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America By Heart, Chapter 8 Part 1- I Hear America Praying

It’s a good thing we’re getting close to the end of Sarah Palin’s book, as it seems to take more time to “cleanse the mental palate” after each helping of… how to put this kindly… “Bravo Sierra.”

OK, we last left our heroine (the protagonist kind, not the “that’s what we have to shoot up to get through this book” kind) in Chapter 7 where she told us all about faith.  One chapter just wouldn’t do, apparently, so she’s back for more.  So, boots on, chests out, chins up, and let’s march.

Page 207

There was a cross on federal land in the Mojave Desert. Some atheist found it sooooo offensive because a religious symbol of Christianity sat on federal land that they covered it up with a box. It was like an hour between cars there so hardly anyone would have been offended. Who complained about it?  Well, I’m not going to tell you, but she did. Yup, there’s his name. Mr. X, it’s time for you to “Meet the Palinbots.”

Pge 208

In addition to the disgruntled atheist, there was the “always helpful ACLU.” Can’t you just hear the sarcasm dripping off her teeth?  Check out this outstanding video of Noam Chomsky talking about the ACLU and how it’s a conservative organization.

It’s a conservative organization, very conservative. The term “conservative” is another one of those that’s been distorted out of any relation to its meaning. but in the real sense of the term conservative, the ACLU is a conservative organization which is trying to preserve basically conservative values – 18th century values.

Here’s an organization that is committed to defense of the Constitution, and according to the Republicans, that’s [card-carrying] communist.  Well, you know, I think that characterizes modern conservatism. It’s really a profoundly reactionary movement which is deeply opposed to the values on which the country was established. And that’s why they would call an organization calling for the defense of the constitution a subversive organization.

(I hold a lighter over my head and sway while he is speaking, and clap furiously when he is done.  And I apologize to Mr. Chomsky for pulling him in to this post with you know who, but I felt it needed to be done.)

Page 209

Next thing you know these American hating liberals will want Arlington National Cemetery declared unconstitutional!

Also on this page we’re treated to a sanctimonious bit of pomposity from Newt Gingrich. “There is no attack on American culture more destructive and more historically dishonest than the secular Left’s relentless effort to drive God out of America’s public square…”

(Gosh, thanks, Newt. Thanks for your advice on destructive dishonesty. Good to know. By the way, care to reconcile THIS with your little sound bite? Didn’t think so.)

Page 210

“Most Americans are honestly puzzled about why these religious displays are so darn controversial.”

(It’s called the Establishment Clause. They should have paid attention in High School.)

Page 211

All about the guy that tried to get “under God” taken out of the pledge of allegiance and how awful that is. (And of course, the phrase ‘under God’ wasn’t even put in there until 1954, so if we’re really concerned with ‘original intent’ and stuff then we should be taking it out. Just saying. AND the author of the pledge which did NOT use the words under God, was a… wait for it… Christian Socialist. I love it when that happens.)

Page 212

All hail Ronald Reagan’s “Evil Empire” speech. Where God is not recognized, there is tyranny.

Page 213

All continue to hail Ronald Reagan’s “Evil Empire” speech. “We will never abandon our belief in God…”

Page 214

Yes, we’re still hailing Ronald Reagan’s “Evil Empire” speech. (*Note to self – Beating one’s self on the forehead with the book, does not make the pain go away.)

Page 215

Why? Why, oh why are people so offended by little babies lying in mangers, or moral codes? Why can’t people just live and let live? (Yes, why must OTHER people be so judgmental, while YOU, Sarah Palin are all embracing, all accepting and all forgiving. Another mystery of the universe that is yet to be revealed.)

Page 216

“Hilarious” channeling of the mainstream media by right-wing nut job and husband of the ghost writer, Jonah Goldberg about conservatives. “These strange creatures have been observed using complex tools, caring and nurturing their young and even participating in social rituals. Most worship an unseen sky god that traces its roots back to the ancient Middle East.”  (Yes, they’ve also been seen publishing crappy books, destroying the nation’s economy, institutionalizing torture, ignoring poverty,  and systematically dismantling the middle class. Let’s hear it for the conservatives!!!!!)

Page 217

In which we learn that Sarah Palin is shocked at politicians “speaking out of both sides of their mouths.” (I trust you to come up with your own snark here. You don’t need me to hold your hand on this one.)

Page 218

The New York Times mentioned religion! What hypocrites! How can you invoke religious feelings to help the poor and not invoke religious feelings about abortion?! (Hint: Which one is in the actual Bible?)

Page 219-220

MLK’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail” was both a refutation of racial segregation and a repudiation of those who opposed civil disobedience in pursuit of civil rights – a refudiation, if you will.”  (No, I won’t.)

(Sarah Palin is both a twit for trying to figure out a way to make a mistake sound intentional, and an idiot for getting it wrong in the first place – a twidiot, if you will.)

Next up… Part 2 of “I Hear America Praying.”

Comments

comments

Comments
165 Responses to “America By Heart, Chapter 8 Part 1- I Hear America Praying”
  1. Moose Pucky says:

    I am grateful to the God that gave us this one who writes in red ink.

    And may I take this one on? “How can you invoke religious feelings to help the poor and not invoke religious feelings about abortion?!”

    The former helps others without imposing one’s own belief on them. And one doesn’t need religion to care about others or to work for a just government that creates a system with less inequities in it.

    The latter says others know better than a woman and her doctor about what is the best choice in one’s own circumstance. Support, educate, encourage. Self-righteous religious dogma imposed on others who know their own circumstances best is a narrow-minded view–even if well intended.

