Sarah Palin gets called out again for using her website to post Right Wing articles as click-bait.

Courtesy of New York Magazine: 

A quick scroll through sarahpalin.com reveals that there are ads and there is a “U.S. Debt Clock” ($19 trillion and counting). At the bottom of every page, under the tab labeled “more,” there is an ad section labeled “you may also like.” It features all manner of shady clickbait: a guide to which celebrities “are jerks in real life,” photos of tacky jewelry, and a drawing of what appears to be diseased feet. You see this kind of thing in pop-up ads that look like fake websites, or at the bottom of real websites that are stuck in another era of the internet. There’s also an online store, where you can purchase Palin’s books and DVDs of Sarah Palin’s Alaska. And there is “Her Story,” a short biography complete with oddly stretched photos of the woman herself. 

Most prominent on the website, though, are short articles that are presented as news. 

Many of the posts are just bad aggregation, condensed and rewritten versions of reports from other publications — like the Daily Caller, Fox News, and Politico, as well as less well-known sites such as Weasel Zippers — that shape and distribute news so that it confirms a conservative worldview. You might call it fake news or propaganda, with headlines like, “YES! Trump Fulfills Campaign Promise to Help the Coal Industry” (approximately 70 jobs were created, by a private company, at a coal mine in Pennsylvania) or “EVIDENCE FOUND! Trump Was Right on Voter Fraud …” (12 people in Indiana were charged with submitting fraudulent voter-registration applications, while Trump claimed that “millions” of undocumented immigrants had voted illegally in the 2016 election). 

Others are just random write-ups of viral videos; one reads, “Two INCREDIBLE Performances Are Leaving Americans SPEECHLESS.” Once in a while, there will be a column or two.

The article goes on to list all of the ways that Palin desperately attempted to stay relevant, from her stint as Fox News contributor, her doomed reality shows, and her incredibly temporary foray into subscription based internet TV. (Interestingly they did not even bother to mention Palin's book writing endeavors. Probably snootily only want to give credit to book authors who actually write their books.)

The article goes on:

Palin doesn’t write much. Initially, she penned a few of the articles, with titles like “INSANE”; “Trig’s School of Life. We’re all learning!”; “Alpha Males … Hot Hot Hot”; and “You, Sir, Are Unfortunately Being Used by Democrats.” 

But now, her sole contribution is when, about once a day, she publishes something called “SWEET FREEDOM DAILY DEVOTIONAL.” Occasionally, perhaps owing to error, it’s referred to as “SWEET FREEDOM DAILY DEVOTION” or even just “DAILY DEVOTIONAL,” no “sweet freedom.” These begin with scripture and end with a word of advice. On Saturday, her instruction was, “Today, quit waiting until circumstances are just right before you praise the Lord. You already have so much to thank God for, so what are you waiting for?” The contact form for press inquiries on sarahpalin.com doesn’t work, and an interview request, forwarded to Palin through a friend and associate of hers, was not answered as of press time.

(I hate to break it to New York Magazine, but it is most likely that those contributions of Palin's were almost completely written, or rewritten, by others.)

New York Magazine also attempted to contact the people who actually produce the content for sarahpalin.com,  but none of them would consent to an interview, and the only response was from a woman who did not submit her work to the website, was not sure how it got there, and was never paid for her "contribution."

This is actually the third time that Palin has been called out for her shitposts and click bait heavy content.

The first was back on February 1st of this year, on The Daily Banter, and the second was only nine days later on the Huffington Post.

I think that the only reason more new outlets have not pointed out the obvious is because they have forgotten that Palin is still alive.

I used to look forward to the days when we could dance around the rotting corpse of Sarah Palin's career, but to be honest it is getting a little old.

Now I am looking forward to dancing around the rotting corpse of Donald Trump's career.

I wonder if THAT will ever get old?

Former Fox News contributor, or "hitman" as they were called, reveals how Roger Ailes REALLY described his cable news network behind the scenes.

