I am glad to see that some on the Dem party are speaking out against the media's way of handling Palin.

Political Radar: Biden's Gloves Come Off... Against "Sexist" Media

"No one has to wonder about there being a sexist bone in my body," Biden said in an appearance on Good Morning America. "And the truth is, some of the stuff that the press has said about Sarah and that others have said about the governor, I think, are outrageous. Look, I think kids are off-limits, flat off-limits."

"I think this stuff about how can she be a governor and vice president and raise three kids, c'mon, whoever those folks are don't know any strong women," he continued.

"I just think some of the stuff said has been over the top, totally unfair, and has been sexist and I think the way the governor has handled it has been admirable."

edited to add: Read the link for the comments on Palin speech

Gloria Steinem put it better.

Palin: wrong woman, wrong message - Los Angeles Times

When will the left ever understand that Sarah Palin represents MOST women in the US. Just because we aren't loud and abrasive doesn't mean we don't exist.

Finally.......RIGHT woman, RIGHT message.

Melissa

The thing is I think the perceived "sexist" comments from the media are playing right into the hands of the McCain campaign playbook. IMO some of the questions being asked about the governor are perfectly legitimate and not unduly "sexist". The following is from an article at a site referenced earlier by a conservative poster so hopefully will be viewed as unbiased.

Political Punch

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Ana
The Republicans have been putting lipstick on a pig for 8 years. Is a pitbull wearing lipstick an attempt to keep us from noticing the pig?

She may represent most of the women in your area, but this is an awfully big country. National polls show otherwise. Most women support the right to choose, (you know that Sarah Palin is opposed to birth control?) oppose torture, believe that women should receive equal pay, that women should be protected from domestic violence, women want everyone to have adequate healthcare, women want the environment protected and most women want out of Iraq. Your candidates oppose everything I just listed and more? And, the merssage she gave was downright nasty.

Whoa! Back the buggy up there....MOST women? Excuse me?
Are you implying that if Gov. Palin does not represent me--as a women--I'm loud and abrasive?

Newsflash--I don't think she represents MOST women. And while she may not be loud--I find her abrasive and overbearing.

You have really got to quit painting w/ such a broad stroke and a big brush!

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Mental that one, I'm telling you. ---Ron Weasley, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"

She does respesent a portion of American.
I always wonder why "some" women never understand Rep. Women. There are lots of Republican women in all types of positions in government. (House of Rep., Senators, Governors, etc)
To "some" I guess "minority" members of the Republican party has it all wrong also.

Do you really think that I don't oppose torture? of that women don't deserve equal pay or protected from domestic violence??? or anything else you listed?

The thing is that while I believe everyone deserves adequate healthcare I don't think that Obama's ideas are the way to go. There is a difference between being opposed to something and believing there is a different/better way.

And last but not least..........babies do not deserve to be murdered regardless of the choice the mother may have made. (obviously rape is not a choice ) That is how I and millions of women, ppl in general feel. THey are babies, human beings, souls. So the right to choose murder should not even be an option.

I disagree that she was nasty, I could have done without some of the sarcasm though.

Melissa

This article was critical of Gov. Palin, I was just pointing out that the women she represents may not have been the sqeaky wheels, but it doesn't mean we don't exist. It's like if you are not a liberal woman, you don't really count. weird.

And........I've been soaked with paint many, many, many times here. soaked.

Sarah Palin is my voice, and I'm not alone....there are indeed millions of us.

Melissa

Sincerely? I do not know how she can be your voice when it appears that you disagree w/ her stance on many things.

Why is she your voice? What does she speak for, for you?

I'm having a hard time understanding your logic.
Frankly, she's not my voice--or the voice of any woman I know. But, then again, the other side of the aisle doesn't really represent me either. I'm kind of in the middle. I will tell you this, though--just because Gov. Palin is a woman doesn't carry any weight whatsoever with me! I'd much rather have a man who represented my beliefs--than a woman, just because she is a woman!