  2. 5 dogs says:

    my stomach hurls just reading your cliff notes of this “book”

  3. mac says:

    “twidiot” – love it – made my day! Thanks again AKM – take as long as you need between torture sessions, I mean reading of this BSfest.

  4. Dagian says:

    Oh dear, can someone take down the litter of posts I spawned? They got hung up and I didn’t realize it! I think one per thread is sufficient (Obama/Palin).

  5. Dagian says:

    Another “compare and contrast” opportunity!

    To whom could Palin read her book aloud? Could she read her book aloud? Hmm.

    Obama reads his children’s book to 2nd graders

    By MARK S. SMITH
    The Associated Press
    Friday, December 17, 2010; 1:01 PM

    ARLINGTON, Va. — Usually, big-name authors plug their books on a nationwide book tour. President Barack Obama took a lower-key approach Friday, reading selections from his new children’s book to a group of delighted second-graders in suburban Virginia.

    In the library of Long Branch Elementary School, some four dozen youngsters giggled and squirmed as Obama gave voice to passages from “Of Thee I Sing,” an illustrated volume in the form of a letter to his daughters describing the lives of 13 great Americans. It was written in 2008 but just came out this fall, with proceeds going to a scholarship fund for the children of fallen and disabled soldiers.
    [snip]

    “I hope you guys have fun,” he said. But he said as they open their Christmas presents he hopes they spend time thinking about the less fortunate. “Not everybody is as lucky as we are. There are a lot of kids out there who may not be able to get a lot of presents for Christmas because their parents don’t have a lot of money.”

    “Of Thee I Sing” has done well in early sales. With a list price of $17.99, it sold 50,000 copies in the first five days, which its publisher, Random House Children’s Books, said made it the fastest-selling picture book in company history. The volume was part of a $1.9 million, three-book deal Obama signed with Random House in 2004.

    • When I got my copy, I cried so hard at the honorable and respectful way each person was presented, it will take me a very long time to read it…….honor and respect..for ALL our citizens.

  6. Dagian says:

    Huh. This got lost before–so if it shows up twice, please accept my apologies!

    Talk about a stark contrast between Obama and Palin:

    Obama reads his children’s book to 2nd graders

    By MARK S. SMITH
    The Associated Press
    Friday, December 17, 2010; 12:28 PM

    ARLINGTON, Va. — Usually, big-name authors plug their books on a nationwide book tour. President Barack Obama took a lower-key approach Friday, reading selections from his new children’s book to a group of delighted second-graders in suburban Virginia.

    In the library of Long Branch Elementary School, some four dozen youngsters giggled and squirmed as Obama gave voice to passages from “Of Thee I Sing,” an illustrated volume in the form of a letter to his daughters describing the lives of 13 great Americans. It was written in 2008 but just came out this fall, with proceeds going to a scholarship fund for the children of fallen and disabled soldiers.

    “I wanted to borrow you guys, and read to you,” Obama explained, sitting down on a wooden chair as the children sat cross-legged on the carpet.

    He began with entries on Albert Einstein – “he was one of the smartest men ever” – and Jackie Robinson – “he was the first African-American to play in major league baseball” – before skipping to the end, and the entry on Abraham Lincoln.

    “Everybody know who Abraham Lincoln is?” Obama asked, to a chorus of “Yes!” from the youngsters. “He helped to end slavery in the United States.”

    Obama left behind a signed copy for the school library. “You can read about all these other different people who are brave and imaginative and creative and smart, just like you guys are,” he said. “I hope you enjoy it.”

    Obama also read the Chrismas poem “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” by Clement Moore, pausing so the kids could jump in at key points and making side comments on things like the couple of inches of snow Washington was dusted with Thursday. “I’m surprised you guys are in school ’cause a lot of times in Washington people don’t go to school when there’s even an inch of snow,” he said.

    He also answered a few questions on life in the White House and whether it’s fun being president, before posing for pictures, shaking hands and wishing the children and their teachers happy holidays.

    “I hope you guys have fun,” he said. But he said as they open their Christmas presents he hopes they spend time thinking about the less fortunate. “Not everybody is as lucky as we are. There are a lot of kids out there who may not be able to get a lot of presents for Christmas because their parents don’t have a lot of money.”

    “Of Thee I Sing” has done well in early sales. With a list price of $17.99, it sold 50,000 copies in the first five days, which its publisher, Random House Children’s Books, said made it the fastest-selling picture book in company history. The volume was part of a $1.9 million, three-book deal Obama signed with Random House in 2004.

  7. Dagian says:

    Today’s Washington Post:

    Obama reads his children’s book to 2nd graders

    By MARK S. SMITH
    The Associated Press
    Friday, December 17, 2010; 12:28 PM

    ARLINGTON, Va. — Usually, big-name authors plug their books on a nationwide book tour. President Barack Obama took a lower-key approach Friday, reading selections from his new children’s book to a group of delighted second-graders in suburban Virginia.

    In the library of Long Branch Elementary School, some four dozen youngsters giggled and squirmed as Obama gave voice to passages from “Of Thee I Sing,” an illustrated volume in the form of a letter to his daughters describing the lives of 13 great Americans. It was written in 2008 but just came out this fall, with proceeds going to a scholarship fund for the children of fallen and disabled soldiers.

    “I wanted to borrow you guys, and read to you,” Obama explained, sitting down on a wooden chair as the children sat cross-legged on the carpet.

    He began with entries on Albert Einstein – “he was one of the smartest men ever” – and Jackie Robinson – “he was the first African-American to play in major league baseball” – before skipping to the end, and the entry on Abraham Lincoln.

