Retribution-"Fearing For Their Jobs & Lives"-Why Palin Stories Didn’t Break Before the Nomination

[kpete]

The fear has escalated now that Palin is in line to potentially hold the second-highest position in the country.

Fear of Retribution: Why Palin Stories Didn’t Break Before the Nomination
By: celticdiva Thursday September 4, 2008 9:58 am

cdiva.jpeg

It was clear that Editor and Publisher was peeved at the Alaska media for sitting on a story for weeks, even months...the pregnancy of Bristol Palin. I can understand why a reporter from a large media outlet in a populous city would be baffled by all of the secrecy. Understand that NO ONE was saying ANYTHING on the record and the blogs (and the Anchorage Daily News) had to make due with emails and on-line comments. Also understand that there is a reason no one was saying anything and one must appreciate living in Alaska to get the full picture.

I like to explain the State of Alaska as a small town (600,000 +) broken up by great distances into many VERY small towns. Alaskans will snicker if someone from the "lower-48" assumes we know their second cousin thrice removed on their mother's side just because he happens to live up here. However, we're also quite accustomed to running into our politicians and other "celebrities" in line at the grocery store, coming out of a movie theater, dip-netting for salmon on the Kenai River, etc... Folks from other parts of the country don't understand our nonchalant familiarity as was evident by the chuckle I had with progressive radio talk-show host, Cary Carrigan, when I was reporting on his show from the Democratic Convention. He recounted a phone call that he received from an Obama campaign worker (probably an intern) who was "excited" to tell Cary that he could "get him some media time" with former two-term Democratic Governor, Tony Knowles. I later was able to laugh about it with Governor Knowles, who was at my breakfast table.

So on one hand, Alaskans feel a connection to their politicians because those politicians are more available to their constituents. This breeds loyalty. The next reason for silence and secrecy, however, is not filled with "lollipops and rainbows." As a matter-of-fact, it has people fearing for their jobs and believe it or not, their lives.

....................

A blogger told me that he needs to back off the more sensitive Palin information because he's afraid of getting shot by some of the more fanatical, hard-core "Palin-bots." I've been told that when media representatives attempted to speak to several members of Palin's former church, one member wouldn't speak out of fear of his/her life and the other declined out of fear of potential treatment by law enforcement who are also members of the church.

more at:
http://firedoglake.com/2008/09/04/outside-media-needs-to-understand-alaskans-and-their-relationship-with-sarah-palin/

[NRaleighLiberal]

1. She is starting to remind me of the Martin Sheen played politician in S King's Dead Zone

If this is indeed true, then this is scary, scary stuff and there is no way in hell, for the good of the country, she should hold any office of authority.

[greenman3610]

4. right, where he held up the baby to shield himself from the assassin

I can see Palin doing that with little whatsisname

[roguevalley]

7. Tony Knowles used to own the best deli in Anchorage and I can't

count how many times he led our party to a seat and filled our water glasses. That is what alaska is like. Maybe if more states had the same experiences with their politicians it would be better.

[roguevalley]

9. edit added: Closeness to the people is what I mean here.

[kestrel91316]

2. This would fit with my assessment of Palin as being basically

a thinly-disguised white supremacist/Dominionist. These groups advocate violence to achieve their goals.

She is a vicious piece of work. I wonder if McCain knows what danger he has placed HIMSELF in by picking her as a running mate.

[blm]

3. Same deal in Gastonia area where everyone knows Patrick McHenry is gay but they fear his revenge

as his band of thugs who run that area are known for their mob style activities.

I believe that thugs like this took over the GOP all over the country in the 90s and that the decent Republicans are too afraid to do a damn thing about it.

[WCGreen]

5. Well they can't get away from it in the smaller states....

But in the larger states, the coercion in much more insidious because it happens with a hand shake and a knife in the back, figuratively speaking, of course.

[HughBeaumont]

6. Fear for their lives?

Are these politicians or the fucking MOB?

Like we're supposed to fear the Alaska NRA-Marm?

Once again, has this country gone nuts?

[Critters2]

8. This church needs to be scrutinized more carefully. Trinity may have some faults,

but no one suggested they couldn't talk about Trinity or Wright on pain of death. Something sinister is afoot in Alaska.