More on Palin's Elmendorf book-signing...Why so much security?...Also, summary by Kim Chatman.

by: Celtic Diva

Mon Dec 14, 2009 at 02:04:15 AM AKST

I spent several hours today tweeting Kim Chatman's reports from Sarah Palin's book signing at Elmendorf.  Tonight, Kim sent me a summary email (below) and several pictures she took on her cell phone.

A couple of comments before we get into Kim's email:

--During Gryph's and my meeting with Thomas Van Flein on Wednesday, he mentioned that Sarah Palin had received a "threat" a couple of weeks previous. (I almost said "Only one?"  I have a number of threats among my emails, as do many of the other Alaska bloggers.  And we now know that the Secret Service gets 500 threats a day against President Obama.)  I'm guessing this is the justification that Palin is using to a) have these book-signings on base and b) get the large security contingent while there.

--However, I don't believe that those reasons are the "whole truth" when it comes to "why."

I believe it's the money.

For Sarah Palin or her publisher, HarperCollins to duplicate the same kind of logistics support and security she's been getting on the military facilities at a private venue, it would cost thousands of dollars.  However, if she continues to have them on military bases, she CANNOT BRING PRIVATE SECURITY.  ALL security must be done by the military or federal contractors.

And it's on the taxpayers dime.

So once again, Sarah Palin doesn't mind "government spending" as long as it's to her benefit!

A tomato-sniffing dog?

Kim talks about how she feels about all the security...and the shock at her daughter's treatment:

I'm still reliving my experience, ugh!  I still don't think there were 2000 people there and I'm still surprised at the reaction of the people who seemed disturbed by Kayla's Obama shirt. An active member of the military in an Air Force uniform asked Kayla why she wore an Obama shirt at a Palin booksigning. When I told her that we were there to get books signed to sell on ebay and that we didn't support Sarah Palin, she got a look of disgust on her face and just kept staring at us.  

I learned that many of the people there knew very little about Palin and I could hardly believe it.  One couple I talked to said they've only been back in Alaska for three weeks, and they were there just...because.  They knew absolutely nothing about Sarah Palin pro or con.

(Note from Linda:  I'd like to find whatever rock they must have been living under this last year.  What a vacation!)

You can see in the pictures the number of military SPs (Security Police--Air Force designation) that were there.  I was absolutely stunned to discover that they had the street to the back of the Exchange blocked off.  That just doesn't happen.  You would have thought the President was in town.

A large number of Security Police were standing guard

I still don't get why the whole family has to travel with her.  They, too, are basking in the limelight.  Is that normal?  Her children looked very bored, and Willow looked snotty...you could tell although she was bored the new lifestyle has truly gone to her head.  It was surreal.  

When I was in front of Palin, part of me wishes that I would have said my entire name...Kim Chatman.  However, at the time, I kept looking at how her children were staring at everyone.  I put myself in their position and I believed that REALLY introducing myself would have caused quite an uproar.  I realized how it would have negatively effected them after they were already trapped there for hours.  They are completely at the mercy of their mother and have to do like everyone else...either go with the Sarah flow or jump off the bus only unlike the adults around them they have no control.  

By the way, I almost forgot to mention...People had gifts for her and the kids!  She's a millionaire now so you bring gifts?  

Kayla asked me on the way home If I thought that people were worshipping her more than God.  What an interesting question from a teenager.

Looking for "Boots on the Ground" in Ft. Hood

by: Celtic Diva

Thu Dec 03, 2009 at 23:12:30 PM AKST

In spite of the many protesting phone calls and emails the powers-that-be at Fort Hood received last week, "Her Lie-ness Queen of the Teabaggers (and now Birthers)" will be making her appearance thereFriday night to meet with military members and their families only. She said on her Facebook page that she will donate her royalties from her sales at Ft. Hood to the families of the shooting victims.

The question I want to ask:  Will she also donate the money she's charging to get a picture taken with her?

(H/T Bree Palin)

If there is anyone out their in really-cool-reader-land who will be attending the Ft. Hood debacle, I would really like some first-hand info (and pictures if possible) of the event.

Send me an email (upper left-hand corner of the blog) or a Facebook message and let me know!

(H/T also goes to Sondra Tompkins, who came up with "Her Lie-ness."  I loved it immediately!)

P.S. I'm still working on a post but got distracted today when I received the first group of documents electronically!

Palin flies on Samaritan's Purse plane--**BREAKING**Ft. Hood possibly rethinking Palin visit

by: Celtic Diva

Tue Nov 24, 2009 at 08:49:45 AM AKST

Photo courtesy of Military.com

It seems that outrage across the country over the behavior of Palin and her entourage at Ft. Bragg has shown itself in stories on military-themed websites.

For example, the AP story on Palin's Ft. Bragg visit appears on a website widely-read by our nation's military, Military.com, and they titled the piece "Some Anti-Obama Tones to Palin Bragg Visit."  The comments are dominated by folks who are incensed by the behavior at the event.

