Trump Foundation suspected of being giant political slush fund for The Donald. Well duh!

Courtesy of The Daily Beast:  

The Trump Foundation, Donald Trump’s nonprofit organization, is under fire for allegedly operating as more of a political slush fund than a charity. The foundation is accused of violating rules prohibiting it from engaging in politics—prompting ethics watchdogs to call for public investigations. 

On numerous occasions this year, Trump’s campaign work and his foundation work have overlapped—putting himself at risk for penalties and his charity at risk of being shut down.

Trump is listed as the president of the foundation in the charity’s annual disclosures, and his children Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump, and Ivanka Trump are all listed as directors. Foundations like theirs are exempt from paying taxes, and as such are barred from engaging in political causes.

But in key early primary states this year, Trump handed out Foundation checks to charities at campaign rallies. This also calls into question “whether the foundation provided the campaign with an illegal in-kind contribution by providing services for what was a campaign event. Under the campaign finance laws… providing anything of value to a campaign for free or at less than fair market value is a contribution to the campaign,” said Larry Noble, the general counsel at the Campaign Legal Center. 

And in 2013, the Trump Foundation donated $25,000 to a political organization supporting Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi—an action the foundation is prohibited from taking, and which it failed to report on its disclosures.

Of course, of COURSE, Trump is using his bullshit "charity" foundation, how would anybody suspect otherwise?

Simply put Trump does NOT follow the rules, or obey laws, unless he it forced to do so by the courts.

And still they'll keep on supporting him.

It really is like America has elected a comic book villain to their our president.

So where are the heroes to defeat him?

Former Texas Congressman charged with stealing charity donations to fund his campaign.

Rep. Steve Stockman and Captain Poopy Pants.

Courtesy of the New York Times:  

A former United States representative from Texas and one of his aides were indicted on Tuesday on charges that they stole hundreds of thousands of dollars meant for charity, some of which was used to illegally finance his campaigns. 

The former representative, Steve Stockman, 60, and the former director of special projects in his congressional office, Jason Posey, 46, were charged in a 28-count indictment related to the alleged yearslong fraud scheme. The charges included mail and wire fraud, conspiracy, making false statements to the Federal Election Commission and money laundering, the Justice Department said in a statement. 

Mr. Stockman, a Republican, solicited $1.25 million in charitable donations from May 2010 to October 2014 that was later used for other purposes, the Justice Department said.

What? A Republican politician stealing from the needy? Say it ain't so!

Of course Stockman is pleading not guilty, because you know taking responsibility is such a libtard thing to do.

Sarah Palin pulls article from her website critical of Colin Kaepernick, blames others.

Courtesy of TMZ:

Sarah Palin has removed an article from her website criticizing Colin Kaepernick's $50,000 donation to Meals on Wheels ... and we're told the post is NOT in line with the former governor's beliefs. 

As we previously reported, a story went up on SarahPalin.com Wednesday morning titled, "SERIOUSLY? Colin Kaepernick Just Pulled ANOTHER Political Stunt." 

The article was NOT written by Palin -- but it was posted on Sarah's official Facebook page with a comment saying, "And he wonders why he can't find a job." 

Now, we're told Sarah did NOT have a personal role in greenlighting the story, posting it on her site or Facebook page, or adding the additional comment. 

One source familiar with the situation tells us, "This is not a view that Governor Palin holds. She has a long history of volunteering for Meals on Wheels and donating to them." 

"This was an opinion by a contributor to sarahpalin.com and as has since been removed."

First off I have NEVER any evidence of Sarah Palin volunteering to help Meals on Wheels.

Secondly I am really loving the fact that Palin is being called out for having a website that she is not even smart or talented enough to maintain on her own.

Thirdly this post sounds SO MUCH like something Sarah Palin would have okayed that I am having a hard time believing she did not give it her hoofprint of approval.

Personally I think that if she had not been excoriated for this post it would still be up over at sarahpalin.com.

imagine being so racist you get mad a black athlete for donating to meals on wheels https://t.co/wIEa4RBK3s

— Adam H. Johnson (@adamjohnsonNYC) March 22, 2017

Anybody of a differing opinion?

