Sarah Palin: Obama’s birth certificate is fair game

Yesterday Sarah Palin did a radio interview with Rusty Humphries and was asked a question about Obama’s birth certificate.

Here is the transcript [H/T Hot Air]:

Would you make the birth certificate an issue if you ran?

I think the public, rightfully, is still making it an issue. I don’t have a problem with that. I don’t know if I would have to bother to make it an issue ’cause I think there are enough members of the electorate who still want answers.

Do you think it’s a fair question to be looking at?

I think it’s a fair question, just like I think past associations and past voting record — all of that is fair game. You know, I’ve got to tell you, too: I think our campaign, the McCain/Palin campaign didn’t do a good enough job in that area. We didn’t call out Obama and some of his associates on their records and what their beliefs were and perhaps what their future plans were. And I don’t think that that was fair to voters to not have done our jobs as candidates and as a campaign to bring to light a lot of the things that now we’re seeing made manifest in the administration.

I mean, truly, if your past is fair game and your kids are fair game, certainly Obama’s past should be. I mean, we want to treat men and women equally, right?

Hey, you know, that’s a great point, in that weird conspiracy-theory freaky thing that people talk about that Trig isn’t my real son. And a lot of people say, “Well you need to produce his birth certificate! You need to prove that he’s your kid!” Which we have done. But yeah, so maybe we could reverse that and use the same [unintelligible]-type thinking on them.

Needless to say, within no time at all the left side of the blogosphere began tagging Palin as a “Birther”. Did you think they would do anything else?  Palin immediately issued a Facebook note setting things straight.

Palin on Facebook:

Stupid Conspiracies

Yesterday at 10:16pm

Voters have every right to ask candidates for information if they so choose. I’ve pointed out that it was seemingly fair game during the 2008 election for many on the left to badger my doctor and lawyer for proof that Trig is in fact my child. Conspiracy-minded reporters and voters had a right to ask… which they have repeatedly. But at no point – not during the campaign, and not during recent interviews – have I asked the president to produce his birth certificate or suggested that he was not born in the United States.

Of course if anyone takes the time to read, Palin herself never says she believes Obama isn’t American. What she does say is that people have a right to ask their questions and she is right. 

For some people the birth certificate question was never answered fully and they want to know. Just like for some people the issue of Trig’s birth wasn’t answered fully and they want to know (paging Andrew Sullivan).  If Sarah Palin can put up with the Trig Truthers, then let Obama deal with the Birthers.

The reason why both the Trig Truthers and the Birthers exist in the first place is because the media does such a crummy job reporting the news. In the case of the Trig Truthers, the media immediately picked up the story without checking facts and put it out to a wider audience and it took root. In the case of the Birthers, it was the media’s long silence on the issue that allowed the question to gain so much traction on the net.  In both cases, the media’s well-known biases and people’s distrust of those biases that also contributed to these conspiracy theories.

So until our media gets its act together, there are going to be people like the Trig Truthers and the Birthers asking questions and politicians will just have to answer the questions to the best of their abilities and move on.

Via: Memeorandum

Via: Hot Air

Via: Sarah Palin’s Facebook Page  

Sarah Palin To Obama: Boycott Copenhagen

Once again Sarah Palin is giving sound advice based on common sense. In her latest Facebook note, Palin advises Obama to boycott the United Nations' Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen based on the still evolving Climategate scandal.

One would think that Obama should have come to this sound and obvious conclusion on his own already, but thankfully Palin is here to help.  You just know Obama and his minions are going to have to react to this note, especially because of her last paragraph.  

Mr. President: Boycott Copenhagen; Investigate Your Climate Change "Experts"

 Today at 4:17pm

The president’s decision to attend the international climate conference in Copenhagen needs to be reconsidered in light of the unfolding Climategate scandal. The leaked e-mails involved in Climategate expose the unscientific behavior of leading climate scientists who deliberately destroyed records to block information requests, manipulated data to “hide the decline” in global temperatures, and conspired to silence the critics of man-made global warming. I support Senator James Inhofe’s call for a full investigation into this scandal. Because it involves many of the same personalities and entities behind the Copenhagen conference, Climategate calls into question many of the proposals being pushed there, including anything that would lead to a cap and tax plan.

