ideahr: "This all-Palin-all-the-time is getting really boring, Joan. Even more boring than the all-Michael Jackson-all-the-time that preceded it. Can we please have an intelligent and thoughtful article about something more coherent, something like, um, health care reform? Thanks in advance."

I agree! Or how about this: Articles on Palin AND coherent, illuminating articles on health-care reform?

Obama is pushing health-care reform with full force. It's the backbone of his strategy to heal the U.S. economy. I think it deserves more than passing mention.

Steve Branchflower was not the prosecutor on the case in which Van Flein was shot and nearly killed in 1990. The girl he was shot with (she was killed) was a friend of mine. So was the killer.

I know Van Flein professionally, but I'll refrain from publishing my opinion here, since he appears to be unclear on the legal standards for defamation, and I don't need the hassle. His tone suggests that he's been studying $cientology legal tactics. I guess whatever gets your bill paid....

Rich people go to Hell, according to the Bible. Sure, some argue that you have to covet your wealth, but every time a rich person passes a homeless person and doesn't share, that's damnable coveting. The Bible says that God will care for believers and that Earthly comforts should be a believers last concern.

To be crystal clear:

"The constitutional guarantees require, we think, a federal rule that prohibits a public official from recovering damages for a defamatory falsehood relating to his official conduct unless he proves that the statement was made with "actual malice" -- that is, with knowledge that it was false or with reckless disregard of whether it was false or not. New York Times Co. v. Sullivan, 376 U.S. 254, 279-80 (1964).

Given that all the discussion has been couched as rumor, with no statements of fact being alleged, there cannot be any known or reckless falsehood. It is not surprising that Palin does not understand defamation law, but did her lawyer go to Regent? This isn't even worthy of an idle threat.

,several unscrupulous people have asserted false and defamatory allegations that the "real" reasons for Governor Palin’s resignation stem from an alleged criminal investigation pertaining to the construction of the Wasilla Sports Complex.

,

I don't think this has been "asserted" as much as "speculated." But props to Palin's lawyer for the false indignation that pretty seals the deal.

Would that David Letterman filed a defamation suit for the pedophile allegations.

Thanks for the clarification...

What exactly was Branchflower's association with that tragic event?

Witness?

Oh please Joan. We all know Palin is cashing in her chips to join the media. She already has a million dollar book deal and will soon get a talk show. The last laugh will be on the media. Because all of the people attacking her now will happily appear on her new show and be her new best friend, I don't blame her for cashing in. When has a man ever been attackead for cashing it. The girls got a husband and five kids to feed. But as for her political future thats over, as it well should be, while she isn't Presidential material she should fit right in with the media.

I suspect that Ms. Palin is far more insane/evil and dangerous than most suspect. She's the "new model" Republican fascist. Consider the Nixon->Reagan->GWBush progression. Recall Nixon's Checkers speech. Note that she's young.

She's not news anymore. Nobody, except for a few ultra right, ultra religous wingnuts cares about what she has to say. Only Alaskans are affected by her departure and most of them went to Alaska because they lacked the social skills needed to cope with modern society. Let's get their oil and mineral rights and force them to secede. Long live the AIP. You betcha!

I hate to even bring his name up, but its true. Michael Jackson's career pretty much boiled down to a freak show peddled to gain maximum attention. When he released a new music it was always attended by some freaky outage that garnered much more media buzz than the record.

Sarah Palin steps in to take his place. Her career is just wildly careening from one outrageous moment to the next to drum up as much attention as possible.

Beyond the freak show, there isn't much more to either one. We're stuck with Palin for the long haul. Politically, she'd dead, but she'll always be a story...she'll see to that. Now she's a professional curiosity.

Where have I seen that analysis before? Was it from the Stalinist era of the former Soviet Union? Well, I guess great minds think alike!

and some liberals (and probably some conservatives) separately speculate she may have a personality disorder, since she certainly displays telltale behaviors. There now. Fixed.

We are on the same page.

All righty then.

Obama's not a conservative, so he must be:

1. A fascist

2. A communist

3. Working to destroy the United States

By the way, trying to make Palin look good by casting aspersions on Obama isn't working. Obama doesn't whine and quit when the going gets tough, then pretend quitting is actually a high virtue -- and not even really quitting.

People see through Sarah Palin, especially Alaskans. Go to the Alaska Daily News web site, for starters.

"THE VERDICT: Not misogynist."

"THE VERDICT: Not misogynist."

"THE VERDICT: Not misogynist."

My god, XH, you're so boring and off your game at times.

I'm afraid the "verdict" is only your own "verdict," my friend. And although I can appreciate your anxiety after your feeble attempt at a comeback after I deconstructed your argument on the previous thread, I would suggest that you just calm down now.

I have given you some pretty darn good examples of the misogyny expressed by Salon in the past. But if you choose to ignore them or, worst yet, defend them, well that's fine with me. "Go ahead, make my day" -- as the expression goes. But all that does is make you look more inept than ever. So just say. "THE VERDICT: Not misogynist" as often as possible. Because you, of course, are both the supreme judge and jury on all points of view expressed here at Salon.

Pretty laughable stuff if it weren't so sad, delusional and conceited. Why don't you just lick back and pour yourself a double of whatever it is you drink and enjoy the last of the holiday weekend. It'll do you good:)