Sarah Palin dives deep into her pool of hypocrisy while preaching about charitable giving.

Okay so it has been awhile I thought it was about time to go ahead and see what the Wasilla Wendigo has been up to.

Well mostly scouring Donald Trump's withered orange ball sack with her tongue actually, but also occasionally stepping up to the pulpit to preach to the handful or supporters who still give two shits about what she has to say.

And so it was yesterday with a "Daily Devotional" about giving.

No I did not type that incorrectly, it is about giving.

Of course the post starts out with a Bible verse that I imagine somebody looked up for her just for this occasion.

Then Palin turns the hypocrisy up to eleven and this is the result: 

Growing up, I was taught that the Bible says we can “test” God in our tithes and offerings. Without fail, He always repays when we give. (Yeah, okay that is demonstrably untrue.) It’s been fun to pass that lesson on to my kids because they clearly see the proof. 

The blessing of giving is participating in it willingly – cheerfully even. Our government has it backward. Politicians put their hands in someone else’s pocket instead of treating other people’s hard-earned money as they would their own. In Washington, there’s too much addiction to OPM (other people’s money). (This from a woman who quite literally lived on the donations to her SuperPAC from idiots who believed she was actually someday going to run for president.) In fact, when politicians’ personal finances have to be disclosed when they run for office, some of the most self-described compassionate liberals are revealed as the least charitable. (I'm sorry, where are Donald Trump's tax returns again?)

That’s not God’s plan. He’s calling us to step up. The easy way out is to simply depend on the government to hand out everything, bu (I think that was supposed to be "but.") the first lesson in any good Econ 101 course is: “There ain’t no such thing as a free lunch.” (Don't your children receive free health care for being part native? Why yes, yes they do.) Our government was never intended to rob from Peter to give to Paul. Safety nets? Yes. Unnecessary government dependency? No. Joy, blessings, and productivity are found in voluntary giving, in personally providing help to the needy. (Literally not a self aware bone in this lunatic's body. Remember the family motto? "What's in it for us?")

Today, give something extravagant to God, not out of guilt or obligation, but because you delight in God’s generosity and want to emulate it!

Now I have to admit that the idea of tithing has always really bothered me.

After all for what use does a creature with the ability to create something out of nothing have for money?

And why do people need to pay to have a priest, pastor, or minister explain a book to them that they can all read for themselves?

Yeah, that just never made sense to me.

So there you go, what Sarah Palin is up when she is not giving Donald Trump a good ball washing is honing her televangelist skills, which clearly still need some work.

Just a reminder that corruption is in the Trump family's DNA.

Here is the story in case you missed it.

Oh yeah, this is definitely the family to help "drain the swamp."

(H/T to Democratic Underground.)

Donald Trump can't shut down his so-called "charity" while there is a lawsuit pending so he decides to defend it instead.

Courtesy of The New York Daily News:  

Donald Trump might have jumped the gun on calling it quits for his namesake foundation. 

The President-elect announced late Saturday afternoon that he would dissolve the Donald J. Trump Foundation "to avoid even the appearance of any conflict with my role as President," adding he intends to "continue to pursue my strong interest in philanthropy in other ways." 

But Amy Spitalnick, the press secretary for New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, told the Daily News in a statement Monday evening that Trump can't simply fold his controversy-embroiled foundation when he pleases. 

"The Trump Foundation is still under investigation by this office and cannot legally dissolve until that investigation is complete," Spitalnick said, declining to reveal any details about the probe. "The Foundation's fundraising activities remain suspended following the AG's notice of violation earlier this year."

Oops.

So since he cannot rid himself of the stench of his non-charity, Trump instead decides to lie about it on Twitter.

I gave millions of dollars to DJT Foundation, raised or recieved millions more, ALL of which is given to charity, and media won't report!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 27, 2016

The DJT Foundation, unlike most foundations, never paid fees, rent, salaries or any expenses. 100% of money goes to wonderful charities!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 27, 2016

Okay remember, if Trump says it, tweets it, or has a spokesperson say it on his behalf, chances are very good that it is a lie.

And yep, so is this:

"Although Donald Trump has described himself as an “ardent philanthropist,” he has only donated $3.7 million to his own foundation. In comparison, a wrestling company has given Trump’s foundation $5 million. He ranks among the least charitable billionaires in the world."

