今週の英語トピック - Sarah Palin: Is it true?

English topic of the week

The news and Internet are full of Sarah Palin. We would like to present a few facts about her, courtesy of Wikipedia, with the caveat that we have no firsthand knowledge if these are true or not. We imagine, however, that this is the truth.

1. As Mayor of Wasilla, Palin fired librarian Mary Emmons on January 30, 1997. This followed Palin inquiring as to whether Emmons would object to library censorship. Emmons did indeed object.
2. As Governor of Alaska, Palin stayed home and charged the state a per diem for the 312 nights she had spent at home ($16,951 in total allowances) and for her family's travel expenses ($43,490, an additional $93,000 for Palin herself), mostly between Juneau and Wasilla. In response to criticism of a practice that is unusual by any standards, and illegal in many places, the governor's staffers told New York Times that the practice was in line with state policy.
3. In 2006, Palin ran for governor on a "build-the-bridge" platform. This is the famous "Bridge to Nowhere" that would have gone to an island with approximately 50 inhabitants. This is a bridge that is not needed and would waste taxpayer money. McCain was opposed to the bridge. There is a ferry there now, which handles the 350,000 passengers every year. The bridge would have been approximately the size of the Golden Gate Bridge, costing approximately 400 million dollars. The Golden Gate Bridge handles the same 350,000 passengers in about three days, or less.
4. Palin finally cancelled the bridge in the face of opposition. She now talks as if she was always opposed to it.
5. On July 11, 2008, Sarah Palin dismissed Public Safety Commissioner Walter Monegan citing performance-related issues. Monegan alleged that his dismissal was retaliation for his failure to fire Palin’s former brother-in-law, Alaska State Trooper Mike Wooten, who was involved in a child custody battle with Palin’s sister. In July, Palin's ethics advisor urged her to apologize for "overreaching or perceived overreaching" to get Wooten fired. Palin publicly acknowledged in August that "pressure could have been perceived to exist, although I have only now become aware of it." On August 1, the Alaska Legislature hired an independent investigator to review the situation. The investigation is scheduled to be completed in October 2008.
6. Questions have been raised in the media regarding Palin's views on the separation of church and state, given her support for the injection of religion into public education, as well as her comments that soldiers in the Iraq war are "out on a task that is from God," and in the same remarks, her assertion that "God's will" was responsible for the Alaskan national gas pipeline project.

There is more about Palin in the media and on the Internet. These are only a few of the comments against her. Scrutiny in the public eye has revealed many defects in her actions and character. McCain, desperate to strengthen his position in the election, selected a female conservative running mate. Her presence has increased his support by conservatives and the religious right. As problems with her mount, however, she may end up as a greater liability than benefit.

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