Another One Bites The Dust

For the second time in as many weeks, a high profile Republican admits to having an extramarital affair. On the surface, you can say, “this is just another politician caught cheating on his wife”. However, for a party still reeling from the overwhelming defeat handed to them in the 2008 Presidential Election, the news is distressing. The GOP is desperately looking for a leader to step up, and take up the charge, for a comeback in the mid term 2010 elections. Senator John Ensign from Nevada and Governor Mark Sanford of South Carolina were two individuals being eyed as possible Presidential Candidates in the 2012 Presidential Election. For both of them, that may only seem like a pipe dream now.

On June 18, 2009, Senator Ensign admitted to an extramarital affair. Today, June 24, 2009, Governor Sanford admitted to the same. Though, Governor Sanford’s admission comes after being missing for five days. It appears he told his staff he would be hiking in the Appalachian Mountains when in fact; he was with his mistress in Argentina. While away, no one was technically in charge in South Carolina. One of the biggest criticisms toward the Governor is the fact that, had there been a crisis, he was out of touch and unavailable for any decision making processes. There is sure to be more fallout from his opponents over this and more in the future. But, even more disturbing, is the hypocrisy being shown by the Republican candidates.

The Democratic Party is not immune to this behavior either but, it is the Republican Party that touts family values and Christian beliefs. The following is an excerpt from an interview Governor Sanford had with Fox News pundit Sean Hannity on the Talk Show Hannity; http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,527220,00.html
HANNITY: All right. Clearly, there are going to be implications for 2010 and certainly the 2012 election. This is now Obama’s deficits. This is his debt, this is his economy, and this is his health care plan. Do you think ultimately — and of course, his positions on national security are a separate issue?
Do you think this ultimately is the undoing of the Democratic Party? I mean James Carville was bragging about, you know, a generation of Democratic rule. I don't see it happening.

SANFORD: I guess the Bible says pride cometh before a fall so I would take humble exception with Carville's suggesting on that front because I think that with the numbers point to, and you can always see it in this month's job numbers, you know, the Obama administration was out talking about 100,000 jobs either saved or added.
And this notion of saving a job becomes really amorphous in terms of what that means. While, meanwhile, over 300,000 jobs were lost around the country. So there's a lot of backtracking and I think that that is the bellwether as to what comes next. If this economy continues to deteriorate, I think Obama is going to have severe problems as well, by extension, the Democratic Party.
Note, the reference to the Bible, used by the Governor. This is typical of most, if not, all Republicans in or running for office. This Party raises praise of the very values that they are consisting breaking, especially of late.

Now, as I have said, the Democrats are just as guilty of infidelity and other misdeeds just like the Republicans. But, you do not see the Democrats quoting the Bible or using the Bible to explain or exhort something just to try to play to the public. Let’s face it; if a Democrat is a Heathen, he or she is not going to set themselves up for it.

The Republicans continue on their downward spiral. The Right Wing Talk Shows keep talking about the changing mood in America and how people, are in doubt of, the Obama Administration. The only people being doubted are the Republican old guard that continues to drag the party down. Eventually, a trusted, fresh and honest face will emerge someday. The Party can only hope that it will be sooner, rather then later.

That’s How I See It.

Websites of reference;
http://www.softsailor.com/news/5353-governor-mark-sanfords-emails-leaked-prove-hes-having-an-affair.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/24/AR2009062402504.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Ensign
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1905351,00.html
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0609/23813.html
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,527220,00.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Sanford

Arrogance versus Confidence

Barbara Boxer is the junior Senator from California. Senator Boxer joined the U.S. Senate in 1992. However, her impressive political career began long before that. Like any other politician she has gained many supporters and opponents alike. However, on June 18, 2009, the junior Senator from California has brought criticism even I must agree with.

There were many articles describing a verbal exchange between Senator Boxer and Brigadier General Michael Walsh during the Senates Environment and Public Works Committee meeting. I chose the following article by Rob Hotakainen because it summarizes the issue and fallout rather effectively; http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics/AP/story/1108835.html
Critics pounce as Sen. Boxer says no to `ma'am'
By ROB HOTAKAINEN
McClatchy Newspapers
WASHINGTON -- There's a burning question in California's 2010 Senate race: Is it OK for a military general to call a senator "ma'am"?

