I haven't looked into the $150K wardrobe matter, but I'm horrible to ask about such things because I think $5K is over the top. Not to point fingers, but Obama's mini-replica Oval office in that Denver stadium was fairly pricey, too.

I feel that's all money that could have been put to better use around the country. I suppose as a capitalist-minded individual, I would argue that money was put back into our economy by both parties.

I'm just not big on image. I really do try to look thru the image, the glamour, and the eloquence to see what lies underneath.

It's back to work for me now, but I'll look into adding a photo, too. And, I'll take a look at your blog once I have time to get my shields up.

Now, enough with the mushy stuff. I feel like I need to go shoot a moose.

Thanks for the response. Your apology is accepted, and I offer my own since it appears that I have mischaracterised your position/intent.

I respect that you are passionate about your beliefs, I really do. And you should also know that I love my country just as much as you do. I think the reason we're all so passionate is because we do love our country.

In the end, I think that we have to keep in mind that we will have to share the country when this is all over. I'm really concerned about the negativity and fear-based politics in this election.

Regarding the photo, I think it's cool to know who I'm talking to. Depending on the site you're commenting on people show more/less photos in their profiles.

Now that we've gotten all mushy I,do have to ask what you think about the 150K that is alleged to have been spent on Palin's wardrobe… I mean, c'mon…

P.S. I would invite you over to my blog (accessible from my profile), but I'm afraid your eyes might burn out due to my scathing commentaries and the Obama slideshow that I just put up today! LOL

At the heart of my remarks is my love for this country, and the duty I feel to do my part to make sure it remains free as the founding fathers intended, warts and all.

If I've become personal in my remarks, I apologize. To personally malign someone completely counters my hope and intent. If you feel I was personal, please pardon me and accept my apology. Some of my remarks are intentionally comedic (perhaps weakly) so that this discussion can remain light.

Yours is the only comment that includes a picture. I think it's nice!
;- )

I get it, you're angry that I called Palin a fraud, and you were eager to turn the quip back on me. However, it may surprise you that as someone WHO DOES have a background in finance, I happen to agree with the selling of the plane at what some have termed as “a loss.” It was necessary ASAP to cut the losses caused by the jackass who bought it in the first place. Deduction for depreciation is a reasonable expectation.

Nothing wrong with being passionate about your views, but being disrespectful is uncalled for. For the record, I actually agree with a lot of the so-called conservative values. However, I will never be a member of the GOP because (as you have so perfectly shown by your condescending and disrespectful tone) there is a cancer of wrongheaded approaches that festers within your ranks. This approach is contrary to all that is reasonable, and only appeals to others who are just like you. That is what makes the base of your group so dangerous.

As you have illustrated with your remarks here on this forum, the GOP is not a place where a culture of inclusion can flourish. Period.

And for the record, that is me in the photo, although it has little to do with this conversation… Usual GOP tactics–attempt to distract from the main issue at hand.

Don't even get me started on the pass the Clinton administration was handed while refiling and losing documents during it's eight years in the highest office. They LOST more documents than Palin has submitted. They and their staffers covered more rewrites in 8 years than Hollywood in 8 decades. God knows the country would have been better off if their tampering with documents had resulted in termination.

Nice exchange but I'm going to address each of you separately, with facts and common sense.

RENEE,
I'd like to suppose you're not even from Alaska as you implied in your message. But, since I have no proof otherwise I'll accept your claim as truth. Your claim that she soaked Alaska for $40,000 is now nearly doubled the actual expense totals of $21,000. I'm guessing tomorrow others may claim she has cost the state $200,000 for her family's travel. For some reason, liberals have trouble with math and numbers. I'm guessing it may be because they're mostly art-minded (which I admit is a strength of theirs).

It's not uncommon for Governors and other executives to include their families when they travel. Don't be sorry you “don't want to pay for her entire household”, just accept it as this is the way most executives do it – and there is little you can do to change that from your home in Alaska. Family travel never has been an issue, and the reason the AP is raising this issue now is clear.

Bristol to her Aunt Heather's? It seems common sense that any mom would see need to shelter their daughter. If Sarah was embarrassed over the pregnancy matter in Juneau, why would she ever ascend the public stage where all eyes of the world would learn her daughter was pregnant? Go fishing some more. Are you really from Alaska, as you say? I'm having a more difficult time believing that now.

You're really at rock bottom when you make quick, general remarks such as this lady is a “pitiful and absent excuse for a mother”. Are you an extended member of the Palin family? Do you move in their same circles, or notice her interaction with them at WalMart during her diaper runs?

As a public servant for Alaska, she has SAVED TAX PAYERS MILLIONS without sacrificing services important from government.

CHERI,
“Fiscally conservative except with her own expenses?” You can't be serious, when this woman has expensed only $21K for her family's travel over two years following the $2.1MIL sale of a state-owned jet which consumes that much in fuel during only a half dozen trips to the lower 48.

LOL… and you claim SHE is the “damned fraud”? Apparently, if you ever claim to understand finance that could make YOU a FRAUD.

LJNY,
Clarification of purpose is prudent, not criminal.

Don't even get me started on the pass the Clinton administration was handed while refiling and losing documents during it's eight years in the highest office. They LOST more documents than Palin has submitted. They and their staffers covered more rewrites in 8 years than Hollywood in 8 decades. God knows the country would have been better off if their tampering with documents had resulted in termination.

Nice try but not nice enough.

AGAIN – YOU ALL HAVE NOTHING

At least John McCain is a proven reformer … and Sarah Palin is the closest thing to a real American we have seen in decades … so … let's go … elect the best available and look forward to a better day.

This woman clearly does not need to be in power.