Sarah Palin Coming to Hamilton for Cancer Centre Fundraiser

pip57

This reminds me of the time the Republicans booked Steven Colbert to speak at one of their functions.  They actually thought that he was serious in his support of Bush, they did not get that it was part of his comedy routine.  

I agree Barbe.  We will definitely get some good footage and sound bites for Comedy Central. 

I can see why there would be some Canadians interested in what she has to say.  After all, if she uses her binoculars she can probably see Hamilton from her front porch. 

lassie11

I too was mighty surprised to hear that Sarah Palin was coming to speak for a hospital fundraiser. Aside from anything else, it is kind of ironic for her to do it for a cause she opposes. . . until she changes her mind on the issue.

On the issue of us being Americans here in Canada - here is the song on the topic by the Arrogant Worms  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29g57XTYgLE

covertanjou

LOL! PIP too funny!

I would definitely pay $200 to see Tina Fey, but Palin? No thanks.  I can't wait for some sound bites from her speech.  Will there be a clear thought?  Or will it be a rambling mess of incoherence?  I bet for incoherence.

I have many conservative friends (and am married to one!), and were they appalled when she was tapped as VP?  You bet'cha!

pip57

Yes, I would pay to see Tina Fey too.

I have relatives in Boston that think she is great.  Some think she is funny but harmless.  But they also think OJ was innocent!

Enjoyful

The speeches that are written for her are generally coherent, though packed with soundbites and lacking in substance.  It's when she goes rogue that the hilarity ensues.  Let's hope the fine Canadian press can catch her alone for a few minutes.

E 

Brenda_R

I'd protest mightily. What were they thinking?

I feel for ya. 

hrf

The bottom line is money. If they make lots of money, they'll call the event a success. If she goes rogue, there will be jokes for a lot of Canadian comedians .... many of whom live in US (eg. Jim Carry, Dan Ackroyd, Mike Myers). In any case, if she talks about getting rid of universal health care in Canada, she'll be boo'ed off the stage.

Beesie

Sarah Palin, like her or not (and I'm in the "not" category), is a leading voice in the Republican party in the U.S..  She has a lot of supporters.  Personally I doubt that she will end up on top or even near the top in 2 1/2 years when it comes time to pick the next GOP Presidential candidate, but for now, she is one of the strong contenders.  That makes her an interesting and important person, whether you agree with her politics or not.  The fact that so many of the posts here have insulted her, and thereby insulted her supporters (many of whom are members on this board), is awful.  Whether it's done seriously or in a joking manner, it's the same thing - it's disrespectful and unnecessary.  It one thing to argue that Sarah Palin, as an American who is against universal healthcare, is an inappropriate speaker for the JCC fundraiser.  But in my opinion it's not appropriate to resort to insults and jokes and to argue against her appearance simply because you don't like her politics.

Bill Clinton has spoken in Toronto so many times over the past couple of years that he probably has a permanent apartment in the city.  How come I haven't heard any protests from anyone here?  Perhaps because you agree with his politics?  (And I do, by the way.)  Personally I don't see any difference between an appearance in Toronto by Clinton and an appearance in Hamilton by Palin. Both are American politicians who are no longer in office and who have hit the speaking circuit to plug their books or promote their latest ventures.  Why is one deemed to be okay and the other not?

Back to Palin's visit and whether or not her invitation to speak is a wise choice.  First, with regard to the speaker fee, this is standard practice.  If the JCC are paying her $200k, that's probably the budget that they had for a speaker, whoever the speaker might be.  I'm sure that they worked out the financials in terms of cost vs. payback. I trust that they are not idiots.  And as for who will attend, if this speech is promoted as Palin's "only appearance" in southern Ontario, I'll bet the audience will be large, with people coming from Toronto and well beyond, and probably from Buffalo and other cities south of the border.  The area from which the JCC will draw attendance for their fundraiser with Sarah Palin as a speaker is in all likelihood much much greater than it would be with almost any other speaker. 

