Sarah Palin Clarifies Death Panels…Again
John on September 23, 2009 at 3:15 pm
Sarah Palin gave a speech in Hong Kong in which she touched on health reform:
I seem to have acquired notoriety in national debate. And all because of two words: death panels. And it is a serious term. It was intended to sound a warning about the rationing that is sure to follow if big government tries to simultaneously increase health care coverage while also claiming to decrease costs. Government has just got to be honest with the people about this…
The fact is, Sarah Palin never suggested the bills in Congress contained “death panels”, though that’s probably what you’ve heard. Commentators on both the right and left have insisted on misinterpreting her words for their own purposes.
The left, from the President on down, have simply dubbed her statement a lie since there are no “death panels” in the bill. The right pointed to an end-of-life counseling measure (which was subsequently removed from the bill) as proof that Sarah Palin was on target all along.
But again…She was never commenting on provisions in the bill.
Palin’s use of the phrase was always intended to refer to the results of rationing care on future individuals (including her son). People on both the left and the right read the mention of Trig Palin as a statement about aborting Down’s Syndrome babies. It was never meant to be that. It was a statement about what her infant son might face in the future, as an adult.
As Palin said in Hong Kong, death panels was a warning about the possible downside of putting bureaucrats in charge of life and death decisions. Unfortunately, both sides of the debate found it easier and more advantageous to twist her words to their own political advantage than to look at what she actually said. For the right, this is probably a first regarding Palin. For the left, it’s really par for the course.
Category: Politics |
Sarah Palin’s words, with emphasis added:
As more Americans delve into the disturbing details of the nationalized health care plan that the current administration is rushing through Congress, our collective jaw is dropping, and we’re saying not just no, but hell no!
The Democrats promise that a government health care system will reduce the cost of health care, but as the economist Thomas Sowell has pointed out, government health care will not reduce the cost; it will simply refuse to pay the cost. And who will suffer the most when they ration care? The sick, the elderly, and the disabled, of course. The America I know and love is not one in which my parents or my baby with Down Syndrome will have to stand in front of Obama’s “death panel” so his bureaucrats can decide, based on a subjective judgment of their “level of productivity in society,” whether they are worthy of health care. Such a system is downright evil.
Health care by definition involves life and death decisions. Human rights and human dignity must be at the center of any health care discussion.
Rep. Michele Bachmann highlighted the Orwellian thinking of the president’s health care advisor, Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel, the brother of the White House chief of staff, in a floor speech to the House of Representatives. I commend her for being a voice for the most precious members of our society, our children and our seniors.
We must step up and engage in this most crucial debate. Nationalizing our health care system is a point of no return for government interference in the lives of its citizens. If we go down this path, there will be no turning back. Ronald Reagan once wrote, “Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we’ll ever see on this earth.” Let’s stop and think and make our voices heard before it’s too late.
- Sarah Palin
September 23, 2009 @ 5:08 pmMG,
Do babies stand before panels? Not usually. Adults do.
Also note the use of “will” to imply something taking place in future.
But since you want to use Palin’s words to decide the matter, you might want to consider what she posted about this the very next day:
This was not about a specific statement in the bill it was about the kind of advisers who might be making these decisions in future and the fact that ObamaCare “will lead to health care rationing.”
September 23, 2009 @ 6:20 pmI don’t know… I’m unconvinced. Charles Heath is 71 years old. Do you really think Sarah was imagining him standing before a death panel in 30 years… when he’s 101?
Or was she imagining a world in, say 5 years… when he’s 76?
Plus, she did say that they were *Obama’s* death panels.
If he isn’t authoring them, why do they need to be named after him?
Honestly, it would awesome if you could be such a charitable reader of Democrats.
September 23, 2009 @ 6:56 pmMG,
Yeah, maybe it was in 5-10 years, but the point is, it wasn’t aimed at anything in the bill right now. Never was.
The point of calling them “Obama’s” was to indicate that he would be responsible. True he isn’t authoring them, but this is his agenda. Each of the candidates had a reform blueprint. Obama won. We’re operating off Obama’s plan.
I don’t see it as charity. It’s what she said and what she meant. And we have the opposite situation with Sotomayor who made a sweeping statement about race (“wise Latina”) but who had everyone on the left and in major media outlets rewriting her statement to her benefit.
When it comes to the media, the rules are different for the right and left. Personally, I’d dearly like to see the MSM give Sarah Palin the treatment they gave Justice Sotomayor. When that day comes, I’ll be out of a job here.