This comes courtesy of Tobin Smith who worked as an on air contributor to Fox Business for 14 years. (Smith was fired after it was revealed that he engaged in stock fraud.)

Here is what Smith wrote about Roger Ailes and his "off the record" opinion of Fox over at Medium: 

“Toby . . . I created a TV network for people 55 to dead,” Ailes said. 

“What does our viewer look like? 

“They look like me…white guys in mostly Red State counties who sit on their couch with the remote in their hand all day and night.” 

“What do they want to see” 

“They want to see YOU tear those smug condescending know-it-all East Coast liberals to pieces . . limb by limb . . . until they jump up out of their LaZ boy and scream “Way to go Toby…you KILLED that libtard!” 

He did NOT tell me what he told Joan (who recently reported her brief one-time conversation in 2000) discussing a new more liberal show idea (as she shared in her recent Nation.com article): 

“And Joan they don’t want to see anyone like you,” looking directly at my liberal friend . “They don’t want to see you — they don’t even want to know that you exist!”

(This of course refers to Joan Walsh, the National Affairs Correspondent for the Nation, and frequent guest on MSNBC.)


Here is how Tobin Smith describes what Ailes built:

 . . . he perpetrated the biggest TV scam ever . . . against the most vulnerable and gullible senior Americans . . . one that makes the game show fixing scandal of the late 50’s look like a tea party. 

By careful design and staging Fox News manipulated (and ultimately addicted) the most vulnerable people in America to the most powerful drug cocktail ever: Visceral gut feelings of outrage relieved by the most powerful emotions of all . . . the thrill of your tribe’s victory over its enemy and the ultimate triumph of good over evil.

You know those "debates" that take place on Fox shows between the host and a supposed progressive?

All bullshit.

The outcomes for Fox’s “panel debates” have ALWAYS been carefully fixed by the producers so that the home team (i.e, the conservative panelists like me) ALWAYS won.

So essentially it was always as we suspected. A cable news network that had virtually NO respect for its viewers, and manipulated their emotions on a daily basis in order to keep them tuned in and supporting their conservative agenda.

And they tapped into underlying feelings of misogyny, racism, and xenophobia to bait the hook.

Yeah, I think it is time that Fox News was no more.

How about you?

Latest SarahPAC e-mail suggests that Sarah Palin is best buddies with contributors.

"Of course we're friends. Now come closer so I can shake some money out of your pockets...I mean hug you."

As you know I occasionally receive these forwarded requests for money from one of our visitors who is also on the SarahPAC e-mail list.

I found this one to be particularly interesting:

Dear (Name removed to protect anonymity), 

Friends make the best allies.When I first launched SarahPAC six years ago, it was my goal to raise up an army of grassroots conservatives who would fight for the future of America against the good ole boy Washington bureaucracy. (So it WASN'T simply to line her pockets with money from the simpletons that supported her?) At that time, Democrats controlled both houses of Congress and Barrack Obama was on year one of his Apologize for and Destroy America tour. (Otherwise known as the "Fix everything George Bush and the Republicans broke" tour.)

What you and I have accomplished since then has been amazing. (Wait, what?)

In 2010 we had Marco Rubio, Rand Paul and 62 others backs as they took on the establishment and won with Republican’s regaining the House. (Actually on 33 of her picks managed to win. That's barely over half.) Last year, we continued the momentum, financially supporting Joni Ernst, Ben Sasse and others as we took back our Senate. (And once again oh so many more of those she supported lost.)

Now as we turn our attention to retaking the White House and stopping Hard Drive Hillary, I want to thank you for your support. Without you, none of what we do at SarahPAC could be accomplished. (Nor is much being accomplished according to the latest SarahPAC filings.)

(Name removed to protect anonymity), your support is building a strong future for this nation and the future generations that will call it home. For that, I’m proud to call you both a friend and a fellow patriot. 

Thank you again for your continuous support, 

Sarah

So now she's friends with the dipshits who send her money?

Doesn't exactly seem that she gets all warm and fuzzy with her fans, now does it?

(That lady on the right looks like somebody is holding a gun on her.)