    “Everybody know who Abraham Lincoln is?” Obama asked, to a chorus of “Yes!” from the youngsters. “He helped to end slavery in the United States.”

    Obama left behind a signed copy for the school library. “You can read about all these other different people who are brave and imaginative and creative and smart, just like you guys are,” he said. “I hope you enjoy it.”

    Obama also read the Chrismas poem “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” by Clement Moore, pausing so the kids could jump in at key points and making side comments on things like the couple of inches of snow Washington was dusted with Thursday. “I’m surprised you guys are in school ’cause a lot of times in Washington people don’t go to school when there’s even an inch of snow,” he said.

    He also answered a few questions on life in the White House and whether it’s fun being president, before posing for pictures, shaking hands and wishing the children and their teachers happy holidays.

    “I hope you guys have fun,” he said. But he said as they open their Christmas presents he hopes they spend time thinking about the less fortunate. “Not everybody is as lucky as we are. There are a lot of kids out there who may not be able to get a lot of presents for Christmas because their parents don’t have a lot of money.”

    “Of Thee I Sing” has done well in early sales. With a list price of $17.99, it sold 50,000 copies in the first five days, which its publisher, Random House Children’s Books, said made it the fastest-selling picture book in company history. The volume was part of a $1.9 million, three-book deal Obama signed with Random House in 2004.

  8. 24owls says:

    This book should really be titled – America by Fart considering the crap it contains.

  9. dbatjr says:

    Damn, finger twitch hit the submit.

    …and thought of asking Sarah for help on Christmas because she had access to reindeer but decided it would not be a good idea because she might shoot one and eat it.

  10. dbatjr says:

    Hi,

    I’ve been reading this blog ever since I found it the day after her first speech but have never posted.

    Just wanted to say ‘Thanks’ for all you do, and wish everyone a Happy Holiday season.

    Tom

    PS. There is a very funny Auto Dealer commercial playing on the radio back here in CT. Santa is looking for help and thou

  11. DF says:

    Once again, $P tries to back up all of her “gnosh” to make conservative values sound like Baked Alaska. $he talks about Liberty as though it encompasses only those who believe as she believes. $he never steps outside herself to address Constitutional Freedoms which are intended to embrace all.

    Nothing new, just sick and twisted. AKM, good word: Twidiot! Put that in your urban dictionary — but, it has only ONE definition!!!!! 🙂

  12. OMG says:

    The caption under Sarah’s TIME picture over at Palingates titled EMPTY is as accurate as it is priceless.

  13. LibertyLover says:

    twidiot, if you will….

    And if you use twitter to do it?

    Would that make you a twitteridiot?

  14. Lacy Lady says:

    I read where Franklin Graham said that “Palin wasn’t afraid to get her hands dirty” while in Haiti for two days. Saying that she sat on the cots at the clinic. WOW——what the H….kind of statment is this?

  15. Rick says:

    Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

  16. YES, SARAH PALIN IS ANOTHER BIBLE THUMPING IDIOT.

    I HAVE NEVER LISTENED TO A WOMAN THAT IS SO STUPID.

    EVERYTHING OUT OF HER MOUTH IS A LIE.

    WHEN IS THIS WOMAN GOING TO SHUT UP!

  17. Marnie says:

    I don’t suppose she mentioned the one about heaven, and rich people and camels and eyes of needles did she?

    Probably not, but it is in the Bible.

    • lilybart says:

      She doesn’t mention JESUS much at all, if you notice. She has made a God in her image, and she likes to talk about that God, but Jesus is very inconvenient. His words about loving your enemies is a non-start.

  18. ibwilliamsi says:

    I hear that SP’s AK ratings are going down. :o)

  19. Bob Benner says:

    Do you know the only thing standing between Sarah Palin kissing Santa’s a$$ this Christmas in exchange for getting goodies in her stocking instead of sticks and coal…

    Answer: Lipstick

  20. Writing from Alaska says:

    PS recent poll says if Obama was up against Palin in 2012, he would win by about a 30 pt. margin. Something like that.

  21. Writing from Alaska says:

    Thank you for the quick summary with excellent counter points. 🙂

  22. Kilia says:

    Thank you, AKM. I know how hard this is for you.

  23. WakeUpAmerica says:

    You really should publish this and maybe call it Sarah Palin Paraphrased and Refudiated

  24. Blooper says:

    Question: If $P ‘writes’ a book and no one reads it, does it still not make any sense? 😉

  25. n djinn says:

    That Cross? Someone cut it down “like” 3 days ago. Hummmm.

  26. Elstun says:

    (Resubmitted with profanity edited out)

    “Mommy, Why Can’t I See Jesus?”
    “Well, Timmy, He is always with us & he watches everything we do. Now, God, His Father gave us Free Will and He is always testing our faith. If you could see Jesus all the time, that wouldn’t be much of a test, would it?…”
    “…Does Jesus Watch Me When I Poop?”
    “…uh…Well, He is there in case you need him”
    “…Would Jesus wipe my butt for me so I don’t plug up the toilet with too much paper and plug it up and then you get mad at me?”
    “…No, Timmy…Jesus wants you to learn to wipe yourself…”
    “…does Jesus poop?”
    “…no”
    “How do you know?”
    “…He doesn’t eat”
    “…how do you know?”
    “…Jesus is the Son of God and He doesn’t have to eat. He lives forever…”
    “…You told me I’m a child of God…”
    “…and you ARE, Timmy!”
    “Then why do I have to poop?”
    “Because you are a beautiful, living boy who eats food to grow strong…”
    (Interrupting)” …Is Jesus alive?”
    “…well…Yes, he is…He is Immortal”
    “Then how come He doesn’t have to poop?”
    (Annoyed) “…what’s with this ‘pooping’ stuff?”
    “I have to poop”
    “WELL, GO TO THE BATHROOM!”
    “…no.”
    (Mom takes Timmy’s hand) “GO!”
    (Timmy Screams) “NO!!!”
    (Mom makes eye contact) “What’s wrong, Timmy?”
    “I HATE Jesus!”
    (Mother is Shocked…)
    “I don’t want him to watch me poop!”

