Did Palin Promote Alaska National Guard General Because He Changed His Tone To Support Her Credentials?
Did Palin Promote Alaska National Guard General Because He Changed His Tone To Support Her Credentials?
In an effort to claim that Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has adequate foreign policy experience, Sen. John McCain’s (R-AZ) presidential campaign has repeatedly referred to her as “the commander of the National Guard, of Alaska’s National Guard.” On Fox News Sunday last week, McCain himself invoked that experience, saying, “She has been with her troops, the National Guard that she commands.”
But in several interviews last week, the relevance of Palin’s role with the National Guard was severely undercut by the actual commander of the Alaska National Guard — its Adjutant General, Major General Craig Campbell:
– “But, in an interview with The Associated Press on Sunday, [Cambpell] said he and Palin play no role in national defense activities, even when they involve the Alaska National Guard. The entire operation is under federal control, and the governor is not briefed on situations.” [The Associated Press, 8/31/2008]
– “And while the Alaska National Guard operates a launch site for a US anti-missile system at Fort Greely, about 100 miles south of Fairbanks, the Alaskan governor is not in the site’s chain of command and has no authority over its operations, according to Maj. Gen. Craig E. Campbell.” [Boston Globe, 9/3/2008]
– “Campbell also said that Palin has authority over the National Guard’s domestic missions — such as fighting wildfires and rescuing stranded residents, but that she has a limited role in determining how the forces are trained or equipped.” [Boston Globe, 9/3/2008]
Brandon Friedman at VetVoice points out that Campbell struck a different tone days later when he spoke to Fox News, saying, “National Guards are state military forces run by governors, and Sarah Palin does it great.” Watch it:
As Friedman notes, Palin promoted Campbell two days later, making him a Lieutenant General in the Alaska National Guard. There is no direct evidence of a causal link between Campbell’s praise for Palin and his promotion, but Friedman writes that “this series of events raises serious questions about what’s going on” and “the media would be wise to probe this further.”
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Echo: You’re doing a great job, Brownie!
September 9th, 2008 at 1:45 pm…Friedman writes that “this series of events raises serious questions about what’s going on”…
Friedman is obviously sexist.
September 9th, 2008 at 1:45 pmA GOP politician handing out favors to someone who helps propagate their lies? I am SHOCKED!
September 9th, 2008 at 1:45 pmJust like the reporters are going to have to earn their seats on the mccain plane, the good general had to earn his promotion.
September 9th, 2008 at 1:46 pmHow mavericky!
September 9th, 2008 at 1:51 pm/snark
Is it just me, or does anybody else sense this focus on being a “National Guard commander” is a first?
Think of every governor we’ve had in recent history who ran for president or vice president. Hmmm…let’s see — George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, Ronald Reagan, Jimmy Carter, Nelson Rockefeller (oh wait, he never actually ran for veep), Spiro Agnew, etc. etc. Did anybody ever focus on they way they “commanded” their National Guard?
This is just another weak stunt by the McCain campaign because they have nothing else.
September 9th, 2008 at 1:52 pmboy those were some TOUGH questions! i don’t know how he managed to finish the interview without storming outta there!
man, those fox “journalists” are ruthless!
September 9th, 2008 at 1:54 pmIf it upsets any of you that Fairfax High School will be hosting a political rally for John McCain and Sarah Palin during school hours tomorrow morning, please call the Fairfax County Superintendent’s office at 571-423-1010. As a reminder, Sarah Palin is for teaching creationism in school, opposed to teaching sex education in school and has advocated banning books in her home town library, all contrary to what I thought our Fairfax County Schools advocate.
The Obama campaign is encouraging people to go to the rally wearing Obama shirts if you have the time.
September 9th, 2008 at 1:55 pmand why this obsession in american political culture with the phenomenon of “commander-in-chief”? everyone is so obsessed with people with military experience, as if it’s the single most important attribute a political candidate can have. everyone has to look “tough”.
fact: the president is *only* commander-in-chief of the armed forces. during a time of war, obviously.
if we’re not at war, then he/she is not technically a commander-in-chief at that moment…..it’s one task out of many.