As for her political impact these days, I think really the ONLY reliably predictable impact that a Sarah Palin endorsement has anymore is that it makes people immediately question the endorsed candidate's sanity for accepting it.

In my opinion the only current presidential candidate who would not suffer catastrophically from a Palin endorsement is Donald Trump who seems to be completely immune from any kind of damage whatsoever.

Other than Trump I would imagine that most candidates would immediately climb out a window if they heard that Palin was in the building looking for them.

In other news a Texan has started a petition to rename a hill in Ohio after Palin. You know to make up for the whole Mt. McKinley thing which seems to offended her family so deeply.

So you know she has that going for her. 

Postage, refunds, and payoffs, oh my. The SarahPAC FEC filings tell the continuing tale of a once prominent political figure's dramatic fall from relevance. Update!

"Maybe if I suck hard I'll get more money."

So I have taken a tour through SarahPAC's most recent FEC filing and have found the story is much the same as it has always been.

We already pointed out yesterday that the PAC took in less than it spent, which is a clear indication that Palin's star has not only fallen but that the crater it left behind is now becoming overgrown with weeds and new foliage.

Many of the expenditures are ones we have seen numerous times in the past:

Direct Mail: Approximately $43,000

Postage: Approximately $74,450

Consulting: Just a hair under $200,000 (Quite a lot of this was for RAM, a substantial chunk for Timothy Crawford, and the rest to Northstar Strategies and Pamela Pryor.)

Speech writing: $31,900. Boy did she get ripped off! (My favorite itemized cost in this section was $400 to a Dave Berg on May 9th. I have to wonder what kind of a contribution is only worth $400?)

Legal fees: Now this was an interesting one because Palin only paid Clapp, Peterson, Tiemessen, Thorsness L, a fee of $1,275 one time in January and then no more. Which makes me wonder if Palin has decided that she no longer needs a law firm on retainer, or if she simply cannot afford one?

Part Time Clerical: $20,000 still to the same two women as always, Marilyn Lane and Carol Ryan, both of Wasilla.

You may remember Marilyn as the Palin friend who helped her go after Wooten:

In her letter, Palin said Adrian and Marilyn Lane, who are friends of Palin's family and who lived in the same subdivision as Wooten, had seen him drink a beer at their house and then drive off in a patrol car "waving with beer in hand." 

In their interview with the investigator, Wall, the Lanes said they had seen Wooten come by their house and drink a beer before driving his patrol car during the summer of 2004. 

Marilyn Lane said she had seen Wooten drive off in his patrol car with another beer in hand. 

Wooten denied the Lanes' allegations, and Wall's investigation ruled that the claims made by the Lanes were unsubstantiated. 

Oh yeah, Palin owes this woman from WAY back. (Perhaps this is one of the many payoffs that I have been told about?)

Air fare: Approximately $21,800. Damn does this woman pay for any of her travel?

I know, silly question.

Okay well here was an item that really caught my eye.

Refunds: One for $5,000 to Elizabeth Martin Wiskemann for a contribution she made in 2012, and one for $2,000 to a Dr Donald R Scifres, TTEE. Also a 2012 donation.

Hmm, interesting! It appears that there is a way for at least SOME of the people Palin scammed into thinking she was running in 2012 to get their money back.

I wonder what is stopping the rest from following suit?

There were also two other expenditures that stood out.

One was to Wal-Mart for $271, and earmarked as items for gift bags. And the other is for Todd the Pimp for $325.62, earmarked as "shipping and items for gift bags."

Now the Wal-Mart purchase is on May 14th, which was two days before this Facebook post:

One last blast of Alaska winter today, hopefully? This is what "Grad Blast" means in Alaska! We'll move our graduation b-b-q indoors and watch the mini-blizzard from 'round the fireplace. (Global warming my gluteus maximus.) Congratulations to this year's graduates all across America. Job well done. Now the real job begins.

And the other one to the Toad, is right before Snowdrift Snooki gave this high school speech. And also where she handed out "goodie bags" and taped one dollar to the bottom of every student's chair.

