The Bishop and the Butterfly: Murder, Politics, and the End of the Jazz Age
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    Sarah Palin resignation: Something's rotten in the state of Alaska

    By Michael Wolraich on Fri, 07/03/2009 - 6:55pm | Politics

    In her surprise resignation speech, Sarah Palin confidently quoted Gen. Douglas MacArthur to the hastily assembled press corps, "We're not retreating, we're advancing in another direction."

    But Gen. MacArthur didn't say that. It was Major General Oliver Prince Smith, commander of the 1st Marine Division, joking darkly about what was unquestionably a retreat under fire during the Korean War. The marines and soldiers suffered 30% casualties as bulldozers pushed the dead into mass graves. As the survivors straggled to safety, reporters encouraged them to "wave and look happy."

    So Sarah Palin is waving and looking happy, explaining that she didn't want to embrace "politics as usual" by becoming a lame duck and therefore resigned suddenly a year and a half ahead of schedule. It's unusual all right. For one thing, you don't become a lame duck until after a successor has been elected, which would have been sixteen months from now. Second, neither the press nor Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell had any advance notice. With that much time before the dreaded lame duck status, you might take a little time to prepare your successor. Perhaps Governor Palin plans do that before she leaves. After all, she's given Alaska a whole two weeks notice.

    Some are speculating that the resignation has to do with Governor Palin's presidential ambitions. But Palin could easily serve out her term and still have a year to prep for the primaries. Second, an inexplicable early resignation might not be the best way to position yourself to lead the country. (If she were President, would she also quit early?) She should have at least given her speechwriters time to throw together a decent farewell address. Finally, journalist Andrea Mitchell claims that sources close to Gov. Palin say she is now "out of politics for good.

    In her rambling goodbye, Sarah Palin was in classic form, substituting colloquialisms and empty verbiage for meaningful English. As she explained, "only dead fish go with flow." Perhaps that's why her supposedly principled resignation smells so fishy.

    For the best of Sarah Palin on video, check out SarahPalinGrrrrl's tribute page.

    Here's the video of the press conference:


    Topics: 
    Politics

    Comments

    I'm so disapointed.  As soon I heard about the Palin business, I ran over to Dagblog to see what SPG had to say.  And there was... Nothing. So I waited.  SPG, where are you?

    (PS Hi Genghis!)


    by Paige (not verified) on Fri, 07/03/2009 - 8:22pm

    Hi Paige! She's at cheerleader camp, I think. But if the Palin news starts coming out, I expect that she'll find a way to get internet access.


    by Michael Wolraich on Fri, 07/03/2009 - 11:44pm

    Hi Paige! Like the Genghoid said, don't worry, she's here at my cheerleader camp! Nothing like canoeing, cooking up moosemeat and cutting down the Mighty Douglas Fir (TM) to make a gal's Summer!

    And then... there are those hot Canadian Summer Knights. (TMX2)


    by quinn esq on Sat, 07/04/2009 - 1:09am

    Methinks this might be some elaborate scheme to get the cable news networks to stop talking about Michael Jackson. If that's the case, Sarah Palin, I salute you.


    by Orlando on Fri, 07/03/2009 - 10:57pm

    I can't wait to hear what dirty secret forced Palin to resign.  Maybe she's off to hike the Appalachian Trail?  Let the soap opera begin!  Or rather, continue ...


    by scofflaw on Fri, 07/03/2009 - 11:59pm

    That would be too juicy. But based on her history, my bet is on an abuse of office.


    by Michael Wolraich on Sat, 07/04/2009 - 12:27am

    Nah, it seems like Alaskans have a pretty high tolerance for corruption. I'm betting on sexual scandal. Or maybe just hoping for it.

    by scofflaw on Sat, 07/04/2009 - 1:36pm

    As long we are casting stones, you won't find many Soldiers in a Marine division.

    by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 07/04/2009 - 12:18am

    Nitpicker. There were Army battalions involved in the retreat as well. I have modified the text to avoid any confusion and further nitpicking.

    PS I didn't cast any stones, only aspersions.


    by Michael Wolraich on Sat, 07/04/2009 - 12:26am

    Mrs. Palin is actually quite consistent . She quit college 5 times before getting her degree -- in journalism, ironic for someone who demonizes the press and interviews so badly.

    See:

    http://notionscapital.wordpress.com/2008/09/15/sarah-palin-education-advocate/


    Why quit as governor? Those sports metaphors at the end of Palin's speech explain it.

    She has a contract with the WNBA.

    See:

    http://notionscapital.wordpress.com/2009/07/04/great-decisions-2009/


    by Mike Licht (not verified) on Sun, 07/05/2009 - 8:41am

     

    WHATEVRRRR!!!!!! you people are STUPID JERKOFF NERDASSES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! UndecidedSARAH KNOWS THAT SHES SMARTER AND HOTTER AND MORE ASSKICKING THAN ANY OF YOU KNOWITALL BLOGGEEKS!!!!!!

    you know why losers always hate beautiful people like sarah????? b/c when they were in high school they were even BIGGER losers so they r angry at the hot people and then they went to like snobville colleges and they pretended that they left that shit behind them but they didn't because when hot people who didn't go to Snob U make it, the losers start screaming like they have wedgies or something. anyways i'll write all about it later if i feel bothering with u losers. but now i just want to write down the order of the people on this blog that i HATE!!!!!!!!!! YellYell

     

    • ghenispenis
    • articledork
    • orbitcho
    • d-total-no-show-f

     

    i only like deadman and larry, even tho they're a little creepy. sometimes i think larry is creepier bc he's like a sex addict or something but even tho deadman plays it cool, i think that he's hiding some like deep, scary shit. but anyway, the eskimo dude is funny but he's TOTALLY off his meds. Surprised the other ones are just BOOOORRRRRRINNNNNGGGGG especially the canada guy.

     


    by SarahPalinGrrrrl on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 8:36pm

    What the fuck! Please note, young lady, that I never said a word about Sarah Palin. Figured it was a family feud, and I'd stay out.

    So your abuse is unwarranted. I can take being called boring, but BOOOORRRRRRINNNNNGGGGG is a little over the top. I'm Canadian, grrrl. It's what we do! We're proud of it.

    Oh, and by next year at this time, my dollar will be worth more than yours will. And tomorrow, I'm going to schedule some FREE elective surgery. Just 'cause I can. So there!


    by acanuck on Tue, 07/07/2009 - 1:58am

    i am honored to be in spg's good graces Tongue outTongue out. maybe next time cher is in town, you can come with Surprised!!!!


    by Deadman on Tue, 07/07/2009 - 2:35am