    MORAL OF THE STORY: If it doesn’t make sense to a kid, it probably is a bunch of bullsh*t…

    • BuffaloGal says:

      In 1960s South Buffalo most families were very Dem, very Catholic and the kids went to schools that taught a curriculum that was a smidge out of date.

      From age 6 until high school years we were all expected to go to public school by day and Catholic school during some evenings and on weekends. This meant that we were receiving ALL sorts of conflicting information in our education.

      During Catholic class one evening I raised my hand during a certain teaching. I asked , ” Who came first ? The cavemen or Adam and Eve ? ”

      The nun thought I was trying to mock and sent me out of the class. I was 10 , for goodness sake.

      Years later I read something along the lines of : God and any truth can hold their own to any line of questioning. Truth and God are not dependent on humans .

      Dear Sarah – Booyah!

  27. Lynn in Virginia says:

    Thanks AKM, for “taking one for the team” – certainly don’t think I’d ever be that brave. On an unrelated note” has anyone noticed that Fox News (the official “first responders” on the war against Christmas) are currently using a station ID that ends with “Happy HOLIDAYS from Fox News Corporation”? Don’t get me wrong – I don’t watch Fox on a regular basis – just like to stick my toe in on occasion, just to see what’s floating in the batsh*t crazy pool today…

  28. You are the bravest person I’ve ever not met! And braver than any I’ve met, too, also.

  29. Elstun says:

    “Mommy, Why Can’t I See Jesus?”
    “Well, Timmy, He is always with us & he watches everything we do. Now, God, His Father gave us Free Will and He is always testing our faith. If you could see Jesus all the time, that would be much of a test, would it?…”
    “…Does Jesus Watch Me When I Poop?”
    “…uh…Well, he is there in case you need him”
    “…Would Jesus wipe my butt for me so I don’t plug up the toilet with too much paper and plug it up and then you get mad at me?”
    “…No, Timmy…Jesus wants you to learn to wipe yourself…”
    “…does Jesus poop?”
    “…no”
    “How do you know?”
    “…He doesn’t eat”
    “…how do you know?”
    “…Jesus is the Son of God and he doesn’t have to eat. He lives forever…”
    “…You told me I’m a child of God…”
    “…and you ARE, Timmy!”
    “Then why do I have to poop?”
    “Because you are a beautiful, living boy who eats food to grow strong…”
    (Interrupting)” …Is Jesus alive?”
    “…well…Yes, he is…He is Immortal”
    “Then how come He doesn’t have to poop?”
    (Annoyed) “…what’s with this ‘pooping’ stuff?”
    “I have to poop”
    “WELL, GO TO THE BATHROOM!”
    “…no.”
    (Mom takes Timmy’s hand) “GO!”
    (Timmy Screams) “NO!!!”
    (Mom makes eye contact) “What’s wrong, Timmy?”
    “I HATE Jesus!”
    (Mother is Shocked…)
    “I don’t want him watch me poop!”

    MORAL OF THE STORY: If it doesn’t make sense to a kid, it probably is a bunch of bullshit…

  30. GA Peach says:

    Thought this interesting from Andrew Exum’s Abu Muqawama blog

    Afghanistan Trip Report: Part II

    “If you only read just one thing …

    … this essay by Mark Lilla (http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/19/magazine/19Religion-t.html) will get you thinking about how unique we Westerners are in having, among other things, this curious separation of church and state. There is a lot of intellectual history packed into this short essay, adapted from a longer book that someone should buy Sarah Palin for Christmas. “

    • bubbles says:

      Sarah don’t read. Sarah writes books for people who don’t read neither. also. too. fer sure.

      • CO almost native says:

        Sarah writes books?! I thought that Sarah writes tweets that a ghost writer attempts to lengthen into books…

      • ks sunflower says:

        Bubbles, you are always able to word things in such a refreshing way and get me laughing. Many, many thanks!

  31. Jaybee48 says:

    Thanks so much for ploughing through all this drivel and for giving us all a good laugh.
    I had a moment of blissful serendipity earlier today when looking at the Amazon bestseller list: Piranha Sal’s book was No 46 and dropping. At number 45 and rising was “The Zombie Survival Guide: Complete Protection from the Living Dead”. Wonderful!

  32. Zyxomma says:

    Dearest AKM, we thank you once again for taking one for the team. I will never read this so-called book. I’m happy that sales are tanking. Yesterday, I picked up a $ .50 paperback at my local library, because I’d read about it in NY Times Science section. It’s not nearly as good as I thought it would be. I may or may not finish it. I won’t be keeping it. My very limited space is for reference books, and those I’ll want to read again. No room for drivel, which means no room for Sowah, ever!

  33. maelewis says:

    The nice thing about practicing one’s faith, belief, philosophy, spirituality or religion is that one can. We can worship in our homes, churches, synagogues, mosques, temples, shrines, out in glorious nature or in a mysterious cult. Please put religious symbols on the front lawn of a house of worship or your own house, but I don’t want to pay for your religious symbols on government property. And, since each person is free to follow the religion of their choice (or not), Sarah is just stirring up the regular slogans which appeal to her base, the Religious Right. In fact, that book seems to be meant for Sarah’s followers. To the rest of us, it remains the ghost written work of a not-very-serious person. No wonder it isn’t selling so well.

