I have received numerous requests that I come to the aid of Kathleen Gustafson, the Homer educator who is the latest person to find herself on the receiving end of a barrage of unscrupulous attacks by the nutjobs that support Sarah Palin.
So here is my question. Why?
Now I don't know Kathleen Gustafson personally but from what I have gleaned by joyfully watching the YouTube video numerous times is that she comes off as a very confident intelligent woman. Who, by the way, had NO discernible difficulty standing up to arguably one of the most powerful woman in the country, as well as her disrespectful daughter, as the glowering Todd Palin and her camera blocking security guy offered extra intimidation on Sarah's behalf.
You see unlike Sarah Palin, MOST Alaska women can take care of themselves. And Kathleen Gustafson did exactly that!
I have also been asked why the teacher's union or school district do not rush to Kathleen's defense, and the answer is the same reason they did not rush to MY defense back in August of last year. Kathleen was NOT representing her school, nor her union, but rather was acting as a private citizen expressing her first amendment rights on private property. If ANYBODY should be speaking out for Mrs. Gustafson's rights, it should be the American people. And they have here, here, here, here, and of course here.
However that support was only in response to the completely irrational and scurrilous attacks by the Palin-bots who essentially lost their shit when Palin's disrespectful eyeroll was pointed out in several blogs and news sites.
First they, and Sarah's Facebook ghostwriter, claimed there was NO eyeroll.
However there is the unfortunate reality of this now famous YouTube video.
Did you miss it? Well then play it again and watch carefully at the 1:12 mark. There it is, plain as day.
Dammit! Palin-bots just HATE IT when facts get in the way of their attempts to obfuscate reality.
Okay then, well the next step is to discredit the person Palin is having the conflict with.
Ah hah! The sweaty little Palin-bots "discovered" that she worked for Planned Parenthood and was technically called a Theater Tech, not a teacher, so now they mythologize the encounter by claiming that Palin rolled her eyes because one of her lesser known super powers is the ability to perceive when somebody is attempting to deceive her. Even though evidence exists which kind of contradicts that assertion as well. (By the way the Homer Tribune themselves identify Kathleen Gustafson as a teacher, and we have to believe THEY would know.)
Look let's cut to the chase and talk about the REAL issue here.
Sarah Palin walked 100 feet out of her way to confront a woman, standing on private property, about a sign she made that DID NOT EVEN MENTION PALIN BY NAME. She then acted indignant and overly defensive, and when she asked the woman what she did for a living, and heard "teacher", she clearly rolled her eyes, made a sour face, and shot her daughter a look of "Oh now I get it." And you can see pretty much all of that (except the walking up part) on the video up above.
The real problem with the story, and the reason that Palin and her minions are so upset, is that it clearly shows that Palin has the thinnest skin imaginable, and without handlers constantly on hand to help control her actions and words, she is almost certainly going to react poorly to any given situation and make it much, much worse. After all Katie Couric only asked VP candidate Palin the same questions she would have asked ANYBODY ELSE RUNNING FOR THAT OFFICE! It took Sarah Palin's incredible incompetence to make it a YouTube phenomenon.
You see Sarah Palin's worst enemy, is Sarah Palin, and the people who support her are becoming more and more aware of that fact. THAT is why they are so quick to try and defuse any gaffe's made by Caribou Barbie. It is in the hope that the people who are still undecided about Palin will not be exposed to any videos which provide them the opportunity to see her being herself. Believe me, NOTHING could be more damaging to her image!
So don't you worry about Kathleen Gustafson, she will be just fine in the long run. In fact I have very little doubt that a great number of people will consider her to be a hero for representing so many Americans in how they feel about Sarah Palin and her ridiculous traveling circus act.
Great post!
ReplyDeleteKathleen has my deepest admiration for keeping calm while Quittypant's hired thug tried to block the camera and at 24 second mark stands directly behind her.
ReplyDeleteGryphen you are so right, Palin will bring herself down, she just can't keep her arrogant snarky mouth shut. I hope someone captures these kind of videos and puts up posters everywhere she goes..she can't help herself she's an idiot.
ReplyDeleteWell said G.
ReplyDeleteAny comment on the meeting shouls, as you did mention that Sarah went out of her was to initiate the confrontation. But you left out the sequel, that her thugs tore down a sign that was posted on private property.
ReplyDeleteKind of like the Nazis.
Why does she need a body guard in remote Alaska anyway?
Is she afraid she will run into a fellow Alaskan who sees her for what she really is?
My issue with the "eye roll" is, if Sarah and Bristol really exchanged looks of disapproval (or whatever) why would the rest of the video depict a happy ending, where Sarah and Kathleen joke and agree that they have more in common than what may have been originally perceived. I believe the whole video to be harmless and I disagree that Palin is as thinskinned as people think. Truly thinskinned people DO NOT continue a career in the spotlight. THAT takes courage and determination. Determination to fight corruption and unhealthy govt spending - 2 things Obama is victim of.
ReplyDeleteI don't know why she tries to "go un-scripted." She's always an unmitigated disaster. Anyone who thought further into the future than one minute would have known it was mistake to confront the woman, but having done so, she could have at least been smart about it. A clever person would have walked away making this Katleen her new BFF, but that would have meant using empathy and being able to admit she is responsible for why this woman feels she was the "worst governor ever." (How did Palin know she wasn't talking about Parnell anyway?)
