Sarah Palin: The Chess Queen

There once was a woman who ran not one but two empires, who bore ten children, subsidized a non-profit arts group for poets and later managed the empire for her older son when he went off to war.

That was the 12th century, but right now it’s the reaction to Sarah Palin that’s looking medieval.

The headlines about the Governor have included, “Baked Alaska”, “Former Beauty Queen” and “Vice in Go-Go Boots. Last week the media debated whether the Governor could be an effective Vice-President because she’s nursing a four month old infant. Yesterday the debate turned to of whether or not the Governor could run as Veep now that her daughter will soon be nursing an infant.

This evening I watched Bill O’Reilly – O’Reilly for Pete’s sake! – defend Sarah Palin’s right as a woman to give birth and govern a state. I listened as Campbell Brown, a Democrat, impugned Governor Palin’s mothering capabilities for “exposing” her teenage daughter to the scrutiny of the press, which is code for, running for office.

Seriously: 12th or 21st century?

In 1166 Eleanor of Aquitaine (a region then encompassing most Southwestern France) was managing her empire in France, birthing her 10th child (who would go on to become King John, he of the Magna Carta), and co-managing England with her husband, Henry the Second. She was traveling regularly between England and France—crossing the Channel even when pregnant—and also devoting a fair amount of time to the poets who were busy composing the legend of King Arthur.

Shortly after, she tired of her husband’s love affairs and took four of her sons and launched a war against him, but that’s beside the point. No one doubted that Eleanor was capable of running two countries, even though she was twice as fertile as Governor Palin. But last week, a headline in the Huffington Post screamed out the number of Palin’s progeny—“Five Children!”—citing it among the reasons Palin was not qualified to run for office.

You can see how much we’ve progressed in a thousand years.

What the people decrying the Governor’s parenting abilities don’t get is that Sarah Palin is more than a working mom cum grandmom. She’s not a token move on McCain’s part, either.

She’s the Chess Queen.

When chess was first introduced the Queen had limited power in the game. Much like the King she could only move one space at a time. But as chess evolved the Queen was given more and more power until, around about the era of Eleanor of Aquitaine, she became the most dominant player on the board, able to move as many spaces as she needed to, in any direction.

Joe Biden is the equivalent of a pawn. In his opening move he got two spaces. After that he is limited to one space at a time, in a forward direction only, unless he is attacking, in which case he can move one space in a diagonal direction.

Obama is like a bishop, sliding up and down but limited in his path to a diagonal cross of the board.

McCain is like a knight: he gets to break formation, moving in a one-two, two-one pattern. True to form, it is the most unusual pattern on the board.

But Sarah Palin gets to go wherever she needs to. Move over to the union member area of the board? Check. Attack the status-quo? Check. Domestic energy policy? Slide right over to that one. Chief Executive? Which executive direction do you need her to move in? City Council? Mayor? Governor? Check, check, and check.

Last week smug Democrats thought they could weaken her position on the board by attacking her lack of experience but they obviously couldn’t see the whole board from where they stood. Proof? Today Obama claimed he had more executive experience than Ms. Palin because he’s been running a campaign for 18 months.

Putting aside the fact that he’s trying to compare the management of an 18 month long political campaign to Palin’s elected executive experience governing a city and a state, as well as a Gas and Oil Commission, the reality is:

Obama is suddenly running himself against Palin.

Not against McCain, his competitor. And he’s not he sending out Biden as a surrogate, either. He’s comparing himself to her because, in mounting an attack against her small town credentials, he and his strategists failed to see that Ms. Palin is more than the sum of her child-bearing parts: She can give birth, shoot, fly, administer, deal with oil, win elections, take on corruption and govern a frontier state that borders Putin’s Russia.

I may not agree with her views on abstinence and abortion (and I don’t), but I’ve read enough history to recognize a Chess Queen. Like Eleanor of Aquitaine—who, by the way, was thrown in jail after losing the war to her husband, managed to get out, outlive him and govern England after his death—Sarah is a woman who will survive to control the board.

Check.

Mate.

Submitted by Jane Becker (view blog

) on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 21:10

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Check Mate

Nice. Agree.

