Ed Brayton is a journalist, commentator and speaker. He is the co-founder and president of 
So after announcing that she was going to resign as governor of Alaska on July 26th, what did Sarah Palin do? She went on vacation. And while on vacation she gave a series of interviews talking about how she is going to "continue" to "keep working hard for Alaska." No, seriously.
Asked whether she planned to run for president, Palin squinted and shook her head, but then indicated she might."I can't predict the next fish run much less what's going to happen in a few years. I don't know what I'm going to do. I'm going to keep working hard for Alaska, I'm going to be there for Sean Parnell when he needs me and if the staff and lawmakers, certainly any member of the public needs me, I'm going to do all I can for this state," she said.
Yes, she's going to continue working hard for Alaska - right after she gets back from a fishing trip she's taking during her last 3 weeks in office. One would think that she'd be back in Juneau trying to prepare for the transition of power, but she's not. She's grandstanding during a fishing trip:
Palin spoke to the press on Monday evening for the first time since she announced her plans to resign as governor on July 26. National television camera crews flew out to Dillingham to take their turns interviewing her for 10 minutes that she allotted each, one at a time, on the beach.
And coming up with really absurd justifications:
Alaska Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski said after Palin's resignation that she was "deeply disappointed that the governor has decided to abandon the state and her constituents before her term has concluded."Palin responded Monday by saying there's a double standard. She brought up the fact Murkowski left the Legislature when her father, then-governor Frank Murkowski, appointed her to the U.S. Senate seat he gave up to become governor.
"The double standard that's applied here is a bit perplexing. ... Didn't Lisa Murkowski leave office to go take her dad's seat? (Govs.) Huntsman left, Napolitano just left ... ," Palin said, referring to governors who took positions in President Obama's administration.
Yes, because leaving a position to take a more important one in government is exactly like suddenly and inexplicably walking away from the office one was elected to -- without a clue what she's going to do now, by her own admission:
Palin said she is embarking on a "different, more effective path" than finishing her term. Asked how, she said she didn't know at this point, other than to campaign for political candidates who represent the values she supports.
More effective toward what end, exactly? This woman just gets more ridiculous by the minute.
Politics
Comments
I really like how Andrew Sullivan is criticizing the media for not asking the obvious questions. This observation by Ed is one I haven't seen yet elsewhere and it's brilliant. I'm emailing a link to Sullivan.
Posted by: Michael Heath | July 9, 2009 10:25 AM
Yes, the most effective way to work hard for Alaska is to quit your job as head of the state's leadership. If there is some logic in this move, I am completely missing it.
Posted by: Josh | July 9, 2009 10:27 AM
Nobody has clued her in to the fact that the folks who would ask that she come campaign for her (Michelle Bachmann, Steve King, etc.) already have safe seats. Maybe she can start attending tea parties with Joe the idiot.
Posted by: kehrsam | July 9, 2009 10:28 AM
"I can't predict the next fish run much less what's going to happen in a few years. I don't know what I'm going to do. I'm going to keep working hard for Alaska, I'm going to be there for Sean Parnell when he needs me and if the staff and lawmakers, certainly any member of the public needs me, I'm going to do all I can for this state," she said."
Um-hmm. I'm guessing her cell is not going to be on any of those folks "speed dial" after 7/26/09.
The fishing with a gill net that someone mentioned on a thread here, yesterday, is explained, I think. She's probably working with soontobeex-first dude, Todd, on his seasonal harvest. Todd is part native american and they can generally use things, such as gill nets and weirs that are not allowed for others. I don't know that the Impalinator is allowed to help in the harves. Perhaps, in a show of solidarity with her husband's peeps, Sarah will also help in preparing the sealskins for making clothing--I believe that's done, traditionally, by the women chewing the hides.
Posted by: democommie | July 9, 2009 10:29 AM
She's fishing for Alaska! Think of how many people in Alaska will eat those fish (the over-under starts at 6).
I caught 2 minutes of Hannity a couple nights ago and he was arguing the same "double-standard" for Palin. Really, why do we let people quit doing there jobs just to have a much more influential position while we criticize Palin for quitting her job to collect money "campaigning" for other less significant positions.
It looks to me like the point guard has been dribbling idlely just across half-court wasting about two-thirds of the shot clock, then she put the ball down on the floor and walked to the locker room to get ready for the post-game press conference.
Posted by: Odie | July 9, 2009 10:40 AM
Josh @ #2:
This is Sarah Palin we're talking about. Caribou Barbie. Bible Spice. Getting her out of the Alaska government is the best thing she could do for the state. They're better off without an incompetent and insane governor.
Running away is hard work, to be sure. She might trip and break a nail in her eagerness to flee the responsibilities she is clearly incapable of living up to.
