[Rhodes22-list] Politics - The Chicago Way

[Michael D. Weisner]

Brad,

>From the sound of things (all of the toes that she has stepped on), she had 
a distinct need to run on the GOP ticket just for the secret service 
protection!  And to think that folks were worried about the health of B.O.

Mike
s/v Shanghai'd Summer ('81)
Nissequogue River, NY

From: "Brad Haslett" <flybrad at gmail.com>Sent: Tuesday, September 02, 2008 
1:53 PM
> Herb,
>
> It can't get any better given politics-
>
> Brad
>
> --------
>
> September 02, 2008
> The Libertarian Case for Palin
> By David Harsanyi
>
> The potential political consequences of Sarah Palin have been chewed
> over from every imaginable angle.
>
> Though there is plenty to ponder, one thing is certain:
> libertarian-inclined voters should be encouraged. No, I'm not
> suggesting that your little Molly will be bringing home "The Road to
> Serfdom" from her (distinctly non-public) elementary school. But in
> contrast to any national candidate in recent memory, Palin is the one
> that exudes the economic and cultural sensibilities of a geniune
> Western-style libertarian.
>
> Now, Palin's lack of experience has been framed as an impenetrable
> negative. One wire story helpfully noted that Palin had never ever
> appeared on "Meet the Press." Shocking! But as Barack Obama often
> notes, it's not about experience, it's about judgment. And Palin's
> penchant for reform-minded conservatism is certainly at odds with the
> racket Washington Republicans have offered up the past 8 years.
>
> Palin, for example, vetoed 300 pork projects in Alaska in her first
> year in office. She made a habit of knocking out big-government
> Republicans in her brief political career. For this, the 44-year-old
> mother of five enjoys a sterling approval rating in a state with
> arguably the nation's most libertarian-minded populace.
>
> When it comes to healthcare, Palin says she wants to "allow
> free-market competition and reduce onerous government regulation."
> These days, any mention of the "free market" that's not framed as a
> crass pejorative is a sign of progress.
>
> Culturally, there is little for the Heartland to dislike. By now,
> you've probably seen picture or two of Palin sporting a rifle.
> Apparently, she's left carcasses strewn across the Alaskan wilderness.
> In some places -- areas where the nation is growing -- owning a gun is
> not yet a sin. And unlike Obama, Palin seems to believe that the
> Second Amendment means the exact same thing in rural Alaska as it does
> in the streets of Chicago.
>
> Yes, Palin is without argument a staunch social conservative. She is
> fervently opposed to abortion - even in cases of rape and incest,
> which will raise eyebrows, but is certainly more philosophically
> consistent than the namby pambyism of your average politician. The
> choice issue, after all, is complicated, even for many libertarians.
> And, as I was recently reminded, Ron Paul, the Libertarian champion of
> the 21st century, also opposes abortion.
>
> Even when advocating for "moral" issues, Palin's approach is a soft
> sell. Palin does not support gay marriage (neither does Obama, it
> should be noted). Yet, in 2006, Palin's first veto as Governor was a
> bill that sought to block state employee benefits and health insurance
> for same-sex couples.
>
> We cannot bore into Palin's soul to see her true feelings about gay
> couples, but, at the time, she noted that signing "this bill would be
> in direct violation of my oath of office" because it was
> unconstitutional. For most libertarians, the thought of politician
> following any constitution, rather than their own predilections,
> morality or the "common good," is a nice change of pace.
>
> On the counterproductive War on Drugs, Palin is no warrior. Her
> Republican opponent in 2006 primary, incumbent Republican governor
> Frank Murkowski, made recriminalizing the possession of small amounts
> of pot a priority. Palin, though she does not support legalization,
> believes enforcement should not be a high priority.
>
> "I can't claim a Bill Clinton and say that I never inhaled," Palin
> once said. This sort of honesty is a welcome change from the standard
> hand-wringing about marijuana's supposed disastrous consequences.
>
> On education, Palin supports school-choice programs. There have
> already been smears that she backed "creationist" teaching in "public"
> schools, when in fact, Palin's comment regarding intelligent design
> should hold some appeal to libertarians. Even if you find the idea
> inane, in essence, Palin pushed the idea that parents, rather than the
> state, should decide what children are learning.
>
> When asked about this commotion, Palin said, "I won't have religion as
> a litmus test, or anybody's personal opinion on evolution or
> creationism." If lockstep left-wing union-run school boards in urban
> districts would follow this sound advice on ideological litmus tests,
> our educational system would be a lot more productive.
