Palin Had Wasilla Pay $24,000 For Her SUV, Nothing For Rape Kits

[Gregorian]

There's more background to the Palin story. And even though it's yet another story about PALIN, it fills in a little bit more of her hypocritical character.

This story is testament to who McCain is running with. I say we hit them with all we can. Just remember the recount room bullies. Remember Ohio the night the election took that eerie turnaround. The anti-war marches in February 2003. I say we cut and paste and hit below the belt. Whatever it takes. This is the hypocrisy we face-

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/9/16/17311/7437/159/600906

[CampDem]

1. How can these people like Palin sleep at night?

Imagine having been assaulted sexually and then getting away from the rapist. I can't even fathom the shock, terror, anger, and fear. Then someone sits down and informs you that it will cost $1,000 for the rape kit. What if these women did not have a credit card? Was there a payment plan available? I know that I have been to the dentist when I had no insurance and it can be a humiliating process working out the arrangements. It is beyond shocking to me that they would give people in such a vulnerable state of mind and body an additional blow financially. It is symbolic too. To me it says that if someone rapes you then YOU will pay for it. How many women in Wasilla found out how much it would cost for a rape kit and just decided thanks, but no thanks? I'd rather just go home shower and cry myself to sleep? Maybe people like Palin don't think about these things? Sadly, I think they do and just don't care. She'd rather have a herself a new SUV.

[Gregorian]

2. They're authoritarians.

John Dean has written a book that is entirely online for all to read. I've only read a portion. It totally explains the mentality.

I suppose it's a neurosis of sorts.

What a world. At least we try. We care.

[CampDem]

7. Love the Dean book on Authoritarians!

I read it and loved the way he provided so much data to support his positions. Intellectually, I can get it as it relates to the followers. I can imagine the cognitive impairments resulting in having been force fed lie after lie and how they become masters at compartmentalizing. I even feel kind of sorry for the followers when I picture what a handicap this must be for them in their personal lives.

What I can't quite grasp is the mindset of the power hungry authoritarian leaders. Is there brain damage involved from years of exposure to this mindset? Does this type of upbringing erode their ability for abstract reasoning, sensing proportionality, and logic. Or do they get that they are exploitive and live with that dissonance.Maybe they enjoy the dissonance and get a kind of chemical rush from it, which becomes addictive the way pro-social folks get addicted to sensation seeking. These people are just unfathomable to me.

[Gregorian]

8. That's great.

I love how you've put quite a bit of thought into that.

The funny part of my life is how far on the other side of the spectrum I am. I literally never asked a girl out on a date. I didn't want to come across as aggressive. Girls approached me. Oh, I did ask one. But it was simply a party I had to have a partner for. And my two cats were never alone. I refused to go anywhere for more than a night because of them. I was a roofing contractor. Trying to organize and tell workers what to do was literally impossible. The worst was when I was lead trumpet in a band. The sectional rehearsal was absolutely ridiculous. I have no ability to assume authority. I abhor it.

So I wouldn't have the slightest clue how to answer the question on the subject. I really ought to finish his book. He's one of the best minds out there.

[CampDem]

10. I have trouble telling people what to do sometimes as well

I have had to supervise people who are older than I. Very hard for me because I want so badly to defer to elders and place so much emphasis on respect. There is something in me that does not feel comfortable with bossiness, though I can be assertive.

It is striking to me that people like Palin seem to long for power. They enjoy asserting their authority even when applying rules that are arbitrary at best and unjust at worst. I truly believe that their is a biological power addiction involved. The reward centers in the brain are on overdrive.

You are right about Dean being one of the best minds out there. I would love to see more research like his!

[Gregorian]

14. I always think of damaged children trying to emulate adults.

I don't think they glean one ounce of pleasure from it. Perhaps even a way of making their parents right.

My uncle came from Syria, and became a surgeon in Hollywood. As a very narrow man who only operated on Armenian patients, only listened to Armenian music, only ate Armenian food, he was what I would call an authoritarian. His daughter is now a staunch liberal. His son, who plays golf every day at Donald Trumps finest golf course, is so conservative it's sick. He seems to have a Hitler complex. So it's an interesting study.

I'm so damned lucky. Grew up in a liberal (translates as "common sense") family, in a liberal neighborhood, in a liberal town. I never knew what a Republican was until I was in my forties. I knew, but never really knew.

[CampDem]

15. I grew up in a republican family here in Alaska

My parents weren't religious, though they were narrow minded and racist. Dad worked at the plant and Mom did what housewives do in a blue collar family. My sisters and I started becoming more and more liberal during college. We would debate Dad about politics and try to change his mind. Over time both of my parents became more liberal. Dad is voting for Obama! I am so pleased.

[Gregorian]

16. What a story. Excellent.

That's so rare. Bravo.

My dad is doing the same with his sister, now that her surgeon husband is gone. But she's not turning around. However, the widow of his childhood doctor, who is now 107, is slowly turning around. She may just vote for Obama.

I wish I could say the same for those boneheads I call friends. I'm losing friends and patience over this. Can you believe it, we can hardly discuss America in America.

Good for you. That lifts my spirits.

[codjh9]

9. Yeah, I sure think it's a neurosis!

[TheWraith]

3. Kicked and recommended.

This is one sick person.

[Terran]

4. I hope Joe is collecting these stories

for use at the debate. :evilgrin:

[Supersedeas]

5. Repiglican family values

[Gregorian]

6. Sort of like "support the troops"

Values. Empty words. Empty beings.

[Orsino]

11. Plus US$50k to redecorate her office.

"I'm the mayor, I can do whatever I want until the courts tell me I can't." http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2008/09/17/palin_mayor/

[progressivebydesign]

12. How many rape kits would 50k buy? She spent THAT to decorate her damn office!!!

Without consent of the City Council. She is toxic.

[Gregorian]

13. I've seen a figure of $14,000

STD testing, emergency room time, contraception...screeching sound of record skipping grooves...CONTRACEPTION?

Of course that's what the problem was. God would frown upon her killing that bit of recently fertilized egg.