  34. Xenon says:

    “I Hear America Praying”…

    What kind of messianic bullsh*t is this?!? Who does she think she is, Jim Jones?!? Only a matter of time until she rolls out the Kool-Aid and cyanide…

    • Blooper says:

      More like “I can hear America paying” (cha ching) into my SaraPAC fund.

    • CO almost native says:

      Yup. And she “borrowed” the title from Walt Whitman’s epic poem “I Hear America Singing”. Not one original thought in that twidiot’s head.

    • ks sunflower says:

      Hey – so long as she doesn’t roll out those Second Amendment Rights statements again.

    • Ripley in CT says:

      Not soon enough. I keep praying for the Rapture. Mayhaps Santa will bring it.

      AKM, does she mention the blasphemy that is Santa Claus in the book? I wonder if Satan Claus comes to her house. I don’t think the baby Jesus would like it if the reborn bought presents and presented them to their children as from Santa. Just wonderin’.

  35. TrueBlueGirl says:

    Sarah reminds us with this book that she is nothing more than the worst kind of heckler, with the voice of a donkey braying for no reason, just because she can

  36. Tanaga12 says:

    My Grandmother just bought all of my relatives a copy of this book for Christmas – with the exception of my mother and myself (of course). It makes me sad that we are so different, yet exceedingly happy that, given the first opportunity I bolted from Indiana to Alaska many years ago. I guess having membership in my own family, I expect to understand some of this commonsense conservative thinking. Mom, who has dealt with this all of her life yet is a strong-willed progressive, assures me that it’s not about thinking. It’s more about faith. Palin seems to have the ability to tap into their need to connect and believe in something beyond themselves. It seems to me that it is more a lack of faith in oneself and in people in general. I have faith in you all so I’m going to hang out here for a while to feel normal again! Thanks for the humor!

    • lilybart says:

      Bet once they try to read it, they will not get past a chapter or two. There really is no there, there.

      • Tanaga12 says:

        I don’t know that it’s actually reading in the sense that they take in the author’s thoughts and contemplate the meaning. Maybe it’s more like skimming through until something clicks to reaffirm what they already believe. Palin seems to have a point that a lot of people don’t really care about things like facts, figures, and references… there doesn’t seem to be a need for anything of substance if her followers never question her and berate anyone who does. And these aren’t all illiterate people, but functioning, good hearted community members. It really baffles me.

    • ks sunflower says:

      I think you mother is on to something important. I agree with her point that the bots needs to feel part of something bigger than themselves. What a pity, they latched onto such an empty, angry vessel and poured their hopes into the sham that is Sarah Palin. Most of the people I know who are really and truly died-the-wool ultra conservatives and extreme fundamentalists are that way because, as you say, they have no self-esteem, no belief that they can face life by themselves or without heavy philosophical armor. Their fears limit them and make them a danger to themselves and others because they lack the ability to think on their own, relax and enjoy life and the diversity of people around them. What a pity – for them and for us.

      Give your mother a hug from all of us. That she has endured all this time and raised you so well is a testament to her self-confidence and tolerance of family members who probably have little tolerance for you or you. Sure am glad you got away from those who would have you fear your own heart.

      • ks sunflower says:

        oops- “little tolerance for her or for you.” sigh – been a rough day. The flu has hit our household.

      • Tanaga12 says:

        Thanks ks sunflower! I will do just that. Her support has allowed me the freedom to follow my own path. Soooo I’m sitting here trying to think of something to send to Grandma for Christmas. ‘Going Rouge: An American nightmare’ came to mind, but that would just be interpreted as me being a smarty pants… maybe something way over the top Palin like a bumpit? one of those floating Palin head tree ornaments? a key chain wolf leg?

  37. Palmerite says:

    We were at Costco on Bagaw yesterday and an author signing her book was telling me that she had been over at the store on Dimond the day before. The talk going around was that Sarah is going to be at the Dimond Costco signing her books. She said she didn’t know if it was true or not. Is Sarah back in Alaska yet????

    • Kim says:

      The Dimond Costco bit is true. I was there last week chatting with another local author (signing/selling his amazing Anchorage coffee table photo book) and that’s what he had been told. I heard it again today from other parents at my daughter’s school.

      I wish it weren’t true– I need to do some shopping!

      The display of her books is relatively small– compared to sock displays or holiday decorations, but it is very prominently displayed at the store entrance.

    • Martha Unalaska Yard Sign says:

      Take those ripe tomatoes! She loves to wear red!

      • North of the Range says:

        Or if you must be in the store that day, make brightly colored paper signs to stick on a few cases of tomatoes in the produce aisle–

        “Ammo Special! One day only”

        A few people will get it.

  38. Lee323 says:

    “In which we learn that Sarah Palin is shocked at politicians ‘speaking out of both sides of their mouths.’ ”

    What’s really shocking is that Palin speaks out of both ends of her alimentary canal, and both ends sound the same.

  39. Waay Out West says:

    I know others have said it also too but thank you for pre-digesting this so I don’t have to

  40. zyggy says:

    Twidiot!!!! That one will stick to her like glue. OMG that is just too funny.

  41. Diane says:

    I can’t believe that people used their hard earned dollars to buy this book.(Besides she who bought the book for our entertainment, Thanks!).
    There is nothing new. Palin has not come up with new philosophies. These sound like her speeches regurgitated.

    Oh well. Could you imagine if a Democratic presidential hopeful wrote a book like this? The republicans would be screaming about that persons unsuitability for office. I don’t think I have ever read a book by a Democrat that was this poorly written. She was a Journalism major, right? Even worse.