>
> Then there is a question of authenticity. And it matters. Those who
> will do anything for power, will say anything and support any position
> that is convenient. From John McCain to Joe Biden to Obama, one gets
> the sense that political office is their life's work. All of them have
> made attempts to create the perception that, hey, they're ordinary
> Americans just like you. Palin won't have to work at genuineness. With
> Palin, you get the impression she can take politics or leave it. Her
> life certainly hasn't been saturated with policy, favor trading and
> back scratching.
>
> Of course, Washington has a mysterious power to turn perfectly
> reasonable, wholesome, well-meaning human beings into equivocating
> crooked gasbags. But, from the little we know about Palin, such a
> transformation doesn't seem likely. And for libertarians - in the
> broadest sense of the small "l" word -- she's the best candidate they
> can expect.
> Reach columnist David Harsanyi at dharsanyi at denverpost.com.
>
> On Tue, Sep 2, 2008 at 11:49 AM, Herb Parsons <hparsons at parsonsys.com> 
> wrote:
>> EXACTLY, and if the "We need change" folks on the left would remove
>> their "any Republican is a BAD Republican" blinders, they'd see that too.
>>
>> I think it's almost funny to see folks say, on the one hand "We want
>> something DIFFERENT, we don't want a career politician, we want a REAL
>> person in the WH", then turn right around and say "But, she's got no
>> 'experience', and she has family issues, and ... and ... and ..."
>>
>> I believe everyone of those have been doing what their messiah has been
>> doing, spouting rhetoric with no real meaning.
>>
>> If it sounds like I'm hyped about this choice, there's a reason! And, I
>> hope the dems on the left keep right on "not understanding".... at least
>> for a few more weeks.
>>
>>
>> Brad Haslett wrote:
>>> Herb,
>>>
>>> McCain is just the catalyst in this race.  Sarah is the Hope and
>>> Change and "what we've been waiting for".  She has the potential to be
>>> the Teddy Roosevelt of the 21st Century and start her own Bull Moose
>>> Party (er, might have to work on a new name given her relationship
>>> with the moose). At any rate, she owes nothing to the GOP in Alaska.
>>> She got the GOP party chairman kicked off the Oil and Gas Commission
>>> and fined $12,000. They are not on speaking terms.
>>>
>>> You go girl!
>>>
>>> Brad
>>>
>>> On Tue, Sep 2, 2008 at 10:37 AM, Herb Parsons <hparsons at parsonsys.com> 
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>> I don't think the left, or even much of the press, understand that many
>>>> are exactly where you and I are. We were going to reluctantly vote for
>>>> McCain and whoever. Now we're going to enthusiastically vote for the
>>>> ticket, when in reality we're reluctantly voting for McCain, and very
>>>> enthusiastically voting for Palin.
>>>>
>>>> I'm still hoping McCain sees the light, pledges a single term
>>>> presidency, and seals the deal. Palin would be a draw now for what she
>>>> would be doing in 2012.
>>>>
>>>> Brad Haslett wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Bill,
>>>>>
>>>>>  Here's another summation of  your argument.
>>>>>
>>>>> "Palin really is what Obama pretends to be, but is not: a citizen
>>>>> activist who entered politics in order to fight entrenched interests
>>>>> and bring about tangible, practical change. The track record shows
>>>>> that Obama, far from being a "change agent," is a relentless careerist
>>>>> who has brought little, if any, major reform to Chicago; Springfield,
>>>>> Ill., or Washington."
>>>>>
>>>>> You can read the whole thing here-
>>>>>
>>>>> http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0902/p09s02-coop.html
>>>>>
>>>>> Brad
>>>>>
>>>>> On Tue, Sep 2, 2008 at 9:28 AM, Bill Effros <bill at effros.com> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>> Slim,
>>>>>>
>>>>>> The Obama campaign is being run "The Chicago Way" -- all elbows --  
>>>>>> very
>>>>>> dirty -- accuse your opponent of doing what you are doing -- "Do onto
>>>>>> others before they do onto you."
>>>>>>
>>>>>> The democrats have latched onto the "George W. Bush of the Left". 
>>>>>> They
>>>>>> have decided to use the Lee Atwater playbook.  The campaign slogan of
>>>>>> liberals seems to be "The End Justifies the Means".