It didn't take long for the state's junior senator, Democrat Barbara Boxer, to object when Brig. Gen. Michael Walsh followed proper military protocol last week by calling her "ma'am" at a hearing of the Senate's Environment and Public Works Committee, which Boxer heads.
"Do me a favor. Could you say 'senator' instead of 'ma'am'? It's just a thing; I worked so hard to get that title, so I'd appreciate it," Boxer said.

Chuck DeVore, a Republican who's trying to deny Boxer a fourth term, said it was remarkable that Boxer "dressed down" a general, calling it "the latest liberal-military confrontation." He said it wasn't Boxer's first confrontation with the military, noting that she had cut her political teeth during protests of the Vietnam War in the San Francisco Bay area.
"Why do some liberals apparently despise our military?" DeVore asks in a statement on his campaign's Web site. He says the use of "ma'am" is "a perfectly acceptable sign of military respect to both a U.S. senator or a senior female officer."

Republican critics in the blogosphere and elsewhere are excoriating Boxer. Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., called Boxer "a loose cannon" and an embarrassment to her party.
"I just can't put up with that kind of thing when people think too much of themselves, and we see a lot of that in Washington," DeMint told Fox News Channel.

During a line of questioning on protecting and restoring the Louisiana coast, Walsh repeatedly referred to Boxer as "ma'am" until she cut him off with her request to be called "senator."
"Yes, senator," replied Walsh, who's with the Army Corps of Engineers.
Zachary Coile, Boxer's communications director, said Monday that the senator had spoken with Walsh after the hearing and that the general wasn't offended by Boxer's request.
"They had a very friendly conversation," Coile said. "They reiterated their respect for each other and how much they look forward to working together in the future. Sen. Boxer has tremendous respect for our men and women who serve in the military, including Gen. Walsh."

Pundits and the national media have been having a field day over the dustup.
National Public Radio ended a segment by playing a sound bite of Aretha Franklin's "Respect" ("All I'm asking for is a little respect"), while The Washington Times ran a story headlined "No 'ma'am' for Boxer."

The following article is a short Biography of Brigadier General Michael Walsh;
http://chl.erdc.usace.army.mil/chl.aspx?p=s&a=ARTICLES!539
Colonel Michael J. WalshBG Walsh assumed command of the South Atlantic Division (SAD) on 24 June 2004. His previous assignment was Chief of Staff, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).
As SAD Commander, BG Walsh oversees engineering, construction, and real estate activities for the Army and Air Force in the Southeastern United States, Latin America, and the Caribbean. He is also responsible for water resources development activities, which include management of major harbors, federal navigable waterways, and multiple-purpose reservoirs.
As USACE Chief of Staff from May 2003 to June 2004, he was responsible for directing, coordinating, supervising, integrating, and training more than 900 personnel to provide responsive engineering support to the Army and Nation at home and abroad. He worked closely with Army, other MACOMs, Department of Defense staff, and members of Congress to ensure USACE provided exceptional support to the Army and Nation in peace and war.
BG Walsh served as USACE Executive Director of Civil Works from August 2001 to May 2003. He provided executive direction and oversight to 200 personnel in the DC headquarters and to 25,000 Corps employees who execute the daily civil works mission throughout the United States. BG Walsh's career includes two USACE district commands: Sacramento District from 1998 to 2001 and San Francisco District from 1994 to 1996.
BG Walsh has held a wide variety of Army command and staff assignments. They include project management officer for Engineer Branch, Supreme Headquarters, Allied Powers, Europe (SHAPE); Environmental Task Force Leader, Fort Stewart, GA; Executive Officer, 92nd Engineer Battalion, Fort Stewart, GA, and Saudi Arabia; Project Engineer and Assistant Area Engineer, Baltimore District; Construction Officer, 18th Engineer Brigade, Darmstadt, Germany; and Commander, Company B, 94th Engineer Battalion, Darmstadt, Germany.
BG Walsh graduated from Polytechnic Institute of New York in 1977 with a bachelor's degree in civil engineering. He also earned a master's degree in construction management from the University of Florida. His military education includes the Engineer Officers Basic and Advanced Courses, U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, and the U.S. Army War College.

