Posts by Mark Harris

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  • Hard News: Weekend Warriors,

    I've read through the transcripts of interviews re Troopergate, and the report, and I've got to say that, while Wooten seems to be a big noter with anger issues, the "evidence" against him is preposterous. What's really interesting is how inarticulate Palin is most of the time when responding to questions that she hasn't prepared for. Where she finds her voice is for stuff she's rehashed or for political sidelines. I'm surprised Sgt Wall didn't mark her down as an unreliable witness.

    And, if you're looking for poor judgement, how about that glowing reference she wrote in 2000 for someone she obviously had little knowledge of?

    Waikanae • Since Jul 2008 • 1343 posts Report

  • Hard News: Weekend Warriors,

    I just received a notification from FactCheck.org re "Sliming Palin"

    We've been flooded for the past few days with queries about dubious Internet postings and mass e-mail messages making claims about McCain's running mate, Gov. Palin. We find that many are completely false, or misleading.

    * Palin did not cut funding for special needs education in Alaska
    by 62 percent. She didn't cut it at all. In fact, she tripled
    per-pupil funding over just three years.

    * She did not demand that books be banned from the Wasilla
    library. Some of the books on a widely circulated list were not even
    in print at the time. The librarian has said Palin asked a "What if?"
    question, but the librarian continued in her job through most of
    Palin's first term.

    * She was never a member of the Alaskan Independence Party, a
    group that wants Alaskans to vote on whether they wish to secede from the United States. She’s been registered as a Republican since May 1982.

    * Palin never endorsed or supported Pat Buchanan for president.
    She once wore a Buchanan button as a "courtesty" when he visited
    Wasilla, but shortly afterward she was appointed to co-chair of the
    campaign of Steve Forbes in the state.

    * Palin has not pushed for teaching creationism in Alaska's
    schools. She has said that students should be allowed to "debate both sides" of the evolution question, but she also said creationism
    "doesn't have to be part of the curriculum."

    A few of these claims were included in a chain e-mail by a woman named Anne Kilkenny. We'll be looking into other charges in that e-mail for a future story. For more explanation of the bullet points above, please read the Analysis.

    Note: This is a summary only. The full article with analysis, images
    and citations may be viewed on our Web site:

    http://www.factcheck.org/mobile/article.php?id=740

    FactCheck is usually pretty impartial, so I'm inclined to give them the benefit of the doubt. Besides, we all know that a lot of the stuff on the nets and quoted here is bullshit.

    THe stuff that isn't bullshit is enough to give one pause though. I'm hapfway through the inquiry note on Wooten that Russ linked to earlier. Talk about muddying the waters and hearsay! Palin hired a PI to go round and question people before the assigned investigator got to them. Rehearsing witnesses, anyone?

    Waikanae • Since Jul 2008 • 1343 posts Report

  • Hard News: Weekend Warriors,

    FTA

    Palin Left Behind Almost $19 Million In Long-Term Debt, Compared to None Before She Was Mayor.

    And she got $27m in earmarks for Wasilla? Which means a spend of at least $36m over 6 years

    In a town of (at the time) 5000 people.

    Unbelievable

    Waikanae • Since Jul 2008 • 1343 posts Report

  • Hard News: Go Us,

    Would people please stop feeding the troll?

    Waikanae • Since Jul 2008 • 1343 posts Report

  • Hard News: Weekend Warriors,

    but if the public service is going to stage a talking shop about journalists' work, it should bloody well invite some journalists along.

    I wasn't there, but Simon Pound was, and he'll be preparing a report for Media7.

    Is that tacit acknowledgement that Simon isn't really a journalist ? :^)

    Waikanae • Since Jul 2008 • 1343 posts Report

  • Hard News: Go Us,

    <pedant>Sartre's play was actually called Huit Clos which can be translated as In Camera among other things, and is a legal term under French law, meaning in camera</pedant>

    Moving on, Canterbury - your next question, for 10 points is...

    Waikanae • Since Jul 2008 • 1343 posts Report

  • Hard News: The out-of-control manchild…,

    @simon

    although parts of it were shot in my dinning room

    which is the room you use to make a lot of noise? Sounds appropriate :-)

    Waikanae • Since Jul 2008 • 1343 posts Report

  • Hard News: Go Us,

    /pusing/pushing

    Waikanae • Since Jul 2008 • 1343 posts Report

  • Hard News: Go Us,

    @ Frum

    So: a great success. Palin revealed one of the sharpest political talents the Republican party has seen in a generation. She electrified the hall and added a powerful asset to a troubled ticket.

    Wha?? Obviously, he's pusing a party line. Either that or we didn't watch the same speech.

    Waikanae • Since Jul 2008 • 1343 posts Report

  • Hard News: Go Us,

    On a lighter note, The Daily Show totally nailed the hypocrisy of the Republican spinmachine

    Brilliant, John. "In Dick Morris' defence, he's a lying sack of shit."

    Waikanae • Since Jul 2008 • 1343 posts Report

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