    • Waay Out West says:

      I doubt many paid full price except those who bought at bookstores so they could get it signed. Amazon had it deeply discounted before she had even finished her book tour. How deep is deeply? 50% off, and if you buy from Amazon 3P sellers $9.35

  42. Auni Uskoski says:

    I watched President Obama leaving the meeting with 20 top CEO’s yesterday. I was thinking of how Sarah would possibly manage a meeting of that type–to say nothing of how she would deal with world leaders. I’m thinking she just doesn’t get what a complex, demanding job the president has–her view is so shallow–it’s mind-boggling.

    • Dagian says:

      “how Sarah would possibly manage a meeting of that type”

      She’d smack her gum louder and faster, naturally!

      • dahlia97 says:

        short skirts and lots of winking?

        • Dagian says:

          Gidget does Diplomacy!

          Darn. Gidget was a very young woman, Sarah doesn’t seem to have realized that she’s too old to play an ingenue.

    • Blooper says:

      #P would demand that the CEOs bring her gift bags full of whatever they produce/sell in order to have an audience with her heinousness.

  43. Terry in Maryland says:

    “Why, oh why are people so offended by little babies lying in mangers, or moral codes?”

    Sarah’s going on about moral codes? Perhaps Walter Monegan has an opinion on that.

  44. Cammie says:

    Nice little gig she’s got here with the Resentment Politics thing. You don’t ever have to actually do anything, just constantly bitch and the money rolls into your fraudulent PAC.

    It’s like she just cut and pasted from various comments on rightwing blogs. I have read these same stale grievances over and over and over.

  45. TX SMR says:

    blah blah blah blah blah. One finger pointing at someone else, two fingers pointing back at herself.

    She is the biggest hypocrite ever. The people who support her are the biggest hypocrites ever. There is absolutely no justifying it except to understand that those people (the quitter included) are hypocritical and completely, totally, 100% unself-aware. Or perhaps they are quite aware that they are hypocrites, have ugly hearts, etc., but they just don’t care.

    Now off to take finals!

    • bubbles says:

      TxSMR i woke this morning to a breathtaking e-mail from a beloved mudpup. it made me think of all the pups i have met over the past two years. so to all you pups out there wherever you are.whatever your condition. you make me glad. you help me be well. you make me courageous and courteous. in my eyes you are just about perfect

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTM3f7qKG9w

  46. Mo says:

    Someone is _actually married_ to Jonah “Doughy Pantload” Goldberg????!!!!!

    Wow. ‘Splains a lot about La Ghostwritadora.

  47. sue_in_alaska says:

    If it weren’t for your meaningful comments I’d never be able to even read this condensed version. Thanks for risking your life to do this for the masses.

  48. JSB408 says:

    (*Note to self – Beating one’s self on the forehead with the book, does not make the pain go away.)

    But just think how good it is going to feel when you stop.

    Thank You for reading this for us… Thank You

  49. Hope says:

    This is a reality show waiting to happen. What is a distortionist in chief.

    Let’s have Glenn Beck call her out. Did you catch this on Rachel Maddow’s interview? She use to be a fan of Beck.
    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/12/16/rachel-maddow-letterman-beck_n_797532.html

  50. George says:

    Thanks from N.C. for exposing the Fraud of the Century. Saw McCain on FIXX -not- News this AM ( I needed to throw up and couldn’t find a video of Scarah) and he was inviting the tea baggers to pick up their pitch forks and come to DC to protest well everything Obama. First he invites the Wasilla Plague onto the National scene then he jumps on board that train of doom. I would like to dedicate the Dylan song “Idiot Wind” from Blood on the Tracks to both of those hypocrites.

    “Idiot wind blowing every time you move your mouth
    Blowing down the backroads heading south
    Idiot wind blowing every time you move your teeth
    You’re an idiot babe
    It’s a wonder that you still know how to breathe.”

    • Waay Out West says:

      Keith Olbermann yesterday, $creech free:

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-Y5jPyBrIM

      Upchuck warning, those with sensitive stomachs should know there are there are at least two $creechy quotes in this clip from MSNBC.

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_p2fQfPSG5o

      • prisonernumbersix says:

        I couldn’t help thinking as I looked at her in this clip. “Knish,” “Knish,” “Knish!”

        I know you would have to be from Pittsburgh or Western Pennsylvania and be a child in the early Fifties to appreciate this, but “Knish was a puppet-like creation of Hank Stohl, a local TV personality, that was comprised of an old-fashioned mop handle and a bulbous wood brush handle for a nose. It was supposed to be so stupid and silly that it was endearing. Scarah looks like that, but I can’t see “endearing.”

    • DF says:

      I can’t tell you how much disdain I feel for McCain! Being an Arizonan who lived in Alaska for 25 years, I can’t tell you the thoughts that go through my brain when I watch this man casually bury all of his previous logic and intelligence. What happened? Was it $P who moved him? Where is he going and when will he be gone?

  51. kate says:

    “Why, oh why are people so offended by little babies lying in mangers”

    Which people? Which little babies? Which mangers? Perhaps people are offended that those babies need medical care, which might possibly come out of TAX DOLLARS. Perhaps people are offended that there are homeless babies. Perhaps people feel that mangers aren’t appropriate places for babies to be, and that the government should do MORE to help ensure that infants and children are properly clothed and fed.

    But if we are talking about statues of the baby Jesus, people aren’t offended by the little baby. (Indeed in some places Gov. Palin would be called out as sacreligious for using the image so casually). In that specific case, what people object to is the presumed use of government space for a religious symbol.