For example:

I wonder what would have happened if someone wore an impeach Bush/Cheney shirt when he was our CINC?

Perhaps an even bigger indicator of the ripple effect after Palin's visit can be seen in a comment on this blog.  The story below includes contact numbers to Public Affairs on Fort Hood, including the Col. who is the Public Affairs Officer.  I requested that folks contact them and express (respectfully) their feelings.  Reader Pearlygirl took me up on that:

response from Ft Hood

I just called Col. Danner. He was very polite and also expressed that he has received many concerns about this book signing.  It was set up before the recent shootings but it is being rethought.  It was worth calling.  

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

by: pearlygirl @ Tue Nov 24, 2009 at 05:04:18 AM AKST

I thank pearlygirl and all who have called.  I'm following up with a phone call to Col. Danner to try and get more of an explanation.

My understanding is that blogs across the country have been making similar posts and are encouraging phone calls as well.  It looks like it may be working.

(To see details of Palin Ft. Bragg visit, read below)

********************************************UPDATE************************************************

As if we didn't have enough reasons...

Here is the portion of the Greta Van Sustern interview last night where she accused Obama of not acknowledging/not respecting the troops as reported on Politico today:

I was angry when I read about it, but not NEARLY as angry as I was after I watched her attitude while saying the words:

"There's been a lack of acknowledgement by our president in understanding what it is that the American military provides in terms of, obviously, the safety, the security of our country," Palin said during an interview with Fox News's Greta Van Susteren. "I want him to acknowledge the sacrifices that these individual men and women - our sons, our daughters, our moms, our dads, our brothers and sisters - are providing this country to keep us safe."

There's much more.

**************************************************************************************************

Sarah Palin arrived in North Carolina Sunday by way of Asheville.  She was slated to have a much-touted dinner with Franklin Graham and his father Billy.  While this is a video made by a fan (so pardon the drippiness) it does provide a good view of the plane she arrived on...and the call number.  You may also see some "interesting" dynamics at play:

I received this message this morning regarding the plane from a trusted reader:

"Linda, Thought I would let you know.  The plane Sarah flew in to Asheville had the N number 262SP.  The SP does not stand for Sarah Palin but the plane is owned by Samaritans Purse. I checked it out at the FAA registry.  Wonder if that plane is being used at Rochester and other book signing destinations?  Samaritan donations being put to good use to haul Palin's carcass around."

As if that was not interesting enough, he wrote back later:

Tried to check the flight activity for this airplane (N262SP) at Flightwise.com.  The flight activity for this plane is blocked by the owner.  Guess he doesn't want anyone to know where he is flying.  This is a good site to track an airplane's activity.  Might come in handy for checking the use of AK state airplanes.

Yup, especially those Alaska planes now leased by Samaritan's Purse up here.

It seems that one must apply to have their plane's schedule made "private" and in doing so, a reason must be provided.  I'd love to see the reason Franklin Graham gave for blocking access.  

Did I mention that my readers are awesome?

Monday, Palin took the "roadshow" to Ft Bragg, North Carolina for her book signing...a move which has angered many military and civilians alike.  According to Fort Bragg Public Affairs, she is "clearly not a political figure."

Huh?  I would agree that she is "clearly" not a "candidate" but considering her interference in NY-23 and Facebook tretises, she is MOST DEFINITELY a political figure.

And by the way, she chose the title "politician" on her Facebook page.

As if to try and "mitigate" the obvious danger of having an out-of-control Palin on record at Ft. Bragg potentially slamming the Commander-In-Chief, the military originally tried to keep the press away so as not to "encourage" anti-President Obama rhetoric.  However, they relented when the media strongly objected.

After what we've seen at Ft. Bragg today, it's easy to see why they didn't want the press to document the activities.

But the bus parked nearby encouraged donations to her political action committee and supporters made clear that she should run for president.

It's illegal for this event on base/post to reflect any partisan politics.  It's also putting active military careers in jeopardy if they are seen as participating in these activities.  

Sarah Palin appeared at Fort Bragg today, promoting her book, "Going Rogue" to the military. Palin had promised to limit herself to signing books, no politicizing her visit, amidst general concerns that her signing would violate Federal Law (Titles 10, 2, and 18, United States Code), Department of Defense (DOD) Directives, and specific military regulations strictly limit a military active duty person's participation in partisan political activities.

I don't think it gets more partisan than SarahPAC.

Palin's father, who greeted supporters as his daughter signed copies of the book, said in an interview that Obama's handling of the military was "scary."

"I see a decline in our might," Chuck Heath said. "People used to be afraid of us and respect us, (but) they're not afraid of us and don't respect us anymore."

Errr...did I mention it was illegal for folks to spew partisanship at this event on base/post around active military personnel?

The Department of Defense defines "partisan political activity" as "activity supporting or relating to candidates representing, or issues specifically identified with, national or State political parties and associated or ancillary organizations."

