Dispelling internet Myths about Sarah Palin

**LuvBigRip** · 09-05-2008, 12:53 PM

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has been subjected to an intense amount of media and public scrutiny since she was named as John McCain’s vice presidential pick one week ago. Many of the attacks have come in the form of unconfirmed reports on the Internet. Among them:

1) Palin “Joined a Secessionist Political Party”

The Charge: Unsubstantiated Internet reports insisted Palin was once a member of the Alaska Independence Party, which critics call a secessionist political movement and supporters say is dedicated to seeking greater state control over federal lands across Alaska.

The Facts: Palin has been a registered Republican since 1982. There is no record of her ever being a member of the AIP, or any party but the GOP. Palin’s husband has been a member of the AIP in the past, but since 2002 has been a registered independent.

(See: Party Official Says Palin Was Not a Member http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2...20party&st=cse)

2) Palin Supported a “Nazi Sympathizer”

The Charge: “Palin was a supporter of Pat Buchanan, a right-winger or, as many Jews call him: a Nazi sympathizer,” Obama Florida spokesman Mark Bubriski was quoted as saying in a Miami Herald article.

The Facts: While mayor of Wasilla, Palin wore a Buchanan button during the sometimes presidential candidate’s 1999 visit. But Palin actually supported Steve Forbes in 2000, and served as a co-chair on his Alaska campaign.

In the weeks after the 1999 report of her wearing the Buchanan button, Palin said: “When presidential candidates visit our community, I am always happy to meet them. I’ll even put on their button when handed one as a polite gesture of respect. … The article may have left your readers with the perception that I am endorsing this candidate, as opposed to welcoming his visit to Wasilla.”

(See: Obama campaign advisor quote is from an e-mail sent to the Miami Herald http://miamiherald.typepad.com/naked...camp-conn.html)

3) Palin “Wants Creationism Taught in School”

The Charge: Palin opposes the teaching of evolution, and would mandate the teaching of creationism in the state’s public schools.

The Facts: Palin said during her 2006 gubernatorial campaign that she would not push the state Board of Education to add creation-based alternatives to the state’s required curriculum, or look for creationism advocates when she appointed board members. She has kept this pledge, according to the Associated Press.

Palin has spoken in favor of classroom discussions of creationism, in some cases. “I don’t think there should be a prohibition against debate if it comes up in class. It doesn’t have to be part of the curriculum,” Palin told the Anchorage Daily News in a 2006 interview.

(See: ‘Creation science’ enters the race; Palin is only candidate to suggest it should be discussed in schools. By Tom Kizzia, Anchorage Daily News, 27 October 2006)

4) Palin “Was Nearly Recalled” While Mayor

The Charge: Palin was so controversial as mayor of Wasilla that she was almost recalled by a popular voter movement.

The Facts: The Wasilla City Council considered but never took up a recall motion after she fired a longtime police chief, who subsequently brought a lawsuit. A citizen’s group dropped their recall bid, and a judge ruled Palin had the authority to fire the chief.

(See: Foes Back Off Push to Recall Mayor http://www.adn.com/sarah-palin/story/513745.html)

5) Palin “Opposes Sex Education”

The Charge: Palin opponents say she supported the end of all sex education in public schools. In light of her daughter’s presumably unplanned teen pregnancy, this has been a particularly well discussed Internet topic.

The Facts: “The explicit sex-ed programs will not find my support,” Palin wrote in a 2006 questionnaire distributed among gubernatorial candidates. Palin favors abstinence-based sex education programs.

(See: McCain fought money on teen pregnancy programs, By Sharon Theimer, Associated Press, Sept. 2, 2008)

6) “This Picture Proves Palin is …”

The Charge: A slew of fake, Photoshopped or misdated photographs on the Internet purport to show Palin in any number of embarrassing or compromising poses. One photo claimed to show Palin standing poolside, wearing an American flag-themed bikini, toting a rifle with telescopic sight.

The Facts: The various photos are being discredited and shown to be fake on a number of Web sites. The original of the so-called bikini shot, probably the best-known of the pictures, was shown to have been taken of another woman, with Palin’s head Photoshopped above the body.

(See: Call to Arms, http://www.snopes.com/photos/politics/palin.asp)

7) Palin is the grandmother, and not the mother, of Trig Palin

The Charge: The most salacious rumor of all, this theory holds that Palin did not give birth to her son Trig in April, and was actually covering up for her daughter, Bristol.

