Sara Palin (Politics Aside)

Rare qualities for sure. Should spice things up a bit I would think.

I think she will be great in Washington. Hillary (who thought she was entitled to walts back into the White House) must be really pissed. Miss Alaska could become President by default. Or, better yet, may be running against Hillary one day. No contest IMHO!

I wonder if Miss Alaska likes pipe smokers?

Can you tell I am a conservative? Please don't kick my @ss out for that. I think a few of you are as well.

Or did she seem a little more eliquent that Miss South Carolina, talking about the Iraq and such, some people don't have maps and such as South Africa and the Iraq? $10 says she's smoked a cob full of straight perique while fishing (just to keep the mosquitos at bay) or at least a Swisher Sweet cigar.

I spent most of my childhood wading through ass deep mud and sleeping in the mangroves of Florida. I thought I knew everything there was to know about mosquitos. The Everglades has zero mosquitos compared to Alaska.

My childhood (73-89) was in such place (in Alaska it would be some 300 miles north from Fairbanks).

http://en.wikipedia....

Mosquitoes, gnats... Away from the city it's millions of them per square inch. Not so much inside the city but still more than I ever seen in other places. Didn't consider it as a big nuisance back then. Heck, -4 F during winter was considered warm enough to go out.

Apparently it was enough to make you want to park in lovely sunny Florida huh? When I lived in Alaska, I was about 20 miles or so south of Fairbanks. I left Florida at 17 convinced I had missed something magic because I had never seen snow. After 6 years in Fairbanks and 2 1/2 years in Iceland, the thrill was gone and it was time to go home. It wouldn't hurt my feelings if all my snow was viewed on the TV for the balance of my life.

I once read a study that said that something like 80% of the guys that had built the Alaska pipeline in the 70s now live in the Sunbelt. Don't get me wrong, I loved Alaska but can't say I miss the snow and cold. Something to be said for shorts and flip flops in January and pool parties and barbecues for Christmas

After Talnakh I moved to Krasnoyarsk

http://en.wikipedia....

which would be just some 300 miles south of Achorage. Mind you Krasnoyarsk is at the middle of the continent so the weather is not the best feature with temperature moving from -30 F in the first weeks of January up to 90 F during July. Spent 10 more years there. I get used to such kind of things.

I do like it here in Florida with the "open windows" season 8 months a year. Sometimes, however, I miss clearly distinguishing seasons, when you pass the winter and can say to yourself "well, now only good things are ahead of you". Well, I guess it's from the same part of soul which wants a bit of misery to be able to experience happiness.

who lives in a subarctic region, I would say I'd never want to move to the warmth.

I do love the winters, temps down to -35C the darkness, the aurora borealis...

the Autumns are nice as well..

Always wanted to see that phenominum ... never have. Sounds cool.

http://www.youtube.c...

But I think he has a point, in there somewhere

At the risk of being thrown out also, I think Ms. Palin has already added some spice to the mix. Mr. Obama may have just lost the election with his "pig" comment. My better half (and she is), is mad as hell.
I wasn't a big fan of Mr. McCain until he chose Ms. Palin as his running mate. It would be interesting to be a fly on the wall as those two hash out their differences.

McCain doesn't do it, give me some common sense over political savvy any day, but if you are going to talk the talk you have to walk the walk.

Again: nothing about politics in this thread ... but surely something about the media's attitude towards that lady. I was astounded at the condescending manner in which Gibson talked down to Gov. Palin. His attitude was clearly "you're dog poo and I'm going to show you to the world as a fraud" ... what happened to journalism? On the flip side I recorded and watched The O'Reilly Factor to see how Bill O'Reilly intervied Barak Obama. While they clearly disagreed on points of view I felt O'Reilly treated Obama with respect. I guess thats why I watch Fox all the time and ignore ABC all the time.

Me, too. I am pleased with Obama's choice of Biden for VP. It certainly pales in comparison to McCain's pick of Sarah as his VP as popular opinion polls point out clearly.

I have great respect for Palin. The harder the Liberals try to destroy her, the better she looks according to daily polls.