ReplyDeleteSomeone needs to explain to her that there's some things she just stinks at, and communicating is one of them. Have you seen this?
http://www.tnr.com/blog/jonathan-chait/76885/palin-in-nutshell
I honestly can't see her eyes in the video, the res is too low. She does make a smug face, and shoots a look, but I personally think too much is made of that. She behaves like an ass, nothing new there.
ReplyDeleteAbout SP's super powers, well I've been frequenting the Sarah Palin Prayer Warriors FB page. OMG. It's fascinating. These people really are insane. Many of them literally believe that SP has a direct line to God, that God directs her every word and action. I don't know why God couldn't come up with a single magazine or book reference for mean old Katie Couric, but no matter, Satan provides an explanation whenever the evidence doesn't match the theory.
I have no problem with Christianity, but these people are not representative, they're clearly insane, and should be treated as such. I hate to invoke the fascism reference, but that is what it reminds me of. These people aren't interested in politics or policy, they worship SP, she is Deborah or Queen Ester, God's agent sent to save Holy America from the horrors of atheism and communism.
Makes my skin crawl.
Yep. Don't need to look into Gustafson's history to know that she's AOK in my book. I can see with my own two eyes. I can hear her words.
ReplyDeletePalin displays her nature as well. So unlike Ted Stevens, Sarah's motto is "To hell with politics, just do what's right for Sarah".
Bhahaha!
ReplyDeleteYouTube has a 35 second clip up titled "Palin Eye Roll (remix)" set to music that has The Eyeroll and Bistol (?) chewing gum and waving her hands in Kathleen's face like the brat she is.
Highly recommend for a quick chuckle.
(Sorry I do not know how to link.)
If $P does make a run for the WH, all of her 'bots are going to have to quit their jobs (if any of them have a job) because they'll be needed on 24/7 damage control.
ReplyDeleteGood post! Agree with your logic, Gryphen.
ReplyDeleteWow! Anon @1:12 - "... if Sarah and Bristol really exchanged looks of disapproval..." watch the video for yourself - it's really not so difficult to become informed!
"I believe the whole video to be harmless and I disagree that Palin is as thinskinned as people think. Truly thinskinned people DO NOT continue a career in the spotlight. THAT takes courage and determination. Determination to fight corruption and unhealthy govt spending - 2 things Obama is victim of."
Caribou Barbie's staying in the spotlight is no proof of her being thin-skinned or not. She's in it for the $$ and everyone knows that. The thin skin is apparent in the way she reacts to honesty in regard to her.
"Courage" is a far cry from any adjective that applies to her. Some people obviously misinterpret ignorance for courage.
Won't even waste my time on the Obama mischaracterization. There's no way to teach a Palinbot. You have to figure it out for yourself and if you haven't in the last few years you probably never will.
"Truly thinskinned people DO NOT continue a career in the spotlight. THAT takes courage and determination. Determination to fight corruption and unhealthy govt spending - 2 things Obama is victim of."
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, thin skinned people in the spotlight are followed by handlers who tell them every day what wonderful people the are while making fun of them behind their backs. Make no mistake, Sarah is a CELEBRITY. Why do you think Lindsey Lohan is still in the spotlight?! She is as thin skinned as they come, but all she hears is, "You are great. It's not your fault. You are a victim."
Determination to fight corruption and unhealthy government spending? What are you talking about? She does neither - not on the national level (where she provides NO solutions) and not on a personal level (when she takes money from her supporters to pay legal fees that she can clearly pay herself. Donates a tiny $1000 to special needs - at the last minute. Not to mention the fact that the biggest expense was the one she filed against herself in the Wooten case). Hilarious that you have deluded yourself to such a degree. Or, are you one of those paid consultants who try to "reason" what is not "reasonable"?
What I thought was the most insane about that encounter, was how Sarah blurted out the same old crap she does, when Hannity or some other shill for Faux "News" asks her a "question" about a topic.
ReplyDeleteThe woman is incapable of completing a sentence, and gives up when she comes close, as long as the words "American" and "Constitution" and other hot button items are tossed into the salad.
I wish Kathleen had said, "What the hell are you talking about? Can you not speak real English?" in response to that dribble.
Thanks for the great links, Gryphen. Had read a few of them, but I missed Sarah Jones (Politicususa) on Monday. This quote from her is fabulous!!
ReplyDelete" — Palin is never alone.
That’s because Palin is a coward beneath the bully exterior, just like all of those mean girls in high school and junior high. Without their entourage to snicker, curl their lips and roll their eyes at their prey, the lead mean girl is nothing. She depends on her back up for power. Palin’s bared teeth and the contemptuous, smug smile are dressing for her entourage’s power. On her own, Palin is a thin-skinned paranoiac."
So true! Love it!!
The scene is in front of the “Worst Governor Ever” banner. My god, the mother grizzly is frightened, and ….and her little cubette, Willow is defending her. YES, the baby, not yet fully grown cubette, Willow had to jump in to try and SAVE the Mama Grizzly. What’s wrong with this picture???