G.R. Quinn, 58, a veteran who spent 20 years in the military, wore an "Impeach Obama" shirt. He blasted the president for closing the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, for the plan to hold a key Sept. 11 terrorism trial in New York and for Obama's handling of the military overseas.

Should I NOW mention that partisan thing again...and add that a veteran with benefits may not want to break federal law?

I'm going to have nightmares tonight because while she was restricted from speaking at Fort Bragg, she is not at Fort Hood.  However, we might be able to change that.

Col. Stephen Sicinski is the Garrison Commander and his number and email are restricted.

However, here are the phone numbers of the PAO (Public Affairs Office) on Fort Hood.  PLEASE BE RESPECTFUL when you speak to them.  Also, please no profanity or insults, no matter how much Palin might irritate you:

PA On Call Representative  Phone: 254-291-2591

PAO - Col. Benton Danner

Email: benton.danner@us.army.mil

Phone: 254-287-0103

Deputy PAO (Civilian) - Mr. Bruce Zielsdorf

E-mail: bruce.zielsdorf@us.army.mil

Phone: 254-287-8506

Deputy PAO (Military) Phone: 254-287-6694

Remember...RESPECT...and let me know in the comments if you called and what happened.  I believe they are 3 hours ahead.

Palin fans wait hours in the rain and cold...get stiffed. Now you know how Alaska feels..

by: Celtic Diva

Fri Nov 20, 2009 at 13:47:55 PM AKST

Per a former Palin fan:

Gary Conner:

Sarah,

You angered and disappointed over 300 families in Noblesville tonight. I attended Mike Huckabee's book signing yesterday. He had pre-signed book in case he would be unable to sign all the books for people who qualified. His books would be exchange one for one with any one whose book he could not sign

First, you should work to make this right. Second, you need to make sure that it never happens again!

Another fan wasn't quite so forgiving:

Jordan Harris:

I just spent 9 hours of my day, $40 of my hard earned money on two of your books, and took the whole day off work to watch you jump on a bus and throw a half-heated wave to the crowd you were avoiding.

I have never felt so disrespected. How can you claim that you are different? You aren't. You are just as selfish as everyone else in Washington. It breaks my heart. I thought you might be the answer to the turmoil this country is under but you aren't. You just slapped hundreds of Hoosiers in the face. The hard working type of people that you claim to represent.

You say in your book that you chose to sleep well over eating well. At the end of the day I know that you don't care that you wasted the whole day of some 20 year old college student who lives on their own. I understand that all that matters is that I spent my money on two of your books. I'm sure your eating well. You certainly have no reason to be sleeping well.

A local Indiana news crew backs them up, except there is a discrepancy in the number of fans left wanting.  Most of the other sources I've looked at say at least 300 (some even 400).  This news station claims it was more like 100.  Not surprisingly, this is the one featured on DrudgeReport's YouTube account:

And there's more trouble ahead...

It seems that hundreds of people, again, spent the night outside of Borders in Columbus Ohio.

This was the story when they spent the night in the cold:

Maria DiLeo, a marketing manager for Borders, said that the first 1,000 who show up when the Sawmill Road store opens at 10 a.m. will be assured of getting Palin's autograph on her book.

"We're giving out 1,000 wristbands to get in line to guarantee they'll get in the bookstore" for the signing, DiLeo said. "After we go through the 1,000 with wristbands, and if time allows, (Palin) could continue signing, but I can't guarantee she'll sign more than 1,000."

However, by light of day, things had changed:

Borders doors opened at 10 a.m. and those who had waited the longest 18 hours in some cases got their wristbands first.

The first 500 people received a wristband and they are guranteed a chance to meet Palin and get their book signed.

That is a change Palin's staff made in response to large crowds originally there was supposed to be 1,000 wristbands handed out, Bell reported.

I wonder how those folks felt when they froze their butts thinking 1,000 were going to get in, only to find out only half that number actually would?

Yep...it's so good for Sarah's future now that they are "getting to know her" the same way Alaskans do.

By the way...WE TOLD YOU SO!

(H/T to Mudflats)

Palin on tour...my head hurts**UPDATE** Did Palin have her own endorsement deal while Gov?

by: Celtic Diva

Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 17:52:28 PM AKST

Speaking of "Runner's World" photo, does Palin have a Japanese shoe endorsement deal tracing back to the days of her Governorship?

Blogger Martin Eisenstadt may have found one:

I was looking through Sarah Palin's book Going Rogue today, and one thing struck me: When she's talking about going for a run at the Sedona debate prep, there's a very blatant and specific product placement reference to her Japanese-made ASICS shoes ("I couldn't wait to slip into my ASICS and work up a sweat.").  In fact, the whole page sounds more than a little lurid.

Sure enough, she's wearing ASICS shoes in those Runner's World pics (including the now-controversial one on the cover of Newsweek, which Runner's World now denies giving to them - apparently they came from Rapport, the photo agency who reps Anchorage photographer Brian Adams).

