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citizenzen

citizenzen

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Sarah Palin on friday decided to quit the office of Governor of Alaska with over a year left to serve in her term. We all grow up hearing, "Winners never quit, and quitters never win." and phrases like that. Society lionizes those who persevere and looks down on those who give up when faced with adversity.

But is quitting necessarily a bad thing? How might quitting play a part in our spiritual journey? How do we tell the difference between "giving up" and "letting go"?
 
My initial thought is "surrender." When is surrendering the most harmonious act? In fact, one sees the principles of "going with the flow" in many religions, perhaps most notably Taoism, but Christ's teachings also had a flavor of it- the lack of resistance, the letting go.

Politically, I think (and hope) that it is the end of her career because, quite frankly, I find her politics alarming and appalling.

But in a broader scheme, it could be the right decision for her *life.* I don't discount that it could be an important part of her spiritual journey. I just hope it is also an important part of our journey away from theocracy and poor environmental planning as a nation.
 
citizenzen said:
Sarah Palin on friday decided to quit the office of Governor of Alaska with over a year left to serve in her term. We all grow up hearing, "Winners never quit, and quitters never win." and phrases like that. Society lionizes those who persevere and looks down on those who give up when faced with adversity.

But is quitting necessarily a bad thing? How might quitting play a part in our spiritual journey? How do we tell the difference between "giving up" and "letting go"?
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I suspect what will come out shortly is that she quit before she was going to get kicked out. :) She strikes me as a bulldog with lipstick and bulldogs do not quit unless they have to :D
 
Avi said:
I suspect what will come out shortly is that she quit before she was going to get kicked out. :)
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I did wonder about that... she's had a lot of allegations of embezzlement and misconduct, hasn't she? She did mention that she's spent half a million dollars fighting them... my guess is that even if she is innocent, she's not dedicated enough to lose a bunch of cash fighting the accusations.

I do feel badly that some of her children have been the butt of jokes- I just don't think bashing minors is appropriate. But it's America, and if you're famous for any reason, you're entire life becomes a subject of scrutiny and derision. It's a national pastime.
 
path_of_one said:
I did wonder about that... she's had a lot of allegations of embezzlement and misconduct, hasn't she?
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No charges of embezzelment listed here:
Ethics complaints filed against Palin: Gov. Sarah Palin | adn.com

In fact, she has a history of going after corrupt politicians.
p_o_o said:
She did mention that she's spent half a million dollars fighting them... my guess is that even if she is innocent, she's not dedicated enough to lose a bunch of cash fighting the accusations.
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Like this complaint from the above link?
Anchorage Daily News said:
16. March 24: Contended conflict of interest by Palin because she wore Arctic Cat logo gear during the Tesoro Iron Dog snowmobile race. Palin's husband, Todd, is sponsored by Arctic Cat in the race. Filed by Linda Kellen Biegel, a Democratic blogger. Dismissed June 2.
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How about this one?
Anchorage Daily News said:
9. Nov. 14, 2008: Accused Palin of partisan "post-election damage control" for talking to reporters about the campaign in her state office. Filed by Zane Henning, a North Slope worker from Wasilla, Palin's hometown. Dismissed by state personnel board March 23.
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Notice how the latest complaint is about the people of Alaska setting up a trust fund to help her with her legal expenses?
Anchorage Daily News said:
18. April 27: Contends Palin is misusing the governor's office for personal gain by securing unwarranted benefits and receiving improper gifts through the Alaska Fund Trust. The fund was recently established by supporters to help Palin pay off more than $500,000 in legal debts stemming from other ethics complaints, including troopergate. Complaint filed by Eagle River resident, Kim Chatman. Pending.
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P_o_o said:
I do feel badly that some of her children have been the butt of jokes- I just don't think bashing minors is appropriate. But it's America, and if you're famous for any reason, you're entire life becomes a subject of scrutiny and derision. It's a national pastime.
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Being a mom and protecting your children is one job that you just can't up and quit.
 
Avi said:
I suspect what will come out shortly is that she quit before she was going to get kicked out. :) She strikes me as a bulldog with lipstick and bulldogs do not quit unless they have to :D
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Something related to these rumors?
FBI says Palin isn't under investigation: Gov. Sarah Palin | adn.com

The problem with rumors is that they are just that--rumors. How about the widespread rumor accusing Sarah of faking her pregnancy with her son Trig--that Trig was actually Bristol's son? :rolleyes:
 
citizenzen said:
Sarah Palin on friday decided to quit the office of Governor of Alaska with over a year left to serve in her term. We all grow up hearing, "Winners never quit, and quitters never win." and phrases like that. Society lionizes those who persevere and looks down on those who give up when faced with adversity.

But is quitting necessarily a bad thing? How might quitting play a part in our spiritual journey? How do we tell the difference between "giving up" and "letting go"?
Click to expand...
I see it as a bad thing in this case....however reserve judgement till more facts come in. As implied by others I don't think we know anything yet, I don't even believe we can see the tip of the iceberg. The reasons for deciding after running for office and get elected to choose not to complete when there is no pending doom, or identified issue or reason leaves a lot to be desired. That being said I can see dozens of reasons that would make it acceptable and reasonable...but I'll wait and see.

imo if we have a situation where quitting is not a bad thing....it isn't quitting, it is making a different choice, accomplishing a different task, moving on.