The Facts: There are a number of photographs showing an apparently pregnant Sarah Palin, as well as a number of published eyewitness accounts of her pregnancy. These include First Lady Laura Bush, who says she spoke with a pregnant Palin at a governor’s conference in February. An assignment manager for KTVA news in Anchorage, Cherie Shirey, has also been quoted saying: “We worked with Governor Palin many times in 2008. Our reporters worked her on location and in the studio and I worked with her myself. She was definitely pregnant. You could see it in her belly and her face. The whole idea that Sarah Palin wasn’t pregnant with Trig is completely, absolutely absurd.”

The McCain campaign, in an apparent effort to counteract the rumors, announced last weekend that Bristol Palin is five months pregnant, which indicated she would have become pregnant before Trig was born.

(See: Palin Rebuts Rumors, Says Daughter Pregnant, http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080901/...itics_palin_dc
Anchorage TV Station: Palin Was ‘Definitely Pregnant’ With Trig’ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lee-st..._b_123029.html)

**Advertisement** · 09-05-2008 12:53 PM

**janelle** · 09-05-2008, 12:58 PM

It does take the camera off Obama and his associates. But some of these are laughable about Palin. Photoshopped pics, like experts can't tell the difference, heck most of us can tell the difference anymore.

**Char** · 09-05-2008, 01:02 PM

Yea... talk about being scared, the lefts are freaking out ! The rumor starting is unreal.

**whatever** · 09-05-2008, 02:47 PM

exactly. ANd i was called out for spreading lies about obama? when its happening on here about paulin........
Like my dh and I were talking IF people would do the math about Paulin baby's age and her daughters progress of her own pregnancy..........
What i find strange is nobody was slinging mud at MCcain? Just now his running mate.
Oh by the way did anyone watch LENO last night with the 2 girls with that rocco guy at the convention. Wasn't that hilarous?? LOL

**jbbarn** · 09-06-2008, 11:20 PM

Originally Posted by whatever

exactly. ANd i was called out for spreading lies about obama? when its happening on here about paulin........
Like my dh and I were talking IF people would do the math about Paulin baby's age and her daughters progress of her own pregnancy..........
What i find strange is nobody was slinging mud at MCcain? Just now his running mate.
Oh by the way did anyone watch LENO last night with the 2 girls with that rocco guy at the convention. Wasn't that hilarous?? LOL

It's kinda funny,isn't it? They are terrified of her! She is everything that Hillary is not....attractive,intelligent,wise,personable and a REAL wife and mother.It would be nice to have her as Commander-In-Chief in four years.

BTW, they might want to stop worrying so much about so-called lies about
poor little Barak.If I was supporting that snake,I'd worry more about the truth!

**janelle** · 09-06-2008, 11:33 PM

I guess they are saying if Obama's daughter was a pregnant teen and not married they would expect him to encourage her to get an abortion and get rid of the embarrassment. If Obama's wife was pregnant with a down's baby they would abort it to get rid of the embarrassment. Then he would be able to represent us all very well and not embarrass us.

Well, ya know what? That is probably just what he and his wife would do since he is for infanticide along with abortion. But one does not do that when one is pro-life. They not only talk the talk but they walk the walk. Pro-choicers talk about choice but then won't let others have it if they choose differently than they would. What is that if not hypocritical?

**mesue** · 09-07-2008, 12:30 AM

I'm all for not aborting babies, but I believe that if the government is going to deny someone the right to make that choice then the government and its supporters on denying choice had better be pro-life after it is born.

That is part of the problem, many pro-lifers want to deny children any sex education other than abstinence and then they do not want to fund any programs for the child after it is born, so if you are going to be totally pro-life you should not fuss when you're tax dollars go to social programs to feed and clothe that child, go to educate that child and provide medical care for that child.

But most of the same people out screaming pro life are not that at all, they are anti-abortion and they are the first to screan NO on support for any programs being initiated for the children and their mothers to help them after the child is born, because it costs them money.

I seriously, have read many, many posts on here by different ops talking about the need to cut social programs.

**hblueeyes** · 09-07-2008, 09:01 AM

many pro-lifers want to deny children any sex education other than abstinence and then they do not want to fund any programs for the child after it is born, so if you are going to be totally pro-life you should not fuss when you're tax dollars go to social programs to feed and clothe that child, go to educate that child and provide medical care for that child.