Then I see this - ASICS wins a Runner's World "Shoe of the Year" award from just two weeks ago.

Follow the money.  Is Sarah on ASICS' payroll as a sponsor?  Is that why she did the Runners World photo shoot in the first place (which at the time struck me as bizarre anyway).  Was she paid by ASICS while she was still governor? Remember, she only made $1.5 mil from the book deal - she must have gotten money elsewhere to make it worth her while to quit being governor. And through Todd and the snowmobiling thing, she's no stranger to sports sponsorship.  

Throughout the book, Palin makes brand references that sound extremely out-of-place...Diet Dr. Pepper, sugar-free Red Bull.  The entire time that Investigator Daniel was "taking the Governor and Arctic Cat at their word" in response to my ethics complaint, she was going so far as to make other shoe-brand and designer coat references during speeches such as the one introducing Michael Reagan.  I remember asking a friend who was at the Performing Arts Center for the speech, "So, do you think she was given the shoes she just plugged or did she actually buy them for herself?"

My friend said, "Well, she won't need to buy them anymore!"

I've often thought that, as time goes by, the Personnel Board and Investigators will be revealed for the corrupt bunch they are. This is only the beginning.

**************************************************************************************************

Palin does her "roll out" of the book tour today in Grand Rapids Michigan.  Andrea Mitchell was covering it on her show right now.  I need more coffee and posssibly medication.

By the way, it seems that Palin's fans truly do follow in her poor-judgement footsteps.  Some of those folks in Michigan stood out in the cold FOR HOURS to see her...some of them with their babies!  Some even spent the night with their kids!

Are you kidding me?

Of course, our good friend AKM pointed this out in her continuing summary of "Going Rogue":

Page 105-106:

It's the middle of winter, and ten degrees below zero. It's nighttime and it's dark. It's Thompson Pass on the way to Valdez. Driving is "treacherous" and this area has very little traffic, hazardous conditions, and an average snow dump of 50 feet in the winter. Sarah Palin is cresting the pass, zipping along in her black Jetta drinking sugar-free RedBull and fumbling around to put on a Toby Keith CD while she is driving with the window down to keep herself from falling asleep. She wishes she'd taken Todd's big truck but she didn't so she's in this little Jetta. AND HER CHILDREN ARE SLEEPING IN THE CAR! This trip, according to Palin, was the same distance as New York to Raleigh North Carolina, and it was a trip she didn't need to take.

Unbelievable. Every Alaskan parent is cringing right now. Well....except her.

I've driven that pass at night and in the winter...in areas, if you go off the road with any real speed, the guard rails WILL NOT save you from a 400 FOOT DROP.  I guess "pro-life" is relative...

There will be lots of videos of Sarah Palin interviews today.  I found the segment on the Today Show this morning to be interesting and comprehensive, from the faux-outrage over the Newsweek cover:

First, here's her complete "profiling" comment as captured by Talking Points Memo:

What these people don't understand: profiling can actually be a distraction, causing authorities to focus on someone for their religious beliefs while ignoring the potential dangers from someone actually exhibiting signs of mental instability or violence.

But since Sarah Palin has no real experience with any of this, she can comfortably blow it out of her ass.

Then we have the "offending" magazine cover:

Much has been written, very eloquently, about this by my fellow bloggers:

1)  She posed for the picture herself.

2)  It's a staged, pageant pose with a flag, not a "healthy lifestyle" pose.

3)  She posed for the picture herself.

4)  She's wearing shiny, expensive panty hose under her shorts and an outfit unlike anything she really runs or exercises in (we know that from the "Oprah" video) and a flipping "bumpit" in her fully-quaffed loose hair with extensions (on the Oprah video, like most women, she wore a pony tail).  

And can we talk about the full-trowel make-up?  

Please explain to me how anyone can exercise like that, unless you want the "bumpit" and the extensions hanging off the side of your head and your trowelled-on make-up running down to your chin by the end of your run?

5)  Did I mention that she posed for the picture herself?

6)  The only reason we don't see Condoleeza Rice or any other female political figures in photos like this?  THEY DON'T POSE FOR THEM because unlike Palin, they care about whether or not they are taken seriously, because...

7)  ...Palin uses her "sex-appeal" any way she wants, but throws out the "sexist" word anytime anyone calls her on it.

However, the very biggest reason Sarah Palin is claiming that Newsweek is "demeaning" her through this "sexism," THE ARTICLE ABOUT HER IS NEGATIVE!  If this was a Conservative magazine with a positive article on Palin, we wouldn't hear anything about it.

A perfect example...tons of press were given free advance copies of "Going Rogue" in order to read and comment on it.  Many folks posted full pages of the book or quoted extensively.  However, just two blogs, Palingates and mine, were sent "cease and desist" letters from HarperCollins.  Our pieces were doing some fact-checking that the national media wouldn't be able to do.