~Denise
BlogHer Community Manager

Flamingo House Happenings

Submitted by Denise on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 18:45

The Chess Queen reportedly slashed funding
for teen moms

I'm up late trying to help my computer recover from hours of being down (plugin gone bad apparently) and someone forwarded this WaPo item to me.

In pertinent part:

...earlier this year [Gov. Palin] used her line-item veto to slash funding for a
state program benefiting teen mothers in need of a place to live.

After the legislature passed a spending bill in April, Palin went through the measure reducing and eliminating funds for programs she opposed. Inking her initials on the legislation -- "SP" -- Palin
reduced funding for Covenant House Alaska by more than 20 percent, cutting funds from $5 million to $3.9 million. Covenant House is a mix of programs and shelters for troubled youths, including Passage House, which is a transitional home for teenage mothers.

According to Passage House's web site, its purpose is to provide "young mothers a place to live with their babies for up to eighteen months while they gain the necessary skills and resources to change their lives" and help teen moms "become productive, successful,
independent adults who create and provide a stable environment for themselves and their families."

Now - what the article doesn't tell us is whether this home was somet place with a bad record or what - but the article indicates that the Alaska legislature approved the funding, and the governor was vetoing it. Having been in mental health services, I know that there can be a myriad of reasons for why this might be done - so I'm ok with wanting to know why she slashed the funding for Covenant House.

All women should be allowed to pursue being Chess queens and ambitions without care for their gender, but this means that we need to be creating and maintaining a system that supports those choices -for all women, including teen moms who do not have the supportive family the Palins offer.

Jill
Writes Like She Talks

Submitted by Jill Miller Zimon on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 20:55

UPDATE on the teen mom budget item

At this post on my blog, a bloggy buddy left a comment with a link to information about that particular item. I'm going to link back to the link that the other links link to with the pertinent information, but here's a letter from the Covenant House.

“Covenant House Alaska is a multi-service agency serving homeless
and runaway youth, including teen mothers. The majority of the agency’s
annual operating budget is privately raised, with no more than 10 to 15
percent of funds coming from state grants in any given year. We are
grateful for the support we have received from Governor Sarah Palin,
the Alaska legislature and our Congressional delegation over the years.

Despite some press reports to the contrary, our operating budget was
not reduced. Our $3.9 million appropriation is directed toward a
multi-year capital project and it is our understanding that the state
simply opted to phase in its support for this project over several
years, rather than all at once in the current budget year.”

Emphasis mine. Many thanks to my friend.

Jill
Writes Like She Talks

Submitted by Jill Miller Zimon on Sat, 09/06/2008 - 18:25

Slashed Funding

I never said I agreed with her social agenda, because I don't. But whether you agree with her or not, she is bigger than her vagina and capable of being both a mother and a politician.

As a 30 year Democrat, it is very odd for me to watch Republicans defend working mothers and Dems tear them apart.

My point is that Sarah Palin's political career will outlast any discussion of her parenting skills.

Submitted by Jane Becker on Wed, 09/03/2008 - 03:21

Jane

You are correct - this isn't about her parenting and I didn't say it was about her parenting.

With all due respect, you've portrayed her as the Chess Queen - not me. So my question goes to how all women can pursue their ambitions the way Gov. Palin has been able to pursue ambition. The fact that she cuts spending for teen mothers who are in shelters or homes that offer support and education - as a way for them to eventually be able to pursue ambition, despite pregnancy and parenting, speaks to her priorities as an executive in chrage of a government.

If you are telling me that you believe that all government executives should make similar choices because Gov. Palin was able to become Chess Queen so they can too, then I would say we live in different countries. The country I live in has laws that regulate against discrimination based on pregnancy or parenthood because we live in a country where the supports for those individuals don't exist with any dependability.

When we live in a society where government executives like Gov. Palin demonstrate support for policies that allow all Americans the opportunity to pursue their ambition, regardless of barriers that exist due to gender, I will be one happy person.

But right now - we don't have that in the US. And Gov. Palin's budget priorities show how far we have to go to give everyone the same opportunity to be a Chess Queen.

Jill
Writes Like She Talks

Submitted by Jill Miller Zimon on Wed, 09/03/2008 - 03:28

You were in the live blog last night Jill?

