who knows?

Apparently, Palin's alleged effort to ban books was merely an inquiry, according to factcheck.org and Newsweek.  But Palin's own words demonstrate that she lied when she claimed that her response to Washington was "thanks but no thanks" for the so-called "road to nowhere".  Video of the vp nominee calling the bridge "progress"..when she originally endorsed it (and apparently, kept the federal money). 

Surprises

The right turned the 2008 rhetoric upside down again with Sarah Palin's nomination, once again distracting us from some seriously scary stuff.  

Amy Goodman and two other Democracy Now! folks were arrested last week during the RNC, along with hundreds of other activists and passers-by.  The police raided homes where people were organizing under the title, RNC Welcoming Committee.  Another group, I-Witness, was there to record police behavior during the convention.  Of those arrested, eight were charged with conspiracy to commit acts of terrorism.  They face up to eight years in prison.  

It's not democracy if we can't dissent.  

Today a neighbor sent out a list of the books that then-mayor Sarah Palin requested the local Wassila library to ban.  The list included James and the Giant Peach and the 9th edition of Webster's Collegiate Dictionary. According to TIME, who interviewed Palin's friend and former opponent,

"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.

This is the woman who is going to rein in Washington?  Get the government out of regular people's lives? 

I don't know what they're doing, but some say Palin is "bringing back the base" and may secure a win for McCain.  A recent poll even showed McCain ahead of Obama.  It's kinda fun, isn't it?  Liking watching a rigged horse race, maybe.  You know it's all a sham, but you can appreciate the moves.

In other news, Gustav did not impact New Orleans like Katrina, but now Ike threatens.  The hurricane battered Cuba with 5-story tsunami high waves.  If it hits the coast it will be the sixth consecutively named hurricane to make contact this season.   

I dreamed about New Orleans last night.  Why are so many who evacuated having such trouble getting home?

And here in Zion, I did something I never thought I'd do--I accompanied Z on a youth chukar hunt sponsored by the Division of Wildlife.  It was a good time, surprisingly enough.  We went with one of the Division guys and his dogs, Jack and Doll.  He was very helpful and a safe hunter.  The dogs were amazing, running with their tongues lolling out of their mouths and then suddenly stopping, completely alert and pointing at a scruff of bush.  A mom and dad and a 10-year old girl also walked with us.  She was a novice but both of her parents are avid outdoors folks--he hunts deer with black-powder muzzleloaders but she prefers her rifle.  I was so relieved to be with pleasant people who knew what they were doing.  My son is one of them. He's an excellent shot and a safe hunter.  He got two birds that are now freezing downstairs.   

When we first got to the site, outside Tooele, I was really nervous.  Then the "educator", Gene, hearing that I was not a shooter, insisted that I shoot some clays with his shotgun.  I shattered the second clay.

I probably won't become a hunter (unless necessity requires it someday), but it meant a lot to Z that I went with him.  And to me.  

then, again...

...the Nader Team has this to say:

Obama, Carter, Israel -- Ralph Nader for President in 2008

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