    • lilybart says:

      Religious people can put a nativity scene on every yard of every home, every church, hang crosses on their place of business, put fish bumper stickers on their cars, wear god-themed clothes….geez,can’t they leave the public library and the parks out of it!!!

  52. jimzmum says:

    Twidiot! My new favorite word. I could not read much of her continuation of “true” religious scholarship. I skimmed, but enough sunk in that I do believe twidiot is perhaps not quite strong enough.

  53. Susabelle says:

    Where were the Editors? Oh yes, they did not looks at the grade school text..They just looked at $$$$$
    This book is a waste of trees. May God (who ever she is) deliver us of this person.

    • frsbdg says:

      Here’s an interesting question: which is a greater waste of trees – the books that have been purchased and read, or the hundreds of thousands of books that will go unsold?

      • Nan (aka roswellborn) says:

        Easy. The books that (heaven help me for saying this) that go unsold.

        There is always the hope, however faint, that reason might return when someone tries to make sense of some of the verbosity. (ya just cain’t hardly call it prose, now, can ya?)

      • Dagian says:

        The unsold books get shipped back to the publishers and then sent out to be shredded and turned into post-consumer recycled paper products.

        Sometimes they are donated by the ton to various relief agencies, mobile libraries, etc.

        In this instance, I recommend that this “book” be donated to real RELIEF efforts. The pages will make dandy toilet paper.

        • bubbles says:

          olbermann’s take on America’s Tarts and Hearts:

          http://www.politicususa.com/en/olbermann-palin-book
          i read somewhere that a house built out of books cemented together makes a very sturdy domicile. just thinking if we took all the unsold Palin books and the one AKM has we could probably build a few nice little bungalows in Haiti for very little money. hmm mmm.

          • Zyxomma says:

            From the article: “Sarah Palin is cult of personality built on a small, but loud and dedicated following. She is a failed governor, a failed vice presidential candidate, and now a failure as an author. The only thing Sarah Palin has been successful [at] is convincing people to pay her for being Sarah Palin, which is a nice gig if you can get it. The sad thing is that the Republican Party is in such a poor state that Palin’s following is certain to make her a serious 2012 GOP presidential contender. Even if she should be successful in capturing her party’s nomination, Palin had better make space of [sic] her resume of fail for a new entry, failed presidential candidate.”

            [ ] by yours truly

          • Hope says:

            Maybe she can use them to build fences!

          • merrycricket says:

            I wouldn’t want to live in on of those houses. To much crazy glued into the walls.

        • ks sunflower says:

          Perfect: toilet paper! Good job, Dagian, good job.

        • A Fan From Chicago says:

          I would use them to build a 14 foot fence to replace the one that Todd put up.

        • Carole says:

          KO mentioned that 1 Million were printed based on the 811,000+ sales from her first book at this point in sales time; however the second book has sold only 114,000+ in the same length of time. There is always hope the publishers will realize that it’s not worth the investment and this could serve well to eliminate any future books from her. Can only hope. 🙂

          • ks sunflower says:

            I’m hoping hoping, hoping. Of course, probably not as much as AKM. I’m pretty sure she never, ever wants to have to read another book ghostwritten for Palin (or horrids, one actually written by her).

          • Krubozumo Nyankoye says:

            Harper Collins is also owned by News Corp. hence there will undoubtedly be more books ghostwritten for Palin. Murdoch can squander a few million without a blink. I wonder – since he is a US citizen – how much he pays in taxes? You might also wonder whether is Saudi Arabian share holders have any influence on the information slant.

            Just pointing out the obvious.

        • fromthediagonal says:

          Thanks for the info of recycling unused books into post-consumer paper products like kitchen towels and bathroom tissue. The thought that I may have already been using SP’s ghost writers’ stream of unconsciousness in a very appropriate way makes me feel great.
          (Wiping a big grin off my face and trying to stay politically correct! in my wording).

        • Gramiam says:

          The donation concept is truly frightening!

      • Kkaye says:

        Oh, all of ’em!

  54. prisonernumbersix says:

    Scarah takes us for yet another journey down the alimentary canal!

    As has been said by others before me, this is not “writing,” it is typing.

  55. Jane in NC says:

    That was hilarious; may as well laugh as cry.

    I watched the movie “The Crucible” last night. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. Sarah “Abigal” Palin?

  56. g says:

    Jessica Gavora’s Wikipedia entry surprised me:

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jessica_Gavora

    I knew she was married to Jonah Goldberg but I didn’t know she was raised in Fairbanks and supposedly played basketball against Sarah Palin in high school.

    • jojobo1 says:

      Noticed it was notified on Dec 9th 2010 Wikipedia can be changed by anyone.Now they have to sign to modify but you didn’t a few years ago.someone could go in and change things at will.I found that out a few years ago by fact checking some one about the facts from there and the facts were different in a matter of hours.Someone complained and they changed how you could add.