ReplyDeleteAnon at 1:12:
ReplyDeleteI am mystified at how you get from once sentence to the next, your entire argument makes no sense. This is what you said in effect:
"...If Sarah and Bristol (it was Willow actually) rolled their eyes, why does everyone seem happy in the end?? " THIS MAKES NO SENSE-- what does one thing have to do with the other ??? I'll tell you why SP got so "friendly" at the end of the video- because she realized that this incident was successfully caught on tape. She realized that her childish nastiness would be on the internet for thousands to see... so she suddenly added some sugar to her poisonous demeanor.
Secondly, this has NOTHING TO DO WITH OBAMA. Why do you Palin lovers keep bringing him into any discussion. Do you see him in your closets at night?? Is he following you home from school or work? This interchange was between an Alaskan and the former half term governor who dropped the ball in the middle of the game. So one of her former constituents was expressing dismay. This has nothing to do with Obama, Bush,
Lady Gaga or Derek Jeter--- GET IT ????
Good post. Palin is indeed her own worst enemy.
ReplyDeleteI agree with one of the comments here that we should keep tying the torn-down sign to this topic - particularly the report that Sarah & her entourage clapped when one of them tore it down.
Sorry, Gryphen, I adore you and your blog, but I think you're wrong on this one. You are in a unique position - having no doubt dealt with years of death threats, stalkers, spies, and threats directed at your person through your past employer - to be able to offer this woman some practical help. I'm not saying offer to be her bodyguard, but really, very few people are in the position you are in terms of having been through the wringer with the scary Palinbots and having survived. At the very least, reaching out to her with a few handy numbers for local FBI who might be friendly to collecting harassment complaints might be in order. This is not to depict Kathleen or any Alaskan woman as a wimp. This is to offer help from the perspective of having been someone who has looked down the gun barrel the Palins like to point at their "enemies" (a literal gun barrel as well as a figurative one) and survived it. She might be in over her head through no fault of her own and might appreciate someone like you reaching out in support. Not everyone courts media attention like your buddy Shannon Moore and expects to deal with a lot of Palinbot crap. This woman was making a brave stand, but I doubt she understood the world of hurt she'd be potentially unleashing upon herself.
ReplyDeleteAnon@ 1:12 PM--Palin was condescending to Mrs. Gustafson, even though she appeared to be friendly. This can be deduced just by watching the video. Palin wasn't as friendly as she seemed. There was disdain underlying everything she said to Mrs. Gustafson. That she was faking it and trying to give the impression of cordiality is very clear. She was anything but cordial, and her voice and body language shows it.
ReplyDeleteHer 15 minutes are flying by, even the GOP in Georgia have had it with her.
ReplyDeleteHuffpo has an interesting article.
Buh Bye, don't let the door hit you on your way back to hell.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/11/georgia-gop-congressman-i_n_678880.html
FOR THE LAST TIME, THAT WAS BRISTOL IN THE VIDEO. IT IS PLAIN AS DAY. The two girls have sisterly similarities but they also have distinct voices and face shapes, as well as different body types. Listen to Willow speak in the Barbara Walters interview. Look at Willow's hair lengths. Her hair has never been as long as video girl's.
ReplyDeleteAnon at 2:17 obviously doesn't know much about "rill" Alaska women!
ReplyDeleteChuck Todd was subbing for Chris Matthews on Hardball yesterday, and he showed the clip. Even *HE* is convinced she did the infamous eyeroll.
ReplyDeleteDesert came early today for you Griffin...wow just...wow
ReplyDeleteCheck out the last paragraph:
U.S. Congressman Jack Kingston (R-Georgia) says Sarah Palin should mind her own business and keep out of Peach State politics -- and politics in other states too.
The harsh criticism comes on the heels of the ex-Alaska Governor's decision to actively campaign for unsuccessful Georgia gubernatorial candidate Karen Handel who lost to Nathan Deal in the state's GOP primary runoff on Tuesday.
"Why Sarah Palin decided to get in the race is beyond me," explained Kingston in an appearance on "America's Morning News" with John McCaslin and Amy Holmes. "I don't know why she feels compelled to get into primaries all over the country, but fortunately Georgia voters are doing their own thinking on things like this."
When asked if he thought Palin should refrain from wading into primary election match-ups in general, the Georgia congressman responded, "I wish she will."
And the conservative congressman isn't the only member of the Georgia GOP community to express dissatisfaction with Palin's involvement in the state's political scene.
Prior to Tuesday's runoff, Georgia State House Speaker David Ralston (R) said, "I would want to know how long Governor Palin has known Secretary Handel and how long she's known Congressman Deal." (He added that his own endorsement of Deal was based on decades of friendship.)
"I don't do these things lightly," he said of the process that leads him to support a particular candidate. "I don't do them to write a book or get on a talk show."
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/11/georgia-gop-congressman-i_n_678880.html
Did anyone witness the tearing down of the banner? Shannyn? Kathleen? The guy who's property it was? Why is no one talking about that?
ReplyDeleteEspecially Ms. Moore of Homer who has perhaps the most powerful far reaching voice in AK? I could give a shit about the eye rollery.