September 23, 2009 @ 8:01 pmI wonder how Beijing likes her?
September 24, 2009 @ 6:59 amJohn, I can’t believe that you would compare the coverage of Justice Sotomayor with Sara Palin. Sotomayor is a highly educated, competent lawyer. Palin is an uninformed, religious nut job who is totally out of her element. Even Peggy Noonan, George Will, and most of the right wing pundits are embarassed whenever she opens her mouth. I’m sure that if the antiChrist was a registered Republican you would come to his aid.
September 24, 2009 @ 7:20 amFor those who are truly curious about the existence of the “death panels” refer to the stimulus bill (HR 1) that was passed by Congress and signed into law by Obama.
The portion regarding the Federal Coordinating Council for Comparative Effectiveness Research will be of particular interest to you.
Once you’ve read the legislation, then read up on what Tom Daschle as well as Obama both had to say about the Council.
September 24, 2009 @ 3:01 pmAye Chihuanua, can you at least offer a summery of your interpretation.
September 24, 2009 @ 4:13 pmWhy, yes Roger, I could.
However, doing so would not allow you the opportunity to educate yourself.
I’m a firm believer that lack of knowledge on your part does not constitute a need to educate on my part.
Go read up. Report back on what you find.
September 24, 2009 @ 5:50 pmAye Chihuahua, It is not a lack of knowledge that I referenced, it was your preconceived notions and your inability to interpret the obvious that I was making fun of. Wingnuts are so insular in their narrow minded small world that we know what you think before you even say it. I didn’t expect you to summarize.
September 24, 2009 @ 6:20 pmRoger,
What you’re obviously missing here is that you’re the source of amusement here. It’s not the first time you’ve played that role I’m sure.
As I said, run along and read up on the Federal Coordinating Council for Comparative Effectiveness Research contained in HR 1.
Read up on what Daschle stated the purpose was for the council.
Report back on what you find and attempt to prove me wrong.
If you can.
September 24, 2009 @ 6:27 pmAye Chihuahua, You obviously have have been watching too much of Betsy McCaughey on Faux News. As a New Yorker I have had a front row seat in watching this silly woman for the past twenty years. You must be a silly woman, as well, to buy into McCaughey and Palen,s clap trap. Don’t forget to check under your bed tonight before you go to bed. Boogie Man, you know.
September 24, 2009 @ 9:12 pmAye Chihauhua, do what most people do when they encounter VS’s resident jackass, Roger, just ignore him or DFTT the guy. John did because he knows it’s like talking to a washed up seventy-one year old fool. Roger is the resident joke here at VS. LOL old fool – you keep reinforcing your jackass credentials.
September 24, 2009 @ 10:09 pmThanks Jim. I figured that I had Rog pegged from the beginning.
The sad part is that if he would expend even a cursory effort toward gathering facts instead of weaving insults he would run the risk of actually learning something.
Presumptuous assumption. No television here.
Sexism much?
Hey Rog….did you do any reading yet in order to prove me wrong on the facts?
Can you tell me anything about Federal Coordinating Council for Comparative Effectiveness Research and Daschle’s stated purpose for it?
Didn’t think so.
September 25, 2009 @ 3:03 amYes, Mommy, I did my home work, and I tried to stay away from sources like Red State and American Thinker, which seem to be your sources. You may be surprised to know that I do not read The Huffington Post or other left leaning blogs. Why read sources that only reinforce what I already believe. I read many of the right wing blogs because I find you people to be better theater than Saturday Night Live.
As for Jim Bob: I hope your attempts at verbal abuse have all been shifted to me. I gladly will serve as your outlet if you will promise me that you will stop abusing your family. And don’t tell me that you don’t. When you pee in one end of the pool it affects those at the other end of the pool, as well. There is no such thing as selective anger. You are a cancer on humanity.
September 25, 2009 @ 6:54 amRog,
Again, you haven’t told us anything about the Federal Coordinating Council for Comparative Effectiveness Research or Daschle’s stated purpose for it.
Care to try again?
September 25, 2009 @ 8:47 amAye Chihuahua, It is probably pointless to expect you to think outside your little right wing box. You seem to see boogie men every where you look.
