Sarah Palin, mayor of the meth capital of Alaska

The hits just keep on coming. Wasilla and the surronding Matanuska-Susitna area of Alaska is informally duped the "meth capital of Alaska".

In 2003, authorities uncovered nine meth labs in the area. Last year, the number increased to 42, said Kyle Young, an investigator with the troopers who works with the Mat-Su narcotics team.

Note too that apparently Sarah Palin tried to fire the chief of police because he wanted to close the bars at 2 am instead of 4 am. Wonder why everyone wanted to stay up so late and party?

It's okay, though I've been told that Republicans are the party of family values.

How a 14 year old could really hate Sarah Palin

Among other things that Sarah Palin does, when she's not off scoring Federal funds for bridges to nowhere before denouncing the bridge and keeping the dough, is banning books in libraries. Now that might not be so bad to a 14 year old, generically, but when you look at the types of book Sarah Palin is likely to ban, things get dicey. What would really get my daughter ticked off is trying to ban the ever popular Harry Potter series. Apparently, Sarah is one of those piously self-righteous Evangelicals who, when they are not busy raiding the federal coffers for funds to build hockey rinks, are deeply concerned with the 'morals' of others and what they deem are irredeemably anti-Christian messages, you know, like good triumphing over evil, helping your friends and sticking up for the weak. Harry Potter is just loaded with such evil pagan nonsense. Oh, it's magic! Boo!

So, if you're a Republican seriously contemplating voting for a book censoring, Evangelical hack from one of the smallest cities in this nation, maybe this might give you pause. I promise you are sure to lose my daughter's generation. Or not? Republicans don't have a very good record of thinking realistically or long term, or governing realistically or long term, do they? But maybe you'll just roll the dice and consider how lucky it is that McCain is only 72 and hasn't had that many problems with cancer yet.

The question is, will the rest of the electorate want to be governed by a religious zealot and her geriatric captive?

Editor's Note: For the doubting Thomas's among you, the first Harry Potter book in the series was indeed published in the US in 1998. Sarah Palin served as mayor from 1996 until 2002.

So, yes, the books were indeed in print while she was mayor and seeking to ban books hated by Evangelicals.

TPM Has Good Interview with Howard Fineman

Regarding community organizers

A few of the lesser intellectual stars of the conservative circuit running for high office have decided that community organizers are beneath contempt.

To which a wit on one of those mean ol' liberal blogs responded, pithily: "Jesus was a community organizer; Pontius Pilate was a Governor."


Sounds like bumpersticker material to me.

Regarding RNC Tonight

Finally tuned into tonight to the RNC. Man, what a diabolical waste of brain cells. Rudy was turned onto his hate minute thing, followed by Ann Coulter...er Sarah Paulin imitating a Vice Presidential candidate.

I'm glad Rudy didn't make the Primary nod and it's obvious now why he didn't. He speaks only to the 30% of Americans still embracing Bush's vision. Same goes for Palin. But wait. She actually is on the ticket, isn't she?

Well, to quote the more diplomatic Joe Klein:

... it is important for the public to know that Palin raised taxes as governor, supported the Bridge to Nowhere before she opposed it, pursued pork-barrel projects as mayor, tried to ban books at the local library and thinks the war in Iraq is "a task from God." The attempts by the McCain campaign to bully us into not reporting such things are not only stupidly aggressive, but unprofessional in the extreme.

Read the list: pork barrel, lying, banning books, suppressing the press, and starting and continuing wars as a "task from God"... These people don't need to rule a country, they need a padded cell.

One other thing, regarding the dog whistle nonsense Rudy and Sarah were tag teaming with that mocking of Obama's stint as a 'community organizer'-- was there a single person in that entire center who had any inkling what a community organizer actually does?

Palin's Daughter's Love Mutt

According to the New York Post, this is Sarah Palin's daughter's love interest, some fellow named Johnston:

On his MySpace page, Johnston boasts, "I'm a f - - -in' redneck" who likes to snowboard and ride dirt bikes.

"But I live to play hockey. I like to go camping and hang out with the boys, do some fishing, shoot some s- - - and just f - - -in' chillin' I guess."

"Ya f - - - with me I'll kick [your] ass," he added.

He also claims to be "in a relationship," but states, "I don't want kids."

Aside from that last blow to the Pro-Life and Evangelical for whom reproduction appears less a biological function than a moral mandate, this boy is almost perfect Republican material.

I guess the future of the GOP is in the great white North. Or maybe just its wilderness.

They Arrested Amy Goodman in St. Paul

Amy Goodman, well known commentator and radio host for Democracy Now! with a listenership in the millions, was arrested by Saint Paul police for a vaguely worded charge regarding rioting. Below is an article from Pacifica Radio's website:

Goodman was arrested while attempting to free two Democracy Now! producers who were being unlawfuly detained. They are Sharif Abdel Kouddous and Nicole Salazar. Kouddous and Salazar were arrested while they carried out their journalistic duties in covering street demonstrations at the Republican National Convention. Goodman’s crime appears to have been defending her colleagues and the freedom of the press.

Ramsey County Sherrif Bob Fletcher told Democracy Now! that Kouddous and Salazar were being arrested on suspicion of rioting. They are currently being held at the Ramsey County jail in St. Paul.

Democracy Now! is calling on all journalists and concerned citizens to call the office of Mayor Chris Coleman and the Ramsey County Jail and demand the immediate release of Goodman, Kouddous and Salazar. These calls can be directed to: Chris Rider from Mayor Coleman’s office at 651-266-8535 and the Ramsey County Jail at 651-266-9350 (press extension 0).

Democracy Now! stands by Goodman, Kouddous and Salazar and condemns this action by Twin Cities law enforcement as a clear violation of the freedom of the press and the First Amenmdent rights of these journalists.

During the demonstration in which they were arrested law enforcement officers used pepper spray, rubber bullets, concussion grenades and excessive force. Several dozen others were also arrested during this action.

Amy Goodman is one of the most well-known and well-respected journalists in the United States. She has received journalism’s top honors for her reporting and has a distinguished reputation of bravery and courage. The arrest of Goodman, Kouddous and Salazar is a transparent attempt to intimidate journalists from the nation’s leading independent news outlet.

Democracy Now! is a nationally-syndicated public TV and radio program that airs on over 700 radio and TV stations across the US and the globe.

Video of Amy Goodman’s Arrest: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYjyvkR0bGQ


Just a brief note. Freedom of the press has always been a strained affair in this country, swerving from the Pravda of FOX to the penny ante chatter that passes itself for analysis on any other broadcast and cable channel, but Democracy Now! has always been an outstanding exception, willing to go where few so called main stream journalists venture. The news black out on a national media figure being arrested at the RNC today is simply astounding. Please send this information to anyone you think might be interested.