Policy should be based on sound science, not snake oil. I took a stand against such snake oil science when I sued the federal government over its decision to list the polar bear as an endangered species despite the fact that the polar bear population has increased. I’ve never denied the reality of climate change; in fact, I was the first governor to create a subcabinet position to deal specifically with the issue. I saw the impact of changing weather patterns firsthand while serving as governor of our only Arctic state. But while we recognize the effects of changing water levels, erosion patterns, and glacial ice melt, we cannot primarily blame man’s activities for the earth’s cyclical weather changes. The drastic economic measures being pushed by dogmatic environmentalists won’t change the weather, but will dramatically change our economy for the worse.

Policy decisions require real science and real solutions, not junk science and doomsday scare tactics pushed by an environmental priesthood that capitalizes on the public’s worry and makes them feel that owning an SUV is a “sin” against the planet. In his inaugural address, President Obama declared his intention to “restore science to its rightful place.” Boycotting Copenhagen while this scandal is thoroughly investigated would send a strong message that the United States government will not be a party to fraudulent scientific practices. Saying no to Copenhagen and cap and tax are first steps in “restoring science to its rightful place.”

- Sarah Palin 

Via: Sarah Palin’s Facebook Page

Is Al Gore ducking Climategate?

The Washington Times is reporting that Al Gore has abruptly canceled an appearance in Copenhagen.

From The Washington Times:

Former Vice President Al Gore on Thursday abruptly canceled a Dec. 16 personal appearance that was to be staged during the United Nations' Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, which begins next week.

As described in The Washington Times' Inside the Beltway column Tuesday, the multimedia public event to promote Mr. Gore's new book, "Our Choice," included $1,209 VIP tickets that granted the holder a photo opportunity with Mr. Gore and a "light snack."

Berlingkse Media, a Danish group coordinating ticket sales and publicity for the event, said that "great annoyance" was a factor in the cancellation, along with unforeseen changes in Mr. Gore's program for the climate summit. The decision affected 3,000 ticket holders.

"We have had a clear-cut agreement, and it is unusual with great disappointment that we have to announce that Al Gore cancels. We had a huge expectation for the event. . . . We do not yet know the detailed reasons for the cancellation," said Lisbeth Knudsen, CEO of Berlingske Media, in a statement posted by the company.

The ClimateDepot,com, an online news aggregator that tracks global-warming news reports, referred to the situation as "Nopenhagen," and evidence that popular momentum for the Copenhagen conference "is fading."

There are a few floor shows taking place stateside as well.

Pajamas Media founder Roger L. Simon and independent filmmaker Lionel Chetwynd -- both members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and Oscar nominees -- have called on the academy to rescind Mr. Gore's Oscars in light of the Climategate revelations.

"In the history of the academy, not to my knowledge has an Oscar ever been rescinded. I think they should rescind this one," Mr. Simon said Thursday.

News that British and American scientists had manipulated global warming statistics to suit their agenda was made public two weeks ago after their personal e-mails were posted on the Internet.

The film version of Mr. Gore's book "An Inconvenient Truth" won two Oscars in 2007 -- for Best Documentary Feature and Best Original Song.

For the life of me I will never understand how this fraud became the poster boy of Climate Change. Al Gore doesn’t even have a science degree. It is said he was a D student in science and spent the first part of this post grad studies at divinity school.

I guess he has used his divinity training to make big money as a cheap televangelist singing the liberal gospel of climate change! What a fraud!

Note: The graphic is used comes from my blogger buddy Stogie at Saber Point. News Busters has picked up this graphic and is sporting it for the very same story. Way to go Stogie!

Via: Memeorandum

Via: The Washington Times

Via: News Busters

Via: Wikipedia

A Little Global Warming Humor

Climategate is starting to take root in the minds of Americans and videos like these sure helps to speed things along. H/T to Pedaling Fast & Trying To Keep Up.  Enjoy.

