“It’s like I was fishing in my wading boots thinking about Plato and which dinner set I would serve a nice tasty salmon on when I hear the most awful snap. At first I thought Meghan McCain was dissing me again, but then I realized she couldn’t swim. Could it be a political operative clicking a pen to fill out an ethics form? I was at my witzends until I took off my glove. Then I realized that some liberal media type had broken the nail on my middle finger. You know, this one (shows middle finger). I’m telling you it’s a good thing I’m resigning. Think of how much I’ll save on manicures not having to worry about someone from the liberal media sneaking up on me and breaking one of my nails. It’s pretty insane, my staff and I spend most of our day dealing with this instead of progressing our state now.”

Double Damn. I wasn’t named in Michael Jackson’s will. That’s okay I hear there may be another. Surely I’m named in that one. I never met the man, but why should it matter? His estate must be able to spare a couple hundred thousand or maybe even a million. That’s only fair, right?

Triple Damn. I got a letter from Sarah Palin saying she’ll sue me if I don’t stop talking about Michael Jackson. She will, however, forgive all if I donate to her PAC “Sarah’s Haddock Icebound Tomorrow.” I sent her a dollar two ninety eight.

The thing is: though Palin said several times that she explained her reasons for resigning, she didn’t. Specifically, she never explained why right now, she has to pass the ball in order for her team to win. Why not just head in for the layup, or take an outside shot? Why does she have to pass the ball to her Lieutenant Governor?

Hilzoy goes on to say, “I think that there’s something we don’t know about: either a serious health problem or a serious scandal.” On the serious scandal side of the coin Max Blumenthal at The Daily Beast wonders if rumors of a Federal investigation played a role.

Many political observers in Alaska are fixated on rumors that federal investigators have been seizing paperwork from SBS (Spenard Building Supplies- ed.) in recent months, searching for evidence that Palin and her husband Todd steered lucrative contracts to the well-connected company in exchange for gifts like the construction of their home on pristine Lake Lucille in 2002.

h/t Think Progress
We already have Governor Palin as a quitter. Could we also see Sarah and Todd Palin indicted for corruption? I hope it’s not legal trouble, but merely the Governor miscalculating about her political future. It would be a shame not to have such a hopelessly unqualified republican run for President in 2012.

Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, Republican John McCain’s vice presidential running mate in 2008, said on Friday she will resign this month…

It seems that the Governor will bail on the people of Alaska despite her fondness for Alaskans.

People who know me know that besides faith and family, nothing’s more important to me than our beloved Alaska. Serving her people is the greatest honor I could imagine.

(emphasis added) She loves ‘em, but she’s gotta leave ‘em. She’s gotta do it because she believes that as a lame duck the temptation to have “fun” could be a concern.

And so as I thought about this announcement that I wouldn’t run for re-election and what it means for Alaska, I thought about how much fun some governors have as lame ducks… travel around the state, to the Lower 48 (maybe), overseas on international trade – as so many politicians do. And then I thought – that’s what’s wrong – many just accept that lame duck status, hit the road, draw the paycheck, and “milk it”. I’m not putting Alaska through that – I promised efficiencies and effectiveness! ? That’s not how I am wired. I am not wired to operate under the same old “politics as usual.” I promised that four years ago – and I meant it. It’s not what is best for Alaska. I am determined to take the right path for Alaska even though it is unconventional and not so comfortable. With this announcement that I am not seeking re-election…

And so she will resign, quit, bail. Is this how it’s gonna be with Ms. Palin, when the office becomes inconvenient she’ll quit? It certainly looks like Ms. Palin believes she comes before her constituents. Rather than finish the job she was elected to do she abandons her post. I’m sure many of us will remember how she bailed on Alaska when it comes time for the 2012 Presidential election.

“(Lawmakers) have given (Sanford) 72 hours of breathing room,” said Katon Dawson, immediate past chairman of the state Republican Party, who said he has spent the last few days playing referee between lawmakers who want the governor out and those who want to give him another chance.

“There a those who want to give him another chance.” What, cheating on his wife, lying to the voters, misappropriating state funds and tossing family values under the bus, isn’t enough for the republicans of South Carolina? Of course not. Just another example of how the rules are different for the boys of “The Party.”

A blogger and Internet radio talk-show host in New Jersey was arrested Wednesday for allegedly threatening to kill three federal appeals court judges in Chicago, Illinois.

Yes, I know the Constitution protects speech, but it doesn’t protect death threats.

Traditionally, the courts have given wide latitude to First Amendment rights, even in cases involving speech that is widely considered offensive, but public statements regarded as “true threats” have not been afforded legal protection.

This loon, who appears to make a habit out of threats of violence should be put away for a long, long time. I sure hope Mr. Turner get a chance to meet the inmates of a lovely prison. They may find his act to their liking. Didn’t I read somewhere that in prison talkers are particularly cherished for their agile lips?

Will this arrest have a dampening effect on the kinds of crap spewed from the right? I can’t believe a single arrest will, but surely more such actions and prosecutions may get their attention.

Granted he’s under attack from the wingnuts, and the republicans are up to their usual shit, but this isn’t a job for the timid. He needs to stand behind those issues he told us were ripe for change like gay rights, health care reform, civil rights and a return to regulatory oversight of markets, banks and capital.

On the other hand there’s the corporate media and their minions carping about his every move and looking to undermine his support at every turn. Have you ever watched the right wing loons? Have you heard their intellectual dishonesty? Have you seen the effect it has on the average, unengaged American? I have and it’s not pretty. I received an email that pointed out to me how the former head of Chrysler, Lee Iococca, bemoaned the lack of leadership in America. In fact he did a book about it in 2007, “Where Have All the Leaders Gone?” An email promoting the book was cited by the author of the missive I received and asking where is the leadership? It was from 2007, but the sender tried to apply it to the current President. It was so dishonest, so easy, so fox news to take something completely out of context and use it against Mr. Obama. The original applied to dubya and his croonies, but the right bastardized the text in an effort to smear the President. Unfortunately the person who contacted me used that version, apparently making no effort to vet the text, seemingly unaware they were being manipulated. There it is then, Moron American, lazy and ignorant, so easily duped. How can I call the President names when people like this undermine him with their ignorance? Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa Mr. President. I promise to put that half loaf to better use.