It seems that Palin is my cross to carry… my burden to bear. Clinging to what’s left of its dying reputation the Republican party has credited her with the Chambliss win down in Georgia. Delivering that win makes Palin the new Republican torchbearer. I don’t know about you, but I am impressed. If Palin can get an old white guy re-elected in Georgia, I would imagine walking on water is right around the corner. But maybe she’s not really carrying the torch as much as she has struck a match and is now playing with fire.
Folks, is anyone else out there laughing? You just can’t make this kind of stuff up. Well, I take that back. If I have learned nothing else these last 8 years, I have learned that the Republican party can make shit up… a lot! They made up weapons of mass destruction and suddenly the concept of “preventive war” became part of our foreign policy.
Now before I go any farther, I am going to ask each of you to do a little research on preEMPtive war, preVENtive war and the Bush Doctrine. When you finish you will have accomplished three important things. First, you will know that preEMPtive wars are a slippery slope. Second, you will know that preVENtive wars are really an oxymoron that only a moron like George Bush could rationalize. And third, you will know more about US foreign policy than Sarah Palin did when she was running for Vice President.
So are you done with your research? Good then let’s continue.
Preventive war has been the foundation of our current foreign policy for eight years, and yet you people are upset because I called Governor Palin a bitch? Considering she called me Un-American first, I would say that I started a defensive war. My God but we have certainly lost our way. The Republican Party who elected George W. Bush – not once but twice – should be ashamed of itself. We are now preventing wars by going to war. Please turn off Fox News for just a second and devote your entire brain to that concept. George Bush rushed right past preemptive war and laid claim to PREVENTIVE war, which states, amazingly enough, that even the remote possibility of a situation occurring that might lead to war is reason enough to go to war. Please tell me that the Republicans who read this blog realize that is the very definition of a self-fulfilling prophecy. Come on now. I used the word prophesy. That should have gotten your attention.
The 58 million who most recently voted Republican must agree because when it comes to the Iraq war, McCain was willing to stay for 100 years and Sarah Palin had no issues with that. In fact, she is not only fine with starting a war to prevent a war, but she actually thinks that it is “a task from God”. Good Lord. Please tell me God isn’t that stupid. That would kind of be like my eating all the cookies in the cookie jar to prevent myself from cheating on the diet later. Either way Sarah Palin is an idiot and I’m the one with a fat ass.
War to prevent war. Preventing war by going to war. I…. hmmm… I well…. I guess I am just not smart enough to understand that concept because any way you look at it – the end result is war. Maybe that is why Georgie Boy had two in the hand and one in the “bush” before Americans stood up and Obama stepped in.
Attack me if you wish. But until Governor Palin can show me that she is capable of walking and chewing gum without justifying war by saying that some Americans are Un-American, I will not stop writing about her. Until then, I want to say this:
We live in the greatest nation on the planet. Every four years we have the ability to go through a national self-evaluation and make changes based on past successes and past mistakes. Sometimes it works like when Bill Clinton replaced the elder George Bush. Sometimes it takes longer than four years as we have seen more recently – in which case it’s no longer a self-evaluation but more like a national enema. We’re not perfect but we do our best. As part of that self-evaluation I can write this blog and you can comment all you want without fear of retribution. It’s really quite remarkable if you think about it. Florida can screw up an entire nation’s election. An idiot can avoid war by going to war. A bitch can be nominated for Vice President. An old lady can write a blog. Rush Limbaugh can lie all day and sell it as the gospel truth. Ann Coulter’s monkey can write a book and it will make the best sellers list… And still, we managed to elect Barack Obama as our next President.
I don’t know about the rest of you, but I am going to sleep well tonight because of that last part. But mark my words. I’ve lived through World War II and every war since. Defensive. Preemptive. Preventive. They’re all the same. Children die on both sides and we never get them back. Ever. When you start down a road where you prevent wars by starting wars… well, children die. I hope that is all I need to say.
Thanks for stopping by. I mean it. Really.