Mitt Romney schools Obama on the economy

You just knew this was coming sooner or later, Mitt Romney delivers a serious smack down to Obama's failed economic practices. Romney offers a 10 point plan on how to rapidly create jobs. If I were Obama I would have invited Mitt Romney to this so called Jobs Summit. Romney has probably created more private sector jobs than all the know nothings at the Jobs Summit combined.


Here is Romney's smack down in USA Today:

Today's White House jobs summit comes too late for millions of Americans who through no fault of their own have lost their jobs, their homes, their savings and, in many cases, the self-esteem and self-respect that come from work. Like other presidents before him, Barack Obama inherited a recession. But unlike them, he has made it worse, not better.

His failure to stem the unemployment tide should not have been a surprise. With no experience whatsoever in the world of employment and business formation, he had no compass to guide his path. Instead, he turned over much of his economic recovery agenda to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, themselves nearly as inexperienced in the private sector as he. Congress gave him and them everything they asked for, including a history-making three-quarters of a trillion dollar stimulus.

But it did little to stimulate the real economy – where jobs are created. Studies, initiatives and programs that liberal think tanks had long pined for were given life even as the private economy was on life support. The president's team assured us that their massive stimulus would hold unemployment below 8%. So with unemployment now at 10.2%, it is clear that their stimulus was a miscalculated failure.

In an attempt to disguise the truth, the administration has touted inflated figures of jobs "created."But every month, in good times and bad, jobs are created and jobs are lost. What matters is the net difference between the two numbers. Focusing solely on jobs created while ignoring the far greater numbers of jobs lost is Harry Houdini economics.

Growing government, as was done with the stimulus, inevitably depresses the private sector and job creation. Shrinking government and reducing government jobs is healthier for the economy, but this option was never seriously considered. That's no wonder: As White House guest logs for the first half of the year reveal, the most frequent visitor to the executive mansion was Andy Stern, the head of the Service Employees International Union, which represents government workers.

Ouch! That's gonna leave mark! Click here for Romney's 10 point plan. 

Via: Memeorandum

Via: USA Today

Gay Marriage defeated in NYS Senate

From The New York Times: 

ALBANY — The New York State Senate decisively rejected a bill on Wednesday that would have allowed gay couples to wed, providing a major victory for those who oppose same-sex marriage and underscoring the deep and passionate divisions surrounding the issue.

The 38-to-24 vote startled proponents of the bill and signaled that political momentum, at least right now, had shifted against same-sex marriage, even in heavily Democratic New York. It followed more than a year of lobbying by gay rights organizations, who steered close to $1 million into New York legislative races to boost support for the measure.

Senators who voted against the measure said the public was gripped by economic anxiety and remained uneasy about changing the state’s definition of marriage.

“Certainly this is an emotional issue and an important issue for many New Yorkers,” said Senator Tom Libous, the deputy Republican leader. “I just don’t think the majority care too much about it at this time because they’re out of work, they want to see the state reduce spending, and they are having a hard time making ends meet. And I don’t mean to sound callous, but that’s true.”

The defeat, which followed a stirring, tearful and at times very personal debate, all but ensures that the issue is dead in New York until at least 2011, when a new Legislature will be installed.

It is rather surprising that gay marriage could not pass in New York. The latest poll shows that New Yorkers support gay marriage by 51%. Granted that most of that support comes from the very liberal city and not the rather conservative upstate and suburbs.

I think timing was the key factor here. New Yorkers all across the state are seething over jobs, higher taxes and the budget shortfalls. Having the NY Senate work on gay marriage now seems like a distraction from what the electorate really wants them to work on.

Another factor might just be the passion behind the support. Democrats may not want to admit it, but among blacks and latinos, a huge part of the Democrat collation, support for gay marriage simply isn’t there. Knowing this, I think several of those senators simply made a calculated choice of who’s support they could afford to lose.