Palin loves playing the bully.

I really need a palate cleanser, so here is a video of how someone with true class and leadership skills acts.  Our President answers the question:  What does he think of the "4 out of 10" rating Sarah Palin gave him on Barbara Walters:

"Going Rogue"...reading with three highlighters

by: Celtic Diva

Tue Nov 17, 2009 at 18:21:36 PM AKST

The reason I'm using three highlighters while reading is for different subjects...of course one color (pink) is for ethics issues.  So far, it's making the book look like I've been bleeding on it.

(It was suggested I use one color for lies.  For that, it would be easier to dip it in paint and just wipe off the few lines that were true, like "my daughter Bristol was born.")

While reading this afternoon, I tuned-in to Christy Harvey and Kathy Phillips on their Progressive radio program "Studio 1080."  Christy needed some help identifying folks as she was reading the book.  I called in to help "decode" the people she was insulting:

"Birkenstocks and long grey hair" -- Anne Kilkenney

"Stained tie, untucked shirt" -- John Bitney

In comparison, her loyal friend "Kris" (Kris Perry) has a "servant's heart." **"Rebiblican" code-word**

The lies she's telling about the State government and the ethics process are WAYYYYY more extensive than I could possibly imagine.  I won't be finishing the book and a post on this until, at the earliest, tomorrow evening and maybe not until Thursday.

Sooo, in the interim...

1)  Enjoy this hysterical video of our friend, Andrew Halcro, reading the steaming pile of "bullcrap" Palin wrote about him.

FYI--he's one of the smartest, most down-to-Earth guys I've ever talked to.  Not bad for a Republican! **insert non-Palin-ish wink**

2)  Go forth and support our friend AKM at Mudflats who is not only reading the entire book, but is also summarizing the whole thing so the Mudpuppies won't have to buy it.  So far, she's posted Chapters One and Two but, as we are all noticing, the lies get thicker as the book rolls along.

Give her much support and encouragement!

3)  PLEASE let me know if you stumble upon less famous interviews with Palin (like if she does a local TV or newspaper interview in your town) or articles and reviews on the book...especially if you find them on YouTube.  It's hard to keep up with all the media reports on her during this tour (especially MSNBC and CNN during the day) so if you see something good, feel free to tell me in comments or on email.  Her modus operendi is that she will consistently embellish things so I REALLY WANT to catch her as she changes her story from one town to the next!

Final note:  I listened to Dan Fagan's show yesterday while he was giving his negative feedback about the book.  Andree McLeod called in...someone Palin treated horribly in the book.  Andree's response:

"There's a special place in hell for Sarah Palin."

I agree, but I don't think it will wait for an afterlife.

Discussing Palin: Keith talks Oprah and fact-checks the book, Larry King's Palin Panel

by: Celtic Diva

Mon Nov 16, 2009 at 22:20:44 PM AKST

Well, ya'll probably figured out that so many of you went to Mudflats to live-blog Oprah that the site crashed.  None of us got a chance to chat with you while we were watching, but it was INCREDIBLY hard to contain myself hearing all the things she was saying!

And yes, when it turned out that Piper's "Halloween costume" was her Arctic Cat gear, I was amazed that Oprah would allow such an obviously staged event on her show.  While Piper is in the Arctic Cat gear, she doesn't have her friends with her like Palin is discussing.  However, if you see the end of the linked video, it shows Piper putting on a princess costume...the real one. I think this week has made it pretty clear that she's built a condo in her brain just for me!

Anyway, there have been lots of shows on Palin today.  Some of the best:

Keith Olbermann does a review of Palins appearance on Oprah:

...plus he does a fact-check on "Going Rogue" with information from the angry former McCain campaign members:

Here is Kristan Cole and Flavor-of-the-week-Cupp representing Palin on Larry King.  Watch Stephanie Miller and James Carville bitch-slap them!

So...watch and discuss while I get ready to head out in the morning and...sigh...buy the book.

How are the "Palin books" handling the ex-Gov's legal challenges? **UPDATE 2** HarperCollins email!

by: Celtic Diva

Sun Nov 15, 2009 at 14:37:30 PM AKST

I have been watching the emergence of the various books on Palin...from "journalists" who followed her campaign, to "writers" who don't understand the first thing about non-fiction and research, to Palin's own book.  My interest has been purely in determining how each will handle the information about the state Records Requests (FOIAs), the Personnel Board, Ethics Complaints and the APOC investigation.  The books I'm looking at are "Sarah from Alaska," released several weeks ago, "The Persecution of Sarah Palin" released this week and, because of a kind gentleman who gifted me with the pages, "Going Rogue," Palins own book not set to be released until Tuesday.

1)  APOC Investigation:  NOTHING.  Not ONE of these books even mentions that Alaska Public Offices Commission is investigating Sarah Palin's lack of sponsorship/Arctic Cat monetary information on Calendar Year 2008's Financial Disclosure form.  They also don't mention her non-compliance in revealing that information to them even though they have asked multiple times.