It wasn't Bristol in the tape. Bristol is pregnant and in hiding in Washington.
ReplyDeleteWillow has turned into a smart mouthed, gum smacking brat and this tape shows it clearly.
None of the MSM stories showed the sign being ripped down but at least they showed the video all over.
Sarah is a divisive bitch.
Kathleen G has 15+ years in Alaska. She knows full well the strength and wrath of the Palin "supporters". If she asks for help, then I hope it is given willingly. But to assume she is defenseless is premature.
ReplyDeleteI think Ebert picked up on something that most media outlets have not mentioned. He noted on his Twitter that Palin was snide and sarcastic initially, but as soon as she realized the guy had a camera running, her demeanor shifted. "Oh, we have a lot in common!" as she tried to act like she was trying to befriend the woman and treating her with respect, when before that she clearly was not.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous at 1:09, are you trying to state as fact that the sign was taken down and the same person (a friend of Gustafson's) did not have video of it? There is absolutely no proof of that. You know just because someone says something does not make it a fact. I think that if anyone would have tried to take down the sign we would definitely have video of it. Of course, there is also no proof that someone said the "n" word in D.C. when the Healthcare bill was signed, but yet people still believe it happened even when a $100,000 bounty was offered for proof.
ReplyDeleteGryphen, as far as your reading Sarah's mind that she was thinking "Oh, now I get it", I could also read her mind as to trying to convey to Bristol "This is why I think you should home school". See there are different ways to look at the same thing.
Anyway, Kathleen did not seem to be so proud of being a teacher herself since she immediately stated that she was not only a teacher but did other things.
One more point, why should Sarah be ashamed of teachers when her father and her brother are also school teachers and she has stated in the past her pride in her father?
Anon at @;17, when did the following happen:
"having been someone who has looked down the gun barrel the Palins like to point at their "enemies" (a literal gun barrel as well as a figurative one)"?
I do not recall ever that Gryphen wrote that someone from the Palin family pulled a gun on him. I also doubt tht anything like that ever happened.
@Anonymous 1:12 PM
ReplyDeleteA citizen that voted for Palin told her she should have finished her term as governor instead of filming an absurd TV program. The citizen wanted "Determination to fight corruption and unhealthy govt spending". She did not get that from Palin and told her so. Palin had NO capacity to even comprehend what the citizen was telling her.
Palin is only fighting for every last celebrity dime she can filch from her mindless followers. Hope you have contributed greatly to her coffers because it eliminates your chance at having a monetary impact on the political process in this country.
For the person that said that the FBI should be contacted, then you will agree that the FBI should also be contacted about the NH Congressman that wished Sarah Palin dead and the posters the other day that were stating that they were sorry that Sarah Palin and her family were not in the same plane as Ted Stevens.
ReplyDeleteThe statement on the post about Sarah Palin "confronting" the woman is also inflammatory. A person going to speak to someone and asking them about their feelings is not a "confrontation". Confront is "to stand in front of, providing resistance, as an obstacle". I did not see that happening.
And this just out will take the target off Mrs. Gustafson's back:
ReplyDeleteN.H. Democrat under fire for reportedly saying Sarah Palin should have crashed with Ted Stevens
--------------------------
A New Hampshire Democrat is under fire after reportedly posting a public death wish for Sarah Palin.
Keith Halloran, a Democratic candidate for state representative in New Hampshire, took a swipe at Palin on Facebook after former Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens died in a plane crash on Monday.
"Just wish Sarah and Levy were on board," Halloran wrote, apparently taking aim at the former Alaska Gov. and her daughter's ex-fiancée, Levi Johnston.
The New Hampshire Republican party quickly fired back with a statement "denouncing" the posting.
"Mr. Halloran's outrageous comments are a new low, even by the standards of the New Hampshire Democrat Party," a spokesman for the party said in the statement.
"His publicly stated death wish for Governor Palin and her family is abhorrent, and has no place in our public discourse."
The New Hampshire GOP is rallying supporters to call New Hampshire Governor John Lynch and Congressional Candidate Ann McLane McLuter and ask them to "immediately denounce Mr. Halloran's hateful remarks and demand that he personally apologize to the Palin family."
Halloran, meanwhile, has refused to confirm he wrote the message.
"It's just a tempest in their Tea Pot," he told The Associated Press.
I too follow the Palin FB page - altho there were lots of "likes"
ReplyDelete(6000 maybe) clicked - the comments that disagreed with the "face" were pretty quickly deleted. I managed to send a message to one of the ppl stating "Bots will ban you for for stating the truth" -- I got a return message from this person about 20 minutes later -- shocked he got banned! Sent him links to here & Mudflats to use his "free speech" rights
Can't help but wonder what would have been said to Kathleen Gustafson had some woman - maybe not Sarah or Willow - not pointed out that "there's a camera, there's a camera". You can hear that on the tape. Immediately the body guard walked back to Sarah who said "you can go now" and he stepped back behind her while she launched into the "here's the dill, etc.". Had they not seen the camera, what would they have done?
ReplyDeleteSarah walked over there to pick a fight (not literally) and fully intended to intimidate Mrs. Gustafson. As it turns out Palin looked like the fool that she is.