I have no doubt, with the Senator’s Communications Officer, that after the hearing the Senator and General spoke and he stated he was not offended by what was said. That is because he was being courteous and respectful. Just like he was when he referred to Senator Boxer as ma’am. I believe the General was as professional as his training dictates and that Senator Boxer is arrogant and quite frankly an insecure female who needs to be reassured through words that she is respected. Shame on you Senator Boxer for insulting a man who, not only paid you due respect but, is a member of a military that has historically preserved the right that you abused on this day. You have fought for the average American and served your country well in the political arena. Feeling that, I am surprised at your arrogance and insecurity for needing a verbal reinforcement of your title, at the expense of a respected Confident Military Man, on the national stage.

Hopefully, Senator Boxer has learned her lesson and understands that, if you want the respect, try offering the same. It is the least she can do for a person in her position.

That’s How I See It.

Websites of reference;
http://chl.erdc.usace.army.mil/chl.aspx?p=s&a=ARTICLES!539
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbara_Boxer
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics/AP/story/1108835.html

Partisan, Bi-Partisan

On the campaign trail, during the Presidential Election in 2008, Barack Obama promised to reach out to the Republican Party if he should win the Presidency. True to his promise and to the dismay of many Progressives, President Obama has done this by trying to fill his cabinet with a diverse group of individuals from both Republican and his own Democratic Party. Some say this is a political ploy to eliminate possible presidential competition in 2012. Others say this is good politics where, in trying to keep his political promises, is creating the "unite not divide" leadership, for his legacy. As the proverbial “Honeymoon” period of his Presidency winds down, President Obama finds himself at odds with his own party with trying to pass bills and making laws in a bi-partisan manner.

A good example of this comes from an excerpt of the “New Rules” segment of the HBO Talk Show Real Time with Bill Maher;
http://www.hbo.com/billmaher/new_rules/index.html
And, this is why I don't want my president to be a TV star. Because TV stars are too worried about being popular, and too concerned with getting renewed. Oh, you can relax about that one, Mr. President. The Party is doing everything they possibly can to insure that you'll get re-elected. The Republican Party. Speaking of which—speaking of the Republicans, if you can't shove some real reform down their throats now, then when? Folks, Barack Obama needs to start putting it on the line in fights against the banks, the energy companies and the health care industry. I never thought I'd say this, but actually, what he needs in his personality is a little George Bush. He needs to stop worrying about being loved and bring out that smug, insufferable swagger that says, "Suck on it, America." George Bush had horrible ideas—torture, deregulation, preemptive war, tax cuts for the rich—but he pushed them through in their full measure, never mind the Congress or the Constitution, the Geneva Convention — Magna Carta—Hammurabi's Code. The point is, he didn't care if it made him unpopular with every human on the planet not named Cletus or Fred Barnes. Which it did. And what we need to do is to marry the good ideas that Barack Obama has, with a little bit of the Bush attitude and certitude. I'd love it if Obama came out one day and said, "Jesus told me to fix health care." In conclusion, Bush was bad, but he never cared if he was seen out in a restaurant having a burger with Dick Cheney. If he wanted a burger, he picked up the phone in the White House and said, "I'm the president, bring me a burger!" And they would say, "Sir, this is NORAD." "Would you please stop ordering burgers into the red phone?"
I'm glad Obama is president, but the "audacity of hope" part is over. Right now, I'm hoping for a little more audacity.

The following is one of the definitions of Partisan, from the Wikipedia Dictionary;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Partisan
In politics, partisan literally means organized into political parties. The expression "partisan politics" usually refers to fervent, sometimes militant support of a party, cause, faction, person, or idea. Although this is typically an appellation with negative connotations, some supporters embrace the term.