September 25, 2009 @ 1:08 pmThe Federal Coordinating Council for Comparative Effectiveness Research in its stated purpose: shall foster optimum coordination of comparative effectiveness and related health services research conducted or supported by relevent Federal departments and agencies, with the goal of reducing duplicative efforts and encouraging coordinated and complimentary use of resources. Since half of the council members will be physicians I would think that it would have some degree of expertise and competency. Not what might be considered as a run of the mill beaurocracy. Since the right wing noise machine came out with “Daschle wants to ration health care”, morons (morans to the tea baggers)like Palin have tried to portray this as an attempt by Obama to pull the plug on grandma.
I find it absolutely amazing that right wingers can take a stated position of a progressive, who has the general public’s interest at heart, and make it out to be something evil with sinister motives.
Rog,
Well, you’re finally at least attempting to provide the relevant factual information that I have been encouraging you to suss out for five (now six) posts.
Now that you’ve found a small portion of the relevant info regarding the Council you need a copy of Daschle’s book to see what he established as the purpose of the Council.
In addition to Daschle’s book, you need to also do more research into the Council beyond the one sentence you’ve managed to produce so far.
Come back when you’re ready to discuss it.
September 25, 2009 @ 2:04 pmAye Chihuahua, You have offered absolutely nothing. All you’ve said is I have an opinion on the council and Daschle and you are going to have to take my word for it, duh!
September 25, 2009 @ 2:22 pmRog,
I told you in my very first response to you that a lack of knowledge on your part does not constitute a need to educate on my part.
I’ve have already given you a road map to the answers but I won’t load you in the car and personally drive you to the destination.
I have no responsibility to you in that regard.
September 25, 2009 @ 3:20 pmHi Chihuahua,
Thanks for sharing. Stick around VS if you can. Ignore Roger.
September 25, 2009 @ 4:10 pmAye Chihuahua, it’s great to have you here at VS – welcome to the blog. You won’t get much from the old fool, Roger. He’ll make things up and waste your time. He has some perverse view that I beat my wife and abuse my kids. He has said this numerous times on various posts here at VS. Like your #14 post, he comes to conclusions that have no basis in fact. Earl, John, Scott and a whole host of other posters here just ignore the old fool. He’s an angry person who throws temper tantrums when he doesn’t get his way. He’s like the drunk at the end of the bar who never shuts up. It’s just best to ignore him.
September 25, 2009 @ 4:58 pmJim Bob, you would like to ignore me, but you can’t, because I have your number. You are, like most of the right wingers on this blog; a loser who thinks that finding religion has saved you from your downward spiral in life. What you have become Jim Bob, is a loser with religion. And sadly, you are still the pathetic angry abusive loser that you have always been.
Aye Chihuaha, you have said nothing of substance which probably means you are a person of no substance. You have brought nothing to the table, because you have nothing to offer. It is quite obvious that you and Sarah Palin are both in over your heads when it comes to intelligent dialogue. By implying that you choose not to impart knowledge to others is another way of saying that I refuse to open my mouth for fear of saying something stupid.
September 25, 2009 @ 8:38 pmOr maybe you would be a waste of effort? Like anyone could impart knowledge on you, Roger. You already know it all. Name the last time someone conservative/Christian changed your mind on a topic and you admitted that you were wrong and he/she was right.
September 25, 2009 @ 9:21 pmRoger, you probably go around thinking that you have people stumped all the time. I have noticed that many times your accusations and wit go unchallenged. I wonder if you ever realize that you are just voluminously obnoxious; the constant barrage of rude stupidy is more than people can handle. Do you talk with people face to face the same way you talk to us on here? I doubt it. If you did, someone would knock you down and break your hip. Do you have one of the little beeper medallions “help, I’ve fallen and I can’t get up?” I know I would have a hard time not slapping the dentures out of your mouth.
Where in your life did you learn to talk to people the way you do? Didn’t you have a father? Were you ever in the military? Sports? Have you ever had an outdoors non-desk job, laboring with fellow men (logging, construction, etc.?) Or are you just the stereotypical emasculated liberal? I know liberals who would kick your ass just for being such a big-mouthed sissy.
Eh, you probably don’t talk to people like that IRL. You’re probably just a coward, and you slink away from a real confrontation, then log on to verumserum to take your frustrations out on us; hiding behind the monitor.
You’ve never not once offered anything valuable to anyone on this site as far as I can tell. I motion for you to be a man of your word and go away and never come back, like you’ve said you would before. Or have some manners and balls and conduct yourself like a gentleman for a change. And don’t give me any excuses about “well he started it!”