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Mental that one, I'm telling you. ---Ron Weasley, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"

Not speaking for Momrajum, but, I view it this way: Politics has long been a "man's game". Little by little women are shattering that mold, and crashing the party, so to speak. I could say she is my voice in the sense that she is a strong, composed, confident, classy woman. She is able to play ball with the big boys. She's not afraid to show her beauty and still be taken seriously.

With more women like her, Hillary Clinton, Linda Lingle, Ann Richards......we can be thought of as more than a "vagina". No wonder a lot of men have a problem viewing women in a serious capacity.....here we (general we) are saying she was just picked for her anatomy.

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Doing the right thing isn't always the same as doing the easy thing.

Gee, you don't get out much then, do you?

Gov. Palin is a breath of fresh air in this election. She's outspoken, she's strong, she stands up for what she believes in, she not in the Washington 'club', she's not afraid to speak out and certainly has given the lefties something to worry about. She has lived the life that most of us grew up with. She didn't go to 'Harvard' or 'Yale'. She is someone most women can relate to.

As seen here on this board just since her speech last night, I see the lefties are trying their best to pull things from the internet just to try (notice I said try) to divert the high energy and great speech of Gov. Palin last night.

Like I've said before, had Gov. Palin been a Democrat instead of a Republican, you lefties would be jumping for joy.

Where do I disagree with her? What I am saying is that she is a strong, conservative woman. That's me. Therefore, she will speak to the issues that I feel are important. While the abortion issue is not the only one, it is extremely important to me and many others. We are killing our children, that is important and says a lot about why our country is where it is in my view.

But that is just it, we see things differently.

Melissa

You know? I'm attempting to obtain information and trying to see both sides of the coin. I don't need you or any other poster insinuating that I'm naive (far from--I've seen more in one day than some of you will ever see), that I'm ignorant or stupid (far from it), that I have bad taste or that I'm loud and abrasive--simply because I disagree with your position or your opinion.

"you lefties"? Puhlease! Why don't you go and read some of my other posts!? I don't support Obama. I don't support McCain. Neither ticket really inspires faith and confidence in me. Come down off your high horse and quit being so damned defensive! I stated my opinion and asked a question--don't I have just as much right as you do?

And in all honesty--other than her being 1) a female, 2) a mother, 3) she played basketball in HS--I don't relate to her. I don't enjoy hunting (although I don't have anything against it), I disagree w/ her stand on many issues, she seems very vindictive when "crossed" (which seems to have led to an abuse of her power...). So no, politically, she is not my voice nor does she speak for me! On a "personal" level? I think it's pretty cool that a woman is/was considered for the Presidency (Hillary) and for the VP position....but that's about it.

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Mental that one, I'm telling you. ---Ron Weasley, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"

All she was saying is that Gov. Palin does indeed represent millions of women. I'm surprised you don't know any.

Melissa

I don't know any, either. Most of the women I know actually favor equal rights for men and women and are pretty much against book banning.

No, I don't think that's it....I think and feel that questioning anything puts each side on the defensive and brings out the venom. Me questioning is not to "dis" anyone, it's simply to get more information. I have always found that when a person gets defensive when questioned they generally are lying, or don't really have a good answer/know the answer, or think that they are right and how dare I question them!

I work in an office w/ 5 other women--not one of them has anything in common w/ Gov Palin philosophy wise. My 3 best friends? Ummmm....nope, nothing.

Women I have chatted with--like the idea of a woman in this position, but don't really think the Gov. Palin is the right woman.

But, you know what--that's fine. Ya'll continue to be the way you are...

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Mental that one, I'm telling you. ---Ron Weasley, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"

If, as you say, we are killing our children, what are your feelings about the governor cutting funding for unwed mother and troubled teen programs in Alaska. One would think all things considered that these would be programs that she would be in favor of over-funding.

