John P. Rogers

To the editor:

When I first heard Sarah Palin speak when John McCain introduced her and with her acceptance speech at the Republican Convention, I was impressed with her energy and down to earth approach. I have continued to listen to her comments and read news articles regarding statements that she has made. I watched the Vice-Presidential debate intently listening and watching body language.

Now I see Sarah Palin as a serious liability for John McCain and our country. Why? Because the truth about her past becomes more obvious when she tries to cover up her record with lies and misstatements. On Friday the Alaska’s Legislative Panel, comprised of 10 Republicans and 4 Democrats determined that Sarah Palin abused her power as Governor. Her response was that the report exonerated her. How can that be? Then John McCain had to defend Barak Obama at a recent campaign rally because Sarah has whipped up hatred and anger aimed at Barack Obama. Allowing her supporters to retort with “kill him” and references that Obama is a Muslim. Sorry but that type of campaigning is certainly dirty politics and uncalled for.

If you review her record as mayor and governor and positions she has taken shows that she is a “maverick”, a reckless one. That she is tolerant only because it is politically expedient. If you watched her body language when she said she was “tolerant” at the Vice-Presidential debate it was obvious that her statement was not whole hearted.

What is even more incredible is the position Evangelical Christians and conservatives have taken regarding Palin’s daughter, Bristol’s out of wedlock pregnancy. Bristol’s boyfriend Levi Johnston has quit high school so he can support the baby. This is just life in a normal family and no big deal. If this was any other family there would be negative comments and lectures on abstinence and disgrace for the family.

From a Grizzly Bay publication created by Alaskans, (www.grizzly bay.org) are some excerpts of Sarah Palin’s beliefs and positions;

She is opposed to abortion even in cases of rape and incest.

She believes that creationism should be taught in public schools.

While mayor she tried to fire Wasilla’s head librarian because she refused to censor books.

She has no international experience and just obtained her passport in 2007.

She believes that she has experience because “You can see Russia from Alaska…an oil rich state”

Palin supports the Alaskan Independence Party which seeks independence from the USA.

She promotes the aerial hunting of wolves even though Alaskans twice voted to ban it.

She believed that Global Warming was a farce and only recently admitted that human activities may play a role.

Palin is suing the federal government to prevent listing the Polar Bear as an endangered species.

Also from published reports in national news reports and television:

She did in fact receive federal funding originally earmarked for the “Bridge to Nowhere” and built the road to “nowhere”.

While mayor of Wasilla she hired a lobbyist who had worked for Jack Abramoff to secure $27 million in “pork barrel” spending yet when she left office Wasilla had a deficit budget.

As governor she requested $453 million in earmarks, ranking Alaska as the biggest spender, seven times the national average, per person.

She served as a fundraising director for a fund associated with indicted senator Ted Stevens.

“She fought the oil companies” said, John McCain. Yet her inaugural ball was sponsored by BP Oil.

I could go on with more but it is obvious there is more than meets the eye when it comes to

Sarah Palin. Instead of a fresh voice for change she is promoting more of the same toxic politics that divides people.

She may play herself as a “hockey mom” and a friend of “Joe sixpack” but all indications is that she is an opportunist, a divider and has practiced politics in the worst way to support her agenda and so much like the “Washington insiders” she decries. Heaven help us if she were ever to become President.

John P. Rogers

Gilford