Were you there when the republicans in the liveblog were talking about people relying on government for support and assistance?

You know why Palin cuts those programs. She cuts them because she as a Republican doesn't believe in excessive government spending for social programs. And, there are some social programs she'd like to see get NO government spending based on her conservative beliefs.

Being a conservative Repbulican doesn't mean that she doesn't support women in other ways or that she doesn't support their ambitions. And she will tell you that she didn't get where she is because of government spending on social programs - and she wasn't exactly born with a silver spoon in her mouth.

Like Jane, I don't agree with her in all areas but I do understand most of the choices she has made.

~Denise
BlogHer Community Manager

Flamingo House Happenings

Submitted by Denise on Wed, 09/03/2008 - 03:40

Not at that time

I was but only in and out.

You are correct - I understand as a social conservative why she would cut those programs.

What I am questioning is her doing that in the face of her state's legislature approving them, during a year when her state is about to face a $6 to 9 BILLION dollar surplus.

The image of Chess Queen also carries with it the idea that she is playing with us. And John McCain has selected her because of his affinity for how she plays with us and supplants her beliefs for those of her state's legislators.

I disagree wit that approach.

And I find it hypocritical to hold her up as the Chess Queen, when the moves she makes denies others opportunities that would help them become chess queens too.

It is inconsistent, it is disingenuous and it is not the kind of leadership I want.

Jill
Writes Like She Talks

Submitted by Jill Miller Zimon on Wed, 09/03/2008 - 04:04

Budget Surplus

Alaskans are getting very large refund checks this year because of the surplus. With that money, they can contribute to whatever charity they support.

As to being hypocritical about Palin's role as Chess Queen, I have to say Jill, I think you are missing the analogy--either that or you don't play chess.

Jane

Submitted by Jane Becker on Wed, 09/03/2008 - 04:14

I do not play chess

But you are a good writer ;) and I understand what you wrote - you described and explained well.

I am extrapolating - I am not saying that you are using the analogy that the idea of Chess Queen suggests to me.

As far as the refunds go, that has nothing to do with the cuts she made - that has to do with profits the state has reaped due to oil.

I don't believe that support for parents should be seen as charity, Jane. If we are all to be able to pursue our ambitions, without barriers, then we need to live in a society that, as a society, recognizes that within its infrastructure.

I don't believe "free markets" will allow that to happen but rather that employers need carrots and sticks in order to provide the support necessary so that everyone can pursue their ambitions they way Sarah Palin has.

Jill
Writes Like She Talks

Submitted by Jill Miller Zimon on Wed, 09/03/2008 - 04:30

I was about to hop in here

I was about to hop in here and mention that those annual payments come from the Alaska Permanent Fund. This is oil company money and investment earnings from that money and has nothing to do with budgets. But the savvy Jill beat me to it :)

Palin did not slash social programs. She picked and chose.

Other disturbing things in Palin's record:

(from Time Mag): As mayor, Palin continued to inject religious beliefs into her policy
at times. "She asked the library how she could go about banning books,"
he says, because some voters thought they had inappropriate language in
them. "The librarian was aghast." That woman, Mary Ellen Baker,
couldn't be reached for comment, but news reports from the time show
that Palin had threatened to fire Baker for not giving "full support"
to the mayor.

At some point in those fractious first days [as mayor], Palin told the department
heads they needed her permission to talk to reporters. "She put a gag
order on those people, something that you'd expect to find in the big
city, not here," says Naegele.

Um, yikes.

Submitted by miteegirl on Wed, 09/03/2008 - 04:45

No surprises here

Of course she picked and chose which programs to cut - all politicians do. Heck anyone who controls a budget does. Why did she pick and choose the ones she did... because she's a Christian Social Conservative. No surprise.

Also not surprised by the banning books idea. Say it with me again... she's a Christian Social Conservative.

I'm not excusing her for supporting things that I am actively against (banning of books - personally I think we should all work a bit harder on cutting some social program funding because many of those programs simply don't work and we could spend our money more wisely in this country. I don't necessarily agree with Palin on which programs should be cut or why some programs should be cut - but I can get past that for now.) I'm simply not surprised nor do those actions, beliefs, or ideals prevent me from supporting her in this run with John McCain.