The reason I don't post very often anymore on BC.org, even here in the Canadian forum, is because too many of the discussions, including this one, have gotten just plain ugly. Humour can be wonderful, but when it's used simply as a shield to insult or make fun of someone or what someone said (whether it's Sarah Palin or Americans in general or the women who post on some of the other threads on this board), it's inappropriate and, in my opinion, just plain wrong.  I agree that some of what's been posted in other threads (American Healthcare and some of the threads on the mammo guidelines, as examples) is appalling but to be honest, I don't see a whole lot of difference in some of the posts in this forum (specifically in this thread and the Canadian Healthcare thread). 

Enough said.  I'm outta here.

mittmott

Beesie, you said a mouthful.   I've been trying to tell this to many of the ladies on this (the Canadian thread) and the Healthcare in America thread.  I don't write as well as you, and my posts didn't come out the way I had them in my mind, and it just became further argument.  We all need to get back to the business of Breast Cancer, and helping each other. We are  different countries, with different healthcare systems.  Some like it and others hate it, on both sides.  Neither is probably right for all.  I don't think those in the U.S. are selfish if they don't want government healthcare, as many on these threads seem to think, we have a different government, and a different way of life. There is nothing wrong with sharing experiences in each system with each other, but we shouldn't think either system is superior to the other, it's a matter of choice. 

lassie11

Aw Beesie - I just reread this thread. Seems to me that most of the comments are about the peculiarity of an American who is against universal health care speaking to raise funds for universal health care. I think she doesn't quite compare to Bill Clinton because she has never (yet) been a President of the US.  Beyond that, there were some essentially unanswered comments supporting Palin and her politics. I don't think things are getting ugly here and hope they don't - although I fully agree with you that there are some threads on this site where that has happened. Even though I am an incurable political junkie, there are a couple of threads I have removed from my favourites for that reason.

covertanjou

President Bush spoke in Montreal this past fall, and I certainly had no problem with him coming here.  I forget the topic of his speech, but I know it wasn't about healtcare.  If Palin were to come here to promote her book, then I would have no problem.  I would not pay to see her, but then again, I wouldn't pay to see Bush or Clinton either.  

Beesie & Mittmott, I am sorry you feel the language here is disresctful.   As Leslie wrote, it is more about how many of us feel that it is nonsensical to have someone who is so against gov't healthcare to give a speech at a Canadian hospital.

Mitt, I think you are very eloquent.  I think you have been decent to everyone, and you have tried your best to make sure EVERYONE is respectful.  

mittmott

Hi Mary, I wasn't talking about this thread, I was just talking about the way the boards are going in general. Have a Merry Christmas, Happy Chanuka, and Happy Healthy New Year everyone.

covertanjou

Hi Mitt,

I think the boards get "hot" sometimes, and people push the envelope until the Mods step in to put a stop to it.  It has happened on the original Healthcare in America thread and elsewhere.  

I wish you and everyone a Very Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah (I spell it differently-I may be wrong) and a wonderful, healthy New Year!

I hope you are not wishing us good wishes because you are leaving the boards??!!  You cannot leave! 

konakat

Carol -- I saw my onc on Tuesday and got my first chemo on Friday.  I'm getting my MRI, CT scan, echocardiogram and port put in before my next chemo.  To follow the tone of your post, nyah-nyah back at ya!  Geesh, get over yourself.

AnnNYC

Personally, as an American (U.S. citizen, that is!), I think it's quite normal political repartee to joke about a politician who resigned halfway through her first term to elected office beyond the local level......

pip57

See, I have been hanging around my American friends for too long.  I have forgotten that I am a Canadian.  I should not say anything if I can't say something nice.  And I have no real opinion and if I do I should keep it to myself.  There.  I  think I am back on the right track now. LOL

konakat

The fact that Palin is against one of our most cherished rights in Canada makes her speaking at a hospital fundraiser in Canada simply repugnant.  It's like asking a very left Democrat to speak at a Republican fundraiser, or vice versa.  It just doesn't make sense. 