At my age 58, she is the freshest political candidate I have ever seen in my lifetime. She is Presidential material in my opinion and I hope she will one day become the first Lady President. I would have no problem with it. That woman commands respect and she can kick ass.

Our Congress needs a lot of ass kicking. They never miss a vacation or pay raise. The first "official" thing the Dem's did when they got control of the house is expand their vacation from Congressional Session. Beyond that, they have stale-mated the entire remainder of Bush's term.

It just sickens me when I examine the Congressional Record and see how they have wasted our time and squandered money with Partisan Politics and "pork-barrell" spending. The Republicans didn't look any better when they were in control of the House, either.

Palin is a breath of fresh air and brings out the best McCain has to offer.

Sarah against Hitlary (you know she's coming back again and again until she's either senile or elected president) Sarah will wipe the floor with her no doubt.

I agree that the mainstream media is biased toward nutjob liberals and the ABC guy really did talk down to Sarah during the interview. The joke is on them though, the more the candidates and the media jaw about Sarah Palin, the more their desperation shows.

I think what bugs me the most about comentators is after the speech or debate, or whatever the fare may be, is the way they start out with "This is what the (insert office or offical here) said". I was just listening to what was said; I don't need their interpretation of what was said.

As our financial markets fall and our infrastructure crumbles, it should be said

"People get the government they deserve; unfortunately, I also get what they deserve."

Turn off the TV, Pick up a newspaper and light up a bowl of your best smoke.

We deserve better.

Yes, wouldn't it be nice if we had a media that talked issues, instead of who shoots a moose, who wears flag lapel pins or who has a nicer family? None of this stuff matters. We're facing tough times and all we hear is who would we rather have a beer with. We do indeed get what we deserve. Democrat or Republican, I don't care, vote for who you think can do the job, please.

Reading in the newspapers here today:

Palin want to force raped women to keep their children, no abortion rights there.

At the same time, she is opposed to a law that gives raped women free medical exams related to the abuse.

That law is since 1994, a law that Mr Biden had alot to do with... Mr McCain voted against it.

In sweden, any statement like that, that one had to pay yourself to get a medical examination, so that the perputrators can get caught, would be political suicide.

As I speak with people locally, one comment came up which Identifies her to a tee.

" No Subtance".

It's a scary thing to see people "rise to their level of incompetence" in the executive branch. It's like a sea captain going down with his ship hoping the passangers don't notice while he's reading the manual and saying "It's ok folks, only the back of the boat is sinking". Meanwhile, all the first class cabins up front are filled with wealthy people saying " I don't see a problem here, Alfred, go tell the captain we're ok here".

Yikes!

MPC is pleasant because we talk about pipes. Can we please keep personal opinions about the candidates out of here? If you have a strong opinion about either of them please take it to a newsgroup that deals with that topic.

Hi Rick:

I agree that, given the timing and climate of the political theatre here in the US, the topic can be touchy. However, if you see the subheading under this Forum, I think one says "Politics". I don't think you'll see politics in the Pipe forums.

Expressing an opinion is certainly a right in this country. Disagreeing is even more important. The goal is to try to convince others that your view is right. On this site, the important issue is to be civil, informed and open minded, maybe even a good joke or two.

See, we can talk politics without talking candidates.

Keepin it clean here boss!

To be frank Rick, I hate it when the posts go political, I come here to relax and enjoy talking pipes, which we all have in common. I've tried not to touch political posts with a ten foot pole in the past, but succumbed to temptation this time, as well as a couple of other times. (of course if it's about the politics of banning smoking, then I'm all over it). When someone posts how wonderful any political candidate is a few weeks before an election, even if it's not "issues" but personality, it's inherently political despite "politics aside", and I took the bait. In the future I will endeavor to let sleeping dogs lie. Hope others of any political persuasion do the same, so we can talk about pipe smoking.

gpsman - the original post was 1OLDGI having fun with Sarah and really didn't have anything to do with politics whatsoever which is how politics is handled here. Have fun with the person, poke fun at their home towns, have a blast but keep political posturing on another site. I say again, this site is about pipes and tobaccos and all sorts of zaniness that pops up from time to time (which is pretty far encompassing) however it is not now nor has it ever been a forum to convince anyone of your, mine, or anyone elses political position nor is it a place to attempt to sway anyone to vote one way or the other. We did have a few 'disagreements' a number of months ago but they were handled very civilly and we've steered clear of that situation ever since. Sure we have all sorts of positions here. Sure we each back one candidate over another. Thats all well and good. But Obama/Biden vs McCain/Palin ... unless any of them smokes a pipe or makes a comment regarding pipe smoking ... well ... its just out of place.