September 9th, 2008 at 1:56 pmhey, look, that fox “journalist” was asking a palin supporter QUESTIONS. clearly, she must be a liberal.
September 9th, 2008 at 1:58 pm“…and “the media would be wise to probe this further.””
don’t hold your breath.
September 9th, 2008 at 1:58 pmmisshusseinmolly Says:
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Did anybody ever focus on they way they “commanded” their National Guard?
Andrew Jackson took command of the Tennessee state militia during the War of 1812.
September 9th, 2008 at 1:59 pmGood grief. How much more of this transparent idiocy are we going to be forced to listen to…?
September 9th, 2008 at 1:59 pm.
Come on T.P.
It’s not cronyism without the Republicans…
.
September 9th, 2008 at 2:00 pm666Lattes: off-topic, but being a fellow Fairfax County resident I too was outraged and send a detailed letter to the Superintendent’s office this morning. See you at Fairfax HS tomorrow morning — it’s gonna be fun…
September 9th, 2008 at 2:01 pm666lattes Says:
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Sarah Palin…has advocated banning books in her home town library…
If the Republicans win one more elction cycle I fully expect them to start burning librarians.
September 9th, 2008 at 2:03 pmI’m sure Failin’ Palin commands the Alaska Natl. Guard well, given that they’re constantly under the threat of being invaded by Russia and stuff and that hasn’t happened…
Of course, the missile battery she “commands” hasn’t done too well at protecting Alaska from the flight of a jolly man in a red suit overhead every December 24th, though, have they?
September 9th, 2008 at 2:05 pmRight, this is just more resume padding for someone who is not qualified for the job they are seeking. It’s a weak argument to begin with. She’s got more commander-in-chief experience than the POW? Everything they use for her promotion begs the question, ‘What about McCain: he doesn’t have experience doing that either?’.
The whole ‘people vote for govenors’ myth is perpetuated by republicans because they benefit from it. It’s really quite asinine.
September 9th, 2008 at 2:05 pmThe Dogfather,
Oh yeah! It’s so on!
September 9th, 2008 at 2:06 pmGood grief. How much more of this transparent idiocy are we going to be forced to listen to…?
Lots and lots and lots and lots.
September 9th, 2008 at 2:09 pmMaybe in their debate, Joe Biden can ask simple Sarah exactly what commands she has issued to her troops.
September 9th, 2008 at 2:13 pmTracy__5 Says:
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“A GOP politician handing out favors to someone who helps propagate their lies? I am SHOCKED!”
Why do you love GOP lies?
September 9th, 2008 at 2:14 pm“And while the Alaska National Guard operates a launch site for a US anti-missile system at Fort Greely…”
Does anyone else shudder at the idea of Palin controlling the person with their finger on the button ?
Seriously, as others have suggested, the command experience is a ruse. Little Shrub boy had people with extensive experience with George Sr. and Ronnie. And look where that got us.
September 9th, 2008 at 2:17 pm“…link between Campbell’s praise for Palin and his promotion…”
Mr. Occam had this all figured our 600 years ago: “Never posit a plurality without necessity.”
Translation for the trolls: “If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, and sheets like a duck, DUCK! It is another lying Rethuglican on a roll.”
September 9th, 2008 at 2:18 pmHmmm… NG commander tells it like it is, has a word with his “CiC” and comes out repeating tlaking points. He is then promoted.
Yep, sounds like CiC Palin has the stuff to command, Bush-style, at least.
Campbell = Petreaus
September 9th, 2008 at 2:22 pmShoeless,
At least Tracy_Troll_model_5 admits there are lies being propagated by his team. It IS a start… NO?
What I don’t get is the attempted morality behind propagating lies in the first place. I mean, who did Jesus lie to?
.
September 9th, 2008 at 2:22 pm.
Hey everyone,
Tracy_Troll_model_5 thinks Republican lies are superior to liberal lies. LOL… whatever!
.
September 9th, 2008 at 2:23 pmOh, Tracy got me! What a quick wit!
September 9th, 2008 at 2:23 pmWhy don’t you guys give it up. No attack on Palin is working. Keep it up, the more you Leftists attack, the more people like her.
September 9th, 2008 at 2:24 pmYou guys had better quit contradicting McSame’s touting of his VP’s “commander guy”-like experience.