We'll never know what would have happened had they not seen the camera but since the sign was torn down when the guy with the camera was making his way to the dock, sure makes me wonder.
A Palinbot tried to list Kathleen G.'s phone number on the FB page supporting KG. They weren't successful and were banned.
This 1:50 min video showcases Sarah Palin's THREE Default Modes of Interaction when confronted with reality.
ReplyDelete#1 The "snarkybabble-smile-wink-distract-deflect" approach.
When this strategy wasn't having the intended effect (get the calm rational protester to shut up about the real issues), she went on to:
#2 Roll out the Non-snarky Talking Points.
When this was an immediate fail, she quickly jumped to:
#3 Turn on the Childish Charm so they'll at least like me.
Sadly, that's all there is, folks. Underneath the sheer fakery of SP's carefully manufactured "christian-mama-grizzly-family-values-everywoman-political-leader" persona, that's it.
What we are so graphically shown here is exactly why SP's promoters have to keep her public appearances controlled with planned speeches and prescripted question/answer sessions.
Note: Sara Palin has by no means created this charade all by herself. She has plenty of help from those who stand to benefit greatly from keeping this facade alive.
I think the most telling part of this video is the way the Palin Gang work together to bully this woman. Todd shoves her (very early in the video; not sure why more hasn't been made of this) and then stands menacingly behind her; the two men constantly circle in a threatening manner; Willow leans forward and shoves her hands in the woman's face; Willow and Sarah have that long, drawn-out, obviously well-practiced meangirl, smirky eye-rolling exchange that is totally designed to belittle Kathleen. We effectively see how the entire family acts in concert to bully the citizens of Alaska and beyond.
ReplyDeleteWhat disgusting people! And anyone who ever pitied either the Toad or Willow should realize just how misplaced their sympathy was. These people are toxic. Yuk!
Sarah Palin went on a Facebook/ media jihad against someone who uttered the single word "retard," but she's never taken her own fans to task on their foul language and vicious actions against anyone who criticizes her.
ReplyDeleteWhy? She's a coward who (not so) secretly loves having other people do her dirty work of revenge and retaliation against her critics.
The video of Palin and her gang of thugs trying to intimidate (unsuccessfully) the Alaskan teacher was a teaching moment for many people who were on the fence about Palin. If Palin hadn't pulled that childish stunt right before the GA election, Palin's candidate (Karen Handel) might have pulled off the primary.
I agree. Palin is her worst enemy, and the more people see the "real" Palin, the more turned off they become. Palin's second worst enemy is her own nasty fanbase. Americans don't admire bullies, and her ignorant fans are foul-mouthed vicious bullies --- just like their idol.
anon 1:12
ReplyDeletei don't think it is as much thin-skin as it is narcissism. palin can't control herself when confronted with criticism. she believes herself to be above it and reacts violently and with little skill. it is that same narcissism that propels her into the spotlight - she is divinely chosen, remember?
as for the video's "happy ending," many have pointed out that palin realized at some point that she was being video'd and her demeanor changed. maybe it took her that long to realize it might go to YouTube.
regardless, i'll tell you why there was a happy ending, in spite of the camera: it is because kathleen gustafson is a class act and kept things calm. if you'll admit it to yourself (and somehow i doubt you will) it was palin who resorted to snarky false gushing and her daughter who was downright ill-mannered.
"Worst Governor Ever."
ReplyDelete"You swore on your precious bible.... and when cash was waved in your face, you quit"
Clear statements told to her FACE and unanswered by Palin or her bots.
In addition, the cynical nature and thuggery of the Palins is fully documented by someone who openly refused to be intimidated or prevented from recording the encounter.
This acts of bravery are worth protecting when the Palin-bots attack.
Your post is a powerful tribute to that bravery and you have offered a dignified protection to Kathleen by pointing out she can stand up to anybody. Best response ever to the palin-bots attack.
Hopefully, the heat will soon come off of Kathleen (Homer teacher).
ReplyDeleteThe bots are currently FURIOUS about a statement made today by GA Republican Representative Jack Kingston, who basically said SP was dividing the Party and should stay out of State races.
The bots are spittin' mad, flooding Kingston's office with calls (swearing encouraged!) and they are telling him he must resign.
LOL LOL LOL!
This is great - the Republicans are going to see how nasty and dangerous SP's followers are.
The GA Right to Life Group also failed to endorse Palin's chosen mama grizzly (Handel). Hopefully, they will flood the Right to Life Group with nasty calls too.
anon 1:12
ReplyDeleteps - palin fighting corruption and govt spending are only myths. in reality she's ever done any such thing. ethics legislation was passed by the AK legislature. she only took credit for it and proceeded to ignore it. as for reduction in spending, ha! her reduction came from counting the big oil tax givaway to the public in one year as an expense and in the next year as savings. that's pure bullshit.
oh, yeah, this has nothing to do with obama.
GREAT POST!!