In fact we already know that Trump has used his charity as a kind of personal piggy bank, using it to settle a lawsuit, and to buy himself a picture. Of himself.

Also in our edition of hilariously incorrect tweets from Donald Trump is this one taking credit for President Obama's economy.

The world was gloomy before I won - there was no hope. Now the market is up nearly 10% and Christmas spending is over a trillion dollars!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 26, 2016

Actually the economy has been improving steadily for most of Obama's eight years.

We will probably not see what impact his presidency has for almost a year into it.

At which time I am confident he will blame any bad news on the previous administration. 

Just the lead singer of Twisted Sister leading the Trump family in an off key rendition of "We're Not Going to Take It."

From the You Tube description:  

The Trump Family sings "We're not going to take it anymore" with Dee Snider of Twisted Sister on stage during the Eric Trump Foundation's charity event benefiting St. Jude's Children's Hospital. $50,000 was donated for this amazing performance. Nothing like it! Cheers to the Trumps, Dee Snider, St. Jude's and all of the charitable guests.

It looks like another case of Donald Trump and his family being celebrated for taking credit for donating other people's money.

Sarah Palin uses a quote from Mother Theresa to attack Planned Parenthood. Well somebody should have done a little more research.

Courtesy of Palin's very last social media outlet.

Now on the face of it this might seem like a direct hit on Palin's part. Here she is quoting a once beloved Catholic icon to attack an organization that it is all the rage among conservatives to attack.

The problem lies in the "once beloved" part.

You see the great Christopher Hitchens wrote a carefully researched, and scathing book about Mother Theresa's supposed charitable nature and what he found seriously damaged her reputation around the world.

Here is just a little of what he found:  

MT was not a friend of the poor. She was a friend of poverty. She said that suffering was a gift from God. She spent her life opposing the only known cure for poverty, which is the empowerment of women and the emancipation of them from a livestock version of compulsory reproduction. And she was a friend to the worst of the rich, taking misappropriated money from the atrocious Duvalier family in Haiti (whose rule she praised in return) and from Charles Keating of the Lincoln Savings and Loan. Where did that money, and all the other donations, go? The primitive hospice in Calcutta was as run down when she died as it always had been—she preferred California clinics when she got sick herself—and her order always refused to publish any audit. But we have her own claim that she opened 500 convents in more than a hundred countries, all bearing the name of her own order. Excuse me, but this is modesty and humility?

Others who researched the claims made by Hitchens found them factual and right on target:  

Canadian academics trawled through 96 per cent of all originally researched literature on the Catholic icon and concluded that her reputation as one of the holiest women of the twentieth century was the product of hype. 

Researchers allege missing funds for humanitarian work and homes for the poor that did not offer the medical care they required, leaving many to die. 

Serge Larivée, a researcher from the University of Montreal, said: "Given the parsimonious management of Mother Theresa's works, one may ask where the millions of dollars for the poorest of the poor have gone?”

If you think about it the choosing of Mother Theresa's quote is a no-brainer for Palin as they are essentially cut from the same cloth.

Both are grifters who accept donations that they ultimately spend mostly on themselves.

Both claim to be working for the greater good, while seeking out and basking in whatever limelight will shine their way.

And both hide behind religion to keep their critics at bay.

Interestingly enough, by way of comparison, Planned Parenthood attained the highest score possible for accountability and transparency.  (And if you don't believe that charity rating service, here is another.)

The Mitt Romney-Evander Holyfield fight. One of the most disturbing spectacles I have ever seen.

Things to note:

30 second mark: Ann Romney wearing a Batman cap sideways trying to pull off the boxing groupie cosplay.

1:49 mark: Evander Holyfield makes his appearance looking far to authentic and majestic to be associated with this garbage.

3:16 mark: Mitt removes his robe revealing a suit and tie underneath it.

3:25 mark: They strip the suit and tie leaving Romney shirtless.

6:44 mark: The "fight" starts.

9:43 mark: After touching Holyfield with his outsized gloves like a man engaged in a tickle fight, Romney "knocks" Holyfield down.