>>>>>>
>>>>>> It's sad.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Obama has absolutely zero political credentials.  His campaign 
>>>>>> biography
>>>>>> is a complete fake.  The white Chicago political machine has been 
>>>>>> using
>>>>>> him as a wedge in the black community since the Chicago Arab-American
>>>>>> community first latched onto him.  He is under federal investigation 
>>>>>> for
>>>>>> bribery, corruption, extortion, and campaign fraud.  He has taken 
>>>>>> every
>>>>>> side on every issue -- no one has the slightest idea where he stands 
>>>>>> on
>>>>>> any of the issues you raise.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Obama's little girls can be used as campaign props, but they are
>>>>>> off-limits for anyone to raise as campaign issues.  Not Sarah Palin's
>>>>>> though!  We learn that her daughter is pregnant within days of her
>>>>>> addition to the Republican ticket.  "Liberals" are saying she should
>>>>>> spend more time at home with her kids, so this kind of thing wouldn't
>>>>>> happen in the first place.  "Keep 'em barefoot in the kitchen..."
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I've got lots of liberal friends saying the same kinds of things you 
>>>>>> are
>>>>>> saying.  "Winning is everything."  "Let's use the same tactics the
>>>>>> Republicans used."   "What we need is another moron surrounded by
>>>>>> 'experienced advisors' who will make all the right decisions for him.
>>>>>> Hey!  It worked just great for Bush and Cheney."
>>>>>>
>>>>>> And now that it's becoming increasingly clear that Obama is a crook, 
>>>>>> and
>>>>>> is likely to be indicted, we've got the "no big deal -- they're all
>>>>>> crooks" argument.  Well, I don't believe that, and yes it does matter 
>>>>>> to
>>>>>> me.  It matters a lot.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> It also matters to the constitution.  The crimes Obama apparently
>>>>>> committed are an automatic bar to the Presidency.  If elected he 
>>>>>> cannot
>>>>>> serve--these particular crimes (unlike blow jobs) are actually named 
>>>>>> in
>>>>>> the constitution as grounds for removal.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Stop this Obama weeping and move on to what you know is right!
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Bill Effros
>>>>>> Rummy's Bar and Grill Patron Since 1997
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Steven Alm wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Bill,
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I want to ask you the same question.  What's going on here?  Do you 
>>>>>>> really
>>>>>>> advocate electing a VP who has only been the mayor of a town of less 
>>>>>>> than
>>>>>>> 9000 and a Gov. for two years?  OK, so she was able to ruffle the 
>>>>>>> feathers
>>>>>>> of some of the GOP.  Is that why you're backing her?  Is that where 
>>>>>>> you're
>>>>>>> really hanging you hat?  That's not the Bill I know.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I made a mistake when I wrote that she's pro-choice.  I was wrong. 
>>>>>>> Bad
>>>>>>> information.  Is pro-life what you're advocating?  That's not the 
>>>>>>> Bill I
>>>>>>> know.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> We know you're a disgruntled Hillary supporter and we know you think 
>>>>>>> Obama's
>>>>>>> a crook re the campaign finances.   So are you really jumping ship 
>>>>>>> on that
>>>>>>> issue?  That's not the Bill I know.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Have you forgotten that unemployment is at a high, poverty level is 
>>>>>>> rising,
>>>>>>> people are without jobs, median income is down, no health care, the 
>>>>>>> needless
>>>>>>> and costly war in Iraq, the depleting of SS, the vanishing pensions, 
>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>> enormous debt?   What do you want for Chrisssake?   This is not the 
>>>>>>> Bill I
>>>>>>> know!
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> What has the war in Iraq done for us?  Nothing, unless you're 
>>>>>>> Haliburton.
>>>>>>> Follow the money!
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> It's time you get over Hillary's loss and join the fray.  OBAMA IN 
>>>>>>> 08!!!!
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> "Change,"  "Hope,"  anything to elect a Democrat as the next 
>>>>>>> President!  I
>>>>>>> want something to be done!
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Health Care.  Nay-sayers are quick to point out flaws in Canada, 
>>>>>>> Norway or
>>>>>>> where ever.  Why not assume we can do it better than any of those 
>>>>>>> other
>>>>>>> countries.  We're NOT Canada or Norway!  Why shouldn't we  show the 
>>>>>>> world
>>>>>>> how it's done?  Why couldn't we put together a system that beats 
>>>>>>> all?
>>>>>>> THAT'S the American way of doing things!!!