Henrik - you knew better. Shame on you.

Please understand where I'm coming from ... I ***treasure*** MPC. So many times we've had folks come here from other sites telling us all kind of horror stories but MPC just stays right down the middle and we've become not just a group of pipe smokers but instead have grown into a bunch of friends from all over the world. There's not a single guy who's a regular poster here on MPC that I wouldn't love to sit down with over a bowl or two. Thats precious. Damned precious. And its what makes MPC so very, very special. Lets not do anyting to ruin that atmosphere guys. Especially anything as foolish as political postering.

It's been said before (by me) but it bears repeating, it seems:

And I guess it's pretty fair to add religion to that list as well, come to think of it ...

Anyhow, I don't think much moderation is needed for this place, but I wouldn't mind locking threads that turn too political. Keep this place civil and polite and fun.

Besides, American politics have nothing to do with me. Let's talk pipes.

Actually Corneel I added one point to my previous post and then deleted it ... it went something like this: "besides its rather rude considering our global membership to spew American politics at our non-American members" ... but I cut it out ... probably should have left it in huh?!!

Your post is spot on. MPC folks certainly don't agree universally on what pipes are the best or what tobaccos are the best and as has been proven time and time again we can poke fun at each other in those areas and nothing is taken as much more than good hearted ribbing. Something about politics though, it just seems to be a really hot button sensitive issue that becomes personal real fast, I can't even begin to explain why, I just know that it is what it is. And as you pointed out, the original intent was not a political decision and I agree it's just not an area that needs to be breeched on this site (unless we are lamenting draconian anti-smoking laws). As far as the tobacco nazis go, I think we can all agree that those laws and the general climate of society relative to smoking is BS. On who should run the country though, (this one or any other) too much disagreement is inevitable and people tend to take it personally.

to sway as many votes here as I can for "ckr for President":

1) Stack the Supreme Court with fellow MPC'ers to consider the constitutionality of depriving private property owners their right to use their property without due compensation.

2) Appoint Morleysson to the office of Surgeon General.

3) Quaffer, can you handle the Department of Alcohol Tobacco & Firearms? Our basic concern here is testing the quality control of our brewery products as well as the acquisition on InBev.

4)Due to the "fool on the hill" shell game I would have to appoint 1OLDGI to head the FDA since Tobacco is moving under their jurisdiction.

5) Muddler, is hereby appointed Ambassador to the Dark Continent.

6) Reinstate Eliot Spitzer, this banking debacle has gone far enough and the only one ponying up any coin is the taxpayers. (Need to judge a man by his strengths not his weakness, hell we all give in to the furry critter)

7) Abolish "Winter Break", "Spring Bunny" and the not so "Great American Smoke Out".

8) Lars, toss me up a web site and be my campaign manager.

8) And for those 18 million cracks in the ceiling my running mate will be Jenna Jameson.

As for the rest of you here on MPC, you can count on appointments as cabinet positions etc, congressman, senators and what ever else I can muster

Well that about sums up my platform

Air Force One, ckr!

between being a grumpy old fart, which is - I truly believe - the life's work of the majority of our members, & actually being truly serious about the world of politics/ religion/ insert favourite topic here. GOF's are naturally derisive & hold the world in general contempt, but it's all a front for a warm-hearted, good-naturedness that hankers after simpler times. It's often easy to mistake GOF-ness for seriousness. But GOF's have been around for so long they/ we know that the pseudo-realities of politics et al are not worth sacrificing buddyship for. Politics comes & goes, friendships remain. But my being the African ambassador is but a pipe dream.

I think I blew a gasket, I just got instantly pissed off by it :/

posting it here was a case of bad judgement. My bad.