After eight years of the previous administration, many of President Obama’s supporters want him to be a little less bi-partisan and push more of his agenda, using the partisan power he was fortunate enough, to have accumulated. Many feel the last eight years showed a Republican Party that was not bi-partisan but in fact, so partisan, that they pushed laws and regulations through Congressional approval, while steam rolling over their Democratic rivals. Some say this is what contributed to the collapse of our economy and our decline on the world stage.

It will be interesting to see if our new President will lose his patience with the Republican stonewalling, that he has been facing, and take the advice to push for his agenda to be completed. The Republicans have pushed back on virtually every initiative he has brought to the table. So intense and bitter, the battles have become, it is seven months since the election in 2008 and the Minnesota Senate Seat is still being contested by Republican Norm Coleman. The incumbent Mr. Coleman, was defeated by Democratic Candidate Al Franken.

Due to the challenges made by the Republican Party and Mr. Coleman, the people of Minnesota only have one Senator representing them. This will remain until the matter is finally decided. Mr. Coleman has promised to go all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court before he will concede defeat. With this type of determination from the opposing party and the growing discontent within his own, it is probably just a matter of time before our calm, cool thinking leader decides he has had enough and takes out a big can of “Whoop Ass”. When he does, the Republican Party might see it as a Pandora’s Box, they wish they never opened.

That’s How I See It.

Websites of reference;
http://www.billmaher.com/
http://www.hbo.com/billmaher/new_rules/index.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Partisan

What Has Happened To Our Heroes

Yesterday, The New York Times reported that baseball great Sammy Sosa had tested positive for steroid use during the 2003 Major League Baseball Season. Even though many followers of the game suspected him of such, this brings Mr. Sosa under suspicion that he may have lied to a Congressional Hearing in 2005, when he testified he had never used the substances. Now retired, Mr. Sosa says he will be relaxing at his home in the Dominican Republic and looks forward to the day he will be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. This prospect is now in jeopardy in lieu of the report of his positive test results.

The following is an excerpt from Mr. Sosa’s testimony at the Congressional Hearing on banned substance use in Baseball; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sammy_Sosa
"To be clear, I have never taken illegal performance-enhancing drugs."
"I have never injected myself or had anyone inject me with anything," he told the House Government Reform Committee on March 17, 2005. "I have not broken the laws of the United States or the laws of the Dominican Republic. I have been tested as recently as 2004, and I am clean."

The following is an excerpt from the testimony of Jose Canseco, the author of the book “Juiced”;
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/18/sports/baseball/18steroids.html
Jose Canseco, a former player who said in his recent book, "Juiced," that he and others, including Mr. McGwire and Mr. Sosa, used steroids, and Curt Schilling, a pitcher who has been outspoken in criticizing steroid use, testified but contradicted previous public statements.

Those mentioned above, along with, Barry Bonds, Manny Ramierez, Raphael Palmeiro and Alex Rodriguez, were looked up to by many of our children. Just the same as we looked up to past greats like Hank Aaron, Roberto Clemente, Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris, to name a few. But, our baseball heroes, did not use drugs to play in greatness. They used their own abilities the best they could and we loved them for it. The heroes of yesterday were real and honest. They were true legends. This is something the baseball players today lost in their quest for fame and fortune. Maybe the thought of having to compete with the past made them feel so inadequate they felt they had to cheat. Or, was it simply the money. The obscene amount of money Team Owners threw at these individuals to feed their pockets and egos. Or, to try to turn baseball into an entertainment industry instead of the wholesome sporting event, it was always meant to be. Maybe, the Team Owners and the Players Union are just as culpable.

Whoever is to blame, one thing is certain, baseball must change the way they do things if their credibility is to ever be restored. The game itself will never be ruined. It is too much a part of the American fiber to allow that to happen. But, heroes will have to be made. From now on, they will be made once again, by their ability on the field. Not depend upon their credibility from a Lab test.

That’s How I See It.