~Denise
BlogHer Community Manager

Flamingo House Happenings

Submitted by Denise on Wed, 09/03/2008 - 04:52

With all due respect, Denise

With all due respect, Denise (and I DO respect you), I still haven't heard why you will be supporting McCain/Palin. Though you have listed many things that you disagree with about McCain/Palin, I have not seen your list about what you agree with.

If you posted this somewhere else, and I missed it, I apologize in advance.

Submitted by miteegirl on Wed, 09/03/2008 - 05:18

Nope I haven't yet

Though in the live blogging event yesterday, I did point out some reasons why I'm voting for McCain/Palin.

I was working on the post over the weekend when the Bristol Palin pregnancy came out - it was too distracting for me to continue with the post. I was too tempted to include some of the anti-woman/anti-mother discussions in my post, and none of that was involved in my original decision to vote McCain/Palin.

I'll get back to the post as soon as I can - but in general, it has to do with my feelings regarding effective leadership of the nation and pessimism toward the liberal left.

~Denise
BlogHer Community Manager

Flamingo House Happenings

Submitted by Denise on Wed, 09/03/2008 - 05:38

No Surprises Here

Thanks for keeping the discussion on track Denise.

Submitted by Jane Becker on Wed, 09/03/2008 - 05:22

Correct me if I'm wrong

But debate, questioning - clarification - isn't that all part of being on track at BlogHer, Jane?

I will assume you didn't mean to insult me because I read what you write and it lead me to think a few other things about Gov. Palin and ask questions/express what I was thinking.

But I have to tell you, that's how it sounds.

Jill
Writes Like She Talks

Submitted by Jill Miller Zimon on Wed, 09/03/2008 - 05:27

Clarification

The original post was about Palin's strengths for the Republican ticket.

The conversation derailed quickly as it gave way to an attack on her policies.

Denise moved the discussion back on track by saying, hey, no surprise here on the policies.

I was writing to thank her for moving the thread back to Palin as a political pick and away from her policies. Not sure why you were offended by that Jill.

Submitted by Jane Becker on Wed, 09/03/2008 - 05:34

I know you aren't but

reading that comment my reaction is, you are kidding right?

Jane. I wrote a comment that takes issue with your asssertion about her strength. There are many ways to do that - one is by parsing, as you say, the policies. How do you assess any other candidate for political office? Someone tells you their strength or you study them and then you consider the weaknesses.

Maybe we have a fundamental disagreement about BlogHer posts, but I've never gotten the sense that, individually, they are to be treated as innersanctums whose assertions shall not be challenged.

Esp when it comes to politics.

Come on.

Jill
Writes Like She Talks

Submitted by Jill Miller Zimon on Wed, 09/03/2008 - 05:38

The policies ARE the point

The policies ARE the point when it comes to politics.

I've now heard PLENTY of Obama supporters saying that the working mother thing/pregnant daughter thing is a non-issue.

And the complaints from the Right have been, "You are attacking her as a woman!" I get that. I think that it is inappropriate.

Questioning her policies is what we SHOULD be doing. It's what a Democracy/Republic and making a decision to vote is all about. Governmental models which discourage or prohibit questioning authority include theocracies, dictatorships, fascist states, etc. I imagine that Republicans would be against implementing activities and limitations that would tilt us in that direction, yes?

How would you define "attack" versus "challenge" or "question", by the way? I'm very interested in knowing.

Submitted by miteegirl on Wed, 09/03/2008 - 08:13

Linguistics, emotion

you wrote, "How would you define "attack" versus "challenge" or "question", by the way? I'm very interested in knowing."

I'd try to be fair and say that this depends on how the speaker and the listener or reader experience the exchange. Also - remember - with the Internet, esp a community like BlogHer, it's really one dimensional even though we get very used to one another through these posts or emailing or the conferences - but that doesn't change the fact that the written word is going to be or can be written with way different intent and meaning and read with different inference than was ever intended.