10:03 mark: The Romney corner throws in the towel and the "fight" comes to an end. And not a minute too soon.

Okay here's the thing, I KNOW this was supposed to be for charity. And I know it supposedly raised a million dollars.

But I also know that the money went to something called CharityVision which is run by Romney's son Josh.

I also know that Romney could have reached into the back pocket of his faded jeans and simply handed the charity that same amount from his small change purse.

And he could have done that without acting like a fool and taking a giant dump all over the great sport of boxing. A sport that I used to really love.

Watching Romney throw those baby like punches was painful for me to watch. I have seen kittens leisurely swatting at floating dust particles that have more power than Romney demonstrated.

But even worse than that was watching the once great, and I mean GREAT, Evander Holyfield pretend that he also could not throw an effective punch and then take that dive in the second round.

That hurt my heart.

Look I've fought in the ring, and I've trained fighters. I know how much dedication it takes to develop those skills, to build your endurance, and to overcome your trepidation over stepping into a canvas ring that you may end up being carried out of at the end of the fight.

I will hand it to Mittens, he looked fit. But he had no business doing something like this.

Due to our knowledge of the massive head trauma suffered by boxers, the rise of MMA style fighting, and the diminishing interest from the public, boxing is on its death bed.

But it certainly did not need Mitt "Money bags" Romney to deliver such an ugly kidney punch before it breathes its last.

There I've had my say.

Florida sheriff sells "In Dog We Trust" rug for almost $10,000. Proving once again that if you have faith in the dog, good things will come your way.

Courtesy of CNN:  

A Florida sheriff's office has turned a $500 mistake into a $9,650 windfall for charity. 

The Pinellas County Sheriff's office ordered a new rug, which turned up last week with a typo. The large green rug with the black and yellow Pinellas County Sheriff's Office logo included the phrase "In Dog We Trust" within one of its crests. 

It was supposed to read "In God We Trust." The Sheriff's Office said rug manufacturer, American Floor Mats, would replace it. 

That could have been the end of the story except Sheriff Bob Gualtieri had an idea. 

He decided to auction off the unique item -- the "doggone rug," as he called it -- and donate the proceeds to a local rescue.

Ultimately the rug sold for  $9,650.00 and now that money will go to care for animals in a shelter.

It just goes to show that all things are possible with dog.

Seriously I think we have the makings of a new religion here. And I certainly like it better than the ones we have now.

Unpaid National Guard troops stationed at Texas border have turned to a food bank because they are hungry.

New National Guard motto: "Always Ready. Always There. Fucking starving."

Courtesy of Valley Central:  

They came here to help protect the border but now the first wave of Texas National Guard troops deployed after Governor Rick Perry made the call, are needing assistance to pay for food and gas. 

"We were contacted that 50 troops that are in the Valley don't have any money for food and gas and they need our assistance,” said Food Bank RGV Executive Director Terri Drefke. 

They've turned to the Food Bank RGV for help since they won't get paid until September 5th and have been in the Valley since August 11th. 

Drefke told Action 4 News they are more than ready and willing to assist the military personnel. 

"We have fresh, boxed, and frozen food available” Drefke said. 

Local lawmakers got wind of the issue when Action 4 News contacted them with our questions. 

Texas State Rep, Rene Oliveira (D-Brownsville) said he is appalled. 

"It's embarrassing that our troops have to stand in a food pantry line,” Rep. Oliveira said. “This is the fault of the state." 

Oliveira is willing to use some of his own money to pay for meals for the National Guard deployed to Cameron County, but says all the blame falls on the lack of planning.

As you might imagine Rick Perry's office took offense to this story and claimed it was exaggerated:  

"First, the suggestion that Guardsmen aren’t getting paid is false. They are getting paid on a regular schedule with their first pay day on Sept. 5, then every two weeks after that. Second, based on information provided by the Texas National Guard, two soldiers sought and received assistance through the Family Assistance Coordinator. Family Assistance Coordinators routinely help Guardsmen all across the state with needs they may have, regardless of deployment or duty status. Also, based on information provided by the Guard, they currently have no indication that any Guardsmen received any assistance from the Rio Grande Valley Food Bank. 