Posted by: phantomreader42 | July 9, 2009 10:44 AM
In the interest of fairness, for Palin fishing does not necessarily mean vacation.
Wikipedia:
So it may be she is helping with the family business, rather than engaging in fun and frolic.
Posted by: Herod the Freemason | July 9, 2009 10:52 AM
I notice that Palin quit just a few days after her staunch admirer heddle buggered off of this blog. *((Coincidence?))*
Posted by: Raging Bee | July 9, 2009 11:13 AM
democommie@4
Thanks for the gill net info. I thought there was something like that. Generally banned but allowed under some circumstances. Probably not worth starting another ethics probe over it :)))
Posted by: MikeMa | July 9, 2009 11:13 AM
Palin said she is embarking on a "different, more effective path" than finishing her term. Asked how, she said "We I am things screwing up big here, time, SO I, well, am ANYTHING is better, effective more and, also than me remaining, here in charge"
there. fixed.
Posted by: Kevin (NYC) | July 9, 2009 11:24 AM
As Tbogg has been saying ever since she came on the national scene, Palin is a grifter by temperament. She saw a chance for more money in the private sector, so she jumped ship to chase it. The rest is just smoke...she's out to campaign for Sarah Palin, and thinks she can better advance her interests outside of government. And that's fine...after all, the people of Alaska can always just turn off whatever TV channel Palin finds herself on.
Posted by: Shygetz | July 9, 2009 11:38 AM
Re gillnet fishing.
I'm pretty sure Todd fishes the Bristol Bay sockeye salmon run. The Bristol Bay commercial salmon fishery permits two means of take - drift gillnet, or set net. The Alaska Fish and Game Bristol Bay page is here:
http://www.cf.adfg.state.ak.us/region2/finfish/salmon/bbayhome.php
So, I would assume that Todd has a drift gillnet permit.
those fisheries are very tightly monitored and regulated. Here is an example of the level of regulation:
"Bristol Bay Eastside Salmon Announcement # 42
Emergency Order 64
This is the Alaska Department of Fish & Game in King Salmon with an announcement for permit holders in the Naknek/Kvichak Districts. The time is 3:00 p.m. and the date is Wednesday, July 8, 2009.
The total run to the Kvichak River is tracking very closely to the preseason forecast. At this time the escapement goal for the Kvichak River will be 2.7-million sockeye. The Naknek Section of the Naknek/Kvichak District will open to drift gillnet gear for a 10-hour period from 2:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. Thursday, July 9. The Naknek/Kvichak District will open for a 9.0-hour period from 2:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m. Thursday, July 9.
The next announcement for the Naknek/Kvichak District will be 3:00 p.m. Thursday, July 9."
Posted by: Lee | July 9, 2009 11:39 AM
Oddly enough, the best commentary I've found on Palin's retirement comes from Red State Update. All the stuff about how "I guess serving out the entirety of the term you were elected for is technically 'politics as usual'" cuts to the bone, and the continual nonsensical aphorism.
http://www.redstateupdate.com/profiles/blogs/palins-resignation-explained
Posted by: Awesome McCool | July 9, 2009 11:55 AM
Now watch me catch this fish!
Posted by: AL Jeremy | July 9, 2009 11:56 AM
phantomreader--don't get me wrong. I'm well aware that there is pretty much no situation, anywhere on Earth, that wouldn't benefit from having Bible Spice not be involved with it. That has never been my question. Her departure is great for Alaska.
Posted by: Josh | July 9, 2009 11:56 AM
Wait--Heddle left? For real? What happened? I've been held in a tight orbit* around Pharyngula for...well for months, actually. I missed whatever happened with Heddle.
Related: Has mroberts ever come back?
*There have been a couple of particularly tenacious flud geology advocates that we've been beating the hell out of.
Posted by: Josh | July 9, 2009 12:05 PM
She tweeted a while ago "Working tomorrow on Fairbanks Superior Court nominee list. It's an honor & humbling responsibility to choose who works for AKns in Judiciary"
So she quits, but times it so that she can still pick judges? Why wouldn't she leave it for the next gov since she can't do anything effective as a "lame duck" governor?
Somebody smack me. My brain is too twisted up to figure out anything she says or does anymore.
Posted by: CyberLizard | July 9, 2009 12:08 PM
Someone said to Sarah she should think about finishing her term, she thought they said fishing for a term - DJ
PS:Anyone know how to field-dress a lame-duck? ;)
Posted by: DingoJack | July 9, 2009 12:26 PM
"This woman just gets more ridiculous by the minute."
Yes - more ridiculous. The sad part is that 30% of the country would vote for her at the drop of a hat.
Posted by: RonT | July 9, 2009 12:30 PM
Seems perfectly logical to me. I can't think of anything better for Alaska than her not running it.