You’re going to piss the old coot off.
September 9th, 2008 at 2:25 pmTracy__5 Says:
“You mean these lie propogated by the media…”
No Tracy, I’m talking about lying Republicans and their devoted followers (you included, cupcake) who have no morals or sense of decency and will tell lie after lie to further their anti-American agenda. You do support these liars, don’t you? Tracy, why do you hate America?
p.s.- The link you sent discusses e-mails and phone calls sent to Newsweek for clarification, not media lies. If it’s media lies you are looking for, I would suggest you go to FOX News’s website. I’d give you a link, but am afraid to click on the site myself for fear of viruses from that sleazy place.
September 9th, 2008 at 2:25 pmMax-1 Says:
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Shoeless,
At least Tracy_Troll_model_5 admits there are lies being propagated by his team. It IS a start… NO?
Actually, he has known that for quite some time. The problem is, he likes to be lied to by his masters. It makes him feel all warm and squishy inside.
September 9th, 2008 at 2:26 pmTrollette’s Syndrome Outbreak! Clean-up on Aisle Tracy_5.
September 9th, 2008 at 2:30 pmThese attacks are pathetic. Palin isn’t Bush and can defend herself.
September 9th, 2008 at 2:31 pmSomething that I haven’t heard regarding this new found need for executive experience as a requirement for POTUS:
Our current Liar in Chief George WTF Bush had more executive experience than Mccain, Obama, Biden AND Palin put together and look where the hell THAT got us!
September 9th, 2008 at 2:31 pmMax-1 : Tracy_Troll_model_5 thinks Republican lies are superior to liberal lies. LOL… whatever!
Well you have to admit that Republican lies have a very high success-rate.
September 9th, 2008 at 2:33 pmTom – I’ve reported it already.
I wasn’t trying to report it. I was just making fun of it.
lol
September 9th, 2008 at 2:33 pmIs Major General Craig Campbell looking for a potential future cabinet job?
All this is pathetic…. are we going to see others boosting Palin up rather than having HER appear so WE CAN SEE WHAT SHE IS REALLY MADE OF?
September 9th, 2008 at 2:36 pmCommunity Organizer Says:
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These attacks are pathetic. Palin isn’t Bush and can defend herself.
I don’t suppose you ever supported Bush, did you?
September 9th, 2008 at 2:37 pmCommunity Organizer Says:
“These attacks are pathetic. Palin isn’t Bush and can defend herself.”
Defend herself with what exactly, dipshit? All I’ve heard out of her mouth so far are variations of the same crappy speech that one of Bush’s former speech writers wrote for her. If she CAN speak for herself (doubtful) then why is she being sequestered far away from anyone who might ask her a question that requires her to actually answer it IN HER OWN WORDS?
September 9th, 2008 at 2:37 pmTracy__5 Says:
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As a reminder I suggest you read this before you swallow
But Tracy, you always swallow.
September 9th, 2008 at 2:38 pmKeep crying Lefties, she’s getting to you and your attacks aren’t working! I love seeing how weak the Left is.
September 9th, 2008 at 2:39 pmShows how much I know. I always thought a Major General was higher in rank than a Lieutenant General.
September 9th, 2008 at 2:41 pmThomas Friedman is an idiot. I despise Palin, but this 3-star promotion is old news, which he would have known if he’d had even one of his legions of research assistants work Teh Google. If we’re going to attack Palin, as we must, we have to do it on real issues and actual facts, not knee-jerk stupidity.
With respect to Alaska, the state legislature passed the enabling act to promote the TAG from 2- to 3-stars on April 4, 2007 (Alaska House Bill 210).
The press release read as follows: “HB 210 also amends current state law by increasing the general grade from Major General to Lieutenant General (2 star general to a 3 star general), making preparations to mirror anticipated federal government changes.”
The “anticipated federal change” was the elevation of the authorized rank for the Chief of the National Guard Bureau in the Pentagon to 4-star rank, which happened on January 30 of this year.
As a result, all 50 state National Guads, the D.C. National Guard, and the 3 territorial National Guards (Guam, Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands) are all eligible to promote their Adjutants General from Major-General to Lieutenant-General.
