Palin on Whether She Ever Tried to Ban Books: 'It's an Old Wives' Tale'

As an independent voter… I vote for some Democrats and some Republicans. I try to choose who I think will be the best person for the job and country. I must admit I was glad to see Obama beat Hillary, because she scares the hell out of me. But the more I learn (the unknowns, the personal ties), the more it scares me that it could be disastrous for the country.
There are so many posts in this column and what was said in “the interview”, that “makes my blood boil”. Some people really don’t have a clue. I’m not going to call them dumb or stupid like some of the other comments.
I’m very surprised the Republicans have not jumped all over the fact that so many of the problems with what is going on right now started when the Democrats got control of Congress and the Senate. They blame the president! How was it the Presidents fault that the banks made stupid loans to people who could not afford a $300,000 home while making $20,000 a year? How is it the Presidents fault that oil went to $140 + a barrel? Not all, but much of what is wrong with the economy now is the high price of fuel. Job loss included. I may be wrong… But I believe, if they lifted the ban on drilling (without ever drilling a single well, oil prices would plummet. Congress also needs to look into why oil has gone down 40% recently, but fuel prices have barely dropped.
I’m also appalled at how the Dems, Hillary, & Charlie claim that while “Bill” was president he created 20 + million jobs. The “Bill” who was more responsible for those job creations was Bill Gates, NOT Bill Clinton. It was the technology boom ( personal computers & internet) that created the majority of those jobs. The President got lucky that it happened during his watch. Hell, Al Gore was more responsible for those jobs than Clinton… Remember, he invented the internet!
Like one poster stated… Pick the lesser of the 2 evils. It really is a “crap shoot”. But I do know, at least with a Republican President, the Democratic Congress & Senate (which so many people must not understand, has more power than the president on many issues & policies) will have less chance of passing “bad for the country” laws, changes, and entitlements.

"What irks me more that anything else is Obama's rabid supporters. I was very impressed with his speech in 2004, although at this point I can't vote for him because of his past associations. McCain is not perfect, but he is not as bad as they are attempting to portray him to be. Bottom line is that the more the far left attacks McCain and Palin, the more I gravitate towards them. I'll vote Republican for the first time at the top of the ticket and vote Dem on down. I don't have a problem with a Repub President and a democratically controlled Congress. That will force them to all work together."

Mack:
Please help me understand Sen. Obama past associations? Then help me understand Sen. McCain past associations?

I can't believe you are even bothered by the supporters for Sen. Obama apparently those supporters want change and believe that he can change things. Neither Senators McCain or Obama past is squeaky clean and yes, they have each asked for "earmarks" among other things, but when the curtains are down and the lights are off they are two individuals that have made some mistakes with how they help govern this country. However, Sen. McCain has been in the Senate a heck of a lot longer than Sen. Obama and the question again becomes what has he changed/reformed?

Here is what bothers me: at the republican convention Sen. McCain said well yeah we screwed you and told you that we were going to change Washington these last 8 years but voting for George Bush, but if you vote for me I promise to clean up Washington and help the lobbyist with their agenda...so vote for me and watch me screw you over once again for another 4 years... I know he didn't say this directly but that is certainly what I and millions of others got out of his speech. Only this time he is making it known that Roe v. Wade is something that he wants to change and perhaps that will be the only change in Washington. One thing I do know is that I am not willing to vote for someone like that. For us in Ohio...our rights is a big part of the voting especially for the women.

The democrats have been in charge of congress for the past two years... They have not worked together on anything.

UNBELIEVABLE! !! Now she is putting down “old wives” for making the comment “that’s an old wives tale” Give me a break! Hasn’t anyone ever heard that expression before? I wasn’t aware that it was meant to mean they were stupid. It amazes me how things people say can be so twisted around to meet their agenda. She should have said the more “politically correct” … “urban legend” I guess.
Another example of twisting facts and figures to meet their agenda is the federal money given to the states. Call it what you want (earmarks – federal assistance, etc.). I don’t know the amounts but I would bet Illinois got much more money than Alaska, but they use the per person amount to make it look better for their side. And last time I looked… Alaska is a much bigger state. Why don’t they use how much per square mile they got compared to Illinois? I would think making improvements to the infrastructure is much more costly way up there also. Every single state in this union relies heavily on federal money for infrastructure improvements. I come from the state of Nevada… Home of the “Great Harry Reid”. Why don’t they compare the federal dollars received to Nevada, or look into the Interchange built in the middle of nowhere where one of his “buddies” owns land (that good ole’ Harry used to own). Nobody can argue (intelligently)… that something needs to be done with the “earmarks & pork barrel spending”. It is a huge problem with congress & the senate.

NO MORE LIES, ENOUGH IS ENOUGH

Look what it got us the last 8 yrs, the worst president in the history

ENOUGH

McCalin/Palin = LIARS

This woman is as big of a LIAR as McCain

Greg:
I didn't miss anything of which Gov. Palin said. While she might have used those terms with the Gibson interview she has openly share her thoughs and opinions about this subject a lot. Perhaps you don't understand because you are a man and you don't have to bare the thought of someone regardless of whether they are the president/VP/federal/state or local government tellying you what to do with your body. Women have fought long and hard in this country for our rights and I certainly don't want anyone telling me what I can do with my body.

BTW, Gov. Palin is running for VP and therefore she will clean up whatever comments and or opinions about this particular subject to get the votes! She is no different than either of the top tickets.

And on that note, I will agree to disagree with you, because I don't like getting into heated unnecessary debates about "what I should do with my body."

McCain/Palin want government to have control over a woman's body. Nice touch John and Sarah.

Let's hope Palin won't have to have McCain decide if she should have another kid again or not.