Posted by: No One Of Consequence | July 9, 2009 1:01 PM
Palin and Bachman - the nutty dream team.
Posted by: Brando | July 9, 2009 1:34 PM
Seems perfectly logical to me. I can't think of anything better for Alaska than her not running it.
Her never running it?
Posted by: dogmeatIB | July 9, 2009 1:35 PM
He hasn't updated his blog since May so I suspect real life has just intruded on his time. I disagree with heddle about almost everything but he is a smart guy and his legalistic arguments do make me think.
Posted by: Savagemutt | July 9, 2009 2:07 PM
Josh: heddle got into one of his convoluted, unmoored-from-reality, vapor-ware theological arguments, some of us argued back and pointed out his dishonesty, and he buggered off and said he'd never be back. And since he's a Christian, I'm sure he'll be keeping his word...
Posted by: Raging Bee | July 9, 2009 2:18 PM
Perhaps the Prof. has gone fishing with *sigh* Sarah! :D
Seriously, Heddle got into the whole Calvin vs. Darwin grudge match, it all got a little bit too serious (surprised?) and he 'chucked a tantie & buggered off' in high dudgeon.
I suspect he'll cool down, life will become less hectic and he'll return.
Or at least I hope so, contrary arguments often make you aware of totally new ways of thinking. Very helpful for a Dingo of little brain. ;) - DJ
Posted by: DingoJack | July 9, 2009 2:18 PM
I also enjoyed prof heddle's arguments although they very often hijacked a thread driving in clean off the rails. I also miss his occasional astronomy quizzes. Sigh.
Posted by: MikeMa | July 9, 2009 2:38 PM
Ahhh...okay. Thanks.
I was hoping to read some of the Calvin v. Darwin when it happened, because I figured Heddle would be in the thick of it, and that always promises fun-to-read fireworks, even if they aren't
alwaysusually internally consistent fireworks...Posted by: Josh | July 9, 2009 3:02 PM
I very casually followed the debate that caused David Heddle to promise to no longer participate in this forum as it was ongoing a couple of days ago. It went on for days and the posts were all quite long (which meant I read only a minority of the arguments - so take the following with a grain of salt).
It's my understanding Heddle's primary frustration had little to do with the Calvin v. Darwin debate and instead was due to his refusal to concede James Hanley's fisking of Heddle's argument regarding free will. Others participated as well but I think it was Hanley that really got to Heddle.
Heddle argued in that blog thread that one can be one of God's elect, or not, where we all have free will. While I concur with heddle's argument that every one of our individual decisions is within the context of free will, it's ludicrous to ignore the fact that Calvinism as a systemic process ultimately guarantees no free will given that God knows the outcome in advance where the odds he established are stacked against the vast majority of people jumping through the required, totally irrational, hoops to obtain one's ticket to Heaven as opposed to eternal punishment.
It would be like having God as a Plant Manager and his having a process where his factory assembles people where the yield is one good person out of every thousand coming off the end of the line. God also knows and has the power to transform the process to yield a far higher value or even 1000 - yet chooses not to do so. Does he have a valid process? Technically, yes, realistically - no.
Posted by: Michael Heath | July 9, 2009 5:33 PM
Looks like Palin is taking Sean Hannity's recent talking point about how her departure is no different that Governor Kathleen Sebelius leaving her office in Kansas this year to join the Obama cabinet.
But you're wrong again, Sarah.
It is completely different less (like yourself) Sebelius suddenly left office with no other immediate job in mind save going north to wrestle salmon.
Posted by: CHV | July 9, 2009 6:18 PM
Thanks, Michael. That was a nice synopsis.
Posted by: Josh | July 9, 2009 6:28 PM
Michael,
Thanks also for the recap. I missed that thread entirely but it really isn't like heddle to give up. Must have been a real scorcher. Of all the people I rarely agree with blogging, heddle was the most thought provoking and (usually) entertaining. Just like Calvinism to screw things up.
Posted by: MikeMa | July 9, 2009 7:06 PM
Here's the link with the now infamous duel between David Heddle vs. James Hanley and others: http://scienceblogs.com/dispatches/2009/06/calvin_v_darwin_this_time_its.php
Posted by: Michael Heath | July 9, 2009 7:29 PM
Heddle always struck me as a highly intelligent individual, but I also sometimes found him to be insufferably arrogant and unwilling to accept responsibility for his own factual errors or lapses in logic. That said, I'm sorry to see that he has left us. Despite some of his flaws, he was one of the more intelligent and entertaining Christians/conservatives here (I also rather like KOI).
Posted by: Sadie Morrison | July 9, 2009 7:33 PM
Actually I think Palin leaving has done wonders for Alaska and more power to her in her new duties in the fishing industry.
Posted by: Richard Eis | July 10, 2009 4:05 AM