Governor Perry is confident the Guard stands ready to assist to any Soldier who may need it, regardless of deployment or duty status so they can meet the needs of their family, or the mission they are performing."

Well here we go again. Do we believe the food bank, and the reporters, or do we believe the Texas politician with national aspirations who is trying to cover his ass?

Boy that's a real conundrum.

Okay let's go with Perry and accept that it was only two soldiers who asked for assistance.

Do we really think these men went to the food bank asking for a handout without EVER contacting their superior officers and letting them know that their situation was getting desperate?

I  mean NOBODY wants to ask for charity, and usually that is the last resort for somebody who has run out of options.

So whether it was two soldier or fifty, even one soldier made to stand in the blistering heat without adequate nourishment is one too many.

Sarah Palin pimps her "in name only" husband's upcoming Iron Dog race, and claims they are raising money to fight breast cancer. Wait, what?

Courtesy of Palin's Facebook page:  

It's almost IRON DOG time! This is one of the busiest times of the year for us with lots of guys wrenching in the shop and training on the trails and frozen rivers. Todd and his partner are full speed ahead gearing up for the world’s longest and toughest snowmachine race traversing over 2,000 miles of frozen Alaska. 

This year we’re very excited that Todd’s SkiDoo team and three other teams riding SkiDoo are racing for a very worthy cause! They’re launching the “Bring Home the Pink” campaign to raise money and awareness in the fight against breast cancer. All the money goes directly to help women in need. In fact, they’re working with Breast Cancer Focus, an Alaska-based organization run entirely by volunteers, in order to ensure that the donations go to fund efforts that will directly help women.

Yeah, did that stop you short when you read that too?

I hate to be completely cynical but when I think of Sarah and Todd "What's in it for us?" Palin I do NOT think of charity.

However the charity seems to be a real thing, and as far as I know legitimate. (Though it should be noted that it appears to be brand new.)

As far as I know.

Of course the idea of Todd Palin, one time pimp, raising money to give to help women rather than forcing them to work and make HIM money is more than a little hard to swallow.

Perhaps the Palins have turned over a new leaf and are now willing to finally give back to their communities. I mean anything's possible, right?

Right?

Hey, do you know who would REALLY like to see Todd race snowmachines?

Tripp. But sadly he is with his mother in Arizona for the next three months.

Because, you know, fuck Levi.

Just in time for Saturnalia. The Sarah Palin gold medallion.

Courtesy of Alaska Mint:  

This Bronze medallion honors Alaska's Sarah Palin. As Alaska's first woman Governor, she had a reputation of being against "business as usual". She was thrust into the national spotlight when she was chosen to be John McCain's vice presidential running mate. A donation from the sale of these medallions will be made to Wounded Warrior Project, helping seriously injured service members. (You know, after Palin gets her cut that is.)


This item goes for $24.99 and is one of many to choose from. Including the 2012 version.

 I take it this was from back when Palin was still teasing the ignorant that she might run against Obama in 2012. Which the more intelligent among us knew was mooseshit right at the start.

There are some in the collection that are more expensive like this one for a cool $134.00.

How anybody can justify blowing over a hundred dollars on Sarah Palin medallion/coin is beyond me. Especially considering the fact that if history is any indication it will rapidly go down in value, or prestige, right along with everything else with which her name has been associated.

Right John McCain?

P.S. You know they keep referring to this as a "medallion" because it is not legal tender and was not officially minted by the United States, so it cannot be called a coin. Though it does resemble one.

If it WERE a coin it might be the first one in which you could not win a coin toss. Because, as with everything having to do with Sarah Palin, heads you lose, and tails you lose.

Sarah Palin graduates from the tent revival circuit to the rodeo circuit. Oh and she attacks Paul Ryan. Uh oh!

This from old Ridden Hard and Put up Wet's Facebook page:

It was an honor to participate today in a luncheon for the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund at the Southpoint in Vegas. The JCCF, sponsored by Justin Boots, helps pay medical bills for injured professional rodeo athletes and their families. It’s a great cause honoring our cowboy tradition and those who participate in America’s original “extreme sport.” 

Vegas? She's in Vegas?