Even tho I think I write like I talk? Well - not everyone knows what that means or likes it - and sometimes, I do a crappy job at it. :)

This is in part why I think we have to ask others - what di dyou mean - but also realize, maybe I got it wrong. But it's impossible to know anything about how someone has read what you write if they don't comment. :)

Jill
Writes Like She Talks

Submitted by Jill Miller Zimon on Wed, 09/03/2008 - 08:19

Jane, would you agree with

Jane, would you agree with how Jill is defining these? Or would you define them differently?

How would it look if someone was questioning Palin's policies versus attacking Palin's policies, in your opinion? Could you give an example of how these would look? I think this would make it easier to understand your thoughts on the questioning versus attack issue.

Respectfully and thanks.

Submitted by miteegirl on Wed, 09/03/2008 - 08:27

Parsing

<<If you are telling me that you believe that all government executives should make similar choices because Gov. Palin was able to become Chess Queen>>

I'm not telling you that or even suggesting it. You are misconstruing my point.

As to her reducing of funding, well it's her job to balance the budget of her entire state. She didn't eliminate the budget, she reduced it. That's an economic reality. I happen to be very familiar with Covenant House; it began as a Church and individually funded charity. Perhaps those who are interested in the plight of teen moms can step up to the plate and make up the difference in funding.

Submitted by Jane Becker on Wed, 09/03/2008 - 03:40

Is parsing a problem when we're talking
VP/Pres of the US?

Jane, you don't know me - I don't know you - but I am not the person to be telling about stepping up and making the difference.

That aside, the points I raise in my comment in reply to Denise would apply here as well.

Gov. Palin, as Chess Queen, removed funding that had been approved by elected state legislators even in the face of her state having a $6-9 billion dollar suprlus.

Before I would say that what she had to cut in fact had to be cut, which I can't imagine saying, but for the sake of argument, before I could say that? I want to see the other budget items she vetoed - over the approval of the state legislatures (which is the smallest in the country at 60 members). I do not just trust her to know what's best, Chess Queen or not, and I do not trust her to move me and everyone else around the playing field for what she believes is the best result.

From the little bit I've read, the results don't seem so awesome, except if you count the money she spent as a mayor on lobbyists who brought in literally tens of millions of federal dollars to a town of less than 10,000 people.

Jill
Writes Like She Talks

Submitted by Jill Miller Zimon on Wed, 09/03/2008 - 04:12

Questions for Jill - step up and make a
difference

Why exactly was it wrong of Jane to say this:

Perhaps those who are interested in the plight of teen moms can step up to the plate and make up the difference in funding.

Why would it lead you to respond with this?

Jane, you don't know me - I don't know you - but I am not the person to be telling about stepping up and making the difference.

Jane was not pointing her finger at YOU as if you haven't stepped up and made a difference. Nor did she suggest you don't advocate for people stepping in to make a difference.

I support Jane's response - Palin cut social programs, probably a lot of them and probably would have cut more if able - because that's what conservative republicans do. Conservative republicans don't particularly believe in spending government money on social reform REGARDLESS of how much money they have. So you're going in the direction of "they had the money to spend but she cut the program anyway" and it won't wash with conservative republicans. She did it because it makes sense to her and to many people who support her.

And, it is the conservative republican's hope that people who care about social programs will step in and make a difference.

That's it - that's the answer to Palin's cuts. It's not any more complex than that.

~Denise
BlogHer Community Manager

Flamingo House Happenings

Submitted by Denise on Wed, 09/03/2008 - 04:24

Thank you Denise

I'm numbering only because I need the structure - not to send any message etc. re: being terse:

1. I took what Jane wrote to be a suggestion in general, as you suggest, and I'm responding that I feel confident that I step up and make a difference. That was why I wrote what I did. I'm sorry that was not more evident.

2. I understand your explanation of Gov. Palin's actions but I prefer her to explain her cuts. Esp. in the face of the surplus and a legislature that okayed the appropriations. I don't believe that's an unreasonable expectation because as the VP selection of John McCain, we, as voters, need to assess her performance. I am assessing her performance and since I have a serious question about this action, the best case scenario would be to know why she vetoed what she vetoed.

