**UPDATED with statement from FOX40 News**
Courtesy of The Right Scoop
Another shining example of the disrespect that is heaped upon conservatives, in general, and Governor Sarah Palin, specifically…
After giving a speech at California State University, Stanislaus, the governor was mocked by cameramen from Sacramento’s FOX40 station who were covering the event live. The best quote (may not be exact due to audio quality):
Now we know the dumbness doesn’t just come from soundbytes…
The video didn’t capture all of their commentary, but you get the idea. We’ll just wait here for the FOX40 apology to Governor Palin and the unsuspecting public who wanted to tune in and hear what she had to say.
Stay classy, “objective” media.
- tdc
FOX40 Contact Info:
- Phone Number - Main: (916) 454-4422
- FOX40 Live - Leigh Anne Keys, FOX40 Live Exec. Producer - leighanne.keys@fox40.com
*UPDATE:
- FOX40 News issues a statement in response to the controversy surrounding the post-speech commentary. It reads, in part:
The comments overheard were made by reporters assembled from other newspaper and television outlets, and at no time was the voice of our photographer or our reporter heard on the stream. It’s very likely that those reporters and photographers were unaware, or simply forgot, that there was one television station with an open microphone broadcasting to the world.
Dear Little Man (aka Trig Palin) -
Congratulations!! Today, you’ve reached a milestone…it’s your first even-numbered birthday!
Yeah, I realize it may not seem like much now, but as you get older and older…and older, you’ll start looking for something (anything) to celebrate when your big day comes. Trust me. You might as well start practicing now…
That said, you’re still young so you have plenty of things to celebrate. I took the liberty of preparing a list, should you need a reminder:
- You have a great older sister in Piper (though, once you hit high school, you may want to tell her “ixnay on the ickinglay of my airhay”)
- Your hip mom has practically redefined Facebook! (though, even cool parents make things “uncool” when they start using them…)
- You’ve visited so many places, you’ll totally win that game, “How many states have you been to?”, next time you and the other toddlers hit the playground.
- You’re pretty much guaranteed to rock at basketball. It’s genetic or somethin’.
- At just two years old, you’re already kind of a big deal.
As if all that weren’t enough, you’ve got literally millions of total strangers looking out for you, praying for you, and generally wishing you well each and every day. The best part is, it’s all about you - not your parents, or your siblings, or your last name. Nope, it’s about what you, one toddler in the ‘silla, have done for all of us.
You’ve reminded us all of the beautiful gift that is the life of a child, and the joy you bring to your family has been contagious. We giggle with you when we hear your funny laugh. And we instinctively act like little old ladies when we see a cute picture of you (“Aaaawwwwwww….”). In you, Little Man, we see the faces of our own siblings, cousins, daughters and sons, and that means you hold a special place in a lot of hearts.
So, on your 2nd birthday today, we offer up our prayers for you - prayers of protection and well-being, and, also, of gratitude. Thank you for being our shining light in the Mat Su (to paraphrase one of Mom’s favorite quotes). We’re all a little better for having you in our lives.
Now, off you go to practice yelling, “NO!” to everything your family says to you.
- tdc
*Photo courtesy Sarah’s Web Brigade
*Video courtesy Gretawire (video removed from tdc, but visible at the link)
You can find this speech all over the internet by now, but it needed to be posted here - added to the tdc collection and such.
As I tweeted earlier, Governor Palin gave a heckuva speech today at the Southern Republican Leadership Conference. She was relaxed, passionate, and clearly enjoyed every word of what she was saying. And this designer predicts that a couple those one-liners are destined for bumper stickers (or will at least be the quotes of choice for people who are trying to tell their political friends about the speech).
So, sit back and enjoy this one, my friends - it’s a doozy. And if you didn’t catch all the jokes (or her fantastic policy points) the first time through, have another look!
- tdc
*Video courtesy of The Right Scoop (one of the best!)
The 2010 election cycle has illuminated the contrasts between so-called RINOs and “true” conservatives. Thankfully, the beauty of our country’s electoral tradition enables and encourages competitive primaries within parties, allowing voters to determine who wins their trust.
Along these lines, there is a healthy contest happening in Arizona between Senator John McCain and his challenger, JD Hayworth. There are those within the Republican party who feel that Senator McCain is the less conservative of the two candidates, and he is, therefore, not their preferred choice to speak on their behalf in Washington, DC. Alternatively, there are McCain supporters who believe that his experience and high-profile opposition to the current administration’s policies will continue to serve his constituents well. Regardless of one’s views, it should be evident that these types of debates are healthy for our country and our political discourse. And indeed it would seem that Governor Sarah Palin feels the same way.
The good Governor campaigned for her friend and former running mate in Arizona today, delivering her usual barnstormer of a speech. She was energized, she was passionate, and she was clearly happy to be there on the Senator’s behalf.
To be sure, Governor Palin and Senator McCain do not agree on the means and methods of addressing every issue facing our nation. However, the fact is that they both agree that we are moving in the wrong direction, and the only way to correct our course is to move back towards the philosophical center (certainly, how far each would go can be debated). Ultimately, though, these two political giants share a mutual respect and friendship that unites them beyond any disagreements they might have. And in the harsh political environment in which we find ourselves these days, it was wonderful to hear Senator McCain and Governor Palin today speak so warmly of one another.