September 25, 2009 @ 9:50 pmEarl, that was some post. I detect a bit of anger and possibly a violent streak that courses through your bones. I’m sure that your violent streak pales in comparison to Jim Bob’s, though.
I really do enjoy making fun of right wing teabaggers, birthers, pro-life hypocrits (pro-death penalty), and fear mongers. I don’t associate with people like you so my only contact with your kind is on the right wing blogs.
Your interest in my background and whether I had a father, ever played sports, worked out doors, or served in the military really has no relevence to the topic at hand. However, if you feel that life experiences are important, then: my father was a Chemistry and Physics teacher, mother was a teacher (both died in their 90′s), I was a teacher and 3 brothers were teachers, I went to college on an athletic scholarship, served in the military overseas, and have traveled extensively in North America and Europe; when I retired I ran a B&B for 12 years and took care of a 145 acre farm; was a Justice of the Peace for 8 years and have been a real estate investor for 30 years. What you might find interesting is that one of my brothers is an ordained minister and both of my parents were active members of their church. In your’s and Jim Bob’s eyes you may find me offensive to your sensibilities. The feeling is mutual, except I obviously piss you off, where as, you only amuse me. I am not the least bit offended by your’s and Jim Bob’s insults. Since your whole politial, social, and religious philosophy is so antiChristian, I absolutely relish the rise that I get out of you, and then witness your antiChristian tirades. They say that humor is an exageration of the truth. I’m sure that you have a hard time seeing the humor in my dealings with you, but there is an attempt at it. And please don’t say that you’ll pray for me. You and I know that you won’t.
September 26, 2009 @ 8:18 amJust ignore the old fool Earl. He’s not worth our time. Again, he’s like the drunk at the end of the bar who never shuts his mouth. In the future, I’d just DFTT this bozo. He’s seventy-one, has nothing better to do but come on sites like this one and act like his father, the devil, in spreading lies and deception. No doubt, he’ll say some asinine thing like, “see, I gottcha, you’re talking about me again…blah…blah…blah.” Let’s just ignore the old fool.
September 26, 2009 @ 10:57 amHey Rog,
Have you managed to get your hands on a copy of Daschle’s book yet?
September 26, 2009 @ 11:38 amThe books that Roger is prone to enjoy require crayons. LOL
September 26, 2009 @ 11:50 amOk, so you are a troll, no more, no less. You hide behind the monitor provoking people because it brings you joy. Good job.
September 26, 2009 @ 1:11 pmBoys, boys, boys… Try to play nice or we’re going to have to give you all a time out.
September 26, 2009 @ 2:58 pmJim Blob, you are mistaken. My father is not the DEVIL.
I am. BOOOO!
September 26, 2009 @ 5:18 pmQuoting Scripture old fool. And there is no joking in hell.
September 26, 2009 @ 7:13 pmJim Blob, there is no hell; it is a figment of your demented imagination. Your Hell is right here on earth.
September 26, 2009 @ 8:31 pmMy gosh, now what’s going on? It seems nothing changes, even when I have been gone for a long long time.
Roger, weird turn of events, all those incredible German recipes I have are no longer going to be sampled by my taste buds. Have been diagnosed with Celiac’s Disease and had to say goodbye to most things delicious.
September 26, 2009 @ 9:20 pmHello Cindy,
Nice to hear from you again. Do you do all the cooking or does Tim do some of it. Maybe a restricted diet on your part will mean a healthier diet for him. Celiacs disease is quite common and we had to make a lot of allowences at the B&B to accomodate those with the condition. I am still into the German food, but unfortunately most of the German restaurants in the Hudson Valley have closed. Italian and French are the most common. I have to cook it myself if I want it. Just finished making two cases of Octoberfest beer this month so I’ll have plenty on hand for the fall season.
Spent three weeks in Finland and Russia this summer on an educational trip for my 16 year old grandson. Neither of us fell in love with Russian cooking, but it was tolerable. It will be at least 2 years before I get back to Germany. After our last conversation, which seems like a year or more ago, I used the gingersnaps in the sauerbraten, and it was excellent. I will use them from now on. It really thickens and adds flavor to the gravy.
I’m sure that you will master the gluten intolerance issue and find out what substitutes you can use instead of wheat. There is a lot of good literature out there and I’m sure that you are a good enough cook to be creative in making good dishes. Good luck.