So, one of the most important and damning issues regarding Palin isn't mentioned in any book so far!  Hmmmmm...

2)  Ethics Complaints:  "Sarah from Alaska" covers it in just two pages...basically  including Arctic Cat...which is how my name got in the index (page 240!).

Here is PAGE 239 and PAGE 240.

As you can see, it was mostly rehashing Palin's bogus assertion of "frivolousness," and they were critical in their interpretation of their interview with Andree McLeod.  However the book did take her to task for her high-schoolish responses to each complaint's dismissal.  The authors also chastise Palin for her inappropriate response to me when the Arctic Cat complaint was filed.

Regarding Matthew Continetti's book...

I went to Barnes and Noble yesterday, grabbed his "persecution complex" book and a cup of coffee and sat down to speed read/skim.  

That's an hour-and-a-half of my life that I want back.

Continetti occasionally talks about having "lunch" with someone to get inforamtion, like AK Republican Party head Randy Ruedrich.  However, overall his book has a) no index b) no footnotes c) no endnotes d) no references and e) frequently uses sources like "a University professor" or "an Alaska insider." (Even his friends on Conservatives4Palin bust him for it.) When he reams Charley James for lousy sourcing last year, I laughed out loud.  When he talked about progressive blogs "linking" to James' article anyway, without mentioning those of us that took him to task, I just got angry.  

With all of that in mind, I was not surprised that basically one paragraph on one page (211) is dedicated to the entireity of Palin's legal challenges.  Continetti's presentation of the ethics complaints can be summed up in this factually challenged "quote" from the book, attributed to Legislator Gene Therriault:

"That was part of the Democratic plan to grind her up; use the ethics law as a blunt instrument to club the administration."

I guess the fact that of the 20+ ethics complaints filed, only 3 (that I know of) were filed by folks who are actual Democrats.  As Mr. Therriault knows quite well, Andree McLeod is strongly Republican, and I believe the rest were filed by non-partisan folks.

The thought of trying to get Andree McLeod to join a "Democratic Plan" just makes me laugh.

At least Continetti fixed his mistake regarding what my Artic Cat claim was about.  In his original article on the subject (that was riddled with inaccuracies), "Out of Alaska" in The Weekly Standard, he claimed that Palin was wearing an Arctic Cat "t-shirt."

I also found it interesting that he tied this line from Palin in with the Arctic Cat complaint:

"I got to the point where I said, 'May I just plead guilty?'?" she told me.

While Palin also attributes that line to the Arctic Cat complaint, parts of her "ethics" story is somewhat different in her own book, "Going Rogue."  The first two pages were posted early this morning which showed the direction her explanation was going...Andree McLeod-bashing.  We see much more of that nastiness in the next two pages:

HERE and HERE.

First off, Palin lied...there was never an official "complaint" about the dress code from McLeod and the target of the letter wasn't Palin.  Since her previous job with the State of Alaska Department of Labor was helping people prepare for the workforce, Andree McLeod was hyper-aware of what clothing was not appropriate for the government workplace...especially those folks who regularly deal with the public.  The letter was intended for Annette Kreitzer who dealt with those issues for the Office of the Governor.  When they decided misconstruing this was great way to attack McLeod, they passed this email to Alaska Ear gossipper Sheila Toomey.  The rest led to several records requests.

Considering all of the ethics complaints, I found it interesting that she spent the most amount of time lying (and bitching) about Arctic Cat.  

--She claimed that she'd been wearing "the logo and team colors for years."  Not while she was Governor and starting the Iron Dog race, she wasn't!  I went back three years and she never had a sports jacket on during that race.  

--She says the jacket "happened to be the team colors"...actually, it wasn't for 2009.  Team Davis/Palin's snow machines and outfits were orange and black while hers were yellow and green.  It's the big HUGE Arctic Cat logos all over the jacket and pants that made the difference.

A little worried about the eventual outcome of the APOC investigation, are we?

Of course, the other ethics issue she spends a little time on is the Alaska Fund Trust, that she "covers" on PAGE 374.

Wait a sec...did she just insinuate that the ethics complaint against her over the Alaska Fund Trust was the last straw in her decision to quit her job?  Where did I read that before?

So far, the authors have not bothered to achieve a working understanding of Palin's legal issues and the problems that still face her. I look forward to the more accurate books coming out from Geoffrey Dunn and Joe McGinness to see what they have to say about her legal troubles.

You can also look forward to future posts on the blog!

*******************************************UPDATE*************************************************

--As "EyeOnYou" pointed out in the comments (and I forgot to emphasize) Sheila Toomey insinuated via email that the way she got the Andree's memo was through a records request.  Nice that Palin cleared that up for us.