Neither had to say as much as they did, but as is evident from the video clip below, there is a special bond between these two politicians that allows them to be uninhibited in expressing the appreciation that they so clearly share for one another.
- tdc
*See Part I and Part III (Palin solo) of Greta Van Susteran’s interview
First, she scribes a Facebook note regarding the health care debacle, then she tops of the day with a spirited chat with Sean Hannity. Governor Palin appears ready to rumble. All you wishy-washy politicos…consider yourselves put on notice!
- tdc
**UPDATE I - response from Sarah and Bristol Palin**
**UPDATE II - list of Family Guy Sponsors**
**UPDATE III - Contact FOX CEO, Rupert Murdoch!**
I’m typically not one to get in a snit about television show content that I may not agree with. We live in a country where free speech and creative license are the law of the land, so if I can’t handle what’s happening on the tube, I turn the channel.
In light of this, I have been known to enjoy episodes of the Family Guy on quite a number of occasions. The producers of the show seem to be equal-opportunity taunters who poke fun at Christianity, Islam, most minority groups, and just about everyone else with comparable aplomb. Have they made me wince with some of their dialogue? Yes. Do I find the humor to be mean-spirited? No, I usually don’t.
Tonight, though, I think the show crossed the line when they made a direct reference to Governor Sarah Palin.
If you are unfamiliar with Family Guy, the main characters are a married couple (Peter and Lois), their two high school-aged children (Chris and Meg), and baby (Stewie). In the episode that aired this evening, Chris has a crush on a girl at school who happens to have Down Syndrome. When he gains the courage to ask her out, Chris and his date (Ellen) end up at dinner, and during the conversation Chris asks Ellen about her family. In her answer she says:
“My mother is the former governor of Alaska.”
Yes - really. When I heard that, I couldn’t believe my ears and was not the least bit amused! My immediate thought was “not again…“ One more time, we see it demonstrated that the Palin family - specifically, Trig Palin and his mother - are fair game in the public arena when it comes to taking cheap shots for the sake of “comedy”.
Enough is ENOUGH already! It’s not funny. It’s not cool. And, most of all, it’s utterly disrespectful! Attention Hollywood: It’s OK to have a conscious and keep some things on the edit room floor!
The Family Guy producers owe the Palins an apology. What you did tonight crossed the line and you should have the courage to admit as much. Free speech is all well and good. But have enough decency to know that a toddler with Down Syndrome is really not the best choice to be fodder for the amusement of your audience.
- tdc
*UPDATE I - THE PALINS RESPOND (via Facebook):
People are asking me to comment on yesterday’s Fox show that felt like another kick in the gut. Bristol was one who asked what I thought of the show that mocked her baby brother, Trig (and/or others with special needs), in an episode yesterday. Instead of answering, I asked her what she thought. Here is her conscientious reply, which is a much more restrained and gracious statement than I want to make about an issue that begs the question, “when is enough, enough?”:
“When you’re the son or daughter of a public figure, you have to develop thick skin. My siblings and I all have that, but insults directed at our youngest brother hurt too much for us to remain silent. People with special needs face challenges that many of us will never confront, and yet they are some of the kindest and most loving people you’ll ever meet. Their lives are difficult enough as it is, so why would anyone want to make their lives more difficult by mocking them? As a culture, shouldn’t we be more compassionate to innocent people – especially those who are less fortunate? Shouldn’t we be willing to say that some things just are not funny? Are there any limits to what some people will do or say in regards to my little brother or others in the special needs community? If the writers of a particularly pathetic cartoon show thought they were being clever in mocking my brother and my family yesterday, they failed. All they proved is that they’re heartless jerks. - Bristol Palin”
- Sarah Palin
*UPDATE II - LIST OF SHOW SPONSORS for February 14, 2010 episode:
Contact the sponsors below to let them know how you feel about the decision of Family Guy producers to make light of the challenges facing Trig Palin and his loving family. Encourage these companies to stand up for the Palins and the thousands of families like them. Tell them that enough is enough! - tdc
-
Fox News - Rupert Murdoch, Chairman and CEO
News Corporation - 212-852-7000
- Fox Broadcasting Company - 310-369-1000
- YUM! Brands (Pizza Hut) - 502-874-8300
- Red Bull North America Inc. - 310-393-4647
- Mars, Inc. - 703-821-4900
- Toyota Motor Sales, Inc. - 800-331-4331
- Bally Total Fitness Holdings Corp. - 773-399-1300
- Pfizer, Inc. - 212-573-2323
- Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company - 312-644-2121
- Universal Pictures - 818-777-1000
*READ MORE:
- Read Adrienne Ross’ passionate response at Motivation: Truth
- Rachelle Friberg on “the kindest among us” at Conservative Girl With a Voice
- See the offending video clip at Mediaite
*Image credit - mediabistro.com
*Note: this post was bumped up from original publish date of February 14, 2010