I am a little confused as to why Palin would support a charity, since as we all know she never does anything which is not in some way beneficial to herself. I mean sure these are people who abuse animals for a living so she may identify with them in that way, but how does this help her to sell more of her crappy books and get free stuff?

P.S. That’s Michael Gaughan and his family in the photo. They’re the owners of the Southpoint Casino, which sponsored the event today. I mention Michael in “Good Tidings and Great Joy.”

Ooooh, now I get it. She shows up for a charity function and gets a free night in a hotel and the opportunity to pimp her book. Palin does NOTHING for charitable reasons.

Here's a rather odd coincidence. MY father was a professional rodeo cowboy when I was a boy. That is until he was forced to quit after having his legs shattered by a bull.

In fact your favorite Alaska blogger also participated in a little bull riding. (I was young, my father and I were trying to bond, and there may have been some girls involved.) I sucked at it of course, and besides I like animals too much to participate in a sport that is so incredibly abusive to them.

Palin may also have misjudged her audience with this one.

Here is the top comment on her Facebook page as of this posting:

For once, I must respectfully disagree with you. Why pay for injuries sustained while torturing animals? We can eat em, ride em, enjoy them in every way, but torture them, no way!!!!

It is one thing to attack the President at every opportunity or abandon her family while pursuing fame and fortune, but hurting animals? Nope that may be the one thing that both liberals and conservatives can agree is indefensible.

And she may have also miscalculated with this angry ghostwritten attack on the conservative golden boy Paul Ryan: 

No one can argue with the fact that Paul Ryan’s compromise budget bill raises taxes and increases spending. Show me one Republican who got elected on that platform. Spare America the Orwellian word games. If the government is taking money out of your pocket to fund its growing Big Brother operations, it’s a tax. Whether money is taken from you via your phone bill, your airline ticket, or your income, it’s a tax. If politicians can’t be honest about this, it’s time to go home. 

The TEA Party’s very acronym stands for “Taxed Enough Already.” We sent these politicians to Congress in an historic landslide election in 2010 with a mandate to stop the runaway spending train bankrupting our nation, not to wave to it from the station or – heaven forbid – increase its speed. 

Not at all surprising that Palin has decided to throw her lot in with the obstructionists and Tea Party saboteurs who do not understand how government works, and who work overtime to prove that it does not.

However this is the beginning of the civil war that will determine the future of the Republican party and somehow I doubt that Palin is going to end up on the side with the victors.

More popcorn anyone?

Palin joins Willow for her graduation, pretends to care about abused children, and ducks a question about running in 2016. Seriously? Somebody asked her about 2016?

Courtesy of Fox 10 News:  

Governor Jan Brewer and former Governor Sarah Palin led the Strike Out Child Abuse Walk as it wound its way through downtown Phoenix Saturday afternoon. 

Before the event kicked off, people swarmed the former governor of Alaska for pictures and autographs. 

Palin says she and her family spend a lot of time in Arizona. She pushed her son Trig in a stroller for the walk. 

 "We get to visit here quite often because our kids take different classes down here. They've chosen Arizona as the place to be and it's not just because of the weather, which is heavenly," said Palin. 

As for the political climate, we had to ask about the immigration issue. The gang of eight is expected to present a complex immigration plan next week. 

Will the American people support it? 

"If they first will make sure the borders are secure then I think American public will be open to hearing what bureaucratic regulatory solutions are, but first and foremost is securing the border," said Palin. "We need more boots on the ground, more technology on the ground and certainly we need cooperations between the state of Arizona and state of Sonora," said Brewer. 

And the inevitable question about Palin's political future: Are you going to run in 2016? 

"Don't know what I'm going to do in 2016, but I'm going to walk today and I'm happy to get to do that," said Palin. 

I cannot believe that people are still asking Palin policy questions. But come to think of it I can't believe they ask Jan "There are headless corpses in the desert" Brewer those questions either!

I received a number of pictures last night, though I am not exactly sure wherethey came from.

Here is Palin at the walk, sporting her wonder woman bracelet.

 And here she is posing with Willow either before or after her graduation from "hair school."

I don't like to say too much about fashion (WTF is with the boots?), but I am sure that all of you will have plenty to say about the clothing choices.

A Palin graduating? AND getting a job that is not reality TV related? Apparently hell HAS frozen over.