All 27 of them.

Yep that's Palin for you, too cheap to even pay 27 dollars of her own money to make a stupid point.

As I said before this, to me, is clearly the end of the line for Palin. And  as somebody who has waited a long time to see it arrive, I have to admit it is a thing of beauty.

Of course Palin and her few remaining Palin-bots are in complete denial that this is in fact what we are seeing. Here is how treasurer Timothy Crawford explained the low numbers:

SarahPAC treasurer Tim Crawford said in an email to The Associated Press on Wednesday that the PAC, for the most part, gave donors a break and didn't fundraise aggressively during the latest reporting period. 

"Very pleased with the results," he said. "It is an off year after a presidential election where every donor was bombarded with requests."

Oh yeah, and if you believe THAT I have a Bridge to Nowhere to sell you at the end of which you will find Palin's pathetic excuse for a future.

Nice try though.

Update: Oh I forgot to mention that SarahPAC only paid out $5000 to Missouri's Jason Smith as their single campaign donation for this filing period. Which essentially undermines ANY idea that this is a true political PAC.

And let's face it, she only did THAT because he was the only political candidate willing to do this:

As Todd says, "What's in it for us?"

Dick Armey admits that Freedomworks paid Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh to pimp for them on the air.

Courtesy of Media Matters: 

Former FreedomWorks chairman Dick Armey says the conservative outlet that helped launch the Tea Party paid Glenn Beck at least $1 million last year to fundraise for the organization, an arrangement he said provided "too little value" for the money. 

"The arrangement was simply FreedomWorks paid Glenn Beck money and Glenn Beck said nice things about FreedomWorks on the air," Armey, the former House majority leader, told Media Matters Friday. "I saw that a million dollars went to Beck this past year, that was the annual expenditure." 

Armey, who left the organization this past fall after a dispute over its internal operations, said a similar arrangement was also in place with Rush Limbaugh, but did not know the exact financial details. 

"I put it down now as basically as paid advertising for FreedomWorks by Beck," Armey said, calling it a mistake.

So let me see it I have this straight, Freedomworks takes money from contributors for the purpose of making some political change in the country, and then turns around and uses those contributions to pay conservative spokespeople to mention their organization on TV and radio, in order to raise more money for their orgnaization.  Is that about right?

Oh but wait, that is only the tip of the scummy iceberg. Mother Jones has more:

According to ex-FreedomWorks chairman Dick Armey, when he joined the organization in 2003, FreedomWorks relied heavily on corporate donations. The group, he says, subsequently weaned itself off such underwriting and used direct-mail lists—some provided by Armey—to build up a base of small donors. But in the last year, there was a "big surge in private individual contributions," most of which Armey says he didn't know about. "The details were kept secret from me," he remarks. 

FreedomWorks, flush with wealthy donors' money, took full advantage of the nation's lax campaign finance rules during the 2012 election cycle. The group's nonprofit side shifted millions of dollars in dark money to the FreedomWorks super-PAC, effectively hiding the true source of those funds. One campaign finance reform advocate blasted those internal money transfers as the "laundering of secret money." A FreedomWorks spokeswoman did not respond to requests for comment.

So essentially this is the same thing that Sarah Palin has done, as well as various other so called conservatives. They talk about freedom, conservative values, and apple pie to attract donations and then use the money to pay staff, fund raise, or else launder it by paying other conservative groups who then send the money back to them for some bullshit or unidentified service.

Rachel Maddow revealed on her show Friday that Dick Morris used that exact same money laundering scam with his SuperPAC.

Wow, I think I might need to take a shower now.

You know you would think that the conservatives who are donating to these scam artists would eventually figure this out, but you know they probably won't.  After all, if they were smart enough to see through this stuff they would be smart enough to become liberals.

Nancy Pelosi wants us to "Stop Stephen Colbert." And believe it or not, I agree.

I would love to see this DISCLOSE act passed, and if you feel the same then you can add your name as a citizen co-sponsor by clicking here.