ReplyDeleteIt was one thing that Sarah Palin went on the private property on her own or may be with one other. Why did she need at least 3 other people? It was just too much the way the intimidating team worked. Seriously, what was their purpose? Imo Sarah was in her politician mode (Levi and others have described how she turns it on). That mode has a friendly folksy front. People can smile and be sweet as pie while they stab you in the back. Because she has a political front it doesn't mean that the thugs weren't intimidating. The number of thugs can be intimidating on it's own. Why does she need all that security if she wants to go on someone elses property to talk to a woman? At some point they were all aware they were being filmed. Happy ending time.
The video is more reality than any TLC ever and it makes Palin look bad. It makes her parenting look worse. She raised a rude uneducated brat and the family dynamics were very revealing.
"Why do you think Lindsey Lohan is still in the spotlight?! She is as thin skinned as they come, but all she hears is, "You are great. It's not your fault. You are a victim."
ReplyDeleteLohan is on prescription drugs and is an addict. Drugs help thin skinned people forget and go on to the next show after they are filled up with the lies, "You are great. It's not your fault. You are a victim.".
Why does Palin delude herself into thinking she is anybody to know who would be the best candidate in ANY election. She has zero clues about local issues. I doubt she's got a good grip about local issues in Wasilla, let alone Alaska. Another state? Gah! The absolute arrogance of this vain woman. She is a NOBODY. Her kingdom is Facebook and I've no doubt more than half of her 2 million fans are signed up to laugh at her. As for the rest, I'm not surprised that there are at least 1 million drooling idiots in this Country.
ReplyDeletePalin has no business posturing about politics or policy -- ANYWHERE.
Apparently Palin thinks Kathleen Gustafson should sit down and shut up. That's only because, deep down, Sarah is the one who should shut up.
3:17,
ReplyDeletethe accusation of the palins tearing down the sign is in shannyn's column on the huffingtonpost. if she wrote it, it's because kathleen, billy, or another witness told her.
just because you need proof because you can't bear it that palin isn't living up to your dreams doesn't mean it didn't happen.
if these people said it happened, THEN IT DID. they didn't tear down their own sign.
--- I think the most telling part of this video is the way the Palin Gang work together to bully this woman.
ReplyDeleteWe effectively see how the entire family acts in concert to bully the citizens of Alaska and beyond. ---
ABSOLUTELY!!!! It was not the first time, the Gang is trained and they know what to do.
Palin and family are her worst enemy.
circular firing squad time for the right wing. thanks $arah! xoxoxoxo
ReplyDeleteanon 3:17, if you read moore's piece on the homer incident you would know that the palin mob tore down the sign after billy had already walked to the dock. billy was the one with the phone camera.
ReplyDeleteothers saw it and they heard the mob laughing about it.
no matter how much you deny it, it is reality. deal with it.
todd palin may have once been a nice guy, but he's let $arah hold his cojones way too long. he's turned into a sad shadowy palin bot.
ReplyDeleteI wish Palin had been on that plane alone.
ReplyDeleteSarah Palin was not able to state a coherent political message even when she initiated contact with an individual citizen.
ReplyDeleteSarah Palin is not a politician.
Other commenters on this post have tried to make this video of Palin somehow be a "plus" for Palin. It's a hopeless case. Palin looked and sounded moronic.
Better luck with the next citizen encounter, Palin supporters. Palin's unscripted moments are all big losers, but, hey, maybe she'll get lucky next time.
Over at Gateway Pundit one of the Palinbots actually tried to vilify Kathleen Gustafson by implying she was a (ohh! shock! awe! how awful!!) pro-abortion activist, because of that association with the Homer Family Planning organization (of which she's served on the board).
ReplyDeleteProblem is, as one Homer resident who logged onto Gateway Pundit to try to set the record straight (like the little Dutch boy and the dike), there are no abortion services of any kind in Homer.
Really, it's pretty significant that these Palinbots display the same projection tendencies as their idol, who famously said, "So how about in honor of the American soldier, ya quit making things up?"
These habitual liars leave such a bad taste in my mouth.
Gryphen,
ReplyDeleteA very telling angle that I hope will catch on is your point that the sign NEVER MENTIONED PALIN BY NAME.
Palin KNEW it was about her. She assumed it couldn't have been about Parnell because, deep down, Palin knows what an undeserving and lazy little shit she is. Of course it was about her.
That will have me laughing for a LONG time.
@ anonymous 3:28 PM who says: "I did not see that happening."
ReplyDeleteOf course you didn't. All of Palin's fans are disconnected from reality.
Run along now. Don't you have a NH Democrat to shake your fists and howl at? Must be so exhausting trying to hold up Sarah's false facade of competence for her. Snort.
I have seen many Alaskan legislators here and there, and not one has bodyguards with them. I've seen Tony Knowles at Costco (no bodyguards), Mark Begich at Fred Meyer's (no bodyguards), Rick Mystrom in his neighborhood (no bodyguards). The men listed above go about their business and nobody approaches them, and they approach no one. They are pleasant citizens like most of us. They mind their own business. Sarah Palin is in a class of her own: classless.
ReplyDeleteJessica
I think someone should take up a collection for the teacher.