Willow Palin courtesy of Penrose Academy's Facebook page.

After complaining about the incredible snowfall we have been receiving in Alaska this spring, Palin posted THIS on her ghostwritten Facebook page:  

Is it any wonder the family is excited to go to Arizona this week for Willow’s graduation as she embarks on a new career as a small business owner? And in honor of Willow's accomplishment we wanted to do something charitable. So, we'll join Gov. Brewer for the “Hope & A Future’s Strikeout Child Abuse Walk” in Phoenix on Saturday at 3pm.

So as you can see Palin is making sure to get some other benefit from flying down to Arizona beyond simply sitting through the graduation of her daughter from "hair school." She is also making a "charity" appearance with Arizona's leather bound politician, Jan Brewer.

Whatever you do, don't look into her cold dead reptilian eyes!

Palin claims that she is showing up simply in support of a charity, so I guess we can assume she has found some way to get paid for this appearance, After all, how much money do they really need to battle child abuse in Arizona, right? (For a REALLY conspiratorial take on this buddy buddy thing between Palin and Brewer, just go to one of the Palin-bot sites where they are convinced that John McCain is about to step down and that Brewer will undoubtedly appoint Palin to take his place.)

Now the Facebook page does not clarify which kind of "small business" Willow is starting, but since she is graduating from hair school I am going to guess something to do with hair. Probably a boutique, much like the Beehive in Wasilla, that her mother made famous and whose 15 minutes of fame was fortunately short lived. (Hmm, perhaps Willow IS angling for a reality show.)

Palin also does not specify if this shop will be in Wasilla or Arizona. But based on that picture of Willow up at the top I am guessing Wasilla, since I swear I have seen women walking around their local Wal-Mart who look exactly like that.

(Yet another reason why I stay the hell away from that damn place!)

By the way for those who have mentioned that we NEVER see a picture of Palin holding Trig, look what showed up in my comment section today.

I don't have a date, but it looks fairly recent and also does not appear to be in Alaska. (Oops, correction. Apparently it IS in Alaska.)

While we are on the subject of Snowbird Snooki, according to her recent tweets it looks like she is STILL pissed off about MHP's comments about children not being the possession of their parents.

Dear MSNBC, if our kids belong to you, do your kids belong to us too? If so, can we take them hunting after church in our big pickup truck?
— Sarah Palin (@SarahPalinUSA) April 9, 2013

First it was "You didn't build that." Now it's "You didn't birth that." *Sigh* Govt, stay out of our cribs. #kidsbelongtous
— Sarah Palin (@SarahPalinUSA) April 9, 2013

"You didn't birth that?" Hmm perhaps this is NOT about MSNBC and Melissa Harris-Perry.

Perhaps this is about an even older burr under her saddle.

Another GOP talking point refuted, people in lower income brackets give MORE to charity than do the wealthy in this country.

Courtesy of the Atlantic:

One of the most surprising, and perhaps confounding, facts of charity in America is that the people who can least afford to give are the ones who donate the greatest percentage of their income. In 2011, the wealthiest Americans—those with earnings in the top 20 percent—contributed on average 1.3 percent of their income to charity. By comparison, Americans at the base of the income pyramid—those in the bottom 20 percent—donated 3.2 percent of their income. The relative generosity of lower-income Americans is accentuated by the fact that, unlike middle-class and wealthy donors, most of them cannot take advantage of the charitable tax deduction, because they do not itemize deductions on their income-tax returns. 

But why? Lower-income Americans are presumably no more intrinsically generous (or “prosocial,” as the sociologists say) than anyone else. However, some experts have speculated that the wealthy may be less generous—that the personal drive to accumulate wealth may be inconsistent with the idea of communal support. Last year, Paul Piff, a psychologist at UC Berkeley, published research that correlated wealth with an increase in unethical behavior: “While having money doesn’t necessarily make anybody anything,” Piff later told New York magazine, “the rich are way more likely to prioritize their own self-interests above the interests of other people.” They are, he continued, “more likely to exhibit characteristics that we would stereotypically associate with, say, assholes.” 