Websites of reference;
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090616/ap_on_sp_ba_ne/bbo_sosa_drugs
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/17/sports/baseball/17doping.html?_r=1&ref=sports
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/18/sports/baseball/18steroids.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sammy_Sosa

Generational Divide

It has been said that the younger generation had an effect on the Presidential election that brought the first African American President in our nation. It is now being said that a generation that will not be silenced or dictated to by a status quo and enjoys the freedom and hope of a better future, is also influencing a countries election. This paraphrased statement is from an article appearing on The Daily Dish by Andrew Sullivan. The country being spoken of is Iran. The following is the article as it appears on the website theatlantic.com;
http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2009/06/the-revolution-will-be-twittered-1.html
The Revolution will be Twittered
Mock not. As the regime shut down other forms of communication, Twitter survived. With some remarkable results. Those rooftop chants that were becoming deafening in Tehran? A few hours ago, this concept of resistance was spread by a twitter message. Here's the Twitter from a Moussavi supporter:
ALL internet & mobile networks are cut. We ask everyone in Tehran to go onto their rooftops and shout ALAHO AKBAR in protest #IranElection
That a new information technology could be improvised for this purpose so swiftly is a sign of the times. It reveals in Iran what the Obama campaign revealed in the United States. You cannot stop people any longer. You cannot control them any longer. They can bypass your established media; they can broadcast to one another; they can organize as never before.
It's increasingly clear that Ahmadinejad and the old guard mullahs were caught off-guard by this technology and how it helped galvanize the opposition movement in the last few weeks. That's why they didn't see what those of us surgically attached to modems could spot a mile away: something was happening in Iran. If Drum is right, the mullahs believed their own propaganda about victory until reality hit them so hard so fast, they miscalculated badly and over-reached.
The key force behind this is the next generation, the Millennials, who elected Obama in America and may oust Ahmadinejad in Iran. They want freedom; they are sick of lies; they enjoy life and know hope.
This generation will determine if the world can avoid the apocalypse that will come if the fear-ridden establishments continue to dominate global politics, motivated by terror, armed with nukes, and playing old but now far too dangerous games. This generation will not bypass existing institutions and methods: look at the record turnout in Iran and the massive mobilization of the young and minority vote in the US. But they will use technology to displace old modes and orders. Maybe this revolt will be crushed. But even if it is, the genie has escaped this Islamist bottle.
Maybe that's what we're hearing on the rooftops of Tehran: the sound of the next revolution.
Allah O Akbar!

I believe this article is spot on with the assessment of the situation over the Presidential Election in Iran. If the Mullahs have underestimated the rising unrest in their country, we could be viewing, the beginning of the end of the tightened hard lined Islamic rule that has been in place since the over throw of the Shah in the 1970’s. Iran has had Presidential Elections through the years but, the elected official has limited power which is controlled by the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

Iran is facing many issues such as economic hardships with unemployment over 12% and inflation near 25%. Mir-Hossein Mousavi is the major opponent to the incumbent Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Mr. Mousavi, former Prime Minister of Iran, is a reformist who wants more of a free market economy and a less aggressive tone towards the International Community involving Iran’s nuclear ambitions. He appears to have most of the support in the urban areas where Ahmadinejad has the support of the rural land. The election results have shown Ahmadinejad winning in a landslide. However, violent demonstrations have occurred since the results appear to contradict poling sources and demographic statistics.

Whatever the final results, Iran is a country in turmoil. This may work against, the Mullahs in charge, if future policies cause more international friction. In particular, a nuclear program that will leave the region threatened. The population already looks divided and just might not be willing to support their Government should hostilities with the International Community present itself.

That’s How I See It.

Websites of reference;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iranian_presidential_election,_2009
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Government_of_Iran
http://www.brookings.edu/opinions/2009/0610_iran_election_salehi_isfahani.aspx
http://www.juancole.com/2009/06/stealing-iranian-election.html
http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2009/06/the-revolution-will-be-twittered-1.html

The Last Seven

John Boehner is the House Minority Leader in the 111th Congress. He is a Congressman representing the 8th District of Ohio and has enjoyed a successful career spanning close to twenty years. Congressman Boehner joined the U. S. House of Representatives when the 102nd Congress convened in 1990. Soon after, he joined with a group of fellow Congressmen who became known as “The Gang of Seven.” The following is taken directly from the Wikipedia page about this group;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gang_of_Seven
Gang of Seven

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, searchThe Gang of Seven refers to a group of Republican U.S. Representatives, elected in 1990. The group loudly condemned the House banking scandal and the Congressional Post Office Scandal. They also criticised Congressional perks such as subsidies for the Capitol Barbershop and Senate Restaurant.