ReplyDeleteAnd as far as Mrs. Palin, there is no doubt about the eye roll and I don't have to watch it again because it was that obvious. It wasn't even just the eyes, it was the smirk, the body language, the exchange of glances and the immediate silence. And, no comment at all about her being a teacher, you would think Sarah would have something positive to say since she claims she loves teachers. Or at least be cordial for gods sake. Oh, a teacher? That's nice.
Someone made a good point about the camera because clearly they knew it was there, and that's why Sarah went over there to begin with, to show the world how she can "handle" this (randomly fill in the blank - dumpster diver, gotcha person, liberal elitist, heckler, acorn, non-real american, etc, etc). Instead, Sarah couldn't hide the mean girl enough, couldn't stuff the fury, the anger, the paranoid righteousness enough to even get through the conversation. And in the end, she pretends to "see" the camera and waved.
I'm telling you, if Kathleen did not dampen down the tension with her cordial words, then it would have escalated further, and they all would have went NUTS. And if there was no camera and no witnesses? I don't even want to think about it. I guess with no camera at all, the bullies would have just gone up there, shoved Kathleen out of the way, ripped down the sign, and walked away after spewing some profanity.
There is no way to explain what happened other than what happened. It's all there.
I am also confused about her need for bodyguards. They are with her everywhere. And like you I have been in the presence of all the Alaskan politicians you mentioned and they had ZERO bodyguards. I think she is a legend in her own mind. And it is so telling that she denies her celebrity. She has wanted that ever since her brush with Ivana Trump at Nordstrom's. Funny then, hilarious now!
ReplyDeleteOops, time to clear up some misconceptions.
ReplyDeleteFirst NOBODY pulled a gun on me during my run in with Palin-bots last August or any time since. I HAVE had a gun pulled on me but it had nothing to do with Sarah Palin.
The threats against me came in the from of e-mails and phone calls to the school that I worked at (one which threatened to kill me on school property), and some that arrived in my e-mail.
I never felt in any real danger, though I did have my home security beefed up just in case, and actually after awhile the e-mails got so crazy that it became kind of comical.
I still have some of my favorite ones saved, and go back and read them when I want to be reminded of just how dimwitted the Palin supporters are.
I nominate Kathleen Gustafson for the first annual
ReplyDeleteAUTHENTIC ALASKAN MAMA GRIZZLY AWARD.
Let's get it going!
Anon @ 2:46
ReplyDeleteOK, I never thought I'd say this on the intertubes, but
ARE YOU SERIOUS??? How can you tell it's Bristol in the video based on hair length?? FIRST, the brat in the video was wearing a HOOD. SECOND, people can cut their hair or lengthen it with extenders.
SO are you for real-- truly that was one of the most stupid Palinbot comments I've even seen.
IT WAS WILLOW-- know how I can tell-- I recognized her tonsils!!
Reading the degree to which Palin's supporters are willing to delude themselves -- as in 'Eyeroll? We ain't seen no eyeroll. There was no eyeroll! You can't show me any stinkin' eyeroll!' -- leads me to want to revisit Eric Hoffer's The True Believer, his philosophical treatise on political fanaticism.
ReplyDelete"All active mass movements strive, therefore, to interpose a fact-proof screen between the faithful and the realities of the world. They do this by claiming that the ultimate and absolute truth is already embodied in their doctrine and that there is no truth or certitude outside it. The facts on which the true believer bases his conclusions must not be derived from his experience or observation but from holy writ."
Second the nomination, Ratfish!
ReplyDelete@ Anon 3:28 PM
ReplyDeleteKathleen was Physically threatened by THUGS! Look at the video!
How does "Wishing" for someone to be gone a threat? As I recall during the HCR vote many R's publically admitted to the practice of imprecatory prayers to pray certain members of congress and Senate would die so HCR wouldn't pass.
Everyone knew Palin was coming home from Georgia that night. Even bots said that was the first thing they thought "Former.....of Alaska feared dead in plane crash"
Its not a crime to think is it now?
And I don't know of any Dems who are prayer warriors who actively pray for someone to die, like
Mary Glazier Palins "mentor" who brags on talk2action, her and her warriors prayed to death Princess Di and Mother Theresa!!!!
The wonderful thing is that in two years Sarah will be 50. Despite her plastic surgery, she has already lost a lot of her looks and she 'aint gonna look any better at 50.
ReplyDeleteSarah has gotten away with shit all her life because she got a pass because of her looks. I predict her fifth decade will not be a happy one since the source of her success will be totally poof gone.
Also too, Willow and Bristol inherited the arrogance and snot from mommy, but, unfortunately for them, not the looks. Both of them are average looking girls with sharp noses, weak chins and small beady eyes.
I can't wait until we can stop hearing about this family.
The fact that palin lied again is not even raised in any of the stories that have been covered by this incident.
ReplyDeleteShe said on her face book that she was going halibut fishing for her family business.
Was that what she did, or was it to film a show to make money?
I agree with the post about bodyguards. She doesn't need them. She's not in any public office. She's not a former VP either, she lost that race. She failed and left the governorship. What is it exactly that entitles her to thugs following her around other than her celebrity? There's nothing else. Even drug-addled Rush Limbaugh just walks around and doesn't have linebackers in front of him. And that video of Sarah coming out of the hair salon - again with the bodyguards even though she claimed to have only Willow with her. It's becoming apparent to me that she gets off on it. Her emotional need for it is greater than any logistical need.