Another Wow!!! Visit Tejas Antiques in Navasota. Home of Leon Collins and Molly Bee, artists reonwned for their artwork depicting Negro life. Molly Bee is 20years old. Leon is her father. Paintings sold all over the U.S. Featured artists at shows. Most recently on Bob Phillip’s TV program Texas Country Reporter . Tejas Antiques features six flavors of Handmade Fudge. Handmade Tx furniture from Alamo to early railroad.
By: Mitchel on December 18, 2012
at 6:53 PM
What better way to stay in power than to invent the concept of a never-ending war (as in the “war on terror”).
History shows that the popularity of conservative Governments always increases during times of war. Just look at Israel’s right wing after Gaza.
But thank the Gods it didn’t work in the US this time!
By: Helen on February 8, 2009
at 10:52 PM
[...] On the oxymoronic concept of “pre-emptive war” [...]
By: I Should Post About Religion More Often « The Sandbox Confessions of a Multicultural Muslimah on February 4, 2009
at 3:25 AM
I like Sarah Palin and I support her and her family. She will make a good president and we all have to support her.
II also like Hillary Clinton and her family and I will support them when I can.
By: Raymonty on January 9, 2009
at 6:45 PM
katie – your students are LUCKY to have you as a teacher!
By: Greytdog Δ on January 7, 2009
at 9:32 PM
“I read somewhere that it was unreasonable to expect her to be able to name any Supreme Court decisions besides Roe v. Wade because how many americans really CAN do that?”
Yes, I had to do it…I make my 10th grade students memorize this list of rulings…
State v Man, Scott v Sandford, Plessey v Ferguson, Brown v Board of Ed, Heart of Atlanta Motel v USA, Swann v Charlotte Mecklenburg,
Regents of U of CA v Bakke, Leandro v NC, Engel v Vitale, Abington school v Schemp, Tinker v Desmoines, Bethel School District v Frasier, Hazelwood v Kuhlmeir, Texas v Johnson, Furman v GA, Gregg v GA, Gideon v Wainright, Miranda v Arizona, NJ v TLO, Korematso v USA, Roe v Wade, Kelo v New London CT, Marbury v Madison,
McCulloch v Maryland, Gibbons v Ogden
By: Katie on January 7, 2009
at 7:55 PM
I think you are possibly the coolest individual in this reality. Now, MirrorUniverse!Sarah Palin is actually a lovely person–she knits and makes homemade gooseberry jam…but I digress.
Have I mentioned how much I love your blog? You ladies rock.
By: DebbieB on December 23, 2008
at 11:45 AM
Helen and Margaret
Here is my site. Go there and snag a counter for your blog. I added mine last week. One week ago there was one tiny flag in Florida where I live. Today Australia was added. Also, tell the kids that all you want for Christmas is a book. it’s available at amazon.com “Why Jesus Christ Would Never Ever Vote Republican”
http://chihuahuasforchange.blogspot.com/
By: Margot on December 15, 2008
at 12:09 PM
It is terrifying that some people think Sarah Palin can walk on water. She’s brain damaged and a certifiable nut case with truly wackadoo beliefs. We use to lock people away who claimed “God” spoke to them. Now we make them President and give them the keys to our nukular arsenal.
By: Gretchen on December 14, 2008
at 9:55 AM
“It is scary if Palin does run in four years and actually gets elected. I have found that the Republican has become more and more religiously bent in their messages and law making. This is even scarier. I usually have no problem with religion and how people incorporate it into their life. However, I heard Palin quoted saying that she is a God send and the republican party thinks God sent her to be President.”
Just who is spreading the fear here?
And where did you “hear” Sarah Palin “quoted?”
By: Anonymous on December 11, 2008
at 3:06 PM
As always you are a spitfire Miss Helen, and I love your blog… I’ve just caught up on your last few posts and can’t wait to tell some of my friends to take a look.
Keep up the good work!