The seven Representatives were:
John Boehner (OH-08)
John Doolittle (CA-04)
Scott Klug (WI-02)
Jim Nussle (IA-01)
Frank Riggs (CA-01)
Charles H. Taylor (NC-11)
Rick Santorum (PA-18)
Six of the seven will not serve in the 111th Congress. Two were defeated for re-election, and four have resigned.

Santorum was once considered a rising star in the Republican Party. He was the first of the Gang of Seven to run for higher office, and the only one who was successful, becoming the Junior US Senator from Pennsylvania in the Republican landslide of 1994. Santorum served two terms in the Senate and rose to the level of Senate Republican Conference Chairman before being defeated by State Treasurer Bob Casey in 2006.

Charles Taylor, who remained in the House and was then an 11-term incumbent, was also defeated in 2006 amid allegations of corruption, losing to former NFL quarterback Heath Shuler.

Four others retired, two of them to run for higher office. Riggs resigned his seat in 1998 to run for US Senate, but lost to incumbent Barbara Boxer. Nussle resigned in 2006 to run for the open Iowa governor's seat, but also lost, to current incumbent Chet Culver. Klug chose to return to private life in 1998. Doolittle, accused of involvement in the Jack Abramoff scandal, is retiring at the end of his current term in 2008.

Only Boehner still remains in office, where he has been extremely successful in advancing his career. In February 2006, he became House Majority Leader. After the November 2006 election, when the Republicans lost control of the House, he became the House Minority Leader. He won re-election in 2008.

During his career, many detractors have formed against Congressman Boehner. He has gained a reputation for being against the average citizen and favoring Insurance Companies and Corporate America. The Congressman admits to being associated with the “K – Street” lobbyists. He contends that these associations are legal, ethical and does not buy favors for his support.

According to the website Middleclass.org;
http://www.themiddleclass.org/legislator/john-boehner-31?gclid=CKWF46HFh5sCFQZeswodm2YTpQ
Congressman Boehner has a failing grade when it comes to championing laws and bills that are designed to help the Middle Class of America. From the years 2003 through 2008, this organization places an “F” next to his name on issues of Credit Card Holder’s Bill of Rights, Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 and The Emergency Extended Unemployment Insurance Compensation Act of 2008, to mention a few.

For me, I do not believe there is anything ethical when it comes to the “K – Street” Lobbying Firms and Corporate America. It is one thing to try to get laws to give businesses a break and a competitive edge in today’s markets. But, Corporate America sets out to give the shaft to Labor and the average American as much as it can. Congressman Boehner is always in the thick of things to make that happen. But, it is not just him. The Republican Party has become the tool Corporations use making the average citizen second class at best. That is why I find it hard to believe Congressman Boehner or anyone else in the Republican Party, when they say, they are watching out for the American People. Like John Edwards would probably ask, which America are we talking about? It must be the wealthy one because, I am not, and the Republicans have hurt my chances in getting ahead way more than helping.

However, Congressman Boehner does have my respect, if not my complete support. I believe him and his Political Party need to care more about the Middle Class and show that the average American is as important to them, as Corporate America is. Until then, my only advice to the Congressman is, not to take the jokes about his color to heart. They are just jealous. When you got it, flaunt it Congressman.

That’s How I Feel.