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> The assistant minister to health care in Kazakhstan, Sheila 
>>>>>>> O'Dougherty, who
>>>>>>> makes it her job to understand the health care systems of the world 
>>>>>>> and also
>>>>>>> happens to be my cousin, says we already have the funds to do this 
>>>>>>> if we
>>>>>>> decide to.  It wouldn't necessarily demand extra taxes.  Why are we 
>>>>>>> fighting
>>>>>>> this?  Because Republicans don't like the idea of "Socialized 
>>>>>>> Medicine" even
>>>>>>> though all the world's greatest country's have adopted it.  Why not 
>>>>>>> do it
>>>>>>> and be the best at it?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Bill, I'm sorry you think Barack's a crook.  Maybe he is, but at 
>>>>>>> least he's
>>>>>>> in good company.  He's a politician after all.   Campaign fiance 
>>>>>>> faux
>>>>>>> pax--Stop the frickin' presses!   Get over yourself and support the
>>>>>>> democrats!  Stop this Hillary weeping and move on to what you know 
>>>>>>> is right!
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Slim
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> On Mon, Sep 1, 2008 at 4:01 AM, Bill Effros <bill at effros.com> wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Slim,
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> I'm surprised at the sexist comments.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> What's going on here?
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Obama has accomplished nothing and gone along with corrupt Cook 
>>>>>>>> County
>>>>>>>> Machine politics for his entire career.  He has only won rigged
>>>>>>>> elections, and stood up to nobody.  He started running for 
>>>>>>>> President 2
>>>>>>>> years after becoming a US Senator, and has taken all sides on every
>>>>>>>> position.  He is young, charismatic, attractive, inexperienced..."A
>>>>>>>> Candidate Who Represents Change"...oh! and did I mention...he's a 
>>>>>>>> man.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> So along comes this woman who fought the good ol' boy network in 
>>>>>>>> her own
>>>>>>>> party and beat them.  She taxed oil companies.  Stood up to 
>>>>>>>> venerated
>>>>>>>> party leaders.  Fought corruption and wasteful spending.  She talks 
>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>> talk and walks the walk.  She opposes abortion and had a Down 
>>>>>>>> Syndrome
>>>>>>>> child.  She supports the military and one of her children is in 
>>>>>>>> Iraq.
>>>>>>>> She is young, charismatic, attractive, inexperienced..."A Candidate 
>>>>>>>> Who
>>>>>>>> Represents Change".  She was Governor for 2 years before running 
>>>>>>>> for the
>>>>>>>> office of Vice President.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> But the "don't smear our boy" campaign immediately put out email 
>>>>>>>> all
>>>>>>>> over the internet smearing her as "poofy".
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> The good ol' boys running Obama's campaign have a long history of
>>>>>>>> smearing women.  They smeared Hillary.  They smeared Geraldine 
>>>>>>>> Ferraro.
>>>>>>>> Now they are smearing Palin.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> I'm really surprised you passed this smear along.  I know you 
>>>>>>>> better.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Bill Effros
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Steven Alm wrote:
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Brad,
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> I think she's right about ANWR.  Yep, that's me who said that. 
>>>>>>>>> You know
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> I'm
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> a liberal but I'm pulling for more domestic drilling.  And you can
>>>>>>>>> definitely put me in the "all of the above" column.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> BUT...  let's say McCain dies and she's the pres.  Do you think 
>>>>>>>>> she's
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> ready
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> to lock horns with the likes of Vlad "The Impaler" Putin?  Kim 
>>>>>>>>> Jong Il?
>>>>>>>>> Ahmadinnerjacket?  So much for the argument over Obama's 
>>>>>>>>> inexperience.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>  I'd
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> want Barack to face off with those characters WAY more than Poofy 
>>>>>>>>> Palin.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> McCain is obviously playing to the upset Clinton supporters. 
>>>>>>>>> She's
>>>>>>>>> pro-choice.  She's a loose cannon among the GOP (Greed Over 
>>>>>>>>> People) and
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> this
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> will not help him in his party.  He's vying for the independents 
>>>>>>>>> and the
>>>>>>>>> women but it won't work.  He just sealed Obama's victory.  Thank 
>>>>>>>>> God he
>>>>>>>>> didn't pick Pawlenty which might have turned our blue state to red 
>>>>>>>>> and
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> left
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> us with Carol Molnau as our gov.  Whew!
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Slim
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> On Sat, Aug 30, 2008 at 7:25 PM, Brad Haslett <flybrad at gmail.com> 
>>>>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Here's your "lightweight" beauty queen "minority" pick on ANWR.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> http://www.cnbc.com/id/15840232?video=836304396
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Lot's of "big boys" didn't take the Guv serious and got their 
>>>>>>>>>> "clocks
>>>>>>>>>> cleaned".
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Brad
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>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
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