  57. Alaska Pi says:

    Dear whatzername-
    mmmm,mmm, mmmm, hon.
    All this pontificating about things which you know not is taking a toll on you, dear.
    See, a lot of folks keep saying you don’t think and are illogical and all but what I keep seeing is that you chose a logical model which runs out of steam at about premise 2 because of shaky underpinnings and slips underwater at about premise 4…
    Logic is a human activity which needs a lot of attention to stay relevant and truth seeking and yours is shot through with so many unconsidered stances as to be like building a house out of the sawdust left after carpenter ants attack your lumber pile…

    Mr Reagan inspired :

    hymn

    BRAND NEW JESUS
    from
    Buddy Tabor, Alaskan songwriter

    I dreamed Jesus came back down to earth
    And to him the poor had very little worth
    And the meek shall perish by the hand
    of the conquerors of this proud land
    And the peacemakers shall die one by one
    Come and see this brand new thing I have done

    refrain:
    I only died to forgive the sins of the wealthy, the elite
    I don’t like to hang around the whores and the homeless on the street
    Let them try to find a job if they really want to eat
    I gave up on these people a long time ago
    When I turned those loaves and fishes into stone

    I do not turn the other cheek no more
    And I’ve got an appetite for blood and war
    And those who show no mercy shall inherit even more
    I’ll even show you how to sharpen up your sword

    Brand new Jesus, brand new plan
    Brand new Jesus, right wing man

    refrain:
    I only died to forgive the sins of the wealthy. the elite…

    and folks like you so he pretty much sunk any claim to morality or high road or suchlike . Just sayin…

    I think you might be able to save this book if you get a couple chapters added before and after the body of your text and market it as a handbook on how to identify fallacies of logic. It would mean having to step off your cardboard box and accept that marketing a product includes the demand side of the equation.
    There’s less and less demand for the rutabaga thinking you have such a supply of, ya know…

    • bubbles says:

      (((ALASKA PI)))
      fabulous. outstanding. Buddy Tabor is a righteous songwriter. applause!!

    • lilybart says:

      Thanks for that, have been sending it along..

    • curiouser says:

      Alask Pi – Thank you for these lyrics and your powerfully written comment.

    • DF says:

      Love that last part: Supply & Demand! I don’t think $he’ll take your advice in this regard, Pi. She’s so willing to supply her word salad to a public who already has a healthy garden patch from which to harvest. Pretty magnanimous of her to provide so much more to non demanding Americans — it’s a gift really, when you think about it! 🙂

  58. Shadow's Heart says:

    I hear America praying also too. We’re all praying she’ll go away!! And the sooner the better for all of us!!

    • Zyxomma says:

      From the comments section of this article:

      “The American fascist would prefer not to use violence. His method is to poison the channels of information. With a fascist the problem is never how best to present the truth but how best to use the news to deceive the public into giving the fascist and his group more money and more power.
      They claim to be superpatriots, but they would destroy every liberty guaranteed by the Constitution. They demand free enterprise but are the spokesmen for monopoly and vested interest. Their final objective toward which all their deceit is directed is to capture political power so that, using the power of the state and the power of the market simultaneously, they may keep the common man in eternal subjugation”

      Vice President Henry Wallace

    • CO almost native says:

      Oh yes, Newt is so pious. He had an affair with a much younger chick and divorced his wife (number 1? number 2?) while she was going through cancer treatment. Such a role model…

      • jojobo1 says:

        But that’s ok because he is a republican and he says I am sorry when talking to his c street friends

  59. essjay says:

    Lilybart: “Total crap, piled high.”
    I couldn’t agree more heartily. May it fall over on her. Soon, please.

  60. lilybart says:

    No wonder this “book” is not selling. There is NOTHING in there but rehashing of old stories of crosses on public land, yada yada, nothing new, NOTHING, new. Total crap, piled high.

  61. lilybart says:

    “why are people so upset about a Muslim community center? I mean, live an let live!”

    • Blooper says:

      Hah — yeah no kidding!

    • jojobo1 says:

      Makes on wonder if her bots even really listen to her.She says something one time than something else another time and she claims others speak with (forked tongues),And no I am not Indian I just like that term as it describes some people so accurately.

  62. lilybart says:

    Where God is not recognized, there is tyranny.

    PLENTY of tyranny in places where they recognize God, PLENTY!!

    In fact, the more GOD they have in a society, the more tyranny, funny that.

    • GrainneKathleen says:

      excellent point! religion is used as a way to control the people in many countries – one of the many reasons why the founders neutered it.

    • merrycricket says:

      Amen to that!

    • DF says:

      I tried to think of something to say about tyranny, lilybart, but you said it all. Thank you!

      I like to call myself a Kinder,Gentler Aetheist as aetheism conjures up so many negative thoughts. Interestingly, so do many other adjectives/nouns regarding other belief systems. Are there Kinder, Gentler Conservatives [Baptists, Muslims, Catholics, Agnostics, Hindus, etc, etc] out there? Since I run into them everyday, YES, there are!

      There is no rubber stamping of human beliefs. Perhaps it would be possible if cloning were legalized! Which sect would be prominent, do you think? Talk about conjuring up negative thoughts!

      Whenever you tell someone how to think, you create a kind of tyranny.

  63. Bretta says:

    I can’t do it. I tried, but after four words my eyes crossed and my brain had a seizure.

    Love your work AKM but I cannot take another minute of the quitter twitter logo vomitus.

    Good Job AKM. Thank you for trying. I am sorry to not be able to participate.

    I will donate $$ to SPCA and/or Anchorage Animal Care and Control Center in honor of you, Jeanne.

    Thank you again.

  64. VTJen says:

    This is most painful for me to read and I’m getting the watered-down, AKM snark version. I’m feeling your pain my dear.

  65. SendLawyersGunsAndMoney says:

    “Twidiot”….hahahahah. Thanks, that is the best part of your installment today. That word is added to my vocabulary AND scrabble list.

    BTW, as a devout athiest, I have come to the conclusion that sanctimonious religious twits that just can’t understand history can only be cured with a baseball bat. Thankfully most religious people are far from that, or I would buy stock in Louisville Sluggers.

  66. Dagian says:

    You deserve our thanks, our blessings and our gratitude.

    Would you settle for a donation upon completion of this “book” review?