By: Silver Snow Dragon on December 11, 2008
at 12:54 PM
Thank you so much for your ability to just say it like it is. We all benefit from your wit and experiences. I haven’t laughed so hard in a while.
By: Garrett on December 11, 2008
at 12:45 PM
It is scary if Palin does run in four years and actually gets elected. I have found that the Republican has become more and more religiously bent in their messages and law making. This is even scarier. I usually have no problem with religion and how people incorporate it into their life. However, I heard Palin quoted saying that she is a God send and the republican party thinks God sent her to be President. Please think about other political leaders in the world that thought they were God appointed. I’ll give you a hint Hitler thought it was God’s will to cleanse the earth and create a super race. Please also take a look at some of the Sovereign’s that England has had (the royal family is also a gift from God). The more the Republicans push this idea that God wants Palin to fix the US, the more nervous I get because of the above reasons. Just a thought. Also please understand I have no problem with any religion I just have a problem with it dictating our laws.
By: Suzy on December 11, 2008
at 8:41 AM
“Either way Sarah Palin is an idiot and I’m the one with a fat ass.”
Helen, you kill me. You’re brilliant. Shakespeare himself has nothing on you!
(And, happy birthday to a fellow Sagittarian!)
By: Debbie Schubert on December 10, 2008
at 8:55 AM
The best comment I’ve heard about Palin comes from the lady that came into my store before the election. “Palin is like *us*. She’s just a good ole girl who hunts and fishes, goes to church, loves her kids.” I looked at her and said “but I don’t want somebody like *us*. I want somebody smarter, better, somebody who thinks quicker than I do. I don’t want somebody like *us* in charge of the country.”
http://www.ComeTogetherGiftBaskets.com
By: PugsNGreenville on December 10, 2008
at 7:19 AM
Bush is History:
Thank KO!
Δ
By: Whirled Peas ~ Δ on December 10, 2008
at 6:50 AM
douglaskev: “palin probably didn’t tip the scales as much for the r’s as much as fear of a filibuster proof senate did”
———————————————————-
Anyway to quantify that remark – I seriously doubt that the Georgia voters really had any concerns about filibustering or not. I suspect, from my short sojourn in Georgia, the vote reflects the Southern Bubba Club’s need to maintain the status quo. . . after all, how you gonna keep the slaves down on the plantation after they’ve seen DC?
By: Greytdog on December 10, 2008
at 6:39 AM
release
By: PalinShutUp on December 10, 2008
at 3:40 AM
Greytdog on December 8, 2008 at 8:52 PM “Political Amazon, I sort of agree with your assessment of B Walters. But I have to give her (and Joy Behar) kudos for grilling McCain when no one else was calling him out.”
Joy and Whoopie gave him a new a-hole, Barbara asked him to let Palin on the show and mentioned that business of when he was offered early realease
——————–
as Whirled Peas posted; war IS a racket
no wonder they are kicking and screaming at Obama promising to pull the plug
———————
abuck6; “And Hurricane Katrina and other world disasters are GWB’s fault…correct?”
no one wrote that, the fact are that GWB sat on his ass doing absolutely nothing while the people of NOLA suffered, FOR DAYS
if the majority of those people had been rich and lets face it, white, that would have been a completely different story
I wont even comment on the rest of your senseless rant.
By: PalinShutUp on December 10, 2008
at 3:39 AM
Dear Mrs Philpot,
I am 37 now, but when I am your age I hope to be a spitfire, kickass ol’ dame just like you.
And you’re right. Sarah Palin IS a bitch.
By: Joey Packwood on December 10, 2008
at 2:49 AM
while i love your blog, just a quick thought about palin helping deliver georgia:
i heard a story on npr saying that obama only took 42% of the vote, so it was unlikely that the democratic senator would have been pushed over the top by obama campaigning for him,
similarly, palin probably didn’t tip the scales as much for the r’s as much as fear of a filibuster proof senate did
By: douglaskev on December 10, 2008
at 12:05 AM
Political Amazon -
What is this voice
————————
label :
That IS a good place to start. Now go a little deeper. It won’t hurt you. But you may stop hurting others.