Alaska’s promotion has been the works for over a year.
Again, I beg progressives — attack Palin on REAL issues (like making rape victims in Wasilla pay for their own police rape exam kits) and not stupid stuff.
And why are we listening to Thomas “6 more months” Friedman anyway?
September 9th, 2008 at 2:41 pm[Obviously I'm an idiot and I didn't close the italic. This should be easier to read.]
Thomas Friedman is an idiot. I despise Palin, but this 3-star promotion is old news, which he would have known if he’d had even one of his legions of research assistants work Teh Google. If we’re going to attack Palin, as we must, we have to do it on real issues and actual facts, not knee-jerk stupidity.
With respect to Alaska, the state legislature passed the enabling act to promote the TAG from 2- to 3-stars on April 4, 2007 (Alaska House Bill 210).
The press release read as follows: “HB 210 also amends current state law by increasing the general grade from Major General to Lieutenant General (2 star general to a 3 star general), making preparations to mirror anticipated federal government changes.”
The “anticipated federal change” was the elevation of the authorized rank for the Chief of the National Guard Bureau in the Pentagon to 4-star rank, which happened on January 30 of this year.
As a result, all 50 state National Guads, the D.C. National Guard, and the 3 territorial National Guards (Guam, Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands) are all eligible to promote their Adjutants General from Major-General to Lieutenant-General.
Alaska’s promotion has been the works for over a year.
Again, I beg progressives — attack Palin on REAL issues (like making rape victims in Wasilla pay for their own police rape exam kits) and not stupid stuff.
And why are we listening to Thomas “6 more months” Friedman anyway?
September 9th, 2008 at 2:43 pmKeep up the attacks it creates more fans of Palin.
September 9th, 2008 at 2:43 pmI think I smell “the grim reaper” all over Community Organizer. I don’t see anyone crying here, fool. Stating facts is hardly the same as “attacking”. As I told your split personality before, all I’m seeing in the media is an awakening to Palin’s constant lying. You seem to support Republican lies. Why do you hate America, Community?
September 9th, 2008 at 2:43 pmYour attacks are doing no damage! I’m loving seeing how powerless Progressives really are when up against Strong Republicans. Keep complaining, its falling on deaf ears!
September 9th, 2008 at 2:45 pmCommunity, honesty does not equate with weakness. Why do you equate lying with strength? All it shows me is a lack of morals. As far as I’m concerned, the Republican Party is showing weakness in their necessity for lying.
September 9th, 2008 at 2:46 pmHemlock for Gadflies it’s Brandon Friedman at VetVoice not Thomas “6 more months” Friedman.
September 9th, 2008 at 2:47 pmHas anyone noticed that no one, not McCain, not Palin, not the McCain campaign, not their supporters have denied that they are lying?
September 9th, 2008 at 2:48 pmSo Trajan is now “Community Organizer”?
I’d ask, ‘can’t he do any better than that?” but I already know the answer is no.
September 9th, 2008 at 2:49 pmIgnoranceNotBliss; Okay, I’m doubly an idiot — first for not closing italics and second for mixing up my Friedmans!
The basic fact, though, is not idiotic. The Alaska NG promotion is over a year old.
Signed,
September 9th, 2008 at 2:51 pmYour friend, and Proud Idiot, Hemlock for Gadflies.
Bad news… stupid America has fallen for this empty headed, venomous, conniving liar….
The following states
CO FL OH OK PA VA WA
polling numbers are up, some dramatically, in favor of the corporate GE/Insurance/defense/media’s candidate.
Obama 281 McCain 230 Ties 27
September 9th, 2008 at 2:52 pmralph,
and the funny part is, that Trajan so proudly claimed that he hated the Left as well as the Right.
But now he boosts of being a Strong Republican (pffft. Have yet to meet one of those).
He may want to stop inhaling whip cream canisters.
September 9th, 2008 at 2:57 pmNot good for them brain cells, my friend. Not good at all!
I guess that means the invasion of Russia to remove Putin’s WMD’s is canceled.
September 9th, 2008 at 2:59 pmCommunity Organizer Says:
These attacks are pathetic. Palin isn’t Bush and can defend herself.