--Forgot to point out the rehashed lie that the ethics complaints were all dismissed.  There are still several complaints out there BESIDES the AK Fund Trust issue that should have dragged her in front of a hearing by now.

--The official Arctic Cat complaint cited her for vioation of AS 39.52.120 Misuse of Official Position.  You can read it HERE.

*******************************************UPDATE*************************************************

I found this in my email (and it seems that PALINGATES got one too):

I act as legal counsel to HarperCollins Publishers. I have just learned that you have posted substantial excerpts from our as yet unpublished book, Going Rogue, by Sarah Palin, on your web site. We view your posting of these excerpts as an infringement of our and Governor Palin's exclusive rights under copyright.  Accordingly, we demand that you remove them from your web site.

Christopher Goff
Senior Vice President & General Counsel
HarperCollins Publishers
10 East 53rd Street
New York, NY  10022
Voice:  212 207 7127
Fax:    212 207 7552

******************************************************

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This E-Mail is intended only for the use of the individual or entity to whom it is addressed and may contain information that is privileged, confidential and exempt from disclosure under applicable law. If you have received this communication in error, please do not distribute and delete the original message. Please notify the sender by E-Mail at the address shown. Thank you for your compliance.

As you can see, I took the pages off the site.  However, the real story here is this:

--The Senior Vice President of Harper Collins,

--ON A SUNDAY,

--Sent emails to two specific blogs, one little blog based in Alaska, another based overseas,

--ignoring the multiple other outlets (many of which were larger or were "Palin-positive") that have pages or "extensive excerpts" from her book on the site.

They didn't do this on their own.  Palin  picked the ones she wanted them to email.  Perhaps not-so-coincidentally, my posts in question leaned towards fact-checking/lie-refuting than some of the others that were more for entertainment.

In other words, this was Palin-flattery!

I was once asked if, God forbid, Palin ever did become President, what would her first act be?  I stated that she would gather up the considerable resources available to a U.S. President and use them...to go after her "enemies" in Alaska and the media.  

I rest my case.

And in light of all this, the question I have for Mr. Goss and HarperCollins: HOW DOES IT FEEL TO BE PALIN'S BITCH?

My fairy godfather sent me pages from "Going Rogue"--here are two of them for you!

by: Celtic Diva

Sat Nov 14, 2009 at 02:58:52 AM AKST

I just got them in the email and I'm working on a post for the later today, but I'll share two of them with you before I go to bed.

PAGE 352 is alluding to our friends, Gryphen and Dennis Zaki, regarding the "divorce" issue but it's also the first page where she starts to delve into the records requests (FOIA) and ethics complaints. PAGE 353 is a continuation of that.

You can see the beginning of the attacks on Andree McLeod.  There is more of that in the next several pages as well as dealing with Arctic Cat.  I'll share those as well as my thoughts on it all with you later today.

Oprah Fans vs. The Palinistas...game on!!!!

by: Celtic Diva

Wed Oct 21, 2009 at 00:54:42 AM AKDT

Yep, we all knew it...we knew that once Palin had her book in hand, the lure of the chance to pimp it on the number 1 rated talk show in the world would be too much for our ex-gov-with-the-dollar-signs-in-her-eyes.  We all knew that she'd agree (hell, even beg) to go on "Oprah."

And we were right!!!!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 20, 2009

CHICAGO - In a world exclusive, Oprah Winfrey will interview former Alaska governor Sarah Palin for an episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show to air Monday, November 16, 2009.  Winfrey and Palin will meet for the very first time on the episode, which will mark Palin's first interview to discuss her upcoming book, Going Rogue: An American Life and her first-ever appearance on the Oprah show.  

Former Alaska governor Sarah Palin burst onto the national political scene as running mate for Senator John McCain in the 2008 presidential election.  Now, following her decision to step down as governor of her home state of Alaska, and on the eve of the release of her first book, Palin will speak first to Oprah in a world exclusive interview.

You can see that as much as the Palinista websites are claiming Oprah begged Palin to be on, they are incorrect.  Note where it says, "Palin will speak first to Oprah in a world exclusive interview."  Not first to Greta, Glenn, Bill or any of her friends and supporters on Fox but first to Oprah.  I have no doubt that was a dealbreaker.  Why would Oprah want to talk to her after she'd already made the circuit?  After all, well...she's Oprah!

We won't get to see this interview until November.  Unless we are told straight-up or we are fortunate enough that information leaks out, we won't get to know the agreement regarding questions and answers.  

So in the interim, we'll have to be entertained by the Oprah fans vs. the Palinistas in the comments of every single article.  On Oprah's site, they go something like this:

I am very disappointed about your decision to have Sarah Palin on your show. In my opinion, this gives her a legitimacy that she does not deserve.

Seriously? On Oprah? Because she has so much depth, strength of character, maturity? I'll pass on that show.