I’m not talking about feelings either.
Anyone can google “hate speech” and come up with that link immediately. Your understanding of hate speech is shallow and self-serving.”
————————————-
but that of one who hangs in the shadows and shows NO thing of themself ? Maybe that monster under your bed ,when you were 3, who taunted you so- in hopes you’d leap outta bed and it could get you!
Funny- how switching on the light or opening the curtains makes the sound fade away, eh?
By: Alaska Pi on December 9, 2008
at 11:44 PM
Political Amazon:
“Don’t get me wrong. I have every confidence that it can be done. The fact that you have a PAC (Alaskans for Truth) now is going to get things rolling, assuming they get enough funding.
The approach has to be targeted and well planned. It is very seductive to simply react to every BS thing Sarah Palin does.
Y’all need to get HER reacting to YOU. Once she is on the defensive, you have a toe-hold.”
———————————–
Apologies for my earlier whining.This is an entirely new proposition for me- this trying to figure out how to hold the gov accountable thingy.
I am very excited about AFT. I am trying to finish letters to all the Legislators. I am, however, at a loss how to counteract the scatteredness amongst the folks I meet and am trying to work with. You nailed it with “very seductive to simply react to every BS thing ” Ms Palin does. Maybe naming it will help fight it.
I don’t care about her poor children… Oh, jeez, that sounds different than I mean it . I don’t care about the clothes and makeup . At this point, I don’t care about her house or any of that.
I am dissatisified with Ms Palin’s refusal to be held accountable for her promises to Alaska for open, accountable, ethical government. I am disgusted with her behavior when we do try to hold her accountable for her actions and I do NOT trust anything which comes out of her office anymore.
Back to work! Fired up again! Thank you!
Note to self: another donation to AFT for my Christmas gift to myself…
Query: the posse thing… may I request a donkey please? I have fallen off the few horses I’ve had occasion to meet up with. I’d trade my rocket spurs for the promise of a shorter fall from saddle to soil…
By: Alaska Pi on December 9, 2008
at 11:23 PM
Thanks, Helen, and RIGHT ON. So, here’s something else to chew on if you’re thinking about preVENtive and preEMPtive…
Back when Daddy Bush was our leader, following the reign of the Mr. B actor Reagan who escalated the business of war… back in 1989, I was working for a defense contractor. I was stunned to find, one afternoon scanning the company bulletin board, a memo informing us of the “new terms that will be now used.” Imagine a lengthy list, with two headings “PREVIOUSLY KNOWN AS” and “WILL NOW BE KNOWN AS”… You get the gyst. Anyway, the one that instantly hit me (no pun intended):
“The term previously known as WAR will now be known as PERMANENT PRE-HOSTILITY.”
Could have knocked me over with a feather, as you would say. My jaw dropped and my blood chilled. And you betcha that the term and that mindset is still in use.
I’m now a musician, by the way — PEACE THROUGH MUSIC!!!
Love your blog, Helen. You are wise beyond your years. Thanks for being our junkyard dog.
By: Susan on December 9, 2008
at 10:26 PM
H & M
way to go!!
I cannot believe how you state my own ideas before they are cogent!!
War to stop war is right up there with a whole bunch of Bushisms (see Letterman). The guy had definite learning problems. My friend who grew up in the oilfields with trhe Bushes said some kids put him in the dryer in the greaser dryers at the laundromat. I’d certainly like some explanation for his illiterate remarks.
It’s never just the words, but, what they represent. Anyone who can’t use words effectively cannot represent cogent concepts. At least Obama is cogent.
By: llano on December 9, 2008
at 10:26 PM
Who left this label maker in here? Anyone know who it belongs to?
That stickum gunk on the back of the labels is getting glopped all over Helen and Margaret’s tea table…
By: Alaska Pi on December 9, 2008
at 10:00 PM