Then why is the media hiding her from the public? Unbelievable how stupid America is… buying a product without trying it out… just as gullible as buying a car, house with out checking it out.
September 9th, 2008 at 3:05 pmWe have not heard anything of substance from this woman and the media wants to keep it that way until you buy the product.
Satirev — if you’ve followed threads on TP, Crooks & Liars, and Sadly, No!, you’d know I’m not a McSame person.
So you “vetted” my post and found it “categorically false”.
Here’s the Army Times story on the promotion of the Chief of the National Guard Bureau to 4-star rank on January 30, 2008:
http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/01/army_guardempowerment_080129w/
Here’s the link for the press release from the Alaska House on April 4, 2007, announcing the change in status for the Alaska National Guard’s Adjutant General:
http://housemajority.org/item.php?id=item20070404-134
Here, incidentally, is the link to the story about how Palin, as mayor of Wasilla, cut funding for the police so the police made rape victims buy their own exam kits:
http://opedna.com/2008/09/08/wasilla-police-billed-sexual-assault-victims-for-rape-kits/
And in fact I never liked Friedman and his “6 months” story because I was actually IN Iraqi Freedom and knew it to be bullsh*t.
Okay. So you run down those links, satirev, and then tell us all about the quality of YOUR vetting process.
September 9th, 2008 at 3:05 pmIf corporate America gets their way and stupid America falls for this scam team of McInsane/Paulin the Bush trend will continue.
Isn’t anyone taking into consideration that if we go down, we all go down?
September 9th, 2008 at 3:14 pmTalk about putting her repug campaign before US citizens.
This stinks to high heaven.
Just think if plain got him to say he saw her preggo, he would be promoted to a general.
September 9th, 2008 at 3:23 pmFrom 2:47 to 3:02, satirev managed 8 posts. Now that his/her vetting has been vetted, deafening silence.
So let me make one more point on state Adjutants General. In all 50 states and in the 4 territories (D.C., Guam, Puerto Rico, and V.I.), the Adjutant General is a political appointee.
Historically — though this is changing — many of them had no military backgrounds whatever. They were “Generals” in the same way that the Surgeon-General of the United States is also a “General” in the “Commissioned Corps” of the U.S. Public Health Service (http://www.usphs.gov/), which is why the Surgeon-General’s official photograph is in a uniform (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/56/David_Satcher_official_photo_portrait.jpg)
So the number of stars was really irrelevant — they were appointed/promoted as political favors, not on the basis of military necessity.
But as I say, that has changed since the 1980s.
September 9th, 2008 at 3:23 pmThe Dogfather Says:
666Lattes: off-topic, but being a fellow Fairfax County resident I too was outraged and send a detailed letter to the Superintendent’s office this morning. See you at Fairfax HS tomorrow morning — it’s gonna be fun…
Make sure you cover up your t-shirt on your way in. Otherwise it’s likely you will be arrested for trespassing.
September 9th, 2008 at 3:28 pmTracy__5 Says:
Look where the false claims are comming from…Daily Kos, TP, ect… It’s not worth their time responding to tripe.
No troll, they are coming from the Wall Street Journal, AP, Time Magazine and the NY Times.
Try again…you lose this one.
September 9th, 2008 at 3:30 pm84. Hemlock for Gadflies Says:
All you did was show that it was OK to promote a National Guard Chief to four stars, not that it was done for Craig Campbell.
You don’t find it rather suspicious that he was promoted 3 days after he changed his tune about Palin.
Plus, you are missing a very important point. And that was that the Alaska National Guard had put a ban on any promotions until the officers started getting the enrollment numbers back up. That ban is still in effect.
ee Andrew Halco’s page for additional information on this. It includes email indicating that there would be no more promotions. This action contradicts what just took place http://www.andrewhalcro.com/a_filtered_letter_to_the_governor
September 9th, 2008 at 3:40 pm93. Bilbo Hussein Baggins:
Actually I linked to the April 4, 2007, press release on the enabling legislation that made it possible for Campbell to get 3-stars as a TAG.