Palin Slashed Funding for Teen Moms | The Trail | washingtonpost.com

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Ana
The Republicans have been putting lipstick on a pig for 8 years. Is a pitbull wearing lipstick an attempt to keep us from noticing the pig?

Well, if those girls had been abstinent, they wouldn't be in that mess, would they? That'll teach them, won't it?

Is that the only program she cut?? More money does not always equal better programs.

Melissa

Nah, Ms. Special Needs Advocate cut the funding for special needs programs, too, I understand.

I'm going to use head start as an example here because it's the only program I have first hand knowledge of.

More money does not mean better programs......

When we got out of the military it was time for my ds to go to preschool. I didn't know anything about headstart but was encouraged to enroll him so I did.

I was shocked at what went on. They actually give all the kids a tooth brush and paste to teach them how to brush. Why?? Why aren't the parents doing it? That was just the beginning. I was one of just a few moms who were there and active in the program the moms who REALLY needed to be there to learn how to cook rice and use it, didn't attend, even though it was required.

What I'm saying is those parts of the program were a waste of taxpayer dollars imo. I htought it should be cut.

I want to believe that is how Gov. Palin came to cut those programs.

Again, more money does not necessarily equal better programs.

Melissa

While I have not seen the buget numbers for Alaska, I figure lots of stuff got funding cuts.

Just like with any budget..you have to make decision on items to cut or reduce the money. State government does not have an endless supply of money. Not like Congress that just borrows more from the Federal Reserve.

Cuts or reduces to certain programs have to happen if you are not getting money coming into the state budget.
I know Gov. Kaine here in VA is issuing massive budgets cuts because of that reason.
edited to add link
Gov. Kaine orders agencies to plan for up to 15% in cuts | HamptonRoads.com | PilotOnline.com

The page displayed shows she also cut funding for the Fairbanks Community Food program from $50,000 to $25,000.

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Ana
The Republicans have been putting lipstick on a pig for 8 years. Is a pitbull wearing lipstick an attempt to keep us from noticing the pig?

Funny how the libs can twist things around and smear smear smear. Gov. Palin didn't cut the special needs fund. That was started by the former governor. She actually increased it. This is from The Weekly Standard:



Newest Palin Smear: She Cut Special Needs Budget

I just watched CNN's Soledad O'Brien sandbag former White House Communications Director Nicole Wallace by asking her how Sarah Palin can claim to be a defender of special needs children when she cut the budget for that Alaska office by 62 percent. Wallace wasn't familiar with the charge -- which isn't surprising, since it's only being made on DailyKos and another liberal site. (Tip for Ms. O'Brien: DailyKos is not a reliable news site.)

This charge is based on looking at the budget for Alaska's Special Education Service Agency for 2007-2009. In fact, the December 2006 budget document that they cite would have been prepared by the outgoing administration -- that of Republican Frank Murkowski, whom Palin defeated.

What's gone unmentioned is that the Palin signed into law a dramatic reform of the state's education financing system that equalizes aid to rural and urban districts, while significantly increasing funding for special needs students. From the publication Education Week:


Gov. Sarah Palin and state lawmakers have gone ahead with an overhaul of Alaska’s school funding system that supporters predict will provide much-needed financial help to rural schools and those serving students with disabilities.

The plan, enacted in the recently concluded session of the legislature, is based on recommendations issued by a legislative task force last year. It will phase in a greater flow of money to districts outside of Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city, over the next five years.

Advocates for rural and remote schools have lobbied for years for more funding, in particular noting the higher fuel, transportation, and other costs associated with providing education in communities scattered across the vast state.

A second part of the measure raises spending for students with special needs to $73,840 in fiscal 2011, from the current $26,900 per student in fiscal 2008, according to the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development (emphasis added).


So the Netroots and CNN allege that Palin cut special needs funding by 62 percent, by crediting her with the budget proposed by a political opponent. And the truth is that rather than a 62 percent cut, she's actually increasing special needs funding by 175 percent.

It's no wonder a majority of Americans think the media is trying to hurt Palin.