In general, I think if gay activists simply bided their time, they would have what they want with minimal fuss. Talk to almost any 20 or 30 year old and they all seem on board with gay marriage. The thing is these 20 and 30 year olds are not regular voters yet. In about 10 years they will be. By pushing gay marriage today on an electorate that clearly doesn’t want it, gay activists are building some serious roadblocks for the future. Some of these roadblocks will take decades to undo if they can be undone at all. 

Via: Memeorandum

Via: The New York Times

Et tu,Tiger?

Tiger Woods released a statement on his website today that pretty much fesses up to his extracurricular activities.

Tiger Woods: 

I have let my family down and I regret those transgressions with all of my heart. I have not been true to my values and the behavior my family deserves. I am not without faults and I am far short of perfect. I am dealing with my behavior and personal failings behind closed doors with my family. Those feelings should be shared by us alone.

Although I am a well-known person and have made my career as a professional athlete, I have been dismayed to realize the full extent of what tabloid scrutiny really means. For the last week, my family and I have been hounded to expose intimate details of our personal lives. The stories in particular that physical violence played any role in the car accident were utterly false and malicious. Elin has always done more to support our family and shown more grace than anyone could possibly expect.

But no matter how intense curiosity about public figures can be, there is an important and deep principle at stake which is the right to some simple, human measure of privacy. I realize there are some who don't share my view on that. But for me, the virtue of privacy is one that must be protected in matters that are intimate and within one's own family. Personal sins should not require press releases and problems within a family shouldn't have to mean public confessions.

Whatever regrets I have about letting my family down have been shared with and felt by us alone. I have given this a lot of reflection and thought and I believe that there is a point at which I must stick to that principle even though it's difficult.

I will strive to be a better person and the husband and father that my family deserves. For all of those who have supported me over the years, I offer my profound apology.

As mea culpas go, this one sounds rather sincere. Hopefully the media will back off and let this all play out privately. Cheating is an awful thing to do to your spouse, but when you are a celebrity it is ten times worse, because the spouse must endure a very public humiliation. That being said, I have to agree with The Other McCain about Tiger's choice in mistresses. 

From the black perspective, I am very disappointed in Tiger. Black children today need all the positive role models they can get and Tiger was one of them. Now he must join the growing list of black athletes who have engaged in all kinds of shadiness. Tsk, tsk, tsk, et tu, Tiger?

Via: Memeorandum

Via: Tiger Woods. Com

Anderson who?

Anderson Cooper, that CNN anchor nobody watches anymore, has continued his slide in the ratings. Check this out from the Business Insider:

Anderson Cooper is fading in the ratings.

The respected CNN anchor has seen his numbers slip significantly through the past year. His 10 p.m. show, "Anderson Cooper 360," has declined 62% in total viewers and 70% in adults 25-54 from November 2008, according to Nielsen figures.

Last month, in Cooper's time slot, Fox News' "On the Record" attracted an average viewership of 1.9 million while "360" averaged 672,000; repeats of MSNBC's "Countdown" and HLN's Nancy Grace show averaged 655,000 and 458,000, respectively.

But in the ad-friendly 25-54 demo, those same repeats won out over Cooper with 224,000 (MSNBC) and 214,000 (HLN).

Cooper -- who became an overnight sensation during his Hurricane Katrina coverage -- surely deserves better ratings. From the start of 2009, he began losing a huge chunk of his nightly audience.

So what happened? Let's see: There's no presidential election to ramp up ratings; there's heavy competition from centrist CNN's noisier rivals (see: Fox News, the No. 1 cable news channel); there's people catching up on DVR-ed TV shows in the late evening; then there's the loss of Lou Dobbs in the 7 p.m. anchor chair, among other possible factors.

I can think of another factor, Anderson Cooper comes off as an arrogant and sanctimonious ass.  Such an attitude tends to rub folks the wrong way. If CNN wants to end their ratings slide into oblivion, they should start by loosing personalities like Cooper. Then CNN should focus on reporting important news people can use like Climategate,  rather than silly stories like how Sarah Palin uses a plane on her book tour.

Via: Memeorandum

Via: Business Insider