And with all due respect, you’re misinterpreting the alleged e-mail that appears on the Halcro blog. The ban on promotions was to the rank of Colonel, Lieutenant Colonel, and Chief Master Sergeant (an Air Force/Air Guard rank) only and is not a “ban” but imposes a review and approval on such promotions (of which there can’t be many, since there are only 3,800 Guardsmen in the state).
I would point out too that Halcro is a Palin political opponent, having run unsuccessfully against her for governor in 2006. That doesn’t mean that he’s misrepresenting, but just as with all other things we need to check the source.
Incidentally, you’ll see other TAGs get 3-stars as well. They were all a bit peeved when Coast Guard Vice-Admiral Thad Allen (a 3-star) more or less took control of the Louisiana Guard, undercutting (from their perspective) Major General (2-star) Landreneau, the Adjutant General of Louisiana.
September 9th, 2008 at 4:04 pmIt was the McCain camp and the GOP who posited that Palin’s ‘governor’s purview’ of the Alaskan National Guard equated to experience of “national defense” and thus had bearing on the responsibilities of a “Commander in Chief “—a role which, as VP, she might have to assume.
The AP reports that Adjutant General, Major General Craig Campbell said that “he and Palin play no role in national defense activities, even when they involve[d] the Alaska National Guard. The entire operation is under federal control, and the governor is not briefed on situations.”
Of course! No Governor controls or commands their State National Guard when the national Commander in Chief, the President, requires their use for some national policy objective and as the National Guard is an auxiliary to the standing US Army its local military commanders and all its personnel are bound by duty and law to follow the orders of the national military and its Commander-in-Chief, the President.
The McCain/GOP argument was and is therefore false. Palin is not the C-in-C of the AK-NG even when it is used within the state—-that job belongs to a military commander. The sophistry depends on the use of the title “National Guard”, as though it is the standing Army of the nation.
It is not, and neither is any other state’s National Guard. Instead it is an auxiliary to and reserve for the full-time US Army and is ultimately subject to the same authority—that of the national C-in-C, the President of the United States and Campbell above statement is consistent with those simple facts.
Now Campbell says:
“National Guards are state military forces run by governors, and Sarah Palin does it great.”
Campbell has decided to drop his own correct explanation of the roles of governor, National Guard commander and national C-in-C and has instead adopted the McCain/GOP argument.
Campbell in fact “runs” the Alaska State military forces (not Palin) and when it comes to military missions in service of national defense (or attack) his command is “run” by the President, not Palin.
It would appear that Campbell is cut from the same cloth as Colin Powell and General Petraeus—for an extra star on the collar and improved pension benefits they’ll do and say anything; Semper-fi…to their personal interests and to-hell with everything, and everyone, else.
September 9th, 2008 at 4:23 pmHemlock for Gadflies Says:
The story is by Brandon Friedman of not Thomas Friedman and the promotion was announced days ago. Read the article why don’t you.
September 9th, 2008 at 4:35 pm96. Shayne: Read the thread why don’t you? See # 60 and #69.
September 9th, 2008 at 4:39 pmI read the original link in the article.
Oh and Tracy, nobody here reads links from trolls. If we wanted to be dumbed down we’d watch Fox News.
September 9th, 2008 at 4:40 pmHemlock:
Argue as you wish, but you’re still referring to the WRONG Friedman.
Brandon Friedman at VetVoice
Kinda brings down the validity of any statement made henceforth.
September 9th, 2008 at 4:42 pm99. DieNowForPeace: Okay, I was referring to the wrong Friedman.
But the identity of the specific Friedman was not really the subject of the comment, was it?
The subject of the comment was that the Alaska state legislature had approved the elevation in grade of the state Adjutant General from Major- to Lieutenant-General in April 2007;
AND
that the Department of the Army approved the elevation in grade of the Chief of the National Guard Bureau in Washington, D.C. (the senior Adjutant General) from Lieutenant-General to full General (4-stars) in January 2008, clearing the way for the 50 state and 4 territorial Guards to elevate THEIR Adjutants General from 2- to 3-stars;
AND
that this discussion had begun in the wake of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, when Bush finally acted and gave command of the Katrina operation to US Coast Guard Vice-Admiral Thad Allen (3 stars), who over-ruled the Adjutant General of Louisiana, 2-star Major General Landreneau, which the state AGs and governors took to be an abuse of federal power;
AND
that the rank of an Adjutant General is irrelevant, because all 54 Adjutants General are political appointees anyway;
AND
that Campbell’s promotion is only effective within the state of Alaska because all National Guard officers, from Second Lieutenant to Major-General require federal ‘recognition’ of their rank by their respective active-component force (Army or Air Force), and carries with it no additional pay or benefits;
SO
perhaps there are better and more important issues with which we can attack Palin than this non-issue “issue.”