Note:  The vast, Vast, VAST majority of the comments look like the ones above.  And there are no truly "nasty" ones because the comments have to be approved.  So most of the Palinista comments are OK:

I am very shocked but must say I thank you Oprah for giving SARAH PALIN the opportunity to discuss her new book. Can't wait to see this episode!!! God Bless

However, while appropriate, the Palin non-fans have no problem getting their message across.

Oprah,

Please ask Palin about the large construction project she has going on at her home in Wasilla. Please ask her how she can continue to ask for monetary donations for 'legal expenses' when she or someone is paying big $$$ for this construction project.

I hope this isn't a 'we love you' interview and you will ask her the questions the people want answers to, especially questions Alaskans have.

Please don't let her continue to blow smoke. I hope your staff does thorough research and you ask her the questions many want, need answers to.

Some folks are taking Palin's appearance on a talk show a little too personally:

Now we know that even Oprah will sell out for ratings. Sarah Palin is a travesty and insult to any thinking person on the planet, but especially to women. Her fifteen minutes were up way last year. I'll not be watching Oprah anymore in order to keep true to my own ideals. Even George Bush was smart enough to know his base. You, Oprah have forsaken yours.

Oprah is not an elected public figure...K?  Let's try to keep a foot in reality!

However, I feel those folks are overshadowed by the wayyyyyyy-out-there Palin fans:

How can I get tickets to this show? The more I know about Sarah the more I want her as a leader in this world.

I have a feeling this blog will mostly be negative about her but, ladies take a deep breath and see what this woman is truly about. She comes out of the wilderness, she is a breath of fresh air in this polluted political climate, there's nothing tainted about her except the fools that tear her down. Her astrology chart is all about restoring wealth to the country. Make no mistake, she has a destiny that is crystal clear. I hope she makes an appearance to sign books in town, too.

I love how the sentence following "the fools that tear her down" comment talks about "her astrology chart."  Yes folks, they just write themselves...

Finally, I'll end with this one:

Over on the Sarah Palin Facebook page, the "Palin Patriots" are having apoplexy about her appearing on Oprah. They much prefer she debut on FOX. They must have deep seated memories of her answers when she went national in a "roguish" sort of way. Her fans are trashing Oprah and already pre blaming her if the interview is unfavorable for the former governor. I wouldn't set my tivo just yet. Sarah has a history of being a no-show and/or quitting early.

There are tons more comments on that site and it's worth it to check them out.

Regarding whether the show is going to happen:  I think everything has been hammered out between the two camps or Oprah would not have announced.  However, it will be interesting to see if Palin gets cold feet.  She should know that Chicago is definitely hostile territory.

Palin's title may copy Reagan, but strategy is pure Kennedy...Joe Kennedy

by: Celtic Diva

Fri Oct 16, 2009 at 16:15:46 PM AKDT

Palin could compete for the 2012 nomination because she is still widely liked by Republicans -- 69% have a favorable opinion of her while only 25% view her unfavorably. But she may have difficulty succeeding in the general election, given that Democrats have overwhelmingly negative opinions of her, and independents view her more negatively than positively.

Considering about 1/4 of voters now identify as Republican, her rating with them seems to be moot.

Palinbots across the net keep questioning the poll results, citing as proof of their inaccuracy the supposed contradiction that she's "#1" on Amazon.com. They are insinuating that the number of Palin's books sold/reserved in advance are an accurate portrayal of her popularity.

I have another theory...

Historians will agree that captain of finance and industry Joe Kennedy's brilliant political instincts and huge media influence were integral to his son, John Fitzgerald, achieving the Presidency.  Everyone knows about JFK's Pulitzer-Prize-winning book "Profiles in Courage," which rocketed John to Presidential candidate territory. (A book that was at least partially written by his speechwriter.)

However, it was JFK's first book that I'm referring to here. According to influential PR book "Artful Persuasion:  How to command attention, change minds and influence people" by Harry Mills:

..."Why England Slept," published in 1940, helped establish John F. Kennedy as a potential politician.  Father Joseph Kennedy persuaded family friend and journalist Arthur Krock to turn John's very ordinary undergraduate thesis on English foreign policy in the 1930's into a book.

After much rewriting, the book appeared in July 1940 just one month after young John's graduation from college.

--Joe Kennedy's friend Time-Life publisher Henry Luce wrote the introduction as a favor to JFK's father.

--Joe Kennedy's media influence "ensured that the book received good reviews" and Luce even put John's picture in Time Magazine.

But the most interesting aspect:

...to make the book a best-seller, Joseph Kennedy quietly purchased 30,000 copies and stored them at his home.

Hmmmm...rich...powerful media influence...looking upon the book as an "investment"...remind you of anyone in Sarah Palin's life?

According to Harry Mills book, Joe Kennedy told his son "You would be surprised how a book that really makes the grade with high-class people stands you in good stead for years to come."  It seems to me that theory is at the heart of the Palin "reinvention."

Oh, by the way, Fox News founder and President Roger Ailes was one of the sources used in the Mills book.  Coincidence?