hrf

I haven't read anything hateful here. I think that konakat has clearly identified the focus of the discussion. Whoever wants to go to the fundraiser will go. Some of us just find Sarah Palin a strange choice under the circumstances. No one said she's doing anything wrong.

crazy4carrots

Sarah Palin is currently a celebrity promoting her memoir, and not an elected public official.  Perhaps some of us are forgetting that.  However, she has publicly denigrated Canadian healthcare several times, and for that reason alone I do not see any reason to apologize for our criticism of her choice as a speaker in support of two government-funded healthcare institutions.

pip57

I am sitting on my hands so that I can't type what I am thinking now.  But it is pretty funny...and not nice at all.  LOL

konakat

Will somebody remind me to watch This Hour Has 22 Minutes and Rick Mercer on Tuesday?  I keep forgetting -- still haven't seen them since I've gotten back.  I bet they might have a thing or two to say. 

And I do enjoy the non-BC threads -- everything from beaches to healthcare reform.  It's all interesting.  In a way it is BC support -- we're all together, talking, getting some distraction from BC -- and that's a good thing, ya betcha it is!

mke

Who do you suppose will sponsor this?   Seems unlikely that Shopper's will leap at the chance.  Maybe the Cleveland Clinic or one of those places that gives you a full body scan.

I just find it really weird and will be more than interesting to see how this unfolds.

carol1949

Konkat,  Please forgive me if I sounded like I was boasting.  I truly meant it when I asked what type of experience you had in Canada.  I never lived there and really do not know, except what I am told.  For some, I understand it seems to be better than others, just as it is in this country.

I do have a close friend who is a Canadian citizen from Montreal' and her family is still there, but unfortunately, she doesn't have good things to say about the medical care her parents have received.

I do believe, as others have stated, that we are all in this together and should only offer good energy and support.  I apologize for coming across as you perceived.

I wish you all good health and peace of heart.  

konakat

I'm sorry too Carol, I've had a stressful day and took it out on you.  There's good and not so good in every system.  I'm grateful I've had good care when I was living in the US and good care now that I'm back home.  Hugs,

Elizabeth

pip57

Great care here too Carol.  Two weeks from mammo to biopsy results.  Another week to surgery.  

mittmott

Hi Mary, nah, not leaving, just staying out of the fray.(lol)

barbe1958

I, too, have not read a "hateful" thing or a direct insult or joke!!!!

We are ANTICIPATING an opporutnity for the Comedy Channel! There is NO crime in that. If Bill Clinton was going to be the speaker, we'd probably be having the same conversation! Who cares!?!?!?!?!? 

Every SINGLE thread on this board does NOT have to be directly about CANCER!! Why are "some people" not able to wrap their heads around this????

This is just a bunch of chicks sitting around chatting. Noone is planning acts of terrorism or world domination for Pete's sake! RELAX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Holy crap some of you bring out the worst in me!

covertanjou

Barbe, what do you mean we are not planning world domination??!!  I thought that was why we came to this board!!??  LOL....I was thinking of changing my screen name to MarxistMary.  What do you think of that name?  Do you think I would escape notice?

Mitt, you can stay out of the fray (is there a fray here??!!), but do not disappear!

PIP, I really, really want to hear what you have to say!! Please post it!  If you insist on not posting, please PM me.  

As an aside, I am still in the penalty box, so I can't post as often as I want....sob.....so, if I do not respond right away, I will eventually.

Moderators

Hey All, 

I'm posting to ask that we may want to keep the politics at bay for awhile. We know that politics always stir the pot, the emotions, and we at Breastcancer.org really don't have this as our mission to serve on the boards. It simply ruffles too many feathers, in all directions. I completely understand how healthcare is related to breast cancer, it is simply that political discussions are causing too much disruption on the boards recently. We ask that you please, for the sake of the sanity of the boards, have these issues discussed elsewhere, or in a much, much kinder fashion.

Thank you for respecting the overall need  of the boards,

Melissa

barbe1958

Thank you very much for posting this Melissa. This was never intended to be a political thread! Though it wasn't me who contacted you, I appreciate you stepping in.