has a strong Puritan ethic .......a prime example , and this is no joke and you will roll on the floor laughing , but.....I've found lots of Americans still have a belief that you are some sort of a 'sexual de-generate if your underwear is any colour but white :eek:.
I see loads of folks in my area going to church on Sundays , but the problem is they are not the 'mainstream' Churchs , but the Blood and Brimstone evilgelical type , (not so much different than the radical islamic mosques ) Everything can be described by using the old cowboy movie analogy/metaphor , White Hat = Good , Black Hat = Bad with no compromise in the middle.
Think what we are seeing in present day Republican party are the last gasps of white political power , population projections show that whites will be a minority by 2040 (still the largest group, but less than 50% of the total ) thus the Republicans distaste for abortion , (more whites have abortions than any other group).

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Pfft, and who thought independence would be a good idea. You wouldn't be in this mess if we still owned you. :D
It's a terrible state of affairs across the pond - far worse than our situation - and I for one hope for the people of America that democratic change can occur. The amount of people without health care is sickening and the notion of transparency's comatose state in Washington is doing no favours.
From my limited knowledge on the candidates for the upcoming election, Obama seems to be the only viable option for kick-starting some sort of change for good.

Huckabee was on the Colbert Report the other night... what planet is that guy on!?

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I'm curious about point 1. She has personal views of family values as I do but she can only hope to influence her daughter as I hope to influence mine. She cannot control everything the girl does. The daughter has her own mind. And as most parents know if you push too hard all you get is rebellion. I notice that she hasn't thrown her daughter out on the streets with the old fashioned "Never darken my door again!" ringing in her ears. I would say her reaction, although probably upset by the situation, has been one of Christian values caring for her daughter. After all Jesus said we should despise the sin but love the sinner.

Don't know enough about the firing of her brother-in-law or the circumstances surrounding it so I won't say anything more on that. (lol, I sound like Forrest Gump!)

This Alaska thing - is that a bit like Scotland wanting to break away from the rest of the UK? Did she address them for or against?

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Nice looking bird though !!!

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For a bible-bashing fundamentalist, she has given her kids some strange Christian names. Last time I looked in the good book and searched google I was unable to find any reference to a St Bristol or a St Twigg. Maybe there is an Alaskan version of the Bible whereby anglicised names are translated into Inuit or whatever the lingo is they speak up there.

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Interesting. And which of his works are you that familiar with that lead you to this critical assessment:confused:

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I have no knowledge on this beyond a strapline in the news but I presume the media are inferring that Palin supported the Russians' wishes to reclaim Alaska... non-patriotism, Commy supporting etc.
That means nothing to me however. She, along with McCain and Bush are claiming that the war in Iraw is 'the will of God'. I do not understand why that doesn't put the utmost fear into everyone. The leader, and potential leaders, of the most powerful country on the planet are completely, categorically, insane.

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I studied his works at A level.

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So, your profound analysis of one of the foremost thinkers of the twentieth century leads you to such a ludicrous conclusion as "petulant child"?

A little learning is a dangerous thing.
Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring:
There, shallow draughts intoxicate the brain,
And drinking largely sobers us again.

But you probably studied Pope at A level too.

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suppose she aint that bad,if yer not fussy.:D

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This is absurd, I shouldn't even make a reply.
I made a short, obviously flippant remark of my opinion on Russell's work. My opinion is of Russell's brand of analytic philosophy, not of the man himself, not even of his entire body of work. In my view Russell paved the way for what we have in modern philosophy today; everyone deliberating over the meaning of the word disagreement rather than solving the problem.

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C'mon ... when you reach our age "fussy" is not an option;):D

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Thanks Willow. You are the first on this thread to offer any perspective.

Since Governor Palin was nominated by Senator McCain to be his VP, many scurrilous reports have been circulated by the media.

The issue of the former brother-in-law is currently under investigation. This was requested by Governor Palin in light of accusations made against her. From what I have read, her former brother-in-law was not a particularly nice person. He threatened both her sister and father. Used a taser on his 10 years old stepson and was caught drinking alcohol in his patrol car, (he was a state trooper.)

At this moment, it would seem that Governor Palin has revitalized Senator McCain's campaign, since many Republicans had decidedly mixed feelings about him. That may change over the next few weeks. I never predict the outcome of elections because anything can happen - and usually does.

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speak fer yerself mate.:D;)

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Unlike Clinton - she DID inhale :D
VIP Sarah Palin
According to an August 6, 2006 article in the Alaska Daily News, current Alaska Governor Sarah Palin has smoked marijuana. "I can't claim a Bill Clinton and say that I never inhaled," she told the paper. She added that she didn't like it and doesn't smoke it now. (Politicians seem to be the only creatures who don't like smoking pot. How convenient.)