Now if one were in a situation that seemed untenable and 'let go', 'surrendered' spiritually, quitting wouldn't be in the picture...one wouldn't need to quit to do that, quitting is action in this case, not surrender.
 
wil said:
I see it as a bad thing in this case....however reserve judgement till more facts come in. As implied by others I don't think we know anything yet, I don't even believe we can see the tip of the iceberg. The reasons for deciding after running for office and get elected to choose not to complete when there is no pending doom, or identified issue or reason leaves a lot to be desired. That being said I can see dozens of reasons that would make it acceptable and reasonable...but I'll wait and see.

imo if we have a situation where quitting is not a bad thing....it isn't quitting, it is making a different choice, accomplishing a different task, moving on.

Now if one were in a situation that seemed untenable and 'let go', 'surrendered' spiritually, quitting wouldn't be in the picture...one wouldn't need to quit to do that, quitting is action in this case, not surrender.
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I really think that it might be related to the latest ethics charge--that as governor, she cannot accept donations to cover her legal expenses she incurred in her capacity as governor. (complaint #18 listed under post #5) What do you think? Does that make sense?
 
I'd think it would be larger than that....could be get out before it comes out...some sort of back house deal, quid pro quo...if you leave then we'll drop and won't investigate.... that makes sense. (doesn't make sense that she would think that it will not leak out....yet criminals run from helicopters on tv...we don't always think straight when backed into a corner).

Clinton used the ignore and move on tactic. It seems to work the best. Those that hide lose office, those that admit and ask for forgiveness lose office. Somehow staying out of trouble is still the best.
 
SG- that would be my best guess too. She can't get assistance to pay her legal bills, and she had said they were already $500,000. Her ratings dropped to something like 50% and there are probably a lot of people who want her out.

I know she has a reputation of going after corrupt politicians, but sometimes the best cover is something like that. I'm not saying she is corrupt, but the allegations about her attempts to fire the guy that was in a divorce with a family member (something like that- can't remember the specifics) and so on sound plausible. I don't discount the plausibility of some rumors simply because others are bordering on the ridiculous or irrelevant (faking a pregnancy).

My grandfather went after domestic violence abusers most of his retired life. A lot of that was his view of penance for being abusive to my grandmother and the kids when they were younger. Not everyone has "clean" motives for trying to make government better, and we see time and again that those who often tout "family values" are having affairs or abusing someone and those who often tout "honest government" are doing some kind of back-room deal. Kind of makes you never take anything at face value when it comes to politics and motives.
 
path_of_one said:
Not everyone has "clean" motives for trying to make government better, and we see time and again that those who often tout "family values" are having affairs or abusing someone and those who often tout "honest government" are doing some kind of back-room deal. Kind of makes you never take anything at face value when it comes to politics and motives.
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Yeh, the guilty often protest the loudest....
What does that make me :rolleyes::D
 
path_of_one said:
SG- that would be my best guess too. She can't get assistance to pay her legal bills, and she had said they were already $500,000. Her ratings dropped to something like 50% and there are probably a lot of people who want her out.

I know she has a reputation of going after corrupt politicians, but sometimes the best cover is something like that. I'm not saying she is corrupt, but the allegations about her attempts to fire the guy that was in a divorce with a family member (something like that- can't remember the specifics) and so on sound plausible.
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It seems like the system in Alaska is set up to produce corrupt politicians.

Just file a bunch of ethics violations that are frivolous or downright fraudulent (did you see the one filed under the name of a character on a British soap opera?) against them, and make them pile up legal fees for which they cannot get assistance for. The amount they get paid for political office won't cover the legal fees, and they are greatly restricted in accepting outside employment while holding political office.

Where are they supposed to come up with the money to cover these legal fees?

I can see where this sort of financial pressure might cause even the most well-meaning politicians to accept questionable donations in exchange for political sway, which would open up the doors for new ethics violations, which would lead to even more legal expenses. Embezzlement to cover these legal expenses might be another temptation these politicians might succumb to. Either way, the system seems to be set up to corrupt politicians and get them under the thumb of commercial and/or political interests that have the money to "rescue" them from these legal fees.
 
Yep. Someone I was talking to had a very interesting idea on July 4. We were talking about politics (what else) and she said we should have a review board before cases ever hit the jury or (in this case) the internal review process. This first review board would judge whether the case is even relevant, legitimate, and so on.

Legal fees in this nation cause a lot of problems in many areas. Increased health costs, anyone?
 
She can "write" a couple of books and be a big dog and pony show star on the wing nut circuit. She's right, she can't get anything done in Alaska right now, so why not concentrate on making a pile of money instead and let Alaska get back to business with a new, less famous, hopefully less compromised Governor?

Chris
 
path_of_one said:
Yep. Someone I was talking to had a very interesting idea on July 4. We were talking about politics (what else) and she said we should have a review board before cases ever hit the jury or (in this case) the internal review process. This first review board would judge whether the case is even relevant, legitimate, and so on.

Legal fees in this nation cause a lot of problems in many areas. Increased health costs, anyone?
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Do you think that would solve corruption problems like this? :eek: (From Anchorage Daily News)
The Alaska political corruption investigation | adn.com
 
Well, she has found a way for her obvious lack of talent to produce millions.
Way more than she could ever hope to gain doing what she was doing in politics.
which, by the way, is even more proof that intelligence is less important than connections in the political realm.
 
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