Websites of reference;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lobbying
http://www.themiddleclass.org/legislator/john-boehner-31?gclid=CKWF46HFh5sCFQZeswodm2YTpQ
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Boehner
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gang_of_Seven

Comical Taste to Tasteless

On a recent Late Show broadcast, the host David Letterman made some jokes meant to entertain. His jokes were directed towards Alaska Governor Sarah Palin and her daughter Bristol. The following are the jokes from that show;
http://lateshow.cbs.com/latenight/lateshow/top_ten/index/php/20090608.phtml
Top Ten List:
10.) Visited New York Landmarks she normally only sees from Alaska.
9.) Laughed at all the crazy looking foreigners entering the U.N.
8.) Made Moose Jerky on Rachel Ray
7.) Keyed Tina Fey’s car.
6.) After a wink and a nod, ended up with kilo of crack
5.) Made coat out of New York City rat pelts.
4.) Sat in for Kelly Ripa, Regis couldn’t tell the difference.
3.) Finally met one of those Jewish people Mel Gibson’s always talking about
2.) Bought makeup at Bloomingdale’s to update her “slutty flight attendant” look.
1.) Especially enjoyed not appearing on Letterman.

Another joke was said during his monologue;
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2009/06/sarah-palin-david-letterman-cbs-rape.html
One awkward moment for Sarah Palin at the Yankee game, during the seventh inning, her daughter was knocked up by Alex Rodriguez.

On the following day, David Letterman gave this explanation and sort of apology;
We were, as we often do, making jokes about people in the news and we made some jokes about Sarah Palin and her daughter, the 18-year-old girl, who is – her name is Bristol, that’s right, and so, then, now they’re upset with me…”
“These are not jokes made about her 14-year-old daughter. I would never, never make jokes about raping or having sex of any description with a 14-year-old girl. I mean, look at my record. It has never happened. I don’t think it’s funny. I would never think it was funny. I wouldn’t put it in a joke…”
“…Governor Palin, if you’re watching, I would like you to consider coming to New York City – you and Todd as my guests, or leave Todd at home – I’d love to have you on the show. It’d be exciting…”
“All right, so there, I hope I’ve cleared part of this up. Am I guilty of poor taste? Yes. Did I suggest that it was okay for her 14-year-old daughter to be having promiscuous sex? No.”

The Palins were outraged by these remarks and felt they were tasteless and uncalled for. I agree to a point. David Letterman makes his money at humor. Whether it is good or not, will be judged by his audience. I agree that references to minor family members should be kept decent at best. Mr. Letterman’s apology is about as good as it is going to get. Is it enough? If the Palin’s want to show any class it would be. But class is one of two traits Sarah Palin does not have in my opinion. The other trait being intelligence.

Sarah Palin is using this opportunity to keep her name in the press and try to obtain some sympathetic following. She is aware as anyone that, the Republican Party is in disarray and would love, to end up being the leader of the party. So, like she did early in the Presidential Election, she is using her family as a prop to gain recognition from the public. Quite frankly, I think this is worse than what David Letterman is accused of doing. Both she and her husband could have shrugged the remarks off or made a short statement about the remarks being tasteless and left it at that. She could have even said she was a Leno fan to add to the rebuttal and looked classy over it. But, as in the Presidential Election, she has shown the lack of class and intelligence that I believe cost John McCain the election. To continue to throw her daughters name out into the public realm shows the low class she is and probably always will be. I hope, when the Republican Party resurges, it has left this classless and brainless woman on the sidelines. She may be considered in high esteem in Alaska but, to me, her lack of intelligence in National and World affairs makes her an embarrassment and insult for someone trying to reach the highest office in our Country.

That’s How I See It.

Websites of reference;
http://www.usnews.com/blogs/robert-schlesinger/2009/06/12/sarah-palin-matches-david-letterman-in-cheap-classless-jokes.html
http://www.usnews.com/articles/opinion/2009/06/12/is-the-palin-crews-fight-with-david-letterman-a-publicity-stunt.html
http://www.biography.com/articles/David-Letterman-9380239
http://www.newsday.com/topic/entertainment/television/david-letterman-PECLB004157.topic
http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/L/htmlL/lettermanda/lettermanda.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Late_Show_with_David_Letterman
http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20284295,00.html
http://www.cnsnews.com/public/content/article.aspx?RsrcID=49506
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2009/06/sarah-palin-david-letterman-cbs-rape.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Letterman