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unfortunately, I am speaking for myself:mad:;)

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People are still getting it wrong: Bill Clinton did not exhale:eek:

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Neither did Monica Lewinsky.

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This has got to stop before we start dicussing cigars:D

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reading this ...http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/06/us...syahoo&emc=rss it seems Ms Palin has a lot in common with the religious nuts in the middle east

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Try googling on Obama's mad priest, the Reverand Jerimiah Jackson (jnr). He makes Mrs Palin's pastor look positively sane.

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What, our local MP is on the A level syllabus now! :D

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Actually, on a serious note - slightly! In the UK most prospective MPs try to play down their religion, it's almost like anyone who claims to be a specific religion or devout in any way is considered a crank and not necessarily likely to be a good MP yet in America it seems to be one of the deciding factors and a really big thing.

It's almost as though only 'Christians' vote in America.

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It does seem that way. But it is only in some parts of the US that fundamentalist chrisitianity is a factor ... like in the Bible Belt. But in many cases, it is not a "deciding factor", but a fundamental hypocrisy, a sort of born-again pc-ism. In practice, many American politicians who have run on a platform of "christian values" are the ones who get caught with their pants down, quite often literally. What is really troubling is that christianity in extreme forms seems to have become inseparable from "manifest destiny", and, indeed, democracy.

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Golly day, to think only psycho's, nut, wackos, fundamentalists, etc, etc. over here like McCain/Palin. I guess I, and Millions of other good, noraml Americans fit in there. First off, for the Bush haters, John McCain, to his detriment (IMO), is no George Bush or typical Republican. Sarah Palin is a breath of fresh air. Finally, a regular person going to Washington!

Obama has an absolutely terrible voting record. Additionally, his wife and her past writings/statements, scares the bejesus out of me! Ombama's never even held a regular job. All he, and his lunatic pastor, seems to want to do is play the race card. I hope it comes down to pure experience. This Independant is satified with the McCain/Palin ticket. I think the media has once again sensationalized some of Palin's miscues and Biblical views.

Just wished to voice another opinion on this matter. I just don't see things as bad as stated by some of the above comments.

Brian

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Oh come on LYY. McCain has openly said on many occasions that he agrees with Bush on every single issue. He would not do anything differently. Is that really a good thing for America's economy, global reputation and position in Iraq? Clearly not.

How can you say that Palin's religious views have been sensationalised? She has been directly quoted - and shown in videos making these quotes in full context. Have you read the article in my first post in this thread? She has claimed the war in Iraq is God's cause for crying out loud. Why would anyone want that in a position of power!?
All I hear from the Republican camp is claims of Palin's "executive experience", "executive experience", "executive experience". No. Surely the Republicans aren't making statements with meaningless jargon?

Obama has never "played the race card". It's only the Republicans with their predictable and weary politics that have claimed Obama is playing the race card. Cheap, easy shots. As usual.

How can you have respect for a party and a candidate that puts out a smear advertisement on television just hours after the 'lipstick on a pig' comment? Especially when McCain used the very same turn of phrase for Hilary Clinton!

Barack Obama is the only one that can pull America out of this mire. The States and the world will be in a perilous situation should the Republicans get into office again. The world is tired of their idiocy.

Hopefully the votes will be actually counted this time.

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Noting that she will be only one missed heartbeat away from the Presidency , I have concerns about her foriegn policy experience , it's well to remember that her first Passport was only issued in 2006 . I don't think having bi-lateral talks with the B.C. provincial Govt. about road paving issues on the Yukon Highway will count for much in the 'Grand Game'

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Oh don't fret steeljack, she has "executive experience" :rolleyes:

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from the local news in California ...........

Linda Burnett , 23, a resident of San Diego , was visiting her in-laws and while there went to a nearby supermarket to pick up some groceries. Several people noticed her sitting in her car with the windows rolled up and with her eyes closed, with both hands behind the back of her head.

One customer who had been at the store for a while became concerned and walked over to the car. He noticed that Linda's eyes were now open, and she looked very strange. He asked her if she was okay, and Linda replied that she had been shot in the back of the head, and had been holding her brains in for over an hour. The man called the paramedics, who broke into the car because the doors were locked and Linda refused to remove her hands from her head. When they finally got in, they found that Linda had a wad of bread dough on the back of her head.