ReplyDeleteI'm beginning to understand Sarah Palin a lot more now. I used to give her the benefit of a doubt in many cases, but the more I see of her, (and these videos certainly help), the more I feel like she's a train running off the tracks.
The woman was so panicked she couldn't even make small talk. You would think if she's talking to a teacher, she could ask her what grade or subject she teaches.
ReplyDeleteNo doubt Kathleen was brave to stand her ground, but I have another thought. SP travels around with hired thugs.. who needs that kind of intimidation circling around behind them??
ReplyDeleteIf the citizens of Alaska would just post signs, and from afar, film as SP or her bratty kids tear them down, that would be proof enough of vandalism, and show her "fightn' for those Constitutional rights".
I agree with Anon 2:47 - the bodyguards are there to service her narcissistic delusion of self importance, and intimidate people like Kathleen.
I hope those thugs are with her 24 hours a day, and charging her a pretty penny for servicing her ego.
What was that after Billy Sullivan was returning to work, the sign was torn down and the crowd cheered. The crowd cheered?
ReplyDeletePalin was performing for a crowd of her supporters the whole time.
No wonder she was wearing her "politician" face. She had an audience of support, PLUS two thugs AND a daughter for back up. All she could do was repeat the same lines she'd already memorized. She needed no secrurity or back up to walk onto private property as her fans watched her. She was in Homer, what was the threat? She would have her daughter there if it was threatening? She did need a couple of thugs if her purpose was to intimidate a private citizen who was expressing her freedoms. Too bad there is not more documentation about the sign being removed.
Perhaps one of those Japanese re-enactment cartoons could capture the whole scene.
to anon 7:43
ReplyDeleteWillow currently has shorter hair than that girl. Willow has a pointier chin and more angular features. Willow's voice is a little bit more crisp (lack of a better word) whereas this girl's (Bristol's voice) is a feminine husky sound. Hard to explain. Like most sisters who share facial features, Willow and BRistol can be distinguished between pretty easily, as can the Olsen twins. You just have to be aware.
Anon at 5:57:
ReplyDeleteThat isn't just an ordinary hired thug working for Sarah Palin. Check out the coiled wire going to his earpiece, even though he is working *alone*. He's plugged into the matrix, I tell ya. Kathleen should have been looking for a phone booth.
The Witless Wonder from Wasilla has proved that she isn't a Mama Grizzly. Flunked right out! $arah needed her bodyguards, Todd and even her daughter to protect her from the facts. Sarah was oh so arrogant, full of disdain and even condescending with her "oh--you think I am a celebrity"; "oh--you think I should still be governor" but even someone with a third grade education should have understood what Gustafson was talking about. Most Alaskans are really disgusted with the Palin Panhandling and Media Circus. Both Bristol and $arah come across as just plain rude. Then all of a sudden Sarah sees her own film crew has arrived and she waves to them and then starts talking to the Teacher in her sugary, fake voice. Palin's spinmasters and publicity agents try to twist the story by saying that Sarah convinced the Teacher that what she did was right. As Sarah says so frequently: Bull Crap!
ReplyDeleteTo Anon. @7:57 -
ReplyDeleteYour calm, "knowing" response is very Cheneyesque-- you are trying to suggest that up is down. The Palin brat in the video was wearing a hood. It is impossible to tell how long or short her hair is. PERIOD.
All the rest of your response is a "blizzard of words" and makes no sense in this context. HOWEVER, you have made me more certain that the rumors that Bristol is pregnant are probably true. Otherwise why would someone continue to make such a non-sensical argument?? You may get away with that charade at the C4P site-- but it won't fly here or anywhere else where folks know how to use their brain cells.
I appreciate your bravery and willingness to keep doing what you do, Gryphen, even though the Palinbots continue to send you nasty emails to this day.
ReplyDeleteThe problem I have is this. I am a member of the alternative journalism community, or former member, who is currently underground because of people like the Peebots. I have had attempts on my life, stalkers, and death threats, and all I did was write a few articles that rubbed some people the wrong way who sit on a certain side of the political fence. I had to move because of this and relocate my family. It all took me by surprise because the problems didn't come from the loud, totally crazy types - the ones you say offer such comic relief to you. It came from the quiet simmerer types, the ones who suddenly go batshit and enlist all their friends to start hunting you down.
I think you'd be unwise to EVER stop watching your back. And Kathleen has no idea what she's unleashed this week, and given my own background, I worry about her very much indeed.
I used to be one of those types who didn't want to "empower the negative" or "give energy to the crazy." Well, ignoring something doesnt' make the danger go away. And with the excessive amount of rage within Palin's core demographic, not to mention their, um, affection for guns, this is a truly nasty group to go up against. And then you have the Bible thumping/"Sarah was sent by God to be the Messiah" aspects. Psychological profile on this group? Very dangerous, indeed.
I sent a check for $30 to the clinic where Ms. Gustafson volunteers, in her honor. Info at
ReplyDeletehttp://www.kbfpc.org/
Two things I believe in: standing up to Scarah and helping folks get health care.