Sarah Palin - The Truth Behind the Negative Buzz
Posted on September 15, 2008
This blog is not usually political but I’m getting tired of the half-truths being tossed around about Sarah Palin. So, here’s a copy of an article from my personal blog:
(For a more expanded look at Sarah Palin see this fairly well balanced, and very well footnoted, Wikipedia article)
Here’s the ‘rest of the story’ behind a few of the “issues” bouncing around SP:
The Library Thing (book banning? I don’t think so):
During the time when SP was newly mayor, and, at the same time, the library was updating their book-challenge policy to be identical to other borough libraries, SP asked how Emmons, the library director, felt about censorship should there be protests about a book. SP never mentioned any books that she had in mind and was only asking Emmons her views on the issue. There never was a list of books suggested by Palin. See this article by the local newspaper.
The Trooper Firing Thing:
The trooper in question was SP’s brother-in-law. Several members of her family, including SP, heard him making death threats on her family, in particular, her father. Whether her methods were appropriate can be questioned, but her motives were justified. (If I were in the same position and had the same options open, I think I would have done the same if my Dad’s life was threatened.)
The Bridge to Nowhere Thing:
This nickname implies the bridge actually was proposed to go nowhere. In fact, it was to connect Ketchikan with its airport. Congressed approved the money ($442 million) as part of the 2006 National Dept of Trans appropriations bill. Later, as earmarks became a controversial issue the earmark for the bridges was removed, but the money was still sent to Alaska for use as needed in transportation costs. With the bridge plan scrapped, a road was built at a much higher cost than the bridge would have cost. Alaskan money was used to make up the difference. SP’s sudden flip flop on her position to the bridge earmark is definitely in question, but the bridge project was legitimate and not to “nowhere.”
The Wolf Paw Thing:
(The following is a quote taken from the above mentioned Wikipedia article.)
In 2007, Palin supported the Alaska Department of Fish and Game policy allowing the hunting of wolves from helicopters as part of a predator control program intended to increase moose populations. In March 2007, Palin’s office announced that a bounty of $150 per left front (?) wolf paw would be paid to the 180 volunteer pilots and gunners, to offset fuel costs, which drew protest among the wildlife activitists.
In August, 2007, both lawmakers and Governor Palin approved appropriating $400,000 from the state treasury to explain the aerial hunting program to Alaskans. On August 26, 2008, Alaskans voted against ending the state’s predator control program.
It looks to me that not only SP, but the state legislature AND a majority of the populace voted to continue the program. Alaska has its own unique issues in regards to wildlife. If a predator population grows to the point of creating a serious decline in the population of another species, I think the state should have the right to cull if needed without interference from the feds.
My thoughts:
No politician, SP included, handles things perfectly. You have to view each of them by the overall picture. Many things are being said about SP - some true, some half-truths, and some baseless rumors. I can’t think of a single politician or any Pres or VP that is impervious to deserved and undeserved criticism.
We humans tend to look only at the facts that support our positions. This often leads to the telling of stories that leave out critical details. Now that she has hit the mainstream, Sarah Palin has the joy of being on the receiving end of innuendo.
I still like the gal.
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