Now I may not be an expert on Friedmans, but as it happens I am an expert on Titles 10 and 32 of the United States Code, which govern the National Guard.
September 9th, 2008 at 4:54 pmWhen I was in the National Guard from 1963-1968 our highest ranking officer had 1-star. Small Alaska now has a 3-star General. How is that for pay grade inflation. I wonder what the highest rank in much larger Illinois is.
September 9th, 2008 at 6:22 pmHi Tracy_5:
September 9th, 2008 at 7:52 pmWhat is it about some folks that they will embrace something they have no clue about just because it was marketed to them in a wrapper that catches their eye?
103. DallasNE
Illinois’ Adjutant General is Major General William Enyart. All the TAGs are now 2-star billets.
September 9th, 2008 at 7:56 pmThanks Hemlock. Thinking back our top General in the field was a 1-star but we did have an Adjutant General that was a 2-star. The point is, though, tiny Alaska has a 3-star while other States, including a large State like Illinois top officer is a 2-Star. Gov. Palin cannot promote the AG, only recommend the promotion. For this to go through this fast boggles the mind as obviously this was rubber stamped rather than reviewed, even though it is unprecedented.
September 9th, 2008 at 11:13 pmTracy__5 Says:
“As a reminder, Sarah Palin is for teaching creationism in school, opposed to teaching sex education in school and has advocated banning books in her home town library, all contrary to what I thought our Fairfax County Schools advocate.”
As a reminder I suggest you read this before you swallow any more lies.
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They are NOT lies despite the attempted whitewash by Newsweek. So Tracy doesnt know what he is talking about AGAIN. What were the chances does Tracy EVER know what he is talking about? That WHAT IF question that they didnt go into detal about well lets see what it was?
http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1837918,00.html
Stein says that as mayor, Palin continued to inject religious beliefs into her policy at times. “She asked the library how she could go about banning books,” he says, because some voters thought they had inappropriate language in them. “The librarian was aghast.” That woman, Mary Ellen Baker, couldn’t be reached for comment, but news reports from the time show that Palin had threatened to fire Baker for not giving “full support” to the mayor
So the WHAT IF question was a HOW TO QUESTION about how to ban books and she DID at least THREATEN to fire the librarian for not giving her full support in her book banning efforts. Not even a good try.
September 10th, 2008 at 12:58 pmTracy__5 Says:
“Why do you love GOP lies?”
Why do you love liberal lies?
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Why are you such a moron. The GOP lies have been SHOWN the liberal lies seem to be mostly in your imagination since you didnt show any and as of yet NEVER HAVE.
September 10th, 2008 at 1:00 pmTracy__5 Says:
“Has anyone noticed that no one, not McCain, not Palin, not the McCain campaign, not their supporters have denied that they are lying?”
Look where the false claims are comming from…Daily Kos, TP, ect… It’s not worth their time responding to tripe.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
You are a LIAR, I linked to Time magazine hardly a liberal source and THEIR source was someone political IN Wasilla as usual you are a dunce. They arent responding because the claim is TRUE. Trying to parse her ASKING about banning books and threatening to FIRE her librarian for not helping her ban books as not trying to ban books is so transparent someone would have to be as stupid as YOU are to take it seriously.
September 10th, 2008 at 1:03 pm“No troll, they are coming from the Wall Street Journal, AP, Time Magazine and the NY Times.”
Referring to which stories?
These have been debunked:
Book banning: false
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Not false as Time magazine showed completely true you are an idiot.
Supporting Buchanan
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Not proven false. Buchanan said she was a brigadeer for him in 1996 along with her husband she denies it. He said she said NOT DEBUNKED.
Cutting special education budget by 62%: false
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From what I am reading she DID cut the special education budget but called for future increase. So I wouldnt say debunked more like technically correct but not a fair criticism.
