Palin and Bush II v. The People
While reading through some articles online, I came upon this one about the much recently discussed Troopergate situation with Governor Palin. It tells of how US Attorney Wevley Shea - who had once informally advised Palin on separate ethics legislation - wrote a courtesy letter urging her to apologize for her "overreaching or perceived overreaching" in her handling of the situation.
It goes on to describe that instead of righting the ship and stomaching whatever may have resulted, Palin hired a private attorney and her administration is stonewalling the Alaska State Legislature’s investigation into the matter. It was then when I read the following passage, and it hit me like a brick in the face.
Gov. Palin has taken the opposite tack, hiring a private attorney to advise in a matter that has become known as "Troopergate." Seven Palin administration employees have refused to meet with the independent investigator. The McCain-Palin campaign has argued that the state legislature has no right to look into the matter. Palin spokesmen say the state personnel board is the appropriate investigative body, setting up a showdown between the state’s legislative and executive branches.
(bold mine for emphasis)
They’re not even in the damn White House yet, and already they’ve got a candidate on the ticket claiming executive privilege for her staff in order to prevent them from having to appear before the legislature’s investigation. I don’t care how many ethics reform bills you’ve signed into law, how many reform initiatives you’ve supported, or how many luxury accomodations you’ve cut out of your budget - claiming immunity and executive privilege as a means to prevent cooperation with a government (and therefore taxpayer-funded, too) investigation is not the sign of a reformer. It just shows that she, like her immediate predecessors in the GOP, only fly that reform banner until it starts threatening their influence or pocketbook - and especially when it threatens both. An honest person may have some resistance to owning up to their mistakes, but they would never actively obstruct justice. By claiming that her office is too important to have to subject its members to public scrutiny, Governor Palin shows her true colors.
She, along with the rest of these Republicans parroting that they will bring about some sort of change, is not a reformer in the sense that she believes in a level and just playing field for all citizens. She is a reformer in the sense that she has a very specific framework of ideas about how a government can and cannot - and should and should not - conduct itself, and she is committed to change, but only as long as it is headed down her (and her party’s) intended path.
I can’t imagine even a staunch Republican looking at Palin’s current situation in her home state and failing to see the blatantly obvious parallels to the situation our current President has himself in. Their basic assertion, in claiming immunity by executive privilege for not only thelselves but also for their staff, is that we citizens must cede to them our collective right to have transparency in our government. They are saying that our country is in such peril, that we must occasionally give up a few of those freedoms we were founded upon over two centuries ago. In short, they are saying that since we elected them, we don’t have a right to know what they’re doing with our government and our money. To them, we are but money and votes when it comes time for an election, and a nuisance the rest.
Excellent observation!
Comment by ema — September 12, 2008 @ 6:55 pm
The neocons and religious right are excited about Palin because:
a) McCain wasn’t right-wing enough;
b) He wasn’t beholden to the Christian right like Bush was; and
c) He wasn’t willing to put his foot in a liberal’s ass the way Bush was.
They are deliberately looking past McCain at his VP because they see another Reagan, another Bush II who is a puppet for the VP and power brokers behind the scenes–which have a conservative agenda.
2. A lot of neocons straight weren’t trying to vote for no fuckin’ black guy to be the President of the YEWWWW-nited States but because racism is officially foul, they had to use code words like “inexperienced” (read: quota hire) or “Muslim” (code: nigger) or “too vague, full of empty promises” (read: I’m not smart enough to dig this dude) or “elitist” (read: uppity nigger who thinks he’s smarter than me).
On the whole I respect those West Virgina, Alabama and Ohio rednecks who come out and say “I just ain’t voting for no damn black man and I don’t care how that makes you feel.” At least I know where they stand.
Roland Martin said, “Right wing conservatives are like Al Davis, ‘Just Win Baby’!” We are looking at some of the most ruthless, tenacious, stubborn, duplicitous people in the world–the direct cultural descendants of those who killed Indians with disease, worked the Chinese like slaves to build railroads, and ratted out escaped slaves for having the nerve to try to be free.
Conquering America was a bloody, foul, cold hearted enterprise over centuries–you think it took people who consider nuanced arguments, and treat strangers in an openhearted loving way? NO, it took gully gangsta-ass crackers like the GOP who didn’t give a damn what they had to do to gain power and keep it.
They don’t respect liberals. They think liberals are pussies who try to talk their way out of fights and let foreign elements pollute and hijack American Supremacy.
They were not gonna just shrug and give up the reins of power–and mind you, whether the Presidency, the Supreme Court or the Congress, the GOP has controlled most of that for the last 40 years–without a fight.
They know 2-4 justices might get replaced in the 2008-2016 era.
They know Obama’s ground game is boosting the Democratic prospects down-ticket and they might lose the House AND the Senate in 2010.
They know Ombama is for real and will be formidable once he gets in power, and he’s not nearly as corruptible as Bill Clinton was…you not gonna send some portly Jewish chick with great head skills to Tripp him up.
They are playing for keeps. So soldier the fuck up. This isn’t American Idol bandwagon, this is our kids’ futures. And you know the GOP will fight us through the whistle and until the game’s over. They’re going to go hard these next two months.
Its only two months! McCain has been running for almost TWO YEARS.
Comment by JoJo — September 14, 2008 @ 11:46 am
“We are looking at some of the most ruthless, tenacious, stubborn, duplicitous people in the world–the direct cultural descendants of those who killed Indians with disease, worked the Chinese like slaves to build railroads, and ratted out escaped slaves for having the nerve to try to be free.”
Very nice JoJo…and very true. One of the things about today’s America that enrages me the most is the idea that our nation has always been one of pure liberty and democracy. I guess if you say it enough, people will start to believe it - well, those people who are allergic to the study of history, that is..
Comment by brokensoldier — September 14, 2008 @ 12:58 pm
I’ve been peeking in occasionally hoping to see your opinion on recent events. Thanks for your rational view on things.
Comment by Leslie — September 14, 2008 @ 2:26 pm