I do not know which states have line item vetoes for their governor - Ohio does and Gov. Strickland has used it, for example, to not fund abstinence-only education - even though the state legislature had approved it. So that is a good example where, as with Gov. Palin, the Ohio Gov. does not support that kind of expenditure = and he made a statement about why not - because he believes it does not work and that abstinence must be part of comprehensive sex education.

I think Gov. Palin must have explanations for herself as to why she cuts what she cuts, even when the state faces a surplus and the legislature approves something - much the way Gov. Strickland did. I would like to know her reasoning. Though I'll add, Ohio's financial situation, for a state of more than 11 times the population of Alaska, is absolutely desperate.

Thanks again for asking. You know you help me think. :)

Jill
Writes Like She Talks

Submitted by Jill Miller Zimon on Wed, 09/03/2008 - 04:39

What makes you think that

What makes you think that McCain is going to let Palin do anything other than sit around looking pretty once she draws in enough votes for him to win?

This is bad for women because she's only there BECAUSE she's a woman, and that's not what we want for our chess queen.

Submitted by mmd0330 on Wed, 09/03/2008 - 09:48

I agree that its wrong for

I agree that its wrong for people to dismiss her because she has young
kids But she's no chess queen - she just isn't that smart or well
educated. There are plenty of women who do fit that description - even
conservative ones - but not her.

my last post:

10 Reasons Why Sarah Palin Should Not be the VP of the U.S.

Submitted by Trisha on Wed, 09/03/2008 - 12:53

The Education of Sarah

Trish, curious why you would say she's not smart or well educated?

Jane

Submitted by Jane Becker on Wed, 09/03/2008 - 12:56

Well, she only has a

Well, she only has a bachelor's degree - nothing higher than that. Both Obama and Hillary have law degrees, for comparison. I don't see how a BS (Or BA, don't know which it was) in journalism makes a person qualified to lead the country.

And did you see her on July 31 say she didn't know what a VP does? Comments like that do not lead me to conclude a person is very bright. And even outside of the fact that she didn't know what the VP of the US does - it was very unprofessional to say it like that. It would not have been that difficult to come with a reply that sounded more mature, professional and intelligent. She came across like a silly girl. Her judgement in thinking that was an appropriate way to respond concerns me greatly. Here's the utube video : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=006axc2aELE

my last post:

10 Reasons Why Sarah Palin Should Not be the VP of the U.S.

Submitted by Trisha on Wed, 09/03/2008 - 13:14

The Education of Sarah

Dear Trish,

Bill Gates is a college drop-out.

Jane

Submitted by Jane Becker on Wed, 09/03/2008 - 13:37

But he isn't running for VP

and you better darn well bet it would be an issue if he tried.

Notions of Identity

Submitted by Laracolvin on Wed, 09/03/2008 - 13:41

That might be, but I never

That might be, but I never said I'd vote for him for VP or president either.

And while a few really intelligent people might be able to do well without additional education it doesn't change the fact that a person's level of education is important.

my last post:

10 Reasons Why Sarah Palin Should Not be the VP of the U.S.

Submitted by Trisha on Wed, 09/03/2008 - 13:43

You disagree with her on issues.

You should be concerned that Sarah Palin may obtain more power, not celebrating that.

Submitted by Eric Jaffa on Wed, 09/03/2008 - 21:10

As a late aside...

The Washington Post article about Palin does not appear to be true according to this:

The group sent out a release to clarify the misinformation that was being reported.

Submitted by LisaRenee on Sat, 09/06/2008 - 18:17

That is a dead link, FYI.

Submitted by miteegirl on Sat, 09/06/2008 - 19:39

Bad html

The commenter has an html problem - here's the link that was intended:

Operating budget was not cut

~Denise
BlogHer Community Manager

Flamingo House Happenings

Submitted by Denise on Sun, 09/07/2008 - 04:14

Finally

Finally, a woman who disagrees with Sarah Palin but is willing to give her credit for her accomplishments rather than tearing her down with cheap shots and name-calling ("Caribou Barbie" and the like). I've written on my blog about the sexualization of Palin, which sad to say is being perpetrated in large part by female rather than male critics.

Submitted by Brigette on Sat, 09/06/2008 - 20:33