But most of the same people out screaming pro life are not that at all, they are anti-abortion and they are the first to screan NO on support for any programs being initiated for the children and their mothers to help them after the child is born, because it costs them money.

I do not believe "most" pro-lifers take the stance you accuse of them. Children need to learn about the facts. They should be well informed with truths in the education arena. Abstinence should be taught firt and for most. Children do nott need to add the pressure of sex, STDs, prgnancy etc., to their lives and most are not able to handle it well. Consequences also need be taught as well. But this should also come from the home and the parent(s).
I talked to my boys from the time they were born. They could not understand my words, but it helped me become comfortable talking about it to them so the transition was easy when they were able to understand and question. There was only one question that they ever asked that I said, "Go ask your father." I feel lucky tio have had that option but would have answered it if I did not. Talk often. Not just once in awhile. We talked daily about sex, girlfriends, relationships, life in general we talked about everything.We talked and still do and all are young adults but beyond that, their are fine men. Talk between parents and children is one of the best tools we have. Another is for parents to lead by example. If you do not want Jane or Dick to use foul language, then do not use it yourself. None of us is perfect and it is ok to let your children know that you have made mistakes. Tell them what you learned from them. Positive can be found in all negatives.

I only fuss about the length that the government goes to make those in need become dependant on the many programs offered. Generational welfare recipients, housing, etc., puts them at an advantage I feel they do not deserve. I have been on welfare. I was embarrassed about it but thankful I had something. I worked my way out. The system worked. But I did not get free housing or subsidies. I was eligible for food and medical but that was still better than nothing. There needs to be limits. But how can we have limits when jobs are farmed out overseas and/or held by illegal workers? But if you receive welfare and all your children are in school, then you must donate 20 hours a week, minimum, at your childs school, cleaning the roadside, meals on wheels, etc. You will gain enough to go out and work.

But most of the same people out screaming pro life are not that at all, they are anti-abortion

I agree. I am anti-abortion but feel if someone with reason should be able to choose to end their life. How is it we can kill an unborn child and starve that child to death if it manages to survive the abortion attempt yet not let someone in deep pain, with deep suffering end their torment on their terms. It has no logic. We burden the living of those people with added problems of what if they imprison my child(ren) if I end my life. Does not a 58 year old have better sense to make that decision over a 13 year old child deciding on an abortion?

I believe that Palin will do a remarkable job. She has gone thru some of the torments we all do at some point. I am sure many things were discussed between her and her husband regarding the birth of their youngest child and the pregnancy of her unmarried teenage daughter. I also believe that not of the discussion included politics. They took the path and made the choice that was right for them and their family.

Me

**janelle** · 09-07-2008, 02:25 PM

I agree with everything you said except for the euthanasia part. If we have good palliative care for those in pain and dying they won't want to end their own lives and I have seen where people have killed themselves and it leaves the family devastated.

Some people get into a deep depression and want to die. If they get the right kind of medical help they recover and go on to live many more fulfilling years. I won't be a part of encouraging them to kill themselves or having someone else do it. I will be there to help and encourage and do all I can to make it better for them.

Both my hubby and I have had our parents die and we had to face it. I still think what more could I have done to help my parents live longer, so does my hubby with his parents. My mother was 97 and I still did not want to lose her.

I didn't want her to suffer but we all don't want to see our parents to die or our spouse and children. Plus so many abuses can happen with euthanasia just like abortion. I will trust in God in those matters.

**mesue** · 09-07-2008, 02:39 PM

Originally Posted by hblueeyes

I do not believe "most" pro-lifers take the stance you accuse of them. Me

I did not say all, I said most. Sorry, but I think that what has been done by our current government officials proves me right. Right now most in charge for the last eight years are against abortion and have sought to cut taxes by cutting programs to help families instead of limiting corporate welfare or making the rich pay the same amount percentage wise as a working poor or middle class family.

And how many time have you heard them talk aobut abstinence, seriously it is great that you talked to you're children, but unfortunately in many homes that is not the case.

As for as pressure to have sex goes, information is not creating pressure or creating a burden to have sex. Information is important in the safety and health of all children in this day and age, as you yourself seem to realize, once they get old enough to understand sex, they need to know the facts. The pressure to have sex will come from their peers, not information.

**jbbarn** · 09-07-2008, 02:40 PM

Ditto janelle!

Thread: Dispelling internet Myths about Sarah Palin

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