You know I was thinking about this back during the election when the Republicans were talking about Mitt Romney's generosity as defined by how much he donates to the Mormon Church.  I remember thinking, "That's not generosity. He is giving to his church which is self serving, and then writing it off on his taxes. That does NOT meet the definition of generosity for me."

And it stands to reason that people who accumulate great wealth place a great deal of importance in having a lot of money, and in possessing the things that money will buy for them. (I am thinking of Donald Trump here.) So I don't think I ever truly bought into the talking point that taxing these wealthier individuals would negatively impact charitable organizations.

Now only speaking for myself, and I am probably considered relatively middle class, I have NEVER written off a charitable donation on my taxes. In fact to me doing so would completely negate the idea of charity.

In my mind charity is a sacrifice of your time, resources, or money, for the good of others. If I was in some way compensated for that it would undermine the very idea of giving to others.

Well at least that is how I always looked at it.

Besides those of us living paycheck to paycheck, and who have to save up for the things we want, understand sacrifice and what it means to do without. For many of us we have undoubtedly experienced times in our lives when we needed support from our community, our friends, or our families, and understand on a visceral level how important it is to have help when you are struggling.

So of course it makes perfect sense to me that those of us who have little to give, give more of what we have. And that those who have much to give, give much less. After all that attitude probably contributes in many ways to why THEY have so much and WE often have so much less.

Sarah Palin: "Activism truly Is for the children."

The headline is taken from Palin's Facebook page, on which was posted with the above picture of a much younger Trig uncharacteristically wearing his glasses. (Which Trig is this one again?)

Here is the full quote:

As cliche and annoying as it may sound, activism truly IS for the children.

 I have no idea what the point of it is except perhaps she has noticed that almost all of her support has dried up and she is hoping that trotting out her most successful prop will loosen some purse strings.

I guess the current version of Trig is just not deemed cute enough to accomplish that anymore.

Of course as we have seen Palin's activism has been exclusively focused on furthering HER agenda and bringing in as much cash as possible.  And the evidence is pretty clear that when she HAS given speeches for charity she makes damn sure that she gets free airfare and hotel commendations, and most often also charges a fee for speaking.

So if I may take the liberty of correcting her title, it undoubtedly should read, "Screw the children, activism is for making the big bucks baby!"

Paul Ryan soup kitchen photo-op causes mass exodus of donors.

Courtesy of the Huffington Post:  

In the wake of Rep. Paul Ryan's embarrassing soup kitchen photo-op last week, the organization that runs the facility tells The Huffington Post that donors have begun pulling their money out of the Youngstown, Ohio charity. 

Ryan may have suffered a few late-night jokes, but the fallout for the soup kitchen appears to be far more bruising. Brian J. Antal, president of the Mahoning County St. Vincent De Paul Society, confirmed that donors have begun an exodus in protest over Ryan's embarrassment. The monetary losses have been big. "It appears to be a substantial amount," Antal said. "You can rest assured there has been a substantial backlash." 

Antal says he can't give an actual dollar amount. "I can't say how much [in] donations we lost," he said. "Donations are a private matter with our organization." 

Antal's charity represents the kind of organization that conservative Republicans might champion. But that was before the Ryan incident went viral a few days ago. According to The Washington Post, Antal said that the moment should never have happened. He told the newspaper that the photo-op was not authorized and that the campaign had “ramrodded their way” inside. 

Ryan supporters have now targeted Antal and his soup kitchen, Antal said, including making hundreds of angry phone calls. Some members of Antal's volunteer staff have had to endure the barrage as well, he said. "The sad part is a lot of [the callers] want to hide behind anonymity," he said, adding that if someone leaves their name and number he has tried to return their call. In addition to phone calls, people have posted a few choice words on the charity's Facebook wall, including statements like "I hope you lose your tax [sic] emempt status," Anyone who is thinking about donations to you should think twice" and "Shame on you Brian Antal!" 

On the phone with HuffPost, Antal seemed worn out by all the vitriol. "Honesty, I really don't need any more attention," he said. "I really just want this to go away."

 Just because your candidate is a giant douchebag who gets caught bullying his way into a charity to have his picture taken creating more work for the staff by contaminating sterilized dishes is NO reason to blame the charity!

Okay WTF is wrong with these people?