Tim didn't claim to be an advocate for special needs kids even while he was cutting the money for them.

Well, I will wait and see where the cuts will be. I think people are going to have to realize with the economy the way it is and with the US being into debt up to its eyeballs...that lots of things will have to be cut. Bottom line..running out of money.

Bottom line is she says one thing and does another. There's a word for that.

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Reading is Fundamental.

The following pdf link shows a decrease in the 2008 special needs budget of more than 17%.

Thinking there is a bit of spinning by the Weekly Standard ...

http://www.gov.state.ak.us/omb/08_OM...D/comp2735.pdf

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Ana
The Republicans have been putting lipstick on a pig for 8 years. Is a pitbull wearing lipstick an attempt to keep us from noticing the pig?

The budget you linked is dated December 2006. Obviously you didn't read what I had quoted, as it states precisely that that budget was prepared by the OUTGOING governor.

Geesh.....

Head start is one of the most successful programs we have in this country. It has really made a difference in those kid's lives. No, your child didn't need to be there.

But, by the same token, some of those programs are a package deal--if you cut money out of them, they have to scale down the whole program.
Yes, I agree that the parents should be teaching the children how to brush their teeth. But, assuming that they don't--and Headstart doesn't, then you see kids that have horrible teeth and multiple health issue due to poor hygiene. And if you take money away from Headstart--then your going to have more children in need of health services, but that money has been taken away, so NOW, you have teenagers who haven't had dental care, or medical care or any sort of intervention--and it becomes an endless circle. I'd rather pay more money up front for programs like Headstart and WIC (which both if I'm not mistaken get funding from private industry as well as govt. funding), than on the end when these kids end up unwed and pregnant, or paying for them to sit in prison because no one had taught them the basics of personal responsibility--and dammit, if the parents can't or won't then someone has to.

ETA--how did you qualify for Headstart? I didn't ever bother to apply as 1) we were just above the poverty line and made $6 too much (yes, $6!!), and 2) neither of my children were special needs.
Headstart is an early intervention program aimed at low income families, and special needs children. Not everyone gets in (at least not in the 3 states we've lived in!)

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Mental that one, I'm telling you. ---Ron Weasley, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"

We were just out of the military and my dh was working with my father but had just started. Honestly I don't remember all of the details, I had never had anything to do with govt programs and haven't since so it would be hard to say. It's been 16 years.

I understand what you are saying about the programs being a package deal. I still don't see the value in enabling ppl to remain in a cycle. I agree with you, and I don't have the answer, but I don't think social programs are it.

Melissa

I've spent way too much time looking for links to substantiate the Weekly Standard claim in your OP. I have found nothing. The link from Education Week (dated btw April 2008) to "the plan" doesn't work nor can I find any mention of the legislation in the Alaska Department of Education site.

Alaska Department of Education & Early Development

Not saying Weekly Standard is incorrect but I'd like more information just to satisfy my own curiousity.

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Ana
The Republicans have been putting lipstick on a pig for 8 years. Is a pitbull wearing lipstick an attempt to keep us from noticing the pig?

Most of this is not true.

Birth control and abortion rights have not helped women, especially teens.
"Unmarried childbearing - Even though teen childbearing overall has declined steeply over the last half-century, the proportion of all teen births that are nonmarital has increased equally dramatically, from 13% in 1950 to 79% in 2000."
What has changed in those years? The addition of birth control, abortion availability and sex ed in schools!!!!! I see a pattern...........

It's actually all true.

The birth control pill has actually enabled women to work outside the home. And, yes, it's certainly a reason that childbearing has decreased dramatically since its introduction. Shotgun weddings aren't seen as the best solution anymore.

There's not much use in denying that teens are having sex. Comprehensive sex education is necessary if we want to cut down on the number of out of wedlock births and abortions. Abstinence education, which doesn't discuss sex amd its consequences has been a huge failure. It's also loaded with falsehoods.

You think getting rid of sex ed will solve the problem?