Laboring on Labor Day over the less than laborious search for a Republican vice presidential nominee:

* I applaud the Republican VP selection of Sarah Palin because McCain’s selection is Soooooo defective, inadequate, lacking, imperfect, substandard and offensive that it epitomizes what Republicans offer America in 2008 – a ticket worse than the pathetic administration of George W. Bush and Dick Cheney. If this does not convince America to choose Obama and Biden then this country deserves its continuing flush into the national and international septic tank.

~ First, I must correct my observation last week that Palin nixed the “bridge to nowhere” – a claim she reiterated when introduced as McCain’s VP selection. It appears that she did not feel that way when she was running for governor. “The Anchorage Daily News quoted her on Oct. 22, 2006, as saying yes, she would continue state funding for the bridge because she wanted swift action on infrastructure projects: "The window is now while our congressional delegation is in a strong position to assist," she said. After the Ketchikan bridge became an issue and an object of ridicule, Congress dropped the earmark. Sarah Palin is the perfect fit for the Republican Party as we know it in the early stages of the 21st Century. In her first national appearance she lied.
~ Governor Palin is a social conservative who is against abortion for any reason, including RAPE. She is for adding Intelligent Design/Creationism to classroom curriculums. We must assume that she is an Alito-Thomas-Roberts-Scalia groupie and would appoint like ultra conservative Supreme Court Justices who interpret the constitution in a manner that religious conservatives interpret the bible – literally. The concept of Originalism as applied to the U.S. Constitution leaves little room for adjustment/adaptation, over two centuries after its writing. This is contrary to what the creators of the constitution intended and why amendments were anticipated. If there are any Hillary supporters that relate to these regressive and repressive philosophies they are supporters in drag.
~ Regardless of the closeness in the polls the McCain campaign has panicked. How else to explain the Palin nomination? It takes “experience” off the table – a core issue that McCain was attempting to convey to voters. It insults women because other than possessing the female chromosome Mrs. Palin possesses nothing else to justify the position of VP. It insults 300,000,000 Americans and the world community that beginning on January 20, 2009 Palin is one McCain heart attack, stroke or recurring skin cancer event away from being the United States commander-in chief. This nomination is akin to me claiming that my novice piano lessons over the last 18 months have prepared me to perform at Carnegie Hall on a program with Lang Lang!

* Welcome to the Alternative Universe of the Palin nomination ~ what life must be like on a bad LSD acid trip:

~ Appearing on Fox News McCain was asked, “if he could honestly say that Sarah Palin was the best person to put a heartbeat away from the presidency.” McCain responded, “Oh, yeah. She's a partner and a soulmate." John McCain met Sarah Palin once before selecting her to be VP.
~ On ABC Cindy McCain commented on Palin’s experience: "You know, the experience that she comes from is, what she has done in government -- and remember that Alaska is the closest part of our continent to Russia."
Earlier in the interview Mrs. McCain said, “Palin was ‘heavily experienced’ in general, citing her going from the PTA to mayor to governor -- and having a son headed for Iraq. She actually said that she started her political career at the PTA "like everybody else."
~ Sarah Palin’s mother-in-law, Faye Palin said, "I'm not sure what she brings to the ticket other than she's a woman and a conservative. Well, she's a better speaker than McCain." Faye Palin admitted she enjoys hearing Barack Obama speak, and still hasn't decided which way she'll vote.
~ Former Republican Sen. Fred Thompson of Tennessee said Sunday on CNN, “She has experience not only in politics but in life.” If that is the criteria McCain-ad heroines Paris Hilton and Brittany Spears have greater experience.
~ Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty said, "Palin is commander-in-chief of the Alaskan National Guard." The state's Guard has about 4,000 members.
~ Alaska National Guard Major General Maj. Craig Campbell said, “Palin plays no role in national defense activities even when they involve the Alaska National Guard.”
~ Sen. Lindsay Graham of South Carolina said, "Governor Palin took on Ted Stevens. If she can take him on, she can take on the Russians." Stevens, a Republican senator, is facing corruption charges and running for re-election. Stevens and Palin have been political allies since before Palin became governor. Lindsay Graham must have missed the July 2, 2008 press conference where Palin and Stevenson held a joint press conference on energy. When Palin was asked about their relationship: "I have great respect for the Senator," Palin said, "He needs to be heard across America. His voice, his experience, his passion needs to be heard across America--so that Alaska can contribute more." On July 29, 2008 Stevens was indicted on federal corruption charges.
~ Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, appearing on CBS' "Face the Nation," saw a kindred spirit in Palin's experience as mayor, despite the fact that her town, Wasilla, has about 7,000 people and his had nearly 8 million when 9/11 happened.
Thanks to The Huffington Post for their work in providing much of the information noted above.

For me the nomination of Sarah Palin generates a conflict of emotions. I waver between wanting to laugh and cry. Every time I start to laugh I remember what the implications are for my country and tears begin to form.

Happy Labor Day.