A Pillsbury biscuit canister had exploded from the heat, making a loud noise that sounded like a gunshot, and the wad of dough hit her in the back of her head. When she reached back to find out what it was, she felt the dough and thought it was her brains. She initially passed out, but quickly recovered. Linda is a blonde, and a REPUBLICAN, and her car had a VOTE FOR McCAIN bumper sticker on it, but all that could be irrelevant

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Lol, brilliant :D

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Hey, those British Columbian's are tough barginners;) ... think it's something to do with the fact that marijuana is BC's leading cash crop.

Back on track .... spoke to a friend of mine the other day; she is American, Harvard PhD. in sociology. She came to Canada to teach at Queen's, and stayed. What she did point out to me ... and this is something I hadn't considered ... is that there is a very large constituency of right-wing women in the States, and that the choosing of Palin was a very shrewd strategic move on the part of the McCain campaign. I had assumed that women in the US were like those in Canada, where women tend to vote centre, and left of centre rather than for the Conservatives.

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regardless of what you've read and heard about palin/mccain

this is the real reason he's taken her on

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e174/ap0521/Cain.jpg

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maybe it's the misogynist in me ....but ....I like Sarah Palin because she looks like a woman should look ......she wears a dress, not the sodding pantsuits favoured by Ms Clinton and co ..........they are not sodding welders and window cleaners ......if you are a woman look like one, dress like one , not some fat lard-assed ballbuster , who reminds a lot of men why they got shut of wife number one.

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Just got back from the toilet Steely, I nearly Pi--ed myself. I dont think Ms Greer would be laughing though.

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Like Al, I fell about at that one...in fact, I nearly choked on my brew laughing. SJ, if I hadn't already given you karma for your "pillsbury dough/brain" post, I'd certainly give you karma for that! :D

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Jack - feminity is a state of mind, not a mode of dress - shame on you :eek:- I think that I would have got rid of you too (I have the practice in);)

I have many trouser suits. I wear them because, with deformed feet, flat shoes look frumpy with skirts.

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Now then, Steeljack, you surely know that this story is an urban legend. It has been circulating for years - by word of mouth, on the internet and told as jokes on the professional comedy circuit. It has even popped up in newspaper stories, despite the fact that there is no sound evidence that the incident ever occurred. I first heard a version of this back in 1994 - sans the political affiliations. The tale of a "dumb blonde" in Arkansas.

Too many people on this site are already woefully ill-informed about our country, its people, system of governance and current crop of political protagonists. Therefore, it is a little wicked of you to stoke their fevered brains by presenting something like this as if it were a current news item.

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Even if you don't count the religious fanaticism what about the following?


1) She advocates that victims of sexual assault pay for their own rape kits;
2) The lie about support for the Bridge to Nowhere and keep the money after the project is scrapped;
3) Her attempt to ban books and threaten to fire a librarian, who may have had a nominal income;
4) Billing the state $20,000.00 for working at home and
4: Her limited knowledge or experience with foreign affairs and her questionable knowledge of the US constitution.

Yes I would love her to be my MP.

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1) She advocates that victims of sexual assault pay for their own rape kits;

Believe this only applies if there are no signs of force involved (bruises etc)and alcohol involved as a way of discouraging frivolous/false charges being brought and destroying some guys innocent reputation

2) The lie about support for the Bridge to Nowhere and keep the money after the project is scrapped;

not true , the funds were available for use by the Alaskan dept.of transportation to be used by the Alaskan State Govt. on any project . ( I'm not a big fan of Sen Ted Stevens, but he works for his people and brings back the bacon)

3) Her attempt to ban books and threaten to fire a librarian, who may have had a nominal income;

Nonsense , she asked what criteria the library used when selecting books .......books paid for by the taxpayers of Wasalia ......wouldn't you like a Mayor/Council Leader who counted the pennies

4) Billing the state $20,000.00 for working at home

ever heard of telecommuting ? its a quite popular concept these days , unclogs the freeways, reduces carbon emmisions. Or would you prefer she commute daily/weekly from her home in Wasalia to Juneau a distance of about 500 miles

4: Her limited knowledge or experience with foreign affairs and her questionable knowledge of the US constitution.

ok , will admit she has a bit to learn about foriegn affairs . Knowledge of the constitution .....think most U S would politicians have a problem with this one , but I think she knows the difference between the truth and a lie ....e.g Bill "I did not have sex with that woman" Clinton ....said under oath during his disbarment hearing deposition

not making any excuses for the lady , but I just wish the leftish media would tone down a bit , I'm still undecided who my vote will go to , but its unlikey to be either of the two main candidates , still a toss-up , a write-in for either Ron Paul or Ralph Nader . :D :D