LOL, they cant be anymore liars that her running mate McBush is. His lies cover up lies, lies on top of lies. What a joke!

Jiff

Anyone who knows anything about PUBLIC libraries knows that they are quite often targets for extreme elements ON BOTH SIDES, wanting to ban or add controversial books, which makes life very difficult for the librarians, and ultimately for the chief public officials who are responsible for oversight. Years ago, when I was interviewed for a local public library "paraprofessional" position (because I did not have an MLS degree), the two interviews I had were centered around how I would respond when confronted by an angry patron demanding that a certain book be removed from the library. As I did not get the job, I guess my answer, which I thought was very reasonable, was not good enough for the Head Librarian, who, of course, would have had her job on the line if such a situation blew up and became the focus of a very public First Amendment issue.

A second issue arose in the Medical Library School Library where I was employed, when it was brought to the Head Librarian's attention that one of the best anatomy books in our collection had been authored by a Nazi doctor, and contained pictures of what most likely were victims of the Holocaust and/or medical experiments. After much "soul-searching" and debate, which included proposing the "banning" of the book from the collection, it was finally decided to place the book in the Reserve Collection and to have a special explanatory and commemorative book plate, which with all due modesty was my suggestion, placed inside the front cover. This was done because of the very high MEDICAL value of the material, which was obtained by the very worst of means, a great conflict indeed. Had this issue become PUBLIC knowledge, it could have gotten out of hand, as the school is part of our state university system, which would have involved the state, rather than just the local government.

Lastly, only a little over a year ago, our tiny local town, which is in a very liberal state, was involved in a test case of the Patriot Act requirement that mandated the release of certain library patrons' "reading records" on the demand of the US Government. Four librarians were involved, one of whom was our town's Head Librarian, and the battle was joined. Well, the librarians' defense of the right to privacy prevailed and our Librarian became an instant local "hero", who still holds his job.

What does all this mean? Well, first that the First Amendment is an especially important barrier against tyranny. Second, that librarians have taken a very firm stand on defending it, to the extent of risking their jobs, future employment, and their professional reputations.

With regard to the brouhaha over then Mayor Palin's HYPOTHETICAL question to the town librarian, in view of her ultimate responsibility as mayor, it is, in my view, a "manufactured" issue, but that in actuality the question itself is something that any responsible mayor should ask of their chief subordinates, especially since they, themselves, might have to defend their decisions in a very public battle. Also, from the description of the alleged "hit list" of books that Mayor Palin supposedly wanted banned, at least four of them, from the "Harry Potter" series, had not even been published at the time this incident occurred. Thus it would appear, to take a lead from Senator Obama, that something stinks.

Oh, and lest someone accuse me of being a reactionary Republican, or flaming Conservative, please note that I am not. In reality, I am an Independent, who could not vote for Senator Hillary Clinton because of state law, who WILL NOT vote for Senator Obama, and who is considering voting for the Republican ticket, although I feel somewhat anxious about that decision. However, I have to say that I am very impressed with Governor Palin and have no doubt that she could set aside some of her PERSONAL views for the good of the country. Despite her "lack of experience", I have no doubts about her ability to serve this country as President, should the need arise. Besides, a Republican administration vs. a Democratic Congress should prove to be self-regulating. I would really fear a Democratic administration, even had Senator Clinton been the nominee, with a Democratic Congress, at this point in time.

The Library director was outraged when Palin asked her more than once about how to go about banning books.
The letter,signed by Palin, terminating the librarian was printed in the Anchorage newspaper. There was a massive public outcry and Palin buckled to the public pressure and reinstated the Librarian.
The townspeople say Palin did not make life easy for the Librarian after that.
She has since transferred to another town and and prefers not to discuss, what she says what a very unpleasant period in her life.

There were witnesses to Palin's asking the town librarian what her response would be if she were asked to remove objectionable books. Perhaps Gibson should have worded the question differently. Instead of asking if she ever tried to ban books, he should have questioned her as to whether she asked the librarian about removing books from the library's collection. Just the very fact that she asked such a thing should cause concern among Americans who value their rights and abhor someone censoring what books we chose to read.

As per an ABC's Brian Ross investigative piece aired on GMA, a local church at this time was looking into getting books on gay topics taken out of the library and local retailer(s).

A subtle crack on Cindy McCain by Palin.

Palin owes America an apology.

Did any notice that no interviewer has ever asked Obama what his economic experience is?

Nice fairy tale which doesn't match the facts.

Gregg

What she said really is that they will overturn roe vs wade... Its that simple! Thats the only way state could decide! Dont push away my fellow republicans with your lies!

Roe vs wade is over!

GOP GOP GOP

"I am sick of LIARS"

This is a stupid post. It has nothing to do with anything and adds zero.

The typical Obama supporter.

Obama is highly knowledgeable about foreign affairs?

Is that why he suggested the UN Security Council meet to consider Russia's actions when it invaded Georgia? Obama seemed not to know that Russia is a permanent member of the Security Council and would/could veto any action.

I bet even Palin knew that.

As has been noted, Gibson was out to embarass Palin, while Stephanopoulos held Obama's hand.

The double standard is obscene.

Palin doesn't seem to mind calling women "old wives". Wonder why she didn't say "old wives with lipstick on"?

Gregg - what's the difference between the federal government deciding what rights women have over their bodies or the state government? It's still a government lording it over women and telling them they have no rights. It's NOBODY'S business but the woman's. There's that old saying - if men got pregnant, legal abortions would not be questioned. This issue has turned me into a one-issue voter. I will not vote for anyone who demeans women's rights in such a manner as to tell them their bodies do not belong to them.