Creationism in schools attempted to be pushed thru: false
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Absolutly NOT false. She said it should be debated in class. Now if that is science class it IS a backdoor attempt to push creationism which has no business in the science class whatsoever since it cannot be taught by the scientific method. Calling for it to be debated IS a call to introduce it into the science class.
September 10th, 2008 at 1:15 pmTracy 5 NOT FALSE exactly WHAT part of this DONT you understand????????
Stein says that as mayor, Palin continued to inject religious beliefs into her policy at times. “She asked the library how she could go about banning books,” he says, because some voters thought they had inappropriate language in them. “The librarian was aghast.” That woman, Mary Ellen Baker, couldn’t be reached for comment, but news reports from the time show that Palin had threatened to fire Baker for not giving “full support” to the mayor. NOWHERE did I say she fired the librarian. Learn to read. You said BANNING BOOKS FALSE it IS. NOT. FALSE. Try to keep up. Whether or not she fired the librarian is not the issue she DID explore banning books and she DID threaten to fire the librarian for NOT fully supporting her. You can spin this all you want. I dont think she was stupid enough to commit political supuku by actually FIRING the librarian for not banning books but she did TRY to intimidate her and she DID try to get books banned. Get over it. This is solid. Your rightwing spin is pathetic
September 11th, 2008 at 3:46 amMore On Palin
http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=5766173&page=1
The same week that Palin raised the issue she fired Baker (then using her married name Emmons) as librarian, claiming she was not “loyal” to the new administration and had supported Palin’s opponent in the election. She said the dismissal was not connected to questions of censorship, and that she had dismissed all city department heads and told them they could re-apply for their jobs.
After a public outcry, Palin rescinded the dismissal of the librarian.
The local newspaper reporter who covered the controversy, Paul Stuart, claims he was later told by the librarian that Palin wanted three specific books removed from the library.
In her statement to ABC News, the librarian said, “I am unable to dispute or substantiate the information Paul Stuart provided to you.”
Stuart said he was confident of his memory. “She may have said that but that’s not how it was.”
After she got her job back, Baker spent two more years in Wasilla before leaving for a library job in Fairbanks.
She would not address her reasons for leaving Wasilla, but friends say she felt badly treated by Mayor Palin.
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Whatever the political pressure she is under NOW to cover Palins BUTT, she does NOT dispute what she TOLD the reporter. That Palin WANTED TO REMOVE THREE SPECIFIC BOOKS. She later MOVED because she didnt like the way she was treated. Give it up Palin wanted books banned it is just that simple
September 11th, 2008 at 4:00 amPalin DID try to ban books PERIOD.
http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=5766173&page=1
According to coverage in the local newspaper, the Frontiersman, Palin asked the librarian at a meeting “if she would object to censorship even if people were circling the library in protest about a book.”
The report quotes the librarian as responding, “I told her clearly I will fight anyone who tries to indicate what books can go on the library shelves.”
The same week that Palin raised the issue she fired Baker (then using her married name Emmons) as librarian, claiming she was not “loyal” to the new administration and had supported Palin’s opponent in the election. She said the dismissal was not connected to questions of censorship, and that she had dismissed all city department heads and told them they could re-apply for their jobs.
After a public outcry, Palin rescinded the dismissal of the librarian.
The local newspaper reporter who covered the controversy, Paul Stuart, claims he was later told by the librarian that Palin wanted three specific books removed from the library.
In her statement to ABC News, the librarian said, “I am unable to dispute or substantiate the information Paul Stuart provided to you.”
After she got her job back, Baker spent two more years in Wasilla before leaving for a library job in Fairbanks.
She would not address her reasons for leaving Wasilla, but friends say she felt badly treated by Mayor Palin.
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Emmons would NOT dispute what SHE TOLD THE REPORTER. IF she had NOT told him that at the time she would be calling him a liar. Whatever political pressure she is under NOW to cover Palins BUTT it is clear PALIN WANTED TO REMOVE THREE SPECIFIC BOOKS. She MOVED because of how Palin treated her. This is over Palin tried to BAN BOOKS.
September 11th, 2008 at 4:05 am