Sarah Palin’s Hypocrisy On Violence

Sarah Palin whined about being criticized for her hate speech, her use of crosshairs over Gabrielle Giffords, and her link to the controversial graphic with calls for supporters to “reload. Palin and the right wing Palin-apologists have repeatedly denied any relationship between Palin’s rhetoric and right wing violence.

Palin’s view has suddenly changed as she canceled plans to speak in Colorado on May 2:

Former Alaska governor and Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin was scheduled to speak at an event for a Colorado nonprofit group May 2, but the event was canceled the day after it was announced due to “an onslaught of personal attacks” against Palin.

Palin was to speak at the Patriots & Warriors Gala at the Infinity Park Event Center in Glendale, Colo., which was billed as an awards banquet and fundraiser for military families in need and for a grief camp for children who had lost loved ones in combat.

But the event, sponsored by the Sharon K. Pacheco Foundation, was canceled Saturday, a day after it had been announced to the media. A press release posted on the sponsoring organization’s Facebook page reads, “Due to an onslaught of personal attacks against Gov. Palin and others associated with her appearance, it is with deep sadness and disappointment that, in the best interest of all, we cancel the event for safety concerns.”

The press release goes on to say that no direct threats were made against Palin, nor were any made against members of the organization’s staff, but in light of the shooting rampage in Arizona last month, the negative rhetoric “raises concern for her safety and the safety of others despite the call for civility in America.”

The saddest thing is that Palin very well might be too ignorant to even see the contradiction here.

Quote of the Day

“Joe Lieberman is writing a book about the Jewish Sabbath called “Gift of Rest.” I hear he’s been working on it 24/6.” –Jimmy Fallon

Tea Party Called Upon To Oppose Extension Of Patriot Act

There was a temporary victory for civil liberties yesterday as the Congressional Democrats, with the help of some Tea Party Republicans, voted down an extension of the Patriot Act.  There has always been the rare conservative who has been strong on civil liberties. The Tea Party, while generally representing the current far right Republican base, does have a variety of types of supporters and it is good to see that this does include some who are supportive of civil liberties. Unfortunately they represented only a minority of the Tea Party caucus. Twenty-six Republicans voted against the bill, including eight newly elected Republicans.

Dennis Kucinich helped establish the coalition which opposed the Patriot Act, calling for members of the Tea Party to show support for the Constitution on this matter:

“The 112th Congress began with a historic reading of the U.S. Constitution,” Kucinich said. “Will anyone subscribe to the First and Fourth Amendments tomorrow when the PATRIOT Act is up for a vote? I am hopeful that members of the Tea Party who came to Congress to defend the Constitution will join me in challenging the reauthorization.”

The full text of Dennis Kucinich’s speech against the Patriot Act is under the fold:

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Friday Night Lights Series Finale “Packs An Emotional Punch”

Ausiello on Friday Night Lights series finale which airs Wednesday night (no spoilers as to story–safe to read even if waiting for NBC to air the season):

Yes, there’s a montage-y leap forward — less than a year, more than a month — at the end of Wednesday’s super-sized swan song on DirecTV. Prepare yourselves, because it packs an emotional punch the likes of which I have not experienced, well, ever. The final scene in particular just destroyed me. I’m so not ready to let go of these characters. Speaking of The End, I’ll be posting a post mortem with exec producer Jason Katims immediately following the finale. If you’re not a complete basket case — heck, even if you are — I strongly recommend you drop by and give it a read.