September 26, 2009 @ 10:14 pmRoger, I’ve dealt with the demonic, you haven’t. Case closed old fool. Absent Christ saving you, you will spend an eternity in hell. And by the way, you will not be in a position of strength when you stand before God. There’s no LOL with that one old fool.
September 26, 2009 @ 10:32 pmYes Jim Bob, you certainly do have your demons. Since I only have positive loving people in my life, maybe I should have more empathy for you. Unfortunately you do not bring out the best in anyone.
September 27, 2009 @ 6:54 amCindy, I’m really sorry to hear that. There are still things you can enjoy, but I know that for a while everything is just that much more of a hassle than it used to be, food wise. I wish you well with it.
Can I just point out to everyone again that you can’t DFTT and have the last word? The need to have the last word is feeding the troll.
Roger, do you seriously never tire of this?
September 27, 2009 @ 7:39 amHi Roger,
Oh, glad to hear you are still using the ginger snaps, that really is the best way. Germany in two years sounds great. Tim & I are planning a visit there as well, within the next three years. We were gone all summer, traveling and will probably take an easy vacation next summer, as we were on a whirl-wind of sorts from June-August, and it was a little too much. Great fun, but exhausting.
I do all the cooking, as I love to, Tim pitches in when I am too tired, but he works, and I stay home, so I am the one with the time to plan, shop and cook. I have never really cooked for myself anyway, so this new diet really doesn’t change much, except the fact that I can not taste as I go, which is how I have always cooked. For instance, I absentmindedly ate a macaroni noodle the other day to check on it’s firmness (was preparing a huge quantity for my son’s high school waterpolo team) and paid a steep price for that one noodle. But, you’re right, my family will probably benefit in the long-run with this healthier diet, once I switch what I cook for others too, not just what I eat myself.
John (VS’s) & his wife found a yummy wheat-free beer for me, which has been super refreshing during this heat wave we’ve had, and there are tons of recipes out there to choose from. Until then, I’ll just keep reaching for the fresh fruits, veggies and hard boiled eggs while cooking the regular meals, trying to retrain my brain not to lick spoons & taste while I cook for everyone else.
Russia sounds interesting, I love countries where ancient history can be seen just by walking down the street.
September 27, 2009 @ 1:53 pmKeith,
Thanks. (: You got it right, it is honestly a big hassle, and definitely more than it’s worth.
September 27, 2009 @ 1:55 pmIf this is an example of earnest discussion of a topic then maybe I’ll try another site. I came to VS by accident and have read several articles that I found interesting. I haven’t seen trolls getting this much attention in a long time. As soon as a troll calls anyone a name that should be the end of any mention of that person again. Look at the comments above, not one intelligent thought about the original subject. Do you think he has accomplished his goal?
September 27, 2009 @ 7:48 pmRudy, these are all regulars…no trolls. Or they are regular trolls at least. And a lot of this is inside banter. I think you’d get all the earnest discussion you want if you posted a thought-provoking comment or question. Give it a shot.
September 27, 2009 @ 8:09 pmInspectorudy, don’t be so pompous. I am not a regular on VS so make yourself at home. I come and I go depending upon whether I have a time consuming project or a travel committment. There are very few posts on VS that I comment on. Periodically I see one of John’s posts on health care, a post on defending the indefensable (Sarah Palin), or his offering misinformation about countries (Scandanavian, for the most part), that he has absolutely no knowledge about, other than what he has read on some right wing blog. What I really enjoy, and you will too, is the posts by the regular Jim Bob. He will always have a caustic comment on anything and anybody who he perceives as uninformed, evil (demonic), a liberal (socialists, communists, or fascists in his mind), or a democrat. It is so easy to bait him and then the fun begins. You should go back to some of the previous posts and enjoy some real humor.
September 28, 2009 @ 3:22 amSince I am a liberal democrat (former republican), and an atheist (recovered Catholic), I offer a different slant on things.
I am headed to Cape Cod until after Columbus Day and will not be making any posts for awhile, so join in and enjoy yourself. If you have any questions, I am leaving Jim Bob in charge while I’m gone.
Rudy – you’re partly right. I think Roger ought to be made to work a lot harder to get a rise out of people, but no, this is not an example of earnest discussion of a topic. If people haven’t been around for a while then it’s nice to say hi, catch up on stuff, and if someone’s been ill its a reflection of VS that people care enough to comment. You’ll usually find plenty more debate than this.
Roger, I’ve no idea when Columbus day is, but have a good one!
September 28, 2009 @ 5:51 am